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+---- Thread: april showers (/showthread.php?tid=11350)
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-19-2025
He’s well versed and very much practiced in getting himself together as quickly as possible. This is no difference — and it’s with the ease of getting put back together and gathering the bags, that the butcher is quite content to follow Danta to the edge of the world, if that’s what he wanted. Thankfully, though, it isn’t. Instead, it’s a promising inn called the Rum & Plunder, one that he spots relatively quickly as they disembark the skyship.
The cool air is much colder than the Torchline nights that he’s gotten used to, and it’s with a slight shiver that races down his spine and has his tail flicking against his heels that he shoves aside the goosebumps that threaten to bloom beneath his shirt. “[say]Sounds like he may have had some stake in the suggestion.[/say]” Asta hums thoughtfully, flashing Danta a bright smile of amusement.
It’s the same reason the butcher recommends the Dusklight any chance he gets. It had become a part of him in the time since he’d woken - his new safe haven, even if at the time it had been ran by an enemy. Glancing over at Danta as they walk, though, he’s forever grateful that they’d been able to talk and figure it out. He isn’t sure how he’d be able to navigate this new version of Caido without the Maverick. “[say]It does look lovely.[/say]” He comments softly, shifting the bags slightly so that he can bump his arm against Danta’s softly, his smile still vibrant. “[say]Perhaps we can get a room with a lovely view of the Brizo?[/say]” And it just might be like being back in Torchline. Like he hadn’t left to go and fight with a voided out ghost in King’s End.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-19-2025
[say]"Eh, probably. Even if he did, the place looks impressive, however it might end up being on the inside,"[/say] Danta says with a flash of teeth over his shoulder, before dropping back to walk with the butcher. He reaches out to take one of the bags from Asta - not just so that he doesn't have to carry both, but so he can slip in against his side to keep them both warm as they walk.
A view of the Brizo has Danta's eyes lighting up, and he grins up at the other man. [say]"At night we could absolutely mistake it for the Arclight,"[/say] he agrees with a chuckle, heading up the rickety steps to the entrance of the Rum & Plunder. And wouldn't you know it, though - inside, it's warm, clean, bustling, and everything the Maverick might have expected from an inn that looks the exact opposite of this one.
[say]"Holy shit,"[/say] he blurts, unable to help himself. [say]"I owe that sailor from the Dusklight a drink."[/say]
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-19-2025
Grateful for Danta to take one of the bags, his arm slips around his lover almost immediately - providing all that extra warmth for them to sidle in beside one another for the relatively short walk to the inn. It grows in both aesthetic appreciation and size as they come closer, the butcher tracking each different type of wood used alongside the fabric choices for the flag that he too doesn’t recognize, before his attention flits back to Danta with the light that blooms in his eyes.
A soft chuckle of his own joins the Maverick’s, lips quirking into a wider smile. “[say]Precisely, darling.[/say]” Exactly the thought pattern he’d had that went into it. The wood steps creak with their approach, but they feel strong enough to withstand the two tall Ancients as they reach the open doors, stepping in. Honestly? Asta is equally as speechless as he takes it in, far more comfortable than before (even if he still subconsciously scans for those awful fucking void spiders from the last time they’d been here). “[say]Did you catch his name?[/say]” The butcher asks, distractedly as he glances around and takes it all in.
His tail flicks against both his and Danta’s heels in quiet delight before he’s pulling them in a touch further toward the reception he’d spotted, flashing a charming smile to the man in the sailor (very close to piratey) get up (complete with a bird sitting on his shoulder). Though he wonders if it’s all for show, he doesn’t ask as he secures them a room - yes, complete with the view of the Brizo - and a moment to meet with the healer here. Flashing a smirk to Danta, he snags the key, something old and skeletal like, complete with their room number on the ring, attached with a blue and gold tail feather. “[say]It is a little on the nose, but surprisingly lovely.[/say]” He admits in an accented whisper, wiggling the key and hearing the room number clink against the metal.
Looking up at the stairs to lead up to the upper deck, the butcher snorts as he spots all the insignias and nets hanging from the surrounding areas. “[say]These stairs almost seem kinder than the Last Whispers in terms of appearance.[/say]’ Another playful jest, one that has his gaze slipping from the promise of their room to look over at Danta with a small smirk.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-19-2025
[say]"Hmm? Oh gods no. I only saw him for a second at the bar, then he was taking a shot out of someone's tits. I don't even think she was one of our girls,"[/say] Danta says, thoroughly distracted as he turns to gaze up at the beams overhead crafted from as many parts of as many different ships as you can count. By the time his attention rounds back to Asta, the taller Ancient is gone with a flick of his tail against his calf, leaving the Maverick to hurry after him, cocking a smile towards the bar where he will definitely be ordering food and drink for them.
[say]"Do you want me to get dinner ordered up to the room while you go and meet with the healer?"[/say] he asks, turning and offering a polite nod to both man and bird (you never know, it might be an Attuned), before tilting his head at the room key. [say]"You say that,"[/say] he whispers back, [say]"but if these are really all old ships, they might only have keys like that to fit the locks."[/say]
Admiring the netting as they start to ascend the stairs, he barks out a laugh at the comparison to the Last Whisper, and given that he's a few steps behind Asta, he's able to swat him on the ass for good measure. [say]"Shut up and walk,"[/say] he drawls.
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-19-2025
A shame then, that the sailor that had suggested this place would have to come back by chance to hear just what they thought of the place. All good things, at least. Though, if the Dusklight was a place he frequented, he’s sure that the man would’ve been less likely to recommend a true shithole. Luckily for them, this isn’t that, and it’s with a lot of surprise and content that the butcher secures them a room right as Danta joins them.
“[say]That sounds perfect, darling.[/say]” A plan made, put into motion, before Asta’s leaning down a touch to hear the whisper. Its one that results in a low chuckle, a roll of his shoulders and nod of his head in defeat. “[say]Fair enough.[/say]” He says on a playful sigh, leading them up toward their room so that they could at least set the bags down before he goes and sees the healer and Danta gets them some very much needed food.
And it would all go smoothly if it weren’t for the smack to his ass that has him straightening, biting down on the bark of a laugh that escapes him as he twists to peer over his shoulder to Danta, hand on the rail with the key in hand. “[say]Dantalion,[/say]” he chides in a whisper, sharp grin on display as his tail flicks like a cat’s wiggle before it pounces.
Which it does, shooting out to lightly smack his lover’s arm with the flat ashen spaded edge.
It lasts all of two seconds, because a brawl on the stairs was the last thing the butcher wants to be known by — he already had grudges against them anyway — but thankfully the next floor is theirs, and he peers at the signage to find that they’re to the right. Following the numbers until the very end of their hall, the butcher slips the key into the lock and it slats open with a loud clunk, like it did belong to a ship. Hissing a soft laugh under his breath, he swings the door open to let Danta in first.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-19-2025
Head whipping up to glance at Asta as he's chided, even with the use of his full name, Danta's all innocent eyes and half fanged smiles, his tail flicking mischievously at his heels. [say]"Yes?"[/say] he asks, like he doesn't know what the other man is talking about, before the back of his hand is thoroughly disciplined by the flat side of a spaded tail. Hissing a quick ow reflexively and shaking out his hand even as the butcher's revenge earns a wicked laugh from him, the Maverick is absolutely about to start a brawl on the stairs, were it not for Asta's quick thinking.
Instead, he's forced to hurry after the taller man onto the next floor, and at that point Danta is thankfully distracted by the decor - and the promise of whatever Asta has inadvertently let himself in for tonight. Lingering behind him as he opens the door - the sound of which earns a satisfied waggle of his brows, as if to say I told you so - it swings open to reveal a room with an enormous, curved window, like that of the captain's cabin in a ship, showing a panoramic view of the docks and the Brizo Sea beyond.
And it's the window that captivates Danta at first, the Maverick dropping his bag to prowl over and admire the view, heedless of the candelabras, the four poster bed, the fucking hammock in the corner and all the other quirky additions. [say]"This might be my new favourite place in Jack Tar,"[/say] he decides.
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-19-2025
Utilizing his full name doesn’t grant the snark it used to – but regardless of it, the butcher is already moving lest there be more retaliation. Knowing him well enough by now to know it would be inevitable, it’s when they reach the door and he unlocks it and opens it that the butcher’s eyes roll gently in response to Danta’s look of I told you so, because he certainly wasn’t about to admit that he was right.
Instead, the room seems spectacular as they step in, leaving Danta to head toward the window first. Asta steps in and sets the bag down before surveying the hammock, the bed, the candelabras that he sparks to life in the air of a gentle whoosh of flame. They come to life as he finally steps toward the window, appreciating the nautical flare of a pirate’s steering wheel broken up and notched at the edge, running his fingers along the handle of it before he takes in the view. “[say]Perhaps we should spend an extra day just to indulge ourselves.[/say]” The butcher suggests, flashing a sharp smirk over toward Danta, peeling his gaze away from the Brizo to envelop his lover into a warm hug in front of it. “[say]There is a hammock.[/say]” He whispers in a low sing-song tone, knowing that Danta would love such a thing, before he’s pressing a kiss to his cheek and withdrawing.
His tail flicks against his heels as he takes it in now that its lit and vibrant. The scarlet bedding one that looks just as soft as it does warm. Spinning the keyring in his hand as an idle motion, he glances back toward Danta with amusement and fondness still writ across his features. “[say]Come. Let us get the tasks out of the way before we can fully, mm, dive in? [/say]” Already taking a step toward the door, the butcher’s hope is that the healer will be quick so that he can come back and fully give Danta all of the attention he’s meant to on this vacation, with no one but the sea to witness it.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-20-2025
The lick of flame fills the room with cheerful, flickering light, setting walls and furnishings aglow against the backdrop of the Brizo at dusk. Danta is smiling before he even realises it, turning to respond to Asta only to find himself suddenly wrapped in the butcher's arms. [say]"You're full of very good ideas today,"[/say] he informs him. [say]"Should we be worried that you're not going to have any thoughts at all for the next few days after this bout of genius?"[/say]
Grinning into the kiss planted against his cheek, it's with reluctance that he lets him go again, hoping his response has been obvious in his remarks; yes, he'd like to spend an extra day in this strange and delightful place they've found. [say]"A hammock?"[/say] he echoes, voice dropping into something wicked and knowing as he turns to seek it out, though he's stopped by Asta's logical reminder that, you know, the sooner they do the things they have to, the more time they'll have for the things they want.
[say]"Fiiiiiine,"[/say] he drawls, sidling up behind the taller Ancient to hook an arm around him, if only briefly, to press against the warmth of his back. [say]"You go get healed. I'll get us dinner."[/say]
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-20-2025
“[say]It could very well be a concern. Shall we find out tomorrow? I believe I am on a streak.[/say]” The butcher purrs with a hum of a laugh, loosening his hold from Danta despite the reluctance of it. The sooner they can get their immediate chores over with, the sooner they don’t have to leave the room, and honestly? He wonders if the hammock might be able to support both of their weights. The idea of curling up in it pressed against the Maverick’s chest, swinging lightly to the sun as it glitters across the Brizo is something that he didn’t know he needed until this very moment.
A low “[say]mhmm[/say]” escapes him as he’s drifting toward the door, flashing Danta a brilliant smile at the warmth of his presence against his back - a comfort as they share another quick embrace. “[say]Meet back here, yes?[/say]” He raises his brow over his shoulder at his lover, tail curling against Danta’s calf, before he’s reluctantly pulling away and guiding them out the door.
They split ways at the bottom of the stairs, the butcher drifting toward the left down the hall that’s adorned with even more netting and parrot motifs, following the guidance those at the front desk had given. And luckily for him, the healer is in and is surprisingly not busy. It doesn’t take long for her healing hands to soothe the bite of pain, leaving him with zero pain and a revitalized self - having also fixed the kink in his back from where he’d held Danta all cramped and curled up in the tiny
Leaving once he’s put himself back together, the butcher carves a path back up toward their room - stepping in and already shrugging out of the waistcoat and rolls up his sleeves. The cut from the bloodbane is healed now, a fresh little pink scar sitting against the olive tone of his skin - the freshest amongst a history of many others from the very same purpose. It’s his turn this time to settle by the window, watching the light of the fading sunset glitter across the sea, perched on the edge of the sill as if it were a flashback to the Levinsward.
Only minus the trauma.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-20-2025
[say]"Where else?"[/say] Danta purrs, offering a quick kiss to the other man's neck before they're slipping out of the room and down the corridor, parting from one another to deal with their respective chores. Not that either is particularly taxing or difficult; while Asta gets touched in all the best places by the healer, bringing him back to tip top condition for the days to come, Danta goes about procuring them dinner for the evening.
He appears back at their room a few minutes behind the butcher, ambling inside with a large covered basket in one hand and a two chilled bottles of wine in a bucket in the other. [say]"Ah, you beat me to it. I was going to arrange some sickeningly romantic picnic,"[/say] he complains without an ounce of real vitriol, flashing a fanged grin to Asta as he goes to set down basket and bucket on a nearby table.
Danta doesn't miss it, either, the strange similarities between now and their time spent in the Levinsward, and he strolls towards the window to peer out at the dying light with unmistakeable fondness. [say]"If only our view out of the Dusklight was like this, mm?"[/say]
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-20-2025
His tail curves in idle flexes as he peers out the window - the watercolor sunset reflecting on the waves in dull hues against the otherwise black looking sea. Its a myriad of colors that reflects on the butcher’s dark horns, too, a pale mimicry of Danta’s diamond horns when his head swivels back toward Danta as he makes his way in. “[say]I can avert my gaze and let you set it up and still be surprised.[/say]” Astaroth’s low rumble of a laugh accompanies it.
Immediately reaching for him as he strolls closer, he craves his touch as he looks back out the window, framed with hues of deep orange and purples that reflect against the dark slick black hair and dark pronged horns. “[say]If it were I doubt I would get any work done.[/say]” He admits fondly, before he’s forcing himself to get off of the window sill.
Turning fully toward his lover now, he reaches up in a far more adoring and sweet manner, both hands warm where they cup Danta’s jaw and cheeks, leaning in for a much needed soft and tender kiss. He’s reluctant to break it, but he does in favor for food and wine, releasing him to snag his hand and head toward where Danta had left their dinner. “[say]What did you procure?[/say]”
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-20-2025
[say]"Ugh, it won't be the same,"[/say] Danta groans, his grin playfully exasperated as he draws close to the window, only to be snatched against the butcher. Going willingly and melting against him to watch the light get sucked beneath the horizon, it soon leaves only the slightest bloody rays to dance across Asta's horns and face. The Maverick's fingers stroke an idle path across his cheek as of to follow those same bands of light; thoroughly distracted by it, as the butcher reaches for him, it's with a soft hum of surprise and approval that he's tugged into a kiss.
Already letting his arms slip around the other man, Danta is left blinking distractedly up at him as he's suddenly expected to switch gears towards food and wine. Scoffing to himself and nuzzling obnoxiously beneath Asta's jaw, it's only once he's satisfied that he does lead them over to the basket.
[say]"Let's see,"[/say] he purrs, leaving his lover to deal with the wine as he gets everything else out. There's a pot of soup for them to warm over the fire, along with a couple of bowls; a loaf of bread seasoned with herbs and cheese and butter flavoured with chillies, not to mention an array of fruits and cold meats and freshly sliced vegetables. [say]"I was told that if we'd like dessert, they can also send up some peach cobbler,"[/say] he adds with a wink.
RE: april showers - Astaroth - 05-20-2025
The touches are so effortless these days. It’s something Asta never thought could be possible, but after the decades of being so horribly touch starved (for the both of them), he realizes he’s incapable of going a prolonged amount of time without feeling Danta’s hands on him one way or another. It’s something he remembers to do in return, just as he reaches up to cup his lover’s face and press into a surprisingly saccharine kiss. Warm arms wind around him and when he withdraws, the obnoxious nuzzle of Danta’s face under his jaw sparks a soft little breath of a laugh, tail curling once again in delight.
Letting himself be lead over to the basket, he snags the bottles of wine, inspecting them via the labels before cracking one of them open. The wine is deep red, dark and beautiful in the candelabra’s dancing lights as he pours a hefty amount into both of their glasses, swirling his own once he’s set the wine down and taking a whiff. “[say]Mm, plum and anise, I believe?[/say]” He hums as he turns around to hand Danta his own glass as he surveys the food options.
Already pleased with such a spread, the butcher’s smile brightens a touch. “[say]It has been a while since I have had a good cobbler.[/say]” Trying to recall the last time he did have one, harbors way too much brain power for the time, though, so he gives up swiftly to sing the pot of soup to place into the hook above the fireplace, blooming it to life so it can warm the pot. Returning to Danta, the butcher raises his glass to his lover’s, clinking it against it with a satisfied smile. “[say]It nearly looks like enough to last us the entirety of the rest of our stay. Provided we do not wish to have anything more fresh.[/say]” He muses boldly, taking a long slow sip of the wine, his joke a clear indicator that he's feeling especially good right now.
RE: april showers - Dantalion - 05-21-2025
Blinking up at Asta as he offers him out the wine, Danta makes a show of copying his lover (swirling the liquid in the glass, holding it up to the light, taking a sniff) before nodding his approval. [say]"Hmm. Yes. Red,"[/say] he agrees with a shit-eating grin; he can, in fact, smell the plum and anise, and his appraisal of wine and liquor has improved exponentially since owning the Dusklight, but sometimes he just knows what buttons to push for fun.
Raising his eyebrows to watch Asta set the pot of soup over the fire, Danta's still smiling behind his (generous) sip of wine as he stares after the other man. [say]"I'm not sure whether or not that's meant to be an innuendo,"[/say] he remarks, wondering what cobbler is supposed to be when it's at a brothel home.
Clinking his glass against the butcher's and taking another sip for luck, Danta sets his wine down and turns to appraise the spread of food, plucking up a particularly ripe looking strawberry. [say]"Oh? Are you planning to have me for breakfast?"[/say] he wants to know.