000 » my heart isn't beating

[royalist]

TFLN OVERFLOW.

for will at royalist.

Comments

@glodell

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

You ask for much more than you actually give to others, Glodell.

Why do you think anyone would want to be with you?

[glodell]

[ thank you i'm always too lazy to do this and just suffer through captcha

his kneejerk response to this question is "i don't", but thinking that just pisses him off and makes him more defensive. ]

Excuse me? I'm attractive and fashionable and cunning with a luxury gauntlet runner, and before long I'll have the kind of power that less impressive people can only dream of.

Not to mention my previously discussed skill set.

@tyrantstar

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

[ ahaha... hahahaha... ]

I think you're a very honest man as well, Count Louis.

Truthfully, I was surprised. I thought being in your service would be more difficult. But it's actually been... a little fun.

[tyrantstar]

Truthfully, I expected your 'initiation' might have set the mood. But perhaps you were too afraid at the time to properly appreciate it.

[The Magnus brothers found the prank hilarious, if nothing else.]

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

I'm cute and little, but I'm not shy. Right?

[ does strohl know all the little things he does that makes will's heart feel soft and fond? do they both feel that way about each other, giddy and covetous of the other's presence, desperate to touch in little ways, clapped shoulders, held hands? but those little moments of touch aren't enough anymore, especially not for an inebriated will, who just wants to curl up in strohl's lap and cover him in kisses for the rest of the night. ]

Is it only your face I get to kiss? I want to kiss you in other places, too.

[forhalia]

Right, yes, you're far from shy.

[ Especially right now, boldly declaring his every intention. It has Strohl's heartbeat drumming a rapid, excited rhythm in anticipation. Sometimes, he's caught himself looking at Will, noticing the shape of his mouth and more, sending his thoughts wandering down trails that he didn't think he should follow in earnest. But he has wondered how it might feel. The mere thought of Will's lips against his own, moving onward from there, finding other places to kiss, as many as he likes... ]

Will you tell me where? Or show me. A kiss for each kiss sounds fair.

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

I'm just as thankful to you, you know.

Can you also remind me every night for the rest of our days?

[forhalia]

You've definitely impressed it upon me. It's one more reason for me to be even more thankful.

And you'll have my thanks every night, every morning, and at every available opportunity. How does that sound?

@glodell

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Lots of people are perfectly nice, actually. Even before I help them with whatever it is that's bothering them.

Sure, there are some people who will always hate me, whether it's because I'm an elda or because they just don't like me personally. But... it's not everyone. It's never everyone.

[glodell]

[ he's just like yes i know i am in that second category of people who hate you ]

You do realise that if you have a drink that's 80% poison and 20% good liquor it's probably still going to kill you? You wouldn't say you love that drink just because one gulp of it at the bottom of the glass is fine.

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Besides letting me bury my face in your chest while you're wearing that turtleneck, you mean?

Hmm... I want you to have a taste of me.

[ his majesty has decreed it! ]

[forhalia]

You're telling me what I want, too, you know. It's as if I can't get enough of you.

@luciferi

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Haven't we crossed swords enough already?

Although I suppose we... hm. Yes. We've never tried disrobing each other specifically.

What if we did it in linen shifts? The kind we used to wear as boys.

You'd look so lovely in one now.

[luciferi]

You'll look lovelier once I cut it off.

We could make it more interesting. Perhaps a wager on who may win our little dance.

@pastelito

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Well, papa likes... fruit...

Mama likes... adventures?

Um... I think if you make something a little experimental, she'll like it. But she likes normal food too.

I'm sure anything you make will be wonderful, so don't stress yourself out about it. My parents will adore you regardless.

ty ♡

[pastelito]

it's a bit tricky to bake adventures into something edible, but there is a new recipe I've been wanting to try. I'll have a go at it.

is there anything else I should know before coming?

@glodell

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

What would be a not-obnoxious comment?

[glodell]

You don't have to make ANY comment! Just take your little screenshot and don't tell me about it!

@glodell

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

[ sort of cute to think about, but tragic, too. will won't say it out loud, but he thinks that in a slightly different world, glodell and zorba could've been good friends.

(it's about 80% because they have the same taste in fashion. he is not going to say this out loud. but wherever zorba buys his lace-trimmed pants is probably the same store that sold glodell his leopard-patterned coat. will is dead sure of this.) ]

That's true. It is pretty uncomfortable. Especially because I don't think Louis really notices that he exists in a way that matters...

[ louis clearly knows that zorba exists; that's not what will means. it's more just that louis has a way of looking at zorba where he's simply looking right through him at something else. ]

I don't blame him for how he feels about the world, either. But you'd think, being surrounded by like-minded people nowadays, he'd be able to move on from his past trauma. Instead, he's always bogged down by the same old things, and bitter about it, so even people who agree with him on the world's injustices are driven away...

I don't know. It makes me sad. I wish I could do something for him, but he hates me in particular, I think.

I just try to avoid him because I don't want to aggravate him...

[ this is probably because the "something else" louis is typically looking at is will himself... but... ]

[glodell]

[ they are both frequent shoppers at the fantasy hot topic, yes. ]

Well. When you're used to everyone going out of their way to demean you and make you miserable, it's hard to imagine anyone might really approach you with good intentions, even if they're supposedly an ally.

[ ugh, gross, this just sounds like he's talking about himself. which he guesses he kind of is. fuck. ]

So, you know. It's probably something like that, combined with the fear that you're going to replace him.

@luciferi

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

The stealth does thrill me.

But I'd enjoy a private show much more than that little thrill.

[luciferi]

It would be an honor to give the king a show of my swordplay.

[ as if Will hadn't seen it before. ]

I would even extend his Majesty's suggestion of dress for the occasion.

@luciferi

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

We've kind of had matching eldan headbands before, in a way.

But... yes. Only if you'd like to, though.

[luciferi]

[ he honestly hadn't thought about it up until this point – as much as he had considered himself elda, and as much as he had resentment toward the elda, he finds the idea of doing something elda with his new husband rather comforting. ]

It would not be unwelcome.

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

[ ...any reasonable person would probably say that that's silly, they could just each eat their own meals.

will, for his part, has always put romance before reason, and so he just says: ]

That'd be wonderful! Then I could spoonfeed you for the whole meal.

I think I'd like that much more than eating normally.

You'll be so, so cute...

[forhalia]

I still can't imagine that part, but I'll take your word for it.

[ It's a little embarrassing... Not in a bad way. ]

Anyway, I'm relieved that you don't think that's taking it too far.

@fidelio

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Only a little bit...

It wasn't very hard...

[ 😈 ]

[fidelio]

hmph.

well. i'm not giving you access to my ears for free just because bas did.
you're insane if you think you can convince me otherwise.

@luciferi

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

[ He is very small, and very sweet, and very stupid, and this has all been another elaborate excuse for him to get out of the daily monotony of passing bills and approving the sundry proposals of the kingdom — so of course it doesn't take Will very long so sneak back into his quarters like a little mouse.

Honestly, he didn't take the throne to become a paper-pusher! So Will has been fighting poor Hulkenberg and Gallica for days... and he's largely very successful at it. He's learned new little tricks: that barrier spell that once only Zorba could weave? Will's developed his own version of it, one that requires less time to cast in exchange for covering less surface area: this he uses now to close his bedroom door. Even if they think to find him here, they'll never get in!

Smug, he immediately flounces over to his "poisoned" husband, preening and obviously presenting himself for the hugs and cuddles he was promised. ]

Louiii~is... are you feeling ill?

[ He sounds so impishly satisfied with himself. Hee hee hee! ]

[luciferi]

[ Will's little rebellions thrill him in a way – especially when he gets to be part of them. occasionally his husband will need a gentle pry, or a little nudging away from his moral center to do something bad, but he embraces it willingly; on occasion, Will needs no provocation. today is one such day.

Louis has already positioned himself daybed by their personal library, partially draped over the side of the ornamental backing with surprisingly delicate precision. Louis is large, but he holds himself well, and he looks light resting back against the cushions, eyes closed beneath long lashes as if he were in slumber. it's all a show, of course, the prize that Will received with the little playful trick of the fake poison, but Louis plays the part as well as he played the lowly soldier for his king.

he does not respond, even as he hears the door click, as if the poison has taken full effect and he is within it's grip. his hair hangs to frame his face, curling over his cheeks and partially brushing against his parted lips. each breath is long, causing his chest to swell and his hair to flutter as it comes out his mouth. he's certainly ripe for whatever taking that his king – or perhaps passing prince – desires. ]

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

You are very cute as a cow.

I like rubbing your little horns, and kissing you on the nose, and touching you to get the milk out...

[ save him... ]

[forhalia]

And I like all of that just as much, so I suppose I really am your cow. But I like rubbing you, and kissing your nose, and milking you, too.

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Maybe up north? I heard something about lingering spirits from the old wars lurking in a mountain pass.

It's probably some sort of terrifying beast and not real ghosts...

[forhalia]

Sounds like the right atmosphere, at least.

[ And it sounds like they could head there soon, with a destination already in mind. ]

We'd better ask about any sightings first, though. And the weather.

@luciferi

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Junah introduced me to these nidia sweets called "marshmallows." Do you want to try some?

They're especially tasty when roasted over a fire! Ah, but you're not quite one for sweets...

[luciferi]

I'm not above a new experience.

Though I'm curious to test if they're merely sweets.

@berserkio

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Hm? Not what you meant?

[berserkio]

no uhhh
me own arse wasnt in mind
but interesting that its in yours

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Yes. That sounds good. That sounds perfect.

You can't take it back now that you've said it.

I have 150 sheets of paper on my desk right now.

[forhalia]

[ That is a lot of paperwork... Poor Will! ]

Why would I take it back? It's a promise: 150 kisses coming up later.

Anything else I can do to lighten the load until then?

@euphausia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

First, there is the loyal Lhorts... no, that looks pretty bad, um... the loyal Noel! He's strong, and brave of heart, and a wonderful tactician.

And then, the faithful Grebnekluh...

[ her name looks so ridiculous backward that he's actually laughing, but will decides to keep it because he has a feeling that hulkenberg would like it that way. ]

The all-devouring she-beast!

[euphausia]

[ Eupha is so delighted by Will's reply that she's dissolving in a fit of laughter, too. But she has to keep playing the part of the wicked kidnapper! ]

I see, I see... They will surely brave the perils of the Evil Trials for your sake, undaunted by the threat of any curse or the toll to pay awaiting them.

And there are others, yes? Will they all work together with ease?

@berserkio

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Don't worry, I'll make sure that the people are taken care of.

But I can make sure my Basilio is taken care of too, right?

[berserkio]

of course!
itd be right selfish to ask you to play favorites
but if you did
i wouldnt tell a soul
even though all the souls would probably know

@faesight

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Wait... you can make people sneeze?

[faesight]

Well... Let's just say that a sprinkling of flour goes a long way!

@solemnduty

[royalist]

( overflow! )

What makes an ideal world in your eyes, Hulkenberg?

[solemnduty]

In mine... I daresay you'll not find my answer surprising. Such a world would not give greater weight to names over deeds.

@forhalia

[royalist]

( before overflow! )

Hmm... that's hard...

Maybe I'd like to tug on it, just a little...

Or I could loop a ring through the length of it, and have you on my little leash.

You'd be so darling. On your knees, panting for me, legs spread so I can see you...

I'd like you that way.

[forhalia]

That's a lot more than I was expecting.

[ So he'd be, what, Will's dog???? In a good way. A way that Will doesn't picture when it's Hulkenberg wearing her silk chokers.

Will's having an effect on him, too, that's for sure... ]

Maybe I'll have to ask Hulkenberg about her chokers.