[Look at that. For once there is an affliction that Richard is actually familiar with. Mistletoe were a common decorations in England and could easily be spotted about anywhere. Which also meant that Richard knew better than to get caught underneath one. Which is, naturally, easier said than done. Seeing that these plants were now infested with amphibians.
Well anyway. When he notices a familiar face stuck in the trap, Richard can't help but chuckle a little. Honestly, out of all the people he had gotten to known in this world, Miller seems like the one who'd have the most hard time to follow through the simple tradition. ]
It seems like you have caught yourself in a sticky situation, my friend.
[ The tradition itself is one he's familiar with even if it isn't commonly practiced in his own home... but were they dealing with the simple tradition, there would be no need to make such a fuss. Unfortunately, much to Miller's chagrin, it appears that participation in this game in Aldrip is mandatory which is far more offensive than were he to have a few awkward exchanges kissing the cheeks of friends.
Speaking of which, it should be a relief to see Richard here... right? So, why is it that having to divulge the contents of this paper in his hand suddenly seems like the last thing he wants to do? He crunches it up in his fist uselessly.
Come on, that was almost a dad joke! ]
This isn't funny. I am just trying to mind my own business. Is that too much to ask?
My apologies, then. [But c'mon. You have to admit that this is at least little bit funny. Miller honestly might as well be the second most serious person around after Richard himself. Though, at least he had enough sense of humor to find some amusement in the scene in front of him and not to take the tradition too seriously.]
Do tell me, my friend. What do these pests demand of you to perform?
[ If he were witnessing it happen to someone else... yeah, it's pretty funny. Unfortunately he lacks the self-awareness to get that far. He can't think of anything else besides how he's supposed to deal with this issue, and it's only becoming more pressing as Richard very understandably wants to know what the issue is.
A hand comes up to his own face, rubbing at his brow. Almost like he can't even look Richard in the eye for this one. ]
Well... it's intentionally vague. It says "now kiss," but kiss who? The fucking frog?
[ Clearly not. Clearly it's some bastardization of getting caught under the mistletoe and he knows that. ]
[Unfortunately the story of the Princess and the Frog is brought to public knowledge about four centuries after Richard's time, so there is no witty remark or comment to the fairy tale. So, instead he watches in amusement as his 'friend' struggled under the mistletoe, feet firmly stuck on the concoction left behind by the toads.
Though, Richard supposes that he could sympathize with him. If their roles were reversed he, too, would feel frustrated and angry at the situation. That and anxious, of course. ]
I see. You have are requited to follow the actual tradition, then. Should I go and fetch you a girl so that you can complete your mission?
[ Oh, god. He was wrong. There is certainly something worse than being upfront about this to Richard. Asking some random woman to come free his dumb ass sounds humiliating. As few people need to witness this as is humanly possible, as far as he's concerned.
Miller's gaze becomes fixed as if anxiously racking his brain. ]
I'm sure there must be some other way. How about a simple greeting kiss?
[ That's quite common in England as well, isn't it? ]
[Luckily for Miller, Richard was joking with his proposition. Colonel hardly came off a womanizer, who'd use any opportunity to get a soft taste of maiden's lips. No, that had been his brother Edward. Miller was far more down to earth - much closer to Richard himself than the hedonistic lords of the court.
But the older man was right in his assumption that kisses were more common in Richard's world. There was nothing strange in two brothers in arms to seal lips as a sign of admiration and oath. Affection like that was openly displayed between friends. As long as it stayed just that and nothing more. There was fine line between sinner and comrade.
But Richard belonged to the first group more than to second. That had been decided on the moment he had been born into the world, carrying the mark of devil in his body. He seduced and led men into path of darkness, away from the righteousness and light. So, he might as well have a little fun at Miller's expense - to see how much he'd be able to resist the temptation.
So, Richard steps forward so that his feet, too, get tangled up in the sticky mess. He stands there, chest to chest, and eyes Miller under his raven bangs, the mismatched pearls observing his facial expression. He then reaches a gloved hand to tap his knuckles on the man's collar.]
So you'd have me as your savior? Surely there are another pair of warm lips that you'd desire more.
[ Here he thought being trapped by the whims of this toad was the issue. What he never could have predicted was suddenly having to reconcile between his growing respect for Richard as a would-be diplomat and the discomfort of being put into this intimate position now seemingly at his behest. He's witnessed it for himself — Richard is a quiet man when he's not engaging in strategics — and maybe that's why Miller never would have expected this out of him. Did he find it funny to make a joke at his expense?
The back of his neck grows hot as the pressure settles upon him, As the back of Richard's hand knocks against him, he hardly has to move to firmly grab his thin wrist in return. ]
What in the hell are you talking about? All I was suggesting was a kiss on the cheek.
[ That's right. They're comrades, or as close as you can get to that word in a place like this. Or so he had thought. It shouldn't hold this much weight... and yet, the suggestion that it does seems to incense Miller. ]
It has nothing to do with desire. Do you think I want to be trapped in this mess?
[Oh, Miller. You can always trust that things will get somehow worse. Because there sure are times when even someone reserved like Richard will take a step out of his quiet and reserved role and to play a prank on his 'comrade.' Honestly, it is because of their current relationship of feigned friendship and budding comradery-ship that he goes this far, red lips forming a mischievous smirk as he looks up to Miller, unfazed in front of his frustration.]
Rest easy. I am merely jesting. [But still he does not change the tone of his voice nor does he try to pull his wrist free.] It is just a meaningless kiss. Surely, you've played this in your youth?
[ Although perhaps it should that reassurance does little to soothe him. If this was some average young man, like one of his rangers who has no life experience outside of one tight-knit station, it would really come as no surprise. But this is Richard — the duke who told him solemnly of his time spent in battle devoted to his country — and Miller is too taken aback to completely lower his guard. The grasp on his wrist slackens, but he still doesn't let go, shaking his head. ]
No. [ The incredulity behind that says enough. The intonation is almost a question. ] Was it normal for the upper class to let their children play such depraved games?
[ Least of all between two boys... He can't say he never saw boys harass his daughter as she was growing up, but he certainly never found it funny then either. ]
[Honestly, it is quite amusing to see as the confusion and bafflement paint an expression on Miller's face as he is trying to decipher what's going on. However, there is a small crack on Richard's own smile with that comment. He forcefully pulls his hand free from the older man's hold. He brings his front against Miller, chest to chest, like he was sizing himself up to the taller man.]
Do not insult me or my people with such slander, colonel. [In all honesty, he did not care too much for 'his people.' The young men were depraved and hedonistic, taking any excuse to indulge in vices of flesh. But children they would protect.]
[ The shift in energy is palpable, from uncomfortably, almost jokingly intimate, to threatening. As Richard wrenches his hand free, Miller does not fight him, though neither does he back down. He looks down unflinchingly, but there is no intentional exertion of power in return either, and his previous blustering stills to a calmness, waiting to see what will happen. To decipher what button he accidentally pressed. ]
It is you who seemed to suggest this behavior is normal. Maybe your description was unclear.
[ He could accept that it was a misunderstanding... but he also feels quite resistant to the thought of taking a knee for some other nation's fragile pride. ]
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expiationlogs2024-12-09 08:17 am
pucker up
Well anyway. When he notices a familiar face stuck in the trap, Richard can't help but chuckle a little. Honestly, out of all the people he had gotten to known in this world, Miller seems like the one who'd have the most hard time to follow through the simple tradition. ]
It seems like you have caught yourself in a sticky situation, my friend.
💋
Speaking of which, it should be a relief to see Richard here... right? So, why is it that having to divulge the contents of this paper in his hand suddenly seems like the last thing he wants to do? He crunches it up in his fist uselessly.
Come on, that was almost a dad joke! ]
This isn't funny. I am just trying to mind my own business. Is that too much to ask?
[ In Aldrip? Yes. ]
no subject
Do tell me, my friend. What do these pests demand of you to perform?
no subject
A hand comes up to his own face, rubbing at his brow. Almost like he can't even look Richard in the eye for this one. ]
Well... it's intentionally vague. It says "now kiss," but kiss who? The fucking frog?
[ Clearly not. Clearly it's some bastardization of getting caught under the mistletoe and he knows that. ]
no subject
Though, Richard supposes that he could sympathize with him. If their roles were reversed he, too, would feel frustrated and angry at the situation. That and anxious, of course. ]
I see. You have are requited to follow the actual tradition, then. Should I go and fetch you a girl so that you can complete your mission?
no subject
[ Oh, god. He was wrong. There is certainly something worse than being upfront about this to Richard. Asking some random woman to come free his dumb ass sounds humiliating. As few people need to witness this as is humanly possible, as far as he's concerned.
Miller's gaze becomes fixed as if anxiously racking his brain. ]
I'm sure there must be some other way. How about a simple greeting kiss?
[ That's quite common in England as well, isn't it? ]
no subject
But the older man was right in his assumption that kisses were more common in Richard's world. There was nothing strange in two brothers in arms to seal lips as a sign of admiration and oath. Affection like that was openly displayed between friends. As long as it stayed just that and nothing more. There was fine line between sinner and comrade.
But Richard belonged to the first group more than to second. That had been decided on the moment he had been born into the world, carrying the mark of devil in his body. He seduced and led men into path of darkness, away from the righteousness and light. So, he might as well have a little fun at Miller's expense - to see how much he'd be able to resist the temptation.
So, Richard steps forward so that his feet, too, get tangled up in the sticky mess. He stands there, chest to chest, and eyes Miller under his raven bangs, the mismatched pearls observing his facial expression. He then reaches a gloved hand to tap his knuckles on the man's collar.]
So you'd have me as your savior? Surely there are another pair of warm lips that you'd desire more.
no subject
The back of his neck grows hot as the pressure settles upon him, As the back of Richard's hand knocks against him, he hardly has to move to firmly grab his thin wrist in return. ]
What in the hell are you talking about? All I was suggesting was a kiss on the cheek.
[ That's right. They're comrades, or as close as you can get to that word in a place like this. Or so he had thought. It shouldn't hold this much weight... and yet, the suggestion that it does seems to incense Miller. ]
It has nothing to do with desire. Do you think I want to be trapped in this mess?
no subject
Rest easy. I am merely jesting. [But still he does not change the tone of his voice nor does he try to pull his wrist free.] It is just a meaningless kiss. Surely, you've played this in your youth?
no subject
No. [ The incredulity behind that says enough. The intonation is almost a question. ] Was it normal for the upper class to let their children play such depraved games?
[ Least of all between two boys... He can't say he never saw boys harass his daughter as she was growing up, but he certainly never found it funny then either. ]
no subject
Do not insult me or my people with such slander, colonel. [In all honesty, he did not care too much for 'his people.' The young men were depraved and hedonistic, taking any excuse to indulge in vices of flesh. But children they would protect.]
no subject
It is you who seemed to suggest this behavior is normal. Maybe your description was unclear.
[ He could accept that it was a misunderstanding... but he also feels quite resistant to the thought of taking a knee for some other nation's fragile pride. ]