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+---- Thread: the gold and the rust (/showthread.php?tid=9565)
the gold and the rust - Dantalion - 05-30-2024
Set after the [ME] Midwinter Ball
Danta isn't white girl wasted, but he wants to be.
Alas, the cold of the night - dark, bleak and anything but the merry atmosphere that had been present at the Temple - makes for a sobering walk back, and he rolls his shoulders stiffly beneath the woolen coat he wears, as if he might encourage his outfit to simply slide off his body.
[say]"You didn't have to walk me home,"[/say] he quips to the shadow he knows is walking dilligently at his heels, Danta smirking over his shoulder as they descend into The Last Whisper and towards the Dusklight. [say]"I know that kind of thing is very much to your taste."[/say]
The Maverick isn't weaving, exactly, but neither is he entirely walking in a straight line, though his hands remain buried in his pockets to keep the cold from nipping at his fingers too badly. And before he knows it the Dusklight is upon them anyway, Danta shouldering his way inside, into noise and warmth that still somehow seems less than the ball had been.
RE: the gold and the rust - Astaroth - 05-30-2024
“[say]I know.[/say]” Asta’s accented voice airs from behind the blonde, the dull click of the cane against the stone is buffered initially by the snow that drifts along the path before the Last Whisper. “[say]I had my fill, don’t worry, darling.[/say]” Comes the follow up drawl. A red coat covers the fine outfit he remains in, following diligently like a hound.
Before he knows it, they’re in the Dusklight and the warmth floods into him immediately, and he steps forward to slip his arm around Danta’s middle to guide him through the crowd, pausing to request water to Danta’s room, before he starts to guide him straight toward his room. “[say]Let me help you get out of your corset.[/say]” He hums, keeping Danta in a straight line aimed directly for his door, preventing him from straying. “[say]I did not expect you to drink as much as you did. Did you really hate it as much as you thought you would?[/say]” Astaroth isn’t entirely sober, but he isn’t drunk either. A comfortable burn swelling in his gut, keeping his senses clear but warding away the chill.
RE: the gold and the rust - Dantalion - 05-30-2024
[say]"Mm, I wouldn't want you to have left hungry,"[/say] Danta mumbles, stumbling a little as he enters the Dusklight only to find himself immediately steadied, not that he realises instantly that it's thanks to the taller man at his side. No, clearly, he's just less drunk than he assumed he was - enough that he corrects the order of water to [say]"WINE"[/say] before he's promptly steered away again.
At the offer to get him out of his straightjacket corset, Danta can offer little more than a groan of appreciation, forcing his legs to cooperate as they head up the stairs and towards his rooms. As for his feelings on the ball and the amount he'd had to drink, the Maverick breaks free of Asta's grip as he opens up his door, shrugging out of his coat and trying (once, twice) to hook it over the dressmaker's mannequin that doubles as his coat rack.
[say]"Nah, that was fine,"[/say] he mutters into the low firelight, rubbing at his eyes (a decision that will have him looking a great deal more smoky eyed thanks to the kohl he'd been wearing). [say]"It was the conference before that."[/say]
RE: the gold and the rust - Astaroth - 05-30-2024
A sharp look is granted to the bartender after Danta’s outburst, but eventually they manage to make it to the Maverick’s room, the fireplace still roaring even as he parts from Danta temporarily to add another log to the flame. Returning to fix the cost that hangs haphazardly on the coat rack, he faces Danta once more once he’s shed out of his own.
“[say]Oh? What happened?[/say]” He asks curiously, guiding Danta to face his back toward him, hands warm as they start to untie the corset, loosening each ring second by second as if practiced with them. Little red marks are left behind, to which the second the corset is pulled away, his hands start to move in slow sweeping, massaging motions to rid the pain while he listens.
RE: the gold and the rust - Dantalion - 05-30-2024
Asta moves to the fire and Danta has a brief but victorious fight with his shoes, and those are lucky not to follow the log into the flames by the way the Maverick kicks them across the room. (He'll find them again one day, he's sure, when there's aNoThER ball). [say]"Oh, you know,"[/say] he mumbles airily, guided easily to face away from the other man - and choosing to trundle forward and brace against one of the posts of his bed, forehead pressed against his arm.
[say]"Dahlia joined us for the little get together,"[/say] he continues. [say]"She's stunning, and deadly, and Maea riled her up a bit when she arrived."[/say] A soft laugh escapes his lips. [say]"You know, in a room with all those other leaders - Hadama, Sunjata, Deimos, Flora even - I'm quite certain I'd have died if she'd decided to take offence."[/say]
Already the pressure from the corset is easing off, though, and Danta lets out a deep and shuddering sigh that's followed by a soft hum of gratitude at the hands that press against his back.
RE: the gold and the rust - Astaroth - 05-30-2024
His hands are deft and quick as they unlace the corset, watching his back as he continues to go eyelet after eyelet. “[say]Sorry, what?[/say]” The big bad purple witch showing up to the leader's meeting? Dread suddenly settles into his stomach and his hands stutter at Danta’s back, his smile nonexistent for the way his jaw actually clamps shut. “[say]You were threatened?[/say]” He asks in a deep almost hushed sound, letting the corset fall away as he starts to massage out the red marks with a new purpose.
His hands move from the Maverick’s shoulder, down his spine toward his hips, jaw working quietly before he takes a deep inhale of a breath, sighing it out slowly. “[say]I am glad that you are mostly okay.[/say]” Comes the quiet and surprisingly clipped admission, dark gaze boring holes into Danta’s back, letting the wheels spin in his mind.
RE: the gold and the rust - Dantalion - 05-30-2024
[say]"It was subtle enough, but we all were,"[/say] Danta confirms, rolling his shoulders and straightening up a little to let the fabric fall away at last, running both hands back through his fair hair. [say]"Maea and Hadama made themselves scarce, and Sunjata managed to talk her down. We made up some inane topic to discuss, and eventually she left."[/say] It's with closed eyes that he melts into the taller man's touch, eventually leaning into Asta's chest, head lolling so he can glance back at him.
[say]"Me too."[/say] He scoffs. [say]"Nothing a couple of bottles of good wine can't fix, hm?"[/say] Never mind the maybes and the what ifs - those can interrupt him in the quiet hours or disturb him from sleep. For the rest of the time, there's booze and distractions, and the ball had provided plenty of those, at least.
[say]"Oh, don't look so sour,"[/say] he continues with a faint smirk, reaching up to gently pinch at one of the butcher's cheeks. [say]"I'm perfectly fine."[/say] Just... heavily self-medicated.
RE: the gold and the rust - Astaroth - 05-30-2024
If the alarm bells in his head could be heard, they’d be ringing loud enough to drown everything else out, but he does work hard to focus on what Danta is saying, nodding in that silent stance of his, at least until the warmth of the other Ancient’s back is pressed against his chest and his arms slip comfortably (and to be honest protectively) around his middle, keeping the Theocrat locked against him. “[say]Sure.[/say]” Despite how he thinks more wine won’t solve the problem, it might help the punch to his gut.
One he doesn’t really know how to deal with, which is it’s own frustrating endeavor.
Catching the other man’s bright blues, his dark gaze softens a fraction and he snorts a little. “[say]But you were not, mere hours ago.[/say]” He starts to say before he exhales a little sigh and ducks his head in to press his cheek against Danta’s shoulder, face tucking in against the soft space between his jaw and neck. “[say]What was Maea thinking to instigate it further?[/say]” He asks in an attempt to sound more like himself.
RE: the gold and the rust - Dantalion - 05-30-2024
Were the Maverick a touch more sober he might have realised more about this situation than he does. Alas, instead he can only smile into the warmth of the other man's embrace, his head tilting to rest against Asta's as he hides his face in the crook of his neck. [say]"No, I suppose I wasn't,"[/say] he agrees; not at the conference and not at the ball, though he likes to think he put up a good front. Asta hadn't noticed until now, so he doubts anyone else had.
[say]"I have no idea."[/say] He huffs, brow furrowing as he tries to think back. [say]"I mean, I imagine she was trying to stop Dahlia from getting involved, but..."[/say] But who the fuck could stop that? [say]"I'll speak to her about it tomorrow, or something."[/say] Or something being more likely, if his future hangover is anything to go by.
A tap at his door has him glancing up, Danta's eyes lighting up at the thought of maybe-water-maybe-wine depending on who the bartender had decided posed the bigger threat. (It's Asta currently, FYI). [say]"Come in,"[/say] he calls automatically.
RE: the gold and the rust - Astaroth - 05-30-2024
The warmth of Danta’s cheek pressing against his own has him relaxing a fraction, exhaling a warm breath into the crook of his neck. He airs his question regarding Maea, though, and he knows the meaning behind it when it comes to when that conversation will happen. “[say]Good idea.[/say]” He murmurs before the knock is heard and Asta reluctantly withdraws, but not before the bartender comes in.
He still keeps Danta pressed against him, but he gestures to where they can drop it off (turns out it’s a big pitcher of water and a single bottle of wine, as if not wanting ire from either of them) and Asta sighs a little as he thanks them, flashes that traditional sharp smile, and the second they leave he turns back to Danta to readjust him to sit on the bed. “[say]One glass of water and I will give you a glass of wine.[/say]” He half orders, half instructs, stepping away to collect the glasses. He pours himself some wine and pours Danta the water, and returns to sit beside him, his tail lifting to wind around Danta’s hips to tuck him in.
RE: the gold and the rust - Dantalion - 05-30-2024
[say]"I have the best ones, it's true."[/say] Ideas, he means, and Danta turns expectantly as the door opens, manoeuvred easily about the room at Asta's mercy. [say]"Boooo,"[/say] he announces to the bartender as he sees the pitcher of water, though of course he can do absolutely nothing about it now, and merely grumbles as they withdraw again and he's sat down on the bed.
[say]"That feels like a terrible deal for me,"[/say] he informs Asta, though he accepts the water obediently enough, his own tail flicking idly as he takes a long, cool sip of it. Huffing out a breath and clinking his glass against the other man's, he lolls against his fellow Ancient and scoffs a laugh under his breath. [say]"And here I thought you brought me home to get lucky,"[/say] he mutters, taking another sip of water. [say]"And now here we are in the sober club."[/say]
RE: the gold and the rust - Astaroth - 05-30-2024
“[say]Hush.[/say]” Asta drawls to the booo, before he’s collecting everything he needs to return to the bed, settling beside the Maverick and offering the glass. “[say]It is not a terrible deal, darling. I’d like for you to have some semblance of recovery tomorrow.[/say]” He says idly, drinking from his glass as the tension in his shoulders starts to bleed out. It dissipates even more as the blonde lolls against his shoulder.
A deep chuckle leaves him at the comment, though, his head tilting as he swirls the wine in his goblet with a curious dark glance shot the Theocrat’s way. “[say]That can still be on the table.[/say]” He drawls idly, before shrugging lightly and taking a sip. “[say]Perhaps I want to make sure you won’t be sick if we do.[/say]” It’s as casual as he can manage at this point, but his gaze does slink back toward him.
RE: the gold and the rust - Dantalion - 05-30-2024
[say]"How kind of you. But I could always just keep drinking."[/say] It's a type of recovery, Astaroth, if only you would just embrace it. Danta demonstrates as much by continuing to drink though of course the effort is wasted because it's still just water, and he sighs and reaches across the other man to set his empty glass down on the bedside table. [say]"Oho, is that so?"[/say] Grinning and straightening back up (sort of), he raises his eyebrows at the taller Ancient.
[say]"I have never thrown up as a result of my drinking,"[/say] he informs him haughtily, reaching up to prod at his chest to punctuate his point. And given that there isn't a table in here for it to be on, the Maverick has to cement his point by leaning up instead for a kiss, wine sweet and clumsy though it might be.
RE: the gold and the rust - Astaroth - 05-30-2024
“[say]And feel like walking death the next day?[/say]” He asks instead, sipping from his glass and watching as Danta finishes the glass of water. The quiet comment is met with that very same sharp smile, a deep chuckle once more as warmth returns to him and he inclines his head to agree. “[say]That is so.[/say]” He hums, halfway ready to offer his glass to Danta before the comment is made about his vomiting and drinking activities, making the butcher’s nose wrinkle.
But he catches Danta’s look and the lean and he meets him halfway, melting into the kiss as his arm slips around the Maverick’s sore shoulders, pulling him into his chest while his free hand continues to hold the goblet of wine. He does break the kiss, though, his nose brushing against the blonde’s before he slips the goblet between them. “[say]Because I keep my promises.[/say]” He hums a touch softer, accent blending in a breathier sound, dark eyes scanning the other man’s face.