[ rafayel is… cute. tobari rolls his eyes fondly at the words, but ultimately leaves even though there is always the inherent temptation to stay with rafayel just a bit longer. he will be responsible.
he comes back with their food, damn they really eat a lot on these threads i guess that’s a result of tobari refusing to let rafayel skip a meal ALSNSKKSKS but!! he’s impressed at the effort… he puts their food down at the table but then he’ll go to wake up rafayel, even if he feels just a little bit bad doing it this time. to buy him a few seconds, tobari will lift the sketchbook and take a peek at what he was working on… if there was anything…
and then after he will see if he can just kiss rafayel into waking up again. gentler than the urge he has sometimes to pinch him awake but that’s just cuteness aggression ]
the sketches span from just the lonely strip of beach they walked, to the restaurant they went to last night. there's a bit of waves, a seashell that he draws by memory, and then an even rougher draft of what looks to be a person. a familiar man with long hair, hair that's spread out on the page as he's clearly sleeping in the drawing. the only thing unfinished is the actual expression of the individual featured in his unfinished work...
he stirs slightly just from smelling the food, but also from tobari's ( omegaverse voice ) specific scent. but, he knows he has to be good and wait for the kiss to awake like a proper prince(ss). he opens his eyes slowly, and the first thing he does is grab tobari onto his lap. ]
[ the sketches are cute… tobari rolls eyes fondly at the unfinished sketch but he’s not vain enough to focus much on that one, instead admiring rafayel’s art of everything else… the sights, the way that he sees his hometown…
the sketchbook is still carefully held in tobari’s hand even as he makes a noise of surprise when he’s pulled into rafayel’s lap. he sighs ]
What are you, one of those deep sea lamp fish?
[ you know the angler ones that has the little light that other fish are drawn to before they get eaten they’re so scary
tobari will give him a second kiss anyway, because he’s doting ]
[ quietly, under his breath... ] You know what those are...?
[ he doesn't mean for this to be an insult...
he is also looking at his hands and back at tobari's clothes. oops. at least it didn't seem to go beyond the surface, but the paints he make do tend to be harder to get out of clothes. ... and so he just smiles. surely not. ] This way, everyone knows who you belong to?
[ tobari fighting against the laundry every fucking time because he hates the idea of rafayel just buying clothes to replace the ones he gets covered in paint....
grabbing rafayel's wrists before his terrible little artist hands can inflict any more damage ]
Did you just call me stupid and yours at the same time.
[ him now knowing every stain hack known to man... raf like you could start your own channel
when tobari seizes his wrists, rafayel blinks a bit, before giving him a lazy tilt of his head. ] Yeah, but you're lucky, because of that, it's my job to look out for silly people like you.
[ he slips his wrist out of his grip and uses his hand to close and open over tobari's hand playfully. ]
[ it's for the principle of penny pinching and not being wasteful... tobari conversing with every nanny and housekeeper and housewife he knows to learn how to get stubborn paint stains out of anything
BUT HE JUST SAID YEAH?
tobari tightens his grip on the wrist he's still holding onto ]
That's less romantic than you think it is. You're still in trouble. You think I tune you out whenever you start talking about fish? I should probably start.
he's being scolded (real) and not scolded (sexy) ... damn ]
Impossible. I know you love my stories. [ he says smugly, but really...
he means it in appreciation. he knows it isn't like everyone is capable of comprehending something that may have appeared like fantasy to them. an underwater city. people who were capable of living beneath the tides. a society in which every individual was practically immortal...
they were all difficult things to accept, and so who wouldn't love the only person to accept all of that without question. that said, he also knows he's supposed to be repenting here, and so he tries to give tobari a kiss on the cheek. cutely. he even looks up at him a little apologetically for good measure. ]
[ he is being scolded real.... though even that's pretty short-lived when he acts cute about it. it's true that tobari genuinely finds rafayel cute most of the time, so playing it up doesn't always work... but he also thinks that vacation is hardly the time to be stubborn
he's still frowning after receiving the little kiss, but he sighs and lets go of most of his annoyance ]
The stories are good, even if sometimes you aren't.
[ misbehaving... tobari repays rafayel with a little pinch to his cheek before moving to stand from his lap ]
Come on. Let's eat something real before rich people try to feed us tiny little plates all night.
[ why do they have so much money but insist on tiny little finger foods he hates them all ]
[ it really is a 50/50 if it would work on only serve to annoy tobari further... but, he's relieved when he doesn't seem too upset. he ends up grabbing a nearby cloth and wiping his hands down, before also slipping out of the seat to follow tobari.
he walks towards the smaller kitchenette and he's already sniffing the air as if to determine what else he brought. though, he does have to laugh at tobari's hater mentality. ] They are pretty tiny. I mean, if they have so much money, why are they skimping on the caviar?
[ eggs... ]
It's easier to eat before, or after. My boyfriend is so smart.
[ see? he's trying to make up for his fish comment. ]
[ tobari did in fact get a yogurt... he got a yogurt trifle to share with lots of fresh fruits—strawberries, blueberries, melon, banana and dragon fruit as well as a set of hearty salmon bagel breakfast sandwiches... yum. he's also washing off his hands and making a face as he looks down at the paint on his clothes before working on bringing the food out of their bags to serve them both
but also he's just going to look over at rafayel and raise a brow slowly ]
It sounds pretty pathetic if you force it like that. My ego isn't that easily bruised, you know?
[ he still marvels at how well tobari knows him. he is already grabbing some utensils, but oh... right. he also belatedly runs to wash his hands first, before he then brings the re-washed utensils over sheepishly. he's already dipping his spoon into the yogurt to try and get tobari the first bite, before... ]
Come on, open wide, smartie. [ feeding him now...
say ah..... but that said, ] You think it's forced? Theeeen, what's a non-forced compliment? Handsome? Hottie?
but, he does take the second bite, and makes a satisfied sound, before he eventually says in a softer tone, quiet as if he's sharing a secret with him. ] Best boyfriend in the world? [ though, this is still more a fact to him.
still, he needs to reminds himself not to get too carried away. ]
[ no... he cannot be buttered up by pet names!!! even the last attempt tobari just tilts his head for a second before leaning in to press a kiss to rafayel's mouth. it is more to get him to stop. ]
That's still you, even when you're a pain.
[ oh to think that your lover is the best even if you also think there's no one on the planet more annoying...
but tobari will hand over the breakfast bagel to rafayel now ]
Eat instead of giving me compliments I don't need.
[ regardless of the reason, he's still happy for the kiss... ]
I'll take that as a compliment. Unlike a certain someone, I take them generously because I'm a kind fishie. [ leaning forward to nuzzle up against his shoulder again before, he grabs the bagel.
honestly, he doesn't have much of an appetite, but he thinks he should at least put up the front like he does. he doesn't want tobari to worry more than he has, and so he takes a bite and chews thoughtfully. ]
[ and whose fault is that, tobari... but it's true that he doesn't notice anything off regarding raf's appetite since he's eating. tobari is also eating, carefree and unaware of whatever rafayel is thinking about. ]
Should we start getting ready in a bit then?
[ he'll follow raf's lead through the whole affair... and he's just asking more as a general precaution since they're getting closer to the actual party, something that he usually does when he accompanies raf to fancy places, ]
Anything I should know? Anything I should avoid saying?
[ he's on better behavior at rafayel's engagements with the upper echelon, but sometimes a rude remark can slip through... but he'll be hyperaware if it helps ]
[ he does raise a brow in his direction? like, really? who contributes? who makes him worse? ]
Yeah, we can relax for a bit and then sloowly get ready. That way we're not rushing. [ even if rafayel appears mostly relaxed, it's been a while since he's felt this anxious. maybe it's because he's been waiting for this day for such a long time...
but, at tobari's questions, he chuckles and shakes his head. ] No, nothing like that. But, uh, I'll do most of the talking when it comes to the owner. I do have a gift for him, after all. [ he takes another bite, and then just shrugs. ] Oh, but since they love wine, try not to criticize the wine there too much.
[ it's funny because tobari always asks, politely and for the sake of his own knowledge, what he shouldn't talk about when it comes to rafayel's parties. however, as soon as he hears what would be a sore point to these rich people, he immediately gets the urge to bitch about exactly that thing... he was just told not to bitch about...
(suzune voice) he's temperamental and picks fights!
but it's really only toward rich people... tobari nods slowly though, understanding the assignment... he thinks ]
he doesn't blame tobari for his reservations when it came the rich. in many ways, his own ideologies are fairly similar. albeit, a bit more personal at times. regardless, it isn't his intention to rile him up before the event, and so he gently tries to feed tobari the other half of his bagel.
... it may also be because he doesn't have the appetite to finish the whole thing. please don't call him out. ]
I mean, I still stand by the fact that the wine we had last night together is prooobably going to be a lot better than what they serve there, [ sometimes it's more about the vibes than the drink. ] But, thanks for trying to be on good behavior tonight.
I'll be sure to reward you lots after. [ you know, if he doesn't abandon him, but he doesn't say this. ]
[ ? tobari tilts his head but he does dutifully eat the other half of the bagel... no food waste... though it does at least tip him off a little bit that rafayel isn't hungry. he's still not sure what's on his mind, but if it's affecting his appetite...
when he's done eating, he'll reach up to catch rafayel's face in his hands again pull him closer for a kiss ]
I'll wait for that then. [ whatever reward might come as if tobari isn't the easiest person in the world who just wants his lover to be next to him ]
... Don't push yourself too much. [ the only thing he'll say to acknowledge that rafayel must be feeling a lot leading up to this ] Just come find me when you need a breath.
[ the kiss does draw him out from his own thoughts for a second, and he returns it by pressing his nose against tobari's cheek and just giving him the smallest peck back. ]
Thanks. I'll come find you, so you should make your location obvious, okay?
[ almost like his own personal lighthouse. he says this even while having full confidence he could find tobari in any crowd. he supposes the thing is... would be seek him out directly after his crimes? it's a tough one to say. regardless, once they're done eating, he will start getting ready.
though, not without occasionally checking in on tobari and helping him also get dressed.
by the time the late afternoon hits, he's been a little all over the place. sometimes he's incredibly focused, and other times, he's almost like in a trance as he just focuses on some of the old works he's already packed away in boxes.
when they're ready to go, he's already holding the gift, which is a bottle of wine which he sets in its decorative box. he grabs tobari's hand and places it on his arm, and as they are finally ready to enter the venue, he finally asks: ] You were curious about why we came all the way here, right?
[ it's a question, he might not get to answer right away though as they're immediately surrounded by by guests. ]
[ tobari watches rafayel but doesn't say much. there's an urge to draw him into his arms, to comfort him against whatever oddities he's wrestling with, but he refrains if only to let him process and take his own time. even still, every time rafayel does wander back over to him, tobari will meet him with the same usual banter even if it's peppered in with a few extra kisses to try to soothe him.
he lets rafayel help him into the white clothes picked out—even though he's also extra careful to avoid paint as a result. tobari puts his hair up with a combination of different hair ornaments, though the centerpiece is one that rafayel made for him.
the opulence of the place is already putting him in a bad mood, so he focuses on rafayel. he'll take his arm easily, looking up at him and just nodding. he is curious. he's openly curious even now. ]
Mm. I've been wondering.
[ even as they suddenly are entering the proverbial battlefield and tobari frowns as he just looks at all the other guests... though he'll school his expression into something intentionally polite, if distant. ]
[ it's strange to him how just a simple kiss could alleviate years worth of tension. while his emotions still remain intense and volatile, it's also true that he finds solace in how steady tobari remains.
maybe he really is his lifeline and anchor...
regardless, as they walk through the venue, rafayel keeps a courteous smile on his lips. there's a certain polite friendliness that he maintains to each person they encounter. this seems especially the case when he greets the owner, alden, with a perfectly manufactured smile. ] Thank you again for your kind invitation. It's an honor to be able to celebrate such a momentous moment together. While it's a modest gift, I brought you this bottle of wine today. [ he hands it over to one of the staff beside him, whose eyes seem to widen at the bottle.
"wait— that label? isn't that dionysus wine?" "aren't there only five in the entire world?"
the man seems incredibly pleased with the gift, showering them both with compliments on their effort. "you and your partner have such excellent tastes, but considering the cost of this wine, are you sure you're willing to part with it?" ] I don't have much of a taste of wine, and my partner— [ he steps just slightly in front of tobari— ] doesn't drink alcohol, so it would simply be wasted. On the other hand, a professional such as yourself... [ it's rare for rafayel to flatter anyone, but he remains perfectly composed as he does something so out of character.
he knows tobari is probably inwardly trying not to think of the price of the gift, or maybe he's wondering why he's acting so different... and the idea does make him laugh internally, even when he feels anything but humor inside. once the exchange is done, the man seems to make a big show of displaying the gift, even claiming to say he would take a taste as part of the main event, but rafayel is already moving out from the crowd. ]
Sorry. [ he isn't sure why he feels the need to apologize, but he does... ]
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he comes back with their food, damn they really eat a lot on these threads i guess that’s a result of tobari refusing to let rafayel skip a meal ALSNSKKSKS but!! he’s impressed at the effort… he puts their food down at the table but then he’ll go to wake up rafayel, even if he feels just a little bit bad doing it this time. to buy him a few seconds, tobari will lift the sketchbook and take a peek at what he was working on… if there was anything…
and then after he will see if he can just kiss rafayel into waking up again. gentler than the urge he has sometimes to pinch him awake but that’s just cuteness aggression ]
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the sketches span from just the lonely strip of beach they walked, to the restaurant they went to last night. there's a bit of waves, a seashell that he draws by memory, and then an even rougher draft of what looks to be a person. a familiar man with long hair, hair that's spread out on the page as he's clearly sleeping in the drawing. the only thing unfinished is the actual expression of the individual featured in his unfinished work...
he stirs slightly just from smelling the food, but also from tobari's ( omegaverse voice ) specific scent. but, he knows he has to be good and wait for the kiss to awake like a proper prince(ss). he opens his eyes slowly, and the first thing he does is grab tobari onto his lap. ]
Looks like my prey took to the bait.
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the sketchbook is still carefully held in tobari’s hand even as he makes a noise of surprise when he’s pulled into rafayel’s lap. he sighs ]
What are you, one of those deep sea lamp fish?
[ you know the angler ones that has the little light that other fish are drawn to before they get eaten they’re so scary
tobari will give him a second kiss anyway, because he’s doting ]
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If you got paint on me, I’m throwing you into the fucking ocean.
[ HE TRIES TO BE SO CAREFUL ABOUT STRAY PAINT!!! IT’S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY WITH RAFAYEL BUT DAMN!!!! ]
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[ he doesn't mean for this to be an insult...
he is also looking at his hands and back at tobari's clothes. oops. at least it didn't seem to go beyond the surface, but the paints he make do tend to be harder to get out of clothes. ... and so he just smiles. surely not. ] This way, everyone knows who you belong to?
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grabbing rafayel's wrists before his terrible little artist hands can inflict any more damage ]
Did you just call me stupid and yours at the same time.
[ THEY CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT A LITTLE ]
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when tobari seizes his wrists, rafayel blinks a bit, before giving him a lazy tilt of his head. ] Yeah, but you're lucky, because of that, it's my job to look out for silly people like you.
[ he slips his wrist out of his grip and uses his hand to close and open over tobari's hand playfully. ]
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BUT HE JUST SAID YEAH?
tobari tightens his grip on the wrist he's still holding onto ]
That's less romantic than you think it is. You're still in trouble. You think I tune you out whenever you start talking about fish? I should probably start.
[ ANNOYING ]
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he's being scolded (real) and not scolded (sexy) ... damn ]
Impossible. I know you love my stories. [ he says smugly, but really...
he means it in appreciation. he knows it isn't like everyone is capable of comprehending something that may have appeared like fantasy to them. an underwater city. people who were capable of living beneath the tides. a society in which every individual was practically immortal...
they were all difficult things to accept, and so who wouldn't love the only person to accept all of that without question. that said, he also knows he's supposed to be repenting here, and so he tries to give tobari a kiss on the cheek. cutely. he even looks up at him a little apologetically for good measure. ]
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he's still frowning after receiving the little kiss, but he sighs and lets go of most of his annoyance ]
The stories are good, even if sometimes you aren't.
[ misbehaving... tobari repays rafayel with a little pinch to his cheek before moving to stand from his lap ]
Come on. Let's eat something real before rich people try to feed us tiny little plates all night.
[ why do they have so much money but insist on tiny little finger foods he hates them all ]
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he walks towards the smaller kitchenette and he's already sniffing the air as if to determine what else he brought. though, he does have to laugh at tobari's hater mentality. ] They are pretty tiny. I mean, if they have so much money, why are they skimping on the caviar?
[ eggs... ]
It's easier to eat before, or after. My boyfriend is so smart.
[ see? he's trying to make up for his fish comment. ]
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but also he's just going to look over at rafayel and raise a brow slowly ]
It sounds pretty pathetic if you force it like that. My ego isn't that easily bruised, you know?
[ please stop making it worse ]
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Come on, open wide, smartie. [ feeding him now...
say ah..... but that said, ] You think it's forced? Theeeen, what's a non-forced compliment? Handsome? Hottie?
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but also this second attempt is even funnier. he is unmoved ]
I'm not that easy.
[ why are you stating facts at him? these are just facts? (annoying guy habits continue) ]
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but, he does take the second bite, and makes a satisfied sound, before he eventually says in a softer tone, quiet as if he's sharing a secret with him. ] Best boyfriend in the world? [ though, this is still more a fact to him.
still, he needs to reminds himself not to get too carried away. ]
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That's still you, even when you're a pain.
[ oh to think that your lover is the best even if you also think there's no one on the planet more annoying...
but tobari will hand over the breakfast bagel to rafayel now ]
Eat instead of giving me compliments I don't need.
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I'll take that as a compliment. Unlike a certain someone, I take them generously because I'm a kind fishie. [ leaning forward to nuzzle up against his shoulder again before, he grabs the bagel.
honestly, he doesn't have much of an appetite, but he thinks he should at least put up the front like he does. he doesn't want tobari to worry more than he has, and so he takes a bite and chews thoughtfully. ]
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[ and whose fault is that, tobari... but it's true that he doesn't notice anything off regarding raf's appetite since he's eating. tobari is also eating, carefree and unaware of whatever rafayel is thinking about. ]
Should we start getting ready in a bit then?
[ he'll follow raf's lead through the whole affair... and he's just asking more as a general precaution since they're getting closer to the actual party, something that he usually does when he accompanies raf to fancy places, ]
Anything I should know? Anything I should avoid saying?
[ he's on better behavior at rafayel's engagements with the upper echelon, but sometimes a rude remark can slip through... but he'll be hyperaware if it helps ]
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Yeah, we can relax for a bit and then sloowly get ready. That way we're not rushing. [ even if rafayel appears mostly relaxed, it's been a while since he's felt this anxious. maybe it's because he's been waiting for this day for such a long time...
but, at tobari's questions, he chuckles and shakes his head. ] No, nothing like that. But, uh, I'll do most of the talking when it comes to the owner. I do have a gift for him, after all. [ he takes another bite, and then just shrugs. ] Oh, but since they love wine, try not to criticize the wine there too much.
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(suzune voice) he's temperamental and picks fights!
but it's really only toward rich people... tobari nods slowly though, understanding the assignment... he thinks ]
.... mm. Fine.
[ THE URGE TO BE A BITCH IS RISING ]
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he doesn't blame tobari for his reservations when it came the rich. in many ways, his own ideologies are fairly similar. albeit, a bit more personal at times. regardless, it isn't his intention to rile him up before the event, and so he gently tries to feed tobari the other half of his bagel.
... it may also be because he doesn't have the appetite to finish the whole thing. please don't call him out. ]
I mean, I still stand by the fact that the wine we had last night together is prooobably going to be a lot better than what they serve there, [ sometimes it's more about the vibes than the drink. ] But, thanks for trying to be on good behavior tonight.
I'll be sure to reward you lots after. [ you know, if he doesn't abandon him, but he doesn't say this. ]
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when he's done eating, he'll reach up to catch rafayel's face in his hands again pull him closer for a kiss ]
I'll wait for that then. [ whatever reward might come as if tobari isn't the easiest person in the world who just wants his lover to be next to him ]
... Don't push yourself too much. [ the only thing he'll say to acknowledge that rafayel must be feeling a lot leading up to this ] Just come find me when you need a breath.
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Thanks. I'll come find you, so you should make your location obvious, okay?
[ almost like his own personal lighthouse. he says this even while having full confidence he could find tobari in any crowd. he supposes the thing is... would be seek him out directly after his crimes? it's a tough one to say. regardless, once they're done eating, he will start getting ready.
though, not without occasionally checking in on tobari and helping him also get dressed.
by the time the late afternoon hits, he's been a little all over the place. sometimes he's incredibly focused, and other times, he's almost like in a trance as he just focuses on some of the old works he's already packed away in boxes.
when they're ready to go, he's already holding the gift, which is a bottle of wine which he sets in its decorative box. he grabs tobari's hand and places it on his arm, and as they are finally ready to enter the venue, he finally asks: ] You were curious about why we came all the way here, right?
[ it's a question, he might not get to answer right away though as they're immediately surrounded by by guests. ]
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he lets rafayel help him into the white clothes picked out—even though he's also extra careful to avoid paint as a result. tobari puts his hair up with a combination of different hair ornaments, though the centerpiece is one that rafayel made for him.
the opulence of the place is already putting him in a bad mood, so he focuses on rafayel. he'll take his arm easily, looking up at him and just nodding. he is curious. he's openly curious even now. ]
Mm. I've been wondering.
[ even as they suddenly are entering the proverbial battlefield and tobari frowns as he just looks at all the other guests... though he'll school his expression into something intentionally polite, if distant. ]
deletes myself for writing such a long tag
maybe he really is his lifeline and anchor...
regardless, as they walk through the venue, rafayel keeps a courteous smile on his lips. there's a certain polite friendliness that he maintains to each person they encounter. this seems especially the case when he greets the owner, alden, with a perfectly manufactured smile. ] Thank you again for your kind invitation. It's an honor to be able to celebrate such a momentous moment together. While it's a modest gift, I brought you this bottle of wine today. [ he hands it over to one of the staff beside him, whose eyes seem to widen at the bottle.
"wait— that label? isn't that dionysus wine?"
"aren't there only five in the entire world?"
the man seems incredibly pleased with the gift, showering them both with compliments on their effort. "you and your partner have such excellent tastes, but considering the cost of this wine, are you sure you're willing to part with it?" ] I don't have much of a taste of wine, and my partner— [ he steps just slightly in front of tobari— ] doesn't drink alcohol, so it would simply be wasted. On the other hand, a professional such as yourself... [ it's rare for rafayel to flatter anyone, but he remains perfectly composed as he does something so out of character.
he knows tobari is probably inwardly trying not to think of the price of the gift, or maybe he's wondering why he's acting so different... and the idea does make him laugh internally, even when he feels anything but humor inside. once the exchange is done, the man seems to make a big show of displaying the gift, even claiming to say he would take a taste as part of the main event, but rafayel is already moving out from the crowd. ]
Sorry. [ he isn't sure why he feels the need to apologize, but he does... ]