‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

⠀⠀⠀ guard dog..?   ⦋  he takes the joke, as usual, to heart.   his ear flicks at the appreciated attention, head practically falling into  the palm.   ⦌     I can be a good guard dog! big boss always says so!  'm gonna be y'ur guard dog if it meand i get to stay,  yeah! 

@worIdeaters,            ⋆  perhaps.. he /did/ miss kiba’s boundless energy, shoulders relaxing & valentin allows himself to continue being held. kiba’s behaviour is.. endearing, so it isn’t as burdensome as other matters. his hand lifts to scratch a furred ear, tone dry with humour.  ⋆           never? oh, i’m terrified. becoming my guard dog now, are you?

⠀⠀⠀   do I!? I've been eatin' lots!    ⦋  his hold does not relent even a fraction. his toothy grin seems to only scrunch his cheeks higher, red strands of hair fall to the left, and ears topple over with the tilt.   ⦌     why wouldn't i see you,  lil' boss!?   I was lookin' everywhere!    'm  never lettin'  ya out my sights now! 

@theradiant,             ⋆  it was /strange/, but not repulsive—     valentin found himself thinking this, tilting his head up to allow the other man better access.  ⋆          i will scold you if i /want/ to, you cannot stop me.  your health could be affected, i wish you would take better care of yourself.

ah,  please..  do not scold me. ⠀⁽⠀the nobleman nuzzles to the crook of one's neck in a kittenish manner.  relishing the comfort,  the scent so uniquely valentin's.⠀⁾

@theradiant,              that is because you’re /cold/. you shouldn’t have stayed outside for so long,

@theradiant,             what if she did not allow it? what would you do then?

i will ask the madame of the house.. 

@theradiant,            .. and of your own duties? you should not shirk them.

@theradiant,             ⋆  the glare of golden hues grew sharp, pointed—       the sheer terror within them apparent. breaths heave, one arm clutching so hard to the other that creases formed. valentin huffs, forcibly calming himself within moments.  ⋆         i merely became overstimulated. it is.. not anything you should concern yourself over.

⁽⠀matthias frowns,  believing that wasn't the best approach..  and query to bring.⠀⁾ ⠀ i see..  i'm sorry.  i am aware that it is rude of me to meddle,  though i cannot help but be concerned.  you're free to speak to me,  any of the troubles you carry..  shouldn't be suppressed.

@theradiant,            i d͟o͟ ͟n͟o͟t͟—      i cannot bear another /second/ in that room. 

@duskrhine     ㅤ⟢     it was certainly a party, valentin.        [the serpent replies, his languid frame resting against the firm cushion of his seat as whomever had been close to him—had immediately scurried off upon the entrance of the    ..certainly beautiful noble.]      you glare at me despite my innocence, it was you who decided to come inside without knocking.       [a delicate chuckle escapes, a gloved hand resting against the side of his chin,]      why do you hate me so?

@swarmite,                they were. and surely that is enough of a message to convey that you are not welcome here?

@duskrhine       ㅤ⟢       even then, it’s reckless.       [the serpent is guided by his feet, circling around until he’s against the back of the noble’s chair. chin pressing against the top of the seat, golden irises peering down carefully as if he was watching his next meal tonight.]        perhaps not you, but i do. you’re beautiful, lord valentin. i hope you understand what i’m eluding,      [a pause.]     my interest, do not ignore it.

@swarmite,                i trust in adali’s ability to look after himself,                 ⋆  he frowns, sipping lightly from the glass he held. not judging, but simply cautious.  ⋆                 .. interesting? i wouldn’t say that about myself. 

@duskrhine      ㅤ⟢      because my curiosity has gotten the better of me. i wanted to know the master who carelessly let their servant wander out into the woods, it’s certainly dangerous   ..luckily i was there. though seeing you, there’s much to be interested in.

     ``    i suppose it would be difficult to replace me ,    ``      he  would  muse,   brushing away the looming thought of danger with a sigh.  It was neither time nor the place to think about such daunting things. The last thing he wanted was to spoil the good mood.  Adali's arms would mimic valentin's, and he smiled --  albeit nervously.   ``    I know of it, if that helps.   ``   he admits his lack of experience in a sheepish  laugh,  all too aware of the warmth  in his hands right now.   ``    you  don't  have to waste such time on me,  you know?  I  insist that you find a more suitable partner..    `` 

@srvitude,                 well, it would not do for anyone to guess at your true nature. not to mention, how could i bear to lose such a capable butler as yourself?               ⋆  he jokes, though they were both well aware of the danger that being in a public space would pose. just one wrong step and they would be doomed. nevertheless the noble’s touch is still gentle as he guides adali’s hands- holding one, while the other is placed to his arm.  ⋆               are you familiar with ballroom dancing, adali? if not, then i suppose we can simply treat today as a lesson.

      Adali walks quietly with him,  making sure he was not so attention-grabbing that people would look for too long. The last thing they needed was an influx of eyes staring them down.  He  watches his master's back, too scared to look elsewhere until they are behind closed doors.      ``   you didn't have to do this --  what is the point of a dance if it not front and centre?    `` 

         ``     my  lord,  with  all due respect,   I  hate  parties..   but what I hate more than parties .. is the idea of you attending with someone  else..  especially if it is such an important event .    [  //  ]      it is selfish of me for say, I know,  but  if I said I would go, then I will go.      ``  

@srvitude,               hah, but i don’t wish to force you into something you want no part of. i’m not asking you if you mind.. i’m asking if you /want/ to go. if you do, i will happily have an outfit tailored right away. and if you don’t, then i will not push any further. it’s your choice, adali.

      ``   〔  sigh .. 〕    most do not take people such as i, when taking butlers and maids with them.  my lord,  you know I could never refuse you, even if i wanted to.   I will go,  but do not expect me to be anywhere but besides the walls.      `` 

      ``    I know you wouldn't  lie, I just..  ``  adali  sighs, both out of relief and stress.  he had never been in this situation before, and his pulse ran wild against his neck.   he ran his thumb over the back of valentin's hand,  both soothing and self-soothing.   ``  I'll stay next to you until this passes,  alright?  whatever you need.    ``   

@srvitude,                 yes. i’m alright, i promise.. don’t worry, mm?                 ⋆  he manages a smile even as his free hand fisted into his shirt, right over the cavern in his chest where his heartbeat fluttered. it is both to calm adali and /himself/ too, a reassurance that he is still here. that valentin is still alive.  ⋆               i wouldn’t lie to you, would i? i’m alright.

       adali  watches  with  concern,  knelt down next to the chair his beloved master would sit at.  he helped him every second it took for him to sit,  tightly holding upon one of valentin's  hands with both of his.      ``      my  lord..   please, do not lie to me.   are  you  truly  alright?  I'm  worried  sick ..    ``