Closed;

[flamebearer]

Comments

[fogofdread]

Anything I've never had before?

[He climbs out of the bath, going for a towel and the specialized brushes they had made for him and his hair. He'll have to do the dreads tomorrow, when he has help.]

[flamebearer]

The desserts, probably. These ones are a sort of berry tart with chocolate drizzle over the top. They're some of my favorites.

[ He hasn't touched any just yet, although he's eyeing them. Instead, he takes another long drink of his wine, cheeks flushing slightly from the alcohol. ]

[fogofdread]

Chocolate?

[flamebearer]

[ His head comes up as he gives a thoughtful blink. ]

Have you ever had chocolate?

[fogofdread]

Nope. That sounds like rich people food.

[flamebearer]

In some countries it's not, but here it's an import, although I've thought about seeing if we could grow the beans here. I think you'll like it. There's different kinds of it, too, but I like this kind the best.

[fogofdread]

Is it sweet or what?

[flamebearer]

This one is. It can sometimes be a little more bitter? The darker one is, I think. but they're still really good. Ohhh, I should have Cook make you some of her little chocolate cakes. They're amazing.

[fogofdread]

Okay, I've gotta try this now. I don't have a shirt on, but you can deal with it.

[He finally joins Alibaba, shirtless and hair tied back as he reaches for a chocolate.]

This thing?

[flamebearer]

I don't care that you don't have a shirt on, Cassim. I've seen you in less, remember?

[ Alibaba sounds amused as he takes another long swallow of wine and watches Cassim wander out, still damp and flushed from the bath, his hair tied back off his face. He can't help but watch him as he does so. ]

Yeah. The chocolate is the stuff drizzled over the fruit, but sometimes she sends me just chocolate by itself, too. I might have a slight addiction...

[fogofdread]

"Slight", huh?

[He chuckles and pops one of the chocolates in his mouth.]

...oh. Oh this is good. Holy shit.

[flamebearer]

[ Ali laughs as his expression lights up. ]

See? Told you it was good. You can have more if you want it. But we should eat the stew and stuff too. Too much sweet stuff and you'll get a stomach ache.

[ ....Speaking from experience here. ]

[fogofdread]

Uh-huh. How many stomachaches did you get?

[flamebearer]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[ He's absolutely lying, but he just takes another swallow of wine instead. ]

[fogofdread]

You're a bad liar, Ali.

[flamebearer]

Shut up and trust me, Cassim.

[ He just grins unrepentantly before holding out a hand to Cassim in invitation to come join him where he's sprawled on the low cushions of the couch. His cheeks are flushed from the wine, the effects clearly starting to go to his head. ]

Come here.

[fogofdread]

[He obeys, snagging something more filling than chocolate before sprawling next to Ali.]

Bossy.

[flamebearer]

[ Ali just grins when Cassim comes to sprawl next to him, reaching out to drag him in against his side. ]

Well, technically I am your boss, so...

[fogofdread]

Please, you couldn't boss your way out of a ditch.

[flamebearer]

But apparently I can boss you into a ditch, so that'll work too.

[fogofdread]

Since when?

[flamebearer]

You're here, aren't you?

[ He just smirks, reaching out to flick a finger against Cassim's nose, playful. ]

[fogofdread]

[He makes a face.]

You have food and wine here.

[flamebearer]

Doesn't make it less of a ditch.

[ He grins, but offers Cassim his half-drunken goblet of wine anyway, in case he wants a sip.

Except this one might be a little more potent than what was served at dinner. ]

[fogofdread]

[He takes it and takes a sip, coughing a bit.]

Stronger?