RP:Dessert & A Splash

Summary: Valen planned a date night in order to court Irenic, but that doesn't go as planned although it ends well.

Schezerade Tavern

The first thought running through one’s head upon entering this tavern is that it isn’t your typical watering hole. It’s constructed of polished white stone, brightly illuminated by golden chandeliers and torches, along with a cozy fire located at the southern side of the circular building. The very center of the building is where the bar is located, where a pair of lovely twin avian women take orders and hand out drinks in gold cups. There is plenty of places to sit other than at the central bar as well; cushion-topped marble chairs fastened to the floor are placed around a matching marble table, also attached to the floor so it appears like both floor and tables were hewn from the same piece of marble. Flowers of every type and color decorate the majority of the tavern as well, giving the ambiance to the building one of comfort and lavishness. You can almost hear the sounds of birds tweeting through the large, open windows, which let in a gentle breeze to only add more to the tavern’s relaxing feel.

Valen had taken forever to find the darn city, but through sheer determination of will as well as many stops to ask for directions, he had finally made it. He had been here for some time, trying to make the most perfect apple pecan pie that was possible. A thing about our vampire, he may be harsh on himself but he is one cracker jack cook. The smell would already be wafting in from the kitchen as it turned a most beautiful golden brown on top and the scent of the baked apples and the pecans, mixed with the heavenly aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar, would be very apparent. Just a few more minutes and his creation would be ready to present to the one whom he was meeting. He had toyed with the idea of adding a few experimental flavors, but decided in the end that the traditional way would be best. Wiping the sweat from his head, he would stand back for a moment to relax with what little time he has left and make sure that his wings were still in place. It had taken sheer grit and resolve to try fooling the residents into thinking he was an avian but that too paid off in the end. He only had to make sure that he kept up his concentration on them enough to last this...what was this meeting called? He did not remember labeling it a date but to the vampire that may very well be what it was. Regardless, once the pie was done he would take it out of the oven and set it on the counter to cool....feeling very pleased for once with this creation. Very slyly, he hold up a hand to cast a natural shadow on the wall and use it to look out of another in the main room to see if Irenic had made it yet.

Irenic meanders in and still was slightly taller than the rest in his race, Avians are tall and he is tall for an Avian. The 'lovely twin Avians' rush to greet him as it's been quite some time since Irenic… Or Edlin has graced the tavern. His chuckle is given in a flirtatious manner as they offer to take his coat and titter about him like a couple of school girls while asking to take his order, "It's a night of celebration… So, Avian Champagne it will be… Oh and whatever that smell is wafting from the kitchens." He takes a seat at one of the many vacant tables atop one of the cushioned marble chairs while one of the twins stayed behind to flirt some more, which Edlin doesn't mind, but doesn't seem invested to really flirt back. The drink he ordered was, indeed, brought to him but not the excellent smelling treat that was lingering in the air and his gaze narrows on her while his low gruff tone acquires a thick layer of sarcasm, "Okay… So where is the apple pie?" The other twin looks a little confused and explains that's not their chef's pie cooking, so Edlin continues, "Okay… If it's not the cook's doing then… Who's it?" The one twin shrugs and attempts to occupy the seat across from him since her greedy twin is sitting next to him, but she is stopped when his booted foot sits upon the chair and he explains, "Oh so sorry!" Again sarcasm, "That seat is taken." She giggles and just decides to stand next to him on his other side while asking him why he hasn't started drinking because that's when he's most fun… His bi-colored gaze sets on the bottle of champagne before shrugging her off and saying, "I'm waiting for someone - lay off." Seems he is actually quite rude.

Valen watched it all through the shadow. surprisingly, rather than jealousy, it was a grin of amusement that graced his lips and he immediately had to clamp his mouth shut. He had forgotten about his fangs! He could always claim that it was done against his will, as that would actually not be a lie by any means, so he decided to go with that. At hearing that Irenic wanted the pie that he had made, and seeing his almost insult that it had not been brought with the champagne, it caused his mind to wheel. He actually thought it smelled good! Everything seemed to be turning up Valen. Deciding then and there to go and rescue his friend from the attention that was annoying him, Valen would take pie in hand and bring it out of the kitchen and make his way towards the table where the man sat. "Ladies..." he would say in a kind and playful manner, though his voice was now making full use of the aristocratic lilt that he had learned as a young elf. "I graciously appreciate you keeping others away from my friend this evening, and now that I am here it would seem that particular task is done. Might I interest the two of you in the pie I just made as compensation for having to leave such fine company as this gentleman?" Oh boy, could he pull it off or could he pull it off?? "As you say...Merry Meet.." he said now addressing Irenic. "I hope you don't mind, but I had actually been making this for you."

Irenic sits up a little straighter seeing his friend carrying the pie and the twins are easily flattered by Valen, "You see, this is a man who delivers!" He said jokingly to the twins and his gaze was stolen by the wings Valen adored while he notes the attempt to keep his fangs hidden; an expression of conflict flashed on his visage as he clearly remembers where his hatred for vampires came from, but he remembers that Avains look down on vampires and can actually be quite racist. That was starting to bother him now seeing as Larewen is a vampire and his new best friend is a vampire, he couldn't see hating them just because of what they are even though he still gets uneasy around stranger vampire beings for his own reasons. For now he lets the thought slip as he starts to poor the glass for the both of them, "I know we drank before, but I do thank you for what you have done, and I saw it wasn't easy for you." He was eyeing the way Valen was cutting the pie for the twins, "Ah- Smaller… I don't really want to share." He playfully glares at them which one leans in and whispers something in Edlin's ear, "Ah… Well… you see about that - It got cut off as of late." The chosen twin gasps while placing a hand over her mouth even though what he said was so cavalier only one could imagine whatever 'it' was must've been important. The twins get quite, accept their pie before The twins get quite, accept their pie before thanking Valen sweetly and going to tent to other patrons.

Valen smiled with his lips at the jest from Irenic, though added his own wink to the twins before following Irenic's instructions on the pie slicing. As the knife cut into the sweet flaky crust, a fresh new wave of the delectable aroma would spring forth with the steam that was released. It had to be good, it was his mother's recipe after all but he would keep that tidbit to himself for now. at the expression of conflict, a raised eyebrow would be offered of concern but nothing more as he gave Irenic his own slice which was quite generous in size. "We did indeed drink before, I somewhat remember that night well though some parts are a bit hazy." he would say with a chuckle as he sat, being very careful to not let his shadow wings to touch the chair lest it ripple them. shadow wings, by their very nature, were quite delicate and difficult to control. The news of something getting cut off though had his eyes darting up in shock and surprise, his mind naturally in the gutter, before he convinced himself it most certainly could not be what he had originally thought. The conversation continued, "What was not easy? Anything is easy so long as there is someone worth doing it for. I just happen to have been lucky to meet such a friend." Once his glass was offered to him he would raise it as a toast "To all manner of life and friendships. May they never sour." In his mind he gagged a bit. Just how cheesy could he have been? The smell of the pie though had him thinking of other things, home, his mother. How long had it been? He was not even sure he could remember her face any more...and these thoughts caused a single tear to slide down his cheek as he looked down for a moment, wiping it away quickly before putting on his usual happy gaze, waiting for the other to drink first out of politeness.

Irenic greedily dove into his slice placing a generous bite in his mouth before groaning in pleasure and swallowing the large bite down to take a gulp of his champagne. A large sigh, "That's just… One of the best things I've had in quite some time… It almost reminds me of my mother's cooking." It seems what he said would be sad, but the way he said it contradicted the sentiment while Valen's own sweet confessions fell on his ears. Edlin sat back and raised his glass, "Corny, but vey nice… True even." That devilish smirk was given before bringing the flute glass to his lips and taking a generous sip. He set his glass down before noting the tear, "How are you holding up there?" He notes the wings again and remembers Valen told him he can't hold up the guise very long. Giggling was picked up from the bar and Edlin glanced to see the twins still smiling and flirting with him from afar and he just shook his head before chuckling softly.

Valen blushed heavily at the groan of acceptance that followed the man's bite, as he heard it compared to a mother's cooking. Clearing his throat after taking his own large drink, he would reveal what he had thought would be kept in silence. "It was my m-...My mother's." Darn emotions again, though this time he held the tear back but his voice choked slightly. At his question of how he was doing, he simply gave off a nod before acting as if he had an itch and reached behind him to scratch softly. "I'm doing quite well..." Honestly, he was somewhat glad that this man was concerned for him but part of him wondered just what he was doing in an Avian city still. He was in the heart of the lion's den (in this case perhaps the Eagle's) and if he was not careful things could go extremely bad...very quick. At the sound of the giggling, Valen would shoot them a pensive gaze...blue eyes burning holes into theirs not with malice or anger, but simply a cold...enticing stare before he simply stands, takes another full glass down his gullet with grace and aplomb, and looks to Irenic with a wink. "this night is not over yet...I have just a couple more surprises for you." From under the table, as if it had always been there, he would pull out a magnificent violin with the name 'Maldor' carved into the side. Tuning it for a few brief minutes until he was satisfied, one last glance to the male would be given. "What is a proper evening without a bit of a serenade...? Just..." he would look down before sitting again. "Mayhap I better take one more glass with me.." Filling up another glass, he would close his eyes before opening them, and a meaningful gaze is given. "I want you to hear something. If it gets me the wrong attention then so be it but I have had music stuck in my head ever since we met, and I know this is what...our third meeting? Yet I hold true to the belief that if something is meant to happen, then no matter what it will...so...if I royally mess this up between us then I understand. But I wrote these two songs for you, and my feelings for you. Treat them gently...?" He stands once more, and takes the bow in hand and places it against the violin. the music that would be generated would be nervous at first but as he plays, it can be said that it comes from his very soul (if vampires indeed have such things). The first melody would be one of a medium pace, the words a bit faster but still meaningful. It spoke of one's wish to have been there in another's moment of pain, and their tiredness of their own. It was certainly a song of one bearing their own pain and anguish bare, and just what the other means to him. As that song ends, a single tear would fall from his face before he wipes it away again. Going immediately into the next one, it would be a much more slow composition. this one would speak of not wanting what they had, or could possibly (if there even was a possibility) to end. Tears would start falling freely now, as he knew he must look a mess but the grace with which he played would make even the most hardened individual give pause in their most stalwart beliefs. at an early portion of the song, his own shadow would start to split...making a chorus as he concentrated. this would be short lived though, as at the end...a flicker would be given and his wings would fade...revealing him to not be what he had presented himself to be. shaking with emotion, he would calm himself before offering his friend a smile...focusing not on hiding his fangs, but hoping to hear at least some words of adoration or maybe even a small bit of affection...but it most certainly was not to be, not if the tavern-folk had their way.

Irenic's head gave a tilt at the violin and sipped his own wine in anticipation for the violin to be played. Edlin isn't musical in the least and has the worst singing voice, but once in a while he would enjoy a listen. His bicolored gaze set on Valen's musical instrument while he relaxed on back to listen and that he did glass in hand… The first song lovely and well received by the patrons, clapping and cheering before they were halted by the second performance. By now Valen has earned all the attention in the tavern gathering a crowd and there were whispers on why he was singing this for Edlin, but he wouldn't be phased by it. Edlin continued to relax and drink and allow a softer smirk play on his scarred lips until the second song came to an end. Edlin stood and brought Valen in for a hug in front of all of the other Avains and for a moment there was silence, no cheering this time… It took Edlin a second to realize why Valen was earning glares and the flash of rage clearly visible in that evil gleam of his eye. "Oh?!" Edlin gently pulls Valen behind the view of his large and marvelous ivory wings. "I see… So are we just perpetually stuck in our ancestor's shadow?" The condescension in his tone hits hard and a scoff was added. The group of patrons now focus on Irenic, some of the faces looking guilty, but his low gruff tone holds all of the attention, "We are supposed to be strong intelligent creatures and your expressions are contradicting this…" His long booted strides echo in the quiet of the tavern while he looks down on every patron one by one. "If you have a problem with him then you have a problem with me. If anyone has anything to say past this, how about we hear it!" The feathers on his wings seem to have fluffed out aiming to intimidate and by the following silence he may have succeeded. In this time he made his way back to a protecting position in front of Valen while one of the twins made their way out of the crowd while wiping a tear from her eye, "Yes?" Edlin's tone was dark and intimidating just waiting for a fight, but she didn't say anything. The only thing she did was start to clap for Valen and square by square everyone else joined in… Edlin relaxed and joined their clapping… He may not have changed everyone's perspective over night, but for this night he did.

Valen was not sure what had happened, until it was mostly half-way through the spectacle. In his mind it all happened so fast, the glares, Edlin standing up for him, and it was then he realized just what had happened. Shock and horror stayed on his face for what seemed like an eternity and he was certain that a hasty exit was going to be needed until he saw that no one was going to challenge his stalwart defender. He too would listen to his words though dared to not add any input, as enough was certainly being said and seeing as he was no avian anything he had to say would be most certainly rendered mute. The rage that he could see on Edlin made him want to say that they were justified in their anger, he did after all deceive them, but as stated he would remain silent. The hug at the end of his last song had certainly done what had been vocalized...all the painful memories were swept away and all he knew at that moment was that he did not want it to end. Jumping back now to the present, it seemed to be that one of the twins did indeed have something to say against this but at her applause, as well as the rest of the tavern...he felt week in the knees and overcome by such a wonderful emotion. He could not place it, yet he would assume that perhaps it was as close to amazement mixed with gratitude that he had ever felt. Bows would be taken, humble in nature, and all the while feeling that he owed Edlin now. He had, in his mind, just spared him from a more harrowing escape than he would have liked and throughout it all he was speechless. He truly had shown himself to be Valen's knight in shining armor. So it was, that while Edlin was clapping he would go over to the male and look at him for a brief few moments, urges in his mind whispering something, though the last time he tried all it earned him was a kiss to the forehead. Still, perhaps now was just simply not the time. HE wondered idly if they should stay or go for further talks somewhere so as to not further disrupt the patrons? Better to make that escape while possible... "Edlin...If...if we should go, It's okay. there...is something I did want to ask you in private..."

Irenic really wouldn’t have cared if this was happening to anyone else, but those he chooses to protect are in for it. Edlin waited for the praise to subside before shooing the patrons away and placing an arm around his friend just like before, but bottle of champagne in the opposite hand sipping right from the neck. The request to leave was heard and his bi-colored gaze spots the exit, "Of course." He would gently relieve his friend of the musical instrument and set it next to the apple pie before exiting back out into the night and crossing the Orderly Street until he was at the Fountain of wishes. He takes a seat on the edge of the fountain before offering and setting the bottle next to himself, "Apologies if I embarrassed you back there. I didn’t mean to make an example out of you or anything." The shrug he offered seemed a little unorthodox, he wasn't used to apologizing sincerely to people. Edlin sighs before looking up and taking out some cigarettes and placing one on his lips. After lighting the cigarette and striking a match for said light before taking a long drag to blow it up into the air. He really didn’t know what else to say to what just happened, but luckily the streets of Schezerade are all but abandoned and they are alone for now. His silver eye looks down now, over his shoulder into the waters of the fountain. A low chuckle was given while he reaches a hand down into the water to pull out a few coins… Or wishes. "Isn't this useless?" He holds out the coins for him to inspect.

Valen would certainly follow him but calls back to one of the twins "that. That violin, belonged to my brother. I will be back for it alright? thank you again though for your hospitality." Following him to the fountain, he would most certainly take the offered bottle and sit next to him with a soft sigh. "Honestly Edlin...You did not embarrass me one bit, simply make things a bit more easier for me to ask." It was a bit more straightforward than he was used to being, but the sight of him being protected had emboldened him to new heights as well as the few glasses he had already had, the newest sip (which was small, to be polite as it was the only bottle they had between them) certainly playing a part. The feelings though had always been there...suppose that is why they called it liquid courage. "I actually found it very...chivalrous." The word had been chosen carefully, and it certainly was the truth. at the mention of the coins, he would give off a faint smirk before looking it over closely. "Oh I don't know about that..." he said as he took out a single gold coin and tossed it in, closing his eyes as he turned to the avian. "sometimes, wishes can be a good thing though they are useless without the effort, as I told you the very first day we met..." Closing his eyes, then opening them one last time he decided it best to be straight and narrow. "You know my feelings now. Those songs came from the heart, just as this question does. I know I have been more than a bit forward but I cannot explain why that is other than what I said earlier. I feel I can be myself around you, I feel that I can let all of my worries go just by seeing your face. The sun and moon seem to set in your very eye...the silver one, -your- eye, and it entrances me. You protected me back there without a moments hesitation, and that kiss we shared...I know it was just payment to you but the way you performed it was so in depth. I want you to answer me, as you have always been honest. Am I merely a friend who is fixated on you, and it is just one of my quirks as a friend or do you feel something...anything, more than just a bond of friendship...? I know, I have a lot of gall to ask that, but I feel something that tugs at these dead heartstrings and it will not let me be until I know that there is -something- inside you that makes my feelings founded..." another sigh would be given before he simply waves a hand "I must sound like a complete fool."

Irenic fell silent and set his gaze on the skies while his friend proclaimed these feelings for him… The silent so damning and possibly worrisome he gently lifted the drink from Valen and only sipped, he didn’t need to be buzzed for this, but only to wet his whistle. Another long drag from the cigarette as he was still in thought, but once Valen discounted himself by saying he sounded like a fool Edlin's had was placed on Valen's shoulder with a soft squeeze, "Valen… Don't ever feel like a fool. You are quite brave for putting yourself out there this way and I do hold a great deal of respect for you." He pointed at the tavern across the street, "Or else I wouldn't have done that in there. Yes, you are currently my friend, but I have never thought on these types of feelings for another man." His gaze went to Valen's, "But it doesn't mean I never could. All I know is I have some deep seeded feelings for Valrae and I need to free her, I need to make sure she's okay… I don't know what the future holds and I will never flat out say I will never have feelings for you." His smirk attempts to pull at the corners of his mouth, "But this type of friendship is a damn good way to start and honestly… I am not sure if you will always feel the same about me; I am not a good guy." He didn't offer the last part as some ploy to get out of Valen having feelings for him, but as a fact that should be known and cautioned. "I am glad you can be yourself around me and that I make you feel that way and I hope to never take that from you." He chuckles softly, "Plus I do not have the correct tools for a further relationship with pretty much anyone," His hand flicks ash from his cigarette before that hand motions to where his member would be. "And I know it's not all of what relationships are made of, but it's a large…" He pauses to wink, "Part of it… From my experience anyway." He takes another long drag from his cigarette before adding, "But I do thank you for the pie and the music. You're very good at conducting dates." Yes, he knew it was a date all along.

Valen hung on to every word and while it was certainly different on two fronts of how he expected the reactions, he can honestly say he felt somewhat relieved but at the same time also felt...content. It was better than he had hoped for, and so he would take it in kind. For now he would let the bottle stay with Edlin, honestly feeling a bit more from the liquor than his friend. "Brave?" He would scoff. "If I am brave, then I most certainly would have faced my problems long ago. I would have dealt with the Vampiric threat that looms in my very home. But..." a half smirk would form "I at least thank you for the sentiment. Maybe you are right." the squeeze to his shoulder would not go unnoticed, and would earn a full smile from the vampire. "I want to help you free her too. Don't think I don't know you feel for her, in perhaps the same way I feel for you, because that is not lost on me. Her freedom is of the utmost importance now, because she is that important to you. I don't intend to compete though, all that does is cause heartache. Let's just make sure she is alright, and see where that goes. As for your, uncertainty of me. If it is not apparent by now that my feelings are resolute, especially after I risked that performance...?" a roguish grin would be given now "Then perhaps I should perform there more often, if at least just to see you put on such a display. Now, on the subject of you not being a good guy? I can honestly say I do not care. You have been nice to me, and you continue to be. I don't want to hear anything about the possibility that you may do something I don't agree with, that is life. there is bound to be something that I do you don't approve of, and vice versa. that's just part of everything. Tools be damned as well." The entendre though brought that trademark blush though he pressed on. "You are most welcome for the date...and I honestly hope that maybe next time you can step up and do the same." A playful wink would be given before he scoots a little closer, that grin coming back. "though if you don't kiss me now, after all that work and emotion I put myself through, I may just have to splash you with water."

Irenic places the champagne bottle down for a moment. He chuckled darkly while flicking the butt of his cigarette away at the same time splashing Valen with a bit of water, "Like this?!" If Valen took the bait and started to cower away and hold up his hands to save himself from the water assault Edlin would grab one of his hands and pull him back in. Placing both hands on the sides of his head, one wet, and pulling the vampire in for a kiss the same as before; eyes closed and everything before softly breaking it. He offers that charming smirk before pulling away entirely now, "Am I going to have to pay you like this when you get Valrae out of jail unharmed, too." Another chuckle may prove he wouldn’t mind it either. He picks up the wine bottle with a satisfied sigh while standing up, "Want to go back in there and get plastered again? I remember at one point you tried to get up an dance on the bar counter last time…" His mischievous smirk makes it hard to tell weather or not he is joking.

Valen did indeed take the bait. Valen knew the game well, and Edlin had showed him how it was played -this- time. A soft cry of surprise at the bit of water would be given before he was pulled into that sweet kiss. He did not mind the wet hand, and even found that it added a very well received feeling on the side of his face. His eyes closed as well, feeling in total bliss as their mouths connected. during this a hand would gently move to the back of his neck, then down his spine to massage right in between his wings with gentle precision...seemingly knowing that such an area must possess a bundle of nerves that needed to be worked out, if that was correct. In response to his question, through half lidded eyes another smirk would be given. "For that...you may have to get something returned to you before you can pay me. But, we will see. Right now this is more than I could have ever expected." The mention of his antics at the bar had him a bit flustered but he would reply with his own playful jab "You mean I -did- dance. And don't think I didn't see you watching my hips either." A wink was given, before a following nod. "Why the hell not though. Maybe I can show you some moves." It was the perfect end to a very unusual night, and he could only look forward to the next time. It truly was one of the best feelings in the world...to be cared for.