Alright, there's no rush. [A social nicety is still, well, nice, even if he can't really appreciate the beverage like most people would.
He'll take a seat at one of the tables for two. He doesn't think this is going to take too long. A gift for his temporary bonded and then Sieg will leave Viren to the rest of his day.]
[ it'll take six minutes for viren to complete his task, another four to setup tea for two. so, ten minutes may be longer than "a moment," but eventually he edges his way over to sieg's table, sliding the tray with tea onto its surface. ]
[ it's still piping hot, but that's how viren enjoys it, particularly in this weather. he's, um, also given you ardric's warmth, sieg, judging by the fact that it's just one tea kettle to use for serving. after he's poured them both a cup, cradling his own for added warmth, viren leans back in his seat to address the other man. ]
[ going by his tone, he's also apparently uncertain. 'happy new year' does just as well. ]
[ but, oh! viren peeks down at the gift, pulling it closer. although his demeanor has brightened at sieg's assurance, this is coupled with a glance off to the side. ]
I ... was already determined to participate this year, so yes.
[ viren holds the gift closer, then, eyeing its wrapping - he would suspect there was at least an effort in neat wrapping, but it's ended askew anyway. it reminds him of how soren could do much the same (well, effort may have been lacking on occasion). ]
[There are some things he put a lot of practice and effort into, and making neat bows is simply not one of them. He did his best, please appreciate there was even an attempt.]
I'd like to see you open it now.
[He came all this way to hand deliver it. It seems a little strange to wait until the actual holiday.
Inside the box is a hand-sized, wooden version of a black dragon. The green detail on it's belly almost seems to glow.]
[ viren sets the packaging aside, letting the little figurine rest in the palm of his hand. even with his blatant dislike for the creatures, dragons have always been fascinating, and of course worthy of awe. he examines the item closely, pupils broadened with interest, studying all of its details and admiring the handiwork. ]
[He did make it all on his own- though he was definitely helped by magic. There are some perks to going deep into the transformation tree. It's not nearly as difficult to make something so detailed, even if it did take him a few more days to get it to a point he was comfortable gifting it to Viren.]
It's enchanted to keep away nightmares. I don't know how often you deal with them, but you said you wanted something practical.
[ a good call, sieg; viren's eyes widen at hearing the additional information (having presumed it solely to be a figurine, pleasant to view), finally lowering it gently to the table. he keeps a hand cupped about the small dragon. ]
[ he's a bit touched, admittedly, and this might bleed into his tone - ]
Thank you, Sieg. This was very thoughtful of you, and I appreciate it.
[Across the bond goes a thrum of contentedness. He's not used to gifting things, but this went very well.
The last time he was gifted something it was a sword for his protection. It just seems right to make sure the things he gives have some sort of use, even if they aren't weapons.]
[ viren taps a talon against the wooden table, contemplative. it's only a moment of thoughtful gazing before he vocalizes his thoughts, ]
I'd been meaning to ask...
[ in an inviting gesture that he hopes should complement his forthcoming ask, he opens his palm towards sieg. this would be the third time he's posed this question to a witch, and thus it comes with practiced casualness, even if his tone is weighted; he's always felt particularly justified in this due to his love for practicality-- ]
Sometime soon, would you care to make our Bond permanent?
[There was a part of him that was waiting for this question. For Sieg's relatively short existence, he's spent most of it contracted to somebody, Rider, and the Master of Chaldea. It feels... strange, somehow, not to either share his mana, or have mana shared with him in a more stable bond.
He and Viren seem to get along well together. They haven't had any extreme issues while they've been trying the temporary bond. So why not make it something official? Viren wouldn't go feral under the full moon, and Sieg would have a drastically reduced chance of blowing up.
[ that acceptance earns a fangy, pleased smile from viren. it's true: sieg has hardly seen his worse emotional sides, the type that quiet others with fear. ideally, he'd like to keep it that way, but he's also entrenched with bitterness: few things tend to go ideally for lord viren. ]
I'm so glad to hear it.
[ brimming with sincerity, felt through their temporary bond: relief, warmth, excitement. ]
I do have certain ... expectations, to meet. [ so he begins. he lays his palm flat against the table, peering at sieg with curiosity as his grin subsides into something more level. ] I would hear yours, also -- as should be the hallmark of any balanced, productive relationship.
[The feeling in their bond is almost familiar. Viren's not nearly as chaotic as the person he first entered into a contract with- but the memory is there all the same.]
We should talk about that now, so we don't have any misconceptions going into this.
So, what are you expecting out of this arrangement?
[ he answers simply, with a slight, earnest, dip of his head. ]
Since I do not have access to my own, I have many items -- runes, too -- that consistently need imbued with magic. I will require the occasional spell casted... I will be open with you regarding their nature and capabilities, of course.
[ whether he actually will be, well. ]
In return, the least I could do for you is serve as a source of strength and protection. If you'd like, I would aim to be much more than that.
[ no one ain't ever accuse viren of being an underachiever. ]
Not at all. [ he spreads his palms in a gesture of smooth reconciliation. ] But should you ever embark on a more dangerous expedition, having a Dragon at your side should only bolster you.
[ viren visibly hesitates, his mind quickly seeking an appropriate (and still, truthful) answer. after a moment, he settles on an answer. ]
[ he pulls up his sleeve, revealing runes in deep, black ink along the inside of his wrist. ]
This... for example, offers a barrier spell. I could seek out other Witches [ such as at the parlor itself, he knows, ], but being able to ask another within a symbiotic relationship, I think.. would be better, overall.
If you tell me exactly what a spell or enchantment is and what you're using it for, I'll help you with it.
I specialize in transformation and enchantment. When it comes to things outside of that, I'll probably need to study before I can actually assist.
[He figures if he actually knows what he's trying to do, he'll be considerably better at doing it. Blind casting seems reckless at best and dangerous at worst.]
[ spoken with a pulling of his smile, a grateful incline of his head (as he figures would be proper to express his gratitude, even if he is putting this on just slightly). viren takes a moment to sip his tea, reveling in the intense, heated taste that this particular blend offers. ]
[Sieg takes a sip of the tea, and has absolutely no reaction to it at all. He's sure it's warm, but temperatures are what's available to him. Not much else.]
Tell me if you need help. I don't know if I can always assist, but it's better to know, right?
Don't lie to me. [All of his partnerships before were built on the heat of the moment, but after that there was never any reason to lie. He'd like that same sort of security.]
[ that earns a surprised lift of viren's eyebrows. while he doesn't quite falter in his conversational strive, it's clear he hadn't anticipated the directness of that specific request. ]
That's... entirely reasonable, of course,
[ as a hall marker of any healthy relationship, etcetc-- ]
but why not lying, specifically? That's particularly odious to you--?
[Sieg goes very quiet for a moment, taking a sip of his tea.]
It's not something I've dealt with in my previous contracts, and I do not want to deal with it now.
[Because sometimes, when somebody lies, it means the end of humanity as it exists. Or sometimes it's a mage getting sacrificed into a golem to ravage humanity. Or sometimes it's a Heroic Spirit being driven mad by their summoner.
Lying has not gone well for other pairs, as far as he's seen.]
[ if there had been any doubts at all about sieg's lack of taste (there hadn't, but still), these would be completely vanquished at the lack of flinching to ardric's warmth. but viren's eyes widen at the admission, before his expression settles into something gentler -- sympathetic. ]
I see...
[ he looks thoughtful, casting his gaze off to the side momentarily, before he fixes his sights back onto sieg. he places a hand to the center of his chest. ]
I will do my utmost in avoiding that, then. [ his mouth twitches back into the beginnings of a smile. ] Being honest with one another, and accepting ... I can also agree to that.
[He watches back, quiet and maybe a little bit worried. Is it weird to ask for honesty? It seems like something most people are fairly willing to agree to when it comes to a contract.
As Viren agrees, Sieg's apprehension blooms into a smile.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He'll take a seat at one of the tables for two. He doesn't think this is going to take too long. A gift for his temporary bonded and then Sieg will leave Viren to the rest of his day.]
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[ it's still piping hot, but that's how viren enjoys it, particularly in this weather. he's, um, also given you ardric's warmth, sieg, judging by the fact that it's just one tea kettle to use for serving. after he's poured them both a cup, cradling his own for added warmth, viren leans back in his seat to address the other man. ]
So? You have my attention.
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I'm not sure exactly what people say- um... Happy... New year?
[That seems about right.]
This is my gift for you.
[He takes a sip of Ardic's Warmth and he doesn't even flinch.]
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[ going by his tone, he's also apparently uncertain. 'happy new year' does just as well. ]
[ but, oh! viren peeks down at the gift, pulling it closer. although his demeanor has brightened at sieg's assurance, this is coupled with a glance off to the side. ]
I - don't have my gift for you here.
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Happy Modranicht. [A nod- okay. That's what it is while they're in Aefenglom.]
You got me something...? [He didn't know it was supposed to be a mutual thing.] That's alright, you can give it to me later on.
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[ viren holds the gift closer, then, eyeing its wrapping - he would suspect there was at least an effort in neat wrapping, but it's ended askew anyway. it reminds him of how soren could do much the same (well, effort may have been lacking on occasion). ]
[ he pauses, claws hesitating over its bow. ]
Would you like me to open it now...?
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I'd like to see you open it now.
[He came all this way to hand deliver it. It seems a little strange to wait until the actual holiday.
Inside the box is a hand-sized, wooden version of a black dragon. The green detail on it's belly almost seems to glow.]
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[ viren sets the packaging aside, letting the little figurine rest in the palm of his hand. even with his blatant dislike for the creatures, dragons have always been fascinating, and of course worthy of awe. he examines the item closely, pupils broadened with interest, studying all of its details and admiring the handiwork. ]
Is this... something that you made...?
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[He did make it all on his own- though he was definitely helped by magic. There are some perks to going deep into the transformation tree. It's not nearly as difficult to make something so detailed, even if it did take him a few more days to get it to a point he was comfortable gifting it to Viren.]
It's enchanted to keep away nightmares. I don't know how often you deal with them, but you said you wanted something practical.
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[ he's a bit touched, admittedly, and this might bleed into his tone - ]
Thank you, Sieg. This was very thoughtful of you, and I appreciate it.
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The last time he was gifted something it was a sword for his protection. It just seems right to make sure the things he gives have some sort of use, even if they aren't weapons.]
You're welcome. I hope it can help you.
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I'd been meaning to ask...
[ in an inviting gesture that he hopes should complement his forthcoming ask, he opens his palm towards sieg. this would be the third time he's posed this question to a witch, and thus it comes with practiced casualness, even if his tone is weighted; he's always felt particularly justified in this due to his love for practicality-- ]
Sometime soon, would you care to make our Bond permanent?
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He and Viren seem to get along well together. They haven't had any extreme issues while they've been trying the temporary bond. So why not make it something official? Viren wouldn't go feral under the full moon, and Sieg would have a drastically reduced chance of blowing up.
There's no real downside that he can see.]
I would.
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I'm so glad to hear it.
[ brimming with sincerity, felt through their temporary bond: relief, warmth, excitement. ]
I do have certain ... expectations, to meet. [ so he begins. he lays his palm flat against the table, peering at sieg with curiosity as his grin subsides into something more level. ] I would hear yours, also -- as should be the hallmark of any balanced, productive relationship.
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We should talk about that now, so we don't have any misconceptions going into this.
So, what are you expecting out of this arrangement?
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[ he answers simply, with a slight, earnest, dip of his head. ]
Since I do not have access to my own, I have many items -- runes, too -- that consistently need imbued with magic. I will require the occasional spell casted... I will be open with you regarding their nature and capabilities, of course.
[ whether he actually will be, well. ]
In return, the least I could do for you is serve as a source of strength and protection. If you'd like, I would aim to be much more than that.
[ no one ain't ever accuse viren of being an underachiever. ]
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[He knows he's not as strong as a full fledged Heroic Spirit, but that seems ruder than necessary.
That absolutely doesn't seem like a fair trade. But... hm...]
What kinds of things do you need imbued?
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[ viren visibly hesitates, his mind quickly seeking an appropriate (and still, truthful) answer. after a moment, he settles on an answer. ]
[ he pulls up his sleeve, revealing runes in deep, black ink along the inside of his wrist. ]
This... for example, offers a barrier spell. I could seek out other Witches [ such as at the parlor itself, he knows, ], but being able to ask another within a symbiotic relationship, I think.. would be better, overall.
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I specialize in transformation and enchantment. When it comes to things outside of that, I'll probably need to study before I can actually assist.
[He figures if he actually knows what he's trying to do, he'll be considerably better at doing it. Blind casting seems reckless at best and dangerous at worst.]
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[ spoken with a pulling of his smile, a grateful incline of his head (as he figures would be proper to express his gratitude, even if he is putting this on just slightly). viren takes a moment to sip his tea, reveling in the intense, heated taste that this particular blend offers. ]
[ and setting his cup down, gently, ]
And... your own expectations...?
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Tell me if you need help. I don't know if I can always assist, but it's better to know, right?
Don't lie to me. [All of his partnerships before were built on the heat of the moment, but after that there was never any reason to lie. He'd like that same sort of security.]
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That's... entirely reasonable, of course,
[ as a hall marker of any healthy relationship, etcetc-- ]
but why not lying, specifically? That's particularly odious to you--?
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It's not something I've dealt with in my previous contracts, and I do not want to deal with it now.
[Because sometimes, when somebody lies, it means the end of humanity as it exists. Or sometimes it's a mage getting sacrificed into a golem to ravage humanity. Or sometimes it's a Heroic Spirit being driven mad by their summoner.
Lying has not gone well for other pairs, as far as he's seen.]
It's better if we can be honest with each other.
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I see...
[ he looks thoughtful, casting his gaze off to the side momentarily, before he fixes his sights back onto sieg. he places a hand to the center of his chest. ]
I will do my utmost in avoiding that, then. [ his mouth twitches back into the beginnings of a smile. ] Being honest with one another, and accepting ... I can also agree to that.
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As Viren agrees, Sieg's apprehension blooms into a smile.]
Thank you.
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