[ Thank the Saints that Xenk hadn't brought coffee, because Alucard would be spitting it out right about now. As it stands, he fumbles and nearly drops the lox he was transferring into Esa's little offering tin. He manages to finish the maneuver, lopping the lox into a heap there.
His expression? A bemused sort of smile. His skin? Flushed darker than usual on his cheeks. First of all? Xenk, the hottest man on board ( though also maybe his best friend in this world so far? ), is having sex. This is a problem for his future mental health and a shameful boon for his late nights. Second? Jarlaxle? Alucard has only met the man twice and the man could sell water to a pirate. Jarlaxle was not the man for his sweet Xenk to be fooling around with.
He needs to know everything. ]
I very much enjoy sex, most especially with other men. You're in good company, Xenk.
[ Look at him, trying to recover, pulling out the little tins of spread to settle between them on the bed and affecting a casual, curious sidelong look. We rolled a nat 20 on this Deception check, so he's making things entirely comfortable, setting out their utensils and their breakfast like this is the most natural conversation in the world to have between friends. ]
I know Jarlaxle. He's one of the most stylish men I've met here so far. Please. Regale me.
[ Xenk can see his words have caught Alucard off-guard. Good, he does enjoy using his bluntness to great effect, especially with his friends who have so much trouble speaking honestly.
He loves all of his friends, of course. And he does seem to know so many who, like Alucard, would rather speak in metaphor than plainly. But that is what makes discussing this somewhat thrilling. Xenk is no blushing maiden, that's for sure. ]
Excellent. I'm glad we share this in common.
[ He really means it, of course. Being gay in the Forgotten Realms is hardly noteworthy, but it's always nice to connect with a friend in terms of one's tastes. ]
He is a charming rogue, to be sure. His many items proved colorful to divest from him.
[ Xenk grins. Charming rogues are clearly his type, and well, he won't go into complete detail, but... ]
He and I engaged in something of a... game, one might call it? He, the captured criminal, and I, his honorable captor. I believe this is called role-play? Have you ever engaged in this before, Alucard?
[ Alucard feels the need to let Xenk know that the paladin can be candid around him by offering some of his own preferences. They're friends and it's normal to be discussing their sex lives; this is the precedent Alucard has decided to set for them. This is totally from the standpoint of being concerned for his friend's well-being, nothing more...
He really does wish he had brewed something, coffee or tea, to be sipping on right now. As it stands, he's got a few glasses of water he'd kept at his bedside for the inevitable hangover, and he summons one of them to hand now, effortlessly. It's like an invisible butler just placed a cup of water in his open hand, though this is probably nothing notable for someone like Xenk.
Alucard gives a soft huff. ]
Yes, you're right, and I have, many a time. Often I've been the criminal, sometimes I'm the guard. It's thrilling either way. Tell me, was there actually a chase between you two?
[ Indeed, Alucard's magic seems quite convenient! Without the need for spells, it still draws Xenk's eye. He's no wizard, but he finds it quite charming. Like much of Alucard's demeanor, it comes off natural to him. It's charming—just as Alucard is charming.
Xenk's smile grows wide at Alucard's question. Oh, he really must know, because he's right on the money. ]
Indeed, there was! He was visiting Elah on some troublemaking for the Corsairs, and I tracked him to the residential district, where even his considerable speed could not match my strength. The criminal, or at least in his role, was thus captured and met with swift punishment in my own apartment.
[ He says this with a grin. He clearly enjoyed the chase too. Well, and obviously what followed. ]
I feel I'm fortunate to have such engaging friends.
[ Friends who are willing to engage in certain benefits, that is. Though you know Xenk, it's about the spreading of kindness and goodness just as much as it is about the sex. ]
[ Alucard has to chuckle a little when the tracking comes into the equation, because that's just all he can do when his friend's run-down is pretty hot and he's fighting to not imagine it that way; it's extra hard knowing Jarlaxle is an attractive man too.
Xenk may well have hunted Jarlaxle down in earnest, but he could certainly see the drow rogue pausing his abilities long enough to be caught. Alucard has actually faced the man during the Capture the Flag course by now and knows how mobile Jarlaxle can be. But he also knows Xenk to be astoundingly competent in the physical arena. He may well have caught the drow honestly.
It doesn't matter. Alucard shouldn't be thinking about them at all. ]
...Friends, hm? Is that your word or his?
[ He will prod gently at this impression. Jarlaxle could be a real problem. Friend? ]
[ It was a natural 1 that trapped the drow, a mix of good fortune on Xenk's part and his no less impressive strength. But Xenk isn't too surprised to field Alucard's qualms. Jarlaxle is a rogue, after all. They did meet when Xenk caught him stealing. ]
Both. He has proven himself to be trustworthy on several counts.
[ He smiles at this particular memory. It's going to sound worse, unfortunately. ]
Why, only a month ago, I accepted his invitation to join him on Nautilust for dinner, and he agreed to be responsible in my stead so that I could attempt intoxication. It drained his coffers quite a bit, but it was a fine night all the same.
[ Not that Xenk remembers that much of it since he passed out, but hey, Jarlaxle did pay for everything and made sure he got home safe, that's what friends do, right? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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His expression? A bemused sort of smile. His skin? Flushed darker than usual on his cheeks. First of all? Xenk, the hottest man on board ( though also maybe his best friend in this world so far? ), is having sex. This is a problem for his future mental health and a shameful boon for his late nights. Second? Jarlaxle? Alucard has only met the man twice and the man could sell water to a pirate. Jarlaxle was not the man for his sweet Xenk to be fooling around with.
He needs to know everything. ]
I very much enjoy sex, most especially with other men. You're in good company, Xenk.
[ Look at him, trying to recover, pulling out the little tins of spread to settle between them on the bed and affecting a casual, curious sidelong look. We rolled a nat 20 on this Deception check, so he's making things entirely comfortable, setting out their utensils and their breakfast like this is the most natural conversation in the world to have between friends. ]
I know Jarlaxle. He's one of the most stylish men I've met here so far. Please. Regale me.
no subject
He loves all of his friends, of course. And he does seem to know so many who, like Alucard, would rather speak in metaphor than plainly. But that is what makes discussing this somewhat thrilling. Xenk is no blushing maiden, that's for sure. ]
Excellent. I'm glad we share this in common.
[ He really means it, of course. Being gay in the Forgotten Realms is hardly noteworthy, but it's always nice to connect with a friend in terms of one's tastes. ]
He is a charming rogue, to be sure. His many items proved colorful to divest from him.
[ Xenk grins. Charming rogues are clearly his type, and well, he won't go into complete detail, but... ]
He and I engaged in something of a... game, one might call it? He, the captured criminal, and I, his honorable captor. I believe this is called role-play? Have you ever engaged in this before, Alucard?
no subject
He really does wish he had brewed something, coffee or tea, to be sipping on right now. As it stands, he's got a few glasses of water he'd kept at his bedside for the inevitable hangover, and he summons one of them to hand now, effortlessly. It's like an invisible butler just placed a cup of water in his open hand, though this is probably nothing notable for someone like Xenk.
Alucard gives a soft huff. ]
Yes, you're right, and I have, many a time. Often I've been the criminal, sometimes I'm the guard. It's thrilling either way. Tell me, was there actually a chase between you two?
no subject
Xenk's smile grows wide at Alucard's question. Oh, he really must know, because he's right on the money. ]
Indeed, there was! He was visiting Elah on some troublemaking for the Corsairs, and I tracked him to the residential district, where even his considerable speed could not match my strength. The criminal, or at least in his role, was thus captured and met with swift punishment in my own apartment.
[ He says this with a grin. He clearly enjoyed the chase too. Well, and obviously what followed. ]
I feel I'm fortunate to have such engaging friends.
[ Friends who are willing to engage in certain benefits, that is. Though you know Xenk, it's about the spreading of kindness and goodness just as much as it is about the sex. ]
no subject
Xenk may well have hunted Jarlaxle down in earnest, but he could certainly see the drow rogue pausing his abilities long enough to be caught. Alucard has actually faced the man during the Capture the Flag course by now and knows how mobile Jarlaxle can be. But he also knows Xenk to be astoundingly competent in the physical arena. He may well have caught the drow honestly.
It doesn't matter. Alucard shouldn't be thinking about them at all. ]
...Friends, hm? Is that your word or his?
[ He will prod gently at this impression. Jarlaxle could be a real problem. Friend? ]
no subject
Both. He has proven himself to be trustworthy on several counts.
[ He smiles at this particular memory. It's going to sound worse, unfortunately. ]
Why, only a month ago, I accepted his invitation to join him on Nautilust for dinner, and he agreed to be responsible in my stead so that I could attempt intoxication. It drained his coffers quite a bit, but it was a fine night all the same.
[ Not that Xenk remembers that much of it since he passed out, but hey, Jarlaxle did pay for everything and made sure he got home safe, that's what friends do, right? ]