September Catchall

[silky_bearing]

🧙 WHO: Lorenz & mostly fellow Deer
⚔️️ WHAT: A little questing, a little floating
🕒 WHEN: September
🗺️ WHERE: places he probably shouldn't be
⚠️ WARNINGS: this dramatic fool. Some internalized homophobia in the Claude thread most likely.

Comments

Floaty Fizzy Fun - For Claude

[silky_bearing]

[Lorenz is never one to pass down the opportunity for something rare and extravagant. So these fascinating little vials of flavor were something he could not resist. Especially when he found a delightfully pink one that certainly doesn't smell of berries. One that has him cocking his head curiously, nodding towards Claude to indicate he should take a whiff of it too.]

I'd rather expected strawberry but... have you any idea what it is?

[As excited as he is to have the opportunity to try something new he wouldn't be Lorenz if he wasn't at least a little suspicious of it first.]

[leicesters]

[Claude's more interested in observing the way the whole thing works and its magical properties than the different flavours, but he can't help but be intrigued as he leans in to take a sniff.] Hmm... Some kind of fruit, maybe?

[He has no idea, but if the feast he threw a few months ago taught him anything, there are all kinds of foods and flavours here that he just hasn't learned about yet.]

Whatever it is, it smells good. Are you going to try it?

[silky_bearing]

It does smell fruity, just not... berries.

[Poor boy has no idea what dragonfruit is. Still he glances around at others, at the contraption, at Claude himself. Clearly he doesn't want to make a fool of himself or misstep with whatever etiquette is to be exercised at a bubble bar.]

Perhaps... [A sharp look at Claude.] Aren't you going to try one of these? What about that one?

[Lorenz just because it's a bright gold doesn't mean Claude wants it.]

[leicesters]

[Claude looks askance to the one closest to him.]

I suppose we are getting paid to give these things a try... [That's not an answer, Claude. He just gives a vague shrug and smirks back at Lorenz.] Why don't you do the honours and go first?

[Read: you try it, he'll watch and take notes.]

[silky_bearing]

[Lorenz narrows his eyes at Claude for a moment, watching him warily. But... he's right. They are getting paid to try this and then float around... well it sounds rather a lot like catching butterflies.

There are so many ways that would be easier to do this, so far as he's concerned but then his smoking experience had always been cigarettes. Still the way it is drawn in, rich and flavorful, isn't that different. He breathes in deep, holds the smoke in his mouth for a moment, rolling it over his tongue. His head tilts curiously as he lets the smoke drift from his mouth.]

Hmm... not nearly as sweet as I suspected from the scent. Definitely fruity...

[And as he's contemplating the flavor he honestly doesn't realize at first that... he's starting to float? Well... it's really more like a hover. He's really not trying to move at all but whether he means to or not he does rise just a little.]

[leicesters]

[While he contemplates the flavour, Claude observes as he begins to float, however marginally.]

Is it just me, or have you gotten a little taller? [He jokes, wondering how long it will take Lorenz to catch on.]

[silky_bearing]

[Lorenz blinks over at him, a soft curious sound escaping him. He does, in fact, have to adjust his gaze downward slightly and that's when he catches on.]

Ah! Oh my- [He almost tips completely sideways as he scrambles to reach down for his seat, overbalancing one way before he manages to snag the underside of the stool and yank himself down, both hands clinging to the bottom of the seat before he can drift away any further.

For as undignified as it is he huffs a soft laugh, shaking his head and trying to stifle an outright giggle.] Well... that was fast.

[leicesters]

[Claude reaches as if getting ready to help Lorenz before he tips over, but he manages to right himself on his own without his intervention. He snorts out a laugh.]

Oh, don't fight it! Go forth and spread your wings, little Lorenz bird!

[silky_bearing]

[Lorenz huffs a breath, giving Claude an exasperated look.

He knows better than to argue though so he does release his seat.]

You're not planning on trying even the slightest taste of these, are you?

[Oh... oh dear he's floating a bit quicker now, actually needing to try to keep himself at a level that he can still talk to Claude comfortably. Of course... that very much means that any hope of maintaining a sitting or even standing position is long gone. So now he's just horizontal. Wonderful.]

If that's the case can we move away from the bar lest I end up bumping into someone.

[leicesters]

Nope, sorry.

[He admits it with a smile containing no remorse whatsoever.]

Alright, let's move. [He'll just... grab his arm and lead him away from the bar like a very weird, very realistic Lorenz-shaped balloon. Lorenz probably can't control which direction to fly in yet, and holding onto him is a good idea lest he drift away entirely.]

Shearing with Marianne

[silky_bearing]

[It does take some time for them to get out to the region where the sheep in question can be found, Darby trotting along behind them with bags slung over her withers containing a nice little picnic lunch for them when they need to take a break. Rêve is merrily prancing circles around her but, of course, Darby is far too regale and refined to start playing with a silly deer fawn. Really she is. Not tempted in the slightest!

Lorenz is careful to take the bags from her before they settle down to claim a space in the center of the fields, a little creek nearby where the horses can drink and the grass a little tamer for the proximity to the water.]

What do you think, Marianne? You coax them over one at a time, keep them calm, and I will do my best to relieve them of their fiber?

[sereneadherent]

[After all the heaviness of last month, the idea of caring for sheep and having a picnic out in the beautiful late summer/early fall weather sounds perfect. Especially because it allows them the opportunity to take the animals: Lorenz brought Darby and Rêve in tow, and Marianne has Dorte trotting next to her and Pippin hitching a ride on her head. For now, Dorte's happy to give the fawn a wide berth as she tries to get Darby to play. Marianne suspects it's because he doesn't want to be tripped up, especially given that he's much smaller than the mare these days.

The area next to the creek is a perfect place to settle, and Marianne grabs Pippin off of her head and sets him on a rock nearby. He chirps a protest, but she leaves him be.]

I think that would work well. There are a couple nearby--I'll go talk to them.

[Marianne approaches the pair carefully and kneels, speaking with them gently and quietly enough that Lorenz cannot hear her. At first, the sheep seem interested. But then one spooks the other, leading them both to spit fire in tandem before running off.

Marianne remains frozen there for a few moments afterward, processing what just happened.]

[silky_bearing]

[He smiles, watching Marianne make her way over to the sheep, reaching over to scritch Dorte's nose while she speaks with them. Darby is busy drinking and flicking her tail in annoyance at his silly little fawn. Everyone else seems to have these sweet, knowledgeable, helpful familiars and then here he is babysitting most of the time.

He's so caught off guard by the sudden spurt of flame that he yelps, hurrying over to where she's knelt to put his hands on her shoulders.]

Marianne! Are- Are you alright?

[sereneadherent]

I-I'm fine. Just... caught off-guard.

[Luckily, the flames were far enough removed from her that she managed to avoid being singed. With a sigh, she brings herself to her feet.]

They scared each other before I could even speak to them. The rumors of how easily frightened these sheep are were not exaggerated. It might be best for us to leave them be for awhile and allow them to get used to our presence.

[silky_bearing]

Perhaps we can even tempt them with a bit of our lunch to keep them calm long enough for you to speak to them as well?

[He's quick to help her up once he is certain she is unharmed, taking her arm and leading her back over to their picnic spot. Almost immediately huffing in annoyance when he realizes a certain naughty young fawn is snuffling the basket-]

Must you?! Go on, Reve! You don't even need real food!

Ink~

[silky_bearing]

There was a delicate beauty and elegance to the design that now stretched from the nape of his neck down to the small of his back. The burn of the fresh ink was a strangely satisfying, the magical weight of it novel but pleasant. Even if it meant that the walk back to the inn was terribly awkward, with Lorenz clutching his jacket to his chest and half hiding behind Claude, insisting that ritual or not it's no excuse to be walking the streets shirtless.

Which means it's not until they get to the inn and he bustles them both into his room before Lorenz finally slumps down at the foot of the bed, listing heavily to one side as he drops his jacket into his lap. He's meant to let Claude fuss over him but there's so much etiquette ingrained in him that he only allows the slightest moment to sag under the draw of spiritual energy. Then he's smiling up at the other man as though it is perfectly natural for him to play host, now.

"My apologies.... Would you like some tea?" Whether the answer is yes or no Lorenz is up and striding over to the tea set beside the electric kettle on the desk, shuffling through tea tins looking for one that he and Claude might both enjoy. "I'm afraid I don't.... have any pine...."

[leicesters]

Claude was convinced Lorenz was being silly about the whole thing of being embarrassed about being shirtless in public. Having been through the same ordeal, Claude had no qualms about baring his torso while he recovered from the searing burns.

Lorenz, as always, can't be quite so relaxed about matters, only exacerbated when they get back to the room and he's fussing about tea of all things.

"Let me make the tea, Lorenz," he says, gently putting a hand on Lorenz's shoulder. "If you tell me what to do, I'll make sure it's just how you like it." He was supposed to be the one taking care of Lorenz and adhering to his wishes, after all, not the other way around.

[silky_bearing]

Of course Claude had no qualms with wandering about exposed. Though, to be perfectly honest Lorenz, while irritated with his behavior, was also not too terribly put out by Claude foregoing a shirt while he was healing. Which... was still a horrifying thought to have, never mind acknowledge. At least, for now, he's distracted by the pain in his back. So much so that the warmth of Claude's hand on his shoulder makes him flinch ever so slightly before he registers that it is Claude and almost immediately leans into it.

He tips his head, letting his cheek rest on Claude's knuckles for a moment, taking the comforting touch for what it is instead of the potential scandal it could be. Not now. He's tired and hurting and far too drained to cause a fuss over a soothing touch, even if it is to his bare shoulder.

"Are you certain...?" Hesitant but the fact that he even considers letting Claude make the tea speaks volumes to how he feels. In the end he does end up settling back on the edge of the bed, flashing Claude a guilty look as he surrenders. "There's a... a lemon sage blend that I think you might appreciate?"

[leicesters]

Claude smiles softly at the way Lorenz almost melts into his touch, though it's telling how much pain he must be in, so he doesn't linger too long. He has to keep him busy, keep him distracted as much as he can. He draws back.

"Sounds good. Sit tight and I'll prepare it. Do you want something to eat, too?"

Claude talks as he grabs cups and a teapot, then fills the kettle with water to boil. Eating something certainly makes Claude feel better, at any rate, though maybe Lorenz doesn't have the appetite right now.

[silky_bearing]

"Oh... no, I don't think I could eat right now." He shakes his head only for the fall of his hair on the back of his neck to brush over the lines and make him suck in a harsh breath. It takes a moment of sitting agonizingly, carefully still before he lets the breath out.

"There should be some tea cakes over there from the cafe if you'd like, though." Heaven forbid he not offer what he does have for company, even if it is only pastries. It still takes another moment before he allows himself to actually, finally, make a request.

"And... would you be willing to braid my hair again?" Lorenz winces slightly as he asks. "Just enough to keep it off my neck."

[leicesters]

"I'm good," Claude says. He's not wild on cakes, and he's not about to sit there stuffing his face anyway when he's supposed to be tending to Lorenz.

As for the request regarding a braid: "Oh yeah? Should be easier without your hair being all wet this time," he grins. Once the hot water has boiled (so fast! the wonders of modern tech), he pours it into the teapot and leaves it to steep, replacing the lid before moving to kneel next to Lorenz. He combs his fingers briefly through Lorenz's hair to remove any tangles -- as if Lorenz would have any compared to his own unruly hair -- then sets to work separating the strands and beginning to braid them.

Then he gives Lorenz a sly look. "You know, if you like me playing with your hair, you can just say so."

[silky_bearing]

If he were to ever have tangles it would be a time like now. Much as he might like to say he did not thrash or cry or any other such indignity under the scalding pain of the ritual it would be a lie. A lie he will certainly tell others but Claude is well aware that he was not still, did not bear it so stoically as he might later claim. And in all of that squirming any mussing of his hair he would not have been able to correct after because he was absolutely not shifting his shoulders that much.

Perhaps, as Claude's fingers glide through his hair, he does let himself relax into it a bit. But the words and, more than that, Claude's expression do make him blush. It feels strange, somehow. Simply acknowledging that he enjoys something so simple. There's nothing to be gained from it, no reason to indulge in it. The silence that follows the little teasing is oddly weighted and pensive.

"I do." Barely more than a whisper, gaze flicking from staring blindly ahead to meet Claude's. Uncertain in a way that he should not be over something so mundane. "Perhaps-"

He frowns at himself, starts to shake his head ever so slightly but stills so as to not disrupt Claude's work. No. He doesn't have to apologize or follow it up with something dismissive or shameful. No more than I should. There is no should about it.

[leicesters]

Claude blinks in confusion at him for a moment, before his easy smile resumes.

"--Perhaps it would be improper for a nobleman to wear his hair in braids," Claude finishes for him in a voice that is a (not particularly good) attempt to sound like Lorenz. He has no idea what Lorenz was about to really say, so he just goes for lightening the mood instead. "Oh well, you're committed now."

He really is -- Claude's deft fingers have already finished the braid, and he sits back to look over his handiwork. He's gone to pains to make it neat, just the way Lorenz would prefer it, and braided it to the side so it keeps off of his back.

"That should do it for now. Would anything else help make you comfortable?"

[silky_bearing]

"Something like that." But he accepts the teasing as gracefully as he can manage, a bashful smile and a slight roll of his eyes.

The braid does, however, make it much easier to move. No worries regarding the fall of hair over his new wounds. For a moment he reaches out, fingers finding Claude's and giving him an appreciative little squeeze.

"If you over steep the lemon it's going to become bitter." There's tea to be seen to, of course. In an effort to distract himself with something trivial (and, more importantly, something that will not be seen as an invasion of privacy should he misspeak) he latches onto the familiar topic of tea.

"What sort of teas would you drink at home? In Almyra, I mean... I can't imagine what we know as Almyran Pine Needle is a terribly accurate representation."

[leicesters]

Claude's so distracted by the gentle squeeze of Lorenz's hand in his, that he practically jolts to his feet when Lorenz reminds him of the tea. "Gah! That's right." Claude likes his tea strong and bitter and so lets it steep longer out of habit, but he'd forgotten that's not exactly ideal when the choice of tea is lemon. He quickly crosses the room, and pours them both a cup as he talks.

"You'd be surprised, actually. Most Almyran tea in Fódlan is the real deal. My grandfather loosened trade restrictions back in his reign, so all kinds of exports sneak their way across the border." He crosses the room again, handing Lorenz a cup. "Does it taste okay?"