[closed] with kia

[toyska]

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[toyska]

[Perhaps it means he’s not the best host—-but Childe, too, is quickly drawn in. There are fewer pleasures in his life simpler and sweeter than this: the energy and atmosphere of a good performance.

He leans back into his chair when it’s over, and his eyes… well, they never really have light in them, but they’re brighter than they usually are, as is his grin.]

High praise, from a fellow performer.

[femmefinale]

They've clearly learned every aspect of their craft. One doesn't need to be a performer to see that much, though I can certainly see the effort put into it.

[ She's quiet for a moment. Then, a little mulishly-- ]

I could still attract a crowd on an empty corner, however.

[toyska]

[The addition startles a laugh out of him.]

That was never in doubt!

[femmefinale]

I simply did not want you doubting my skills. It may have been a while, but I have continued to dance.

[ Primrose is still so full of pride, in her own way. It's embarrassing. ]

[toyska]

[She is, and it fills him with the same fondness it had back at the station. He can relate to her passion, after all, even if their fields of expertise aren't the same.]

For your own sake, I hope.

[femmefinale]

Of course. At a certain point, I have only danced for myself. I don't need anyone else's stage.

[ And quite honestly fuck them if they try to make her. ]

[toyska]

I’m glad to hear it. Someday I’ll come see you perform, hm? [A grin.] Though I can’t promise I won’t jump in, if it’s at a street corner.

[He wouldn’t. Probably. Maybe.

But he gets to his feet, then, holding out a hand.]

Shall we?

[femmefinale]

Oh, my. Are you saying you could possibly keep up with me?

[ As she rises, placing her hand in his with a little curtsy. ]

[toyska]

Ahaha, what a question! But I'd be honored to face you regardless, even if it ends in my defeat.

[WHEN DID IT BECOME A COMPETITION.]

[femmefinale]

... Find me a corner and a tune and I'll accept your proposal.

[ This escalated. ]

[toyska]

Done.

[He will actually do this. This is a real thing he will do. I hate this.

BUT not right this second, because right this second he's getting their coats and holding hers out for her again.]

Are you hungry?

[femmefinale]

[ And she takes it and shrugs back into this Warmth. ]

I could eat something, I suppose.

[toyska]

Then you're in luck.

[Given that they're in town and all! He doesn't fuss or offer his arm this time, just shoves his hands into his pockets and keeps pace with her as they head towards the exit of the theatre--though she if she takes it on her own, he certainly won't pull away.]

There are a few different restaurants nearby that ought to have a table available. [Honestly there's probably always a table available anywhere in Snezhnaya, because Rich Harbinger perks, but he's not gonna say it like that.] Otherwise, I'm a decent hand in the kitchen myself, if you'd rather avoid the crowds.

[Makes Primrose climb a mountain to get back to his house--no jk]

[femmefinale]

[ Wow.

She doesn't take his hand because they're in his pockets and this is their first reunion and while she is not against intimately reaching into his pockets... nah.

She does, however, lean in closer, eyes dark and intent. ]

Yes, I'd be rather interested in seeing what things your hands are able to accomplish.

[ ... which is to say she will take home-cooked meals any day. ]

[toyska]

[toyska]

[toyska]

[He has too much control over himself to stumble physically, but it's obvious from his face that he's caught off-guard, even if he catches, ah, both of her meanings.]

Ah-- right, of course.

[Oh god he's so out of practice with this. Wow. This is almost as embarrassing as his toy seller speech in front of those new recruits back in Liyue.

BRING IT BACK--]

Though I'm a little hurt that you've forgotten! It hasn't been that long, after all.

[That's a little better.

His agents are very pointedly staring at nothing and pretending they don't exist because they don't want to die today. Smart people.]

[femmefinale]

...

[ Sorry, give her a moment. Just the look on his face is enough to surprise a laugh or several out of her, and it isn't a sultry chuckle or mysteriously stifled. ]

You mustn't blame me entirely. A lot's happened since then!

[toyska]

[STOP STOP HE'S ALREADY DEAD]

It's only ever you who gets to laugh at me like this, did you know that?

[This is so unfair he wants a redo (he doesn't)]

[femmefinale]

Well, it tends to only ever be you who makes me laugh like this in the first place.

[ So this is really his own fault. ]

[toyska]

[GOD. He shakes his head, but he's smiling fondly as they head out onto the street. Instead of heading back down the main road, he turns onto a side street, leading the way to... somewhere. Back home like he said, maybe? Somewhere else? A mystery.]

I suppose if it entertains you, then I won't complain too much. I do like hearing you laugh, even if it's at my expense.

[femmefinale]

[ Wow he's leading her into a dark alley to kill her. How nostalgic. ]

Then perhaps you had ought to try other methods to make me laugh? Ones that allow you to preserve your dignity.

[toyska]

[(Prim voice) I don't know what I expected

Anyway yeah they're going to the very deadly and horrifying location of... what looks like a small grocery vendor. Wow! How villainous.]

Such as? What entertains you, Primrose?

[femmefinale]

[ Gasp. He could kill her with a cantaloupe and then eat it and no one would be the wiser. ]

... I wonder.

[ TRULY, SHE WONDERS. ] Now that I give it proper thought, I don't think I tend to laugh all that often...

[toyska]

[STOP HE WOULDN’T DO THAT that’s wasting food, he would kill her with his Vision while eating the cantaloupe—-

—-actually though there is no cantaloupe here! There’s tragically not much in the way of native fruits in fake Russia, though there are baskets of apples and berries, along with vegetables and a back section of iceboxes. He waves to the vendor, an older woman who greets them both with a warm, raspy voice, and starts sorting through the available goods, checking them over for quality with what’s clearly a practiced eye.]

Well we’ll definitely have to remedy that. [Let Prim Laugh!!!! Also—-] Do you like seafood?