The tired pianist continues softly, his melody threading through the crooked cafe. Chance leaves the copper coin between their cups, its favorable face turned upward.
Chance
Let us make this practical. Either of us may refuse touch, questions, company, or any invitation without punishment or sulking retaliation.
Chance folds his hands beside the coin. His usual grin remains, but the mischief has settled into attentive patience, leaving no hidden wager in the silence.
Chance
Honesty need not mean surrendering every secret. It means no deliberate lies about what concerns us, no disguising a demand as a gift, and no pretending uncertainty is certainty.
Chance
If either of us changes the terms, we say so plainly. If one of us wants to leave, the other lets them leave. No bargain binds us yet.
He nudges the coin toward the center of the table, then waits. Beyond the cups, the cafe keeps breathing softly, while Chance offers Delfarius room to answer without filling it for him.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish mutually understood terms with Chance
“I raise my eyebrow and laugh brightly. "He says as he nudges the coin of luck."”
Delfarius
He says as he nudges the coin of luck.
Delfarius raises one eyebrow and laughs brightly, giving the coin a light nudge across the table. It glides between their cups and settles favorable-side up.
Chance
He says it while nudging the coin. I see. You are already turning my careful terms into theater.
Chance watches the coin stop without touching it. His grin returns, warm and crooked, while the pianist’s quiet melody continues around their table.
Chance
Very well, Architect. Laugh if you like. The terms remain simple, and the coin remains yours whether you mock them or not.
The copper coin gives one cheerful glint beneath the cafe’s lamplight. Nothing binds them, and Chance leaves the offered space between them undisturbed.
Quest Complete
Establish mutually understood terms with Chance
“I tap the coin with my finger and smirk towards Chance. "I am aloud to laugh and be dramatic, it is my right." I say with a false hurt look. "Anyways, we I thought were talking about a possible relationship, not terms for peace." I say smirking at him. "And it is Delfarius, not Architect." I say honestly hurt at his use of my title instead of my name.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Delfarius
I am allowed to laugh and be dramatic. It is my right.
Delfarius taps the copper coin with one finger and gives Chance a falsely wounded look, though the hurt beneath the theatrics remains honest.
Delfarius
Anyways, I thought we were talking about a possible relationship, not terms for peace.
The coin glides between their cups and settles favorable-side up. Delfarius keeps his smirk aimed at Chance, letting the distinction land before he finishes speaking.
Delfarius
And it is Delfarius, not Architect.
Chance’s grin fades into attentive silence. The pianist’s melody continues softly, but the trickster gives Delfarius his full attention and leaves the coin untouched.
Chance
Delfarius, then. You are right. I hid behind terms because wanting a relationship felt more dangerous than negotiating its boundaries. I like you, and I want to find out what we could become.
Chance
No treaty, no title, and no bargain binds that answer. Just an honest possibility, if you still want to explore it with me.
Chance nudges the coin back toward Delfarius without touching him. His expression remains wary, but the offered relationship is now plainly named and accepted as the subject between them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Explore a relationship with Chance
“"I can honestly say I have felt less guarded with you than I have with any other in a long time. So." I move my chair closer to Chance and look at him warmly. "I think I would like to see where this goes also."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius
I can honestly say I have felt less guarded with you than I have with any other in a long time. So. I think I would like to see where this goes also.
Delfarius moves his chair closer to Chance and looks at him warmly. The gesture leaves the coin between them, but narrows the distance that caution had preserved.
Chance
Then let us see where it goes together. No grand promise, no clever escape hatch, just another meeting after this one because we both want it.
Chance’s smile returns without its usual shield of mischief. He reaches across the table slowly, giving Delfarius time to refuse, and rests his hand near Delfarius’s rather than claiming it.
Chance
We can start with the rest of this afternoon. Tell me what you actually want from a relationship, and I will tell you what I can give without pretending to be simpler than I am.
The pianist’s melody winds gently through the cafe. Chance leaves his hand open beside Delfarius’s, offering closeness without turning the invitation into a test or a bargain.
Quest Complete
Explore a relationship with Chance
“i look down at his hand and place my hand on his if he seems to want it. "I honestly have no idea what I want from a relationship besides I guess feelings mutually shared. I mean. Sex. But that goes without saying." I say with a smug expression towards him.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius looks down at Chance’s open hand, then places his own over it. Chance turns his palm upward and gently closes his fingers around Delfarius’s, welcoming the touch.
Delfarius
I honestly have no idea what I want from a relationship besides, I guess, feelings mutually shared. I mean, sex. But that goes without saying.
Delfarius delivers the admission with a smug expression. Chance studies him for a moment, then laughs softly, his thumb brushing once across Delfarius’s hand.
Chance
It does go without saying, though I appreciate your commitment to saying it anyway. Mutual feelings and mutual pleasure are both things I can want with you.
Chance keeps their hands joined between the coffee cups. His expression loses its defensive cleverness, leaving warmth and a careful curiosity as he meets Delfarius’s gaze.
Chance
I want affection that is chosen each time, desire that does not pretend to be less important than it is, and enough honesty to know when either of us changes our mind.
The copper coin remains favorable-side up beside their joined hands. Chance gives Delfarius’s fingers a light squeeze, accepting the plainness of the answer without demanding a grander promise.
“"Uh so I should get some of the former deal breaking revelations out of the way." I look him in the eyes as I talk and don't judge or scrutinize him, just lay it all out on the table so to speak. "I enjoy sex, I enjoy being with men and women, sometimes at the same time. I have a collared pet, no he does not have a say in his predicament and no he does not have a say in my relations with others. And I have a literal love relationship with myself. I enjoy my morning routines and flip the fuck out sometimes if it is upset from my normal expectations for it...hmm I live in a floating obsidian tower and keep a magical archive." I pause looking at his expression on what I just dumped on him. "I thing that is it...I think."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
Uh so I should get some of the former deal breaking revelations out of the way. I enjoy sex, I enjoy being with men and women, sometimes at the same time. I have a collared pet, no he does not have a say in his predicament and no he does not have a say in my relations with others. And I have a literal love relationship with myself. I enjoy my morning routines and flip the fuck out sometimes if it is upset from my normal expectations for it...hmm I live in a floating obsidian tower and keep a magical archive. I think that is it...I think.
Delfarius holds Chance’s gaze throughout, offering each revelation without judgment or scrutiny. When he pauses, the cafe’s piano continues softly, and the copper coin remains favorable-side up between their joined hands.
Chance
He placed every dangerous truth in front of me and did not try to make any of it easier to accept. The honesty is deliberate.
Chance
That is an impressive collection of deal breakers. I appreciate that you gave me the truth plainly, without asking me to pretend the collar means something it does not.
Chance’s expression moves through surprise, amusement, and careful thought. He keeps holding Delfarius’s hand, though his thumb stills as he considers the shape of the relationship being offered.
Chance
I can accept that you want men, women, shared lovers, and yourself. I can accept the tower, the archive, and the morning routines. The pet is the truth I need to understand better, but I am still here, Delfarius. I want to keep learning what this means.
Chance
And for the record, I am not frightened by the floating tower. I am more concerned that a disrupted breakfast ritual may become a legendary catastrophe. I would like to know where I stand before I step closer.
“i tilt my head to the side and still hold his hand but look off to something else in the far distance. "The collared pet is just a pet. I am use to people leaving me if they have the option, sometimes it is nice to hold on to something that can not. And if my morning is disrupted it is usually something that I need to take care of before I can even enjoy my morning first coffee so yeah." I look back at him with a sheepish smug. "It is complicated. I am complicated. That is what the deal breakers were meant to state in many words. I do not know where you would stand, but I hope you would want to find out with me if you want."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Delfarius tilts his head, still holding Chance’s hand, but looks toward something far beyond the crooked cafe’s windows.
Delfarius
The collared pet is just a pet. I am used to people leaving me if they have the option, so sometimes it is nice to hold on to something that cannot.
His fingers remain around Chance’s as the pianist’s melody threads through the room. The copper coin stays favorable-side up between their cups.
Delfarius
And if my morning is disrupted, it is usually something I need to take care of before I can even enjoy my first coffee, so yeah.
Delfarius looks back at Chance with a sheepish smirk, letting the admission stand without polishing away its possessive edge or its awkwardness.
Delfarius
It is complicated. I am complicated. That is what the deal breakers were meant to state in many words. I do not know where you would stand, but I hope you would want to find out with me if you want.
Chance
I do want to find out with you. But the cost of your honesty is that I will not let myself become another thing you keep close without answering where I stand.
Chance
I am choosing the complicated truth, Delfarius. In return, when I ask whether I am a lover, a guest, or merely an exception, you answer me plainly.
Chance’s fingers close more firmly around Delfarius’s hand. The invitation is accepted, but his future questions now carry real leverage: evasion may cost the trust this afternoon has earned.
“"I can accept that if you can accept that stating things like that will make me more guarded." I say plainly letting Chance's hand loose looking him in the eyes. "It sounds more like a person trying to find a weakness or demand an advantage instead of someone trying to be in a mutual relationship with me." I have a small frown on my face. Chance explains what he tried to say instead of what he did say making it sound like demand.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
I can accept that, if you can accept that stating things like that will make me more guarded.
Delfarius lets Chance’s hand loose and holds his gaze across the table. His small frown replaces the earlier amusement, while the copper coin remains favorable-side up.
Delfarius
It sounds more like a person trying to find a weakness or demand an advantage instead of someone trying to be in a mutual relationship with me.
Chance’s fingers remain open on his side of the table. He studies Delfarius’s frown, then sets aside his practiced wit and gives the accusation the seriousness it deserves.
Chance
I hear why it sounded that way. I was trying to protect myself from becoming incidental to your life, but I made your place sound conditional, as though you had to prove you deserved mine.
Chance
What I meant was that I want to know where I stand because I am choosing you, not because I want leverage. If you cannot answer today, I can remain uncertain without turning that uncertainty into punishment.
Chance
You do not owe me a title or reassurance on demand. I want us to ask plainly, refuse plainly, and let neither refusal become a weapon. That is what I was trying to say.
“i stop breaking the fourth wall and turn my attention back to Chance instead of the reader. "That is all I want too. I want a relationship where I do not have to prove that I want it as well. I want one no hooks, no testing, no demands upon my hospitality or time that I do not freely offer."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Delfarius
That is all I want too. I want a relationship where I do not have to prove that I want it as well.
Delfarius turns his full attention back to Chance, leaving the imagined audience behind. His hand rests open beside the copper coin, his expression tired but unguarded.
Delfarius
I want one with no hooks, no testing, and no demands upon my hospitality or time that I do not freely offer.
Chance studies him in silence. The coin remains still between their cups, and the trickster's guarded amusement gives way to quiet recognition.
Chance
Then I understand you plainly. You want me because you choose me, not because I have cornered you into proving it.
Chance turns his palm upward on the table without reaching across the space. Nothing in the gesture demands an answer, a touch, or a promise.
Chance
I will not make affection a trial. If you say no, I will hear no, and if you want me, you can tell me freely. That is enough for me to begin.
“I put my hand back closer to him and lean into him smirking. "If I invited you to my Tower, you would not assume I am letting you live there?" I am seeing if he finds that as absurd as it is and if he takes my hand again.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius places his hand closer to Chance and leans toward him with a knowing smirk, turning the invitation into an obvious test of what the trickster thinks it means.
Delfarius
If I invited you to my Tower, you would not assume I am letting you live there?
Chance stares at him for one stunned breath. Then the absurdity catches up, and his laughter breaks across the cafe as he reaches for Delfarius’s offered hand.
Chance
That is an absurd assumption, yes. I would assume you were inviting me to visit your Tower, not quietly relocating me into it.
Chance takes Delfarius’s hand and closes his fingers around it, warm and deliberate. He keeps the contact without claiming more, his mismatched eyes bright with amused understanding.
Chance
Though if you wanted me to stay, Delfarius, you could ask me plainly. I might even say yes, provided the invitation remains an invitation.
The copper coin remains favorable-side up between their joined hands. Chance leans nearer, accepting the Tower invitation as a visit while leaving the question of staying entirely open.
“I laugh softly and a bit darkly. "So this woman I went on a few dates with asked me to give her a tour of my tower. The next day I found out she had moved in and was using my archives like her personal library . She was from beyond the astral planes and apparently there if one shows you to their house it is an invite to live with them." I laugh brightly at how absurd the whole thing was. "I can not imagine what hotels they had there, or if they had anything like that."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Delfarius
So a woman I went on a few dates with asked for a tour of my Tower. The next day, I discovered she had moved in and was using my Archives as her personal library.
Delfarius laughs softly, then brightly, the absurdity overcoming his exhaustion. Chance listens with widening eyes, his fingers still loosely entwined with Delfarius’s across the cafe table.
Delfarius
Apparently, beyond the Astral planes, showing someone your house means inviting them to live there. I cannot imagine what hotels they had, if they had anything like that.
The story lands exactly as intended. Chance laughs brightly, leaning closer, though his amusement carries a newly cautious edge as he glances toward the unseen Tower beyond the portal roads.
Chance
That is magnificent. Also, for clarity, if you show me your Tower, I will understand it as a visit unless you plainly say otherwise. I am not moving in by accident.
Chance’s smile remains warm, but the complication is unmistakable: the tale has made him suspicious that Delfarius’s invitations may carry meanings he does not intend to explain until afterward.
Chance
Though now I need to know whether she ever left, whether the Archives charged her rent, and whether your idea of hospitality has always been this dangerously literal.
“"She started talking with my ex." I say with a long sigh and a bit of a shrug. "I am certain that she hates me now. She came to me a demanding why I had a new pet, and then demanding why ones I had before did not remember the secrets that were in my tower or whom I was." I look at him with a small smile like it makes sense to everyone why mortals should not know the secrets of the immortals. "Morghain, she was adorable but a bit naive about me I guess. Or just naive about what kind of relationship I can have with mortals."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius
She started talking with my ex. I am certain Morghain hates me now. She demanded to know why I had a new pet, and why my former companions remembered nothing of my Tower or identity.
Delfarius sighs and shrugs, offering Chance a small smile as though the secrecy of immortal lives should require no explanation. The pianist’s melody continues beneath the confession.
Delfarius
Morghain was adorable, but a little naive about me, or simply naive about the sort of relationship I can have with mortals.
Chance
That does not sound like hatred. It sounds like she wanted your secrets and your closeness to obey the same rules, then found out they do not.
Chance studies Delfarius across their joined hands, amusement softening into recognition. He does not excuse the Tower’s secrecy, but he understands why mortal knowledge could endanger both affection and survival.
Chance
You protect mortals by keeping them outside the dangerous truth, while still wanting them near you. That is a difficult arrangement, not necessarily a dishonest one.
Chance
I will not pretend it is simple. But if Morghain left angry, she may be grieving the closeness she wanted, not rejecting you entirely. You should let her decide what she can accept.
“I lean closer to him with a sparkle in my eyes and a widening grin on my face. "Are you just saying that because you think I should reconcile or because you are hoping I do and you can meet her as well?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Deception, rolled -1)
Delfarius
Are you just saying that because you think I should reconcile, or because you are hoping I do and you can meet her as well?
Delfarius leans closer, a bright spark in his eyes and a widening grin on his face. Chance catches the bait beneath the teasing and laughs.
Chance
Both. I think you should reconcile if you still want her, and I absolutely want to meet the woman who can make you look that pleased while accusing you of being impossible.
Chance keeps hold of Delfarius’s hand, his grin turning conspiratorial. The answer is playful, but his hope is plain enough that no trick of luck can disguise it.
Chance
Besides, I am curious whether Morghain’s bright-eyed judgment survives meeting me, or whether she immediately decides I am another terrible influence on you.
Chance
But I am not asking you to reconcile for my sake. If you go to her, go because you want the conversation. I would enjoy being invited afterward, not smuggled in as your excuse.
The favorable coin glints between their joined hands. Chance watches Delfarius expectantly, leaving the choice with him while making his own interest unmistakably clear.
“I look down at the coin on the table and pick it up and give Chance a wink. I lean in closer and look down at his lips. "What is my" I look at him and let out a short laugh. "Chance at getting a good bye kiss from you before I go to see where she is sulking at?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -1)
Delfarius looks down at the copper coin, then lifts it from the table and closes his fingers around its warm edge. He gives Chance a knowing wink.
He leans closer, his gaze dropping deliberately to Chance’s lips. The pianist’s melody continues softly while the favorable coin glints between Delfarius’s fingers.
Delfarius
What is my chance at getting a goodbye kiss from you before I go to see where she is sulking at?
Chance’s eyebrows rise at the audacity, then his smile turns bright and unguarded. He takes the coin gently from Delfarius’s hand and sets it aside.
Chance
Your chances are excellent, Delfarius. You asked plainly, and I want to kiss you goodbye. Go find Morghain, then come back and tell me how the sulking went.
Chance leans across the table and kisses Delfarius slowly, warmly, and without turning the moment into a wager. When he withdraws, his thumb brushes once over Delfarius’s knuckles.
Chance
There. A proper goodbye kiss. Now go ask the goddess whether she wants reconciliation, distance, or simply the pleasure of making you wait.