Fenris peers at the ring turning purple, having to remind himself that it's probably not infused with some kind of magic or curse, before his gaze returns to the glowstick being held out to him, hanging from a leather cord and swinging side to side like a pendulum.
He takes it into his hand and gives it a once-over, turning it over and watching the bubble inside race from one end of the stick to the other. After a moment he wordlessly puts it on. The glow of the blue liquid really does look an awful lot like Lyrium. Except there's something infinitely more comforting about it that he can't quite place. ]
[It does, actually-- that's not just rhetoric. The gentle glow from the necklace lights up Fenris's face in a way that is both ethereal and appealing, causing his hair to glimmer with pretty highlights and adding a rather fetching contrast to his olive skin. Wade suddenly stretches, opening his mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn.]
Man, y'know what? Now that all the fun's over I just realized I'm starving. What say we see if there're any food stalls nearby? My treat.
[ It's hard to tell if the reflective tone in his words was actually sarcasm or not. There's not much chance to reflect on it either way. Fenris also realizes that...he's hungry. That's saying a lot, honestly.
He still pauses before giving his answer. This night ended up way different than he anticipated. ]
[Wade only affords Fenris a quick smile before he's striding off again, mostly to hide the delight he feels at Fenris actually accepting his invitation. He figured that the silver-haired curmudgeon would have filled his social tolerance by now, but apparently the old adage about the way to a man's heart being through his stomach applied to elves as well.
There's a chill in the air as he exits the arcade, though that seems impossible considering the city's under a giant dome. Maybe there was some mechanism designed to simulate weather? Best not to think about it too much-- things are already creepily Matrix-y enough as it is.
He can't hear Fenris's footfalls behind him, but he fights the urge to look back. Don't want to give Fenris the impression that he's needy or anything. A few lefts and a right later, Wade finds himself on a nondescript little street where a lonely food stall has been set up. He grins in relief.]
Good. I was worried this guy might've moved or something. You ever have ramen before, Fen?
[ At the very least, Fenris does indeed stay behind Wade despite the silence of his footfalls. He doesn't feel very comfortable until the crowds of people grow smaller, and he finds himself grateful that the place Wade picks is a lonely food stall.
He doesn't mean to hesitate, but it's an annoying response to a question that took him off guard. Stupid. ]
[Wade finds himself being selfishly disappointed that Fenris has had this experience already, but it's tempered somewhat by morbid curiosity. That's... a rather strong reaction to an innocuous question, after all.]
Bad experience? We can always go somewhere else if you're not into noodles.
[And for a moment, Wade wrestles with the urge to dig further. It seems like there's a story there, one that goes beyond simple dislike for spicy foods. Maybe someone had made him eat fish despite knowing his dislike of them? Douchey thing to do, if that were the case.
Regardless, Wade decides to let it go. No sense in probing for something that might not be important in the long run. He slips onto one of the stools in one fluid motion, indicating with his head that Fenris should follow suit.]
Well, don't worry. I may have wanted you to try gross nutrition cubes once upon a time, but I draw the line at overly spicy things. Getting you to try 'em, I mean. Personally, I'm all for it.
[He turns his head to address the man attending the food stall.]
You hear that, my good man? Get me somethin' that I'll practically have to sign a waiver for.
[ Fenris isn't used to the prodding being let up when he expresses discomfort about a subject. If anything, his discomfort encourages the prodding to persist.
He hesitates a moment, still surprised, before he takes a seat on the next stool. He goes into a deep thought when Wade mentions the "nutrition cubes" again, trying to dredge up...anything.
For some reason, an encampment flashes in his mind. Did Wade say something about that?
He sighs in frustration, completely at odds with what he says when he addresses the man as well. ]
Just give me a plain one.
[ Without thinking, he glances over at Wade, brows furrowed in thought. ]
[Whatever Fenris is considering while looking at Wade, he's definitely getting himself a show on top of it. Even seated at the noodle cart as he is Wade can barely sit still, tapping his fingers on the counter and jiggling his feet against the rungs of the stool. It's almost as if he's moving along to a rhythm only he can hear.
Eventually he cottons onto the fact that Fenris is looking at him. Glancing the elf's way, Wade accidentally meets his gaze and drops his eyes immediately, an embarrassed smile stretching his lips.]
See anything green, pal? You're kinda lookin' at me like I'm on the menu here.
[ This man can never be still, can he? Complete opposite of Fenris, who sometimes appears as a statue. Though, there was a time when he fidgeted nonstop, looking over his shoulder often, so maybe he gets that a little bit.
Realizing he seems to have embarrassed Wade, he looks away and folds his arms over the counter space. ]
No. I seemed to have gotten lost in thought for a moment. Apologies.
[ Sorry, he couldn't let that one slip by. But when Wade speaks again, Fenris glances back over at him, neutral features a touch more intense than they need to be, debating with himself if he wants to answer him or not. ]
You.
[ But he realizes that alone is not a very good answer. ]
[The sheer simplicity of that statement causes Wade to blink in surprise, and it isn't helped by Fenris's elaboration moments later. One hand comes up to awkwardly squeeze the back of his neck as he huffs out an altogether bashful laugh.]
[Wade finds himself cocking his head in genuine puzzlement.]
Well... yeah? I mean, what else was I supposed to do, be a dick about it? Seems like you don't wanna talk about it, so that's the end of that. No sense in bringing the mood down just to satisfy my curiosity, y'know? I keep my cards close to the chest too sometimes.
[He rolls one shoulder in a shrug.]
No big deal. I'll probably have forgotten I asked by the time we're done here.
[ Fenris returns the genuine puzzlement with more genuine puzzlement. ]
Then I've misjudged you.
[ Reminds him of someone, actually. A little bit. Still, different enough that Fenris is still taken aback. He seems content to let the conversation end there, falling into silence, but after a bit he speaks up again. ]
I've always looked at conversation as a potential trap. Watch your step, look over your shoulder, listen for trouble. Say the wrong thing and someone has you backed into a corner.
[That doesn't really surprise Wade. Fenris had always struck him as the type of person to choose his words carefully, to speak as succinctly as possible and not to give anything away. He shrugs again, the most noncommittal response he can think of, but that doesn't seem like enough.]
I'm probably not the guy to talk to about what's normal, but... honestly that sounds like a really sad way to live, from where I'm sitting. I mean, I'm obviously biased-- you know me, no filter. I just say whatever pops into my head, consequences be damned. Have for years. My parents used to say I was vaccinated with a phonograph needle-- uh. A phonograph's a type of, like... machine that plays music, I guess is the best way to put it? And a vaccine is... y'know what? Forget it. Explaining it ruins the joke. Um.
[Mercifully the noodle chef cuts his stumbling diatribe short by serving them their food. Wade utters a tiny breathless "ohthankGOD" before he sweeps up his chopsticks effortlessly and begins stirring his bowl.]
Bon appetit, Fen. This's pretty much the only way to get me to shut my gob at least for a few seconds. Try to enjoy it as much as possible.
[ Despite not knowing what Wade is even saying, Fenris still appears to be paying attention, even as he explains the overly complicated joke. He still doesn't fully get it, but that's fine. The chef sets their bowls in front of them, and Fenris gives a small thanks and a nod. ]
Noted.
[ It's a teasing reply, but there's something that lacks the usual bite. Softer than it is dry. For whatever reason, Wade seems nervous. He's not sure why exactly...something about the turn in this conversation, he supposes.
He picks up his chopsticks, stirring his bowl as he finally lets his gaze shift from Wade to his food. Fenris gives Wade mercy by shifting the subject back to the food, though he has filed away some mental notes in his head. ]
...This is better than whatever it was I ate before.
[ As the chef returns to what he was doing before, he mutters something along the lines of, "that's because it's not a cheap gimmick", seemingly aware of the place Fenris had been talking about despite not giving any information about it. Seems like there's a rivalry going on there. It wasn't too far from here, after all. ]
[Wade huffs out another laugh at Fenris's teasing remark, pretending to find something very interesting in his bowl so that he doesn't have to look at his dinner partner. A snide comment from his childhood suddenly bubbles to the surface-- y'know, Wade, you don't always have to spill your guts out of your mouth-- before he quiets it with a heaping mouthful of spicy ramen. Waiver-signingly hot, just the way he likes it. He can already feel his face flush from the heat and revels in the pain as he chews.
Fenris's comment catches him by surprise, and he jerks his head up to look at him, mouth unfortunately still laden with noodles that dangle out of his mouth and give him the appearance of some sort of red-faced, pasta-based cephalopod.]
[ Fenris doesn't even realize that Wade was sitting over there going through something with his spicy noodles, slurping up his own with a practiced experience - he really only needed to learn once. When he hears Wade, he glances over, immediately caught off guard by the sight before him.
It's so utterly ridiculous that his furrowed brows and impending eye roll are quickly overtaken by a laugh he tries very hard to bite back, and instead it comes out more like a giggle. ]
HA! [Okay, so it comes out more like "HUPH!" but the accompanying point of Wade's finger at Fenris should drive the sentiment home all the same. With help from his chopsticks, Wade stuffs the dangling ramen into his mouth, chews vigorously and swallows, wincing as the spices go burning down his throat. He'll pay for eating those too fast later, but for now he's reveling in his victory.]
That was totally a laugh just now, I heard it! No walkin' back on that one, sir! I knew I'd get one of those outta you sooner or later!
[ Fenris hides that creeping smile by slurping up some more noodles, feeling his face heat up from what he assumes to be the spices. The spices and only the spices. ]
Doesn't matter, still counts! I gotcha to laugh, so I'm takin' it as a win!
[There's nothing in his expression or voice to indicate he's being anything but genuine. Grinning like a satyr, he takes another mouthful of his noodles, his smile turning slightly pained as the spices hit. Maybe he was a bit too adventurous with his order. Hopefully this won't cause a blowout in the near future.
Wade takes a sip of his drink before addressing Fenris again.]
Seriously though, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. There were a few times tonight where I was worried I was gratin' on you. I tend to have that effect on people.
[ Fenris is caught of guard with just how much pleasure a laugh seemed to get out of Wade - sure, others went out of their way to hear one from him before, but only to see if it were possible (it is...only in actually humorous company). He never understood the fascination with his demeanor. But Wade...Wade seems to legitimately enjoy it.
It's weird. Wade is weird. ]
Y- [ It's instinctual for him to say something snippy in return, even if jokingly, but he stops himself, sighing as he feels the need to be genuine. Troublesome. ] Yes, well...I'm as surprised as you are.
[ That came out wrong, but he makes no move to correct himself lest he just make it worse. Ugh. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-01-10 11:22 pm (UTC)Fenris peers at the ring turning purple, having to remind himself that it's probably not infused with some kind of magic or curse, before his gaze returns to the glowstick being held out to him, hanging from a leather cord and swinging side to side like a pendulum.
He takes it into his hand and gives it a once-over, turning it over and watching the bubble inside race from one end of the stick to the other. After a moment he wordlessly puts it on. The glow of the blue liquid really does look an awful lot like Lyrium. Except there's something infinitely more comforting about it that he can't quite place. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-02-14 08:44 pm (UTC)[It does, actually-- that's not just rhetoric. The gentle glow from the necklace lights up Fenris's face in a way that is both ethereal and appealing, causing his hair to glimmer with pretty highlights and adding a rather fetching contrast to his olive skin. Wade suddenly stretches, opening his mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn.]
Man, y'know what? Now that all the fun's over I just realized I'm starving. What say we see if there're any food stalls nearby? My treat.
no subject
Date: 2022-04-19 11:39 pm (UTC)[ It's hard to tell if the reflective tone in his words was actually sarcasm or not. There's not much chance to reflect on it either way. Fenris also realizes that...he's hungry. That's saying a lot, honestly.
He still pauses before giving his answer. This night ended up way different than he anticipated. ]
Sure. Thanks.
[ Or SOMETHING he doesn't know. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-05-02 05:24 pm (UTC)There's a chill in the air as he exits the arcade, though that seems impossible considering the city's under a giant dome. Maybe there was some mechanism designed to simulate weather? Best not to think about it too much-- things are already creepily Matrix-y enough as it is.
He can't hear Fenris's footfalls behind him, but he fights the urge to look back. Don't want to give Fenris the impression that he's needy or anything. A few lefts and a right later, Wade finds himself on a nondescript little street where a lonely food stall has been set up. He grins in relief.]
Good. I was worried this guy might've moved or something. You ever have ramen before, Fen?
no subject
Date: 2022-05-02 11:33 pm (UTC)He doesn't mean to hesitate, but it's an annoying response to a question that took him off guard. Stupid. ]
Once.
[ Ugh. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-05-03 05:44 pm (UTC)Bad experience? We can always go somewhere else if you're not into noodles.
no subject
Date: 2022-05-03 05:57 pm (UTC)[ He got the impression that that was part of its charm, though. A gimmick to draw in customers, most likely. ]
It's not important.
[ Not anymore. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-05-03 06:15 pm (UTC)Regardless, Wade decides to let it go. No sense in probing for something that might not be important in the long run. He slips onto one of the stools in one fluid motion, indicating with his head that Fenris should follow suit.]
Well, don't worry. I may have wanted you to try gross nutrition cubes once upon a time, but I draw the line at overly spicy things. Getting you to try 'em, I mean. Personally, I'm all for it.
[He turns his head to address the man attending the food stall.]
You hear that, my good man? Get me somethin' that I'll practically have to sign a waiver for.
no subject
Date: 2022-05-03 06:36 pm (UTC)He hesitates a moment, still surprised, before he takes a seat on the next stool. He goes into a deep thought when Wade mentions the "nutrition cubes" again, trying to dredge up...anything.
For some reason, an encampment flashes in his mind. Did Wade say something about that?
He sighs in frustration, completely at odds with what he says when he addresses the man as well. ]
Just give me a plain one.
[ Without thinking, he glances over at Wade, brows furrowed in thought. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-08-05 02:34 pm (UTC)Eventually he cottons onto the fact that Fenris is looking at him. Glancing the elf's way, Wade accidentally meets his gaze and drops his eyes immediately, an embarrassed smile stretching his lips.]
See anything green, pal? You're kinda lookin' at me like I'm on the menu here.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-23 09:07 am (UTC)Realizing he seems to have embarrassed Wade, he looks away and folds his arms over the counter space. ]
No. I seemed to have gotten lost in thought for a moment. Apologies.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-29 07:01 pm (UTC)[Another, shorter silence occurs as Wade watches their food being prepared. Eventually he can't handle the suspense any longer.]
Okay if I ask what you were thinkin' about just now? Now you got me all curious.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-24 07:08 pm (UTC)[ Sorry, he couldn't let that one slip by. But when Wade speaks again, Fenris glances back over at him, neutral features a touch more intense than they need to be, debating with himself if he wants to answer him or not. ]
You.
[ But he realizes that alone is not a very good answer. ]
You're...different...than what I'm used to.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 02:17 am (UTC)Uh... different in a good way, I hope?
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 02:47 am (UTC)Perhaps.
[ Sorry, Wade. He's bad at this, in case it hasn't been blatantly made clear by now. ]
When I give you an answer to a question you just...accept it.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-06 02:06 am (UTC)Well... yeah? I mean, what else was I supposed to do, be a dick about it? Seems like you don't wanna talk about it, so that's the end of that. No sense in bringing the mood down just to satisfy my curiosity, y'know? I keep my cards close to the chest too sometimes.
[He rolls one shoulder in a shrug.]
No big deal. I'll probably have forgotten I asked by the time we're done here.
[A soft, self-deprecating chuckle.]
no subject
Date: 2023-01-14 05:02 am (UTC)Then I've misjudged you.
[ Reminds him of someone, actually. A little bit. Still, different enough that Fenris is still taken aback. He seems content to let the conversation end there, falling into silence, but after a bit he speaks up again. ]
I've always looked at conversation as a potential trap. Watch your step, look over your shoulder, listen for trouble. Say the wrong thing and someone has you backed into a corner.
Perhaps that isn't normal after all.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-21 05:52 pm (UTC)I'm probably not the guy to talk to about what's normal, but... honestly that sounds like a really sad way to live, from where I'm sitting. I mean, I'm obviously biased-- you know me, no filter. I just say whatever pops into my head, consequences be damned. Have for years. My parents used to say I was vaccinated with a phonograph needle-- uh. A phonograph's a type of, like... machine that plays music, I guess is the best way to put it? And a vaccine is... y'know what? Forget it. Explaining it ruins the joke. Um.
[Mercifully the noodle chef cuts his stumbling diatribe short by serving them their food. Wade utters a tiny breathless "ohthankGOD" before he sweeps up his chopsticks effortlessly and begins stirring his bowl.]
Bon appetit, Fen. This's pretty much the only way to get me to shut my gob at least for a few seconds. Try to enjoy it as much as possible.
[An awkward, self-deprecating laugh.]
no subject
Date: 2024-05-21 06:08 pm (UTC)Noted.
[ It's a teasing reply, but there's something that lacks the usual bite. Softer than it is dry. For whatever reason, Wade seems nervous. He's not sure why exactly...something about the turn in this conversation, he supposes.
He picks up his chopsticks, stirring his bowl as he finally lets his gaze shift from Wade to his food. Fenris gives Wade mercy by shifting the subject back to the food, though he has filed away some mental notes in his head. ]
...This is better than whatever it was I ate before.
[ As the chef returns to what he was doing before, he mutters something along the lines of, "that's because it's not a cheap gimmick", seemingly aware of the place Fenris had been talking about despite not giving any information about it. Seems like there's a rivalry going on there. It wasn't too far from here, after all. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-05-21 06:18 pm (UTC)Fenris's comment catches him by surprise, and he jerks his head up to look at him, mouth unfortunately still laden with noodles that dangle out of his mouth and give him the appearance of some sort of red-faced, pasta-based cephalopod.]
Mph?
no subject
Date: 2024-05-21 08:41 pm (UTC)It's so utterly ridiculous that his furrowed brows and impending eye roll are quickly overtaken by a laugh he tries very hard to bite back, and instead it comes out more like a giggle. ]
You're an idiot.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-21 08:48 pm (UTC)That was totally a laugh just now, I heard it! No walkin' back on that one, sir! I knew I'd get one of those outta you sooner or later!
no subject
Date: 2024-08-02 11:29 pm (UTC)[ Fenris hides that creeping smile by slurping up some more noodles, feeling his face heat up from what he assumes to be the spices. The spices and only the spices. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-08-08 10:46 pm (UTC)[There's nothing in his expression or voice to indicate he's being anything but genuine. Grinning like a satyr, he takes another mouthful of his noodles, his smile turning slightly pained as the spices hit. Maybe he was a bit too adventurous with his order. Hopefully this won't cause a blowout in the near future.
Wade takes a sip of his drink before addressing Fenris again.]
Seriously though, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. There were a few times tonight where I was worried I was gratin' on you. I tend to have that effect on people.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-09 04:20 pm (UTC)It's weird. Wade is weird. ]
Y- [ It's instinctual for him to say something snippy in return, even if jokingly, but he stops himself, sighing as he feels the need to be genuine. Troublesome. ] Yes, well...I'm as surprised as you are.
[ That came out wrong, but he makes no move to correct himself lest he just make it worse. Ugh. ]