"Is that a suggestion that I shouldn't do it again?" he asks, still smiling in the face of Essek's aloof contempt.
He learned as much as he could about Kryn culture when he learned precisely who he was being married off to, but the reports are mostly colored by the misunderstanding or disdain of outsiders or political enemies, and so not entirely reliable. He hadn't been sure if Essek's reserved nature was something strictly his own or more common to his people. The way he speaks now suggests the latter, he thinks.
"Did I say that?" Essek's tone remains light and pleasant, perhaps even edging into playful. His eyes are bright, focused intently on his husband's face. "Perhaps not frequently, but it would be acceptable from time to time."
He does have to glance away then, lest his attempt to seem unaffected be revealed for the sham that it is. He's never had a conversation remotely like this before, outlining when and if it would be acceptable to kiss him in front of others. Certainly, he wouldn't have expected before now that he would allow it at all, even conditionally. Even more surprising still is that he'd found it a little thrilling.
While it is true that Kryn culture is more structured and reserved than most human ones, Essek himself is on the more reserved end of even that spectrum. He admits, "It is not considered uncouth for long-term partners to occasionally share a kiss in public, but I am..." Perhaps the best indicator that he is not as cool as he seems is the way his fingers flex against Percy's arm. "I have always been very private, both as a personal preference and a necessity of my station."
Percy stops walking and turns to face Essek with a warmer look in his eyes.
"Then I will try to choose my moments carefully," he says, quiet between them and just for Essek. He leans to kiss his husband's warm cheek, offering relatively chaste affection rather than a full kiss on the mouth. If it's in Essek's nature to be private and reserved, Percy is not going to force him outside that particular comfort zone. "Even if you are very charming when you blush."
Percival understands what it means to have armor for public appearances, understands the need for it, and he does not want to take Essek's away.
"Let's take a walk around the square, I'd like to see the Suntree and see if I can find anything last minute for Cassandra and Keyleth."
Everyone else on his list is covered for Winter's Crest gifts.
It is good that Percival finds it so charming, because Essek can't stop his skin from heating again now as his husband's lips press to his cheek this time. While it is chaste, it is still far more open affection than he is used to, especially after that talk. But Essek tries not to acknowledge this, violet eyes darting down and away as Percy suggests a short walk and looking for a few more presents.
"Of course," he agrees, catching his breath and attempting to restore a bit of poise. There is some uncertainty when he asks, "Should I have prepared gifts for your friends? I am satisfied with what I have found for yourself and Cassandra, but I had not thought to procure any others."
He wouldn't wish to slight them, but he's genuinely not sure of the rules of Winter's Crest gifting.
"No, I honestly wasn't sure who was coming until recently. I couldn't have told you who to look for." And besides, Essek doesn't really know them (yet) the way Percy does. And he had gifts for everyone, either to be sent to those who could not be here or given to those that came.
"Help me with Cassandra's, though. And Keyleth's if you have any thought toward it. If you're very eager to get something for Vex'ahlia, expensive but elegant will do well, whatever it is."
If Essek wants to keep an eye out for things, Percy can at least give him ideas. And Percival won't say it now, but he's looking for a few more things for his husband.
"I have some experience with expensive but elegant," Essek says wryly, lips quirking as he glances up at his husband, cheeks still faintly flushed. "Let us see what we can find. I would like to give something to each of them, if possible, so I would appreciate your advice."
Why not? It seems like it would please Percival if he learned about his friends, and giving gifts as gesture of good will--and to ingratiate one to the recipient--is a language Essek is very familiar with.
He's sure he can assist with finding something for Cassandra, at the very least. Between council meetings and family dinners, Essek has come to rather like his sister-in-law.
"Grog is getting two kegs of this year's stout, we can stay that is from both of us," he says dryly. He'll keep an eye out for something that might suit Pike, though he suspects any sincere gift from Essek will go over well, whatever it might be.
The Suntree is bright in the square, the lights all through it making the golden leaves shine bright. Some nights he cannot forget the nightmare vision of it when he returned to Whitestone, but in moments like this, that darkness feels farther away.
Dawnfather Square is packed with merchants and food vendors, some of whom have larger shops further away and have brought carts here for the festival. The entire city will be a buzz once things really get going and Percy finds himself feeling terrible nostalgic. As they browse, Percival pays attention to where Essek's eyes linger, takes note of anything he might seem to like or be intrigued by. He has his gift for Essek squared away, but there's no reason he cannot get little things for his husband to supplement.
It doesn't take a great effort to find something for Vex'ahlia: they narrow it done to a pair of beautiful earrings with blue stones that match the feathers she often wears or an elegantly made quiver. Percival leaves the final decision to Essek, and does the same once they find some options for Pike. Keyleth's gift becomes a joint effort and together they decide on a beautiful shawl knit in the shape of one of the Suntree's leaves, and made with similar colors. To go with it, Essek finds a shawl pin made from vermaloc wood, of all things. Until now, the only place Percy had really seen it is in the desk Essek has in his tower. It's just a small piece - and expensive, given its rarity, but Percival thinks it's worth it.
It has to be the earrings. Essek knows little about quivers, but plenty about jewelry, so the latter feels slightly more personal. He's surprised and pleased to find even such a small item as the shawl pin made from the distinctive dark purple wood that only grows in Xhorhas. The significance alone makes the purchase entirely worthwhile.
Essek isn't looking for himself, but there is plenty he is charmed by, mostly little things with distinctly local significance. He compliments craftsmen and artisans on their wares, politely pulling his hood back so that they can see him when he speaks to them, even if it means a slight strain on his eyes. Though he has been here more than six months, this is the first time he has interacted so directly with Whitestone's public. Their surprise and curiosity about him is plain to see. Though he detects a little wariness at times, there is no hostility. The castle staff has become used to him by now, but it is apparent that the majority of Whitestone still sees him as a novelty. With Percival they are respectful, but clearly more familiar with his presence.
Still, this is a start. Perhaps the next time they will find him a little more familiar, too.
When their shopping is done, Essek stops just to look up at the Sun Tree, his arm still threaded through Percy's. The lights among the leaves remind him of the tree growing up through the Mighty Nein's home in Rosohna, sustained by the bottled sunlight strung through its branches by the clerics. Both the memory and the sight before him bring a faint smile to his lips.
Percy slips his arm from Essek's in favor of wrapping it around his husband's waist. He holds Essek against him and, maybe, looks side-long at the other man just to look at the light on his face.
"You were very good with the merchants," he says with quiet affection. He knows it was no small thing for Essek to push his hood back, but the impact of being willing to do so did not go unnoticed. "The effort you've made to be present here, to be part of the governance and society of Whitestone means a lot to me."
He just wants Essek to know that. He could have decided this marriage was simply for show and holed up in a suite or tower without any need or desire to be part of anything here, much less have a relationship with Percival. But he hasn't held back, save for the barest moments of hesitation or uncertainty; every single one covered up with an unshakeable veneer of confidence. Percy loves him for all of it.
"And I am very much looking forward to your first Winter's Crest in Whitestone."
There's a pleasant little flutter in his stomach when Percival's arm curls around his waist. Essek turns his body toward him, casting his face half in shadow and half in warm golden light. "I was the youngest Shadowhand in my nation's history," he quips, amused. "Making smalltalk is the least of my skills."
He knows he's playing it off lightly, so he adds, voice softening, "I am grateful that you wish me to be a part of it. I hope to prove more trustworthy in this role than my last."
Perhaps that is setting the bar too low. If he can refrain from stealing any powerful arcane artifacts of unmatched religious and cultural significance for the sake of personal study, he'll have surpassed that goal.
Letting himself relax against his husband, he agrees quietly, "As am I. This is the first holiday I have looked forward to in a very long time." Catching Percival's eye, Essek surprises himself by leaning up to press a short kiss to his cheek, concealed by his hood. "The first of many, I am certain."
Percy smiles as Essek's lips touch his cheek. His arm tightens briefly around Essek's waist, holding him close.
"I hope so. Ah--we should probably head back in a little while. Celebrations go through the night. It's tradition to see the sun come up."
Going back gives them time to rest and relax and change for the evening's festivities, first down in the city and then back up in the palace. Percival doesn't quite know what it is he's feeling - not nerves, but something. This is special, it's important, and more than that it's a celebration that he is sharing with Essek. It's the best of Whitestone.
"There'll be a little meal before we come back down, in case we don't get a chance while we're here. And dinner when we get back."
"I think I will be able to handle all of that," Essek assures with a quirk of his lips. "It sounds like fun." And he hasn't experienced a fun holiday since he was a child--or since Verin was a child, at least. Thinking of that makes him wish, oddly, that Verin were here to experience this too. He would probably enjoy it. And this is, according to Percival, a holiday for family.
It will be good to wait out the next few hours at the castle, though, while the sun is still up. When they come back down to the city later, it won't be a problem for him any longer.
"I am ready to return when you are," he offers. "Shall we choose our attire for the evening together?" They're already matching quite well without trying, but Essek would enjoy coordinating. He's already decided he'll wear the mantle Percival gave him. It is a gorgeous piece, and a significant one to him. If there was ever a time to wear the crest of his new family, this must be it.
"Yes, I'd like that. And there's no reason we can't spend the time together--unless you'd rather spend it in your tower or your suite."
He should have thought of that before saying the first part. It will be some hours, Essek may want to trance in his room or may have something he needs or wants to work on in the mean time.
"Can you teleport us back?" He knows it isn't a low-level spell and he isn't sure exactly how many times Essek can do it before he's tapped for the day. But there's no need to walk all the way back in the cold or ride if Essek can get them there considerably faster. It occurs to him it might be worth creating a circle somewhere in the city... he'll bring that up at the next council meeting.
"Of course," he says lightly, with a confidence that implies being able to cast such high-level magic twice in one day is a trivial thing. Far from it. This will be his limit for especially powerful spells today, unless he is going to trance before they return in the evening. He could, but on this occasion he would prefer to spend that time with his husband, as he suggests.
Essek raises a hand between them and skates his fingertips along Percy's jaw with a gentle touch. His eyes soften. "I do not wish to seclude myself today. I would like nothing more than to remain with you."
With how fondly Percival had spoken of Winter's Crest, Essek has already decided to do everything in his power to make their first together perfect. It's what his husband deserves.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He learned as much as he could about Kryn culture when he learned precisely who he was being married off to, but the reports are mostly colored by the misunderstanding or disdain of outsiders or political enemies, and so not entirely reliable. He hadn't been sure if Essek's reserved nature was something strictly his own or more common to his people. The way he speaks now suggests the latter, he thinks.
no subject
He does have to glance away then, lest his attempt to seem unaffected be revealed for the sham that it is. He's never had a conversation remotely like this before, outlining when and if it would be acceptable to kiss him in front of others. Certainly, he wouldn't have expected before now that he would allow it at all, even conditionally. Even more surprising still is that he'd found it a little thrilling.
While it is true that Kryn culture is more structured and reserved than most human ones, Essek himself is on the more reserved end of even that spectrum. He admits, "It is not considered uncouth for long-term partners to occasionally share a kiss in public, but I am..." Perhaps the best indicator that he is not as cool as he seems is the way his fingers flex against Percy's arm. "I have always been very private, both as a personal preference and a necessity of my station."
no subject
"Then I will try to choose my moments carefully," he says, quiet between them and just for Essek. He leans to kiss his husband's warm cheek, offering relatively chaste affection rather than a full kiss on the mouth. If it's in Essek's nature to be private and reserved, Percy is not going to force him outside that particular comfort zone. "Even if you are very charming when you blush."
Percival understands what it means to have armor for public appearances, understands the need for it, and he does not want to take Essek's away.
"Let's take a walk around the square, I'd like to see the Suntree and see if I can find anything last minute for Cassandra and Keyleth."
Everyone else on his list is covered for Winter's Crest gifts.
no subject
"Of course," he agrees, catching his breath and attempting to restore a bit of poise. There is some uncertainty when he asks, "Should I have prepared gifts for your friends? I am satisfied with what I have found for yourself and Cassandra, but I had not thought to procure any others."
He wouldn't wish to slight them, but he's genuinely not sure of the rules of Winter's Crest gifting.
no subject
"Help me with Cassandra's, though. And Keyleth's if you have any thought toward it. If you're very eager to get something for Vex'ahlia, expensive but elegant will do well, whatever it is."
If Essek wants to keep an eye out for things, Percy can at least give him ideas. And Percival won't say it now, but he's looking for a few more things for his husband.
no subject
Why not? It seems like it would please Percival if he learned about his friends, and giving gifts as gesture of good will--and to ingratiate one to the recipient--is a language Essek is very familiar with.
He's sure he can assist with finding something for Cassandra, at the very least. Between council meetings and family dinners, Essek has come to rather like his sister-in-law.
no subject
The Suntree is bright in the square, the lights all through it making the golden leaves shine bright. Some nights he cannot forget the nightmare vision of it when he returned to Whitestone, but in moments like this, that darkness feels farther away.
Dawnfather Square is packed with merchants and food vendors, some of whom have larger shops further away and have brought carts here for the festival. The entire city will be a buzz once things really get going and Percy finds himself feeling terrible nostalgic. As they browse, Percival pays attention to where Essek's eyes linger, takes note of anything he might seem to like or be intrigued by. He has his gift for Essek squared away, but there's no reason he cannot get little things for his husband to supplement.
It doesn't take a great effort to find something for Vex'ahlia: they narrow it done to a pair of beautiful earrings with blue stones that match the feathers she often wears or an elegantly made quiver. Percival leaves the final decision to Essek, and does the same once they find some options for Pike. Keyleth's gift becomes a joint effort and together they decide on a beautiful shawl knit in the shape of one of the Suntree's leaves, and made with similar colors. To go with it, Essek finds a shawl pin made from vermaloc wood, of all things. Until now, the only place Percy had really seen it is in the desk Essek has in his tower. It's just a small piece - and expensive, given its rarity, but Percival thinks it's worth it.
no subject
Essek isn't looking for himself, but there is plenty he is charmed by, mostly little things with distinctly local significance. He compliments craftsmen and artisans on their wares, politely pulling his hood back so that they can see him when he speaks to them, even if it means a slight strain on his eyes. Though he has been here more than six months, this is the first time he has interacted so directly with Whitestone's public. Their surprise and curiosity about him is plain to see. Though he detects a little wariness at times, there is no hostility. The castle staff has become used to him by now, but it is apparent that the majority of Whitestone still sees him as a novelty. With Percival they are respectful, but clearly more familiar with his presence.
Still, this is a start. Perhaps the next time they will find him a little more familiar, too.
When their shopping is done, Essek stops just to look up at the Sun Tree, his arm still threaded through Percy's. The lights among the leaves remind him of the tree growing up through the Mighty Nein's home in Rosohna, sustained by the bottled sunlight strung through its branches by the clerics. Both the memory and the sight before him bring a faint smile to his lips.
no subject
"You were very good with the merchants," he says with quiet affection. He knows it was no small thing for Essek to push his hood back, but the impact of being willing to do so did not go unnoticed. "The effort you've made to be present here, to be part of the governance and society of Whitestone means a lot to me."
He just wants Essek to know that. He could have decided this marriage was simply for show and holed up in a suite or tower without any need or desire to be part of anything here, much less have a relationship with Percival. But he hasn't held back, save for the barest moments of hesitation or uncertainty; every single one covered up with an unshakeable veneer of confidence. Percy loves him for all of it.
"And I am very much looking forward to your first Winter's Crest in Whitestone."
no subject
He knows he's playing it off lightly, so he adds, voice softening, "I am grateful that you wish me to be a part of it. I hope to prove more trustworthy in this role than my last."
Perhaps that is setting the bar too low. If he can refrain from stealing any powerful arcane artifacts of unmatched religious and cultural significance for the sake of personal study, he'll have surpassed that goal.
Letting himself relax against his husband, he agrees quietly, "As am I. This is the first holiday I have looked forward to in a very long time." Catching Percival's eye, Essek surprises himself by leaning up to press a short kiss to his cheek, concealed by his hood. "The first of many, I am certain."
no subject
"I hope so. Ah--we should probably head back in a little while. Celebrations go through the night. It's tradition to see the sun come up."
Going back gives them time to rest and relax and change for the evening's festivities, first down in the city and then back up in the palace. Percival doesn't quite know what it is he's feeling - not nerves, but something. This is special, it's important, and more than that it's a celebration that he is sharing with Essek. It's the best of Whitestone.
"There'll be a little meal before we come back down, in case we don't get a chance while we're here. And dinner when we get back."
no subject
It will be good to wait out the next few hours at the castle, though, while the sun is still up. When they come back down to the city later, it won't be a problem for him any longer.
"I am ready to return when you are," he offers. "Shall we choose our attire for the evening together?" They're already matching quite well without trying, but Essek would enjoy coordinating. He's already decided he'll wear the mantle Percival gave him. It is a gorgeous piece, and a significant one to him. If there was ever a time to wear the crest of his new family, this must be it.
no subject
He should have thought of that before saying the first part. It will be some hours, Essek may want to trance in his room or may have something he needs or wants to work on in the mean time.
"Can you teleport us back?" He knows it isn't a low-level spell and he isn't sure exactly how many times Essek can do it before he's tapped for the day. But there's no need to walk all the way back in the cold or ride if Essek can get them there considerably faster. It occurs to him it might be worth creating a circle somewhere in the city... he'll bring that up at the next council meeting.
no subject
Essek raises a hand between them and skates his fingertips along Percy's jaw with a gentle touch. His eyes soften. "I do not wish to seclude myself today. I would like nothing more than to remain with you."
With how fondly Percival had spoken of Winter's Crest, Essek has already decided to do everything in his power to make their first together perfect. It's what his husband deserves.