forum The Strangers in the Palace (Closed)(Fantasy)

Started October 31, 2021 by @LovelyRose

tune

Honey was enchanted by not only the way he spoke but what he was saying. He could easily picture Ari in a field of flowers, digging into dirt, pruning leaves, and basking in the sunshine after a hard day's work. The young man was alive in every way. He felt real and down-to-earth.

"I've never really had a garden, but that does sound cool." That wasn't the right word. Lovely was a better fit, but he didn't want to just parrot what his date had already said. "It seems like it'd be relaxing. Rewarding, too, I imagine. To physically see the fruits of your labor flourish before you."

He wanted to ask another question, but the waiter was back. They really had come at a good time, apparently. There weren't many people at the tables around them, and the food came out quickly. Then again, they had just ordered a charcuterie board, which didn't require much cooking. The waiter set the large wooden slab in front of them. He smirked when he saw the candle but left without making a comment.

The board held an elegantly arranged display of various meats, cheeses, crackers, some creamy-looking dip, fruit, and a small bowl of mixed nuts. Honey grinned when he saw it. He picked up a cracker, topped it with a square of pale cheese, and stuck it in his mouth. The taste was incredible. He had only sort of been joking when he'd said that he loved charcuterie boards. Experimenting with flavors was always so much fun.

"I know," Arquis sighed. He sat up and put his head in his hands. "This was what we planned for—to be gone a couple of weeks. But it has been over a week already, and we still have yet to hear anything. So much has happened since we left! I am just so afraid. It is nervewracking to be cut off. Muria could have hurt her or Marsiquia, and I would not know."

"Yes. I enjoy gardening for that reason. The, ah…the results of all the work are amazing to see." he smiled softly, and then reached to take some food once the charcuterie board had arrived, taking various pieces and putting them together, then taking a bite. It tasted delicious, and he closed his eyes for a moment. Honey had chosen well; this was delicious. He opened his eyes again after just a second, looking over at his date and watching as Honey chose various pieces from the board.

Rin sat up as well, wrapping an arm around their partner's shoulders. "I know, darling." he said softly. "If Muria did hurt them, it is not your fault." he wanted to make sure Arquis knew that, because they knew that his lover might blame himself for any bad things that could have happened to his sisters. "I am sure she will write to you as soon as she can."

Honey was making two whole grain crackers, a slice of salami, and some sweet-tasting cheese into a miniature sandwich. Before he popped it into his mouth, he dunked it into the dip. The taste of everything together was extraordinary. As he'd told his date the other night, this restaurant was so impressive that it'd changed his entire perspective towards food. They could even make something as simple and mundane as meat on a hunk of wood taste mindblowingly good.

He used a cloth napkin to wipe his face before turning to look at Ari. There was a playful smile on his face. He picked up a juicy-looking purple grape and held it to Ari's lips, clearly resisting the urge to laugh.

"Here. Take it as an apology for so rudely stealing your cider yesterday."

Arquis groaned and, in a single, fast motion, stood. "But it is my fault! I could have stayed with them. I could have done something! There had to have been another option." All of the fight bled from him. He sank to the floor and brought his knees to his chest. "They were so willing to protect me, and I abandoned them with her. My selfishness could lead to… could… she could, oh, no…"

They could be dead, or they could be worse. Muria was known for being clever, not for showing mercy.

Ari smirked faintly, parting his lips to take the grape. Once he had finished eating the grape, he shot Honey a grin. "Apology accepted." he said, laughing quietly. "Are you liking your food so far?" he hoped so; it seemed so, anyways. Honey seemed happy with the choices here, but Ari knew the young man was a good enough actor to fake happiness at this, and he dearly hoped Honey really was enjoying it as much as he seemed to be.

Rin stood as well, kneeling by Arquis's side when his partner sank to the ground. "Darling, lovely, it is not your fault. If you had stayed, you would have died. Darling, everything we've done here wouldn't have happened. Muria would have killed you, and maybe me too, just for knowing too much about everything that had happened."

Honey nodded rapidly, pointedly avoiding staring at Ari's lips, and scooped up a cheese cube. "Yeah! Definitely, yeah, it's great stuff. I know it's not, like, the fanciest thing in the world. Not even sure it counts as a meal. But I like messing around with food, y'know? Getting to decide what to eat and when. I don't know, it's silly. I just like flavors. Think that stuff is fascinating. Maybe someday I'll actually learn how to bake or something."

Arquis flinched. The last of the color in his already pale complexion had drained away. He looked ashen. His pupils were tiny pinpricks lost in the blue of his irises. He shuddered, sickened, almost as scared as he'd been in that carriage not too long ago. When his confession had nearly knocked him unconscious.

"You cannot die because of me," he whispered, horrified. "Promise me, my love, that you will not do anything to endanger yourself. If the situation does worsen as I fear it might, I need to know that you will be safe. If that means getting as far away from my family and I as possible, then so be it."

Ari smiled, nodding as he grabbed some more food, arranging them and taking a bite. "It's very good, whether or not it counts as a meal." he agreed, still smiling a little bit as he ate. The food was delicious, and he very much enjoyed it. He was just glad that Honey had been willing to do this with him. He did still need to get a present for him, though. He wasn't sure when or how he could do that, but he would make it happen somehow.

Rin bit his lip faintly, wrapping his arm around Arquis's shoulder. "Darling, can you take some deep breaths for me?" he asked softly, rubbing Arquis's back. "In and out, love." they could tell that Arquis was close to losing it or passing out, and they needed him to calm down. "In and out." he was just trying to soothe his lover.

Honey grinned at Ari just as the waiter returned to the table. He topped off their glasses with more fruit water, then took out his notepad. The blond raised a questioning brow as the man impatiently tapped his pencil to the page.

"Are you prepared to order an entree?" he asked. There was a sharp yet amused edge to his tone, as if he was thrilled by how irritating he found them.

"Oh, uh, right. We're just going to stick with this for now, but we might get something else later. It's a lot of food for two people."

"Yes," he replied, "you did order something that is customary for a whole dinner party. I hadn't assumed that you were on a date. My apologies. It's just so brave of you to go out in public together. Most would find it unnatural."

The way he said the word 'most' clearly revealed his stance on the subject. Honey went pink. He'd forgotten that The Cecilia Rouge was its own little world. Everyone who worked there was accepting, more or less. But Anvillea as a whole was different.

Arquis shook his head so hard that he saw stars and clutched at the front of his lover's shirt. "Rin, please, you are not listening!" he cried, shaking their arm off. His heart was beating frighteningly fast. "You must promise that you will not suffer for my sake. No matter what happens to me, you have to live on. You have to be alright! Do you understand?"

His frenzied speech was over, but it hadn't calmed him even a little. He had the look of a man possessed: deathly pale skin, wide, unblinking eyes, trembling hands.

"Please," he whispered, and there was a shake in his voice now, "I could not bear it, love. I could… I could not… please, I am so sorry, I…"

Ari cleared his throat loudly. "Perhaps most would, but I will thank you to keep your opinions to yourself." he said firmly. "Your opinions are yours, and my date and I would like to enjoy our time together. If you cannot do your job without spilling your personal opinions all over the place, then we must request a new waiter." he gave a polite, but firm smile, looking straight into the waiter's eyes.

Rin took a deep breath. "Darling. Breathe." he said again, taking deep breaths of his own in order to try and demonstrate it to his partner. "We will talk about this once you calm down, Arquis, but you need to breathe."

The waiter didn't break eye contact. If anything, he looked more smug than before, as if by speaking up Ari had confirmed some suspicion. He shrugged and slipped the notepad into his pocket, then clipped the pen on his shirt.

"Well, there's no need to be dramatic. It would be a shame if things were to escalate and we had to remove you and your date from the premises. We certainly wouldn't want that." He started to walk away, then paused, casting an icy glance over at the pair. "Feel free to call me over if you need your bill."

That was as much a sign to leave as any, but Honey stayed at the table. The few stragglers dining around them were staring their way. He flushed nervously and kept his head down until everyone seemed to move on. It wasn't as if he was embarrassed of being seen with Ari or of his identity. If he was that self-conscious, then he wouldn't have worn such an eye-catching dress. His issue was that this was supposed to be a safe, nice place for them, and it had rapidly turned hostile.

"Sorry about that. I swear it hasn't happened before. Not here, at least." He sighed, then smiled, feeling a burst of warmth in his chest. "You handled that awfully well, stranger. Not gonna lie, it was kinda hot."

Arquis cried out in frustration and turned his face away from his partner. They weren't listening to him at all. They didn't understand, and he couldn't seem to make him. It wasn't his fault. He was panicking. Words flooded out in jumbled streams made almost inaudible due to his lack of oxygen. There was a pressure building behind his temples that was worsened by his pounding pulse. The corners of his vision were starting to go spotty, and the room was starting to rock and sway before him. The dizziness was going to drive him mad. He closed his eyes, but that didn't make it much better.

"I- I- please-” he gasped. His body tipped forward, and his head hit his lover's chest. He really was trying to breathe now, but it wasn't working, which only made the panic worse. His hands fumbled and tore at the collar of his shirt, but he couldn't seem to loosen it. "Cannot, please-”

Ari pointedly ignored the waiter, his attention back on Honey. "It's alright, and thank you." he replied, giving Honey a soft smile. "Though we will not be leaving him a tip." if the waiter could not be professional enough to do his job without being an ass about it, then Ari saw no reason to give him any sort of tip. He grabbed some more food, taking a bite.

Rin wrapped his arms around Arquis again, squeezing him gently to try and calm him. "Shh, it's alright. Stop talking, just breathe." he whispered, rubbing Arquis's shoulders soothingly. "Breathe, darling. Count. One, two, three. In, one two three. Out, one two three. In, one, two, three. Out, one two three." he hoped this was working.

Honey grinned. It was the crooked, authentic sort of grin that meant he was genuinely happy. Some of his smiles were for show—to look pretty and passive, even if he was doing poorly—but this one was real. He took a cracker, dipped it, and nibbled along the edge.

"Probably shouldn't stay for dessert, either. That's okay. Their ice cream is only subpar compared to some of the other vendors in town. You'll see what I mean. Some of the stuff they do with it is just incredible. It's like an art. Oh!" He lit up. The candle's flame couldn't outshine his glowing excitement. "There's this one place that puts sparklers in their stuff! Like, actually wedged in between the cone and the ice cream! Those tiny firework things! It's completely unnecessary but very, very cool. And there's another place that mixes these, uh, ribbons of caramel in chocolate in, and then they cover it with graham cracker crumbs!"

Arquis tried his best to follow their instructions. It was really hard to hear him at all. This was worse than just spiraling. He could see the hallway stretched in front of him, taste the cold air, hear the silence and his footsteps and the laughter, feel his mouth go dry and his hands shake. It was as if it was happening in the present.

He couldn't go through it again.

He took one ragged, shallow breath, pulled away slightly from his partner with the last of his strength, and cupped his cheek. Then, he went limp. His hand slipped from their face and hit his lap, and the rest of him was soon to follow. His shoulder ended up on his thigh; his forehead was pressed to their stomach. If he hadn't been awake just seconds prior, it would've looked like he was sleeping. He only stayed like that for about twenty seconds—fainting spells never lasted for very long—but even when he woke, he wasn't fully recovered. His eyelashes fluttered as he stirred, his breathing still a little uneven.

"Mm. Love?" he whispered.

He nodded a little, smiling at Honey's descriptions of all the desserts. "It sounds delicious. We'll go there for dessert, then." he replied. "So whenever we're done eating, I'll get the check, and we can go." he had rather assumed he would be getting the check; he had more money than Honey did, and this date had kind of been his idea to begin with, too. So, he would grab the check. It wasn't a problem.

Rin's eyes widened as he realized Arquis had passed out, but didn't move, staying beside his lover. "Darling, don't move too much." he said softly, once he realized Arquis was awake again. "Just…just stay like that, okay?"

Honey's brows shot up. "Sorry, what? You're paying? That's not how this works, handsome. We split it fifty-fifty. Nothing more, nothing less."

The blond didn't have that much money, despite having saved for years. Outfits—at least the ones he bought, many were given to him—and medicine cost coin, as did supplies for Sugar. Just because he didn't have an abundance, however, didn't mean he wasn't going to pay his part. This was supposed to be an equal meal between equal partners.

"I… what?" Arquis mumbled groggily. He was still so out of it that he couldn't recall what had happened. For all he knew, they were in bed, and it was morning. Though he didn't feel all that great. There was a ringing in his ears, his throat was a little raw, and his head felt like someone had crammed it full of thick cotton. He tried to move out of their lap, but he felt so rubbery and disoriented that he couldn't do much but roll over.

"Why are we on the floor?" he slurred. There was a light, almost dreamlike quality to his voice, though that was beginning to fade. The more conscious he became, the more he was starting to remember. His breath hitched faintly. "Oh. I had a fit, I… I must have…"

Ari blinked. "But I can afford it. I don't mind doing it." he replied. "And I wouldn't hold it against you if I was the only one paying." he didn't know if maybe people had used that against Honey in the past; an "I paid for your dinner, now you repay me" sort of thing, but that wasn't what Ari was going to do. He just figured that since he had more money, he should pay. It was the right thing to do.

Rin didn't know what to do, just reaching over to hold onto his lover. "You couldn't breathe and you passed out." they said softly, studying Arquis. "I didn't…I wasn't sure what to do." he swallowed softly, shaking his head very faintly. "You were panicking about your sisters and Muria, and I couldn't…I couldn't get you to calm down."

Honey didn't want to make Ari uncomfortable, but if he was being honest, he really couldn't let him pay the whole thing. It wasn't a point of pride. There had been so many men who'd used buying things as leverage, like those that had brung him roses. He'd said it to Arquis at some point. People that had money thought they could buy people like him. He wasn't going to sell himself anymore. Ari had said that he wasn't going to hold it against him, but that didn't mean he wouldn't change his mind. This was a precaution.

"Nah. Sorry. Real sweet of you to offer, but we gotta split it," he insisted, then smiled. His dimples showed. "C'mon, if we argue about it for too much longer, we're not gonna have time to get any ice cream."

Arquis groaned and shifted. So that was what had happened. All of it was coming back now. Everything had gone downhill so quickly. Just thinking about it hurt. He rubbed his temple, then his slightly sore chest. Being somewhat deprived of air had done a number on his lungs, which already weren't in the best of shape.

"I should not have gotten so worked up. These fits of mine come on so fast." He sighed and tried for a smile. It didn't stick. "Apologies, love. I… I did not mean to startle you. What I was saying was important, but I should have listened to you. I suppose it also does not help that… that this is something I have been bottling up. The more time passes, the more anxious I become. But that is a subject for another time. Are you alright? Have I upset you?”

Ari sighed faintly, but nodded. "Fine. But will you at least let me take the bulk of the bill? I can afford it." he didn't want to bring up money, since he knew Honey didn't really like the nobility, but he still wanted to pay for as much of the meal as possible. He could afford it, he really could, and he knew Honey probably didn't have a large cash flow (if any). And he silently decided to pay for the ice cream himself, without Honey paying for it at all.

"It's alright, darling." he said softly, kissing Arquis's forehead. "And I'm fine. I was just worried about you." he gave his partner a soft smile, rubbing Arquis's back gently. "I know this was an imprtant subject, and we will talk about it, but not tonight. I don't want to work you up again and have this happen again."

Honey was stubborn. Everyone who knew him well knew this fact. Even people who weren't that close to him, like Divinity, who held a grudge whose origin he didn't really understand, knew of his stubbornness. If he made up his mind about something, he wasn't going to change it easily. He cocked a brow at Ari.

"I can afford it, too, y'know. Just 'cause I used to be some poor kid on the streets doesn't mean I am anymore. I wouldn't have suggested a place if I couldn't afford to eat there."

Arquis nodded. Swallowed hard. "That is a wise idea. I am in no condition to discuss the matter. I feel so poorly, and," his voice wobbled, "I really just need you right now, love. Like this."

He moved further into his lap and looped an arm around their shoulders. Then, he tugged his partner close, burying his face in his shirt. The familiar smell of them was calming. He drew in a ragged, emotional breath, as if he'd been mortally wounded, but didn't say anything for a long time. Words had failed him once already. He didn't want to repeat himself or do anything that could send him down that same thought path. Fainting once was bad enough. Fainting twice or more could actually be unhealthy. There was only so much hyperventilation one could take before they did real harm to themself.

Once he felt a bit more steady, he touched his partner's side and whispered, "Can we move to the bed?"

"I know you can." Ari said calmly. "It's just that this was my idea, and I have, ah…a bit more money than you do." to put it delicately, anyways. "So I would like to cover the majority of the bill." he wasn't being pushy about this, and his tone was soft and gentle. He didn't want to upset Honey, he really didn't, he just felt that it would be better if he could cover more of the bill. "Please let me do this for you?" he knew that maybe this was insecurity, but it was really okay. Ari didn't mind paying for his date.

Rin just held him close, rocking very slightly as he tried ot help soothe Arquis. "I've got you, darling." he whispered, then nodded in response to Arquis's question. "We can." he stood, lifting Arquis with him and then helping Arquis over to the bed. He wasn't sure how much support and assistance Arquis needed, but whatever he needed, Rin provided.

Honey was starting to get hotheaded. This was bothering him more than it should have, and he realized that. The candle's flame flickered as he exhaled and smiled. Ari clearly wasn't trying to create an imbalance. He just wanted to do the nice thing and pay for his date's meal. The blond was a touch jealous of his apparently well-off economic status, but he accepted his offer with a nod.

"Fine. But I'm paying for ice cream, alright? If you're gonna pay most of this, then it's only fair that I do something in return."

Arquis clung tightly to Rin as they shuffled to the bed. His head still throbbed painfully, and the dizziness had only somewhat subsided. He assumed it'd be a while until he was fully recovered. Passing out tended to massively disorient him, and he'd probably have to rest for another hour or so before achieving a decent enough state to do anything. He still very much wished to go explore the village with his lover, but it would just have to wait until later in the afternoon.

"My heart," he murmured, pulling Rin down onto the mattress with him. "You take such good care of me. Come here. Let me hold you."

Ari hesitated for a moment. "Fine." he replied, nodding slightly. "You'll pay for the ice cream, if you are so adamant about it." he ran a hand through his hair, shrugging his shoulders for a moment. "But you don't need to, Honey." he gave the blond a soft, quick little smile, before taking a little bit more food to eat.

Rin lay down beside Arquis, kissing his cheek softly. "Mm." he gave a little smile, wrapping his arms around Arquis. "You worried me, my darling." he said in a soft tone. "I wasn't sure what to do to help you."

"I am. I'm very adamant." Honey reached and grabbed a handful of mixed nuts, which he started to pop one-by-one into his mouth. "Enough money talk. I wanna hear more about you. You know what my family's like—no parents and one sister. No surprise siblings or kids or nephews or anything like that. What about you? I wanna know more about your life in Kevra."

"I know. My apologies, love. That does not happen often, but when it does, it is probably very frightening." Arquis kissed the soft hollow of his lover's throat. "I have learned some tips over the years to mitigate potential damage. If I were standing and such a thing occurred, for example, then I could hit my head. Staying on the floor is always smart, as is getting to a private space. Having an audience only makes the panic more severe, which will increase the odds of fainting."

There wasn't much they could do in terms of reducing the panic itself. If it was a mild episode, then he could be talked down and reassured, but severe attacks like that one were difficult. The best anyone could do was prepare for the worst and plan to reduce negative after effects.

He smiled, still a little dazed. “I usually go through those fits alone. As scary as they are, it is kind of nice to know that there is someone looking out for me.”

"I have a younger brother and a younger sister, and my parents are still married." he replied with a slight shrug. "I don't have any pets, though, at this point in time." he wasn't quite sure what else to say. Plus, he couldn't remember if Honey knew that Ari was a noble, and he just wasn't sure what to do. He really wasn't. If Honey knew, would it change his opinion about Ari? He let out a soft breath, brows gathering for a moment as he considered the dilemma.

Rin nodded slightly. "Alright." he said softly. "It was just worrying when you wouldn't breathe and you passed out…" they trailed off, shaking his head a little bit and curling closer to Arquis, a faint frown tugging at his mouth. "I'm glad I could be here for you, though."

(I genuinely can't remember if Honey knows about Ari's nobility so I'm going to say no)

Honey noticed Ari's subtle change of expression and reached over. His palm came to rest on the back of his hand. He ran his thumb along his knuckles in what he hoped was a soothing fashion.

"Listen, you don't gotta talk about it if you don't wanna, but it seems like something's bothering you. Is it the pet thing? Did you, um, used to have one, and it maybe…” he trailed off with a sympathetic frown. Losing Sugar would be devastating, though he knew it'd happen someday. "If that's the case, I'm real sorry, stranger. That sorta loss isn't easy."

Arquis ran his thumb along Rin's lower lip. "I truly am sorry, love. I know that it is tough, seeing me in such a way. Trust me when I say that I would avoid it if I could." He clutched at the nearest blanket and pulled it over his eyes. That headache was lingering, but that wasn't the reason why he did it. He just didn't want to look at them when he spoke. "And… and sometimes it has to do with… ah, with my issue. I believe that it occasionally heightens my anxiety."

(me either lol)

Ari cleared his throat faintly. "Yes, I did, but that was a while ago and it doesn't bother me anymore." he replied, slow and careful. "I'm alright, Honey. It is only that there are some things that I do not know that I can share." what if he said something that endangered Rin? He didn't know what Rin had told Arquis and Honey, if anything, and he didn't want to cast doubt onto his friend. That could backfire on the both of them in unpleasant ways.

He looked down at their hands, not pulling away from the soft, gentle touch. He didn't really want to pull away, if he was being honest.

Rin snuggled closer to Arquis. "I know. I'm sorry about that, my darling, I truly am." he said in a soft tone. "And I am not upset with you about any of it. I know you can't help it." he gently pulled the blanket down so that he could kiss Arquis's cheek. "Please don't think that I am upset with you."

(the moment Arquis eventually finds out about Rin is going to so interesting, I don't know how he's going to react)

The blond tilted his head, curious but not willing to force Ari to speak. After all, there were things he'd kept hidden as well. The other man didn't know all of the details about the massive debt he'd accrued before coming to The Cecilia Rouge. He didn't know how bad it had truly gotten, or why it had escalated in the first place. It ran deeper than simply money troubles. Men got hurt because they were low on coin and couldn't make a payment, certainly, but the broken ankle Honey had ended up with had been personal. And Ari didn't need to know stuff like that. He had a past. Everyone did. Not all of it needed to come to the light.

"Aw, that's okay. Don't gotta share anything you don't wanna. I won't mind." He gave Ari's hand a squeeze. "Tell you what. Finish eating, then we can just leave the money on the table, get outta dodge, and make our way to get some dessert. On the way, you can decide whether or not you wanna talk about it. Does that sound good?"

"I know that you are not. Or, I am trying to know that, it is just difficult," Arquis murmured. His brow looked pinched. "I am so used to always doing the wrong thing. Having the wrong attitude. Being the wrong person. I expect punishment before I expect love. That is changing, of course, but still. Old dogs take a long while before they can learn a new trick."