synflux | closed.

[ oh, that's awful. even if he's just faking it, that line rubs her the wrong way for no real reason, and she lets him know by making a face that comes and goes in an instant. still, she pulls on a lazy smile as she swirls her second glass of rum, already half-empty. ]

Never pegged you as the jealous type. [ regardless, she jots that one down for future reference. ] Maybe if you drank more, you wouldn't have anything to worry about. We don't always go to places like this, you know.

[ she's doing her utmost in getting them back to their usual banter; surely other couples don't usually force themselves into being lovey-dovey with one another, right? even if it's couple's night. even if they're almost married in this supposed lifetime.

so she draws her glass close to his with a clink. she did want to take him out for drinks, so they may as well take advantage of it now than never. ]

Cheers.

[ and down the hatch it goes. another glass, boss! ]

[ Damn, alright, he can take the hint. Time for him to tip back his own glass and take a healthy gulp of his drink, closing his eyes briefly as the alcohol hits the back of his throat and burns a warm path down to his stomach.

Even knowing it'll take more than a single glass to fuzz his mind, he takes it slow, swirling his drinks around between sips. ]

Are you saying I should take you out more? [ Well, he does owe her a picnic still. ] Clearly I haven't been doing a very good job taking care of your needs.

[ There's a dirty joke waiting to be made here but he is not going to take that opportunity. Not now, anyway. ]

Guess I better make it up to you. Anything you want me to do for you tonight, I'll do.

[ Including get tipsy, apparently. ]

I mean, yes? Of course you should do all those things if we want this marriage to be a success.

[ at least, she thinks so? it's common sense. obviously she wouldn't know what a good marriage even entails - even her parents aren't the most affectionate couple in the world - but all good relationships stem from just... getting along with each other.

either way, she's nursing her third glass of rum tonight and that has resulted in her having a looser tongue, her earnestness showing through. she'll do her best to keep up the act for both their sakes though, don't worry. ]

I don't... know, really. [ she shakes her head, her coiffed curls bouncing with every movement. ] I'm already satisfied staying here all night with you. Is that enough?

[ You know what? That's very cute of her. Part of why he likes her as much as he does, that straightforward earnestness that doesn't leave much room for doubt. There's no ulterior motive when it comes to her, no hidden agenda to try and get on his good side. It makes it easier to drop his guard just a little bit and relax in a way he's not used to doing.

His smile turns a little more real as he settles back against the counter. ]

Whatever's enough for you is enough for me.

[ Which sounds sappy as hell, but he really does mean it. She has her own interests and preferences and wants, and she should be allowed to chase all those freely. If she ever wants advice or opinions then he'll be happy to offer those up, but at the end of the day it should always be her choice freely made, without coercion or manipulation from others.

A single curl escapes its confinement, and he idly reaches out to tuck it back in place. You know, for any nosy onlookers. But also for me, a thirsty ho. ]

Though I have to admit, I wouldn't mind seeing you pole dance one day, if you're really asking for my opinion.

[ Yeah, sorry about that but he can't not. ]

[ man, and she was about to dwell on how wriothesley's words are something she needed to hear for a while now. that sometimes it's okay to be enough, that she is free to do whatever she wants here so long as she has unending support from her peers. it may not look like much on the surface, but little things like that can go a long way for someone her who's been floating adrift in life for some time now. she hopes wrio knows that.

she's already a bit flushed on the face with the alcohol, but the simple gesture of tucking her hair back has deepened it somehow, a bashful smile about to form on her lips-- ]

What.

[ only to be replaced by a look of abject horror as she turns around way too fast for her own liking to face him, hands grabbing at his wrist for balance. whoa, that buzz is probably a lot more than she thought -- but never mind about that now!! ]

Wh... How'd you find out??

[ she's slurring a little too but make no mistake she is still sober enough to kick his fucking ass AHHHHHH ]

Edited 2024-03-04 03:40 (UTC)

[ If she kicked his ass he would be grateful—I mean, what. (But that blush was awfully cute though, he is absolutely taking notes for the future.)

Her brief moment of inebriety has him straightening, body tensing in case he needs to pop up entirely to catch her from falling. Luckily he doesn't, but that doesn't stop him from staying where he is, upright in his chair instead of slouched over. ]

We are getting married. Don't you think I should be aware of your interests and hobbies so I can support them?

[ Even if pole dancing is a relatively new one.... More seriously though, ]

Your [ hm, he never did get that person's name ] dance friend mentioned it to me. Out of genuine excitement I presume and not any ill-will.

[ where's Malkuth, he is trying so hard to help her out here.

And, now that Ishmael's a little more steady, he wiggles his hand through her grip so that he can twine their fingers together in a handhold. Again, for the viewers watching, but also so she's down a hand in case she tries to punch him for his audacity. ]

[ not the marriage excuse... she's fuming about malkuth now, sorry. no ill-will, her ass. that librarian really is the cause for the city's bizarre state, and now she's here to fuck everything up for ishmael somehow!? she's really going to get it as soon as ishmael frees herself from wrio's grasp--

but it never comes, at least for now. mostly because she's gotten way too tipsy to think straight, but she dimly realizes that they've never held hands before. hers are course and rough from years of sailing, which aren't ideal for handholding at all, but feeling wrio's hand in hers calms her down a bit.

just a little. ]

You can't... just say that now. That's not fair. [ she's sort-of pouting right now, help. ] I don't even know what else you do apart from making tea. I want to know more about you.

[ you know, as a pretend couple. but there's some ounce of truth in her words; it's always as though ishmael has shown him aspects of herself, but rarely the other way around. and if she were more sober about this, she'd think of how frustrating this imbalance in their relationship. ]

Edited 2024-03-04 04:32 (UTC)

[ Her hands are perfectly fine?? If anything they're a mark of how strong she is, weather-worn and tough from too much experience.

He's not gonna tell her that though. Not when she's the furthest he's ever seen her look from her usual no-nonsense self: cheeks tinged pink and voice almost leaning into a whine. Is that a pout on her face?? Absolutely incredible. If only he had a Kamera - sorry, it's camera here - to snapshot this moment with.

(Do they have their camera functions on their oculars here? Absolutely, but he's not going to violate her privacy like that. He will, however, save this ammunition for a future date in time.)

His own hands are about as calloused as hers, knuckles and fingerpads roughened from too many old scars, but that doesn't stop him from rubbing his thumb across her skin back and forth, an idle motion meant to soothe. ]

Alright, alright. [ His own tone is a mixture of fondness (half-real) and amusement (entirely real). He does owe her after so long. ] Fire away. I'll see what I can do.

[ Unfortunately he still doesn't trust like that but he will make his best attempt for her. ]

[ she narrows her eyes at him, waiting for some kind of catch. if there's anything wriothesley is good at, it's redirecting attention from himself in an effort to avoid answering unnecessary questions. must be a useful skill to have as a prison warden who must know all the secrets of the gritty criminal world. anyone would want that wealth of information to themselves to do more evil.

but this is not an interrogation - it's a date. so if wriothesley is willing to open up a bit about himself just for tonight, ishmael will take it. even if she's one-thirds drunk. the way he's calming her down with every stroke of his equally callused thumb helps. ]

That one time, at sea... There was ice. How did you do that?

[ it's a vague statement to ask for any nosy people who happen to be listening in, but he should know what she's talking about. tbf she forgot to ask this when she gave him chocolate a while ago, but better strike while the iron is still hot. ]

[ Between the too many eyes crowding up the club and his own inherent mistrust of people, it takes him a moment to carefully formulate an explanation that's clear without attracting unnecessary attention. ]

A magician never reveals his secrets.

[ Sorry to borrow one of your catchphrases, Lyney, but it's his turn now to go undercover.

That's what he says aloud anyway, but it's only a minute afterwards that Ishmael gets a message up on her oculars, much longer and more thorough than the scant few words he's said aloud.

The way I have to explain Genshin despite not having played Genshin, I hate it here. ]

It's called a Vision. Supposedly it's a gift from the gods, a blessing given to those with strong ambitions and desires. There are different ones, corresponding to different elements.

[ Don't ask him about the finer details, he's not a scholar. ]

Plenty of people have them where I'm from. I wouldn't say I'm anything special. [ And then, after a pause while he decides if he wants to reveal this bit or not: ] It's tied to the decoration I'm wearing right now.

[ The glass ball wreathed in a golden frame that hangs from his belt, tinged a light blue and partially obscured by the coat that still hangs over his shoulders. Usually it's tucked away underneath some layer or other of clothing, but they're supposed to be acting the part of rich people tonight so why not dress up the part?

Speaking of which, he should probably continue the outward charade. ]

Why do you ask? Hoping I'll use it in a different way?

[ Like in the bedroom??? Just kidding. ]

[ bro why are you making her read some tl;dr shit while she's halfway drunk... she squints into space and recognizes one word - vision. ah, that makes sense. childe had explained it to her before when he was still around.

the representation of one's ambitions and desires, huh. of course wriothesley has them. probably anyone who isn't from the hellhole ishmael lived in has them. she may have made her peace about it now, content with taking her time in finding her own passions, but at the end of the day she is still an empty husk.

and sometimes, that is okay. ]

Mmm. Probably.

[ temperature play... 🤔

she's barely making sense now, her head slightly wobbling now, but she's going to drain her entire glass for this next question anyway. she'll need it. ]

Next question. Have you ever dated before?

[ erm ]

[ GIRL YOU WANTED THE EXPLANATION.... No one made you down three cups of rum. :/

But he's grateful she doesn't press the subject further, the slight squeeze of his fingers around hers loosening just a smidge after laying out his cards and not having them immediately picked up and tucked away for usage down the road. ]

I'll keep that in mind.

[ Drawled out lazily, like he really is thinking about it for later. Though there's another blink of surprise as she continues barreling straight ahead—and with a question about his love life, no less. Who is she, March?? Alcohol really changes a woman. ]

Are you worried a gaggle of women are going to come out from the shadows and interrogate you?

[ i can't believe you're making me THINK about this....Anyway, he has a question of his own first. ]

You sure you should be drinking this much?

Edited (sorry i don't think he would say exes) 2024-03-05 04:08 (UTC)

[ he had a gaggle of women? wait, of course he does. someone as dashing as him would have had more than one at some point. but wait, dashing? well, yes. she's not blind. he's very easy on the eyes, among other things very gentlemanly, too. truly a step above from the people she'd had to settle with in her fakedates so far.

of course he'd have more experience in this than compared to her.

her corner of her mouth twitches when he asks. ]

Yes? I'll have you know I can down an entire barrel of rum by myself when I was still a sailor. [ a wide smile, like she's proud of herself. ] This isn't enough, in fact. Barkeep! Another one on the rocks, please~

[ please stop her ]

Edited (me trying to keep up w the edits) 2024-03-05 04:12 (UTC)

[ one day i'll tag you back fast enough that you won't have time to edit

But clearly, he's made a huge mistake. His eyes go comically wide the moment she raises her voice, hand going slack in hers before his brain kicks back into high gear and he makes his decision. ]

If you're going to drink more—

[ One foot digs into the floor to brace himself as he tugs his hand free. Sorry, the time for handholding is over. But it's okay, because it means he now has two free hands with which to grab onto Ishmael with, specifically by the waist so he can hoist her up and settle her back onto his lap. ]

—then at least pick a seat you won't be in danger of falling off of. [ Oh right, they're fake-engaged. ] Dear.

[ What if she gets piss drunk and then topples out of her chair? Then where will they be?? But since he has to clear the bar that is already underground, he does have the good grace to send her another message. ]

If this is too much, just let me know.

[ one day.............

there's so much movement in those last few seconds. the next thing ishmael knows, she's been relocated on wriothesley's lap, and it's a good thing she's already flushed from the liquor if he ever asks. not even the guys of the pequod would offer to do this for her when she'd gotten drunk back at the portships...

and yet there's no resistance from her. not in this state, anyway. she reads the text and sends it right back to him as she shifts on her newfound seat to make herself comfortable. you know, as most couples do. ]

I'm fine. Thanks.

[ cue the bartender giving them a furtive glance as they slide ishmael's fourth glass of rum over before turning away. everything feels way too warm, no thanks to the shared body heat between them, and she slightly turns her head back at him. ]

...You haven't answered my question.

[ u think she's gonna forget, numbnuts ]

[ Damn he was really hoping she'd forget after those three drinks.

He doesn't answer right away, too busy taking in all the new sensations that come with having a person nestled up against him for a prolonged period of time. The tickle of hair against his cheek and a voice way too close to his face. The warmth of her body through the fabric of her dress as he repositions one arm so it's looped casually around her waist. A sort of safety belt, if you will.

It's not—unpleasant though. A little bit like their hug from a long time ago, a position that gets more comfortable the longer they sit like this. ]

I haven't. [ Not in any sort of lasting meaningful way, anyway. ] I had a pretty…turbulent adolescence, you could say. There wasn't really time for anything like romance.

[ No room to think about life's finer luxuries when he'd been too focused on just surviving. ]

And then I got busy with [ taking over and running a whole-ass prison, except haha he can't really say that aloud ] work.

[ The (abridged) life and times of Wriothesley Genshin Impact, with most of the interesting parts taken out. They can cover that a later day, maybe. For now, he gives her a small smile. ]

Sorry if you were expecting something more exciting.

[ it is reminiscent of their hug from a while ago, though this time it is one-sided on ishmael's part and a lot more provocative in this position. but she can't deny the fact that his lap is comfy and his hold on her makes her feel safe - and that's how she usually feels around him, really. safe and secure, in a way that she hasn't been for a long time now.

she falls silent at his words. she's too inebriated to form more coherent thoughts, but she dimly recalls how he wasn't close to his family either - hence the lack of hugs on his part. for a very affable guy he's rather lonesome, and is either making up for lost time or just... embraced that part of him.

she downs her drink, the liquor burning in her throat, and slowly shakes her head. ]

I wasn't expecting much. [ in a way, she's kind of glad it was unexciting? don't ask her why. ] I didn't date much either. I just studied all throughout my school years and got into a university just to get a decent paying job. Then figured out that it wasn't worth dying over boredom for.

[ hers is even lamer than his, tbh. it's a little sad, so she won't elaborate further on that. even now, romance just seems so out of reach for someone like her, and perhaps that's for the best. ]

Can I... go back to my seat? It's getting cold.

[ despite the rum and the physical affection setting her on fire. usually she'd have more than four glasses, but tonight she'll hold back. ]

[ Studying, university, a regular office job....how mundane. Peaceful, even. He's past the point where he might have felt jealous over someone else's idyllic life, and in any case it's not like things had stayed that way for Ishmael if all their previous conversations had been anything to go by. ]

Being kept busy did lead me to you, so I can't say it was all bad.

[ Is this real? Is this all part of the act?? The world will never know, because he is too busy straightening and loosening his arm from around her waist so she can slide off. If she wants to be free then he will certainly give her her freedom....even though it would definitely be warmer if she just stayed on his lap. But unfortunately Wriothesley drinks his woman-respecting juice every day and will not keep someone where they don't want to be. ]

Only if you're sure you won't fall off your chair. At least take my coat if you're feeling cold.

[ Homegirl truly is wearing so little in comparison.....and I didn't even get to take advantage of half of it (tears streaming down my face). ]

I have to say, you chose quite the career jump after that.

[ wtf happened there ]

[ at least that line isn't as heavy-handed compared to earlier attempts. it could've been warmer on his lap, yeah, but she (and i) wanted something more discreet than that position... trust me, let me cook here. ]

I won't, I won't. Give me...

[ she'll take his coat when he offers it, draping it over her shoulders before sliding off his lap and onto the next seat. and normally she'd just hide her head on the bar counter for this, but she decides to lean sideways and lean her head on wriothesley's shoulder instead.

there, much better. ]

Mm, is it...? [ she closes her eyes, shutting out the neon lights and trap music and focusing on the warmth of the man beside her. ] At the time, I didn't really know where I wanted to be in life. And I still don't. But...

[ her hand twitches, letting herself indulge to one tiny sliver of affection by wrapping her pinky around his. ]

I may not have dated before, but I'm glad you're my first.

[ this doesn't make sense, of course. they're supposed to be engaged for starters, and this isn't the first time she'd gone out on dates in neo-tokyo either (thanks hsy) (except not really because they don't really count as dates??)

but in this haze of inebriation, she'll let herself pretend for tonight. ]

Edited 2024-03-09 08:40 (UTC)

[ They look like a true couple now, with his coat draped across her shoulders and her head leaned against him. Really carrying out this mission to a T. Too bad it's all just pretend and none of it is real.

(closes Kia's mouth before she can say anything)

Still, just because it's pretend doesn't mean he can't let himself be deceived into believing (and enjoying) the illusion for one night. Whatever path he might have painstakingly trekked forward one, whatever space he'd carved out for himself is gone now, and once again he's been taken away from all that's familiar and comfortable and forced to start all over again.

Funny how fate works sometimes. But he's older and wiser now, more capable of grabbing his wants in both hands. Or is one pinky in this case?? Stay tuned. ]

Keep that up and you might just make me weak in the knees. [ Good thing he's sitting down huh. ] Any other firsts we should knock off the list while we have the chance?

[ This literally doesn't make any sense, hopefully no one is eavesdropping on their conversation. ]

[ please, she's so not good at rizzing, unlike rizzley here. if she could roll her eyes here, she would. he sure can pull off a rather convincing act though; anyone who thinks they aren't dating here would be out of their minds. ishmael's just relieved that they don't have to playact too much as a lovey-dovey couple. no forcing of sappy nicknames, no ridiculous gestures of affection -- they just acted like they always did, as amicable... friends? are they friends? she likes to think they are now, if they've gotten this far. small steps.

she hums thoughtfully, thinking of other ways to really sell it. if she were less drunk she'd just tell him no and call it a night, but we aren't here for that rn dammit. ]

Mmm, let's see... We haven't kissed since coming here, for starters.

[ just says it matter-of-factly ]

No pressure, though. I don't think we need to at this point.

[ She can get better with practice….Also does she really need to be good at rizzing when her straightforwardness is part of her charm? She really went for it just like that, huh.

It's enough to prompt a huff of laughter from him, small but genuine. He's not sure what answer he was expecting but it sure wasn't that. Though he's not complaining. As far as requests go, this one's pretty straightforward. ]

You make it sound as though kissing you is some sort of punishment.

[ Hello??

All things considered, a kiss shouldn't be that big of a deal. But there's been a surprising amount of honesty on display so far these evening and she has had three drinks already. How much of this is what Ishmael actually wants and how much of this is her booze-fueled mind filling out any remaining holes in their story?

He glances down at their entwined pinkies and then links the rest of their fingers together so he can bring their hands up to press a quick kiss onto her knuckles. That's not the real kiss though. ]

You sure? No take-backs.

[ kissing her isn't going to be that bad, tf. right? literally her only reference is toji that one night, but this is different. she's not sober this time, they have to keep up with this pretense till the mission is over - and let's be real, there is no way they can proceed with the auction with how wasted she is. she'll have to apologize to him for that next time u_u

moreover, it's wriothesley. she can't deny the fact that they've grown closer these past few months, enough to make her consider him as a friend if asked. but would friends ever go this far? would he continue to treat her as this precious and sacred thing after the clock strikes twelve?

she doesn't know. what she does know is that he won't leave her hanging.

it's a good thing the interior is dim enough to obscure how red her freckled cheeks are when he teases her with a kiss on the hand - a prelude for what's to come. she shifts her head slightly to look at him, eyes half-lidded. she normally isn't one to pay close attention to looks, but... he's rather handsome like this, isn't he? ]

...There's nothing to take back. It's just you.

[ that doesn't make sense at all. none of this does. and maybe that's okay. ]

[ Just him.

Said with any other inflection and it might have come off as insulting or demeaning, but he appreciates the words for what they are: a reassurance of her comfort around him, where once she would have been prickly and standoffish. The booze probably helps too. Well, if Cinderella (Ishmaella??) wants a kiss then her prince for the evening will deliver it to her. They can both indulge in a little bit of fantasy before having to return to cold harsh reality. There's nothing wrong taking hold of one's wants, even in a situation like this.

He lowers their hands and leans forward to press a soft kiss on her lips. Honestly as far as kisses go it's pretty chaste, and the only thing that saves it from being entirely perfunctory is the way his mouth lingers a second too long before he finally pulls back.

No tongue though, sorry. :/ They can save that for next time. ]

Satisfied?

[ Or is she going to make him do it again? ]

[ liquid courage has yet to fail her. what was supposed to be daunting has been muted thanks to the rum in her veins, along with the simplicity of their kiss. on the outside it may not have lasted long, but to ishmael and her addled brain they may as well have kissed for hours, squeezing his hand the entire time like a lifeline that she refuses to let go of.

and just like that, it's over. she blinks at him twice once he pulls away, as if she couldn't believe what just happened, and smiles. a wide one that's almost cheeky before she leans her head back on his shoulder and closes her eyes again. clearly she's more comfortable just resting her poor head on his side like this than making out. at least for now. ]

...Whatever's enough for you is enough for me.

[ there's always next time. whatever they have right now... it's all right. and she wouldn't have it any other way. ]

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i'm still on the floor btw. thanks.

im doing my part 🫡

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