z_jay | [Video | January 21st

Current Mood: hopeful

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[Video | January 21st - Midday]

[Begins transmission with a smile, him flying solo in his own journal for the day. And here, being committed to your entertainment. Or at least, it's in the works, but today he has a few things in mind he'd like to accomplish to get that started.]

Hello, Luceti, it's a chilly morning out there, so make sure you're nice and bundled up for any sort of travel you expect to be doing today.

Jack and I are still compiling some requests and compositions from you lovely lot, and if you'd like to put in some last minute offers or requests, feel free to let me or Jack know.

[Switches gears a little, looking just a little nervous]

I also come to you today for a request.

[Takes a deep breath and averts his eyes just a moment, licking his lips before glancing back to the screen]

I've heard of some doctors being located at the Battle Dome and I had questions about... things... regarding mobility, mostly. Ah, if anyone could get me in contact with a doctor there, I would really... really appreciate it. As some of you know I have some mobility issues and improving that would be...

[Smiles a little, wistful and hopeful but trying to keep it under wraps]

...It would be my top priority.

[Scratches the side of his nose with one finger and sits back]

Alright, thanks again, listeners-- and stay safe out there.

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[Listening to Zevran even describe Antiva and its many strange quirks he found himself wanting to visit one day. Raising a brow he looked expectant, prompting Zevran to continue]

You've been sent to assassinate someone who's already dead? Hopefully not while the other assassin is there?

[Can't really imagine himself being a crier. A newspaper boy, sure, but not the kind to stand around all day and elucidate the most recent newsworthy happenings.]

Ah, well. The rumor mill was muddled a bit. This is due to the nuanced language involved and the fact the noble lord in question had a Rivanni for a mistress. It is a similar but stranger sort of language than Antivan, simpler in ways. So when she meant to say he has 'passed on in the middle of their embrace', most thought due to the way she phrased it he 'passed out' due to the intensity of their passions!

[He cracks a laugh, and smooths a hand through his hair, playing a bit with the braid in the back.]

And since she spoke so infrequently with the public at large the truth of it did not come out until I found myself standing in an empty bedroom- while the mistress was off bedding the stableboy.

So in terms of relationships, I take it that being intimate is... more loose than monogamous? Like, if you're married-- do Antivans have marriage?

[Maybe his fumbling for knowledge might make him seem silly but... he had a genuine curiosity. That is he meant no offense]

Do you mean to ask of the average Antivan, or for me in particular? I assure you my stance on relations and relationships is a little skewed even for an Antivan.

[He cracks an easy laugh.]

Antivans marry, yes, and there are some that are monogamous. But the nobles, well, they like to play by their own rules, yes? And who is going to tell them not to?

Nobles tend to get their way whether we like it or not. Except the French, but you don't know the French. Anyway, that is probably some world history I don't even know everything about.

[Feeling maybe a little out of his league with history he didn't know 100% he cleared his throat and switched the subject]

Skewed even for an Antivan? Does that make me and Jack skewed?

From what I have seen and read of your French they seem quite similar to our Orlesians. So I may know something close.

[The bag hanging at his shoulder reminds him of his little, impromptu treat. As he spoke he pulled out a collapsible table and flicked it so the legs would fall straight and began arranging their beverage service.]

Most Antivans are not quite so open and available for more or less anything, at least not publicly. Marriage and love do have a place for them, as does monogamy. It is simply understood that now and then a mistress or lover on the side can ease the burden in a relationship.

[A small silver tray, artfully smithed glasses, smaller than coffee mugs, larger than an espresso cup, a carafe for serving and a thermos follow.]

You and Jack aren't skewed- unless you wish to be. [He offers one of his most sultry grins.] I can skew you in so many ways, Moca, you have no idea.

[Old habits died hard and Eugene was easily settling into listening to a story about Antivan lifestyles. He wanted to write it all down and now that he had time without feeling like he was an unnecessary burden on the community (not to mention paper was not a rare commodity here), he wanted to catalogue and interview and just... put things to paper.

Not to mention, being a food enthusiast, he watched attentively to what Zevran was preparing, brows drawn together-- That is until he was grinned at, and Zevran could melt many a thing with that look. himself included]

Well, I, uh.

[Huffs out a soft laugh and gives him an incredulous look-- amused and shocked at once]

I probably don't, actually. But, see, this is why you are around so that we can find out together.

[But now that he'd said that, his curiosity returned to the original item of his scrutiny.]

...What're you making?

I would be more than happy to teach you, whenever you like, whatever you like. You are more than welcome to ask.

[Zevran chuckles, going through the familiar motions of heating the carafe of cream and checking the tin, the odd whisked silver spoon and setting out their cups. A little decanter of brandy follows, something sweet with a hint of spice.]

You do recall what we discussed the evening of the Christmas ball, yes? Hot cocoa as adverse to drinking chocolate? I have found some lovely bars meant for it from Antiva and thought I should share it with you.

Oh!

[Was he going to be privy to a personalized sharing of Antivan chocolate? Considering this was a cuisine coming from another world entirely different from his own. this was an exciting happenstance. It made his heart quicken and scoot closer to the spot where Zevran was preparing their drinks. The offer, as it always stood, was welcome, but before they got too hot and heavy, there were some things to consider first.]

Oh, brandy-- that's a really nice choice with chocolate.

[But now he was trying to figure out if there were some right way to drink it, or some mysterious Antivan ritual to go through before drinking or... well, he looks at Zevran, curious and a little helpless]

This is all you have? I mean, if it's rare... not that I'm declining but things from home tend to be pretty cherished. And I'll confess, there's more memorable parts to that Christmas ball than you'd think.

[Winks at Zev with a soft, lopsided smirk before letting his hand settle around one of the cups once Zevran finished with his set up]

Brandy is the traditional choice- though those that could not afford it usually used Rum in it's stead. But here I have found at least one bottle of Antivan Brandy and nothing of Nevarran Rum, so Brandy is what it is we will be using. Unless you wish to do without.

[He whisks the cream, adding a touch of sugar from a vial. A scraping of vanilla bean. The lightest pinch of salt. It was a little like mixing potions at times and the fluid efficiency alongside Zevran's natural flare for the dramatic makes for a show along with their thick, simmering treat.]

If it is rare, save it for a special occasion, yes? Life is far, far too short to limit your celebrations for any particular occasion Eugene. The day is cold, but gorgeous and we are alive! That should be reason enough to enjoy this. I have my health, the company of a very sexy man and a beverage that makes me think of his alluring eyes and voice.

[A curl of a smirk and a twist of a laugh before he added the brandy and lit the carafe's mixture on fire. While the flames danced and crackled he shaved in the chocolate, the heat and flavors melding into something gorgeous and robust.]

Mmmm...It has been a long while since I have enjoyed the affections of two handsome men, I shall say that- and I must also say you have that experience beat by a good margin.

[Watching Zevran move really was enrapturing, and he fell silent in his observation-- though by no means was he the appearance of unimpressed. Quite the opposite, eyes widening with the addition of fire into the mixture, something welcome and exotic and fun, indeed. Perhaps he could... learn from Zevran, in matters of performance, at least with culinary art. Zevran genuinely made it seem like an art.]

Wha-- my eyes aren't alluring. I'll agree about the voice, though. Can't get over my sexy Canadian subtlety, hm?

[Maybe Zevran would realize one day that it wasn't entirely self-deprecatory behavior when he declined to accept compliments. He was merely mild-mannered, and to suggest that he agreed that he was anything sensual would be rude and presumptuous. With a grin, he rested his chin on the backs of his hands, knuckles pressed together as he watched and waited for the drinks to be ready. The smell of warm chocolate dispersed through the air and he breathed deeply of it, sighing out a longing sound.]

We are going to need to save some for Jack. His voice is pretty alluring, too. Trust me-- just don't tell him I said that. But there's this groan he makes when he really likes something I've made and I promise it makes me melt like chocolate.

Oh, now that is where you are wrong. They are a warm, welcoming shade of brown that flash dark when you are full of desire and spark with gold whenever you've found yourself joy. It is a rich shade reminiscent of the most luxurious dyes, the most supple of leather-

[The last of the chocolate needed is melted in and he pours the mixture from the silver carafe into their mugs, the action quick and fluid- extinguishing the flames.]

The most decadent of drinking chocolate. They make me think of mulled spice and sun kissed skin.

[Playful poetry dipped into something sincere here, and he lifts a shoulder, offering the cup to Eugene.] They remind me of home. Of Antiva City at it's most beautiful.

[The mention of Jack is enough to have that crackle of a laugh returning.]

Mmm, yes. Jack. He sounds much like a Ferelden with his accent, his expressive tones. I will be certain to mix some for him as well, especially if that sound is so very...pervasive.

[Generally Eugene was the one giving the compliments and smooth talking but to have that given back to him, well... he wasn't sure how to really process a response from that except to feel his cheeks flush and smile with a soft laugh. Maybe he was bashful about receiving praise of that kind, but in the end he wouldn't want Zevran to stop.]

That-- is the... nicest description I've ever heard for... wow. Careful, I might just swoon. But... it's nice. To know that it reminds you of something so nice and intimate as home.

[Eugene could really relate to missing home. Even with Abel as he new de facto home, he missed Vancouver a great deal of the time. Though confessing that would be a pointless exercise. Dr Meyers also... had mentioned missing Chicago.]

Ferelden, huh? Gosh, his accent. Let me just... [sighs dreamily, watching Zevran's hands]. Yeah. It's nice.

Swoon as much as you like, but do not spill your drink. I prepared it with great care so you might fully enjoy it.

[It is good to know he still has his way with words. Zevran offers Eugene and easy grin and serves himself, sitting back to take a slow sip- a groan as low and warm and clinging as those uttered while in the bed they shared a month ago spilling out.]

I had almost forgotten how good this is. Mmm.

Okay, okay, I, of all people, would never think of committing such a crime.

[Closing his eyes he sipped the chocolate carefully, feeling a tingle as his mouth watered from the initial taste. It was-- fantastically good, the sort of anticipation that literally got your mouth watering. His own sound was a soft approval, surprised but delighted. The taste lingered in his mouth and warmed all the way down and when he opened his eyes he smiled very genuinely at Zevran]

Okay, now that... is incredible.

[Rolls the cup between his hands, warming them and enjoying the slow and full taste of the chocolate, made all the sharper by the addition of salt.]

Just the right amount of style, flavor, body, and presentation. If I were writing about you, Zev, they'd flock to your chocolate-mixings.

As I said when we met, Eugene. I am an elf of many talents.

[This was, more than anything else, something of a test run. It's been a few years since he's last mixed drinking chocolate and he knows that Eugene will be a far more forgiving critic than Isaac. Whenever he presents this to his redheaded friend. Associate. Whatever it was they had he wishes everything to be perfect. Judging from Eugene's reaction? He has met that.]

Perhaps I should give up the work of an assassin and instead mix this for the remainder of my days.

Every day I'm learning more and more of them. It's kind of fun, like a book you keep reading and spotting all the things you missed before. Same old Zevran, new angle.

[Blushing just a bit as he thought about the way that could be implied he cleared his throat and grinned-- and then snorted through his nose very softly, but didn't spill any of his drink. Speaking of the drink, he took another sip, the second time round even better than the first]

Though I'll have you know, you can't be better than me at cooking, alright? The easiest way to Jack's heart is his stomach and well... we-- I'll fight for that.

[shakes his head rapidly at mention of switching careers. Not because of competition or a lack of skill... but it would be a terrible waste to quit one and only focus on the other]

Why limit yourself when you can combine the two? I dunno, it's pretty handy having an assassin friend. It's... alluring. Sexy? Definitely sexy.

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[Video | January 21st - Midday]

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