[A different person might find that reaction intimidating or worrying, but Sycamore just continues to smile - if anything, he's trying not to laugh. Joseph has such a strong personality....he's always enjoyed these sorts of people. The intense ones are always so fun!]
Ah, my mistake! Forgive me. I definitely don't want to miss out on a wine you've selected.
[Still, Joseph gives him a long look. His confidence is, as much as he hates to say, shaken from the night. But at least Augustine is smiling instead of making that infernal couldn't-care-less expression some other men tend to wear.
...But he ultimately returns to set the glass down in front of him, pouring the wine before sitting down again and picking his own glass back up.]
[Well, if it's any kind of consolation for Joseph's confidence, Sycamore quickly picks that glass up, swirling the wine around gently so that the colours catch the light and he can get a hint of the aroma.]
It smells divine.
[Ah, but it would be impolite to go ahead and drink it without the appropriate ritual!]
Santé?
[He'll hold his glass out towards Joseph, still with a smile on his face; perhaps a more inquisitive look in his eye than before. Nevertheless, he doesn't force the gesture, and leaves it up to Joseph to clink their glasses together should he wish to do so.]
[He blinks, for a moment staring at the glass as if he doesn't understand the gesture. That entire mess with Yashiro--stupid as it was, silly, the man just couldn't do as he was told, or at least couldn't even properly refuse, going ahead and saying unnecessary things--has made him briefly forget that there are other people with proper manners...
The ice that had built up around him seems to crack slightly, and though he doesn't smile, his lips pull ever so subtly.]
...À ta santé, mon ami.
[That clink seems to settle something in his heart.]
[Ah, and what a satisfying clink it is...the sound of wineglasses coming together is one of the most comforting sounds around, as far as Sycamore is concerned! Particularly when the wine within them is excellent, as this one is.]
Parfait! I usually find Merlots overpowering, at times, but this is delightful! It goes down far too easily and I mean that as a compliment.
[He takes another sip before settling back against the couch, resting his wineglass on a knee and giving Joseph a warm look.]
A nice glass of wine can always make ones troubles feel a little smaller, no?
[Hmm...Sycamore is definitely starting to get a sense that an evening with someone definitely didn't go as Joseph planned tonight...bad date, maybe? But this level of anger feels more personal...
...well. Thoughts to be filed away.]
I do like Pinot Noir, but I'm not fussy. I love trying new things, so whatever you would like to have, I would love to have! That way I expand my horizons, no? Just like with this lovely Merlot.
[And it really is lovely! Dangerously so, really. He'll have to make sure he doesn't drink it too fast...]
As for the company, I think it's rather top-notch. I hope it is for you, now, as well.
[Since that seemed to be a bit of a sore point...]
I don't have a Pinot Noir...though--you asked about whites too, didn't you? I've a vin jaune I found in the store...It's labeled differently, but it's absolutely a vin jaune. I have a few others from that store that I haven't tried yet... so we can try them together, mm?
[He doesn't smile as easily when Augustine mentions company (he's not a fool, he knows that Augustine knows that he's upset over something like that), but he sighs heavily.]
It is, now. I am...glad you are here. This place, it is unbearably lonely sometimes.
[So many wines, so little time...he'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited by the prospect...]
At this rate, I won't be walking out of here! But that doesn't bother me; it's not often I get my own personal wine tasting session. Whatever you'd like to try, Joseph.
[Sycamore takes another sip of wine after that last comment, keeping his eyes on Joseph as he does. Lonely, was it...definitely a bad encounter with more than just an acquaintance.]
I do know what you mean, though. It's hard, having to completely rebuild your social circle! Sometimes we find a winner, other times we end up hurt.
[No prizes as to which scenario Sycamore believes Joseph has experienced...]
It's hard to want to keep trying, after that, but we must. What do you think...?
So many people are just...not worthwhile! You try to be nice to them, and they just throw it in your face!
[Joseph throws his head back against the couch, glaring up at the ceiling, pouting as he remembers Yashiro's mulish expression at the restaurant. Though...the way Sycamore says it...]
I did not have much of a social circle back where I am from, I admit.
[Ah...that's a quite the clue, isn't it? Seems like his intuition was right (as it usually is). Now, how to gently press the topic without upsetting Joseph...an interesting problem...]
Ah, but the size of the original is irrelevant, no? When we're all returned to zero, once we arrive. Other than the lucky few who end up with many people from home, of course.
[Seriously, how does that work? Anyway.]
Do you prefer to just have a few close friends, mon ami?
[That request (or command!) will be entertained; Sycamore takes the wine bottle and neatly refills Joseph's glass.]
You sound like you're having a bit of trouble with a certain person, mon ami, rather than most people.
[He also tops his own glass up (just a little bit!) and settles back into the couch, watching Joseph's reactions. This sort of discourse isn't unfamiliar to him - if anything, it sends a pang through his heart. Selfish and ungrateful people, is it....]
And I don't think you're an emotional fool. It's natural to feel upset if you are hurt, no? I'm certainly not judging you.
[It's a low, displeased rumble, as Joseph glares down at his wine.]
He likes to play all his games, and yet won't indulge me in mine. Who knew that he actually had a bloody sense of shame somewhere amidst all that perversion? Is it my fault for not knowing?
[THE FOOT STOMP....why is this man so cute? Thankfully Sycamore is able to control his expression enough to ensure those thoughts are not revealed, but still. Goodness.]
That sounds frightfully rude. You're right to be upset!
[He's also getting an...odd sense of déjà vu from that description? But surely it's nothing.]
Was this a lover of yours, then? If you don't mind me asking, of course.
Not... a lover, per se. An acquaintance. [Oh wait, Yashiro has the perfect term for it, didn’t he? ]
A... fuckbuddy, in his own words. [ Joseph gives a disdainful sniff to show how much he dislikes that term, how he disapproves of it, since he is not so crass.]
[Another stomp as Joseph shoots up straight, indignant.]
He just...! He comes insisting on rutting whenever he pleases, and he’s... he can almost be kind, when he wishes, despite being an impolite cad... but...! He is so ungrateful! what kind of man does not care for nice things??
[He hopes he ordered that wine just so he can choke on it! But he’d like that, wouldn’t he!]
[Ohhh boy...as expected, once Joseph got going, he didn't seem to have any intention to stop. Sycamore quickly wipes the smile off his face, replacing it with a more serious expression. Because this is a very serious conversation!]
What happened, mon ami?
[His voice is softer, more gentle, and he happily refills that wine glass.]
[...but! Sugar is sugar, and he does take a small bite; however, he wraps his hand around the cookie, with the expectation that Joseph will let it go.]
It's really good! Thank you. I'll have some more after I finish my wine.
[....now to wait and see if that was related to their discussion, or an attempt to change the subject.]
See! It was not so difficult--he had to act like a child...call me a child! He--I have fucked him several times now, and this is where he draws the line?!
[He drains his glass, perhaps a little too fast, slamming it down as if it were a shot at the bar.]
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Ah, my mistake! Forgive me. I definitely don't want to miss out on a wine you've selected.
[...
that's not just flattery, he genuinely doesn't]
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...But he ultimately returns to set the glass down in front of him, pouring the wine before sitting down again and picking his own glass back up.]
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It smells divine.
[Ah, but it would be impolite to go ahead and drink it without the appropriate ritual!]
Santé?
[He'll hold his glass out towards Joseph, still with a smile on his face; perhaps a more inquisitive look in his eye than before. Nevertheless, he doesn't force the gesture, and leaves it up to Joseph to clink their glasses together should he wish to do so.]
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The ice that had built up around him seems to crack slightly, and though he doesn't smile, his lips pull ever so subtly.]
...À ta santé, mon ami.
[That clink seems to settle something in his heart.]
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Parfait! I usually find Merlots overpowering, at times, but this is delightful! It goes down far too easily and I mean that as a compliment.
[He takes another sip before settling back against the couch, resting his wineglass on a knee and giving Joseph a warm look.]
A nice glass of wine can always make ones troubles feel a little smaller, no?
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[That is an extremely poisonous tone of voice he just used!
But a moment later, it goes back to normal as Joseph sighs.]
I am glad you like it. What kind do you prefer? Perhaps I have it...
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...well. Thoughts to be filed away.]
I do like Pinot Noir, but I'm not fussy. I love trying new things, so whatever you would like to have, I would love to have! That way I expand my horizons, no? Just like with this lovely Merlot.
[And it really is lovely! Dangerously so, really. He'll have to make sure he doesn't drink it too fast...]
As for the company, I think it's rather top-notch. I hope it is for you, now, as well.
[Since that seemed to be a bit of a sore point...]
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[He doesn't smile as easily when Augustine mentions company (he's not a fool, he knows that Augustine knows that he's upset over something like that), but he sighs heavily.]
It is, now. I am...glad you are here. This place, it is unbearably lonely sometimes.
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At this rate, I won't be walking out of here! But that doesn't bother me; it's not often I get my own personal wine tasting session. Whatever you'd like to try, Joseph.
[Sycamore takes another sip of wine after that last comment, keeping his eyes on Joseph as he does. Lonely, was it...definitely a bad encounter with more than just an acquaintance.]
I do know what you mean, though. It's hard, having to completely rebuild your social circle! Sometimes we find a winner, other times we end up hurt.
[No prizes as to which scenario Sycamore believes Joseph has experienced...]
It's hard to want to keep trying, after that, but we must. What do you think...?
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[Joseph throws his head back against the couch, glaring up at the ceiling, pouting as he remembers Yashiro's mulish expression at the restaurant. Though...the way Sycamore says it...]
I did not have much of a social circle back where I am from, I admit.
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Ah, but the size of the original is irrelevant, no? When we're all returned to zero, once we arrive. Other than the lucky few who end up with many people from home, of course.
[Seriously, how does that work? Anyway.]
Do you prefer to just have a few close friends, mon ami?
[That could explain the level of hurt...]
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[He holds out his glass this time, a silent request (or perhaps command?]
I...Honestly! Do not think me an emotional fool, Augustine! I know that not everyone is worthy of becoming...even an acquaintance! I just...
[Hmph!]
I despise people who cannot make up their damn minds.
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You sound like you're having a bit of trouble with a certain person, mon ami, rather than most people.
[He also tops his own glass up (just a little bit!) and settles back into the couch, watching Joseph's reactions. This sort of discourse isn't unfamiliar to him - if anything, it sends a pang through his heart. Selfish and ungrateful people, is it....]
And I don't think you're an emotional fool. It's natural to feel upset if you are hurt, no? I'm certainly not judging you.
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[It's a low, displeased rumble, as Joseph glares down at his wine.]
He likes to play all his games, and yet won't indulge me in mine. Who knew that he actually had a bloody sense of shame somewhere amidst all that perversion? Is it my fault for not knowing?
[He...stomps his foot a little.]
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That sounds frightfully rude. You're right to be upset!
[He's also getting an...odd sense of déjà vu from that description? But surely it's nothing.]
Was this a lover of yours, then? If you don't mind me asking, of course.
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A... fuckbuddy, in his own words.
[ Joseph gives a disdainful sniff to show how much he dislikes that term, how he disapproves of it, since he is not so crass.]
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So a friend that you sleep with is causing you pain, mon ami? I'm sorry to hear that. Did you have an argument...?
[Since he's talking about it now, it's probably safe to assume it's an alright topic. Whatever happened here...]
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[Another stomp as Joseph shoots up straight, indignant.]
He just...! He comes insisting on rutting whenever he pleases, and he’s... he can almost be kind, when he wishes, despite being an impolite cad... but...! He is so ungrateful! what kind of man does not care for nice things??
[He hopes he ordered that wine just so he can choke on it! But he’d like that, wouldn’t he!]
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(Look, someone has to have priorities, here!)]
He sounds truly dreadful!
[There's that déjà vu again...to be fair, surely that description would suit many people here in Lunatia, but....hmm. Hmmm.]
It sounds like you were quite generous. Was there a gift he did not like?
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[Joseph sighs, folding an arm around his midsection, holding his glass out to Sycamore for a refill.]
Perhaps to...to his credit, he told me he was poor company, but...
[His eyes narrow, his lips pressing together.]
He was not too bad, until... [His cheeks start to burn as he remembers. He was only being playful!]
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What happened, mon ami?
[His voice is softer, more gentle, and he happily refills that wine glass.]
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[It has a hard time coming out...and in the end, he can't say it, for how foolish he sounds. But--
He reaches out and grabs a cookie from the table instead, pressing it against Sycamore's lips, instead.]
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It's really good! Thank you. I'll have some more after I finish my wine.
[....now to wait and see if that was related to their discussion, or an attempt to change the subject.]
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[He drains his glass, perhaps a little too fast, slamming it down as if it were a shot at the bar.]
He had to humiliate me like that!
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