hauntedking | [KENOS] IC Inbox

Conditions? I can't think of any - I'll just enjoy competing and working with you.

Well then, I'll offer one up. First to be disarmed or yield supplies breakfast.

[ It's difficult to say whether he's joking, the way he casually tosses the comment out there. ]

That sounds more than fair. I accept.

Now I need only wait to find out whether you'll cook or not.

[ Intoned with a playful smile. Absolutely teasing.

Yuri won't underestimate Dimitri by any means, but having a prize of sorts adds to the fun in his view. ]

Do you wear an apron, I wonder...

Well, I'll certainly give it my best shot. I've been working on cooking for myself of course....

[ He pauses, blinks. ]

Well, I suppose I do wear an apron at times. Why?

Oh, no reason.

[ His smile's a little sly around the edges, if only for a moment. ]

How have your kitchen forays been going?

Ah, productive? The items I make are edible, in any case.

I don't doubt that, but do you like what you make?

[ Just edible is...hm. ]

Well, I suppose I do. But I'm an amateur at best...

That doesn't strike me as a bad thing. You've only had your taste back for a short time.

[ No one would be an expert that soon. ]

The tea turned out well today. There is something of an art to that.

Is there? I suppose I could have merely picked up on it from others...

[ Sorry, Yuri. ]

[ Dimitri, the Teflon of compliments... ]

Wherever you picked it up, you've done well. You're a fine host, Dimitri. I hope you know that.

[ Yuri'd like to think that, as another Faerghan, he's in a good position to say as much. He knows what tends to be expected among their people in terms of hospitality. ]

[ Dimitri stifles a smile. ]

Thank you. I try my best. Sometimes I think I'm trying to overcompensate...

What makes you think that?

[ Whatever would he be overcompensating for? ]

...I know that when I was at my lowest I was angry. Maybe even cruel. I feel as if I may be making up for that somehow.

...Dimitri.

[ Casting good posture aside again, he props his elbows on his thighs and leans in marginally closer, as though this conversation is somehow conspirational. ]

I doubt I know the half of what you went through. I'm sure the actions you regret, you'll try to set right. I'm equally sure you know my own hands aren't clean.

[ Even so, he lifts a hand, reaching to press a finger to the middle of Dimitri's chest. ]

But this you've got here? It's a good one.

[ He doesn't think the kindness Dimitri has shown him has been in recompense for anything. Rather, it's his belief that it's who Dimitri is at his core. A kind man can still be capable of cruel things. ]

[ Dimitri listens attentively and perhaps with a hint of sheepishness. He hadn't intended to draw this kind of comment out after all, but Yuri is providing it all the same. It's touching, even if he sometimes struggles to fully believe such things. ]

Yuri...

[ He lowers his gaze. ]

...thank you. I didn't mean to make this about me. But... I try to let that guide me and remember that I do believe in people.

Hey, if you think those sorts of things about yourself, I'd rather you go ahead and say it. Then I can tell you what I see.

[ It's a sore temptation to have instead said that he could then tell Dimitri those self-critical notions are bunk, but he opts for that gentler phrasing and a lopsided smile. ]

Besides, who ever said I'd mind talking about you?

[ That isn't the point, he knows, as he draws his hand back. ]

Well, no one...

[ He laughs softly. ]

But you're hardly here to listen to my troubles. This is meant to be a respite, surely.

[ Yuri watches him thoughtfully, then huffs out a breath. ]

I know this will come as a shock to you, but I happen to like you, Dimitri.

[ Said with some humor, but he does mean that last part. ]

And I'm not having a bad time here. Are you?

Well, no, but... I don't like to impose all the same.

[ He clears his throat. He should think better of himself, shouldn't he? But it's still an uphill trek, it feels like. ]

It makes me feel as if I'm not a good host.

Perhaps, if you were a host I wasn't on familiar terms with, that would be true.

[ He couldn't care less about the woes of many a noble in the past, but Dimitri? Dimitri is another matter entirely. ]

But we're— [ Yuri pauses, evidently second-guessing himself, before venturing: ] friends, aren't we?

[ The word tastes strange, when used in earnest. ]

...yes.

[ Dimitri almost laughs, his face splitting in a smile. ]

Yes, we are, aren't we?

[ Yuri smiles in turn, his relief tugging at his lips.

...He'll wonder why that feeling impresses upon him later. ]

So long as we're in agreement, I think so. Not that I'm any expert on how it works.

[ He can poke a little fun at himself. ]

Not an expert in friends? Don't sell yourself short, Yuri.

[ There's a low laugh from him. ]

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