judgementor | [Aefenglom IC Inbox]

Is it just you, or do you have any roommates?

And I'd like to hear you play again! I hope that's not too forward...
Or maybe we could even do a duet once I shake the rust off.

A couple. I keep mostly to myself.

[He doesn't expect the offer (request?) and take a moment to reply to that part, specifically...]

It isn't too forward. I haven't played to an audience in a long time.

It's still nice to not be alone.

[Well. It's now or never, they suppose.]

Would you like some company, if you're not going to be sleeping tonight anyways?

I

Sure.
Why not.

[...They hope that didn't come across as too forward. Ah. These things are difficult.]

Okay. Send me your address?

[And they will start making their way over...!]

[A little, but hey... he's been trying to spend some time moping all day but isn't stupid enough to realise he actually feels better with company.

He sends the address without argument.]

I'll wait outside for you.

[It's fine. Bailey's just gonna... Not worry about it. The hard part is over, so... It's fine!

It doesn't take them long to get to Red Wine's house, and they pull their hand out of their pocket to wave at him.]

I hope you weren't out here long.

[Red Wine waits outside of the grand house in the dark, leaning against the wall beside the front gate with his eyes shut and head tilted slightly upwards. He hears the light steps of someone approaching long before he can see them in the dark.]

That doesn't matter. [He replies with a small smile. Though he had been outside a while, he couldn't say that it bothered him.]

Do you want to come inside? Or we can just take a walk.

[They smile back on instinct, tucking their hand back into their pocket. Their tail flicks, and they look over at the house curiously before returning their gaze to Red Wine.]

I'm glad. And... Inside could be good, though I'm not familiar with this area of town...

[He cocks his head slightly. Well... that wasn't really an answer. Red Wine pushes away from the wall with a softly exhaled breath.]

Alright, we'll go in. I'll make some tea.

[He makes a small gesture for Bailey to follow him.]

The streets look different in the daylight, but it's been too hot for me to go out in the day until recently.

[They nod, following after him.]

Sounds good.

[Maybe tea will help them feel less nervous...]

It should be reaching fall soon, shouldn't it...? So maybe you can get out more, then.

Mm, I hope so.

[It's not easy to adapt to only going out in the dark, and there aren't many other vampires he finds much of an urge to be around. Jongdae. Keith... maybe. Still not sure on Keith.]

I've been putting some time into helping the refugees, but it's not as easy when you can't travel. [He reaches the front door, holding it open.] I find I prefer the cloudy days.

I'll be crossing my fingers for you.

[They mean that sincerely... They want the best for Red Wine, even if they don't know him that well.]

That's still something worth doing, I think... Very noble. [They hum softly.] Cloudy days are nice... They kind of remind me of home.

[He chuckles softly.] Thank you. This way.

[And he turns on a few lights as they walk through the house, just enough that neither of them will hip-check a table or trip.]

Mm... me too. A little. The place I was first summoned to was a desert, but I haven't been back there for a while.

Did you travel a lot?

[They cock their head curiously, making a not of the use of the word “summoning”. They’ll... Ask about that later.]

Before coming here, that is.

You could say that.

[He takes them to the kitchen and indicates the table there - Bailey can sit down if they like.]

I'm a mercenary. Part of a small group. We travel to where we're most needed, and sometimes to places where people have asked for our presence. [Red Wine pulls down two cups from a cupboard.] Do you? Travel, that is.

[Bailey takes a seat, crossing their legs at the ankle.]

Was it... Dangerous?

[The concern is obvious in their voice, but they try to push it aside. At the mention of travel, their lips quirk a little sadly.]

Ah, no. Wasn't really allowed to go anywhere besides the city I grew up in.

Being a mercenary? Yes, it could be. But it's what I'm made for.

[Red Wine hums softly as he sets the water to boil, joining Bailey while it heats. He gives them a curious tilt of his head.]

You weren't allowed, hm? Noble family?

You've never wanted to do anything else?

[They... Might not be realizing just how literal he's being.

They blink a bit, pausing thoughtfully.]

I... Sort of, but not really? Like, I don't know that I'd say my family is incredibly influential in the present day, but they're still... Very traditional.

Ah... traditional.

[He says the word like he understands the kind of pressure a family like that can put on a person. A small smile twitches at his lips for a moment.]

And... no. No, I never wanted to do anything else. Helping and defending people is good work.

Yeah... Yeah. That’s the best word to describe them.

[They find theirself incredibly curious about Red Wine, which isn’t helped by the small smile they see cross his face.

They look down at the surface of the table, feeling shy.]

Well, I can’t argue that those aren’t good things to do... As long as you’re taking care of yourself, too.

Mm, that's easy enough. I'm not easy to kill.

[The kettle on the stove begins to hiss softly, and he glances over at it. Briefly, he pulls in his lower lip between his teeth, then sighs and sinks down in his chair just a little.]

I wasn't. I suppose being here changes a lot of things.

[Their nose wrinkles for a moment, and they shake their head.]

Taking care of yourself is more than just... Survival. You need to be happy, too.

[A pause.]

Not to say you weren't, but...

I was.

[And he smiles faintly again, straightening his posture.] Not all the time, but overall, I would say I was happy.

[The kettle begins to whistle loudly and it appears to suddenly occur to Red Wine that it's the middle of the night. He kisses a curse under his breath and darts across the kitchen, pulling the kettle from the hob.

Then, he chuckles to himself.]

... I'm sure it's fine. [Ehem.] I don't think 'mostly happy' for over two hundred years is a poor average.

[They both made a calculated choice and maybe it wasn't the best choice.]

...Should get a silencing spell for the kettle.

[They huff out a laugh.]

...And... I'd say that's a good average, yeah. Mostly happy is anyone can hope for, especially for so long...

[Definitely wasn't a human before coming here, that's for sure.]

I don't want to pry, but... Would you say you're happy, now?

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