Golden Peacock: Overflow

[philancer]

[ because apparently we thirsty, yo ]

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[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.

[massochism]

[Olivine clears his throat at that, fully aware now that he is affording Sylvain entirely too much leeway.]

T-that... even with my healing I think that would be a little dangerous, yes. As to other piercings... I'm not entirely sure. Most of the people I've met don't have many, but as far as I understand it, most anywhere with enough skin can be pierced. I read a book once about some tribes that pierce most of their faces... mm. On someone else, there would be the navel, but that won't work for me. [it doesn't occur to him that he hasn't explained that, and currently his gemstone is at least mostly covered. his eyes close in concentration, trying to remember all the things he'd read over the years, in quiet secrecy.] And... the tongue is common, too.

[common and, let's be real here, swift to heal even without assistance.]

[philancer]

[ There are a couple things there he’d like to question - the healing being one of them - but he just tilts his head to the side slightly in curiosity. ]

The tongue would be fun, that might be a good choice. Why not the navel, though?

[massochism]

Oh—it's where my gemstone is. [then and only then, it occurs to him that this fact... probably doesn't mean anything at all to Sylvain. he can't imagine Eiden went explaining the clan members when they were making out and all.] Ah. Um. Let me start again.

[Olivine laughs softly, hand moving to rest briefly over his gem.]

I'm one of the clan members of the Grand Sorcerer, who is the one in our world who balances the elemental altars. That's Eiden for us, right now. Each clan member has a gemstone that signifies their contract with the Grand Sorcerer. Mine is at my navel. It... I assume they didn't take it because it could have killed me to do so.

[it's a terrifying thought, especially now that he knows a little more from Rei.]

[philancer]

[ Sylvain's eyes widen slightly at that, because that sounds like a dangerous vulnerability to have. Or to just reveal to someone. ]

So there's... different altars for different elements, in your world? [ Interesting. He ponders that a moment while taking a few more bites, before asking the obvious question. ]

May I ask what element yours is?

[massochism]

[when you think about it, it's a little terrifying how many people just kind of know the gem is dangerous to remove... until you realise how much effort it actually is to do compared to literally just hurting them any other way. It's so unheard of that really, Olivine doesn't even know what the catalyst of Sylvain's eyes widening could be. There was... a lot of information there, after all.]

Mm, yes. According to our history, the crystals contained in the altars are the remnants of the God of Klein's kindness, in sending His sons to bring life to our world. Each of the territories cares for the elemental crystal that resides in its respective area, and said territory is shaped by the abundance of that element. [obviously extremely abridged history-slash-theology lesson given, he smiles at the question.]

If you mean the gemstone I bear... I don't know that it has an inherent element. [one would think it would correspond to the territory they came from, or even the color of it, but... well, clan contracts are weird, he supposes. After a moment of consideration (and a few more bites of food), he continues.] I suppose it might be more aligned with water, since I was born in the Water Territory, but... well, it's always just seemed to help me focus essence in general.

[philancer]

[ There’s a lot of information there but at least he gets the gist of most of it, unlike some of the other explanations he’s heard today. Some of these worlds were very strange.

Then again, he’s pretty sure if he tried to explain Fodlan to some of them, they might have the same confused reaction. Hells, he was confused by Fodlan half the time.

Still, the prominent question that stood out after that… ]

…Essence?

[massochism]

[luckily, Olivine is relatively prepared for this conversation. Eiden may have heard the basics of what essence was before they'd met, but there's a lot he's taught the man. besides, the children always have some questions about it.

this doesn't stop his laugh from being a little sheepish (again), and he smiles at Sylvain.]

Essence is, basically speaking, the energy that all living things exhibit. It exists as an ebb and flow on Klein, and manifests most of the wonders of our world. The seasons and mysteries, even natural disasters are often linked to the fluctuation of essence in the surrounding area. It's a little more complex than that, of course, but I'll save you the lecture for now. [he laughs, ducking his head and picking up another piece of food to eat.]

Mm, for clan members, though—we accumulate essence from the surrounding area naturally, and need to find ways to expend it. I'm still not entirely sure if that will stay true here... but I also don't suspect it will be a problem if it does, for me.

[philancer]

What happens if you don’t expend it?

[ He looks intrigued by this, questioning between bites of food as they make a dent in the meal before him. ]

Do you expend it through the gemstone? Is that what it’s for?

[massochism]

Ah... ultimately, we die. Too much essence is just as bad as none. First, an individual will become flushed and struggle to focus. The longer it goes, the more difficult it becomes to do anything, and eventually, as the essence fluctuates, the internal organs fail.

[Olivine clears his throat, trying his damnedest not to let his thoughts drift back to the water territory. to dragging himself out of bed, to almost—]

Oh, no. The gemstones really are just the mark of our contract with the Grand Sorcerer. They represent... [a pause, his brows furrowing. what was it Rei had said? there's so much new information that even he struggles to recall it all at once.] They represent the power that we were lent in order to fulfill our duties.

Releasing essence can be done in many ways, thankfully. In most cases, adequate rest and relaxation will be enough.

[philancer]

[ He catches that moment of… unease? Fear? Something else? and it has him reaching for Olivine’s hand again, giving it a slight squeeze in apology. he knows that look, all too well. ]

In most cases…?

[ Was this something that needed to be worried about here? Because none of that sounded pleasant. ]

[massochism]

[it's appreciated, and Olivine doesn't shy away from it—he's not sure how to explain how appreciative he is, so he just places his other hand over it, smile warming again.]

Well, we have essence grass and other herbs that can be made into teas, to help regulate it. It doesn't affect just we clan members, though it's more commonly an issue with us.

As long as we're still lucid, Eiden—the Grand Sorcerer, that is—can easily regulate our essence, given our contract. [the tinge of pink is as telling as his words.] Any sort of intimacy will do, so long as it helps us to focus. If we're not, then... evidently, the best practice is to find where our essence is most strongly concentrated and give it any way out.

[and the way he rubs the side of his neck would be an awful lot less telling if Olivine wasn't usually fairly still outside of his gestures.]