[ 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... ]
during these types of engagements, tobari can just as easily disengage and occupy himself while rafayel takes care of what he needs to—but for this one, he stays at rafayel's side. his face remains carefully impassive and neutral. for all that he lacks his usual scowl, he also doesn't particularly smile. instead his sharp green eyes only look over everyone in the room with the same sentiment that he extends to every rich person: 'i'll wait for you to impress me.'
not with jewels and not with luxury. only with the same thing that rafayel used to win him over: real, genuine charity. falling short of that, all their painted faces blend together.
the exception is this man—alden. tobari lets rafayel do all the talking, doesn't introduce himself or draw much attention to his place as rafayel's partner. when rafayel steps slightly in front of him, his fingers give just the slightest squeeze on his arm, reassuring. he takes in all the oddities. a rare wine that probably costs more than his life's savings. a stray compliment. the blatant lie that tobari doesn't drink.
how strange. they walk away. tobari searches to hold onto rafayel's hand, just so that he can bring it up to his lips. he presses a kiss to the back of his knuckles and gives his verdict in hushed tones only for the two of them, plain and simple: ]
If it wasn't important, you wouldn't lie.
[ it's tobari's own policy on lies. which is to say... he understands and he trusts rafayel's judgment, whatever it is ]
[ there's a lot he feels bad for. the lies he tells in tobari's presence, all the secrets he's continued to keep, and even forcing him to come here and mingle with these people. not that all of them are even guilty, but he can tell there's a certain distance tobari keeps from everyone else in this venue, and he just has a complicated feeling when he sees it.
tobari was kind and should be surrounded by only nice and happy things. yet, he knows even desiring that for him was a little unrealistic.
maybe even a little hypocritical.
sometimes he wonders if anyone should be capable of hiding their intentions like this. then again, he supposed it's just another thing people have to learn on the surface. to survive, one must speak the language of their enemies, even if that language was punctuated by cruelty and greed.
he looks back at the bottle of wine they take away with special care, before he focuses back on tobari. he gives a weak sort of smile, as he grips tobari's fingers just a little tighter. ] Did I lie? I didn't notice. [ he at least tries to pretend to keep up with their usual banter, but he's already walking down the great hall, and turning to look at one of the paintings on the wall. if tobari looks closely at it, he can also see there's a familiar sparkle of color to the painting, resembling scales. ]
[ tobari doesn't trust anyone until they've earned it—and his disdain for rich people runs that much deeper. he knows that he's been allowed into this space because he's rafayel's +1... but if any of them knew anything about his background, his work, or his passions, they'd just scoff. or worse, they'd offer condescending platitudes about his good heart without lifting a finger to offer any real help. as far as he's concerned, everyone in this place besides rafayel was an enemy until proven otherwise.
tobari watches rafayel watch the bottle—and then squeezes his hand back. he'll interlace their fingers together even as they walk around. ]
Oh? Maybe I'm just making things up then.
[ an idle statement that doesn't push... though he'll pause when the scale pattern catches his eye. his footsteps stop before he really notices, his brow automatically pinching. he's not sure what the cause of that is... but it's already putting a bad taste in his mouth. ]
[ sadly, it was a fact that rich people were often at the scene of the crime… being privileged wasn’t a sin, but he’d argue that very few evils matched up with what an influential man of wealth could often be capable of.
regardless, he does also try to put tobari at ease. he slides his fingers from their joined hands to his wrist, purposely tugging him closer towards him. he wonders if it takes his attention off of the venue, or even the painting on the wall that looms over them ominously. ] As you can see, the owner of this place really enjoys art and wine. Just like my teacher. [ it’s still ironic to him how he can call him that only when he’s… ]
Maybe it’s easy to trick someone when they’re so single-minded.
[ tobari lets himself be pulled closer—it's true that often times he was careful about pda, but what does he care what a bunch of rich assholes think about him? uncharitably, he assumes that enough of them just think of him as rafayel's empty-headed arm candy anyway. so he'll let his arms loop around rafayel's shoulders loosely, even as tobari looks up at him and searches his expression... he's not sure what he's looking for and yet he doesn't doubt for a second that there's something to find. answers, maybe.
what he says first is easy: ] Your teacher gave the world an awful lot. [ 'so much more than whatever this owner did' is what goes unsaid but is heavily implied. that teacher gave the world rafayel's own skill and what he could share with the world, such an important part of rafayel that tobari can't imagine him without it. ] I think that already makes him stand out.
[ . . . his hand comes up to cup rafayel's face, thumb brushing against the curve of his cheekbone ]
... Greed can be pretty blinding.
[ one of only five wines in the world, huh? a gift and a compliment for such an awful person. tobari does wonder how far rafayel will go—but he finds himself already jumping to the worst conclusion. how long before the body hits the floor? ]
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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... ]
stop!!!!! eats it all up!!!
during these types of engagements, tobari can just as easily disengage and occupy himself while rafayel takes care of what he needs to—but for this one, he stays at rafayel's side. his face remains carefully impassive and neutral. for all that he lacks his usual scowl, he also doesn't particularly smile. instead his sharp green eyes only look over everyone in the room with the same sentiment that he extends to every rich person: 'i'll wait for you to impress me.'
not with jewels and not with luxury. only with the same thing that rafayel used to win him over: real, genuine charity. falling short of that, all their painted faces blend together.
the exception is this man—alden. tobari lets rafayel do all the talking, doesn't introduce himself or draw much attention to his place as rafayel's partner. when rafayel steps slightly in front of him, his fingers give just the slightest squeeze on his arm, reassuring. he takes in all the oddities. a rare wine that probably costs more than his life's savings. a stray compliment. the blatant lie that tobari doesn't drink.
how strange. they walk away. tobari searches to hold onto rafayel's hand, just so that he can bring it up to his lips. he presses a kiss to the back of his knuckles and gives his verdict in hushed tones only for the two of them, plain and simple: ]
If it wasn't important, you wouldn't lie.
[ it's tobari's own policy on lies. which is to say... he understands and he trusts rafayel's judgment, whatever it is ]
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tobari was kind and should be surrounded by only nice and happy things. yet, he knows even desiring that for him was a little unrealistic.
maybe even a little hypocritical.
sometimes he wonders if anyone should be capable of hiding their intentions like this. then again, he supposed it's just another thing people have to learn on the surface. to survive, one must speak the language of their enemies, even if that language was punctuated by cruelty and greed.
he looks back at the bottle of wine they take away with special care, before he focuses back on tobari. he gives a weak sort of smile, as he grips tobari's fingers just a little tighter. ] Did I lie? I didn't notice. [ he at least tries to pretend to keep up with their usual banter, but he's already walking down the great hall, and turning to look at one of the paintings on the wall. if tobari looks closely at it, he can also see there's a familiar sparkle of color to the painting, resembling scales. ]
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tobari watches rafayel watch the bottle—and then squeezes his hand back. he'll interlace their fingers together even as they walk around. ]
Oh? Maybe I'm just making things up then.
[ an idle statement that doesn't push... though he'll pause when the scale pattern catches his eye. his footsteps stop before he really notices, his brow automatically pinching. he's not sure what the cause of that is... but it's already putting a bad taste in his mouth. ]
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regardless, he does also try to put tobari at ease. he slides his fingers from their joined hands to his wrist, purposely tugging him closer towards him. he wonders if it takes his attention off of the venue, or even the painting on the wall that looms over them ominously. ] As you can see, the owner of this place really enjoys art and wine. Just like my teacher. [ it’s still ironic to him how he can call him that only when he’s… ]
Maybe it’s easy to trick someone when they’re so single-minded.
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what he says first is easy: ] Your teacher gave the world an awful lot. [ 'so much more than whatever this owner did' is what goes unsaid but is heavily implied. that teacher gave the world rafayel's own skill and what he could share with the world, such an important part of rafayel that tobari can't imagine him without it. ] I think that already makes him stand out.
[ . . . his hand comes up to cup rafayel's face, thumb brushing against the curve of his cheekbone ]
... Greed can be pretty blinding.
[ one of only five wines in the world, huh? a gift and a compliment for such an awful person. tobari does wonder how far rafayel will go—but he finds himself already jumping to the worst conclusion. how long before the body hits the floor? ]