[He will actually leave it be for now, though he admits he's morbidly curious about it... But he has patience, he can wait.
As it is, he'll follow to the main room, though he doesn't move to sit down just yet.]
It seems it's being merciful for now. Scales again, but I can handle those. At least I know what they are this time, even if I had to look up the species name I was given.
Oh? Are they the orange and white ones from before, or something different?
[Sycamore has taken a seat in front of the table, casually crossing his legs and leaning back into the (...really comfortable, wow) sofa. Those previous scales were so pretty...although he's fairly positive Lysandre could make anything look good, so.]
[...Sycamore is admittedly not looking forward to the day a transformation has the audacity to encroach on Lysandre's face, but he'll be more than available to pop over and tell him he's still beautiful.
Anyway...]
At least it's an appropriate colour scheme, no?
[With some variety, too! There's a hint of a tease in Sycamore's voice, but it's still carrying the usual warmth, and he'll start to unpack those two takeaways from the cardboard carrier. Come over here, you, before it gets cold.]
[....this is one of those topics where he'd have better luck arguing with the actual jacket, and Sycamore recognises it. It's not going to stop him rolling his eyes, but he's...admittedly grinning, and might just be laughing. Some things never change...]
Very well! You would know better than me.
[...he can always whip out Froakie and his Water Gun, if you get truly uncomfortable, after all. But he has a feeling you might not take him up on that...]
Needless to say, there are far worse transformations to endure. I'm sure you make them look good.
[...not that there are any transformations that you wouldn't make look good...but you know.]
They're mild, and so they're not difficult to make look decent. I'm not sure how well it will be going a few months from now, as I've heard they tend to get more drastic over time.
I'm fairly sure any of the exalted forms have potential to be horrifying in their own right; it just depends on what traits happen to carry over.
[Like. Just saying.]
If it happens at some time in the future, I'll handle it then; I don't know how much I'll want you to see the results, but I'll keep the offer in mind.
An exalted form that you don't want the person closest to you to see? Is it just me, or are you also feeling a sense of déjà vu?
[You know....something feels a little bit familiar, here....]
If you could endure me looking like a beast from the depths, Lysandre, I'm sure I could tolerate anything Sanguis chooses to throw at you. You'll keep that in mind, right?
[And there is no sense getting into an argument over a hypothetical, so! Time to focus his attention on a far more rewarding venture, i.e. opening that paper bag and bringing out the macarons.]
There was quite the selection of desserts, this morning, but I thought these were the most appropriate. I keep trying to make them myself, but they're difficult little things! Perhaps I should just stick with supporting local business instead, no?
[He's currently giving a green macaron a very close, scientific examination (reveal your culinary secrets to him, little one....), but that doesn't mean he can't offer a rather smug side-glance.]
Are you trying to imply I'm fond of you, or something ridiculous like that?
[Surely not.....ludicrous, really.
...
....yes, he's feeling just as self-satisfied as he looks.]
[Good, enjoy the macarons! His green one didn't last very long, let's put it that way. One day, he will puzzle out how to make them perfectly...but for now, he's just. going to eat them. But first!]
Ah, I see we are about to reach an impasse! Let me explain; and listen very closely, because I'm trying to frame this in a suitably business-like manner.
[Let him have a sip of coffee before he starts - this is a very important, serious topic.]
I was willing to accept that you would not let me spoil you when we were merely friends, but! In case you have forgotten, a few days ago you agreed to be in a romantic relationship with me. That means we have reached a higher level than mere friendship, one that, traditionally, equates with performing suitably caring gestures, the aforementioned 'spoiling'! So I'm afraid you'll find the frequency of said gestures is going to increase, as is suitable for the increase in the intimacy of our relationship.
[He'll twist on the sofa so he's facing you properly, leaning his head on his hand and smirking (playfully, of course!).]
Do you have a response? I'll have you know the upgrade to our relationship had a witness - a Monsieur Momo - so you won't be able to argue that point.
[He'll listen to all that, settling back against the couch and crossing his legs idly as he does so; he's paying attention, don't worry, though he isn't seeming particularly fazed.]
I have a response, yes. And one that does not hinge on the denial of any change in relationship status.
I merely believe there's a distinction to be made between "suitably caring gestures" and "gestures that carry monetary value" - the former can be achieved without the latter, thereby placing no obligation, romantic or otherwise, upon you to purchase anything for me that you were not already purchasing for me before the relationship changed. There is no standard suitable change, as the change itself is unnecessary by definition.
[He pauses for a moment, however, seeming greatly amused by this entire thing.]
Unless you're arguing that affection is transactional now, which is an entirely different argument. My, Augustine, I thought you were supposed to be the romantic between us?
[...you ever get the feeling, sometimes, that you should have thought something through a bit more before you said it, even when you did, actually, think it through quite a bit? That's his dilemma, right now.
...he's currently drinking coffee because he wants the caffeine, not because he needs time to think. Just...letting you know.]
One moment, s'il vous plaît.
[He really wants the caffeine all right, okay, no...no, he's got this! He's got this. Ahem.]
I think you'll find that I am arguing the absolute opposite! My - our - affection is far from transactional. What I am trying to say, is that I see no problem with both of the aforementioned kinds of gestures. You see, to me, there is no amount of money that I could spend on you that I would ever consider too much, or excessive-
[-he might...be reaching out to play with your cravat a little bit, as he says that-]
-therefore making 'suitably caring gestures' and 'gestures that carry monetary value' not worth the split definition! Some will have no monetary value, and others will. Both are merely expressions of how I feel.
So I would argue that you should just let me be, and accept that sometimes I'm going to want to buy you fancy macarons.
[Oh, you're absolutely not stalling or trying to be a distraction, certainly not. The distraction isn't quite working, however.]
If you truly believe that there's no amount too excessive, then I can't ask you to spend any money on me in good conscience and good faith. After all, you'll never tell me no.
[But it was such a cute distraction....you're indomitable...]
Oh, you're deciding what is and isn't for my own good now, is it? That's quite a serious thing, for serious couples...you're escalating us. All the more reason for me to show my devotion in any way I choose, no?
[...he's also going to keep playing with that cravat because wow this material is nice, um.]
To show how serious I am, and all. This might be a fight you don't win, Lysandre!
that is so unfair he was holding it together so well but now he's laughing and he knows you did that on purpose you jerk-]
You're dreadful!
[Yes, yes, he knows...please don't be too smug...let him just. get himself under control so he can respond properly.]
Very well! I will admit defeat for now, but I intend to return to this topic. In the interim, I will create a list of suitably caring and free gestures that meet your ever-so-high standards.
[Look out, because the distractions aren't over; he'll neatly plant a quick peck of a kiss on your lips, before shifting back to his original position and...well, beaming.]
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As it is, he'll follow to the main room, though he doesn't move to sit down just yet.]
It seems it's being merciful for now. Scales again, but I can handle those. At least I know what they are this time, even if I had to look up the species name I was given.
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[Sycamore has taken a seat in front of the table, casually crossing his legs and leaning back into the (...really comfortable, wow) sofa. Those previous scales were so pretty...although he's fairly positive Lysandre could make anything look good, so.]
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[The day he gets a transformation that fucks up his face, he's going to be Upset.]
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Anyway...]
At least it's an appropriate colour scheme, no?
[With some variety, too! There's a hint of a tease in Sycamore's voice, but it's still carrying the usual warmth, and he'll start to unpack those two takeaways from the cardboard carrier. Come over here, you, before it gets cold.]
Is it a....as they say, 'fish' again...?
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[Someone told him, thankfully.]
It's somewhat annoying because it's easier if they're kept damp, but I'm dealing with it well enough.
[...Yes, yes, he will take the coffee, let him come join you.]
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....you know, I'm no expert, but I would think changing into something a little lighter might help with that.
[...look, the leather suit does look. fantastic, but mon ami, come on....]
At least remove the jacket, Lysandre.
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[He sounds more amused than anything, though; does he know? Yes. Is he going to do anything about it? Absolutely not.]
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Very well! You would know better than me.
[...he can always whip out Froakie and his Water Gun, if you get truly uncomfortable, after all. But he has a feeling you might not take him up on that...]
Needless to say, there are far worse transformations to endure. I'm sure you make them look good.
[...not that there are any transformations that you wouldn't make look good...but you know.]
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Though I do appreciate the vote of confidence.
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[It's a little tentative, but he'll reach out and squeeze your knee.]
Besides; your potential exalted form is quite good, from what I've heard. It's a dragon! No tentacles, at least!
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[Like. Just saying.]
If it happens at some time in the future, I'll handle it then; I don't know how much I'll want you to see the results, but I'll keep the offer in mind.
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An exalted form that you don't want the person closest to you to see? Is it just me, or are you also feeling a sense of déjà vu?
[You know....something feels a little bit familiar, here....]
If you could endure me looking like a beast from the depths, Lysandre, I'm sure I could tolerate anything Sanguis chooses to throw at you. You'll keep that in mind, right?
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[Like. At least there is an explanation of why present here, Augustine.]
Besides, it has less to do with you specifically and more with not wanting anyone to see it. I'd imagine that much is reasonable.
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[And there is no sense getting into an argument over a hypothetical, so! Time to focus his attention on a far more rewarding venture, i.e. opening that paper bag and bringing out the macarons.]
There was quite the selection of desserts, this morning, but I thought these were the most appropriate. I keep trying to make them myself, but they're difficult little things! Perhaps I should just stick with supporting local business instead, no?
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Now you're trying to spoil me.
[...YOU MAY BE SUCCEEDING BUT THAT ISN'T THE POINT.]
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Are you trying to imply I'm fond of you, or something ridiculous like that?
[Surely not.....ludicrous, really.
...
....yes, he's feeling just as self-satisfied as he looks.]
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As long as you're not deluding yourself into thinking this will be a common occurrence.
[...anyway, yes. Macaron.]
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Ah, I see we are about to reach an impasse! Let me explain; and listen very closely, because I'm trying to frame this in a suitably business-like manner.
[Let him have a sip of coffee before he starts - this is a very important, serious topic.]
I was willing to accept that you would not let me spoil you when we were merely friends, but! In case you have forgotten, a few days ago you agreed to be in a romantic relationship with me. That means we have reached a higher level than mere friendship, one that, traditionally, equates with performing suitably caring gestures, the aforementioned 'spoiling'! So I'm afraid you'll find the frequency of said gestures is going to increase, as is suitable for the increase in the intimacy of our relationship.
[He'll twist on the sofa so he's facing you properly, leaning his head on his hand and smirking (playfully, of course!).]
Do you have a response? I'll have you know the upgrade to our relationship had a witness - a Monsieur Momo - so you won't be able to argue that point.
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I have a response, yes. And one that does not hinge on the denial of any change in relationship status.
I merely believe there's a distinction to be made between "suitably caring gestures" and "gestures that carry monetary value" - the former can be achieved without the latter, thereby placing no obligation, romantic or otherwise, upon you to purchase anything for me that you were not already purchasing for me before the relationship changed. There is no standard suitable change, as the change itself is unnecessary by definition.
[He pauses for a moment, however, seeming greatly amused by this entire thing.]
Unless you're arguing that affection is transactional now, which is an entirely different argument. My, Augustine, I thought you were supposed to be the romantic between us?
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...he's currently drinking coffee because he wants the caffeine, not because he needs time to think. Just...letting you know.]
One moment, s'il vous plaît.
[He really wants the caffeine all right, okay, no...no, he's got this! He's got this. Ahem.]
I think you'll find that I am arguing the absolute opposite! My - our - affection is far from transactional. What I am trying to say, is that I see no problem with both of the aforementioned kinds of gestures. You see, to me, there is no amount of money that I could spend on you that I would ever consider too much, or excessive-
[-he might...be reaching out to play with your cravat a little bit, as he says that-]
-therefore making 'suitably caring gestures' and 'gestures that carry monetary value' not worth the split definition! Some will have no monetary value, and others will. Both are merely expressions of how I feel.
So I would argue that you should just let me be, and accept that sometimes I'm going to want to buy you fancy macarons.
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If you truly believe that there's no amount too excessive, then I can't ask you to spend any money on me in good conscience and good faith. After all, you'll never tell me no.
It's for your own good.
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Oh, you're deciding what is and isn't for my own good now, is it? That's quite a serious thing, for serious couples...you're escalating us. All the more reason for me to show my devotion in any way I choose, no?
[...he's also going to keep playing with that cravat because wow this material is nice, um.]
To show how serious I am, and all. This might be a fight you don't win, Lysandre!
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I wasn't aware it was escalating anything. Am I not allowed to look out for your best interests?
Consider it a suitably caring gesture.
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that is so unfair he was holding it together so well but now he's laughing and he knows you did that on purpose you jerk-]
You're dreadful!
[Yes, yes, he knows...please don't be too smug...let him just. get himself under control so he can respond properly.]
Very well! I will admit defeat for now, but I intend to return to this topic. In the interim, I will create a list of suitably caring and free gestures that meet your ever-so-high standards.
[Look out, because the distractions aren't over; he'll neatly plant a quick peck of a kiss on your lips, before shifting back to his original position and...well, beaming.]
There's the first one. Stay tuned for the rest!
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...Yes, well. I never said I had any sort of argument with that kind of thing, did I.
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