Oh, no. I'm usually the one leading, is all. Maybe I just have a dominating personality.
[he's happily seated where he can see the constellations, and kicks his feet gently under the table. he leans on his elbows (poor manners), even as his smile sinks into a frown.]
[At his first words, Oren simply laughs. Dominating? Well, but he's quite used to leading conversations, himself. It's polite, he thinks, to pay attention to the words of the person he's speaking with. And it's half of his charm, probably, this attention to the words and thoughts of others.]
Tek? [That name again. He places his feet carefully under the table so not to interfere with Robin's rather endearing kicking there, leaning back in the seat without slouching.] Only that you weren't able to find them. Has something happened?
[Robin's problem may very well be that he hangs out with an unusual number of impolite people. case in point, he waves his hand at the wrist with a little more thoughtless movement than usual.]
...A conniving fuckhead? I like him, we go out on little dates... [the word is hissed unfavorably, mockingly, through his teeth.] But I have to do all the work. Every time. He never thinks of taking me out somewhere, for once.
[Dates, was it? That doesn't bode well for Mattias. But then, here they are... He thinks for a moment, raising a hand to cover his mouth with just a couple fingers before he drops it, just like that.]
Never? Perhaps he's taken you for granted. [Oren is very polite in how he moves. His posture, the places he rests his arms. They're all little habits ingrained in him from life as a Prince. It's convenient.]
Unless you believe it's more intentional than that? [The word 'conniving'...
The waiter brings them some waters and menus in the meantime.]
Oh, thank you. [said with a smile, to the waiter, almost entirely out of habit. as they walk away, he returns to his slump and his dissatisfied look, staring out at the slowly-drifting "stars" behind them. it reminds him of him and Tek's conversation, about the Gods living in the Kingdom of Souls... he's really tried to be honest, then, and Tek just led him around in a frustrating circle.]
No, no. That's giving him too much credit. I think he's just lazy... In this instance.
[but his eyes flick back to Oren's face, and he seems--very aware, all of a sudden, like his intoxication is there in body, but his mind is clear.]
[With the thank you voiced for him, he doesn't bother with one, fingers tracing along the edge of the menu as he thinks.]
That's preferable, I would think, but still...
[He doesn't quite think a drunken vent is the time for advice, so he trails off there, eyes glued on the menu up until the question that startles him out of his thoughts. Almost caught off guard, his eyes dart up, and his smile curves a bit more as he laughs.]
Isn't this the level of concern you'd expect from a friend? [From how he speaks, it's almost like he's embarrassed for it to be anything more than that.]
[and see, this is normally the part of the conversation where Robin would laugh and slump back onto the table and say, "don't take me seriously, I'm drunk." he's done this trick so many times that it's barely an ounce of work for his heavy, inebriated mind to wrap around the perfect formula. easy deflection, followed by the other either doing what he asks, or turning naggy and boring on him.
but Oren has this growing way of making him feel bad for being such a terrible person about it, so his gaze eases and he sighs, ending in a small smile.]
I guess I just don't expect anyone to listen to me. Good listeners are hard to find, isn't that what you said...?
[but that said, he slinks his shoulders away from the table, picking up the menu. it's hard to tell if he's surprisingly dexterous for a drunk person, or maybe not as drunk as he'd originally seemed. his smile widens.]
Ah, I'm just being a brat. He's probably complaining to one of his friends about me right now...
[Slowly, any sheepishness fades from his face until it's completely gone. All that's left is the gaze he's giving Robin, something clearly attracted, though it's muted.]
You don't expect it, but it's something you desire, isn't it? That's the basis of your complaint. [He opens his own menu, smiling over the top of it as his legs stretch out a bit beneath the table.] For him to consider you, to listen.
I don't believe that's anything bratty. [His eyes lower, now, so that he's not staring at Robin for too long. There are dishes to skim over, after all, plates to see about trying.]
[hey, well, there's a sudden pang of realization he hadn't been looking for. he's never quite thought about it enough to put it into words, but he frowns again, eyes down.]
Oh, the usual... He'll say I'm a harlot and rude and stupid... Aaah, immature, probably. He loves spreading rumors about me.
[Tek will never be considerate towards him. if he was, he would be too close. Tek would have to admit that he cares. and then he'd run away, and leave Robin all alone, because Tek can't ever get caught caring about anything.
he squints at the menu.]
Also, I've been starting at this for a while but I can't read anything. [he sets the menu back down on the table.] Tell me something that sounds good.
[For Oren, who's so quick to spread charming smiles and light laughs, his straightening face is a sign of something. Thought, perhaps? A seriousness that lays over him like a blanket, the air dropping in some sort of quiet tension along with him.]
Words like those tell me more of him than anything else so far. [Leaning forward on the table, he closes his own menu, reaching over to open Robin's. Slowly, he flips through the pages with it upside down.]
You're none of those things. Does he aim to keep you close with lies? [A pause, and he shakes his head a bit.] I shouldn't speak out of line, perhaps. Here.
[His finger points out a dish on the menu that's pretty similar to a type of curry.] If you like spice, try this with me.
[his gut tells him, very clearly, "But they're not lies."
still, the seriousness of the moment is somewhat lost on him as he puts his face comically close to the menu. the words swim in his vision. he is just smart enough not to say some of the things that float through his head, but just drunk enough to let a couple other things slip.]
I might be too drunk, shit. This is... Okay. [Oren can watch him mouth the words. reading comprehension, and all that. he leans back with a big sigh, still edging on silly, like that was a dramatic undertaking--] I'm just gonna tell you to order some of that bread stuff? Like the light fluffy one. Like a pillow.
[He's honestly trying not to smile too much at that, but the corners of his mouth curve up. Robin's cute like this, honestly. Pulling back to his own side of the table, he lifts his menu to scan through it for any orders of bread that are described as light and fluffy. It's unfortunate that none of them are actually called pillow bread, but he does make note of something that sounds doable.
So when the waiter comes, he orders for the both of them, allowing a pause long enough if Robin wants to include anything before he's gone once more.
He hasn't forgotten about Tek, of course, but he knows when to push or give in conversation. He'll simply hope that his words pierce. That Robin will remember that he said they were lies, despite all else.]
[he waves his hand again, loosely. don't worry about it. he's already forgotten about it. food is going to happen. he is running out of things to keep track of. there's only one thing left...
he leans back in his chair again, crossing his arms. he's got a smile again, though. soft and lazy.]
I didn't mean to make it all serious, with what I was saying. We can talk about something else.
[With their menus out of the way and waters set in their place, he trails a finger around the rim of the cup, leaning forward just enough to be attentive.]
Seriousness is not something I fear in conversation. Tell me, what do you want to speak of? I'll listen. Is that not what you called me for?
[is that what he called him for? honestly, he's already having some trouble keeping that in his mind. his attention drifts around Oren's finger, seeming to lose his train of thought... until he points, with one finger, barely moving his hand.]
The stars.
[the painting, or hologram, behind them. he sat so that he could see it. this will teach Tek--in his mind, anyway. Oren will give him what he wants out of it.]
[Once Robin points behind him, his finger stops on the rim of the glass and he looks back. Taking it in, so it would seem.]
No night at all, in fact. [Slowly, his eyes travel back to Robin's and he smiles a bit.] Though I have certainly heard tales of it. And these stars are more beautiful than I could have imagined.
[His gaze drops and his next smile looks almost sheepish.] Ah, but I'm saying too much. What about the stars?
[The smile he offers this time is a little more telling, bitter around the edges, and none of it aimed at Robin. He withdraws his hand from his drink, resting an arm over the back of the booth.]
The stars are not something I've thought much about. They bring to mind the night sky and the goddess herself, Nocta. My family actually carries her name, as well. The royal prince, Nocta Oren... [Trailing off there, he rolls his head back a bit, glancing at the moving "painting" hanging above their booth.]
But it's not much to me.
[There's a strange silence that hangs for just long enough to be noticeable, and then he's dropping his arm and leaning forward over the table a bit with a smile.]
I do think they look quite nice. [And with a teasing sort of prodding, he adds:] Is that enough to satisfy you?
[however genuine his interest, he sure is a good audience. Oren's bitter smile is plenty interesting to him. he likes the way that he forms words. he enjoys every glimpse he gets into the way that he works.
Oren is an interesting person, Mattias completely aside. he wasn't lying when he said he liked him. he's got a quiet expression, but it's not guarded... just a simple smile, while he listens, a wider one when he's teased a little.]
It's better, yeah. I like you.
[which is... not quite what he meant to say, but he's extra-impulsive like this. he's barely phased by his own words, wagging his finger at the "painting" again, his arms still crossed.]
Where I'm from, the Gods themselves are said to live among the stars. The "Kingdom of Souls", it's called. Still, in being here for six months I've yet to see or hear from any being higher than myself, so that's... [he shrugs a little.] Who knows?
[He's getting words like those, is he? Oren can't help the way the corners of his lips turn up. The food is brought out looking as delicious as ever, and he thanks the waiter before turning back to Robin in his curiosity.]
No higher being than you. And yet you've yet to tell me what you are. [Is he being teased here? Still leaning forward a little, he presses fingers to the table next to his own plate. It's unclear if he asks the next question in jest or in sincerity.]
[he's a little too enthusiastic about the food arriving. while speaks, he looks everything over with bright eyes, leaning in with childlike glee. he tunes in again a little belatedly--]
What?
[face... devoid of intelligent thought. he's so happy to be here.]
Oh, do I like you? Yeah, of course I do. I'm not a liar.
[he looks down, picks up a spoon. a spoon seems right. it smells good. there's rice here? where does he start...]
Thaaat's not true, I lie all the gods-damned time. But not about liking people. Or about some things. I'm kind of a horrible person, but I think that people are wonderful. How do you... [looking up again.] Eat this? Do you know?
I know much about table manners, but they're all from my world. I don't believe it would help much here.
[He does give a small sweep with his hand to indicate the rest of the restaurant, though. Everyone must be from a different planet or culture. He can only imagine. So whether this food is similar to him or foreign, he's not sure his knowledge would be accurate...
But he's still ripping a piece of the bread they brought and scooping up some of the curry (???) and trying it himself. He seems to like it that way well enough, giving a sort of raise of his eyebrows to indicate the taste is good.]
Isn't it more fun to guess? There's no one to insult, here. Go on.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2015-05-25 09:56 pm (UTC)[he's happily seated where he can see the constellations, and kicks his feet gently under the table. he leans on his elbows (poor manners), even as his smile sinks into a frown.]
Tega and Ha'it, have I complained about Tek yet?
no subject
Date: 2015-05-25 10:06 pm (UTC)Tek? [That name again. He places his feet carefully under the table so not to interfere with Robin's rather endearing kicking there, leaning back in the seat without slouching.] Only that you weren't able to find them. Has something happened?
no subject
Date: 2015-05-25 10:12 pm (UTC)[Robin's problem may very well be that he hangs out with an unusual number of impolite people. case in point, he waves his hand at the wrist with a little more thoughtless movement than usual.]
...A conniving fuckhead? I like him, we go out on little dates... [the word is hissed unfavorably, mockingly, through his teeth.] But I have to do all the work. Every time. He never thinks of taking me out somewhere, for once.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-25 10:20 pm (UTC)Never? Perhaps he's taken you for granted. [Oren is very polite in how he moves. His posture, the places he rests his arms. They're all little habits ingrained in him from life as a Prince. It's convenient.]
Unless you believe it's more intentional than that? [The word 'conniving'...
The waiter brings them some waters and menus in the meantime.]
no subject
Date: 2015-05-26 05:53 am (UTC)No, no. That's giving him too much credit. I think he's just lazy... In this instance.
[but his eyes flick back to Oren's face, and he seems--very aware, all of a sudden, like his intoxication is there in body, but his mind is clear.]
Are you worried about me?
no subject
Date: 2015-05-26 06:06 am (UTC)That's preferable, I would think, but still...
[He doesn't quite think a drunken vent is the time for advice, so he trails off there, eyes glued on the menu up until the question that startles him out of his thoughts. Almost caught off guard, his eyes dart up, and his smile curves a bit more as he laughs.]
Isn't this the level of concern you'd expect from a friend? [From how he speaks, it's almost like he's embarrassed for it to be anything more than that.]
sneaks this in before bed oh yes
Date: 2015-05-26 06:41 am (UTC)but Oren has this growing way of making him feel bad for being such a terrible person about it, so his gaze eases and he sighs, ending in a small smile.]
I guess I just don't expect anyone to listen to me. Good listeners are hard to find, isn't that what you said...?
[but that said, he slinks his shoulders away from the table, picking up the menu. it's hard to tell if he's surprisingly dexterous for a drunk person, or maybe not as drunk as he'd originally seemed. his smile widens.]
Ah, I'm just being a brat. He's probably complaining to one of his friends about me right now...
yesssssssssss good....
Date: 2015-05-26 06:47 am (UTC)You don't expect it, but it's something you desire, isn't it? That's the basis of your complaint. [He opens his own menu, smiling over the top of it as his legs stretch out a bit beneath the table.] For him to consider you, to listen.
I don't believe that's anything bratty. [His eyes lower, now, so that he's not staring at Robin for too long. There are dishes to skim over, after all, plates to see about trying.]
What complaints could he possibly have?
no subject
Date: 2015-05-27 03:59 pm (UTC)Oh, the usual... He'll say I'm a harlot and rude and stupid... Aaah, immature, probably. He loves spreading rumors about me.
[Tek will never be considerate towards him. if he was, he would be too close. Tek would have to admit that he cares. and then he'd run away, and leave Robin all alone, because Tek can't ever get caught caring about anything.
he squints at the menu.]
Also, I've been starting at this for a while but I can't read anything. [he sets the menu back down on the table.] Tell me something that sounds good.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-27 04:58 pm (UTC)Words like those tell me more of him than anything else so far. [Leaning forward on the table, he closes his own menu, reaching over to open Robin's. Slowly, he flips through the pages with it upside down.]
You're none of those things. Does he aim to keep you close with lies? [A pause, and he shakes his head a bit.] I shouldn't speak out of line, perhaps. Here.
[His finger points out a dish on the menu that's pretty similar to a type of curry.] If you like spice, try this with me.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-27 08:04 pm (UTC)still, the seriousness of the moment is somewhat lost on him as he puts his face comically close to the menu. the words swim in his vision. he is just smart enough not to say some of the things that float through his head, but just drunk enough to let a couple other things slip.]
I might be too drunk, shit. This is... Okay. [Oren can watch him mouth the words. reading comprehension, and all that. he leans back with a big sigh, still edging on silly, like that was a dramatic undertaking--] I'm just gonna tell you to order some of that bread stuff? Like the light fluffy one. Like a pillow.
[and in case it wasn't clear:] The pillow bread.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-27 08:19 pm (UTC)[He's honestly trying not to smile too much at that, but the corners of his mouth curve up. Robin's cute like this, honestly. Pulling back to his own side of the table, he lifts his menu to scan through it for any orders of bread that are described as light and fluffy. It's unfortunate that none of them are actually called pillow bread, but he does make note of something that sounds doable.
So when the waiter comes, he orders for the both of them, allowing a pause long enough if Robin wants to include anything before he's gone once more.
He hasn't forgotten about Tek, of course, but he knows when to push or give in conversation. He'll simply hope that his words pierce. That Robin will remember that he said they were lies, despite all else.]
Hopefully that will do just fine.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-27 09:24 pm (UTC)[he waves his hand again, loosely. don't worry about it. he's already forgotten about it. food is going to happen. he is running out of things to keep track of. there's only one thing left...
he leans back in his chair again, crossing his arms. he's got a smile again, though. soft and lazy.]
I didn't mean to make it all serious, with what I was saying. We can talk about something else.
no subject
Date: 2015-05-27 09:40 pm (UTC)[With their menus out of the way and waters set in their place, he trails a finger around the rim of the cup, leaning forward just enough to be attentive.]
Seriousness is not something I fear in conversation. Tell me, what do you want to speak of? I'll listen. Is that not what you called me for?
no subject
Date: 2015-05-28 04:57 am (UTC)The stars.
[the painting, or hologram, behind them. he sat so that he could see it. this will teach Tek--in his mind, anyway. Oren will give him what he wants out of it.]
Your world didn't have any, isn't that right...?
no subject
Date: 2015-05-28 05:15 am (UTC)No night at all, in fact. [Slowly, his eyes travel back to Robin's and he smiles a bit.] Though I have certainly heard tales of it. And these stars are more beautiful than I could have imagined.
[His gaze drops and his next smile looks almost sheepish.] Ah, but I'm saying too much. What about the stars?
no subject
Date: 2015-05-29 06:44 pm (UTC)Stooop trying to bring it back to me. You don't have to be polite, I don't care.
[whether that is a general statement or whether that only pertains to Robin when he's wasted... it's hard to say.]
I like hearing what you think about things.
no subject
Date: 2015-06-03 06:28 am (UTC)[The smile he offers this time is a little more telling, bitter around the edges, and none of it aimed at Robin. He withdraws his hand from his drink, resting an arm over the back of the booth.]
The stars are not something I've thought much about. They bring to mind the night sky and the goddess herself, Nocta. My family actually carries her name, as well. The royal prince, Nocta Oren... [Trailing off there, he rolls his head back a bit, glancing at the moving "painting" hanging above their booth.]
But it's not much to me.
[There's a strange silence that hangs for just long enough to be noticeable, and then he's dropping his arm and leaning forward over the table a bit with a smile.]
I do think they look quite nice. [And with a teasing sort of prodding, he adds:] Is that enough to satisfy you?
no subject
Date: 2015-06-03 07:19 pm (UTC)Oren is an interesting person, Mattias completely aside. he wasn't lying when he said he liked him. he's got a quiet expression, but it's not guarded... just a simple smile, while he listens, a wider one when he's teased a little.]
It's better, yeah. I like you.
[which is... not quite what he meant to say, but he's extra-impulsive like this. he's barely phased by his own words, wagging his finger at the "painting" again, his arms still crossed.]
Where I'm from, the Gods themselves are said to live among the stars. The "Kingdom of Souls", it's called. Still, in being here for six months I've yet to see or hear from any being higher than myself, so that's... [he shrugs a little.] Who knows?
no subject
Date: 2015-06-03 07:32 pm (UTC)No higher being than you. And yet you've yet to tell me what you are. [Is he being teased here? Still leaning forward a little, he presses fingers to the table next to his own plate. It's unclear if he asks the next question in jest or in sincerity.]
Do you really like me?
no subject
Date: 2015-06-03 08:35 pm (UTC)What?
[face... devoid of intelligent thought. he's so happy to be here.]
Oh, do I like you? Yeah, of course I do. I'm not a liar.
[he looks down, picks up a spoon. a spoon seems right. it smells good. there's rice here? where does he start...]
Thaaat's not true, I lie all the gods-damned time. But not about liking people. Or about some things. I'm kind of a horrible person, but I think that people are wonderful. How do you... [looking up again.] Eat this? Do you know?
no subject
Date: 2015-06-03 09:05 pm (UTC)[He does give a small sweep with his hand to indicate the rest of the restaurant, though. Everyone must be from a different planet or culture. He can only imagine. So whether this food is similar to him or foreign, he's not sure his knowledge would be accurate...
But he's still ripping a piece of the bread they brought and scooping up some of the curry (???) and trying it himself. He seems to like it that way well enough, giving a sort of raise of his eyebrows to indicate the taste is good.]
Isn't it more fun to guess? There's no one to insult, here. Go on.