[Avalon IC Inbox][un: redwine]

[judgementor]

"Leave a message. If it's important, I'll get back to you."

*beep*

Comments

[polterguide]

[Being dumped somewhere new and having to start their life all over again is the last thing Bailey expected. They were more than aware that people came and went from Aefenglom, and they sometimes worried they would just disappear some day, too. They worried they would leave Red behind, so they’re glad it’s not the case here.

They knock on the door to their inn room, before peeking their head inside. They’ve been out shopping today, picking up food and trying to find some new clothes, but they’re glad to be back... Home? Sure, it’s their home now.]

Red? You here?

[They assume so, but maybe he went out for errands or work or something...]

[judgementor]

[It hasn't been the easiest thing to settle into, but so many people he knew in Aefenglom had already left... and the one person he would have sorely missed is right here with him. The worst of it has been getting used to being awake and active in the day time again, and when Bailey comes back from being out the adjustment has caught up with him in the form of him taking an impromptu nap.

A nap which is abruptly disturbed by the door being opened.]

Hm? I wasn't asleep.

[He was definitely asleep.]

[polterguide]

[Bailey shoots him a look, clearly not buying that he wasn’t taking a nap. They set their bags down on the floor, before trotting over to the bed. The settle on the edge, reaching out to brush Red’s hair out of his eyes.]

You can be a terrible liar, sometimes.

[But they’re smiling, hopelessly fond.]

[judgementor]

[Red Wine makes a face. He'll deny it later, but he absolutely makes a face at Bailey and lets his head drop back onto the pillow just for a moment. Then, he sighs and sits up and rakes his hand through his hair, closing his eyes briefly and taking a deep breath.]

The sooner I can stop falling asleep in the middle of the day, the better. [He says, admitting the lie without outright admitting the lie.]

Where have you been?

[polterguide]

[They’re going to make a face right back at him.]

It might be a while - and I’m not sure I want to recommend caffeine.

[That might do the opposite of help?]

I went to the markets. I didn’t come in with much in the way of clothing, and thought some different food would be nice.

[judgementor]

[Red Wine stands up and stretches, then looks over to them with a faintly mischievous expression. With his hands loosely clasped behind his back he saunters across the space between them and then lifts one hand to hook a finger into Bailey's collar, pulling them down for a kiss.]

And what if I like you without much in the way of clothing?

[He's a brat, and he knows exactly what Bailey meant, but he still can't help himself murmuring those words barely an inch away from their lips as he looks up at them under his eyelashes.]

What then, hm?

[polterguide]

[They get tugged down, and their cheeks go pink. They fluster for a moment, wanting to shove Red and his stupid smug face away, before they huff.]

Do you think about me in not much clothing a lot?

[They arch an eyebrow, and they’ll probably regret asking that because Red seems to be in the mood to distract and fluster them.]

And unfortunately, I don’t think a lot of other people want to see that.

[judgementor]

As often as you might expect.

[Bailey has the right of it at the moment - Red Wine does in fact seem to be in that kind of mood. Not that they make it difficult to fluster them, really. He brushes another kiss to the faun's jaw then lets them go to fluster off in peace, giving a small shrug as he does.]

Hm, well, that's their loss. [But then--]

All the more for me.

[polterguide]

[It’s not exactly shocking that Red is someone Bailey thinks of a lot - the man is important, and familiar, and comforting. He is also (un?)fortunately stupidly attractive, and every so often Bailey will be reminded of that fact. Not that they can really ever forget, but there’s a difference between knowing your boyfriend’s hot and remembering the faces and noises he makes when he’s bent over.

Really, Bailey’s just lucky the moon doesn’t hold any sway over them anymore, because those thoughts would probably just get even worse. Still, they can’t hide the way they go bright red in the middle of the market, or the way their tail lifts, and they abandon their shopping trip to head back home.

At least they’re not in the inn anymore.]

Red?

[They’re calling out to him as soon as they step over the threshold, peeking into every room until they find him. They immediately move to wrap their arms around him, pressing their face into his shoulder.]

[judgementor]

[Red Wine, of course, often has similar thoughts about Bailey. The noises and faces they make and the way they squirm under him when he pleasures them. But Red Wine has enough age and experience in such matters that he doesn't often let on when he's musing on those things.

He does find it unendingly endearing that Bailey is still unable to control their reaction.

When he hears them come in, he stays where he is and lets them find him. He's sitting in the main living room with a book in his hands and his hair untied, comfortably dressed in trousers and a white shirt.]

Hmm. [Red Wine hums and turns his head to press a kiss to whatever part of Bailey's head or face is closest, and he lifts a hand to trace two fingertips against the spiral edge of one horn.] Pleased to see me?

text; oiii

[currysseur]

Red Wine? It's Tachibana from the hall of mirrors. I hope you don't mind me contacting you. I'd like to ask for your help.

[judgementor]

My help? Far be it from me to refuse a young lady's request. What do you need?

[currysseur]

( it's one thing to fire off the initial message, but now she has to actually ask.

gulp.

well. you don't get anywhere if you don't! steel those nerves, Tachibana. )

I was hoping you could teach me about swordfighting.

( she knows the stage essentials, knows a little about the choreography of a fight for a play, but that... that isn't helpful here, as their time in the hall proved.

maybe she needs to be more proactive. just in case. )

[judgementor]

[Ah.]

That will depend on why you want to learn.

[currysseur]

After the Hall of Mirrors... I've been thinking it would be best if I knew how to defend myself in an emergency.

( from a directorial nerd point of view, it would also be useful to understand combat more than she does, but it's really those events that keep playing in her mind. Avalon has been kind so far, but even so, she can see the signs of danger. the potential there is that, one day, she might be caught without a knight to rely on. no Razor to protect her, no members of Autumn Troupe who would keep her safe.

she can't let herself sit back and rely on others here. )

[judgementor]

All right.
I asked because I have no interest in teaching someone to do no more than play with a sword.
If I'm going to teach you to use a blade I will teach you properly. It won't be easy, and I will be teaching you how to kill somebody if necessary.

[He isn't sure she's the type, but he'll lay it all out for her. As he'd told her before, there's no shame in running. He wouldn't think less of her for deciding she'd rather not.]

Is that really what you want?

[currysseur]

( he'd be surprised to know what she's okay with turning a blind eye to, really. but most of that is yet to come for Izumi, so we won't say more.

for now, we'll just say that this isn't the position she wanted to find herself in. and while the words are a little terrifying... )

Yes.
There might be a time when there's nobody around to help me. I don't want to hold people back in a tough situation.

( and, honestly, if it comes down to it... would she feel worse knowing someone else had to kill for her? maybe someone like Red Wine is used to that, but if it was one of her actors... could she really ask them to take on that guilt, knowing full well she could have taught herself to be useful? )

un: tartaglia

[commediadellanime]

[It’s a voice message - texting takes too much time - so Red Wine is greeted to the overly cheerful voice of one Fatui Harbinger.]

Hey! Remember me?! I hope you do, because I was wondering if you wanted a little rematch.

[pls]

[judgementor]

[A soft chuckle answers this before he speaks.]

Of course I remember you, you're not someone easily forgotten. [He's rarely seen a human fight so hard or so well, but he'd still managed to wipe the floor with the kid.

That said, it's not a surprise to hear him coming back for more.]

But I don't see why not. You held your own well enough last time, I'm interested to see if you've been able to improve.

[commediadellanime]

[It’s not the first time he’s been called unforgettable, and maybe it makes him egotistical, but he thinks it won’t be the last, either.]

Hahaha, I’m glad I made an impression.

[He seems to get even more excited with Red Wine agreeing for a rematch.]

I’m sure I have! My magic’s different now, so I’ve had to readapt. Hopefully I’ll be more of a challenge!

[judgementor]

[There is something endearing about the boy. He's battle-thirsty in a way that Red Wine recognises all too well.]

Hmm, is that right? What do you have to surprise me with this time?

[Because he does like to know what he's going up against.]

[commediadellanime]

And ruin the surprise?

[Ahaha!

But he knows what Red Wine’s capable of, so it’s only fair.]

I’ve got elemental magic now - kind of like what I had back home.

[judgementor]

[He would have let him keep it a secret if he'd insisted - it does add a little to the fight, even if he doesn't entirely like it - but Childe is surprisingly forthcoming.]

Ah-hah, then we may find ourselves more evenly matched.

[Something he can't say he doesn't look forward to.]

The usual place, then?

[commediadellanime]

I’m hoping that’s the case, comrade!

[Yeah, they’re at that level now.]

It’ll be a great test of my skills either way, and I’m sure you appreciate not getting rusty.

[He’s so excited. Like a puppy.]

Giftos!!!

[currysseur]

( oh boy. finding something for Red Wine, huh... this is intimidating.

Izumi eventually decides to go simple, finding a beautiful pair of black leather gloves, elegant but still warm for the season.

Happy holidays, Red Wine! )