( mostly closed )

[ettersberg]

Who: Thomas Nightingale (ettersberg) & various
What: dinner dates, accidentally stumbling about questers, a month in the life of one (1) thomas nightingale
When: january
Where: olympia
Warning(s): n/a (will warn in subject lines if anything comes up)

[ starters in comments. hit me up via pm or at abiosis if you'd like to do something! ]

Comments

[vorrutyer]

Doesn't it? [ He looks down at himself fondly, appreciating his own handsome form. ] A bit funereal, perhaps, but it does make one feel distinguished.

[ Then back up at Nightingale, with a dazzling smile: ]

But please, do call me Byerly. I think we're close enough for that, no?

[ettersberg]

If you insist.

[ but nightingale says it with a small smile of his own, not entirely immune to byerly's dazzle and handsomeness even without the wyver moonlight to help matters along - but it seems a little over the top now, without the moonlight, a little exaggerated in a way that makes him wonder at its genuineness.

and still, his tone is warm when he adds: ] Byerly.

[vorrutyer]

[ And By's smile broadens at the sound of his name. Then, conspiratorially, he leans in and murmurs: ]

Tell me you're free right now. I have a terrible thirst.

[ It will mean breaking off the job, yes, and that's...not ideal. But there are things worse than that. By, at the end of the day, doesn't know much about Nightingale: the fellow can let loose (obviously), and he's handsome (obviously), but he's also intensely reserved in a way that Byerly hadn't been able to break through in their first encounter. Is he honest, or is he crooked? Is he flexible or rigid? What are his weaknesses, what handles does he have? Oh, he knows the man physically, but mentally he's a mystery.

Which is a dangerous prospect in the current circumstances. By thinks - Well. He thinks he might be able to pique his interest enough to lead him off so that Ocelot can continue on. Perhaps. Again, not the ideal outcome, but certainly better than the alarm being raised and both of them being hauled off to some little cell. ]

[ettersberg]

[ nightingale's eyebrows rise a little. there's interest in his body language, in the way he leans forward a little, in the hint of a smile that lingers at the corners of his mouth. the offer isn't unwelcome - but it is also increasingly suspect. ]

I doubt that's the reason why you're here, pretending to be a member of the guard.

[ nightingale says it calmly. quietly, even - quietly enough that a passing member of the guard would not be able to overhear. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Well, fuck.

By can feel his heartbeat slow, his head clear, the surge of adrenaline making everything about him steadier and sharper. His features immediately shift into an expression of curious uncertainty. ]

Pretending to be...? What on earth do you mean?

[ettersberg]

[ the problem is, of course, that nightingale is quite certain of what he just said. ]

I thought my meaning was clear.

[ nightingale has fought fae and negotiated with gods and goddesses. local ones, admittedly, but nonetheless. he's interrogated a great many suspects, most of which had something to hide.

conversationally: ] Why don't you tell me what you're doing here, Byerly?

[vorrutyer]

[ And embarrassment creeps into his face. Byerly has been interrogated a great many times, and most of those times he had something to hide. But if you feed someone snacks, sometimes they won't seek out a meal. ]

Nothing. [ He shrugs a little jerkily. ] Just - exploring.

[ettersberg]

You could have asked for a tour.

[ nightingale is not sure he believes it, but - he's not looking for the meal. he wasn't even looking for a snack until he stumbled upon the breadcrumbs.

his tone remains mild, his expression neutral. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ He looks up, then, quite suddenly. ]

From you? Would you have given me one?

[ettersberg]

Depending on the reason why you'd have asked.

[ but of course, byerly hadn't asked. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ He lowers his eyelashes. A touch hesitantly: ]

Perhaps - to spend a bit of time with you?

[ettersberg]

[ it would be a convincing act - if not for the fact that byerly hadn't asked in advance, that he is reacting now instead of acting. ]

I wouldn't have been opposed.

[ but he doesn't appreciate being used or led on, and he is getting the impression that one of those two is the case. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ With a broader smile - ]

Well. Then how about a tour now?

[ettersberg]

You're not here to spend time with me.

[ it's not a no, precisely, but it's nightingale calmly pointing out a fact. ]

[vorrutyer]

Are you sure of that?

[ettersberg]

Given your surprise at seeing me and the fact that you haven't been seeking me out? Yes.

[ not to mention that byerly is dressed in all black, not to mention that for a moment, he'd been trying to convince nightingale that he was a guard, or at least seeing if he could get away with the impression. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ His smile hardly even falters. ]

It's been a pity, not having seen each other in all this time...

[ettersberg]

Hmhm.

[ nightingale's hum is non-committal, his gaze still steady, watching byerly. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Shit. Well, shit. ]

Haven't you missed me? A bit?

[ettersberg]

As much, I'd venture, as you've missed me.

[ a fond thought, now and again. perhaps the desire to repeat the experience - but never quite enough to call. ]

[vorrutyer]

Which is why I'm here now.

[ettersberg]

I doubt that.

[ sorry, byerly. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ God. Why do bad things happen to...Well. Why do bad things happen to mediocre people? ]

What else would I be here for?

[ettersberg]

I was hoping you'd tell me.

[ go on, byerly. he hasn't ratted you out yet. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ By licks his lips - and then, decisively, flashes a smile at Nightingale. ]

Let's go somewhere a bit more private.