Mmm… overconfidence is a downfall of many men in the way of cards.
[ Lyney hums, rearranging his cards in his hands ever so slightly. Lyney can banter but he seems to be taking it seriously too. The next card on the table is revealed and it looked to be another great one — one that could help the Duke, surely. ]
Mm? This face has been known to be called a heartbreaker but ah, those titles are so hard to live up to! Lynette will always be the adorable one, to me.
[ Ah, good card--that's more like it. Maybe he really will see at least one victory tonight. Or maybe this playful thing between them will dissolve with the way Lyney asks that question. Even if he can't salvage the game, he'd like to change that. Keep the spell going, if such a thing is possible. ]
She has a brand new range of tranquilizers and no one to try them out on. [ He looks up from his hand. ] ...Bcause she thinks you and your sister are "just the cutest humans". If she saw your insolence behind my doors, maybe she'd change her tune.
[ These cards were definitely more forgiving this time. Lyney has a lead, though — he’s pinpointing what could be possible and anticipating what card could flip next. It’s counting, it’s planning, it’s risk. Lynet is no stranger to those. ]
I bet she does. [ He says with a grumble, flipping the final card they can pull from. Another good one. A possibility for three if a kind or four or a kind. ] She has good taste in humans. I’m thankful to share the same features as my sweet Lynette — it gives me quite an advantage.
[ He beams for only a second. ]
If it’s true insolence, I’d be in my bunk by now. Yet here I am kneeled before you, Your Grace, utterly… destroying you in cards. Hm hm~!
[ One would think Lynette was Teyvat's 8th Archon the way Lyney speaks of her. What was that about her bed being cold...? He'd rather not remember, being that it wasn't for his eyes, but it takes some of the competitive edge off and the pettiness with it. Lyney's affections aren't unreturned, and he supposes that's the long of the short of it. He has vague memories of warm curisoty about his siblings, and them, him. His first kiss, if he could actually remember it, probably went to one of them. He wouldn't call it another similarity skewing his perceptions of Lyney...but he doesn't feel repelled by it, either. Whatever it is between them, it's their business.
True to his word, Lyney utterly destroys him at cards. Again. He may or may not mutter a few curses along the way, and when all is said and done, he really does think of breaking out that cognac. He's not normally a sore loser, but then, he doesn't normally lose this many times in a row.
If you truly aren't using sleight of hand, then you might just have the gods' favor. [ He leans back in his seat, as if fatigued. He's getting in the ring tomorrow if it means fighting a damned Lawachurl. ] Use that wisely against the inmates. Many of them don't lose graciously.
[ How could he not speak so highly? They forged their path together, fought for a place on a stage that could burn them if they weren't careful. The heat of a spotlight, the adoring gaze... it was addicting, in a way. There's no doubt about that. He feels like he was born to be a performer, but.
...He wants Lynette to feel that warmth too. That's all he wants.
There's no talking further of Lynette, but the cards play back and forth. A few taunts and Lyney was as coy as a cat along the way. With the hand revealed, only one extra card allowed him to secure another win. ]
Mmm, neither does their Duke. I'm scared you'll freeze me with your gaze any moment! [ Lyney wiggles his fingers as he leans forward to start piling the deck and stack it to the side, a silent acceptance that was the last one. He glances over to the clock, shocked at how late it was. Oh... it's way past curfew. ] Two wins for the night isn't anything to be ashamed of, really!
Neither is the letter I'm going to send your sister, telling her exactly how incorrigible you've been. ...Only joking.
[ That might get him into hot water, but the hour is too late for him to care. He loosens his tie, runs a hand through his hair. Until now, he'd forgotten about the penguin kettle and the apology note--sat neatly on one of his shelves--that more or less started this whole thing off. He doesn't count the 'hostage' situation; that belongs to another time, another incident altogether in his mind. ]
[ Him bringing Lynette up was once daggers, sharp and aimed right at crucial spots to weaken him. To his heart, undoubtedly. However, here... it was lighter. A shift in dynamics even a blind person could see. Lyney glares still, as if ready to scold and ruin the evening they had together. It'd be a shame, wouldn't it?
Walking around the coffee table, he takes a seat on it, right in front of Wriothesley. His legs cross, hand propping his chin up. A serpentine smile, sly with a soft laugh under his breath. ]
I can also start offering you joke lessons. My rates are reasonable and the crowd has always been a fan of when I set some comedic timing during shows. A private lesson, just the two of us~! Highly coveted and successful.
[ It's a roundabout way of telling Wriothesley his joke sucked. ]
Edited (rewording bc i got distracted) 2024-01-26 08:18 (UTC)
[ He's fairly sure that's a coffee table, not a chair, and yet Lyney is perched on it comfortable as anything. Wriothesley lifts a brow. No joke lessons needed: he's already letting him get away with this in his own office.
Maybe it's because it's such a departure from what his prior mentions of Lynette would usually bring. Before, Lyney wouldn't bother getting smart with him--he'd withdraw, threaten, show his fangs. Now, he's...something, certainly, legs crossed and chin against his hand, but it's not mad. He's made progress with that temper of his. ]
Tempting, but my crowds are better pleased by hard work and three square meals a day.
[ It was a privilege no other inmate would have. Lyney has truly done nothing to earn it. He didn’t do something outrageous or beneficial to the Duke’s domain… all he’s done is smile. Laugh. Act like they were damn friends.
Or whatever else was better than the boy attempting to take him out for a transgression. ]
What about your nurse? Surely she would find it oh-so astonishing to have her dear Duke give a few jokes. Quite a thought — unusual, even. Like a dog walking on its hind legs.
[ A joke is letting her put a bandage on his face from that fight the other day. Seriously, it was a bruise. Maybe it gives her the same satisfaction as putting stickers on everything.
...He resolves not to tell Lyney about the stickers. Chances are he'll find out at some point, but no sense in giving him ammunition any earlier than he has to. ]
I'd tell you to get to bed already, but at this rate I'm not sure if your head will fit out the door. [ Long-suffering sigh. ] What's the hold up? Waiting for me to carry you there?
[ Sigewinne still speaks to Wriothesley like a superior, but there's leeway there too. A softness, but Lyney doesn't necessarily go the pessimistic route to a weakness. He has bad blood with the nurse, surely – he never forgets when someone 'outdoes' him, but... she is crucial here. A wheel that needs to keep spinning to keep this place functioning. Safe. Maybe one day he'll bug her for some information on the Duke, just to keep their little back and forth going. Always full of surprises. ]
Fine, fiiine. I know when my company isn't wanted. Suffering from success, what a pity. [ Lyney's fingers on his chin hide how tight he grits his teeth. The suggestion of carrying him to bed encourages a thought – the same one he had not long ago in that bed. Scarred hands against his frame, the difference in their size intimidating and alluring all the same... Lyney is a fan of petite girls like Lynette, but men? He's not sure.
Lyney shakes his head, standing up to where their knees barely brush together – just a second. A breathless huff, swallowed down with a laugh. ]
You really should learn how to treat a winner, though. Good to know how things run down here. Being carried would be fitting, but... I'll help you save face, Your Grace.
[ He turns, the heat in his face obvious and the pulse in his neck quickening. Why is he flushed? He kneels down a ways away, grabbing his boots and beginning to slip them on again. Frustrations bubble between them, but – that's all they are. ]
Let me know when you want a rematch. I aim to please.
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no subject
[ Lyney hums, rearranging his cards in his hands ever so slightly. Lyney can banter but he seems to be taking it seriously too. The next card on the table is revealed and it looked to be another great one — one that could help the Duke, surely. ]
Mm? This face has been known to be called a heartbreaker but ah, those titles are so hard to live up to! Lynette will always be the adorable one, to me.
[ More somber: ]
Why is she asking about me?
no subject
She has a brand new range of tranquilizers and no one to try them out on. [ He looks up from his hand. ] ...Bcause she thinks you and your sister are "just the cutest humans". If she saw your insolence behind my doors, maybe she'd change her tune.
no subject
I bet she does. [ He says with a grumble, flipping the final card they can pull from. Another good one. A possibility for three if a kind or four or a kind. ] She has good taste in humans. I’m thankful to share the same features as my sweet Lynette — it gives me quite an advantage.
[ He beams for only a second. ]
If it’s true insolence, I’d be in my bunk by now. Yet here I am kneeled before you, Your Grace, utterly… destroying you in cards. Hm hm~!
no subject
True to his word, Lyney utterly destroys him at cards. Again. He may or may not mutter a few curses along the way, and when all is said and done, he really does think of breaking out that cognac. He's not normally a sore loser, but then, he doesn't normally lose this many times in a row.
If you truly aren't using sleight of hand, then you might just have the gods' favor. [ He leans back in his seat, as if fatigued. He's getting in the ring tomorrow if it means fighting a damned Lawachurl. ] Use that wisely against the inmates. Many of them don't lose graciously.
no subject
...He wants Lynette to feel that warmth too. That's all he wants.
There's no talking further of Lynette, but the cards play back and forth. A few taunts and Lyney was as coy as a cat along the way. With the hand revealed, only one extra card allowed him to secure another win. ]
Mmm, neither does their Duke. I'm scared you'll freeze me with your gaze any moment! [ Lyney wiggles his fingers as he leans forward to start piling the deck and stack it to the side, a silent acceptance that was the last one. He glances over to the clock, shocked at how late it was. Oh... it's way past curfew. ] Two wins for the night isn't anything to be ashamed of, really!
no subject
[ That might get him into hot water, but the hour is too late for him to care. He loosens his tie, runs a hand through his hair. Until now, he'd forgotten about the penguin kettle and the apology note--sat neatly on one of his shelves--that more or less started this whole thing off. He doesn't count the 'hostage' situation; that belongs to another time, another incident altogether in his mind. ]
no subject
Walking around the coffee table, he takes a seat on it, right in front of Wriothesley. His legs cross, hand propping his chin up. A serpentine smile, sly with a soft laugh under his breath. ]
I can also start offering you joke lessons. My rates are reasonable and the crowd has always been a fan of when I set some comedic timing during shows. A private lesson, just the two of us~! Highly coveted and successful.
[ It's a roundabout way of telling Wriothesley his joke sucked. ]
no subject
Maybe it's because it's such a departure from what his prior mentions of Lynette would usually bring. Before, Lyney wouldn't bother getting smart with him--he'd withdraw, threaten, show his fangs. Now, he's...something, certainly, legs crossed and chin against his hand, but it's not mad. He's made progress with that temper of his. ]
Tempting, but my crowds are better pleased by hard work and three square meals a day.
no subject
Or whatever else was better than the boy attempting to take him out for a transgression. ]
What about your nurse? Surely she would find it oh-so astonishing to have her dear Duke give a few jokes. Quite a thought — unusual, even. Like a dog walking on its hind legs.
no subject
...He resolves not to tell Lyney about the stickers. Chances are he'll find out at some point, but no sense in giving him ammunition any earlier than he has to. ]
I'd tell you to get to bed already, but at this rate I'm not sure if your head will fit out the door. [ Long-suffering sigh. ] What's the hold up? Waiting for me to carry you there?
no subject
Fine, fiiine. I know when my company isn't wanted. Suffering from success, what a pity. [ Lyney's fingers on his chin hide how tight he grits his teeth. The suggestion of carrying him to bed encourages a thought – the same one he had not long ago in that bed. Scarred hands against his frame, the difference in their size intimidating and alluring all the same... Lyney is a fan of petite girls like Lynette, but men? He's not sure.
Lyney shakes his head, standing up to where their knees barely brush together – just a second. A breathless huff, swallowed down with a laugh. ]
You really should learn how to treat a winner, though. Good to know how things run down here. Being carried would be fitting, but... I'll help you save face, Your Grace.
[ He turns, the heat in his face obvious and the pulse in his neck quickening. Why is he flushed? He kneels down a ways away, grabbing his boots and beginning to slip them on again. Frustrations bubble between them, but – that's all they are. ]
Let me know when you want a rematch. I aim to please.