[Noctium] IC Inbox

[illicitly]

« sandpiper » TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION Nie Huaisang ✦ Mo Dao Zu Shi
RESIDENCE ✦ 4 BR House in the Sumar Province
GEMBOND ✦ Amethyst

35. Male. Bisexual. Crushes on handsome male friends who touch him a lot and has no idea what to do with a woman besides get awkwardly drunk, cry into her bosom, and ramble about his hobbies. Professional hot mess with secret aspirations of guiding his home society into being less of an infighting shitshow. Powerful 'step on me' energy. Unfulfilled boyhood dreams of being a useless trophy husband and pillow king.

INFO ✧ PERMISSIONS ✧ KINKLIST ✧ OVERFLOW

Comments

[surexpose]

Monsieur Nie, hello.
Have you been getting along well? Do let me know if you need further assistance with anything.

[illicitly]

It is good to hear from you, Count Joseph.

[Please forgive him, Huaisang is still in the process of learning Western naming conventions. But at least, he remembered the title?]

I am certain that I still need assistance but I do not know where to begin. There is still so much I do not understand, far too many to list. I would welcome more help with making Manna if you are willing.

[It might be a little clumsy, bold, and lacking in finess but Huaisang's never been particularly smooth when it comes to asking about things like this. But it seems to a proposition worth making, considering neither of them have the means they accustomed to living with.]

[surexpose]

[Don't worry about it, Huaisang! If it weren't for his fellow hunters in the Manor he would absolutely think your first name was "Nie".

As he reads the message, Joseph's lips curl into a little smile. Surely the man is not that young, but reading his correspondence is not unlike watching a young deer navigate terrain with its spindly legs.]



By all means. There are lounges in the Diamond District we can meet at. You have not been trying to make any on your own?

[illicitly]

I have been busy learning about the many oddities in this world. I am still meeting people and establishing connections. I do not fall into physical relationships so quickly or easily. I do not have much experience with such things.

I have been busy learning about the many oddities in this world. I am still meeting people and establishing connections. I do not fall into physical relationships so quickly or easily. I do not have much experience with such things.

[Mostly because in Huaisang's youth, he was too shy and lacked the self-confidence to really put himself out there. And as an adult, he simply hasn't had the time or energy to pursue such relationships with outside the occasional trip to a courtesan. His focus had been on investigating and avenging his brother's murder for so long, what mental energy hadn't been expended there, had all been directed into his duties as sect leader. Life hasn't been much fun for Huaisang is a very long time.]

I would be delighted to visit the Diamond District with you. It has been a long time since I have had drinks with acquaintances or friends.

[His life truly has been dreadful for years. All work and no play makes a very dull boy, indeed.]

[surexpose]

Do not worry about that. It is better to be selective about who you make your bed with... pardon the somewhat crude joke. And I imagine you will learn.

[It actually pleases him. The boy may be slow, but he's not impulsive. That's a good sign, and much better than a hotheaded type who doesn't think.

He presses a few buttons, sending an address to Huaisang.]


I've sent you the location of a brasserie I like. It will be my treat, of course. Does tomorrow work for you?

[illicitly]

[It's a relief to not be rushed into things, honestly. After all, Huaisang isn't attracted to just anyone and there's only so far he's capable of pushing himself before panic or exhaustion sets in. He truly is grateful for the man's reassurance and guidance as he adapts to this unusual situation.]

Tomorrow should be fine. Thank you for your kindness and generosity, Count Joseph. I look forward to seeing you again.

[Just a simple bit of honesty but the thought of this little outing is putting a smile on his face.]

[surexpose]

I am glad.

[And so the next day, once Huaisang gets to the little restaurant, he'll find Joseph sitting at an outside table, legs crossed, observing the menu as he sips white wine from a glass.]

[illicitly]

[In the time since they'd last seen one another, Huaisang's taken to local fashion like a fish to water. Today, he's dressed in a long coat, loose trousers, and an envelope hat, all in shades of dark green and gold, and knee-high leather boots. As soon as he arrives, he takes his coat and drapes it over the back of a chair before taking a seat.]

It's good to see you again, Count Joseph. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

[His tone's a little less frazzled now as he greets the other man with a smile. Well, Huaisang did say that he's been focused on settling in...]

[surexpose]

Not at all. [And even if he had, he appreciates the time he must have taken to get dressed up. He's not sure about the hat, but the rest of his attire--and the way he sits down--earn him plenty of points to get a passing grade in Joseph's book.]

I see you've been using your vouchers. I appreciate some of the fashions they have here, even if it is different from what I'm used to. Are you hungry?

[illicitly]

A little bit. I could go for a light snack. I'm not familiar with a lot of the foods that are sold in places like this. I'm willing to try most things though.

[If Huaisang doesn't open himself to new possibilities, he's not going to get by very far here at all.]

The clothes here are very strange compared to what I usually where. It's all so tight and restrictive! Most of the clothing I wear back home is much looser and more comfortable than this. I put in an order for some new things more like what I'm used to but I don't quite have the funds to bring it back home. So I've done what I can with what's available.

[He already misses ensembles from home though.]

[surexpose]

I can imagine. You did well, though--here, lean in. [Once Huaisang does, he leans in to adjust his collar before sitting back, nodding with pleasure.]

I can order for us, if you like--this food is similar to that of my own country. Fairly close, in fact. Unless there's something that catches your eye...?

[He turns the menu to face Huaisang, seeming almost absurdly at home here..]

[illicitly]

[Huaisang beams under the encouragement like a student receiving praise from a teacher and does what he's told.]

Oh, I'm fine with you ordering for us. I wouldn't know know where to begin!

[It's honestly a recurring theme for Huaisang in this world, just stumbling around unsure of himself, taking each day as it comes.]

There's still so much to learn and process.

[But he's truly grateful to those being kind enough to aid him.]