crescentview | spring catch-all for the bug eater farm

[ It's strange--as Trahearne pushes open the door into the mostly deserted library, he hears a quiet ping and suddenly finds himself overcome by a sensation wholly foreign to him. It's an urge, an impulse that he cannot quite describe. Where did it come from? Why now, when he is about to embark on the important task of learning how to care for growing mushrooms?

Regardless, he does his best to ignore it. He can speak about it to Syrlya or Kaspar later. It seems, however, as he rounds the corner and finds van Zieks standing and reading by one of the shelves, that his efforts will go to waste. Because once his eyes set on him, one single thought fills his mind.

He approaches, only stopping when he is uncomfortably close to the other man. ]

Van Zieks. May I have a moment?

[ If his voice cracked, no it didn't. ]

[van Zieks was just minding his own business, reading books in comfortable silence, when he's RUDELY INTERRUPTED and forced to DO SOCIAL INTERRACTION? He doesn't like either of these things.

But fine, at least Trahearne is someone who he's got a neutral to positive opinion of, even though he's now more jarred as he's realized he probably is actually just some sort of green plant man rather than a very dedicated actor. He... is going to take a step back, though. Sir, personal space???]

... You may, Mr. Trahearne.
[He's... slightly worried about the vibes currently happening.]

[ Trahearne's rationality is slipping dangerously fast under whatever spell (curse?) is cast over him. No thoughts, only kisses.

The sylvari's eye contact drops to van Ziek's lips as he steps forward again. No personal space is to be respected here. One hand lifts to rest below his ear, fingertips resting against the back of his neck firmly but gently guiding him closer. And Trahearne himself leans forward, head tilted, to tentatively press their lips together.

...welp. ]

[On a purely aesthetic level there are probably worse people to be magically compelled to kiss.

On every other level this is a disaster. Van Zieks is about to question him and this personal space invasion, about to ask him what he thinks he's doing, but then that becomes readily apparent when he??? Kisses him??? Hello?????

On the one hand, even though he's some sort of magical plant person which unsettles van Zieks due to him still being unused to magic, if he looks beyond that, Trahearne definitely has nice features and of course a perfectly pleasant and competent personality.

On the other hand this preaches so many level of victorian etiquette and propriety??? You can't just go and kiss a man in public???? One you barely know??? Without warning??? It's not like he hasn't been kissed before but it's certainly been a WHILE and this is NOT the way to return to it???

He's actually so caught off guard that it actually takes him a few seconds to get his wits about him enough to push Trahearne away.]

What-What in gods name are you playing at!?
[He's definitely genuinely mad but there's also a rosy flush to his cheeks because when you're the palest, most repressed man on the island, it's not hard for embarassment to bring color to your cheeks.]

[ As Trahearne's mind clears, his (likely) goddess-induced compulsion satisfied, a small number of thoughts come to him.

The first is how warm the other feels in close proximity, that humans radiate in a way sylvari could never hope to do. What soon follows is the recognition of what it feels like to have another's lips on his own--it's not an awful thing. It's just...unusual. Nice, even.

And what comes soon after is the realization that his first kiss has gone to a near stranger. Granted, Trahearne can do much worse than van Zieks--he can appreciate his looks, of course, and he most certainly respects his station and proactive attitude. But this...this is not the ideal situation. What on earth is he doing?!

It's just around the time when van Zieks regains composure and pushes him away that Trahearne startles backwards on his own, extra distance put between them due to the momentum from the shove. His own eyes are wide in shock as he stares at the lawyer, hand over his mouth, partially obscuring the bright golden flush across his cheeks. ]

Pale Mother, I-- I'm so sorry Lord van Zieks. I don't-- I don't know what came over me.

[ How he can look up mushroom cultivation now??? ]

[Well, he was mad, but then Trahearne's reaction feels so genuinely confused that he believes it, strange as it is. More of the goddess's meddling, surely. It's not like he doesn't know her capable of it. He takes a deep breath and composes himself. Mostly. He can't fight back the flush in his cheeks immediately, after all.]

... We are just pawns in whatever game the harvest goddess is playing. I imagine it was her doing, as I've experienced unusual behavior changes in myself as well.
[Frowning just at the memory of it. Terrible.]

I... for what it is worth...
[GOD how does he say this??? He could just not. He could just avoid Trahearne for the rest of their time here. But that feels inadvisable for a variety of reasons.]

Well, I would have minded it much more if- That is to say, I do not find the act objectionable, only the current circumstances.
[Nevermind maybe he does just want to become a complete recluse.]

[ While van Zieks is composing himself, Trahearne takes the time to do the same. He inhales, turns to face away from the other, and runs his hand through his hair in a nervous habit. It's okay. Maybe? Van Zieks isn't yelling anymore, which is a good thing.

And when he starts talking, he turns around again to face him, notably calmer now.

Ah, so he isn't alone in this. Trahearne opens his mouth to say something when van Zieks keeps talking, and... ]

O-oh. [ It's very quiet. Again he reaches up to run a hand through his leaves, partially out of embarrassment. He wasn't looking for a review, but here they are. ] Then, I suppose, under different circumstances...

[ ...Wait. What is he saying? ??? Never mind. He shakes his head. ]

I...did not realise behaviour changes were such a common occurrence.

[Van Zieks about to regret saying anything when Trahearne responds Like That but then is blessedly freed from having to answer with that headshake. Time to go full on defense mode.]

I do not know if I would say they are commonplace. Certainly I would hope these are isolated incidents, as I hardly need such foolishness to become an everyday occurrence. If you encounter more such disturbances I feel it would be worth our time to take a formal complaint to the goddess.

[Imagine if he knew this was Trahearnes first kiss.]

[ Please don't sue the goddess over Trahearne's first kiss.

Van Ziek's shift in attitude is welcome relief, and Trahearne starts feeling like himself again. He takes a moment to consider what the other says, and gives a thoughtful nod. ]

I understand her want for her new residents to become...well-acquainted with one another, but I doubt this is the way to do it. [ Forcing people to kiss feels like it'd just bring about the opposite effect, just like this whole incident. ] I do not wish to antagonise her, but you're right. Perhaps we can convince her to reconsider her methods if we see enough are unhappy with them.

[ A job... Giving himself a job. Because if he thinks about the kiss he'll get embarrassed again. ]

[Don't tell me what to do you're not my dad!! Anyway yeah he is also grateful for the diversion of Work.]

I can't imagine she'd be terribly willing to listen to us. Unless you have a suggestion as to how we would convince her?

I think it's simply a matter of approach. I know many are unhappy and take a more callous attitude with her, but that would be counterproductive. If her kindness is transactional, then we simply have to offer her respect--or more--in return.

[ Honestly, he just treats the goddess like his mom. ]

....
[Making a face.]

I suppose I simply have little patience for such things, at the moment.
[He's just thinking his thoughts about Canon Events.]

[ Regardless of what's going on in that lawyer brain of his, Trahearne offers a reassuring smile in turn.

Well. As reassuring this whole situation can be. ]

I understand. Leave the talking to me, in that case--should the need ever arise.

But we can hope it will not.

... I will keep that in mind.

[That said, he offers a bow.]

But for now... I believe I will take my leave.

[ Trahearne offers a polite nod in turn. ]

Farewell.

[ And he turns to the bookshelves, not bothering to watch van Zieks leave. He can't even remember why he came here now... ]

spring catch-all for the bug eater farm

🌸 for van Zieks

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