escordvi | [open] september catch-all

[ It would be a shame to lose it, Xenk doesn't envy Astarion's decision. He is a stronger man than he gives himself. credit for. ]

Of course. Cities have their share of activity at night, but they are especially populous during the day. People going about their businesses, with jobs and lives... those who travel at night do so with caution.

[ He frequently travels at nice, but it isn't his preference. It works for when haste is needed, but otherwise... it is eerie. Unnatural. He feels at home there, but he doesn't like it. ]

The world comes alive in the day.

[ Astarion laughs at the irony of it, the fact that he is still very much undead, a creature of the night in every meaningful respect. ]

So it does.

[ The irony isn't lost on Xenk, either. In his opinion, Astarion is more alive than many of the people he's met. And yet... he's still fated to end in darkness, and he would be if not for the completely random intervention of mind flayers of all things.

The gods have done so wrong by him. ]

Despite your affliction, you should feel well at home. Life is so evident in all that you do, Astarion. I need only look around me to prove this is true.

[ Like, he has plants and everything?? Xenk motions towards them. Between the lingerie and the tea and everything, no one would ever accuse this place of belonging to an undead monster. ]

Thanks.

[ He smiles because he knows he should, but his heart isn't really in it. ]

I do like this little place. It's nice.

You have made it your own.

[ And I mean, it's a place where he can dress like that and have people. like Xenk over and the tea was a really nice touch. Astarion certainly knows hot to host.

But Xenk can see that he's reaching a limit to whatever cheer Astarion felt earlier, so he tries to change the subject and points at his little patch of green. ]

What manner of plants are these?

[ It's not Xenk's fault. Astarion is a deeply unhappy person. It's only a matter of time before his cheer runs out. For him it's more important that he has any at all. ]

Well, that one is rosemary. [ he points to it ] I use it in perfume so I don't smell dead. It really works! Even our cleric couldn't tell. [ he's proud of himself ] and the others are all poison so I would suggest not ingesting them.

[ Better to have smiled at all... and Xenk won't forget the kiss he received, either. He doesn't mind that Astarion is more prone to sorrow than joy. It'd be pretty hypocritical, when Xenk favors his own quiet contemplations. ]

Oh. That is very useful. I employ the use of oils and moisturizers for my skin and hair to the same effect.

[ Rosemary, huh? He'll have to consider it. But Xenk himself keeps up with his appearance for that same reason. His daily routine is meticulous, nearly manicured in its preciseness, though that isn't something he shares. The poisons give him pause, though.

Well, perhaps he shouldn't be surprised, Astarion is a rogue, after all. It's not like growing plants in one's home is illegal. What's something normal to say here? ]

I am immune to most poisons, you need not worry.

[ Nailed it. ]

Do you?

[ this actually piques his interest, and he leans in a little closer as if he might find out Xenk's secrets this way. ]

You'll have to tell me about it sometime. I didn't get to see your full routine when we bathed together.

[ he apparently has no trouble simply stating this fact, this very intimate thing they did together.

And similarly, Xenk's comment doesn't come off as weird to him at all. ]

Well, regardless. They're quite useful! Far better than flowers.

[ Xenk does not move away as Astarion looms closer. If he wants to smell him, he wouldn't even consider that weird. ]

I had only my travel items with me then. Perhaps another day, I will show you.

[ He says it with a certainty that makes it sound more like an inevitability than mere possibility. Another day, for certain. It does make Xenk smile though, to remember that very intimate moment they shared. It was lovely. A treasured memory by far.

Thank goodness for Astarion, honestly. Xenk feels so comfortable around him, he can say things like that and be taken seriously rather than getting blank stares. ]

True, in terms of use, they are efficient. An admirable use, as they are decorative as well.

[ Like, Tyr would hate that they're poisons, but he'd admire the efficiency. Xenk can do that too. ]

[ Astarion reaches up to touch his hair (I'm so sorry) to feel it for himself. It hasn't really occurred to him that Xenk would take that much care and attention, although he did notice how Xenk took care of his hair even with what things he had with him for travel. It's probably more the case that he simply assumed Xenk was blessed with looking like that getting out of bed. Good to know Xenk had to work just as hard as the rest of them, tbh. ]

Exactly! I'm glad you understand. What's the point of growing something that has no purpose?

[ this is such bullshit because he loves all kinds of superfluous things. Let's just say it for what it is: Astarion is bitter no one ever gave him flowers so he unreasonably hates them. ]

[ Astarion my guy you are so lucky you're Xenk's closest friend. Well, not that Xenk is the type to snap at people for invading his space or touching his hair, but it takes quite a bit work to keep his hair looking this nice, even with short locs. He allows Astarion his curiosity, though. They're close enough that this is okay, even if Astarion doesn't know any better.

He'll enjoy it for what it is. An intimate gesture between good friends. ]

Indeed. Perhaps some flowers for tea might not be remiss in my own apartment.

[ They certainly make the place look alive. Which is a thing Xenk is very bad at seeming, sometimes. But Xenk buys it because he's a sucker—even though Astarion is a fan of the superfluous, he's surprisingly efficient about this! That's nice. ]

[ Astarion is gentle, at least, running his fingers along them for a moment before withdrawing. It is intimate, for all they are only just good friends. ]

You do seem like the kind of guy who would be particularly interested in herbal teas.

[ No caffeine, no vice, just a nice cup of chamomile before bed ]

[ It's nice. An intimate gesture that is led by Astarion, as opposed to Xenk, is something to be treasured. It makes Xenk smile.

Plus, I mean, Astarion is still dressed to the nines. Who could complain? ]

I have tasted many varieties, in my life. But I do find herbal teas to be quite relaxing.

[ Definitely favors a nice chamomile before bed. What's better than getting cozy with warm tea? ]

See, that's exactly what I mean!

[ Ugh, he can't believe he's jealous of herbal teas of all things now. ]

[ Oh, yeah, Astarion can't drink any of his teas, huh. ]

Is it something you can mix with blood?

[ This is definitely a stupid question. ]

No, I suppose it would be a foreign substance, still...

I think the closest I can get is if someone has been drinking alcohol.

[ These are normal things for people to talk about, right? ]

[ Totally normal things! ]

The alcohol would remain in their bloodstream for some time, I see. The same can perhaps not be said of chamomile.

[ Which is a shame... Although. Now he's curious. ]

Have you tried this? To drink the blood of someone under the influence of alcohol?

No, but it makes sense, doesn't it?

[ This is before his thread with Jarlaxle, I guess. And also, Cazador always liked them drunk but he's not going to say that out loud, that's a disturbing fact. ]

It does. Alcohol in particular is effective because of how quickly it spreads throughout the bloodstream.

[ It's like poison! Only poison that people ingest for fun. Xenk would say he didn't get it, before, but he's kind of starting to. ]

The same might be said of caffeine.

[ Normal guy conversations... ]

I guess so. But the point of tea is the taste.

[ And drinking someone who has had a lot of tea doesn't sound as sexy as pretending you're drinking wine, lets be real. ]

This is true. I much doubt it would change the flavor.

[ Sad... Astarion has all these teas and he can't even drink them. Is that some kind of metaphor for his life? It's a sad one if so. ~~And it's not even a sexy metaphor!~~ ]

At least the smell is something to be enjoyed. I am partial to the smell of coffee, myself, but greatly dislike the flavor.

[ That's not the same thing at all, but he wanted to share. ]

The smell is nice.

[ He's certainly ordered tea just to curl up with it before, enjoying the aroma. And Xenk isn't wrong about coffee.

Speaking of... ]

Do you want me to heat up more water?

[ he gestures back to the cup. Plus they're just standing here awkwardly by the sink. ]

[ Xenk smiles. The smell is nice! ]

I would like that.

[ He's content to stand awkwardly by the sink because... well, because of who he is. But he recognizes that he'll be in the way if he does that, so he does finally take a step back, to allow Astarion more room in his kitchen. ]

You have a fine taste for teas.

[ For a man who can't drink them, he means. But even Xenk feels that much is obvious, given what they've been talking about. ]

[ It gives Astarion something to do to set the kettle on again. Something to keep himself busy. ]

We both know I don't have a taste for anything besides blood, but I appreciate the sentiment.

[ Xenk smiles, stepping back to sit at the table. He crosses a leg over his knee, even. He's comfortable! This is just how he feels around Astarion. ]

Indeed. You are very knowledgeable, despite only being able to ingest blood.

[ He said the obvious thing, he had to. It was going to burn a hole in him until he said it. ]

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