crescentview | karaoke party!

karaoke party!

Who: Lucia and you!
What: Karaoke Party Time
When: Fall 20
Where: Cozy Kitchen
Warnings: n/a for now

[ On Fall 15th, a notice goes up on the noticeboard advertising a karaoke party at Cozy Kitchen on Fall 20th. It may be easy to miss with all of the pirate chaos, but Lucia will put a sign at the front of the restaurant to remind her fellow farmers of the event.

When Fall 20th rolls around, the smell of Lucia's food can be smelled from outside in town square. One may also catch another redhead bringing alcohol from his winery into the restaurant, or people from the other neighboring bar moving equipment into Cozy Kitchen. When everything's said and done, the restaurant is left with a nice evening setup. It's a small-ish space but there is plenty of food and alcohol for people to indulge in, as well as non-alcoholic drinks like tea and water. The karaoke machine is set up, and there are board games from the store that people can play while they're here.

People are free to sing, open mic style, as many times as they'd like. At some point during the party, however, Lucia will make it a point to play some slower songs on the machine and cite that it's been a while since the dance in Spring. Now might be a good chance to get one last dance in with someone before Winter hits! Finally, party games will be inevitable, so go ahead and participate or run your own. ]

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[ Trahearne is minding his own business, picking out various colors of macarons, about to put one in his mouth when he feels a sharp pang of alarm from behind him.

Well, there's only one sylvari here, so.

He turns, curious...to see Mishka and Syrlya, approaching him very fast.

Now he's alarmed, too. ]

Is something the matter?

[Syrlya is still hanging off Mishka's arm, who is barely restraining himself for Syrlya's sake. So he's going to get right too it.]

Mishka and I were using a magical magnifying glass to snoop on people's relationships and we saw that you have had sex with Adelis and he would like an explanation. [BREATHES.]

( Mishka's hand twitches like he was About To do something unhinged but Syrlya beats him to it, and he remains stern and lock-jawed.

His demeanor is not like Trahearne has seen before; if there is a trace of that beast Trahearne had seen in his eyes then, it envelopes Mishka now like a layer of ice; and yet, not sweltering and passionate and hungry, as it has been, but sharp and agitated, in the way a circling predator is.

If anything is apparent, he is quite upset by the news, and— in some human flicker in his expression, in some way a little hurt, in some way a little betrayed. )

[ Well. This is. Sudden.

Trahearne doesn't blush, or look compromised, or sheepish, or anything. Which should tip both of them off. He looks back and forth between the two of them, trying to compose himself between the exciting prospect of macarons and the looming threat to his life. He lowers his hands, and fixes Mishka with a stare.

He can see the anger, and vague traces of hurt. He sees the beast, but he's not afraid. ~~And even with their eyes locked, it doesn't turn him on.~~ ]

It was an agreement, in thanks on both of our parts to one another, to fulfill a mutual bingo square. One that involved sex happened to be what we had in common. And I assure you, it was strictly business.

[ Which is why word didn't get out about it like it did with Kaeya. There were feelings involved there, as much as he doesn't want to admit.

His tone remains level and his eyes still remain fixed on Mishka, specifically. ]

This was before I met you.

So... early summer? Late spring? [Syrlya knows through the empathy and his posture he's serious. There's nothing for Adelis here.

Still, he grins Mishka's arm a little more tightly.]

Early summer. When I was having my nightmares.

[ He knows both of them experienced them. It was not long after the sylvari's weekend getaway, and not long after Trahearne stopped hanging out with Kaeya.

Long before van Zieks's town hall meeting, when he first met Mishka. ]

( Mishka doesn't make a sound, but he has the demeanor of a creature growling low and dangerous. It's not that he doesn't hear Trahearne; it's not that he doesn't understand the sense of timeline, or fail to comprehend that he is sincere (isn't he always?), he just—

The bog overflows slowly, and it's so hard to force it all to sink in. Beneath his skin he feels a buzzing, and this time it nearly hurts. Syrlya might be able to feel something (some things) shifting beneath the skin, close to the surface, if only briefly. )

... Would you lie to me?

[ Trahearne faces Mishka--the threat, not his friend--and holds his ground. Only for a moment does his gaze rest on Syrlya for a moment, then settles on Mishka again. ]

I would not.

[Syrlya lets out a breath. He'll dwell more on the timeline later, right now he's trying to keep violence from erupting.]

... He's telling the truth, Mishka. And-- nothing has happened since then, right? Or else I think I would have heard it.

[ With eyes on Syrlya, he shakes his head.

He's scarcely even spoken to Adelis since, only seen him here and there. They're hardly close. ]

( The tension remains still for some long, lingering moments, the agitation swirling like lingering diseased in a locked house, the beast uneasy and suspicious.

It's hard to explain why he'd gotten so angry. Because Syrlya had needled him for his feelings, and Mishka had already been on edge? Because he had entrusted Trahearne with some honesty, when he does not entrust it even to himself? Because, in truth, he cannot stand it when anyone touches Adelis, whether it be Syrlya, Trahearne, or his neighbor brushing past him? )

... It is frustrating that you can regard an encounter with Adelis with such indifference.

( Gradually, the tension seems to leave him, the cool simmer dissipating.

"Frustrating" is not the most accurate word, but it is the least explosive one, so it stays. )

I assumed the worst of you. I apologize.

( Honestly, this sounds like an understatement considering how strongly he came on, but he'd often prefer to choke than apologize (case in point: with Adelis), so it's a weighty thing for him. )

Edited 2023-02-21 10:44 (UTC)

[ Trahearne purses his lips when Mishka speaks. It isn't indifference, as he says. He quite liked the experience, but he has enough tact to know that he shouldn't say that to the person in love with Adelis.

In fact, he does think of the absent fourth party quite favorably, even if they aren't close. He wouldn't have dragged him to the clinic to get him treatment for his sunburn if he didn't.

But in a way, he understands. He, too, might find himself vexed if Mishka had an encounter with Syrlya and told him he thought nothing of it.

There is a little hurt there, though, just loud enough for Syrlya to feel. Trahearne thought he and Mishka had a unique sort of bond, due to their ~~kinning~~ equally unique circumstances, and he isn't sure what he's done to earn his doubt. Or perhaps love just makes one crazy. ]

...It's all right.

[ He fiddles with a macaron. He has no idea what's coming. ]

Edited 2023-02-21 10:53 (UTC)

[Syrlya pretends he doesn't hear that first part from Mishka, letting out a sigh of relief as the tension eases. His grip also eases, although a hand still holds onto his sleeve.

An apology. Forgiveness. Maybe Syrlya should get the topic off Adelis.]

... Actually there was--something else. [He clears his throat.] We noticed a line from you to Mishka that... was unlike and of the others. I--know it was personal but now that we've already seen it, I can't help but wonder... what specific feelings you have towards Mishka?

[ This, actually is a surprise.

Trahearne looks to Syrlya when he clears his throat, and his brow furrows. He's seen the lines, sort of sussed out what they mean, but had been sitting next to Mishka at the time--he didn't see his own to his. He'd assumed kissing, sex. That's it.

Specific feelings towards Mishka? He blinks a few times, a buzz of...something in his gut roiling. He does not analyze it. ]

...What colour was it, if you don't mind me asking?

[ If it's unlike the others, then...? ]

( Mishka also looks mildly surprised when Syrlya asks; Syrlya had suggested asking, but he didn't expect he'd actually do it (fool that Mishka was). He... isn't certain he wants to confirm that line.

It may not be a positive line, given van Zieks also has one aimed torward him, but he isn't certain what acts Trahearne and van Zieks have in common with him, either.

Mishka, since calming, seems a little quieter. He seems uncertain. Trahearne's reaction makes him wonder again if it is just an act. Maybe something small that just hasn't occurred to him yet. But... )

... Maroon. It only points from you to me, so it seems like a feeling, rather than an act. You haven't another maroon line, either.

( Since Ath sleeps, Mishka gets to be the one to ask, )

[ Maroon? That's an odd color. Trahearne's brow furrows in thought as he thinks over his interactions with Mishka. In all honesty, he'd been so over the moon once he and Syrlya began dating in earnest, everything else almost fell to the wayside.

So he looks at Mishka for a moment, yellow fixed on him as he studies him, earnestly trying to figure out what it means. He's promised to be honest, and he thinks both of them deserve that. And he thinks...

Maroon is...dark red. Red denoting sex. And when he puts that together, and blinks, a vivid image of Mishka, naked, riding him, body flushed with desire, sweaty hair stuck to his face flashes through his mind--a faint golden flush of his own tinges his cheeks as there's an...obvious pang of arousal. Well. Obvious to Syrlya.

Oh. This is awkward. Hmm. ]

I think it means... [ He clears his throat. ] ...I find you intensely sexually attractive.

[ ...that's it. that's the one. and now he's embarrassed. ]

( Ah.

Well.

Of all the answers he expected, this was not one, and this is also the least worst outcome. It is neither tenderly feelingsy, nor is it negative nor indifferent. It's a strange middle ground, that—at the very least—lands well. Given Mishka's demeanor and abilities, sexually attractive is not a thing near anyone would ascribe to him.

If anything, he's relieved he occupies some unique niche in Trahearne's extensive black book. Of course, those days are behind Trahearne now, but...

After a moment of clear surprise, there comes a light, genuine laughter. He supposes that explains much of Trahearne's tenseness around him following the boat, even if— he had been slightly disappointed there were no feelings behind any of it. But there's no changing that. )

... Well, I'm glad you enjoyed me so much. ( "Intensely," hm? He liked it that much? More than most others? ) I'm not certain how to mitigate my effect on you, but if that's why you've been so stiff lately, then I'll assure you that you needn't be so self conscious. We're friends, aren't we? I understand your priorities.

( His priorities being Syrlya and solely Syrlya. He says this easily, breezily, like he hadn't just been a second away from violence, like he hadn't inadvertently confessed just how much he likes Trahearne, how bitter he is that Trahearne feels purely platonic toward him.

At least he's decent enough not to admit that he very much enjoyed their encounters, as well. )

Edited 2023-02-21 11:41 (UTC)

[Well, Syrlya sure doesn't miss that spike of arousal as Trahearne studies Mishka. His shoulders raise as a blush creeps on his face and he rapidly looks between the two of them with surprise.

It isn't even that Trahearne is very attracted to Mishka himself, but that he so quickly pangs with arousal.] Ah... I see.

[ Luckily, just as quickly as the arousal and the flush (and the images) comes, it's gone. Mishka's normally friendly tone sets things back to normal, and it's soon as though it never happened. Outwardly, Trahearne remains neutral throughout. ]

We are friends. [ His tone is firm as he looks at Mishka, unaware he's trampling on that delicate, green line. ] And I intend to keep it that way.

[ And he looks to Syrlya, his lips pursing into a line. ] I want to make myself perfectly clear to the both of you: I have no intention or interest in acting on these feelings. You are my focus and my priority, Syrlya. [ As Mishka has just said. In Trahearne's mind, he's glad his friend understands this explicitly, despite their history. ] What's in the past will remain there.

( He had expected this turn of conversation the moment he had confirmed to Trahearne that he considered them friends, and, stubbornly, he thinks he wanted to hear this. He didn't want these feelings for Trahearne, and it's better that they go.

The wound will ache, in the interim, and the poison will sicken. But, in time, the body numbs. That he was raised up without feeling only to find them now is unsettling and strange, and it doesn't suit him.

(Who is Trahearne's green line, and how did they manage it with Syrlya here?) )

Well said. ( He's known Trahearne loves Syrlya before he ever met Trahearne. ) I'm happy for the both of you.

( Not dishonest. Just not the whole truth. But he doesn't really want or need to speak on that. )

Still, if you hope to have a conversation, I can excuse myself. ( If Syrlya and Trahearne need to talk about this. or something. he doesnt know. ) I imagine this errs on a private affair, and I won't like to intrude.

[That gets a start out of him, staring at Trahearne's severe admission.

And then he looks aside at Mishka, pursing his lips into a thin line. He understands the boundary Trahearne is setting, and he knows Mishka is anticipating it.

He also knows that awareness doesn't ease the sting.]

I--I wasn't doubting you, Trahearne. I was just. Surprised. [His gaze, through the magnifying glass, fixes on Trahearne's green line. Hopes he isn't able to catch sight of any of Syrlya's.]

So, I don't need an explanation. I believe you. Sorry for startling you, Trahearne. [And instead, he's going to try and pull Mishka away. Away from looking at Trahearne's many lines, including the ones that tie them together.]

[ It's too late, Syrlya. He's already seen the green line.

Which may be, subconsciously, why he's so firm about where he stands and where his lines are. Despite how good it may feel, despite how, somewhere deep down, he wants to see Mishka compromised again, ~~despite how the bugs may want it~~, he genuinely does not want to pursue this anymore. It will hold a special place in his heart and memories, something he can look back on as he creates new memories with Syrlya.

But-- ]

I don't--

[ --think this is a private conversation, is what he wants to say, but Syrlya cuts him off. He looks between the both of them, frowning. ]

It's all right. You don't have to leave. [ He enjoys both of their company; he holds out his hand, full with macarons, in an offering.

... ]

You seem upset.

[ Both of them. Or is he imagining it? ]

( He seems a little surprised when Syrlya tries to pull him away, when he feels they would be better served without him. He doesn't know how he feels when Trahearne interrupts, and he regards the macarons vaguely (despite having a very widely known inclination toward sweets— even moreso, these days).

He doesn't really want to explore this, because Trahearne would just reiterate what he just said if he happens to notice the line, or realizes it.

He knows.

He knows.

Still, he doesn't think Syrlya will say anything. )

I'm all right, thank you. ( hes full or something. doesnt matter. ) I've just been a little tense lately, things being as they are.

( For curse reasons. Not untrue. Just not the whole truth, again. )

I'm not upset. [Not exactly, and not for himself. But stalled in place, he reaches for the magnifying glass to cover it with his hand and push it down. To try and shield its honest contents from Trahearne's eyes.] Really, Trahearne. But thank you.

[ Ah, they don't take the food. He withdraws his hand and glumly regards the colorful sweets in his hand.

He feels like he's ruined something here, but he isn't sure what.

For a moment, he looks to Mishka with sympathy, worry, care for someone dear to him who is not in the best circumstances, he knows. But he feels as though whatever he says will not make things better. ]

...All right. [ He forces a little smile as he looks between them. ] Don't let me keep you, then.

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