guffawsungraciously | PSL TIME: THIS TIME IT’S SYLVANDO INSTEAD

[It's good-natured fun! There's a certain sort of charm to pretentious types...and watching them slowly unwind at the seams after a bit of play!

Sylvando waves a hand dismissively as he pours more sake with his other. Oh, that's the last of it. He'll have to order another.]

Not rude at all. There just wasn't an opening until now! [Jasper's glass is slid back to him while Sylvando gives the bartender a signal for another bottle.] Sylvando, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you, Homeros darling.

[It seems that the pet names are never going to stop, even now that he has a name for his evening companion.]

I hope you don't mind me being a bit nosy here, but- does your work lead you all over Erdrea, then? Got any favorite sights or locales?

[look just wait until he’s had a few too many drinks, then he’ll really unwind... but in any case, he raises his glass a bit jauntily.]

Cheers to that. I’ll be sure to remember you, then.

[SPOILER: he won’t.]

It does, thought I most often find myself in the Heliodor region. I’ll admit to being partial to Puerto Valor, though. There are certainly other beaches in Erdrea, but none with the quite the same combination of quality cocktails, dining, and gambling establishments.

[He will at the most hilariously unfortunate moment. That said, Sylvando will return the gesture with much enthusiasm.

As for Jasper's answer, well...]

Ahhh, you're speaking right to my heart! Puerto Valor is where I grew up. [If his accent didn't make it obvious enough.] It's so true, though. You will not find finer drinks in all of Erdrea than Puerto Valor's margaritas!

[It makes him feel so nostalgic... He really does miss his home. Perhaps a small bit of this wistful nostalgia crosses his face for Jasper to notice, but he seems to return to his chipper demeanor just as quickly...once he's had another sip of sake.]

Please tell me you've had plenty during your visits!

Oh, I absolutely have. There are some who would say I have had too many, but I would vehemently disagree with them.

[jasper, your men had to scramble to find an identical pair of swim trunks because they couldn't find yours.]

I must admit, though, I'm partial to strawberry daiquiris. Whoever decided to introduce ice magic into the drink-mixing process is a genius who deserves a knighthood.

There is no such thing as too many! [A sip, and...a thoughtful pause.] Well, in one sitting, maybe.

[But details.]

Hmmm! Normally I would disagree, but I'll allow strawberry daiquiris as an alternative. They are particularly good on a hot summer day.

Hmm. I can never exactly remember the exact number where it crosses a line.

[he says, knocking back some sake.]

But you’ll have to forgive my biases. I have never met a strawberry-flavored menu item that didn’t immediately win my heart, save perhaps for one instance where I am not even sure they bothered to actually include the things.

[After a light giggle,]

Is that number ever the same, anyway? So many factors go into it!

[Sometimes you have a couple with dinner, sometimes you have a really rowdy celebration and don't realize you've downed six margaritas until it's too late.]

Everyone has their favorites, darling, I'm not offended! But now you've piqued my curiosity about this one instance...

See, you understand. It’s completely unpredictable, but who really cares as long as you’re having a good time?

[MORNING BE DAMNED.]

Ah, it’s not that thrilling a story. Sometimes you simply learn that it really isn’t worth gambling on every pastry shop that opens its doors in your general vicinity, that’s all. Perhaps if I kept returning to see what else they’d managed to ruin I’d have more tales to tell, but when it comes to food I’d rather stick to quality rather than indulging my morbid curiosity.

[There's probably some kind of hangover cure-all, it's fiiiine.

A playful smile appears on Sylvando's face and only grows wider the more Jasper goes on about his woes with an ill-fated pastry shop. This is so charming?!]

Oh honey, there are few worse things than looking forward to a tasty treat and ending up with a heaping of disappointment instead. You have my condolences.

[Like, he's legit pouring one out for this sad affair. Drink sake to pay respects.]

I can see why you're so keen on daiquiris, though. Sounds like you have quite the sweet tooth!

Well, you could consider sweets to be Heliodor's national vice, I think. I'd say it's to the point of a storied pastime.

[He smiles, though something in his expression fades a bit when he realizes... ah. It used to be the royal family's thing, but the princess was gone and his master didn't seem to enjoy them half as much as the king did.

...

Whatever. Not like he cares or anything. He passes his cup on over for another refill because he's already downed it.]

In any case, though, part of what makes traveling exciting is getting to sample all the local delicacies.

Oh, so you're from Heliodor? That definitely does explain a lot!

[He's been there plenty of times, both in his youth and while traveling with the circus. The sweets there are unparalleled. So this is not said judgmentally or anything.

He gives a thoughtful pause, watching his companion's expression, but doesn't make any move on commenting on it. His smile doesn't falter either, and he pours out another cup without missing a beat. As if he'd seen nothing at all.]

Isn't it just, though? I could name a favorite dish and drink in just about every part of Erdrea. But you know? I find the people just as exciting! I've met so many fun and interesting people while on the road- yourself included, of course!

[It hasn't been very long obviously, but there's something to this man... One definitely doesn't come across people like him every day.]

Born and bred, yes. We don’t hold a candle to Gondolia in the cakes department, but there are several establishments that really know how to put together a fruit sandwich.

[“are they really all that different,” one might ask, and Jasper will answer with a derisive sneer and never speak to you again.]

And I suppose that’s true, yes. I would not say I am always in the mood to be sociable, but I do like meeting interesting people when I am. It seems both of us have gotten lucky in that regard today, doesn’t it?

Agreed! Heliodor's fruit sandwiches are simply divine. You'll have to give me your personal recommendation before we part. My troupe has a show there on our tour!

[Imagine Jasper and Hendrik attending a show pre-canon... They'd totally go to be security detail. Nothing more. Totally.

With another of those signature winks, he raises his cup toward Jasper before downing what remains in it.]

So it does, and cheers to that! I couldn't ask for a better way to wind down for the night.

Ah, I'll have to see if I can find the time to go, then. My schedule isn't exactly predictable, but I might see if I can slot it in.

[...if either of them had time for that kind of thing, they'd probably both be squinting and trying to remember where they hell they met Sylvando for very different reasons...]

In any case, I'll write you a list of my top three, I think. I find myself looking for different things depending on my mood, so I don't find just one particularly helpful.

[...but that's for when he has some paper in front of him. For now, he'll raise his cup in turn and down it!]

You say that, but the night is still young...

[Sylvando's cup is cast aside for a moment so he can excitedly clasp his hands.]

Top three? Oh, goodie! I do love a little taste-testing excursion. I look forward to hearing your suggestions...and to potentially seeing you at my show!

[How fun would that be? He could do a sneaky little call-out!

Ah, but he can forget about silly hypothetical pre-planning for now. He rests an arm against the counter and props his chin against it.]

That's true! I even said that myself earlier, didn't I? Silly me! We're just getting started.

[He gives the second bottle a shake, and upon realizing it's about empty...]

Want another for the road, honey?

I have extremely high standards, so I can be certain you won't be disappointed in the least.

[...he won't be committal about the attendance at all. like, on one hand, he's pretty sure it won't be his scene. but on the other, he's kind of curious...

...and you know, he's feeling a little warm, so he has to think about it... is he drunk enough yet...]

Hm, yes. I certainly am feeling one more, I think.

[One more it is! Once Sylvando receives the bottle, he shifts to pour each of them their last cup and slides Jasper's back to him.]

We should get going after this one, so we can get to the bath house before they start closing down for the night. [The night is young, but not all businesses are open well into it.] I want to make sure you get the full experience!

Mmm, even if it is a bit of a shame, you are indeed correct. If only there were more hours in the evening...

[...maybe he actually should listen to his better judgment and stop before he has to stagger out, instead of just generally feeling socially lubricated.]

They don’t let you drink in the bathhouse, I would imagine...?

Water, maybe. But it's not good to go too hard on the booze before a trip to the sauna. The whole point is to sweat, you know. I'd hate to see you pass out of dehydration in there.

[Sylvando himself seems to be doing well enough. Then again, he's always been pretty good at holding his liquor better than others.]

Oh, fine. I suppose it really would put a damper on things if I passed out in the middle of the session, so I will cut myself off here.

[He finishes his cup and slides it towards the bartender. It’s probably for the best, no one should have to deal with Jasper when he’s wasted...]

Darling, I promise you'll have a good time without the sake's help. Don't forget, you're spending the evening with an entertainer!

[Because yeah, while he's taken a shine to Jasper, that doesn't mean he's willing to drag a drunk dude around Hotto. That's no fun for him!

After he's finished his drink and paid for everything, he gives the bartender one last wave before holding an arm out for Jasper.]

Come on. And no more pouting!

I will trust you to keep me entertained, then. At the very least, I doubt you will disappoint me.

[Jasper's not pouting anymore, at least!

...he does hesitate a minute before taking Sylvando's arm, just because it's a little...

...

Ehhhh, whatever, it's not a big deal. He's tipsy enough that it seems like an alright idea and he's not going to be prickly about it. He'll go ahead and take it!]

The Great Sylvando never disappoints!

[That little bout of grandstanding is accompanied by a playful laugh, and he happily guides Jasper on over to the bathhouse! It's not very far away at all, making their stroll through the pleasant night air short and sweet.

They end up with an exciting surprise once they arrive. Apparently the proprietor attended the circus show earlier, and is so thrilled to have Sylvando visiting his establishment that he offers him a free sauna visit. Jasper gets to be the +1, how lovely.

With their change of clothes in hand, Sylvando turns to Jasper with a smile.]

Time to change! I'll see you in there, darling.

[...honestly, Jasper is starting to wonder if he should make a habit of casually hooking up with entertainers or if this is just a Sylvando thing. ...no he’s slept with an actor and an actress or two before, this is definitely a Sylvando thing. Unless he’s been sleeping with the wrong actors.

In any case, he smiles a bit wryly as he heads over to the changing room.]

You certainly don’t disappoint, do you? I have to wonder if I’ll pay for anything whatsoever during this excursion. But yes, I will see you in a bit.

[but anyhow. Hmm hmm hmm, take off normal clothes, put on the sauna clothes, tuck his pendant into the shirt, and head on into the sauna!]

[Sylvando is just that charming. It's a pretty great perk, and even better for his hookups!

Just as Sylvando said, Jasper will find him in the sauna room just ahead of him, beefing up the sauna heater's steam with a splash of water over the coals. His stylish hair is now accented with something akin to a scrunchie, and he's wearing his sauna shirt very loosely. This is not the ultra modest sauna shirt, but one that has a more open front.

He turns to see Jasper entering, and happily makes a quick clap.]

Ah, there you are! Let's have a seat.

[He takes a spot on one of the front benches close to the heater so he can attend to it if needed, primly crossing his legs and arms.]

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