-gently slips an arm under the smaller man, scooping him up under his knees, taking his place on the couch & settling him comfortably into his chest as he reclines.

“I rather thought you liked my voice,” he teased softly. Arms circle his waist, one hand brushing knuckles up & down his spine.

Aymeric smiled softly, watching him stalk away on silent paws, studying the way his ears pin or relax.

The question has him moving forward, taking it as Blue preferring, mayhaps even [ hoping ] he would shut up and stay.

With all the same ease that allows him such graceful handling of Naegling he—

-would you do me the honor of sharing your latest tales? Help a tired old quill quibbler evade work for a bit.”

He gestures to a door behind & to the side of his desk, leading to a study he often spent the night in or retreated to when he had a moment. Just a small library with a couch & hearth.

-closing the folder he’d had open on his desk.

“No, that’s quite enough of that,” he tuts, at them & at himself. “You, my friend, have done more than enough without further embroiling yourself in age old political fiascos.” He stands, cup in one hand, his other arm offered politely.

“Instead, —

Eyes narrow with a spark of mirth at the way their fur bristles at him, voice softening further as he cups mug in both hands, warming his palms around it.

“With the reforms to the outdated caste system, there are various small but pressing…” his voice trails off as he stops himself, sighing & —

-quickly swiped & dabbed at the ink, looking appropriately mortified. He was trying so hard not to devolve into sniggering & chortling.

“Alright… I concede, I think it may be time to throw in the towel. Fury preserve me what a mess I must seem…”

-his overtired brain seemed to lag on processing just what he was being told.

“You’re joking,” he hissed softly, the tips of his long ears turning a charming shade of bright coral as he took the offered aid quickly, turning to the eatery’s frosted window to try & catch a glimpse of the mess.

He-

There’s the smallest moment where he gives Haurchefant a [ look ] over the rim of his mug. Obvious indeed, it seems. Still, his expression is full of humor, & he can hardly deny the soothing tea’s effectiveness.

All that is forgotten though, looking at the handkerchief for a long second, two, as—

-blue kerchief.

“We can’t have the gentle folk panicked or concerned over your appearance. Might I suggest the Forgotten Knight? The rooms go for fair rates, & each has a washroom.”

In other words, he was [ politely ] requesting the other did not cause a stir in his city.

The Lord Commander kept that friendly smile, eyes cool & blue as a wintry sky as they roved over him. Clearly assessing everything about the Knight with a critical & keen eye.

“So I see,” he hummed, gaze falling away as he rummaged in a breast pocket under his regalia to pluck out a simple navy—

-saddle you with my pacing & babbling.”

Thumbs gently rub circles over his temples as his expression softens.

“I only ask that in future you let me know in gentler a tone, hm? I would never dare use such a tone with you after all.”

-last second. Brushing his hair back & stroking over his ears once in a soft soothing motion just the once.

“Forgive me,” he rumbles in that honeyed voice, only barely above a whisper, meant only for those sharp ears.

“I was lost in my own head & rambled on horribly didn’t I? I did not mean to—

He tried, he really did, to keep that stern look & steely edge to his voice.

But Fury take him, the little Miqo’te, so full of bluster yet trying so hard to reign in that temper of his when checked…

Large hands come up as if he wanted to hold that adorable, round face but he changes course at the—

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[[ …touché. ]]

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[[ absolutely this! I love seeing so many different interpretations of the same characters. It opens up dialogue & reveals facets we hadn’t even considered before! It’s very fun. ]]

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[[ from what I recall it was that I had used the popular Japanese ‘Y’ term for how he could come across in those situations, & a select group of people took issue with my ‘romanticizing’ the toxic behavior. But it’s always valid to curate one’s space & keep their TLs unproblematic 💚 ]]

-stopping just before the irritable Miqo'te, expression between chiding & amusement.

"Would you like to run that request by me once more, my dear?" His voice is as gentle & pleasant as ever, but there's an underlying edge of steel to his tone, clearly displeased.

-slightest attention.

Still, that [ tone ] is met with a stormy look of surprise, shoulders ridged as eyes narrow just slight.

Not at all above taking Blue to task for his rude outburst, but understanding that he had been rather... unmindful.

Wordlessly he takes slow, graceful strides over,--

Aymeric paused in his pacing, nearly wearing a line into the hardwood floors of his cozy study. He had been idly rambling to himself over policies that needed approving & the frustrations of mundane everyday work.

He hadn't thought for a moment his little blue intruder had been paying even the--