Golden Peacock: Overflow

[philancer]

[ because apparently we thirsty, yo ]

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[philancer]

[ Sylvain just gives him a faint smile, however, not taking any offense. In fact, if anything, he looks apologetic for having turned the conversation darker, since that hadn’t been his intent to start out. ]

My country back home has been torn apart by a terrible war for the past five years or so. There’s rarely a day that’s gone by, of late, that I haven’t wondered if I’d see the next dawn. Or which of my companions might not.

[ And the battle that had been looming today was one he’d been dreading above all. He doesn’t know whether to be pathetically grateful for this timely kidnapping, or start grieving for all he knows he’s likely lost by now. ]

[massochism]

[a war... despite all the troubles they've dealt with since Olivine met the other clan members and Eiden, he can still barely imagine it. they were things he heard whispers of, always in just the furthest whispers, usually in the capitol. to live that life, even for five years—to fear endlessly for one's companions and their own life...

it's darker, certainly, but it only makes his hand draw up, resting over his own heart in the sensation of empathy there.]

... I'm sorry. I can hardly fathom what that must have been like, how terrifying... [a little bit, sure. particularly after his most recent bout of utter stupidity, the knowledge that he's only still here because of the others... but to protract that for five years, even under the best circumstances...] I can... imagine you must be struggling with how to feel, being here. A reprieve, but with no knowledge of what to expect when you get back...

[that's been on his mind too, after all. particularly with Eiden here, when the others need him, and yet there's such a traitorous relief, a selfishness in having that break, isn't there?]

[philancer]

Yeah. [ His tone is rueful as he rubs at the back of his neck, then takes another deep swallow of wine. ]

It feels pretty wrong, to be grateful to be here, on so many levels. I still haven’t decided if I feel relieved or guilty. Or maybe guilty I’m relieved? That probably fits, too.

[ Faerghans do guilt a little too well, after all. ]

[massochism]

I think... it's normal to be confused by it. And to feel relief. When you spend so long fighting for every step, how can you not?

[Olivine sips his drink again, slowly to account for how infrequently he imbibes, and his brows furrow in an almost sheepish smile.]

But I think guilt is a little too much to bear. You didn't ask to come here. You didn't abandon your friends, or forget their struggles.

For now, all we can do is breathe. Until we can find a way back, it's better to recuperate than keep running yourself down. If your friends and comrades are anything like mine, I'm sure they would be relieved to find you safe.

At least... that's what I think.

[philancer]

Is that your priestly advice?

[ As far as his typical defensive reflex of teasing goes, this one is gentle and fond, lips curving up into a smile as he pushes away what he can of his darker worries. This really isn't the time or place for them, and sitting here brooding over things he can't change isn't going to do anyone any good. ]

I'm still trying to convince myself of all that, honestly, with varying levels of success, but thank you for the reminder, all the same.

[ Something in that statement makes him thinking of something else, however, and he glances across to study Olivine curiously once more. ] Have you found any of your friends here yet?

[massochism]

It could be. But I'd be happier to consider it the advice of a friend... if you wouldn't mind.

[He's so quick to fall into the banter, happy to let their respective darker thoughts fade into the background. The words are so painfully earnest, too, despite the fact that this is their first meeting. His struggles are reasonable and honestly, fairly mild in the scheme of them.]

I am happy to repeat it so long as it may help.

[hand on heart, Olivine closes his eyes for a moment, only to open them again at the question. oh... there's a soft tinge that rises to his cheeks then. Olivine is not hard to read.]

Ah, yes... just one, so far. His name is Eiden, and he's... a-ah. I'm rather... selfishly glad he's here. I wouldn't be the same person without him.

[warm and shy, Olivine is almost vibrant whenever talking about Eiden.]

[philancer]

[ The offer takes him by surprise, even though it probably shouldn’t. Then again, he’s not very accustomed to offers of friendship, just for the sake of friendship. Not that he brings that up, just lets that smile warm a little further. ]

I don’t mind at all, in fact.

[ That smile turns into a grin at the sight of that blush as he leans forward in interest. Even more so when he realizes he knows that name. ]

Ahh, I think I met him earlier today. [ In a closet. It was a very interesting seven minutes. ]

[massochism]

Thank you. I'm glad to make a friend in you, Sylvain.

[If he had a tail, it would be wagging about now. There's a pleasant buzz there in the back of his mind, a distant reminder that he's been drinking at all, but it isn't even that noticeable.]

Ah! Then you know. [Olivine laughs, and though he doesn't know the circumstances, he knows Eiden. Sylvain's lack of irritation informs much of the remaining questions, the ones that matter.] he's just so... free to be himself. Completely, unabashedly himself. I trust he took good care of you, too.

[He doesn't actually put any implication in there, because... well, he doesn't need to. Eiden taking care of people is as second nature as his absolutely filthy mind, as far as Olivine is concerned.]

[philancer]

[ That summary gets a laugh from him as he takes another sip of his wine. ]

I suppose I do. We, uh, got locked in a closet for a bit until we worked out how to get out.

[ He'd been a little worried that admitting that might spawn some jealousy, but from Olivine's reaction to Eiden in general, maybe that wasn't the case at all. Or maybe people just did relationships differently where they came from? He was already finding out there was a vast difference in what he'd always taken for granted and what was considered normal for many people here. ]

[massochism]

Locked in a closet?? How did that even work?

[no, he certainly doesn't seem jealous in the least; if he asked, Sylvain can probably guess Olivine would be happy to explain; the clan members' relationship with Eiden is already pretty unusual. Now though...

... well now he's thinking about getting stuck in a closet with someone, the varied things they could be made to do to—]

Ah... but I'm also glad you made it out without too much trouble, it sounds like. I'm a little envious of the first meeting, if I'm honest. [what were you even imagining, Olivine? This little admission does get him to pause though. He hadn't meant to say it aloud, and his eyes drift down to the drink. Had he had too much already??? He doesn't feel tipsy...]

[philancer]

[ He blinks for a moment, trying to make sense of that statement. ]

You wish you got stuck in a closet? [ He sounds more bemused by that than anything else. ] Well, there’s still plenty of those around, it’s not too late. Although the dressing rooms in the store were a little roomier. And, ah, very easy access.

But yeah we made out without too much trouble. [ Yeah, he totally meant that slip of the tongue. ] Eiden was telling me they were having us play something called seven minutes in heaven? It was not something I’d heard of before, but not quite so different from some of the games we’d played back home when we were younger.

[massochism]

Ah- no, I— [excuse him, he's just going to seep through the floor now. despite how he rubs his cheek, it doesn't stem the flush of red that rises out of it. the deeper gulp of his wine he takes after is neither a good choice nor helpful in hiding his embarrassment.] That isn't what I meant... I'm not sure what made me say it like that. I just meant it would have been a little more... exciting than meeting me normally like this.

[he's also not sure he'd like to clarify it as "it would have been nice meeting you somewhere a little less... polite," either. it would be a little better if it didn't sound like he's putting himself down a little, especially since he's really not. it's just that meeting over lunch is so mundane. (never mind that he met Eiden literally when he was running errands for the church.)]

Seven minutes in heaven... I'm not surprised he recognised it, somehow. Eiden seems to be so versed in things like that. [there's a pause, a very sudden realisation that he should probably explain—] Ah. Eiden isn't from my world, either. I'm sure if we were from the same one, I would be more sure of what he called it.

[he giggles a little then, head shaking. But it does... sound like something similar to a "game" I've heard some of the older children whisper about, too. Maybe a little childish... but it could be fun. I can imagine it didn't stop there for some people, too.

[boy, can he imagine.]

I've only been in the dressing rooms briefly, at that. A leash decided to attach itself to me and pull me in there, so I... didn't really have that much thought toward looking around. [he was too busy soothing Basch's embarrassment. he does not say this. it's the strictest confidence, okay.]

[philancer]

[ Oh no. That blush is basically the most adorable thing he's seen the other man do in the short time he's known him. Also such dangerous knowledge to give someone like Sylvain, who counts 'flustering people' as one of his favorite hobbies.

He reaches across the table, laying his hand over the one that's not desperately clutching his wine glass, and gives it a small squeeze while winking at the man. ]

I don't know. I think this was a good way to meet. And there's no reason things couldn't always turn more "exciting" after we have our meal, if that's what you'd like. There are still plenty of collars and leashes and other inventive toys back there to be explored yet.

[ Oddly enough, Basch had been dragged to him in roughly the same manner, so he can understand. ]

[massochism]

[hey??? Hey?????? He's not supposed to be this much like Eiden, that's not fair—

Olivine's fluster tends to ease faster than most, and well... he's not so ashamed of just how much he wants to try anymore. It doesn't ease the blush any, but there's a notable shift in it, at least. Sylvain never implied he wasn't interested, nor that there was any reason he shouldn't offer, but the warmth of his hand and the wink capture Olivine as well as any collar and leash ever could.]

... I didn't mean that it wasn't... I'm glad we got to talk this way.

[His voice is a little softer, still as warm but with an undercurrent of interest. Olivine likes forthright and earnest people, and the redhead giving such delicious options so freely is—ah. He was doomed from the start, wasn't he. Olivine is quiet for a moment, considering his words carefully. What he wants to say (everything, let's try everything) and what he ought to say aren't ultimately so different, but he's a sucker for being clear himself. Mostly.]

... I would like that. I wouldn't know what to pick, but maybe we can find something a little more... exotic to try? Or something you've wanted to try.

[His gaze flicks away, to the warmth of their hands together on the table. Olivine has about a million shy instincts, but he does seem to lack shame. Funny, considering how this conversation started.]

Mm... after we eat, of course. And you're very kind to offer... so thank you.

[will this be the fastest he's ever eaten? No, probably not, but it sure isn't going to make him slow down about it. Rest assured that he'll also be spending basically the whole meal imagining what Sylvain will do with his newfound knowledge and power.]

[philancer]

[ He chuckles, because that blush doesn't fade, even if Olivine didn't fluster as much as one would expect when sporting that particular shade. Then again, Sylvain's already figuring out he's a different kind of shy than the usual. Which just makes him all the more interesting, really.

His fingers brush against the back of Olivine's hand for a moment before he withdraws it, turning his attention to serving them both from the platter of food they'd ordered. Especially now that they had dessert to look forward to, as it were. ]

I'm not sure 'kind' is the right word here, but you're welcome all the same. And we can find anything as exotic as you like. I happen to enjoy trying new things, and trust me, there's very little you could say or ask for that would shock me.

[massochism]

[warmth lingers on the back of Olivine's hand when Sylvain pulls back, and he can't help but laugh at the comment.]

It's kind to me. Just because you'll also get something out of it doesn't change that... I don't know what will really catch my eye until I look again, though. Even some of the things I've done before might feel different without the piercings.

[That's certainly a statement to not elaborate on. Really though, how strange. It really is starting to feel like he's changed a little... like pursuing something enjoyable for himself isn't so bad. The camaraderie isn't hurting matters any, for sure, alongside the assumption of Eiden's truth and interest. A soft hum even rises on his lips as he starts to eat, content to let his mind wander a little whenever they're not actively talking.]

[philancer]

[ Consider him intrigued.

One eyebrow arches upwards as a smile hovers around his lips as he takes a few bites of food. ]

Piercings, huh?

[massochism]

Mm—

[He has to remember his manners, don't speak with your mouth full. Chew and swallow, and then answer.]

I ah... have a couple, yes. [not quite coy, in spite of any potential small bites one could argue are there just to hide behind. Still, the words are spoken softly, perhaps to keep them harder to hear by prying ears.] I had pierced my nipples a few years before meeting Eiden.

[It makes a certain amount of almost sick sense, when you think about it. Nipple piercings would be easy to hide and easy to maintain... and certainly puts their interests into some more glaring focus.]

Honestly it feels almost uncomfortable not having them anymore. I'd been hoping to find something to at least fill the space, but... [but no luck yet, clearly.]

[philancer]

There is a piercing section in that shop.

[ He and Felix may have used something in the body jewelry for very non-piercing uses but luckily hadn’t been caught at it. It had been the only place they could think to find sharp metal objects.

He pauses to take another bite before offering, ] We could look while we’re there if you like?

[massochism]

There is... I wonder if I could afford anything I really like.

[He's an aesthetic bitch, he deserves it. Also Sylvain, why. It's reasonable enough though, given they took basically everything from the wildcards...

To that point, Sylvain makes that offer and Olivine lets himself take it at the most base offer, given the unambiguous reason they're planning to go there in the first place.]

... I wouldn't protest, if you don't mind. Maybe you could help me pick something to try now.

[Maybe it's a matter of course to Sylvain, but Olivine would prefer to be clear. It gives an excuse for more conversation between bites.]

[philancer]

It doesn't hurt to look, and if we find something you like, even better.

[ He's still figuring out how the currency works here, of course, but should Olivine find something that catches his eye, Sylvain doesn't mind figuring out how to make the system work in their favor. ]

Do you want something new, or just replacing what they didn't allow you to bring with you?

[massochism]

You have a point.

[again. Olivine hums thoughtfully at the question, head just a little hazy in his thoughts.]

Oh, I think anything would be new. I'd made my own jewelry, before... [a beat, a moment of realisation.] or... were you thinking a whole new piercing?

[He clearly wasn't, but by the way he bites his lip, he's both thinking about it now and not... at all against it. He's a healer, after all.

The biggest problem would honestly be choosing a location.]

[philancer]

[ Sylvain's grin is slow and knowing as he props his chin back in his palm once more. ]

I think it matters more what you're thinking. So what would you like?

[massochism]

[on second thought, Sylvain and Eiden meeting is probably a terrible omen. Terribly wonderful. Olivine doesn't huff, doesn't quite pout, but it's a very near thing. bully him more, Sylvain, it's very fun. his head ducks a little before he speaks again.]

I'm... not opposed to getting something new. But I'm not entirely sure where I would put it.

[he's had thoughts, especially about one particular place, but... that's more recovery than he's wanting right now.]

[philancer]

[ That smirk only grows now. ]

Well, there is your cock, but I feel like that would ruin the rest of the afternoon’s fun. You said you have your nipples pierced already so, hmm… What other places do they pierce in your world? I think mine is probably not as adventurous as some of the others represented here.