seasonsrpg | Upon the fields of barley

[E'kayan, for all his emotional intelligence, has always had an incredible blind spot when it comes to people being attracted to him. It's something he's missed before now and be definitely missed it with Erenville despite finding the Viera incredibly attractive in turn.

Living together has brought with it a level of closeness with Erenville that it's likely he would never have been able to achieve had they been continuing the course of their lives back home. It's something he has enjoyed immensely, but the other man actually asking him on a date had caught him completely by surprise.

So much so that his stunned silence had almost been taken for a refusal before he managed to blurt out an agreement.]

Hmm...

[He has some interest in botany himself. It's a useful skill to have when you need to make your own potions, after all, so this should be interesting for the both of them.]

Let's just work our way around. You come here a lot, right? You can point out the best things as we go.

[Then, with a smile, he slips his hand into Erenville's.]

[Honestly, Kayan really gave him a fright when he received no answer! While a refusal wouldn't have hurt too badly, these sorts of things happened, no answer felt far worse! Until the miqo'te apparently remembered himself and gave him an affirmative.

Erenville had worried a little about picking this place, given he came here a lot just to study, but he was glad the other man was agreeable to it. He nodded and then started a little when he felt Kayan's hand slip into his. His cheeks warmed and his ears wiggled a little.]

Then, I will do my best to be your guide here. Shall we?

[He gestured to the nearby enclosure, this one with butterflies and several tropical style flowers.]

Mhm!

[He's happy here. He's happy to be here, with this person, in a way that's becoming more and more unfamiliar to him. The way Erenville's ears wiggle does draw his attention for a moment - long enough that he doesn't quite realise that his own do the same thing - and he smiles brightly.

E'kayan loves butterflies. That's not a secret, though it might be something that he hasn't outwardly shared with Erenville before. His expression grows eager and excited as they enter the first enclosure and he spots the colourful insects flying about.]

Wow-- [There's a stand with some orange pieces on it, where a few butterflies are sitting and slowly moving their wings while they feed. E'kayan pulls Erenville along towards it.] Hey, look!

[No, E'kayan had not shared that little tidbit with him. But it was a lovely surprise, all things considered. Erenville wondered if they were his favorite, even.

He laughed quietly as he was pulled along to an orange set of flowers.]

Ah, that one I believe you have seen before. The Morpho. It is in lovely contract with the orange, no? And look, that one is a Blue Moon.

[Blue and orange we always complimentary, so it made for a beautiful sight.]

Mm, and that one, that's a swallowtail.

[He points out the black and white butterfly with the 'tails' on its wings, and he still hasn't let go of Erenville's hand. But then, holding hands has become all but commonplace between them by now, hasn't it? He's grown used to the feeling of the gleaner's calloused fingers clasped around his.

While they're standing still, he subconsciously wraps his tail around the back of Erenville's leg.]

And the flowers are marigolds.

Ah, you know your butterflies. Is this before or after I advised to study toads?

[The gleaner couldn't help the light tease. His ears, however, do stiffen for a split second at feeling the added warmth around his legs. His ears lower a little in embarrassment at the extra affection.]

Ah, Kayan... your tail.

[It would make walking a little difficult as well.]

I, uh. I just like butterflies. And everyone knows what a marigold is.

[And it's not like he's spouting off the scientific names for these bugs, please Erenville, don't embarrass him.

Though it happens anyway, and he's fully embarrassing himself when Erenville points out the position he's got his tail into. He jerks it back swiftly and flushes pink, pulling his hand free of the Viera's at the same time and straightening up with his ears pinned back.]

I-- hm. I never actually got around to studying toads, yanno...

[E'kayan was adorable like this, although Erenville was disappointed when his hand was let go of. He sighed softly, reaching out with a slight smirk and pressed his hand between those pinned back ears. He ruffled the hair between, eager to get them back to their original position.]

What? Even after I told you to? Tsk, tsk, how will you accurately imitate one should you impersonate one again!

[He purses his lips when his head is patted though his ears do perk back up to their former position.]

You're treating me like I'm cute again.

[Though it doesn't sound like he minds. He didn't mind the first time it happened and he doesn't mind now... because surely, no one would be able to treat the Warrior of Light like he was cute if he didn't want them to get away with it.]

Maybe I'll be a frog next time, do you know all about those too?

Yes, because you are cute.

[Please, pout more. Erenville only finds it much more endearing. But, he did let up and dropped his hand only to swiftly grab E'kayan's to hold onto as they continue on down the tropical displays.]

I don't know about all. There is always something new to learn and I honestly doubt I have even seen all the species.

More than I've seen, I'd bet.

[E'kayan smiles, smirks a bit, and doesn't fight the way Erenville takes hold of his hand again. He settles back into it with another cheerful little wiggle of his ears and his tail briefly baps against the back of the other man's legs without curling around one of them this time.]

And I am not cute, I'm the Warrior of Light, Hero of Ishgard, Saviour of Eorzea, and whatever else they're calling me these days. [He flaps his free hand.] But... eh. I s'pose, for you, I can be cute. As a treat.

Probably.

[Erenville quietly laughed behind his hand when he felt the tail lightly hit him. He was just glad he was able to keep the other man smiling as he led him toward another set of flowers and insects.]

Oh, so does that mean you're my treat?

Edited 2023-08-04 21:07 (UTC)

[That one takes him a second. E'kayan blinks, stares, blinks again as his face reddens and he tries to mentally process what he just heard Erenville say to him.]

Uh.

[He actually said that, right?]

By the Twelve-- [The Miqo'te blurts out, pushing his free hand through his hair.] You can't just come out with stuff like that!

Sure I can if it creates these reactions from you.

[Honestly, the Miqo'te was just too easy sometimes. Then, he nodded towards the pink set of flowers.]

Come, take a look. A Sierra Sunset. Beautiful, yes?

[An emerald swallowtail was already on one of the petals with a few more coming to join in on the feast.]

Yes... yes, it's beautiful.

[Whew.

Sometimes he thinks Erenville just enjoys seeing him flustered... not knowing that that is exactly what the Viera enjoys. He stays close by the other man's side while they observe the emerald swallowtail together, and he can't ignore the way he can feel his heart pounding.

Erenville can't possibly know the things he does to him by saying things like that.]

You didn't just bring me here to fluster me in public, did you?

No, I brought you here for a date, remember?

[Vieran ears are quite sharp, but even he can't hear a heartbeat like that. No, teasing E'kayan had been on a whim as the opportunity simply presented itself in such a way that Erenville just had not been able to resist.]

Do you disapprove?

[He was a little worried he overstepped.]

No, I--... no.

[Huff..!

Still flustered, he clasps his free hand around the one of Erenville's he has hold of and gives it a petulant tug downwards. Damn this terribly attractive Viera for being so damned tall and handsome. How is he supposed to mount any kind of mental defence when he's being so blunt about it.

He watches a butterfly flutter past, his pupils dilating slightly.]

I don't disapprove, 'm just... not used to it?

[There's a grunt as he was pulled down like this, but it gave Erenville and even nicer view of his companion's face. Erenville leaned forward the rest of the way to rest his forehead against E'kayan's.]

I apologize, then. I will be more mindful next time.

[Oh.

Oh.

Well he hadn't meant to-- That wasn't...

The Miqo'te goes quite still when Erenville gets close to him, his mismatched eyes a little wide as his heart beats so hard he's sure it has to be fully audible to the other man.

Erenville is... very handsome. Unfairly handsome and especially this close up, where E'kayan can see how perfect his skin is and can smell the subtle scent that is all him.]

It-- It's all right. Really.

[He tries to exhale slowly but it comes out on a slight tremble.]

I kinda like it.

[Erenville was aware that he was being a little more forward than he usually was. But for some reason, he simply could not resist the temptation this time. It was tough, especially being this close to the other man. E'kayan may not believe it himself, but he was handsome as well. Beautiful and wild, Erenville thought.

The mismatched eyes, his hair... perhaps he could just sense the adventurer's will in him that had always been within E'kayan long before he was a Warrior of Light. He was small and cute, yes. But strong. He pulled back, although not without bapping the top of that spiky hair with his ear for a split second.]

Do you? Full glad am I to hear it.

[Only because it's you, he thinks and his heartbeat picks up and pounds and bounces along.

Only because it's you, and the back of his throat feels like a desert. He doesn't swallow because he's sure he'll have a coughing fit if he does.

Only because it's you and Erenville's velvety voice washes over his pinned-back ears, a jolt runs through E'kayan's body at the faint and soft tap against the top of his head, and he quickly and suddenly grabs the Viera by the shoulder to keep him from straightening up.]

You're not being fair with me right now.

[It's cryptic, he knows, but maybe the bright fire in his eyes will say what his words don't.]

Eh?

[Being held back from standing up straight was certainly a weird feeling, but E'kayan's strength easily eclipsed his and he wasn't going to struggle against that. Not that he wanted to. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, ears swaying with the motion?]

How am I being unfair?

How-- You're supposed to be the smart one here!

[In spite of his exasperation he doesn't raise his voice, but nor does he let Erenville's shoulder go.

His tail is sticking almost upright. It's not busy here, at least, so they're not drawing any attention. He doesn't think he'd be able to do what he does next if people were walking by and looking at them. Hells, he wouldn't have even got this far.

E'kayan tugs the Viera down another inch and places his free hand against Erenville's cheek.

And then?

Then he leans up and pointedly kisses him on the mouth.]

[Wow. WOW. What does being a gleaner have to do with knowing romance?! Erenville may be older, but that doesn't mean he's got a ton of experience in the romantic department!

Still, it isn't exactly difficult to figure out but Erenville hadn't wanted to push. They only just started holding hands not that long ago, after all. But he does not resist the kiss and returned it easily. He lifted his hand to thread through the orange hair, cupping the back of E'kayan's hand gently as his ears lowered in contentment.]

[Still! Erenville is the smart one!

At least one of them made a move, and from what E'kayan can tell it's definitely a welcome one. He pops himself up onto his toes slightly so Erenville doesn't have to lean down so far, and as the Viera's ears lower he tentatively touches one of them.

Doing so, unfortunately, makes him laugh. He pulls away from the kiss with a bashful-sounding giggle and presses his lips together like he's trying to resist a smile.]

Haha-- Your ears are really soft.

[Erenville wasn't really expecting the touch to his ear. He was left looking a little flabbergasted at the sudden giggle and the hand stroking his lowered ear. Which meant that one went straight back up while the other stayed down in E'kayan's hand.

His cheeks darkened slightly as his golden eyes looked away with a small cough.]

Y-Yes, well. I do take care of them.

[Well, that sounded a bit lame. But he was caught off guarded, don't blame him!! With a huff, he reached up and planted his hand between E'kayan's ears to ruffle both them and his hair.]

[And, equally taken off guard, E'kayan scrunches his shoulders up and lowers his head when the space between his ears - and his ears - are subsequently ruffled. The Miqo'te makes a face but doesn't pull himself away. It's not so bad when the person is someone that he likes, after all.]

I can tell.

[Maybe he should have waited until they got home to just kiss him like that, but he does like to take opportunities as they arise.]

Uhm. Shall we... keep going? You must have other things to show me while we're here.

Ah, yes.

[They had come here for a reason, and it wasn't necessarily to kiss. Erenville took E'kayan's hand and led him out of the butterfly exhibit. Next was a garden full of brightly color flowers but ones you may typically see in any person's garden. Jasmine, tulips, roses, lilies, etc. The reason for this was to see what cross-pollination would do and sort of breeds would come about.]

Not too many insects here, but the variety of flowers is massive. From what I was told, the researchers wanted to create new flowers. There is no real formation here, but we are asked to bring anything that may be of use here. I've brought in a few myself while on a few quests, like those orange poppies there.

[They definitely had not come for a kiss, but guess who can't get his mind off kisses now? This Miqo'te right here. He keeps looking up at Erenville as they move to the next room and the gleaner starts to talk again, feeling a pleasant sensation running up his spine simply at the sound of his companion's voice.

He has always liked listening to Erenville talk.

E'kayan looks over to the poppies when they're pointed out and drifts towards them to get a better look.]

Do you think you could teach me about flowers? Y'know, the way you know about them. I only really know which ones might be good for alchemy.

What sort of knowledge do you seek about flowers? Intending to grow a garden on our balcony?

[Or did he want to know the language of flowers? Erenville knew about that as well, scholarly knowledge took all forms in Erenville's eye.]

Knowing which are suitable for alchemy is good, though. I did not realize you were an alchemist, actually. You should study potion making at the Tower.

Oh, I'm not that much of one... Just enough to make my own potions in a pinch.

[E'kayan is gifted enough with magic but alchemy requires a level of academic thought that he often finds himself struggling with. He has a few important formulas scribbled down in the mess of arcanist notes in one of his earlier journals and rarely deviates from those - the ones he knows he can make reliably without accidentally poisoning himself.

He grins a little.]

You'd probably have a heart attack reading my notes. If you could even read them.

Yes, but you could further your knowledge with this world's techniques, regardless of your less than adequate penmanship.

[Look, he's seen Kayan's writing. He was not allowed to make shopping lists, okay? Erenville was rarely on the smartphone and needing to use it just to call and clarify what he thought was chicken breast was apparently sourdough bread.]

Regardless, I think keeping a garden could prove useful. Growing herbs is relatively simple and would save us some coin. And it could double for your potion making depending on the flower it is that you require for those potions of yours.

[E'kayan just lets out a little 'oof' at the comment on his handwriting but he will absolutely not deny it, because he knows it's awful.]

Most flowers are terrible for potions, you know... [He replies casually, looking around them as he does.] Pretty, but it's usually the leaves or roots that you want.

[Sometimes he does say smart things. E'kayan generally does know his stuff, he's just not always that good at getting it out in an intelligent-sounding fashion given his haphazard way of learning.]

But-- you knew that.

I only know the basics, not the details. I always assumed alchemist could find a use for the whole flower, to be honest.

But I suppose that's best left for teas, no?

[E'Kayan is smart in Erenville's eyes, but the man certainly didn't use them when he should at times. It was endearing, to be honest.]

Edited 2024-01-17 20:16 (UTC)

I could find a use for the whole flower but sometimes when it comes to potency... yeah. [He grins a little.] Sometimes it's better left for teas.

[And he would be so flustered to hear that Erenville thinks so highly of him... but such things often fluster him. He's never quite grown used to praise.]

But, uh. My alchemy knowledge is pretty basic anyway.

Upon the fields of barley

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