splitmemory | training buddies

[ ... Oh.... When put that way, it seemed so very obvious: the stories he'd consulted were written that way to be good stories, not necessarily examples of what should and shouldn't be done. If only it was that easy, huh? A manual to love, describing all the right ways and the wrong ways, written out like a formula for a potion. ]

I think I understand.

[ ............... ]

I- I do want to do that sometime soon...! [ Epel quickly adds, probably too loud of an exclamation, as if he realized he wanted to make that extra clear. He almost immediately brings one hand over to cover his mouth, in silent apology. ]

Maybe... after... [ Boy, he's thinking hard, isn't he? On how to put this into words, how to express what he means. ]

Edited 2024-08-23 06:05 (UTC)

Why, of course. After what?

[It's okay, Epel, take your time. You may not have a helpful manual with formulas for love, but you do have a very patient and tolerant huntsman laying beneath you. If he had fallen for someone as prickly as Vil, how could you fail to charm him?]

... After... we do something else. Together. Outside of the dorm, outside of the college. Somewhere where you can be you, and I can be me.

[ Obviously, he'd still have to uphold the 'rules' set out by Vil for his own image, but aside from that.... ]

Not that we have to... jus' think it could be nice.

That sounds lovely. In Foothill Town, perhaps? Or the beach or mountains, if you prefer?

[Somewhere they can be themselves, hmmm..... Just what does that mean, for Epel?]

[ There hadn't been much time that he'd spent outside of the college, so.... ]

We could go to Foothill Town, maybe... Oh!

[ Epel shifts, moving to sit up, looking down at Rook while using his hands against his shoulders at leverage. He's practically beaming, look at him..! ]

There's this new place in town I heard some of my classmates talking about the other day. We should go there!

[ Is he going to explain further? Probably not unless Rook asks, forgetting to in his excitement. ]

Why not? What sort of place is this, if I may ask?

[Something trendy, he assumes, if classmates are talking about it? Maybe he should take a picture or two for Cater while they're out, then. Is he a comfortable chair, Epel?]

So, so, [ In his excitement, he forgets for a near moment to lower his voice. ] It's like you're cookin' outside, grillin' over charcoal, but it's all inside. You sit at a table, they bring what you order and you cook it right then and there! Didn't think there'd be a place like that here.

[ Yeah, Rook's a very comfortable chair, especially when he can look down at him and have him trapped there, a captive audience to his excitement. ]

I'll cook for you...! Meemaw let me start helping when I was little. I have an eye for it, y'know?

Oh, that sounds like fun! I admit, most of my cooking experience is roasting meat over a campfire; I doubt I could keep up with you in the kitchen.

[How could he possibly say no, seeing just how excited Epel is? Even if it doesn't sound intriguing in its own right, it would be worth it just to see Epel smiling so brightly.]

It can be similar… somewhat.

[ Not completely, of course. There’s a lot that goes into cooking over an open fire rather than a charcoal burning flame. The differences makes it all the more important that Epel handle the cooking, probably. With a small laugh, Epel leans down and gives Rook the tiniest peck on the cheek before shifting and pulling back completely, standing up from the bed.

Moving to his closet, he starts the process of picking an outfit— which won’t be too hard, he isn’t that crazy about doing it right. ]

We should cook out like that sometime, too. So that you can show me.

Edited 2024-08-23 08:28 (UTC)

Hah..... Maybe we should. Have you ever hunted before, Monsieur Pommette? Meat always tastes best when it's fresh.

[Rook, no. Do not. Killing and field dressing something to cook it up for a picnic date is way too bloody to be romantic. For now, at least, they're safe from that; Rook sits up instead, starting to rebutton his shirt and get his robe retied.]

I haven’t. Does it really taste better that way?

[ A small glance is shot over his shoulder, as his hands grasp at a purple sweater in his closet. He looks back over to it, pulling it out all the way and draping it over his arm. Now for bottoms… ]

Are we even allowed to hunt near the College? I’m not sure of the rules involved there.

Why, do apples taste better fresh off the tree? The sooner you're able to eat, the less time the flavor has to fade. It can be difficult to go back to store-bought, once you're used to catching your own.

[Surely that's a comparison Epel can understand, hmmm? Let him just rescue his hat, and he can watch Epel get changed.]

If you're far enough up in the mountains, it's fine. We could make a day trip of it.

Hmmm… [ He can’t really refute that. Rook’s right, a fresh apple is like nothing else in this world. Absolutely one of the best things out there. ] I can see it. Alright…! It’s a plan. Someday soon, we’ll have a day trip up there.

[ Oh, but… ]

We might need to wait for it to warm up some, huh…?

[ It’s cold, but not overly so. Nothing like back home. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to be careful about what he chooses to wear. He grabs a pair of overalls, moving over to the bed to set his chosen clothes out. Perfect for a cold day, without going too warm and possibly getting heat exhaustion.

He starts with his uniform’s sash, slowly undoing it. With a practiced hand he undoes each little tie, before setting said sash down. His robe is next, slow and precise. Then comes his shirt, unbuttoned carefully. After a few minutes, he’d completely stripped down, not seeming to really mind whether Rook watched or looked away. ]

Perhaps so. Game is often leaner in the colder months, after all.

[Both physically speaking, and in the sense that it's just harder to find. Not impossible, of course--but he wouldn't want to make Epel trudge around and wait in snowy woods as he tracks his quarry, hmmm? Spring would surely be better.

Rook is only too glad to watch Epel strip down, admiring the slender frame and pale skin the younger man reveals. He really is beautiful, isn't he? What a nice treat to compensate for that aborted hot and heavy makeout session, hmmm? For his part, it doesn't take Rook long to mentally put together an outfit as he mulls over the pieces in his wardrobe; a quick flourish of his magical pen, a cascade of sparkles swirling around him, and Rook's uniform is replaced by a cozy winter outfit.]

[ A quick glance over proves that Rook was watching. There's nothing embarrassing about that; it wasn't like he wouldn't change in front of any other guy, any other friend. He pulls that little sweater over his head, and--

Rook was able to change just like that?! How's that fair? How did he even... Those tights were really nice on him- No, he's distracted now, he has to comment. ]

You look like Vil. That looks like something he'd wear.

[ Slipping into his overalls, the pants of which were almost artfully torn and ripped from casual wear and tear, he wonders briefly if he's going to look under dressed next to Rook. Ugh, these fancy Pomefiore boys and their stupid fashionable outfits. It's hard not to stare though, when they'd just been so close, pressed up in such a way... and those thighs-

Epel's face is red all over again. He turns his gaze away, clipping one half of his overall's straps and leaving the other hanging free. He's definitely cute. The socks he puts on are simple, and it's only a second before he's plopping back down onto the edge of the bed to pull on some black boots. He finishes off the look by cuffing his jeans, and...! ]

Are you sure you won't get cold?

[ Sure, Rook looked cozy, but... ]

That would be because Roi du Poison and I picked the outfit out together! My old clothes aren't fit to be worn these days, I'm afraid.

[Now there's a new style. Quaint and cozy, deliberately imperfect..... Made all the more appealing by such rosy cheeks, of course. Rook smiles mischievously, scooting over to lean against Epel.]

I'll be just fine. And even if I'm not, I can always cuddle up, can't I? You and that adorable sweater would surely keep me nice and toasty.

[ Aren't fit to be worn...? Did Rook have a growth spurt after coming to school? Some people did, right? That would make the most sense, he thinks. Or, maybe there was something else about it. He doesn't have all that much time to dwell, as seconds later, he has Rook leaning up against him.

Adjusting his pant legs, he glances to Rook. That redness doesn't get any more deep against his cheeks, though he does seem to fluster further. ]

I mean-- yeah. Absolutely you can. [ For once, he's not seeming all that sad that something of his is called adorable. He can't complain when it comes to anything his Meemaw gives him, really! She worked hard!! ] We wouldn't want you to catch a cold, after all.

Not to worry. If we'll be sitting around a charcoal grill, I'm sure we'll be plenty warm.

[How could anything she made be anything but adorable? She's so talented, after all! And just look at how happy Rook looks, cozied up against Epel's side. Even if he's not feeling chilly, he might just sneak some cuddles anyway, just for their own sake.]

[ This was nice. It's still so new to enjoy being around people his own age, let alone have friends and people he wanted to get to know further. As much as Epel wants to shift to cuddle up further, he's excited. He shifts, both of his hands grabbing onto Rooks as he stands, turning on his heel to face Rook. It's with a small tug that he indicates he's going to help the other boy up. ]

That's true. Before long you might even be too warm!

[ Tug tug! ] Come on, you ready? Let's get going!!

[Awwww, Epel really is excited, isn't he? It's a good thing he didn't have to wait for Rook to go back to his own room to get dressed, or the anticipation might just be too much. Rook surrenders his hands readily enough, letting Epel pull him to his feet.]

I'll let you lead the way, then. Do you know where this restaurant is?

[ He's not suuuuper confident on where this place is, and yet-- ]

I think so!

[ First they'd need to get from the dorm to the mirror hall, then out from there to walk down into town. How hard could one place be to find, anyways?

With that in mind, Epel leads the way along, with confidence he really shouldn't have. Once they make it into town, which he does manage to get them to, Epel realizes a fatal flaw in his plan: Foothill Town was larger than Harveston, and he'd never explored it that in depth. What first year who had Vil practically breathing down their neck would have time?

His nervous energy starts to hit after about ten minutes of just straight up wandering looking for the place. After five MORE minutes, he finally slows to a stop, grabbing Rook's sleeve to stop him. He looks... well, a little frustrated with his own struggle. ]

... I can't find it. These streets are confusing. I... have no clue where we are. [ The admission is soft, but not bashful. He's trying to not be too obviously frustrated. ]

[It's not a bad time, even if they are a little lost. Walking around together on such a brisk day, taking in the sights..... It's a nice little town, isn't it? He admittedly goes up into the mountains more often than he goes into town, on weekends. Rook holds up a reassuring hand as they stop, slinging an arm around Epel's shoulders.]

Lucky for us, we don't need to do it on our own, hmmm?

[Rook digs his phone out of his pocket. All they need is some map directions, right?]

Mira, Mira. Tell me something.

What would you like me to look up?

Where is the newest indoor grilling restaurant in Foothill Town?

[ Aside from the light frustration with himself, Epel still was having a nice time - when had he just gone for a walk with someone from school? Noting anything that was pretty, pointing out different things to each other.

As Rook drapes his arm around his shoulders, Epel leans in closer, his light pout slipping away as Rook made the solution so obvious, so simple. Right, phones could do... that! He watches the device's screen as it lights up with directions, and...

The two of them had practically missed it, on their little wandering. It was tucked in on a side street that they missed, probably during one of the times where Epel was distracted by something nearby -- probably some flyer for some other store that offered some blastcycle mods, the imagery on the flyer catching his eye easily. That did mean, however, that they'd already gotten pretty far past it. Epel peeks up towards Rook, before looking back down to the little map. ]

Can we go by taking another street than it suggests, here? [ He points to a little side street on the map, ] Looks like there are some shops there, we could look as we pass, maybe. [ Totally not hoping they find that shop to peek through the window at, noooo.... ]

Why not? That should work just as well. Allons-y!

[They may as well do a little window shopping on their way to eat! Or maybe even a little real shopping, depending on the shops they pass? He's not really educated on blastcycles, to be fair--but that would just be an opportunity for Epel to tell him all about them, hmmm?]

[ With a small nod, Epel seems to get his steam back just as easy, that frustration having melted away. He leans into Rook as they walk, ever so often glancing down to Rook's phone to help them stay on track. They soon come across that little side street. There were a few shops here, his eyes wandering from one side of the street to the other.

There--!

The shop is definitely closed currently, but Epel gravitates right towards it, where a few blastcycle parts are displayed in the window. ]

Look--!! This is it! [ From the little flyer! Or, maybe not. Could be coincidence... but still, he's excited regardless, practically pressed up against the window in awe. ]

The handlebars they offer here are so cool! They're the ape style, but a little longer, curved in... They have a ton of flashier parts too. That cowl in the back looks so loud, so out there.

[ He is enraptured. Good luck getting him to step away anytime soon. ]

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