jesterlies | OPEN POST 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

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.

[ Percy huffs a little laugh, looking amused as he sits himself down as well, immediately moving to begin serving Maverick up some things. His eyes crinkle in delight. ]

Of course. Would you expect anything else from me?

[ He pauses that Maverick brought a dessert wine, absolutely perking to that. ]

Oh, you needn't have! But it'll go wonderfully with the pudding, I'm sure! And it's for dessert, it needn't have a lick of health to it.

[ He takes a moment after dishing everything up to simply study Maverick, then smiles warmly. ]

Thank you for this, Seamus. I know it's a date, really, but your presence fills me with such comfort. I yearned over those letters, wishing I was back here again. I missed having you by my side.

I wouldn't, in fact, if you hadn't, I'd be worried for your health.

[Ah, he lets Percy serve but will fuss for Percy to sit and take his own portion shortly after. He'll dig right into the stew. Percy says he cannot taste the blood, but Maverick is at least still part Vampire, so he hones in on the notes immediately. This is not a bad thing, though and he smiles around his spoon.]

Divine, my dear, you've really outdone yourself.

[He smiles back at him, of course, though it's a little softer than his usual smarminess.]

You needn't thank me at all, you know. If anything, I am the one being wretchedly selfish, coveting your letters like they hold the philosopher's stone. I've always been fond of you, but I felt your absence in my heart in a way I've never known once you'd set off. I couldn't stop you, of course, you had important work to do, but I wanted to.

Oh, don't praise me, I had a lot of help from many cookbooks.

[ And a little touch of magic because he will be the first to admit he's not exactly a chef. Still, he put his heart into it, and he hopes it makes the difference. After Maverick takes his first bites, he'll help himself as well. It's wonderful now that it's had time to sit, the spices soaking into the meat and vegetables. And he breaks off some bread to dip it.

And he laughs a little, shaking his head. ]

What fool men we are. What might have changed had I written my yearning down? Confessed my desires in those letters, promised to return for reasons more than what I had said.

[ He huffs gently, toying with a piece of sausage, his head tilting, his smile turning fond. ]

A part of me wishes you had. But that's my selfish want as well, and now, at least, we have something to look forward to, without the worry of War ending it.

A spell well cast is still a spell well cast regardless of if it came from memory or a spellbook.

[Maverick is making sure Percy is eating, at least, though he tries to keep his gaze subtle.]

Oh, to wonder about the What if's will invite madness. There was nothing for it. You knew I had a station, and I knew I had to maintain it. I knew you were under duress and amidst danger, and I could not bear the thought of my sweet words distracting you out on the field.

[But he will take a sip of that mead and then hold it up to Percy for them to gently toast.]

We have the now and the future, let us not worry of the past. Now that you're here, I will be as selfish as I damn well please, for the time you will allow me.

[ He's eating, slowly but he is. He hums in agreeance. The what if's. Is there a thread of fate where they confessed before hand? Is there a thread he never comes home? No, he won't think of that. Not during their date.

He picks his mead up and holds it out to gently click the cup against Mavericks, beaming. ]

Oh, my darling Seamus, I hope you're as selfish as you wish to be. And I hope you will let me indulge and be just as greedy. I will do my best not to interrupt your duties, of course.

[ He takes a little sip before setting his drink down to go back to his food. He definitely doesn't eat that sausage anyway that might be construed as ... naughty. He does make a noise as he sausage dribbles, shifting it back to the plate to lick his lips and fingers. ]

[The problem is that he really can't be sure if Percy is doing that on purpose. It could just as easily be either one. It's hard not to stare for a moment or two before he hides his expression in his glass.]

AH- well. Of course. I am known for being insufferable in many ways so I hope you will not live to regret such a claim, and I do enjoy a challenge.

[He does pause a moment, hums a little.]

...We must speak of ...one serious matter, however. Before we go much further.

Edited 2026-01-02 08:22 (UTC)

[ Him? Doing something naughty on purpose?! Like he made a comment about needing to brush his teeth after a particular sweet? Totally innocent on both parts, of course!

Maybe. It's something for Maverick to truly dig into, if he wishes to know the depths Percy's brain can go.

He hm's to the idea he may regret entwining himself with this goblin man who peers out from under his tables and makes a million stories while encouraging his students to be gremlins in their own right. No, he doesn't think he will. He does pause to that, however, glancing up from his food. A little worried. ]

Of course, what is it?

You've done your exam, and you were quite thorough, so I am sure you've already made your deductions in this manner. I just want to be certain you've considered them.

[This was something important to get out of the way before any commitment was made, after all. It's a loaded gun when it comes to intimacy with someone like him. He knows that Percy may adore him and maybe even desire him, but-]

[Well, he couldn't blame anyone if a number of things about himself were deal-breakers.]

My body is not a living person's body. There's much it cannot do anymore. There are ways I can get around this in a manner that I will willing to show you, but there also remains the fact that I am ageless, and will be so for an eternity.

[And he will see Percy grow old, and one day he will walk him through the veil. Of this he has long come to terms with, but he wants to be sure Percy has too.]

[ He listens quietly and respectfully as Maverick lays it out for him. Reiterates he's not a living being, and - in fact - his age is eternal. He will never age, where as Percy will. Oh, sure, Percy may be able to elongate his own life via healing techniques, but there will come a day when his strength wanes and he passes the veil.

He's silent for a moment, giving Mavericks words the true thought they deserve. Certainly intimacy will not be a physical thing if Mavericks body cannot respond like his can. And he will be forced to watch his love remain forever this age, while he succumbs eventually to time.

He puts his utensils down and reaches out across the table, finding Mavericks wrist to gently touch it, his eyes lifting to lock onto those blue across from him. And he smiles, his voice soft. ]

I understand. I can accept this. Truly I can. For it will be many years before my time is up, and in those years I will get to indulge in you in every aspect that I can. Its your mind I fell in love with. Your joy for knowledge and discovery. Your kindness that seeps into everything you do, everything you touch. You built your Spire around love for those around you. Time spent with you is all the intimacy I need, if it's all you can give. But-

[ He gently moves his hand to fold his fingers over Mavericks, squeezing lightly. ]

Can you handle loving someone, and seeing them age while you remain the same, and eventually having to let their soul go off to the other side?

[He had no doubts that Percy would consider the matter seriously, but he is happy all the same that he's giving it some silence before answering. It shows him that Percy is taking it very seriously, because for all his joking and jestering aside, this is something Maverick wants in the open.]

[He smiles as Percy answers him, and he is a little relieved. He didn't think Percy would take it all back after telling him all this, but he is happy with the reasons he's given. He nods.]

[Of course to that last part- he expected this question, too.]

My dear, I am the Saint of Mourning and Remembrance. It is the very concept I govern, to love and let go. I have adored many and walked them myself across the veil, and I remember them all, every name, every face, every touch of happiness across my heart.

[His expression is both fond and wry, but then it turns warm as he looks at Percy.]

Be I have one day or one millennia with you, I will love you all the same and one day walk you too, across the veil.

[He will grieve, oh he will grieve, but it is who he is, what he is, and that is just the way it is.]

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