monolike | IC CONTACT

Not exactly. There's a gas stove-type thing? She wouldn't need a match to ignite it, but it's for reading fortunes and uh, I guess roasting marshmallows.

Oh, that kind of fire. [it's hard introducing normal things to a guy who flings fire from his hands to purify monsters]

[thinks] You know, I can ask Lailah if she knows how we can keep an eternal flame in there. She might know how to keep it safe too, so we don't have to worry about anything catching on fire that isn't supposed to.

Like me?

[He's gonna be blunt, magical fire - like the kind Sorey and Eithan wield - scares the living crap out of him. Give him a gas stove and a contained environment any day of the week.]

Because uh. Vampires and fire don't really mix.

Oh. Yeah, that would be good. We could also forego the whole 'fire clubhouse' thing and settle for something a little more tame. [He is still interested in making a special space for Lailah, though. He'll look into it.]

What? No, no way – if Lailah and you could get some use out of it, then you're welcome to it.

[The room really isn't used for much else. Except storage.]

Just, you know, lemme sit at a safe and comfortable distance.

I promise not to put any chairs too close to the holy fire. [Assuming there will be any.] Besides, I like meeting here with you. I know it's a room that's important to many other people, but this is where we first met face-to-face!

[Okay, now that Sorey's mentioned it, there had better be holy fire.]

You're just saying that to flatter me. [He laughs,] But no, you're right - this room's special. It holds way too many good memories for us to pick somewhere else.

[THE PRESSURE IS ON]

You made me tea for the first time in here! I don't even know what's in this, I just know what it's called. [Actually he's gonna have another cup if you do not mind, sir]

Oh! That would be Earl Grey - it's black tea with bergamot oil and sometimes silver tips, if I can find them. I usually drink it with milk, but if it's brewed fresh, you only need a little honey.

[He could go on for hours if he's not careful - this is a man who knows that he has a serious Tea problem.]

[This is the blank smile of a boy who followed maybe half of that.] That sounds like a lot of effort to prepare...I feel seriously spoiled right now.

It takes, like, five minutes. I promise, if I wanted to spoil you, you would know.

[To make his point even clearer, Stefan takes one very smug, satisfied, long sip of tea.]

Ohh, I see, I see.

-wait, does that mean you haven't spoiled me yet? What the heck!

I sure haven't. [Lies. Bold, blatant lies that are accompanied by yet another sip of tea.] See, that's the downside of being akhi, you'll have to wait until, like, Eid for the royal treatment.

Whaaat, [Sorey flops to the side,] that's months away. I would spoil you right now if you wanted me to! I would do that.

Is that so? [He finishes off his tea,] Then tell me, how would you spoil me? If I asked you right now?

Well, [Sorey vaults back up, and reaches for the teapot to fill Stefan's empty cup,] first I'd compliment you. I'd tell you that you make the best tea I've ever had, bar none. And I'd tell you that you're a wonderful friend and that I'm blessed to have ever met you, and that people like you who set up places for others to feel comfortable are what make this place bearable.

You'd - what?

[With all of his teasing and blustering, he hadn't bargained on sincerity. He can't even react in time, so he just holds his arm out in the world's weakest attempt to grab it back.]

Nuh-uh, that's not how this goes. You're supposed to say something like, "gee, akhi, I guess you'd have to wait and see," and I'm supposed to say, "that makes two of us," not this - [He groans,] This stupidly kind compliment.

Edited (Dialogue change ;;) 2017-01-25 22:42 (UTC)

Gee, akhi, I didn't mean to embarrass you, [says this little shithead as he holds the teapot out of his reach and then finishes pouring him tea. Oh did you think he didn't make note of how you take your tea? HE DID. And he fixes it just how you like, right now, and even puts a little tea biscuit on ur fuckin' plate.]

[That's it, he's never taking anyone's powers of observation for granted because he sure did witness those swift motions - two teabags, a few spoonfuls of powdered milk, and MA'AMOUL, his favorite food - and his face just keeps getting redder and redder.

Honestly, he's probably the same shade as the carpet.]

You sure? Cause you're putting me to shame right now.

[Okay relax, look, he's getting some of those cookies too because they're bomb af.]

You're just way too easily embarrassed. C'mon, this is totally normal for us! I tell you that you're kind and generous, I offer to clear the dishes when we're done and then you say...

Aw, thanks. I'd appreciate the extra help.

[He laughs, even though his face is still as red as the carpet.]

No, no - I know. I usually refuse because I say oh, that's okay, I can handle it.

You're a workaholic, [Sorey accuses lightly, like he's not just as guilty.] But with hospitality. A hospitality-aholic?

Really? [This is genuinely Brand New Information^TM. Someone's grown up on the (hardcore) Islamic school of hospitality.] I didn't think that was possible.

I've never had anybody memorize how I take my tea without even asking me before. I mean, aside from people I've lived with all my life.

But you're akhi. As a general rule? I know how my family likes their tea.

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