Is Vox winning or is he losing? Did he get one-upped or did he just get what he wanted? He's so confused and all he can do is plaster on a weak smile.]
That- Uh- Yeah. That's... That's a thing you could say.
[ Alastor brings his index and middle fingers up to touch his lips. It was a unique experience to kiss a TV. There was no good way to angle his head so his nose didn't brush up against it, and the sensation isn't like anything he's had before. There's no real taste, given how chaste it was, but that might have been different too - flavored with gin and smoke, and a little something else. And if he's been in Hell far too long to think that hard on it, well - it is still a bit odd to kiss another man. It's something new for him, and he's not altogether sure how it feels.
Fortunately, he doesn't need to think too hard about it. This entire date is just performative anyway. Alastor has made his feelings quite clear.
More relevant is the reaction that he gets, which is not quite what he expected. There's a little giggle as the man loses his signal, because that's far more than he would have ever predicted in response to something so small. He once more thinks that after his little display of exhibitionism, Vox has no excuse to act so dramatically in response to the smallest form of affection. ]
Wonderful! It's been so long, I thought I might have forgotten the proper etiquette... I do believe that you're supposed to wait until you've seen your partner home, but that's not really an option here.
[ Their living situation means that it would just be awkward, actually. But he is pleased with the reaction. ]
[Vox continues to be conflicted for a while longer, trying to puzzle out which step of 5D chess they're on at the moment. Only then does he realize that spending time on it at all could already be part of a trap. Exactly what Alastor wants him to do. He needs to not overthink it and instead just play it off as something casual. Frivolous and mundane.
The movie's finished its big climactic moment, he realizes when he focuses on the screen again. It's just wrapping up a few loose ends, telling the audience the moral of the story all over again (as if they hadn't emphasized it three times already). He doubts he missed much.
A furrow of the brow, then he looks Alastor's way again, head tilted lightly to the side. He's still got that weak smile on his face, too.]
You know that was the etiquette like... a hundred years ago, right Al? Things change! You don't have to walk your date home anymore, don't have to pay for dinner... And you can just bang it out on the first date if you're both hot for each other. Nobody gives a shit about it anymore!
[ He still has that weak smile... The criteria is a bit much though. Alastor is using his newfound freedom to comfortably fold his arms over his chest and to cross his legs. ]
I would hope that you would at least do the former.
[ As for the latter... Well, he's closing one eye and looking with the other, not entirely offended, but waiting for him to backpedal on the latter. He's not really concerned about the real meaning of Christmas that he's heard plenty of times, or whatever the message of the story is supposed to be. ]
['At least the former'... That statement haunts Vox a little. Not that Alastor's the type of guy to say what he thinks about that last one. And it doesn't even matter, because they're talking about dating standards in general and not whatever this is.
He waves a dismissive hand, sinking back in his seat, gaze returning to the movie.]
I do whatever I feel like. Not that it matters. I haven't been on a real date in... [He trails off for a long moment, brow furrowing.] ... Yeah. Shit. Twenty years ago?
[Because this doesn't count as a real date, and while he did try some semblance of dates with Valentino at the beginning of their partnership, that effort got watered down real fast. Now having dinner together is literally just having dinner together, and the sex is dependent on whether their schedules allow for it.]
[ It's been nearly a century since Alastor last went on one. What point would there be now? Love is found in life, not Hell. Even if he were so inclined, he lacks the freedom needed to pursue frivolous things. There were too many possible implications. ]
That's because you lack both the charm and sense of romance needed to date.
[ Granted, a sense of romance is the last thing that anyone would associate with the notorious radio demon. But even if he doesn't indulge, he finds pieces of it to be charming. Besides, he's not being all that serious. Men of business often marry, but never have time for wives. ]
It's the little things that matter most.
[ He'll demonstrate by taking Vox's hand and kissing the back of it. ]
[Vox rolls his eyes without even really thinking about it. Charm might be needed to date, but romance sure isn't. Dates haven't been about that for ages, and they certainly aren't about that in Hell. He could absolutely go on a real date with someone if he wanted to. He just doesn't. He's too busy amassing power.
The little things comment barely registers, but the fact that his hand is taken startles him back into full awareness. He blinks and looks Alastor's way just in time to see the man's mouth touch down near his knuckles.
... Oh.
He sits absolutely frozen, unwilling to move his hand even in the slightest in case it causes something bad to happen. And maybe if he stays still, Alastor will... kiss it again...???]
It's true that romance is either neither necessary nor wanted as much as instant gratification, and he'll make no further argument. It's all just banter, anyway. Neither of them are going to be dating anyone. But he can't help but chuckle at the way that Vox stills in response. He really is simple.
He's in luck today, because Alastor will humor him by dipping his head down and brush his lips against the top of Vox's hand once more. He'll set the other man's hand down after, not quite trusting him to take it back on his own. ]
[Vox assumed that he would sooner have his hand bitten off than have Alastor go in for a second kiss to the knuckles, but 'lo and behold, it happens anyway. And then his hand is set back down just fine. No bodily harm, no snide remarks, nothing. He can't believe it. Can't trust it. But it happened, so he can't deny it either.
After a few furious blinks, his hand retracts all the way and comes to land on his own leg again. He tries so hard to be normal about this, but it's only the strangulation of a much more intense reaction, diminishing it down to an awkward stammer.]
That's... One of the little things, huh? Yeah, I guess in a real first date that's... That's a pretty safe gesture. Real fuckin' gentlemanly.
[ As much as he would love to take a finger off as payment for this little lesson, he agreed to play nice at the start of all this, and so Vox can get away unscathed. He can settle for the satisfaction of showcasing the difference between the two of them. Alastor has a natural charm and understanding of etiquette that Vox lacks. Or rather, he simply views the world differently: Men should carry with them a polished, refined manner and an amicable desire to please. He doesn't indulge in either as much these days (or at least not with men,) but he hasn't forgotten how.
But he will nod in agreement. ]
Of course it is. It's a token of regard. Affection is won and kept through gentle courtesy.
[ Not whatever the fuck is going on here in Hell. ]
['Gentle courtesy', yeah right. Vox always thought that sort of thing is easy to fake. Hollow, even. Hold the door open for a lady, pull back her chair for her, bring her flowers on the first date... He used to do all those things because it was expected of him, and technically because he expected something in return, but not as a token of respect or affection. It was transactional.
And here in Hell... Well. He doesn't do any of it here in Hell. He's pretty sure Val would either laugh in his face, or assume it's part of some elaborate, kinky roleplay.]
I still say it's old-fashioned. [His hands curl in his lap, and he looks up towards the movie screen to see the film ease itself into the end credits.] ... Out of place here, anyway. Maybe in Heaven they still do shit like that.
[ Alastor finally averts his gaze with that final statement. There's something uniquely amusing about the idea of making those offerings in Heaven, and the more he thinks about it, the funnier it gets. After all, what need is there for courting in paradise? Any offerings they make one another was akin to take a coin from one bottomless pile and tossing it into another. Nothing is lost and nothing is gained. ]
For lack of anything better to do, perhaps. Heaven has no more need of courtship than Hell does.
[ What reason was there for all the charming, doting, and courtesies if not to satisfy one's needs? Plenty, but for the majority it was about sex and appearances. But here in this place, one didn't even need to bother with a first date for sex, and there were no social standards to conform to. One can live freely. That's why Alastor favors it. ]
Sinners aren't looking for affection, and overlords least of all, so why bother?
[ Sinners are by large just as that angel had said - power hungry and violent, and overlords most of all. But if one were to, the rules would be the same as they ever were. ]
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3/3
Is Vox winning or is he losing? Did he get one-upped or did he just get what he wanted? He's so confused and all he can do is plaster on a weak smile.]
That- Uh- Yeah. That's... That's a thing you could say.
no subject
Fortunately, he doesn't need to think too hard about it. This entire date is just performative anyway. Alastor has made his feelings quite clear.
More relevant is the reaction that he gets, which is not quite what he expected. There's a little giggle as the man loses his signal, because that's far more than he would have ever predicted in response to something so small. He once more thinks that after his little display of exhibitionism, Vox has no excuse to act so dramatically in response to the smallest form of affection. ]
Wonderful! It's been so long, I thought I might have forgotten the proper etiquette... I do believe that you're supposed to wait until you've seen your partner home, but that's not really an option here.
[ Their living situation means that it would just be awkward, actually. But he is pleased with the reaction. ]
no subject
The movie's finished its big climactic moment, he realizes when he focuses on the screen again. It's just wrapping up a few loose ends, telling the audience the moral of the story all over again (as if they hadn't emphasized it three times already). He doubts he missed much.
A furrow of the brow, then he looks Alastor's way again, head tilted lightly to the side. He's still got that weak smile on his face, too.]
You know that was the etiquette like... a hundred years ago, right Al? Things change! You don't have to walk your date home anymore, don't have to pay for dinner... And you can just bang it out on the first date if you're both hot for each other. Nobody gives a shit about it anymore!
no subject
I would hope that you would at least do the former.
[ As for the latter... Well, he's closing one eye and looking with the other, not entirely offended, but waiting for him to backpedal on the latter. He's not really concerned about the real meaning of Christmas that he's heard plenty of times, or whatever the message of the story is supposed to be. ]
no subject
He waves a dismissive hand, sinking back in his seat, gaze returning to the movie.]
I do whatever I feel like. Not that it matters. I haven't been on a real date in... [He trails off for a long moment, brow furrowing.] ... Yeah. Shit. Twenty years ago?
[Because this doesn't count as a real date, and while he did try some semblance of dates with Valentino at the beginning of their partnership, that effort got watered down real fast. Now having dinner together is literally just having dinner together, and the sex is dependent on whether their schedules allow for it.]
no subject
That's because you lack both the charm and sense of romance needed to date.
[ Granted, a sense of romance is the last thing that anyone would associate with the notorious radio demon. But even if he doesn't indulge, he finds pieces of it to be charming. Besides, he's not being all that serious. Men of business often marry, but never have time for wives. ]
It's the little things that matter most.
[ He'll demonstrate by taking Vox's hand and kissing the back of it. ]
no subject
The little things comment barely registers, but the fact that his hand is taken startles him back into full awareness. He blinks and looks Alastor's way just in time to see the man's mouth touch down near his knuckles.
... Oh.
He sits absolutely frozen, unwilling to move his hand even in the slightest in case it causes something bad to happen. And maybe if he stays still, Alastor will... kiss it again...???]
no subject
It's true that romance is either neither necessary nor wanted as much as instant gratification, and he'll make no further argument. It's all just banter, anyway. Neither of them are going to be dating anyone. But he can't help but chuckle at the way that Vox stills in response. He really is simple.
He's in luck today, because Alastor will humor him by dipping his head down and brush his lips against the top of Vox's hand once more. He'll set the other man's hand down after, not quite trusting him to take it back on his own. ]
Hm?
no subject
After a few furious blinks, his hand retracts all the way and comes to land on his own leg again. He tries so hard to be normal about this, but it's only the strangulation of a much more intense reaction, diminishing it down to an awkward stammer.]
That's... One of the little things, huh? Yeah, I guess in a real first date that's... That's a pretty safe gesture. Real fuckin' gentlemanly.
no subject
But he will nod in agreement. ]
Of course it is. It's a token of regard. Affection is won and kept through gentle courtesy.
[ Not whatever the fuck is going on here in Hell. ]
no subject
And here in Hell... Well. He doesn't do any of it here in Hell. He's pretty sure Val would either laugh in his face, or assume it's part of some elaborate, kinky roleplay.]
I still say it's old-fashioned. [His hands curl in his lap, and he looks up towards the movie screen to see the film ease itself into the end credits.] ... Out of place here, anyway. Maybe in Heaven they still do shit like that.
no subject
For lack of anything better to do, perhaps. Heaven has no more need of courtship than Hell does.
[ What reason was there for all the charming, doting, and courtesies if not to satisfy one's needs? Plenty, but for the majority it was about sex and appearances. But here in this place, one didn't even need to bother with a first date for sex, and there were no social standards to conform to. One can live freely. That's why Alastor favors it. ]
Sinners aren't looking for affection, and overlords least of all, so why bother?
[ Sinners are by large just as that angel had said - power hungry and violent, and overlords most of all. But if one were to, the rules would be the same as they ever were. ]