jikan_rpg | ✵ [Jan Catchall] Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist.

[Dohalim watches Red Wine as he lifts his violin up, giving him a permissive nod to continue. there's a sort of anticipation he can't help but feel, wanting to hear his violin's song ring in the air, like the many times all those years ago, when times were simpler, and he didn't have to worry about the loom of the Crown Contest, and those he'd have to contend with. all that mattered in those moments was the beautiful music he'd play with his dearest friends, only ever vaguely aware of those watching and listening to them play.

as the note is played, Dohalim's eyes slip closed for a moment, as if he could feel it play with the very fibre of his being. there's a small smile on his face as he opens his eyes, nodding again and gesturing for Red Wine to continue]

I don't mind in the slightest. Please, continue.

[Red Wine nods, adjusting his grip and settling the violin more firmly against his shoulder. He straightens his back and shoulders, pauses a moment in thought, then lays the bow to the strings again.

What comes out would be something entirely unfamiliar to Dohalim. A composition from Nevras, Red Wine's home country. It begins slowly, almost sparsely, as if it ought to be accompanied by something, but quickly comes into its own as Red Wine fills in some of the gaps himself. His fingers move smoothly over the strings, his eyes half-closed in concentration, and he can't help but admire the sheer quality of the instrument.

Far beyond its unique and elegant appearance the notes it produces are so crisp.

He only plays for a minute, then lets the last note fade. His wine-red eyes are curious again as he looks over at his companion.]

It's a lovely instrument.

[Dohalim's smile widens slightly as he listens to Red Wine play, his attention on watching his skilled fingers dance along the frets of polished black wood and strings. he'd forgotten how easy it was for everything else to melt away when it came to playing and listening to music; he'd become so immersed in it that it takes him a moment to realise that Red Wine had finished his piece.

if Dohalim were honest with himself, it's almost enough to inspire him to play again. almost. he's still not sure if he could play it again.

he doesn't say anything for a moment, but instead leans in to press a gentle kiss to Red Wine's lips. only when he pulls back does he speak again]

Thank you. Both for the compliment and for breathing life into it again. I think it was yearning to be played again.

[He does feel a little rusty with it, in all honesty, but Dohalim seems pleased regardless. Red Wine smiles against the kiss and leans towards it, then places the violin back into its case with as much care that he had lifted it out with.]

I haven't had much need to play since she passed. [By now, the 'she' that he refers to is no doubt obvious. He always speaks of his first Master Attendant with the utmost fondness despite what he has told Dohalim about the origins of his kind.]

But since it's you, I suppose I can play for you any time you'd like me to. [His head tilts thoughtfully.] Though perhaps more suitably dressed, next time.

It seems she had good taste.

[Dohalim gives Red Wine a fond smile before looking back down at his violin. feeling the instrument under his fingers was so familiar to him, as if he hadn't kept it locked away for years. it almost seems like yesterday that he'd picked it up, feeling the bow glide effortlessly against the violin strings, hearing the notes flow freely]

I would love for you to play more for me, if you don't mind. It deserves to be played more, and I'm not sure I have the heart to play it again.

[He shakes his head and the smile on his face does, for once, hold a hint of modesty.]

I wouldn't mind.

[Hell, he might even do so eagerly, though it's really only because Dohalim is asking. His softer talents are reserved only for those close to him - those who earn high enough regard in his eyes to be allowed to see him as more than just a sword.]

And one day, perhaps, you might play it for me.

Ah...

[Dohalim's smile fades ever so slightly as he keeps his eyes trained down at the instrument. he had a feeling that Red Wine would ask it of him, especially when he so graciously played a piece for him. but even just touching the violin makes him nervous; what if his own feelings, anxieties and past get in the way to the point where he can't play it anymore? or what if he'd put off playing for so long that he isn't nearly as good as he used to be? he doesn't want to give Red Wine a subpar performance after all... perhaps he's making excuses at this point.

but even then, those thoughts weigh on his mind. but then again, what else is new?]

I... Am afraid that may not be for a while. I would like to, but...

[he lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. he looks back up at the man, the smile back on his face to hide what he's really feeling]

It's been a while since I've picked it up. I'd like to be able to play a piece perfectly for you.

[Dohalim doesn't need to explain. Red Wine connects the dots easily enough and he reaches out his hand, taking the other man's fingers lightly in his own. With his eyes trained on Dohalim's face he lowers both of their hands together to the body of the violin and touches it lightly.

The smile hides everything, but it tells Red Wine more than Dohalim might want it to. He knows the man too well by now to be so easily fooled.]

It's all right. [He won't push him to play, not for him or otherwise, but there are baby steps that can be taken regardless...] Whenever you're ready, hm..? One day we might be able to play together.

[his eyes trail back down to their hands resting upon the instrument; a part of him tells him to pull his hand away, that he isn't worthy enough to so much as touch the violin in such a way, but he doesn't. he keeps his hand where it is, and honestly, if the Food Soul's wasn't there to hold onto his, Dohalim would have pulled away. this man and the effect he has on him, sometimes...

the idea of being able to play music with Red Wine gets Dohalim to look back up at him, the smile faded into something akin to curiosity]

...Would you truly like to?

Have you ever known me to suggest something that I don't fully intend to follow through on?

[Would he waste his breath on something like that? A question like that one need not even be asked. But, as if he senses Dohalim's discomfort, he lifts both their hands up from the instrument and holds the other man's fingers between both of his palms.]

If there ever comes a time when you feel you'd want to, just let me know, hm?

I will, then.

[Dohalim smiles softly, looking up from their hands to those deep red eyes, highlighted with the amber of his own, a sight he'd gotten used to seeing. lifting his free hand up, he cups Red Wine's face, his thumb brushing along the outer corner of his eye]

Have I ever mentioned that your eyes are beautiful with that amber in them?

[Red Wine hums, tilting his head into the touch. The comment on the amber only makes the colour grow all the more noticeable, the specks of it almost seeming to glow in response to the compliment. Much like Dohalim's eyes do when he's deep into the throes of his own arousal.]

I think you have, but I can stand to hear it again.

[As the other man knows, Red Wine can always stand to hear his praise directed at his appearance.]

It only happens with you.

[watching the specks shine brightly in the deep red depths pulls a soft but pleased sound from Dohalim, before leaning in to give Red Wine a quick kiss. he's even more pleased when he hears that this only occurs around him]

If I may be so selfish to say, but I'm glad.

[he is, by no means an envious or possessive person; if Red Wine chooses to have more than one partner, that's his choice. he'd be hypocritical if he were to tell the man otherwise. but for him to see that this particular kizuna affect is present only when he is, Dohalim can't help but be happy about it. and for it to be displayed so beautifully...]

They sparkle like precious gems. Absolutely beautiful.

[This has been an interesting hour. With Dohalim's background he would have always expected that the man would know how to play an instrument, but not that his ability to do so would be so weighted with difficult memories.

He doesn't sense that the change in topic is anything to do with Dohalim wanting to avoid anything, though, and noticing that warms him just slightly.]

Just when you thought I couldn't get any more appealing to look at, I manage to surprise you.

[Look, he knows he's aesthetically pleasing.]

You always do seem to have something in your back pocket. But luckily, I like pleasant surprises.

[Dohalim knows of Red Wine's confidence in his own looks, and the fact that he enjoys having his tailfeathers stroked every so often. and he's more than happy to give the man more of these compliments, only to show his appreciation for him. leaning in, Dohalim presses a gentle kiss to the corner of the other's eye]

You say that I'm gorgeous, but there are not enough words to describe how ravishing you are.

[Red Wine lets out a soft, appreciative laugh and tilts his head just a little towards Dohalim's after his lips touch against the corner of his eye.]

One doesn't cancel out the other. [He comments with amusement, lifting his hand up to play with a curl of Dohalim's hair. Gently, he tugs at it, then pushes his fingers in around the back of those lovely, thick curls and pulls Dohalim forward to kiss him.]

If you want to be a little possessive of me, I suppose I don't mind.

Oh, I don't think I'd be able to be possessive of you... That simply would not be fair to any of your other admirers.

[and really, the idea (when not under the influence of severe kizuna magic) of being possessive over someone hits a little too close to home. he'd worked hard to make sure that there was no social hierarchy where one could possess another person and use them as objects, but...

perhaps, in this sort of situation, it might be different. for all that Dohalim would most likely worry about it, the lightheartedness of it and the fact that it's Red Wine helps push most of that worry away. chuckling softly, Dohalim leans in for another kiss]

Though, if you would like me to, I think I might be able to make an exception.

[It was a joke, but as he says it he realises that he truly wouldn't mind it if it was not overbearing. Such a thing isn't said lightly, especially by someone whose entire existence was formed to be bound to one person for their whole life, but he knows what he's saying when he utters the words.]

I think... [He says, and he pauses for that kiss. They're so close together that he can almost feel the warmth radiating from Dohalim's skin.]

That had I met you on Tierra, you would be someone I would be content to take as my Master. You remind me a little of her, sometimes.

Ah...

[now that's a response Dohalim wasn't expecting. he leans back slightly to look at the other, watching him for a moment, before reaching to take a pale hand in his. it's almost fascinating how a jest can turn so serious between them at the drop of a hat, but for once, there isn't a heavy air about them, all things considered. for Red Wine, whose life is supposed to revolve around eternal servitude, and for Dohalim, who abhors the idea of slavery... no, there's no heaviness about them, but more a comfortable silence for a moment, one that Dohalim breaks after a small handful of minutes]

...Would you mind telling me about her?

Hmm...

[The Food Soul's expression softens. He moves, carefully closing the violin case and setting it aside before shifting himself up against the other man's side and pushing him down onto the bed so he can drape comfortably across him.

For a moment he just looks at his own hand resting on Dohalim's chest, as if admiring the contrast in the colours of their skin, then he huffs out a soft sigh.]

She was... bold. Fiery. No one could ever tell her not to do something, because she'd only want to do it all the more. Stubborn. She would put herself in danger for anyone and not think twice about it.

[he easily falls back onto the bed, before he curls his arm over Red Wine's shoulders to tug him just a little bit closer. Dohalim buries his face in Red Wine's hair as he listens to him closely, imagining just what kind of woman Red Wine's Attendant was]

She sounds like she was a lively person. I would have loved to meet her.

[his thumb rub gentle circles on Red Wine's shoulder, his other hand coming up to rest on top of the other's, giving it a squeeze]

What more can you tell me about her?

[he really is fascinated with hearing about his Master Attendant, and what their dynamic was. he doesn't get to hear much about Red Wine's past, so he'll take what he can get at this moment]

Hah... lively... Yes, she was that.

[He doesn't talk about her often. Not because he doesn't want to, but because no one alive on Tierra save for Steak still remembers her at all, and softer subjects like this are not ones often broached between them. His expression remains gentle though as he casts his mind back, musing through old, half-faded memories.]

I'm sure, given what I've told you before... that the fact that many Master Attendants are not kind to the Food Souls they summon isn't a surprise. [Even now they are often regarded as things and not people. As status symbols and nothing more.] But she was different. She treated me like family and I loved her like a sister. [He smiles a little.]

She was wealthy, and could be impetuous as she was accustomed to getting her own way along with it. But I never once doubted her integrity.

She must have been a wonderful woman to be able to have summoned you.

[leaning in, Dohalim presses a soft kiss into Red Wine's hair, before lifting a hand to brush his fingers through it. there's still so much he has yet to learn about Food Souls, but he knows, at least, enough that some of them weren't treated the best, like Red Wine has said. the similarities are striking, if Dohalim were to think about how Dahnan slaves are used and treated by the Renans, compared to how they live in Menancia, and it disappoints him deeply that even in different worlds, there are people who use their power and status to mistreat others, instead of work with them]

It seems like she would also be proud of you for living a life outside of being a Food Soul, or am I wrong in my assumption?

Mm, I suppose she would have liked the thought that Steak and I stayed together and continued doing worthy things after she and her husband passed.

[In short... yes, Dohalim is right. He's sure she would have even been proud that they had taken Gingerbread into their small group, though she might have endlessly despaired of the girl's refusal to act like a lady at any point.]

Though I am never anything but a Food Soul, Do. That doesn't change. It's what I am, as much as you are a Renan.

✵ [Jan Catchall] Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist.

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