jesterlies | OPEN POST 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

[His feathers seem to fluff up with that praise. Oh, the Headmaster, the Heir of Death, he is a simple creature, actually.]

[His teeth appear fine, if a little sharper than a normal Vampire's should be, all in all he looks like a very healthy dead lizard.]

Truly?

[He leans his arms on his knees so he can cradle his head on them and give him a sly look.]

May I choose?

Only if you promise to brush your teeth after.

[ THAT is a tease, because the way Maverick gives him such a sly look is flustering him. Oh what does his friend have in that cunning, goblin little mind of his.

He stops shaking the tail tip and merely holds it, examining the weight in his hand a little. Tilts his head and gives Maverick a little look, an amused smile on his face.

What do you have planned, you creature.

Please stop looking at him like that or he's going to melt into the floor and disappear from the spire. ]

[Oh.]

[Oh, that one almost took him out. The only hint of which is the feathers bristling and his tail going still while he thinks that over. That was a tease- that was incredibly overt, wasn't? Is this dance foolish?]

[Is he being foolish?]

[Perhaps, but like with anything, his desire to know what will happen wins out in the end. His tail curls around Percy's arm and pulls him forward into Maverick so he can cup his face and plant a ...somewhat messy but delighted kiss on his lips.]

[He's already spilled one terrible secret, he may as well spill the other!]

[ The feathers bristle and the tail goes still, and Percy wonders if he went too far. The teasing from earlier and the way Maverick was looking at him had seemed flirty and teasing, so he had thought-

Did he... did he mess up?

Before he can fret and worry too hard, perhaps go to apologize for saying something so uncouth and downright naughty, Maverick is pulling him in with his tail and cupping his face and ah...

Percy pauses in surprise, eyes widening behind his glasses briefly, before he sighs through his nose and returns the kiss the best he can. It's unpracticed and messy, but just as delighted as Mavericks. His free hand goes to the exam table to brace himself so he can lean in a little closer, trying not to smile as he returns the kiss enthusiastically.

Which is very difficult because he wants to smile so widely and his heart is thudding in his throat in delight and his cheeks are burning and he's very aware Maverick is disrobed and- ]

[Shh, shh, for just a moment the entire world has stopped and it's just the two of them.]

[Though Maverick is not particularly warm, and he likely tastes a little of iron and whatever tea he was drinking (hints of vanilla and oolong.) he makes up for by being encouraging. As Percy actually kisses him back and he feels the thrill in his stagnant blood he grips the table harder with his talons and snakes one of his winged arms around Percy's waist to draw him in.]

[He does not seem too bothered by being naked, at least. Shameless creature that he is.]

[When he finally pulls away, he does by tugging on his lip a little and smiling.]

Just as sweet as I'd thought.

[ The taste and the cool touch doesn't bother him in the least. This is how Maverick tastes, this is how he feels, and as they kiss Percy presses it into his memory. The way his lips give, coax, and guide. The slightly sweet vanilla soothing out the hints of iron, the coppery tang.

And in turn Maverick will taste a soft touch of cinnamon and milk, flavored lightly with wildberries.

The arm around him makes him sigh again and he steps closer until the table stops him, until he's as close as he can be to Maverick and still keep their mouths together. He wants to drown in this feeling, and he feels a bit dizzy when Maverick pulls away.

The tug on his lip makes his cheeks redden dangerously slow, his flush creeping down his neck, and the comment makes him huff heavily. Turn his head a little to the side, shy. ]

And just how long have you been wanting that particular taste?

[ Mavericks feathers around him keep him warm and he in turns shares it with the body against his. Heated, heart pounding. ]

[Oh, don't be shy after all of that. The grin on Maverick's face practically splits and he ducks a little to try and catch his eyes.]

Oh ...perhaps since the start of your letters stationed on the front line.

[He'd fallen hopelessly in love with him then, and this week having him back has only made him pine worse. He simply couldn't take it anymore. Alas.]

I've been captivated by your kind and gentle heart and your insatiable curiosity, your diligence and compassion. Waiting for your return had wrecked my nerves beyond belief.

[ Their eyes catch and Percy offers him a sweet little smile, reaching up to adjust his glasses briefly, before blinking hard.

Then erupting in astonished distress. ]

You mean I could have kissed you the moment I came back?!

[ That his crush could have been realized from moment one? That he hadn't have spent this week staring out his window, sipping his tea, and trying desperately not to invade Mavericks every moment beyond what they've already spent together?!

He groans in frustration and amusement, and tilts his head back. ]

Oh Saints, if I had known-!

[ There's a polite knock on the door and Lofly's voice floats - suspiciously - through the keyhole. Just a "polite" check on all the noise finally. You two best behave-! ]

[Maverick can't help it, he bursts out laughing, though it's not entirely at Percy's expense, it's also at his. Yes, perhaps they were being silly dragging this out. Maybe Maverick should have said something sooner, but ah ...]

[He is old fashioned in a lot of ways, he wanted it to be proper. So much for that!!]

It seems we've lost time to make up for! How wretched.

[His laughing has quieted to snickering behind a wing, but before he can tease him further, there's that knock at the door. Ah- yes, they've been in here for some time and Saints know what noises have carried.]

Forgive me Madam! We are finishing up very shortly!

[Which he punctuates by stealing a little kiss at the corner of his mouth and then sliding off the table. His form slowly shifts back in turn, all those feathers and scales melting away to old, clammy skin. He reaches down to pick up his robes.]

Mm, perhaps we ought to discuss the results in my quarters?

Oh... if I had known, I would have written something...

[ His lamentation is soft as Maverick calls back to Lofly, a plaintive moan to Mavericks laughter and glee over this. He sighs heavily and steps back so Maverick can slide off the table, the corner of his mouth tingling hard where a kiss had been stolen.

And it's still very amazing to watch the form shift again, feathers and talons and claws fading away into flesh. The tail turning into nothing and the horns simply no longer existing.

The comment flusters Percy so badly he sputters softly and the 'yes, we should' is on the tip of his tongue. But oh... oh a playful thought comes to mind.

After all, they know the others heart now, their desires revealed, so... why not have a little fun with it? Enjoy the tease more, the back and forth? A proper courting? For as long as they can.

He hm's and cups his chin with his hand, bracing his elbow on his arm that goes across his chest. ]

We could, but that would be quite scandalous. After all-

[ He lets Maverick in on his plan with a twinkle in his eyes. ]

-you've yet to properly court me, or I you.

I couldn't be certain until you were back home, of course. I hadn't planned on letting anything slip through the letters until then.

[And there's the robe back on properly. There, now he looks just as he always has. The Headmaster of the Order, the carrier of such immense secrets, the Saint of Mourning and Remembrance.]

[All of these titles and responsibilities and yet at Percy's suggestion, Maverick whips his head around startled and scandalized.]

Hah?!

[Wait, you want to tease him after they've gotten this far? The look on his face is comically petulant. A child who was told to take his hand out the cookie jar.]

Wh- You-

[But he's right. If they started just smoozing right off the bat it would be incredibly scandalous. Rumors would fly. People would question Maverick's use of authority for anything surrounding Percy and it would put a lot of unpleasant attention on him, wouldn't it? Uughgghh.]

[He rubs his face a little.]

...Very well. You've a point, I suppose.

[ Oh, he can't help it. That look makes him laugh. All they did was kiss! Flirt! And Maverick shared his deepest secret!

There's so much yet to do before a proper coming together!

With a soft hum he reaches out to cup Mavericks face, bending down as he tilts his head up to press a soft kiss to his mouth. It's just a gentle promising brush of their lips together. ]

I promise to make it worth your while, my darling. You're someone who deserves to be courted properly, to be pursued with intent. Don't fret. The end will be worth it.

[ He straightens back up, and then turns Maverick around to usher him to get dressed properly. ]

Do you have anything planned this week end? Allow me to make a dinner for you?

[But he's so impatient! Torturer! Tease!]

[But he's mollified the moment Percy takes him by the mouth. Even just that little promise does a lot to settle him, make him compliant.]

Oh, all right. Twist my arm, then.

[It does make him feel young again, the idea of being courted. He grins as he gets dressed, since it's likely the Madame will be banging on the door soon if they don't hurry it up.]

I'm certain I can clear the evening. Saturday night?

[ Look how easily he rolls over. Somehow he knew his friend wouldn't put up much of a fuss. How many times throughout their history together has this man caved to him?

It makes Percy bold. Forget his shyness.

This is going to be delicious.

He beams as Maverick confirms Saturday. ]

Perfect! Is there anything you cannot eat?

[ He'll have to get some blood wine. Or maybe figure out how to make a proper blood pudding? He wants to make this dinner special. Hm, blood sausage perhaps? There's so many things he can attempt! ]

[Quite a few times if he's paid enough attention. The number of times Percy could have been expelled for any number of things he'd done as a student that Maverick conveniently swept under the rug, for example...]

[Either way, Maverick has no idea what Percy might be scheming and he simply looks pleased by the novelty of "dating" and having "dinner" together.]

Oh, I'm afraid garlic still makes me a bit queasy. I suspect it's a reflex even if I'm not entirely Vampire anymore. Other than that I can't think of very much that would bother me.

[He tips his head a bit to the side.]

You ought to tell me what you prefer to drink!

Got it, no garlic.

[ He hums to the question, thoughtful as he helps the other get dressed into proper clothing. He can feel Lofly's aura behind the door Growing. ]

I must admit, I don't think I ever grew out of my delight for sweets! I enjoy a sweet tea with milk and cinnamon. I have no particular flavor likes, but I have been enjoying blueberry lately!

[ Once Maverick is properly clothed, Percy steps back, towards the door. ]

I promise to make our date lovely! Leave it to me, my dear!

[Blueberry, hm? He wonders if he can chase down a nice blueberry wine this time of year. He will use his Headmaster Power to do so, yes. It's good to be in charge.]

[He laughs, full and delighted as Percy says that and then swings open the door.]

Much louder, my dear, and the entire Tower will know by sundown!

[He inclines his head to Madame Lofly, and before she has the chance to take him out with a clipboard, he flounces off down the hall.]

Full bill of health as always! Thank you my dear for the thorough check-up!

[ The tease makes Percy huff heavily, blushing but not shyly or in embarrassment. More the idea that everyone knowing tickles him. But he also knows, after only a week, the rumors might not be kind.

Even here in the Spire, people will always be people.

Instead he smiles as Maverick flounces out dramatically like that, watching him go fondly, before turning to Lofly as she watches with a shrewd look. ]

I do believe he's part Anansi, I feel we should update his files to reflect it. Orc-Anansi hybrid.

[ And he's quick to flee himself before she beats him with the clipboard as well.

Saturday is a good day for their date, as it's the last weekend he has before he begins his tenure. It gives him enough time to finish off his curriculum, then he can focus on dinner. He knows well enough Vampires can use animal blood, though it's not as nutritious in a pitch it can substitute, and there's plenty of recipes that use it.

So it doesn't take long for him to find several recipes including animal blood; a hearty stew, some bread, sausage of course, and for dessert a sanguinaccio dolce. He's careful to test it all as he cooks, so he can be sure he can eat it and that he doesn't mess anything up.

And he's pleased to discover it tastes nothing like blood in the end, and it settles in his stomach just fine after cooking. The stew he was especially worried about.

He gives Maverick an invite to come at his leisure, a small magical light wisp that floats in through his window and circles around the Headmaster's head, whispering softly in Percy's voice that dinner should be ready soon, if he would like to come to his room before it fades away with a little tinkling laugh. ]

[Maverick has spent the week in an obscenely good mood that the muttering of students and teachers alike seem to be concerned something has bewitched him. Both Carmen and Bladi are unhelpful in answering their questions though Carmen appears a little put out lately for some reason ...hm.]

[He is in his office when the invite reaches him, working diligently on some boring affairs. Budget allocation and the such. Approving or denying projects brought to him by the student councils, that sort of thing. Normally he puts it off to the last minute but one of his secretaries has nearly given herself whiplash to see him doing it early! Truly he must be sick-]

[But no, the little invite comes floating in the window and he perks up immediately. He reaches a hand up to cup the little mote of light and smiles delightedly.]

Delphine! I'm clearing out the rest of my evening! Tell anyone looking for me I shall get back to them tomorrow!

[Oh, she sputters a little but nods. Of course, Headmaster. Wh-]

Dinner plans, my dear! Toodles~!

[And off he goes. Of course, part way there he decides to slip into the shadows. Maybe as a fun treat he will give Percy a little startle. He reaches Percy's room through the shadows and slowly peeks out from the one under the table. hmhm.]

[ How sneaky!

Maverick will find, peeking from the shadows, that Percy's steadily made the place his home. Pictures dot the walls of familiar members and friends, warm orange and yellow flowers fill the room, with splashes of red and blue dotting amongst them. Cushions rest on every chair, soft and squashy looking. The small kitchenette is well utilized, everything within reach for the best flow. Food is already sat on the larger table, two chairs sitting opposite the small table.

But there's also signs of Percy's studies. Papers all but spill off a desk nearby, lesson plans and theories and formulas. A book lays open with a pair of reading glasses laying on them to mark his spot. The book hums with a cheerful, goodnatured feeling magic; healing and recovery and good-will. Several scrolled up diagrams are propped haphazardly against the side of the desk, and a bag of instruments lays open next to them.

Percy himself is humming a soft tune as he moves from kitchen to table, bare feet padding against the wooden floor as he moves back and forth, setting things up. He pauses and hums thoughtfully, interrupting his song, mutters a gentle "If the array is inverted and the symbol for earth replaced with water-" before stepping quickly over to the desk to dip an quill into a pot to scribble something down.

Then pauses and turns a little towards the table Maverick is peeking out from under. He seems uncertain, like he's not sure if what he's feeling is really there. He whispers a soft "Go away, you're not welcome" before realizing no, it's not what he thinks it is. Not some specter of War or guilt lingering. He approaches the table and moves to his hands and knees to peek under, his face twisted up in consternation to what he might find. ]

Did I come too early?

[Yes, Percy, what you find there sadly is the object of your affections. He's leaning against the floor like a tabletop, propping his chin up while the rest of him is buried in shadow.]

[He does tuck away that little banishment of something he heard just before. Percy clearly picked up on his presence which isn't really that strange considering what he is, but that he clearly expected something else to be ...well, haunting him, is something of note. He'll ask about it later.]

[For now he'll simply grin like Percy is opening the door to greet him and not finding him under the table like a boggart.]

....

[ Honestly.

First he just blinks in surprise, Mavericks voice instantly soothing away any fear or worry about what tricks his mind is playing. Then he snorts softly to the question and the pose.

Then he moves to brace his elbows on the floor - ignore the position that puts the rest of him no naughty thoughts - and sets his chin in his hands. Quite content to kneel on the floor like this and speak to his goblin of a love. ]

Not at all! I was just wondering in which manner you would creep into my abode. I must say, from under my table is a bit of a surprise! Thank goodness I was diligent in my sweeping, lest I fear it'd have been dust bunnies who would have first greeted you. Comfortable?

Oh, quite!

[He leans in a little, coming dangerously close to booping their noses before he slinks right back into the shadows once more.]

[His voice will come from some other part of the room, possibly the curtains as he steps out.]

I do like to keep people on their toes, of course. Be sure to look for me in all manner of places when sending an invite!

[He grins and looks around.]

It smells heavenly in here.

[ Oh that's a mean little tease! He huffs when he's denied the nose boop and then Maverick is gone. Percy pushes himself onto his knees proper and looks around, smiling as Maverick steps out from behind a curtain. Dramatic!

He climbs to his feet with a little oof, rubbing his knees and his smile turns into a radiant beam of pleasure and joy. ]

I'm glad! I do hope you enjoy it. I will be honest, I tried to make it as nutritious for us both as possible. There's animal blood used in all pieces, which should help supplement your need, while also adding quite a few benefits for myself! You simply cannot taste it, however!

[ Blood is quite full of bodily needs, after all. He ushers Maverick to sit down at the small table, where a large stew pot waits, with a tray of bread still hot, thick sausages to go with and a warm pudding nearby. The stew is filled with meat and vegetables, the bread has a slightly spiced scent to it and there's butter nearby (no garlic!), and the sausages are stuffed with herbs.

There's water as well as a mead to drink. ]

[Oh? Is that why it smells so good? He seems pleased to hear this, but laughs a little as Percy ushers him to sit down. Every the fusser, he is-]

Oh? Just as expected of such a diligent healer, even our little courting meal is packed to the brim with food mindful of our health.

[It's very charming, since most of this food looks rich and indulgent without knowing what Percy went out of his way to do.]

I must add, though it will be a pale offering in comparison, I have prepared for us a decadent dessert tea, though I'm afraid it utterly lacks in any health benefits.

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