[ Since Percival's not looking, Cain takes his time studying Percival's back. He smiles at Percival's huffiness, fond, very amused. He's too curious to just let the subject drop, but he can still appreciate the way Percival's so terribly dishonest about his own feelings.
More gently, he leans against the railing beside Percival, nudging at Percival's elbow with his own. ]
[ His intention was to take a few moments to gather his thoughts alone, but since that doesn't seem to be happening, Percival settles for a few moments of silence between them.
Finally, he looks over when Cain nudges him, relieved that Cain has dropped the act for now. Maybe he can even find amusement in all of this. Just a little. ]
This is a terrible spot for that. We should relocate.
[ Because of the trees, yes, but Cain's not quite willing to let Percival get away with this so easily. His curiosity is still burning at him, not to be brushed aside so easily.
He's not going to let Percival forget the cause of this whole thing.
Cain tips his head back to look Percival in the eyes, impish. ]
You already took my cloak, what more do you want? I refuse to be your servant and bring you a hot drink.
[ Besides, he has an inkling of what Cain is getting at, and if Percival can't give him a good explanation for his oddity tonight, the least he can do is oblige with this.
Besides, he wants to. It always comes back to this simple fact: he wants to be close to him.
He wraps one arm around Cain's waist, bringing him closer and then shifting so that Cain stands before him. Now, he can wrap both arms around him, looping them over his shoulders. ]
[ Cain freezes for a startled second — he'd been angling to steer the conversation back to his clothes, not to get a hug. He relaxes a moment later, though. Now that he's being hugged, it's hardly objectionable, and Cain tilts his head back onto Percival's shoulder with a surprised little laugh.
He is much warmer this way. ]
What about the moonshower?
[ His "new" clothes fade away, returning him to his suit. The glitter, after all, is only temporary. Still, Cain doesn't move away even with his pretense vanished. ]
[ At least he can finally admit that he doesn't actually know himself.
He doesn't make a further move, satisfied to linger just a few seconds longer. The view from this spot really is shit, since all they can see is branches and slivers of moonlight, but he's not really paying that much thought. ]
[ Laughter in Cain's voice, a little teasing. He wants Percival to enjoy himself at the party, to have a good night, but he can't let this go so easily. Not when the moonshower was so obviously an excuse to cover up Percival's flustered feelings.
Cain shifts, going up on his tiptoes, balancing on the balcony's railing. It's a precarious position, maybe. If he leans over much more, he might tip over and fall. Maybe. ]
Weren't you the one with the grand plans to see it...?
[ The words are accompanied by a sunny smile, directed at Percival as he tips his head back, not looking where he's going — letting Percival pull him along, trusting that Percival will lead him safely.
Really, Cain gets it. What Percival does is far more important than what Percicval says. As long as he's being kept close, it's fairly obvious that Percival wants his company, no matter how irritated Percival seems by his antics. ]
Is that what you think? If that means you plummet to an early grave sooner, you can keep fooling yourself.
[ He gives Cain a brief sidelong glance before he's pulled the both of them towards where most of the guests seem to be congregating. Surely, the crowd would eventually show them the way.
That line of thinking is right, at least, but by the time they've gotten there, the ideal spot for a clear, unobstructed view of Thesa has already gathered a sizable crowd. ]
[ Cain follows along, towed behind Percival by that grip on his wrist. It feels oddly like being led, though he won't mention that to Percival; he's sure Percival would bluster and grump and refuse to touch him for the rest of the evening, and this sort of casual familiarity is too pleasant for him to ruin it for the whole night.
Idly, Cain goes up on his tiptoes a little, trying to see over the heads of everyone who got to a real viewing spot before them. Hmm, he's just a little too short to see clearly... ]
[ Though by the time he says this, it's pretty damn difficult to make their way to any part of the balcony's edge.
The're also unlucky enough to be right behind nothing but apparent giants. Percival can barely see himself, and he notices that Cain is struggling more. ]
We should have gotten here much sooner. [ hindsight ]
Perhaps, but the view from the other terrace was worth seeing.
[ No answer for Percival's question, mostly because Cain would take that risk, his faith that Percival would catch him that strong that it doesn't need a verbal affirmation.
And besides, he doesn't really mind that he can't see. Having that moment on the other balcony where he got to tease Percival some is more than worth not being able to see the show now. He shares the blame for making them late, even if it's not entirely his fault. ]
[ The question comes with another sidelong glance from Percival's direction. Percival looks around at their sides. Others have already found an easy solution to their smaller companions not being able to see, and it's so obvious, but also very...
He hesitates for a long moment, but upon noting that Cain would likely have to stand on his toes for the rest of the evening, finally makes the offer. ]
I'm going to lift you, so that I won't have to hear you complaining about not being able to see the show for the rest of the week.
[ This is, of course, the only reason why. He's already beginning to lean down. the things i google ]
Cain blinks at Percival, then blinks again. He's... not entirely sure he heard that correctly? ]
You'll lift me?
[ Is there something in Feendrache where they train all the knights to pick people up willy nilly? Between Percival and Vane, it certainly seems so... Though at least Percival is asking rather than just scooping him up.
After a moment, Cain shakes his head, laughing softly. He's charmed once again by the way Percival couches his kindness in excuses, blaming complaints that Cain has no intention of making. ]
Well, I can't turn down such a kind offer. And for the record, I'm not mocking you.
[ He doesn't address the rest of Cain's statement, because it just reminds him of what caused the proclamation of a "great view" at the previous balcony they were at.
He's already guiding Cain so that he can launch himself off his knees. He's... never lifted another adult in this way, for this purpose, but he has plenty of confidence in his strength to pull it off. ]
[ He's laughing, too, as he braces himself, grabbing at a nearby bit of convenient architecture to pull himself up instead of using Percival as a vault. It takes a bit of wiggling, but soon enough he's on Percival's shoulders, legs hanging down against Percival's chest. Cain very cheerfully gives Percival's head an approving pat. ]
[ It's a bit of a struggle given that he's never done this before, but soon enough, he's able to get a good balance of Cain's weight on his shoulders, and he stands up straight again. It feels slightly less embarrassing to partake in this since they're surrounded by people with the same idea on all sides. ]
I'm hardly a giant. You're just short enough that Thesa doesn't want your company. [ He's a good height, he'd like to think, but it seems like Cain really just got poor fate tonight, so he's cracking a bad joke. His eyes widen when the glow of Thesa shines brighter, signaling the start to the annual display. ]
[ Percival's strength of a knight is proved in the steadiness of his stance even with Cain balanced on his shoulders. Cain barely needs to brace himself for balance as Percival straightens, and instead he keeps his hand lightly on Percival's head, tilting his own head up to stare up at the "moon" as it comes into view over the throng of people. (Well, not that it had been quite out of sight, but he will admit that with the addition of Percival's height, it's now a much, much better view.)
He kicks a little at Percival's chest, just enough to bump his heel, in retalation for being called short — short, he's not short, he's just... compact! — but even that minor annoyance can't survive in the face of the impressive sight in the sky. ]
It must be. [ His voice is low, and he gives Percival's hair a warning tug; they're not to speak of such things where the natives might overhear, after all. ] It really is amazing, seeing the moon so bright like this. It's beautiful.
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[ Since Percival's not looking, Cain takes his time studying Percival's back. He smiles at Percival's huffiness, fond, very amused. He's too curious to just let the subject drop, but he can still appreciate the way Percival's so terribly dishonest about his own feelings.
More gently, he leans against the railing beside Percival, nudging at Percival's elbow with his own. ]
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Finally, he looks over when Cain nudges him, relieved that Cain has dropped the act for now. Maybe he can even find amusement in all of this. Just a little. ]
This is a terrible spot for that. We should relocate.
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[ Because of the trees, yes, but Cain's not quite willing to let Percival get away with this so easily. His curiosity is still burning at him, not to be brushed aside so easily.
He's not going to let Percival forget the cause of this whole thing.
Cain tips his head back to look Percival in the eyes, impish. ]
I'm still a little chilly.
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[ Besides, he has an inkling of what Cain is getting at, and if Percival can't give him a good explanation for his oddity tonight, the least he can do is oblige with this.
Besides, he wants to. It always comes back to this simple fact: he wants to be close to him.
He wraps one arm around Cain's waist, bringing him closer and then shifting so that Cain stands before him. Now, he can wrap both arms around him, looping them over his shoulders. ]
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He is much warmer this way. ]
What about the moonshower?
[ His "new" clothes fade away, returning him to his suit. The glitter, after all, is only temporary. Still, Cain doesn't move away even with his pretense vanished. ]
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[ At least he can finally admit that he doesn't actually know himself.
He doesn't make a further move, satisfied to linger just a few seconds longer. The view from this spot really is shit, since all they can see is branches and slivers of moonlight, but he's not really paying that much thought. ]
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[ Laughter in Cain's voice, a little teasing. He wants Percival to enjoy himself at the party, to have a good night, but he can't let this go so easily. Not when the moonshower was so obviously an excuse to cover up Percival's flustered feelings.
Cain shifts, going up on his tiptoes, balancing on the balcony's railing. It's a precarious position, maybe. If he leans over much more, he might tip over and fall. Maybe. ]
Weren't you the one with the grand plans to see it...?
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[ No thanks. Percival "No fun" of Wales reaches forward to firmly grip Cain's shoulders and pull him back to the safety of the balcony. ]
I'm going to look for a better vantage point. [ The implication being that he wants Cain to join him, which is only conveyed with a pull of his arm. ]
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[ The words are accompanied by a sunny smile, directed at Percival as he tips his head back, not looking where he's going — letting Percival pull him along, trusting that Percival will lead him safely.
Really, Cain gets it. What Percival does is far more important than what Percicval says. As long as he's being kept close, it's fairly obvious that Percival wants his company, no matter how irritated Percival seems by his antics. ]
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[ He gives Cain a brief sidelong glance before he's pulled the both of them towards where most of the guests seem to be congregating. Surely, the crowd would eventually show them the way.
That line of thinking is right, at least, but by the time they've gotten there, the ideal spot for a clear, unobstructed view of Thesa has already gathered a sizable crowd. ]
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Idly, Cain goes up on his tiptoes a little, trying to see over the heads of everyone who got to a real viewing spot before them. Hmm, he's just a little too short to see clearly... ]
Ah, you mean you wouldn't catch me?
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[ Though by the time he says this, it's pretty damn difficult to make their way to any part of the balcony's edge.
The're also unlucky enough to be right behind nothing but apparent giants. Percival can barely see himself, and he notices that Cain is struggling more. ]
We should have gotten here much sooner. [ hindsight ]
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[ No answer for Percival's question, mostly because Cain would take that risk, his faith that Percival would catch him that strong that it doesn't need a verbal affirmation.
And besides, he doesn't really mind that he can't see. Having that moment on the other balcony where he got to tease Percival some is more than worth not being able to see the show now. He shares the blame for making them late, even if it's not entirely his fault. ]
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[ The question comes with another sidelong glance from Percival's direction. Percival looks around at their sides. Others have already found an easy solution to their smaller companions not being able to see, and it's so obvious, but also very...
He hesitates for a long moment, but upon noting that Cain would likely have to stand on his toes for the rest of the evening, finally makes the offer. ]
I'm going to lift you, so that I won't have to hear you complaining about not being able to see the show for the rest of the week.
[ This is, of course, the only reason why. He's already beginning to lean down. the things i google ]
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Cain blinks at Percival, then blinks again. He's... not entirely sure he heard that correctly? ]
You'll lift me?
[ Is there something in Feendrache where they train all the knights to pick people up willy nilly? Between Percival and Vane, it certainly seems so... Though at least Percival is asking rather than just scooping him up.
After a moment, Cain shakes his head, laughing softly. He's charmed once again by the way Percival couches his kindness in excuses, blaming complaints that Cain has no intention of making. ]
Well, I can't turn down such a kind offer. And for the record, I'm not mocking you.
that icon slays me
[ He doesn't address the rest of Cain's statement, because it just reminds him of what caused the proclamation of a "great view" at the previous balcony they were at.
He's already guiding Cain so that he can launch himself off his knees. He's... never lifted another adult in this way, for this purpose, but he has plenty of confidence in his strength to pull it off. ]
Move faster, it's starting.
it's bad
[ He's laughing, too, as he braces himself, grabbing at a nearby bit of convenient architecture to pull himself up instead of using Percival as a vault. It takes a bit of wiggling, but soon enough he's on Percival's shoulders, legs hanging down against Percival's chest. Cain very cheerfully gives Percival's head an approving pat. ]
There. You're kind of a giant, aren't you?
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I'm hardly a giant. You're just short enough that Thesa doesn't want your company. [ He's a good height, he'd like to think, but it seems like Cain really just got poor fate tonight, so he's cracking a bad joke. His eyes widen when the glow of Thesa shines brighter, signaling the start to the annual display. ]
Is that really the station?
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He kicks a little at Percival's chest, just enough to bump his heel, in retalation for being called short — short, he's not short, he's just... compact! — but even that minor annoyance can't survive in the face of the impressive sight in the sky. ]
It must be. [ His voice is low, and he gives Percival's hair a warning tug; they're not to speak of such things where the natives might overhear, after all. ] It really is amazing, seeing the moon so bright like this. It's beautiful.
[ The moon sure is beautiful tonight, huh? ]