He just looks at him for a moment. No, given V's potential for dramaticism, he's not sure this man knows what he's asking for. But that's fine; if that's what he wants--]
Very well. If that's what you think.
[Rearranging itenerary in his head-]
I still think this was a perfect place to start. I see, for instance, those over there-
[He's guiding Declan to an arrangement of candy bouquets, overstuffed with chocolate bars and lollipops, and bursting at the edges with little decorative hearts. And how does he lead them there, you ask? He takes him by the hand and laces their fingers together, of course.]
Abort abort this is already more than he bargained for. (It's just handholding— MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR.) The tips of his pointed ears go red as he's led over to the candy bouquets. ]
V tucks his cane under his arm. A practiced gesture that frees up his other hand to angle his body in and scoop up the purple candy bouquet, and he presents it to him with a half-bow.]
For you, then, my dear. You can carry this about as a symbol of our love for the rest of our date, so the whole world may know of my sweet affections for you.
[He says it with a smiling face, but still a straight one that doesn't crack under the amusement. Eyes flick up to watch Declan's reaction, and boy, the tips of the man's ears are already so red. Is he regretting this yet?]
[ Declan is a poor actor on the best of days, and this is suddenly much too, well, much. The “find out” stage snuck up on him far too quickly after the “fucking around” stage, apparently. It’s hard to tell what flusters him more – the gesture as a whole or the term of endearment.
Either way, he’s quickly dragged out of his depth. After a moment of awkward hesitation, he takes the bouquet. ]
I see you’re also the type of man who rises quickly to a challenge.
[ Help, he’s so red right now. And he’s definitely not looking at V. ]
[ Gods above, V is going to end him before all the horrors of Barovia could, apparently, because that color is spreading swiftly over his cheeks. He more or less asked for this sort of attention, but now that it's been turned on him, he honestly has no idea how to respond. ]
The way the red flushes across Declan's entire face, coupled with his remark, at least makes V ease back a little. He's a gremlin, and he still harbors a few of his more unflattering traits associated with Vergil's humanity, but... He isn't mean for the sake of being mean.
He releases his hand.]
Just a bit of fun, my friend. I won't torture you any longer.
[A gesture at the bouquet with the handle of his cane.]
I will purchase you those, though. I meant what I said about it bringing out your eyes.
[If that's what the "thank you" was for, then it's worth driving home the fact that it wasn't merely said for show.]
[ It’s strange how when V lets go, Declan is left feeling like he’s the one who has somehow messed this up. None of this is serious, right? It’s all for some job that neither of them even remember signing up for, so it shouldn’t matter. He should have just rolled with it.
It seems he really underestimated his ability to deal with gestures of affection – even fake ones. ]
It’s fine.
[ The hand that was once in V’s comes up to awkwardly scrub at the back of his neck. ]
You took me by surprise, that’s all. [ Is it? ] You really needn’t go to such lengths. I think we can put on a good enough show without it, hm?
[Something about Declan's response is strange to him. Perhaps he's reading too much into it, but it's almost as though he feels-- What? Guilty, that he didn't follow through with V's overt display of "romance"?
He wonders if he overstepped. Even if it was just a bit of fun; handholding, playing up their date like he was supposed to.]
...It isn't much of a "length" to go to just to buy you candy flowers, Declan. [Or hold hands, even, but he doesn't say that.] But if I do something that makes you uncomfortable, you only need to say so. Chocolates are not worth embarrassing you constantly.
As I said. Let's pick out what candies we'd like to purchase on our way out. Not that there's any hurry, of course; I'd like to appreciate the process, too, before we rush out the door.
A problem easily remedied over dinner, depending on where we go.
[In regards to putting more wine in you, Declan.]
Yes. [The bouquet carried in the crook of one arm, he nods back towards another display.] Let’s continue.
[And continue they do. Back to the pillow candies first, to watch it form and be molded into its proper shape. After that, there’s a short demonstration on how candy canes are made, and V finds it somewhat mesmerizing how they form the “crook” of them in one swift motion.
After that? It’s cotton candy time, where they can whisk their own by color preference. (V gets a blue one.) It’s easy enough to finish that off in the store as they wind down their little tour.
And finally, after a few more purchases, it’s out the door and back onto the sidewalk. As promised, he still did buy the bouquet for Declan.]
[ With all this awkwardness out of the way, it’s easier for Declan to settle in and enjoy watching the candy-making process. More than once, he tugs on V’s sleeve without thinking, pointing out something or other with an excited grin.
Overall, Declan seems to enjoy the whole experience quite a bit, and when they exit the shop, he has a bit of spun purple cotton candy on a stick in one hand, a small bag of treats for Juni in the other. ]
Oh, that was a delight! Thank you for taking me. I might have never found such an interesting place, otherwise.
No, thank you for accompanying me, my stalwart companion. You're good on your word of expanding my experiences in this city thus far, and I find that delightful.
[V could do all of this alone, of course, but it is much more enjoyable with someone to share it with. To make commentary with. The memory will be more likely to stick that way.]
Of course, let's not speak of this like it's over just yet. You're still eager for dinner, right?
[V bought a... huge bag of candy, but maybe some proper food would be welcome right now.]
I feel like I’ve done very little in that regard, so I shall endeavor to pull my weight a bit more!
[ He hasn’t planned jack for this date, so V is really doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to new experiences and new places. Declan will definitely need to step it up. ]
[It's fine. Maybe Declan will appreciate a good old-fashioned shoulder clap instead.]
There is a restaurant nearby with a rather... exorbitantly luxurious menu. I am curious about it.
But on the way here, I also passed an array of food trucks. I think one was called "Bananarchy". With a name like that, how can a person not be compelled.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clockworksoul) wrote2023-04-30 08:50 pm
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[ Stupidly. He sure doesn't know what he's getting into. ]
What better way to ensure we fulfill the task to the fullest, hm?
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He just looks at him for a moment. No, given V's potential for dramaticism, he's not sure this man knows what he's asking for. But that's fine; if that's what he wants--]
Very well. If that's what you think.
[Rearranging itenerary in his head-]
I still think this was a perfect place to start. I see, for instance, those over there-
[He's guiding Declan to an arrangement of candy bouquets, overstuffed with chocolate bars and lollipops, and bursting at the edges with little decorative hearts. And how does he lead them there, you ask? He takes him by the hand and laces their fingers together, of course.]
Which appeals to you the most?
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Uhhhh.
Abort abort this is already more than he bargained for. (It's just handholding— MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR.) The tips of his pointed ears go red as he's led over to the candy bouquets. ]
W-which—? Um... that one, I suppose?
[ (It's the most purple one.) ]
someone help this man
V tucks his cane under his arm. A practiced gesture that frees up his other hand to angle his body in and scoop up the purple candy bouquet, and he presents it to him with a half-bow.]
For you, then, my dear. You can carry this about as a symbol of our love for the rest of our date, so the whole world may know of my sweet affections for you.
[He says it with a smiling face, but still a straight one that doesn't crack under the amusement. Eyes flick up to watch Declan's reaction, and boy, the tips of the man's ears are already so red. Is he regretting this yet?]
there is no help for him
Either way, he’s quickly dragged out of his depth. After a moment of awkward hesitation, he takes the bouquet. ]
I see you’re also the type of man who rises quickly to a challenge.
[ Help, he’s so red right now. And he’s definitely not looking at V. ]
he dug his own grave
Is that not what you wanted?
[He straightens, but he's still holding onto his hand. He gives it a little squeeze, his gaze moving from the bouquet to Declan's face.]
Oh, it compliments your eyes. How dazzling.
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... You've made your point, V.
[ Then, as a half-mumbled afterthought: ]
Thank you.
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The way the red flushes across Declan's entire face, coupled with his remark, at least makes V ease back a little. He's a gremlin, and he still harbors a few of his more unflattering traits associated with Vergil's humanity, but... He isn't mean for the sake of being mean.
He releases his hand.]
Just a bit of fun, my friend. I won't torture you any longer.
[A gesture at the bouquet with the handle of his cane.]
I will purchase you those, though. I meant what I said about it bringing out your eyes.
[If that's what the "thank you" was for, then it's worth driving home the fact that it wasn't merely said for show.]
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It seems he really underestimated his ability to deal with gestures of affection – even fake ones. ]
It’s fine.
[ The hand that was once in V’s comes up to awkwardly scrub at the back of his neck. ]
You took me by surprise, that’s all. [ Is it? ] You really needn’t go to such lengths. I think we can put on a good enough show without it, hm?
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He wonders if he overstepped. Even if it was just a bit of fun; handholding, playing up their date like he was supposed to.]
...It isn't much of a "length" to go to just to buy you candy flowers, Declan. [Or hold hands, even, but he doesn't say that.] But if I do something that makes you uncomfortable, you only need to say so. Chocolates are not worth embarrassing you constantly.
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[ So, no, V didn’t overstep quite so much as Declan overestimated himself. He flashes his friend an apologetic smile. ]
I am as a delicate flower in your hands, my friend. Please be gentle with me, hm?
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I understand. Newness can be overwhelming; that, or it can make a man not know exactly where certain boundary lines are. This is new to me, as well.
[V hasn't existed long enough to go on any real dates, anyhow. And did Vergil ever date? Don't make him laugh.]
So. A gentle touch all around. Let's start over, shall we?
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[ He offers the bouquet back to V, with a bit of a sheepish smile. ]
Let's.
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[Fake it 'til you make it, and such.]
As I said. Let's pick out what candies we'd like to purchase on our way out. Not that there's any hurry, of course; I'd like to appreciate the process, too, before we rush out the door.
After that, we'll have a proper dinner date.
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[ His grin turns wry, but he nods. ]
Dinner sounds lovely, but you're right. I want to see more of this magnificence first! Shall we?
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[In regards to putting more wine in you, Declan.]
Yes. [The bouquet carried in the crook of one arm, he nods back towards another display.] Let’s continue.
[And continue they do. Back to the pillow candies first, to watch it form and be molded into its proper shape. After that, there’s a short demonstration on how candy canes are made, and V finds it somewhat mesmerizing how they form the “crook” of them in one swift motion.
After that? It’s cotton candy time, where they can whisk their own by color preference. (V gets a blue one.) It’s easy enough to finish that off in the store as they wind down their little tour.
And finally, after a few more purchases, it’s out the door and back onto the sidewalk. As promised, he still did buy the bouquet for Declan.]
That was fun, actually.
[For a casual, silly outing, he enjoyed it. ]
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Overall, Declan seems to enjoy the whole experience quite a bit, and when they exit the shop, he has a bit of spun purple cotton candy on a stick in one hand, a small bag of treats for Juni in the other. ]
Oh, that was a delight! Thank you for taking me. I might have never found such an interesting place, otherwise.
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[V could do all of this alone, of course, but it is much more enjoyable with someone to share it with. To make commentary with. The memory will be more likely to stick that way.]
Of course, let's not speak of this like it's over just yet. You're still eager for dinner, right?
[V bought a... huge bag of candy, but maybe some proper food would be welcome right now.]
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[ He hasn’t planned jack for this date, so V is really doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to new experiences and new places. Declan will definitely need to step it up. ]
Dinner sounds wonderful!
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[It's more fun this way!]
So, where food is concerned... Are you more in the mood for something fancy or something... strange?
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[ Except for holding hands, which is apparently a bridge too far, but it's fine. ]
What are you in the mood for?
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There is a restaurant nearby with a rather... exorbitantly luxurious menu. I am curious about it.
But on the way here, I also passed an array of food trucks. I think one was called "Bananarchy". With a name like that, how can a person not be compelled.
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Hm. I would posit that "Bananarchy" sounds more like dessert so... why don't we do both?
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[V, please. But then again, he promised that he would treat Declan to a proper meal, so maybe Bananarchy should be saved for last.
He clicks his cane against the pavement.]
But it's decided, then. To the expensive restaurant first. Prepare yourself for a candlelight dinner. My treat.
[Good thing V ran a successful business in his fake AU life so he can afford to eat out (and well) every once in a while!]
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[ Possibly he'll handle it better than the first attempt, but it's clear he's done thinking about that. The only way to go is forward now. ]
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