Snow and Ashes

It was the first laugh he'd heard out of the Advisor in weeks and Tal finally let himself relax as they toasted.

It was far easier to take Sah's teasing than his sincere compliments; it was almost comfortable by now, though the courier would never admit it. Tal just grinned and sipped his vodka with satisfaction. "Nah, pretty sure I heard you call me popular."

His victory was short-lived as the sincerity returned and the courier reached up to rub the back of his neck awkwardly, gaze dropping to the desk. "Yeah, well... you either." Pale eyes flicked up and were caught unexpectedly. Tal froze for a moment and then cleared his throat, at a loss for words at such disarming gratitude so honestly given. "It was... just..." Neither 'nothing' nor something he would have done 'for anybody' and in the end he swallowed the lies back and took refuge in simplicity. "You're welcome."

Sah

Sah's lips quirked into a small smile. He understood what Tak was trying to say and it was appreciated but seeing the courier's reaction was amusing. "Thanks." Seeing how uncomfortable Tal was with sincerity, Sah made the effort to slip back into his usual teasing. Though if it was more tired and with certainly less bite than usual, maybe even affection, well, who can say why.

"Popular? Did I say that?" Sah shook his head exaggeratedly, "You must have misunderstood me. Many know you because you bring them mail Errand Boy, but that doesn't make you a celebrity."

Knocking back another shot he nudged the alcohol towards Tal. "Now. Do you plan to drink till you pass out on my couch? Or is it time for me to escort your damsel self home? Either works for me."

I think there for I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?

The courier relaxed as they fell back into more familiar ground. He rolled his eyes as Sah tried to wriggle his way out of his compliment, but he was grinning as he did so. "Sure it does," he said smugly. "But it's okay if you're jealous. I don't mind."

Tal lifted the vodka jug and blinked in surprise at how light it was. Then again, they'd been drinking for a while now... He snorted at Sah's 'gallantry' and poured himself a final shot, leaving just enough in the jug for one more for his host. Then he lifted the glass in 'salute' with his middle finger extended fondly. "I didn't walk all the way over here in the pitch dark just t'drag you back out into the cold with me," he scoffed. "'Sides, I can see in th'dark. An' Boreal's walked me home when I've been proper drunk. Don't you worry about me. You're s'posed t'be takin' care of yourself right now." And if he couldn't find his way home blind drunk during LongNight in the town he'd grown up in, he had no right to call himself a Halovian.

~Fin~