[SWE] Fiat Lux

RORY

Rory happened to look in the other direction when Jigano slid through the gaps in the crowd. He had caught sight of a few familiar faces, but no one that was enough of a reason to abandon his perch by the brewer. He wasn't nice enough for that yet, and most who knew him saw that. Rory wasn't known for being temperamental, but most of those who normally wouldn't mind chatting for 5 minutes with him recognized the scowl and the flash of his eyes and stayed away.

He brought the tankard to his lips again, sipping the light and potent beer while scanning the crowd. There was, of course, someone he was looking for, while simultaneously hoping he wouldn't spot him quite yet... He knew that when he did, he had to commit to the festivities and fun (and he'd likely enjoy it), but some stupid part of him felt like being grumpy a bit longer (and to be honest, that urge might never end).

Then, from somewhere close to him—

"Happy Fiat Lux, Rory."

The voice had his heart performing sudden acrobatics, but he somehow managed to retain his composure, merely turning his feather-crowned head to look at Jigano, shoulders angling towards him in subtle invitation. An arm was offered along with the words, the well-groomed, pristine white gryphon careening onto his shoulder and ferociously rubbing her face against his. Rory's soul laughed, but he couldn't quite make his body do the same thing, but his free hand reached up to brush the happy owlcat as he murmured "Careful with those, now," when she began to groom his feathers.

Then he did that thing that he sometimes did, when he didn't quite react to what was being said, or offered; his gaze was on Jigano's arm for half a heartbeat before he allowed himself to do something he would've liked to be at least slightly intoxicated for.

He let his gaze sweep over Jigano, from the fine embroidery on his tunic to his narrow hips and his legs, snugly wrapped in well-made and tight-fitting leather pants. Rory felt something clench and unclench repeatedly in his gut, and had the alcohol been able to hit his blood yet his gaze would've lingered longer on certain aspects of Jigano's anatomy (which he would've liked to do), but as it was, the study he conducted was, while very obvious, still rather courteous.

"You look good, Jigano," he said, something sly edging into his voice, as his eyes finished their appraisal and skipped from his glittering earlobes to his face. If he was able to make Jigano blush slightly, he was going to feel infinitely better.

Then the sly feeling crept onto his face in the form of a small, though warmed, smile, and he stepped close enough to take the offered arm. "How could I possibly refuse?" he murmured under his breath, his tongue tripping on another compliment he didn't quite dare voice. Instead, he held out the tankard. "Want some?" If Jigano accepted the offer he'd find that it was a cool and smooth brew, perhaps not as sweet as expected but with a faint, but rich, floral aroma. It was surprisingly heady (Rory had learned that the hard way many years ago) and deceptively easy to drink.

as if you were on fire from within,
the moon lives in the lining of your skin.