collateraldamaging | Duplicity Inbox

And lo, a Bard appears at Kazu's doorstep, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, flute in hand, hair back in a manbun because he's just that kind of guy. It's easier to tell the story--the stories, perhaps, even--in person. And not in public, when it comes to the details. The question he's mulling over after knocking on the door is where even he starts.

The door opens quickly, Kazu's attire a similarly casual combat pants and t-shirt, the top half of his hair tied up in its own manbun. He steps back and gestures Eric in, and the apartment revealed is very clean and tidy. It doesn't quite feel lived in yet since their first paychecks went to things besides interior decorating, but maybe soon.

"It's good to see you again. Want a beer?"

"I don't drink, but if you've got a coffee or a soda or something, I'll accept the offer of hospitality." He smiles warmly as he steps inside, taking his shoes off near the door.

Shoes off, yes, good. It's not something he would've asked of a guest, but Eric's earned himself an appreciative nod before Kazu's turning towards the kitchen.

"Hm, then coffee or tea? I could do tea iced if you wanted something cold."

"Coffee's fine. With some form of sweetener and dairy if you have any on hand, but no strong preferences for what." He's finally rebuilt the caffeine tolerance he lost while living with the elves.

"So, how've you been?"

That's easy enough, he'll get some coffee started. Since Val found that nice tea shop they've barely touched it, anyway -- better someone drinks it before it gets stale.

The question of how he's been gets a quiet little smile.

"Quite well, considering. Yourself?"

"Alright. Contracted, working two jobs, generally staying out of trouble." Generally, not completely. But he's doing his very best.

"Two jobs? Overachiever." He says it teasingly, pressing the start button on the coffee maker. "I suppose you win, unless my contract being permanent ties us. Who did you sign with so quickly?"

“Randall Carpio? I needed a contract in order to work at Haven Hospital, otherwise I’d probably still be unattached. It’s not like yours, not some love match or anything.”

Eric shrugs one shoulder. “I think Randall doesn’t really do love, and I’m still pretty fresh from a breakup.”

At the words 'love match' a deep blush rises to Kazu's cheeks, but he doesn't argue. Eric's not wrong, after all.

"How did you--?" Is he that obvious? He shakes his head a little, turning away to hide his burning face and pull the milk out of the fridge. "A practical contract is fine, of course, so long as you can trust them."

“Bro. You don’t end up permanently contracted to someone from home unless there’s a lot of trust and at least a little love. If Kory or Beth showed up here and were a Dominant...I’d do the same in a heartbeat.” Even though he just broke up with them both.

“But for now, Randall’s alright. We’re kinda friends with benefits, I guess.”

"...it could have been platonic," Kazu grumbles softly, continuing to fumble around grabbing things for Eric -- the sugar, a mug, a spoon -- until he's less flushed.

"Ah, speaking of the benefits part. Did you ever try to figure out if they were drawing magical energy from sex?"

"Would you really sign on with someone platonically permanently? I wouldn't, in case I fell hard for someone else and wanted to live with them." He smirks, letting Kazu get himself together. "And no, I haven't been able to figure that out to my satisfaction, yet."

Okay, yes, Eric is absolutely right, but Kazu is not going to admit it because if a new acquaintance can tell so easily? That probably means everyone from home knew and he doesn't know how to deal with that thought right now. He just gives a disgruntled 'hmph' sound, finally turning back.

"Maybe? You overestimate my ability to think ahead." Which isn't the most flattering thing to say about himself, but at least he's honest. Even if in this case Val's an exception, if he weren't in love with anyone impulsive decision-making for the sake of safety would be pretty likely.

"What do you mean 'to your satisfaction'?"

"I haven't found anything pointing either way, but absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence, especially since I don't know exactly what to look for, where sex magic is concerned. Like...if I was sniffing out another Bard, this would be easy, but it might be on a 'wavelength' I don't 'scan', if that makes sense."

"Kind of? I don't know if the analogy tracks but either way you're the expert, not me. And you're sure you're not just getting distracted by the activities themselves?"

"...I mean. Maybe. Though I think I'm doing less of the 'activities' than a lot of people here." There's a small eyeroll. "But yeah, maybe."

"Less..? That was actually going to be my suggestion, but I'm not sure how you mean it. Or why you rolled your eyes."

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