[he has to... go pick up the little creme brulee he ordered, before then. It's the thought that counts, even if Claudia couldn't make it, Soren wanted to be sure their dad got his yearly gift. Felt out of step not to.........
He'll show up at DiplomaTea with the treat in hand, peeking in]
[ and viren's sitting at some corner table he'd commandeered, papers and books stewn out over its surface. he doesn't immediately look up when soren peers into the teahouse, taking a moment to tear his attention away from whatever he's reading.
-- but eventually, he does, acknowledging his son with a raise of his eyebrows. ]
Soren.
[ while there isn't much table space, there is a free chair at his table. ]
Father. [he can't help mirror that sort of strict tone, making light of it. He takes the seat and rests the creme brulee box in his lap, just a little bakery box with a twine tie, no fancy presentation there, really. The table's full up, Soren still know better than to shove aside his father's work to toss this in front of him.
They're supposed to be... trying to have peace, and all that. He can make an effort.]
That cafe we, uh, went to? The one by the mirror house. They had one of these... burnt puddings? Oh! And there's some roast walnuts with it! [which aren't really a thing that goes with creme brulee, he was told, but they put some along with it at Soren's request]
[ viren's gaze flicks to the box. ah. so he's gotten him a gift, after all (or maybe, the supposed gift is soren's company, maybe viren will just end up watching him eat it; he doesn't put the notion past his son, at this point) -- he's surprised regardless, as he had been to receive the initial well-wishes. for a moment, his expression lightens. ]
Crème brûlée, yes.
[ they both know it won't be as good as claudia's. ]
[ yet, any lessening of his severe expression, there's an and? that's implied at the end of his statement. you think viren is going to move this interaction along in an overly-enthusiastic direction? no, no he shan't.
but he does move aside some of his papers, clearing an area for the dessert. ]
Yeah, that! [He won't attempt to mirror that pronunciation, too much effort and he'll just get it wrong. Moving the box up onto the table when there's room made for it, he'll push it towards his father as an offering. When opened, it does look like a half way decent pudding, but the addition of thrown in walnuts is strange looking, they're just sort of piled around to fill the edges of the box.
Soren reaches to snag just one of those, because they're roasted with salt and cinnamon sugar and delicious. Yoink.]
I know you, like, work here and all, but I could buy a drink for you. To go with it! I've been going out with the Wilder's. Soooo, I gotcha. [he's taking care of himself! Even if it could be dangerous work, so was being a knight back home. At least he's occupying his time being productive, helping people out. (Avoiding magic training, shhh, he won't mention that)]
[ not just unnecessary, but "really" unnecessary, apparently. but the sentiment behind the gesture doesn't go unnoticed. viren sighs, pulling his own set of silverware closer towards him as well as a small plate. what with his clearing of the table before he dropped his mess of papers and books on it, there's only one set. ]
If you say so. [Soren just puffs, glad to not argue the point. And a bit (pleasantly? Maybe-?) surprised that he's being invited to stay rather than brushed off so Viren can continue his work. He goes to get himself a plate and fork, a certain faun owner looking between him and Viren before giving Soren tray and tea to go with him.
Which Soren will be careful in balancing over his way back, glad it has little handles on each side. Setting it down gingerly, if ontop of a few papers, he takes his seat again]
Figured you'd be here, working even on your birthday. [that's the dad he always knew, at least]
Yes, well... I hadn't thought to make some grand occasion of it.
[ literally, he just hadn't thought of it, apparently.
viren affords the papers trapped beneath the tray a long look. and the tea, a slight pause, one that gets him to glance behind him at, yes, a certain faun owner. ... ah.
he gets to slicing the dessert, setting soren's portion to his plate, and followed by his atop his own. ]
As I've told another [ -- and soren, probably, a few times over the years -- ] work doesn't come to a grinding halt just because the calendar turned to Aereuer 11th.
Still good to stop and enjoy it. Hope the pudding thing isn't too bad? [the thought that counts right? Soren made an effort! That's what peace is about, or so he believes...
[ viren, finally, does take his own forkful. there's no denying that it's good, certainly, as may be evidenced by the way viren takes another thoughtful bite of it successively. but there's no denying that it doesn't compare to claudia's, either. ]
It's ... not bad, no.
[ he confirms.
but the look he gives soren afterward is a bit -- cold. contemplative, wary somehow. he is resisting another biting, i thought you were through me. there's a little narrowing of his eyes. he could press in on that again, attempt to discuss it. ]
[ but he discards the thought, just as he casts his gaze back to the treat. ]
[ there's a thin-lipped smile that follows. not precisely what anyone would classify as warm (as those smiles are hard to come by with viren), but there's nothing sardonic to it, either. it's... gratified. hence, with sincerity, ]
[The coldness isn't noted all that much, it's pretty standard for his father to act that way. The smile is notable, thin and tentative as it may be, it's something. Soren shrugs, eating up his treat quickly]
You're welcome! [he puts his plate back forward when he's through with it in a few large bites.]
This place is nice. In a... sorta fancy, but not too much, kinda way. Like it's not too stuffy? [which really, isn't much Viren's style] ... what made you wanna help run a tea place?
The owner is my ac-... [ oh, no. he almost defaulted to acquaintance. ] Bonded. He is my Bonded.
[ thank you, viren. there is a bit of difference between the terminology. ]
[ he takes another bite of the creme brulee. ]
He approached me about the business venture, suggested that I work here. So far, I'd been making do on quests, but wished for something steadier. —Besides not being a Lordly position [ and boy, is he a .. determined... and often disagreeable to customers, manager ], it's gone smoothly.
Oh, so you're like, real friends! [Suuure, Soren. Still! That's nice? That's nice, dad!! He's glad... his dad has someone close to him, like that. Working on something pleasant together, instead of waging wars or seeking revenge. That puts him more at ease, honestly.]
I'm starting up a guild of knights! It's not that many people, yet, but I hope we can help people out. Jonas gave us a cool name, already.
[ he affirms, any necessary nuance to that word... put aside for now... anyway, ]
Jonas is a Witch. [ as are you, soren! this is a coincidence that viren is leaning into, yes, even if he's uncertain if this will be picked up. ] How will your "band of knights" be helping people?
Well, he's also one of my knights. Witch Knights! That's pretty cool. He doesn't really fight or anything, but he's stupid helpful. Been teaching me healing magic, I'm kinda getting good at it. [it's just about the only magic he's gotten comfortable with. Everything else... still mostly creepy. Healing is nice, though, obviously very helpful. Even if Soren is lowkey waiting for what the catch is.
He keeps checking to see if his hair is turning white.]
So, yeah, that's about what we want to do. Go around and help people, however we can. Protecting or healing or whatever. Like a charity thing for those who need us!
[ viren returns to his dessert, savoring it for a few more thoughtful chews. he dabs his mouth with a napkin, decides this is, apparently, a subject worth expanding upon!: ]
If I see a ... band of knights, meandering about, I will be sure to consider calling upon you for help. [ he stabs the last forkful of creme brulee. ] And that's the only subject you've explored, so far?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Could pick up my clothes too I guess.
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I could give you your clothes, yes. I will be available there at 2:00PM.
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[he has to... go pick up the little creme brulee he ordered, before then. It's the thought that counts, even if Claudia couldn't make it, Soren wanted to be sure their dad got his yearly gift. Felt out of step not to.........
He'll show up at DiplomaTea with the treat in hand, peeking in]
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-- but eventually, he does, acknowledging his son with a raise of his eyebrows. ]
Soren.
[ while there isn't much table space, there is a free chair at his table. ]
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They're supposed to be... trying to have peace, and all that. He can make an effort.]
That cafe we, uh, went to? The one by the mirror house. They had one of these... burnt puddings? Oh! And there's some roast walnuts with it! [which aren't really a thing that goes with creme brulee, he was told, but they put some along with it at Soren's request]
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Crème brûlée, yes.
[ they both know it won't be as good as claudia's. ]
[ yet, any lessening of his severe expression, there's an and? that's implied at the end of his statement. you think viren is going to move this interaction along in an overly-enthusiastic direction? no, no he shan't.
but he does move aside some of his papers, clearing an area for the dessert. ]
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Soren reaches to snag just one of those, because they're roasted with salt and cinnamon sugar and delicious. Yoink.]
I know you, like, work here and all, but I could buy a drink for you. To go with it! I've been going out with the Wilder's. Soooo, I gotcha. [he's taking care of himself! Even if it could be dangerous work, so was being a knight back home. At least he's occupying his time being productive, helping people out. (Avoiding magic training, shhh, he won't mention that)]
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[ not just unnecessary, but "really" unnecessary, apparently. but the sentiment behind the gesture doesn't go unnoticed. viren sighs, pulling his own set of silverware closer towards him as well as a small plate. what with his clearing of the table before he dropped his mess of papers and books on it, there's only one set. ]
[ he nods to the counter. ]
Here. Get yourself a plate and a fork.
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Which Soren will be careful in balancing over his way back, glad it has little handles on each side. Setting it down gingerly, if ontop of a few papers, he takes his seat again]
Figured you'd be here, working even on your birthday. [that's the dad he always knew, at least]
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[ literally, he just hadn't thought of it, apparently.
viren affords the papers trapped beneath the tray a long look. and the tea, a slight pause, one that gets him to glance behind him at, yes, a certain faun owner. ... ah.
he gets to slicing the dessert, setting soren's portion to his plate, and followed by his atop his own. ]
As I've told another [ -- and soren, probably, a few times over the years -- ] work doesn't come to a grinding halt just because the calendar turned to Aereuer 11th.
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Maybe they can get back to how it was...
He takes a bite himself. Mmm, hmm!]
Not bad! Not Claudia's... but not too shabby.
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It's ... not bad, no.
[ he confirms.
but the look he gives soren afterward is a bit -- cold. contemplative, wary somehow. he is resisting another biting, i thought you were through me. there's a little narrowing of his eyes. he could press in on that again, attempt to discuss it. ]
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[ there's a thin-lipped smile that follows. not precisely what anyone would classify as warm (as those smiles are hard to come by with viren), but there's nothing sardonic to it, either. it's... gratified. hence, with sincerity, ]
Thank you, Soren. [..] I do appreciate it.
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You're welcome! [he puts his plate back forward when he's through with it in a few large bites.]
This place is nice. In a... sorta fancy, but not too much, kinda way. Like it's not too stuffy? [which really, isn't much Viren's style] ... what made you wanna help run a tea place?
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[ thank you, viren. there is a bit of difference between the terminology. ]
[ he takes another bite of the creme brulee. ]
He approached me about the business venture, suggested that I work here. So far, I'd been making do on quests, but wished for something steadier. —Besides not being a Lordly position [ and boy, is he a .. determined... and often disagreeable to customers, manager ], it's gone smoothly.
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I'm starting up a guild of knights! It's not that many people, yet, but I hope we can help people out. Jonas gave us a cool name, already.
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[ he affirms, any necessary nuance to that word... put aside for now... anyway, ]
Jonas is a Witch. [ as are you, soren! this is a coincidence that viren is leaning into, yes, even if he's uncertain if this will be picked up. ] How will your "band of knights" be helping people?
[ guild of knights, viren. ]
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He keeps checking to see if his hair is turning white.]
So, yeah, that's about what we want to do. Go around and help people, however we can. Protecting or healing or whatever. Like a charity thing for those who need us!
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[ viren returns to his dessert, savoring it for a few more thoughtful chews. he dabs his mouth with a napkin, decides this is, apparently, a subject worth expanding upon!: ]
If I see a ... band of knights, meandering about, I will be sure to consider calling upon you for help. [ he stabs the last forkful of creme brulee. ] And that's the only subject you've explored, so far?