voice | un: 4025dusk2

[prozaic]

With the colder weather comes some discomfort. ... For myself, in particular. [a soft clearing of his throat.]

I am looking for some help in heating up a room-- heating a flat preferably, but even one room would be enough. A small device might not be enough for me, because... well. [for a few seconds, the video feed is on, showing a pale hand around something tube-shaped and covered in lustrous black scales, very long, the ends disappearing off-camera.

it's a snake tail. his tail, specifically.]

I am quite sensitive to the cold and will become sluggish, perhaps not as much as actual serpent-beasts, but still. I can't very well brumate until the weather warms up again, now can I?

I shall repay anyone who can help.

Comments

[dodgeouttahell]

I know just the thing, then.

[prozaic]

Oh?
Do tell.

[dodgeouttahell]

Please hold.

[prozaic]

Zagreus what are you doing

[dodgeouttahell]

Don’t worry about it!

[After a moment, during which Zag will not reply to any messages, there will be knock at the door - a bundle of blankets, a duvet and a long, thick coat.

Resting on the top of the soft fabric, two bottles. One of limoncello, the other of a clear liquid, a spirit.

No Zagreus to be seen, though. Only a scorch mark on the floor at a certain distance.]

[prozaic]

[if it were warmer, shalem would be able to get up quickly and rush to the door... but it's not. he's a little serpent buried under what sheets he could find, curled up on his side with his phone in hand. he had to fight his sheets to get out and find some footwear to get to the door without getting his feet cold.

but seriously, what?

these things can only come from zagreus... and he's touched, really, as he takes the bottles, the blankets and the coat into his room, all in his arms. whatever did he do to deserve this?

he has to send a message now.]

Zagreus what in the world?

[dodgeouttahell]

[Can you feel how happy he is right now?]

I don't have the faintest of what you mean.

[prozaic]

Indeed.
You should come back and share with me. Drinking alone is lonely.

[dodgeouttahell]

The drinks are for you to feel warm, though.

But I suppose I can get some more to compensate for it.

[prozaic]

There's too much for poor little me to handle.

[dodgeouttahell]

'Poor little you', is it? If I recall correctly you're slightly taller than me.

Just kidding though. I'll head over soon.

[prozaic]

The door will be unlocked for you, so you may simply come in.

[and shalem will find what glasses he has, even if they're mismatched. he's not a barbarian, he's not about to make zagreus drink from the bottle, especially when he has to drink from it too.

he has a worn old couch and a small coffee table, but better than nothing. then he can just wait.]

[dodgeouttahell]

Thank you!

[And it takes some time, but Zagreus eventually does knock at the door, budging it open as to make his voice filter through the gap.]

Shalem? It's me, Zagreus.

[prozaic]

I'm here. Come in, come in. [his couch and the table with the bottles and glasses are just beyond the door-- and the man himself is perched on the couch, bare feet up on the cushions with his tail around his ankles. if he could, he'd curl himself into a real ball just to be warm, but he'll have to settle for hugging his legs and tucking one of the blankets around his body. funnily enough, without his gloves or socks, his feet and nails are painted indigo. along with the jewelry he wears, shalem just has... some things he prioritizes.

in the corner, there is a folded-up futon with his shield laying on it, and another corner bears a wooden box with some clothing. he's been making do with this place he's found, clearly.]

I hope you don't mind, I've already begun.

[the bottle of limoncello, specifically. but he's only had half a glass so far, balancing on his knees.]

[dodgeouttahell]

[With a mutter to be excused, he gets in, closing the door behind him. The place really is slightly drafty, but Zagreus is glad when he recognizes the blanket he's using to bundle himself in is the one he offered.]

How is it? [He pads closer, not even batting an eyelash at the choice of jewelry or the nail varnish. ] And not at all; it's yours. You can drink it all if you wish. May I? [He points towards the free space on the couch so he can sit.]

[prozaic]

Please, sit. [even with his issues, he's still trying to be a gracious host.

he uncurls himself to pour zagreus a glass, no more than two fingers for now, and hands it to him.]

So... alcohol, hmm? I see you have a preference. [other people would send tea or hot chocolate, he thinks. or hot drinks in general.]

[dodgeouttahell]

Oh, thank you. [He takes the glass with a smile, leaning forward to make it easier for Shalem to hand it over. He clinks their glasses together softly, though he shakes his head with a chuckle.] There's just less upkeep with it. We don't have these where I come from.

[prozaic]

Ah, so you're trying new things? [he knows that he was right to think that zagreus was a little sheltered, but to not have a variety of alcohol...

zagreus' home sounds exceedingly dour and morose.]

The... harder stuff is an interesting place to start. But limoncello is delicious, I cannot complain. What's the other one?

[dodgeouttahell]

[See, Shalem, this is why he wanted out.]

You could say I am. [He takes a sip of the drink, sucking on his own lower lip with a delighted sound at the taste.]That's ouzo, from the surf—ah, Greece, I'd say. I heard plenty of shades talking about it and tried it, it's very strong, though. The closest to Nectar I've tasted.

[prozaic]

Oh? Let's see...

[shalem polishes off his glass, and then reaches for the ouzo. perhaps it's not proper to drink something else when the first bottle hasn't been finished yet, but who is going to judge?

he twists the cap off, and then peeks his forked tongue out to have a whiff of it. he so rarely does this because he usually just uses his nose-- what else is it there for, aside from breathing?-- and blinks. yes, that's definitely strong.]

Aniseed? [he didn't think that would be compatible with alcohol but he guessed wrong.

shalem is sure he's going to end up on the floor after a few glasses of either of these. oh well.]

[dodgeouttahell]

[As someone who doesn't really care for propriety and etiquette, Zagreus only watches Shalem attentively, his weight shifting expectantly, hoping Shalem will like it.

He actually had expected the forked tongue, having seen Dusa use her own back home and thinking nothing of it. He only smiles, nodding.] There's a version without it, but they didn't have it in stock. Strong, right?

[prozaic]

It smells strong. [that's his first opinion about it. and usually? he would stay away from harder drinks because of work, you never know when you'll be called into battle or any field mission. some still indulged, but shalem only went as far as wine and the occasional beer.

then he pours himself just a little bit to try it.]

You know... giving me the hard stuff is a surefire way to put me down on the floor rather quickly. I might not be a lightweight, but even I have my limits.

[a sparkling smile towards zagreus first, then he downs it like a shot. was that how you drank ouzo? he doesn't know. but he did it. and when he's done, he takes a deep breath, nose flaring with the sudden heat inside it and his throat.]

[dodgeouttahell]

[It's a good thing his own glass of limoncello was emptied as he flails a little—too little and too late— when Shalem shoots the ouzo.] O-oh!

[He can't help but chuckle a little; he's not teasing, he's surprised and actually impressed.] Wow, how does that feel? You're actually supposed to sip at that, not down it all at once. I guess now I have to try it like that.

[He pours the ouzo for himself, raises the glass for a mock toast. Bottoms up, and he hisses, his face scrunching up in a grimace.] Well, at least. [A clear of his throat, and he touches his own cheek with the back of his hand to feel the temperature difference.] At least it makes you feel quite warm, doesn't it? That was the whole point of this, after all. Phew.

[prozaic]

[he hasn't drunk like that since he was a young one, just before his debut, giving in to peer pressure and sneaking drinks before he was mature enough to handle it.]

It does-- with the side effect of tasting quite good, as well. You have excellent taste, Zagreus. Thank you.

[he does want more of the ouzo... but the limoncello was opened first, and he doesn't want that one growing stale, so he reaches for the bottle again. his tail raises once, and then flops back onto the couch. he might not be a dog, but that's enough of a wag.]

Feel free to come by with more alcohol any time.

[dodgeouttahell]

Think nothing of it, please. [Eyes cast low at the praise, he busies himself looking at the edge of the blanket that's draped over the couch. Plucks at a loose thread sticking out of it. There.] You asked for assistance; it was the least I could do.

I'm glad it pleases you. I wasn't sure you'd like them sweet or smoky. [With a laugh, he pours some more limoncello to appease the burn in his mouth and throat, clinks the glasses again.] But if you insist. Even if I'll admit that it was fun to see you react all surprised.