ralliesprotests | Ainmhian IC Inbox

What do you mean nothing special about you? That's not true. You've got enough fire inside of you to burn a place down.

[And Max loves them for that. When it comes to force of personality, Rowan is hard to beat.]

I'm willing to bet you're pretty scrappy.

Flatterer. [It works, though, as Rowan breaks into a true smile, visibly relaxing a bit.]

I just got raised right. My mums made sure I knew to stand up for those as need a hand, to fight for those as can’t. Not that I think you or Lucas can’t, it just overflows sometimes. And yeah, you have to learn a thing or two when you spend other weekend out marching in a protest. [Not to mention turning up at primary school in the girls uniform one day.] I still can’t punch for shit, but I’m pretty good at dodging.

[He flashes a devilish smile.] Just because it's flattery doesn't make it untrue.

Mums? As in plural? ...It sounds like they raised you have a big heart. It shows.

[Now it's Max who feels like the inadequate one. He did a whole lot of nothing with his young life. And now... now he just takes orders from a vampire.

But he does know how to fight.]

Would you like to learn how to throw a punch?

Yeah, I got three mums, 'cos, you know. More is better. And one of 'em remarried when I was a kid, so it's technically two mums and a stepmum but who's counting. [Not that there were any actual marriages until much later in the game due to UK law, but it was basically that. And Rowan would much rather talk about their family than their fight with Ren.

They also know how to throw a punch, at least theoretically, they just don't have the strength to lay behind it. But that isn't going to stop them from taking the opportunity to spend more time with Max.] If you're offering to teach, I definitely would like.

Whoa. Three moms. Now I'm jealous. You got three and I didn't even get one. You must have been hogging them all.

[His tone is light enough, but there's just a hint of bitterness in the laugh that follows. But those are issues best left under the rug.]

Keeping in mind that I'm still a student myself, I would be willing to teach you what I know. I don't, uh, tell a lot of people this... I actually practice two martial arts. Well, one of them is sort of the real-world derivative of the other but. You know.

I can share. They'll happily mum anyone who comes too close anyway. 'specially Mam and Cathy, they're the worst for that.

[Shifting into a better position now the conversation has found it's way to more comfortable things, Rowan tucks their legs up under them and adjusts the tome slightly to get it back into a better position.]

Why don't you tell people? That's pretty cool. But in any case, I'd be happy to learn what you're willing to teach.

They sound wonderful. My dad did the best he could but... yeah, he never quite knew what to do with my sister or I.

[Max finally holds his tome back far enough now that it's not just a shot of his face with a giant chin and neck filling the frame. The kitchen of the Ruby Slipper can be glimpsed behind him. This has become like a sanctuary to him. He's here at all hours.]

I don't know. When you look like I do and you tell someone you do martial arts they get weird about it sometimes. Either they wanna joke about fighting you...and half mean it. Or, they think it's just for attention. So, I got used to keeping it to myself.

[Rowan takes in the setting curiously, trying to place it. They knew Max had found a kitchen, since he did the treats for them at the party, but they haven't had a chance to ask where yet.]

What, 'cos of the suit? Screw that, if people are missing out 'cos they're being dickheads, it just means more of your time for me. And you know I'd let you toss me around and then pin me down any day. [Which is probably what's going to happen if they do spar, and Rowan doesn't regret it even if nothing more comes of it. They wink, smirking at him.]

Who's kitchen did you manage to take over, by the way? [Their curiosity can't take it any more, they need to know.]

The suit and also the muscles under the suit. I don't really have anything to prove, so I'd just as soon avoid having to go through all that posturing.

[His smile turns mischievous. Pinning Rowan down does sound like a lot of fun. He will try his genuine best to teach them something too. But, honestly, the end result will be predicable and very worth it.]

Oh? This is the Ruby Slipper. I'm working here in the kitchen. The place has had a whole new life to it since I started offering bar food. I practically live in here some days.

Oh, really? I figured you'd found somewhere, I didn't realise it was the competition. [Rowan pulls a face, but their expression is playful. There isn't really any competition here; all the bars seem to be doing equally well.]

I guess that's reason enough that I should finally get my arse down there, though. I was meaning to, but then I started working for Beau down at Revelry, so I don't got as much time and no pressing need until just now. [And now, suddenly, they have a very good reason.]

Hey now, I'd say these two places serve very different niches. I like the Revelry, too. Been there a few times. Gambled for the first time in my life there.

[He did pretty well, too. Won enough for a few extra rounds of drinks.]

I'm glad you found a place. I am a little surprised it's there. But, I guess there's not much in the way of IT work around here.

[Max smiles sinfully at that last part. Pressing need, huh? Max knows all about that.]

If you come by, I'll make sure to serve you something hot.

Love, you always serve me something hot. [They wink, happy to be back on familiar footing. Let them flirt all day, thanks.]

But yeah, I still ain't even got my phone back. I think the fae here don't think much of tech, so I figure it might be a while, and I need to keep myself busy or I'll go mad. And Beau offered - or at least didn't say no when I asked if she had a spot - and I've been in front of enough bars I figured it'd be as good as anything. It's been fine so far. A bit of flirting will take you a long way.

I can't take all the credit, you do a good job of heating me up.

[Max is happy to engage in all the flirting, but also, he feels he can do more than that with Rowan. It runs deeper than just flirting.]

Yeah... considering they have us talking to each other with a magic book? Not big on technology at all.

[Which has to really suck. He feels sad for them. He's been able to indulge in his passion for baking here, but Rowan hasn't been able to do the same.]

A bit of flirting certainly got us a long way. Hey, speaking of that first meeting. Have you done much else with the arcade? I haven't been back around it for a while.

You’re too cool and classy someone needs to bring you down a peg. Or bend you over for one. [Rowan’s not sure how Max’ll react to that; it’s not something they’ve tried before in any case. But he was happy to take Lucas when they were all together, and like everything, Rowan’s curious about it. Either way, it’s too good a chance to miss.]

I’ve been back a couple of times, but there ain’t really much I can there, everything’s so old. It’s fun to play around on, don’t get me wrong, but it’s all more mechanics rather than computing and that ain’t for me. Plus, y’know, I found things and people to keep me busy. [They wink again.]

[Rowan won't be able to miss the sudden spark in Max's smile. He sits up a little straighter in response.]

You offering?

[He's defintely interested.]

I don't mind keeping you busy. You know I sure do love entertaining you.

[Well, that's a good response, and Max gets a serious reply in response.] Possibly. If you are interested, I'd have to look into it. I ain't never done it before, but it seems like fun. [Then the twinkle in their eye in back.] I'd have to go shopping sometime. [And then they'd have a chance to terrorise Lucas too. Win/win!]

I've done it a few times or more.

[There's a vampire mistress that makes a visit to his master's manor about twice a year, and she's very fond of Max. She's added a number of experiences to his arsenal.]

You know where the best place to go shopping for that stuff is, right? I'm sure Lucas can help you pick out a winner. I can come up from the basement too unless you wanna keep it a surprise?

Oh, that’s good to know. [It makes Rowan relax a little, knowing that Max has some experience, so he can guide them if they need it.]

And yeah, I’ve seen Wicked, just ain’t really been in yet. Poked my nose in on the way to work once, but only for a couple of seconds. And you know I’m never gonna complain about your company.

They've got stuff in there that will make your toes curl just like the Wicked Witch of the East. Make sure you give yourself enough time when you go because you might just get distracted for a while...

[And Max hears tell that sometimes they let you test the merchandise before you buy. Or maybe that's just a privilege the shop boys have.]

[If the shop boys get to test it, than Rowan'll just have to make doubly sure that they show up when Lucas is working.]

You say that, but I'm the person who had to sit through a safe, sane and consensual conversation with my mums. I might not have any practical experience, but if they have anything in there that's a surprise to me I'll have to buy it on principle.

I... never got any such talk. Most of what I know comes from hands-on experience.

[Max is hesitant to admit this, but liking something (or even understanding it) wasn't always a pre-requisite for doing it in his master's house. He's learned to like a lot of things out of necessity, and tolerate a lot more. Because saying no was an option he had to keep in reserve for only the direst of need. The amount of times he could refuse something came with a limit...

Which is why he places so much importance on the enthusiastic consent of his partners here. He doesn't want to make the mistake of doing that to anyone else.]

So, that said, if I ever cross a line I'm more than sure you'll put me straight. And I'll never, ever, be mad at you for that.

[There’s a word for that kind of behaviour, and for a moment Rowan’s eyes flare with the same kind of anger Max saw them unleash on Ren at the party, before they manage to bite it back. Frenzying over someone who isn’t here, and when they don’t even know the full story is ridiculous, but Rowan has always been protective.]

Of course. [For once, Rowan is completely serious. They can be, when it’s important, and this is.] And the same goes for you - if I ever overstep your boundaries, stop me. And if ever do want to try something... less vanilla, I want to talk about it first, set proper boundaries and safewords.

[The last thing in the world Max would want is for Rowan to be so upset on his behalf. He knows it's wrong, but it's the price of living back. Nothing anyone can do to change that. All he has control of is the here and now.]

Talking is good. I do feel like I can do that with you.

[He puts on a goofy grin, to help dispel some of the sudden chill he's feeling.]

I hope we'll be having some good ones soon. I'd like to see just what kind of creative things we can think of to drive each other wild.

[Rowan answers that goofy smile with a surprisingly soft one.] I’d like that a lot.

[Having a talk with a partner like that will be a new one on Rowan, and the amount of trust that it shows is exciting and scary. Max isn’t just another one night stand, never seen again; they’ll get to play together again and again. Even though Rowan already knew that, the confirmation and expectation such a talk offers is a lot. In a good way.]

You’re not getting away with keeping me remote for that one, though. [They add, smile broadening back to a grin.]

[Rowan looks happy. That makes him happy. And excited to see what the future is going to bring for them both here. It's all-new territory that he can't wait to explore.

But his excited expression slips just a bit at that call-out]

Okay. Guilty as charged. I'm sorry. You're just a little too distracting up close sometimes. But, you're right. That one we'll be having face to face. Absolutely.

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cw: mention of noncon/sexual abuse

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Done :)