[ Avicebron spends those ten minutes trying to guess what Bardo wants his address for. There's perhaps ... a 60% chance it's a delivery of food, he thinks. Bardo seems like a busybody, after all. Maybe 30% he's bringing the remains of the sparrow golem. And 10% that Bardo has an actual request of him. Hm. Very well, he can deal with all those options.
So when he opens the door (sans cloak) and is greeted with that incredibly rude greeting, he just stares for a long moment.
[ Way harsh Avicebron... but no, Bardo totally expected the sidestep, let's be real. He didn't expect to be let in, either, so he lingers where he is, tail swinging with apparent ease.
For someone who gifted him something so (surprisingly) sweet, Avicebron is always a little sour. ]
Hm? Don't tell me you can't guess why I'm here.
[ As always, never answering the question he's being posed outright. Bardo smiles, expecting Avicebron to acknowledge his own good deed. ]
[ Even if he tilts his head, he can't quite make out what Bardo's hiding behind his back. But the fact that he's being coy suggests it's a gift, not something he requires help with.
And if he deliberately made the trip here for that purpose, it would be proper to reciprocate such a gesture with an off of hospitality. Probably. (Ugh.)
The gears ticking away in his head are practically audible, and there's a marked pause before he exhales softly. ]
If I had to guess -- a delivery of food. Cooking seems to be your hobby. [ He steps slightly away from the door. ] Well, I won't be so rude as to turn you away without listening. Close the door behind you, if you want to come in.
[ No mention of the golem bird, no mention of the note, no mention of the promise of a next time. Bardo hovers and watches as Avicebron fills in the silence between them with his consideration, and breathes through his nose at the sensible conclusion that Avicebron comes to.
If only people were so easy to anticipate all the time, huh.
But he takes the offer with an easy one-two shuffle, hands still behind his back even when he breaches the threshold of the modest apartment room. It's hard to close the door while holding a stuffed sparrow, but he manages. ]
Good guess, but not the right one. [ And really, he doesn't have to make himself comfortable for the grand reveal, but he might as well. ] —I'd tell you to close your eyes for this, but I won't be able to tell if you're cheating.
[ Avicebron's apartment is ... not a very welcoming place, more like a workshop than a living space. When they pass by the kitchen, it looks almost entirely untouched, and the open door to the bedroom reveals a barren room occupied by only a rumpled bed. A large desk takes up a good portion of the living room, its surface littered with papers and books and boxes of materials, but there isn't much else.
At least there's a few chairs, and Avicebron gestures towards them without much thought. ]
Regardless, I hope you weren't expecting hospitality in return. As you can tell, I don’t have guests often.
[ And then he turns to Bardo. After a moment’s pause, he holds his hands out, palms up, head canted slightly down. ]
They’re closed.
[ For what it’s worth, he sounds too blunt for it to be a lie. ]
[ The fact that Avicebron's place seems underloved doesn't come as a surprise; Bardo's wandered into far too many bare-boned apartments for him to judge, not anymore. He'd worry about the state of things in other people's lives if he didn't know that that would be unwelcome, so he compensates through casual hospitality. Ultimately ignorable.
He doesn't take the chair yet, not even when offered. He waits until Avicebron gestures that he's blind, and tests it by stepping forward and sliding into the guy's personal space.
It's hard, with those claw-hands out. But once Bardo's satisfied, he pulls the sparrow out from behind his back...
...and circles it under the barricade of those palms, to give Avicebron a little beak-kiss with his new toy. ]
[ He can hear Bardo shifting his weight, possibly leaning in a little closer. Probably waving a hand to see if he really has his eyes closed? Avicebron exhales softly from behind the mask, resisting the urge to open his eyes, fingers twitching slightly as he waits to feel something press against his palms.
-- but there isn't anything?
Instead, when he opens his eyes, his field of view is completely full of plush sparrow, and Avicebron jerks back, slightly startled. He may or may not having made a very soft, undignified noise. ]
... a toy?
[ He drops his hands, instead giving the sparrow plush a confused tilt of the head. And then it clicks, and he gives a low 'ah' in understanding. ]
I take it you found the golem useful, then? I'd assumed that was the case when it didn't return to me, but it's good to have confirmation.
[ It's a toy, alright. The kind of toy that's inappropriately adorable, especially in the hands of a tired old cat.
When Avicebron drops his hands, Bardo tries to deposit the sparrow into the guy's half-open palms. A bird nesting against another bird, he thinks. ]
It wasn't that useful, truth be told. [ rude.................. but no, what he really means is: ] But it was pretty cute. Like having a miniature you around.
[ His smile is languid, and he tips his head to look for a reaction. ]
[ He does accept the plush when it's pressed upon him, but holds it awkwardly, not quite sure what to do with it. ]
Mm, I see. [ Avicebron gives a small nod, absently squeezing the toy with both hands. The soft give of the fabric feels nice, admittedly. ] Setting aside your strange definition of what is 'cute,' I suppose there are limits to a golem so small. The design was repurposed, you see. Originally created for surveillance purposes. But as I assumed you would have no need for such functions, I made adjustments so that it would be less obtrusive. Perhaps too much so, putting a limit on its ability to be useful ...
[ He's clearly preoccupied by thoughts of his work at the moment. But as he rambles, he subconsciously kneads at the plush with both hands, gently squishing it between his palms; it seems destined to be used as a very cute stress ball. Sorry, Bardo.
Avicebron eventually looks up, his words trailing off. ]
My apologies. I spoke too much. This ... [ Looking back down at the plush in his hands, giving it a small tilt of the head. Still slightly confused by the choice of gift(?). ] ... did you come here just to give this to me?
[ Ah. There's an incongruity about Avicebron that Bardo feels some sort of misguided endearment towards. Sharp angles and flat monotones clashing with a hum of enthusiasm for strange passions. Even disregarding his strange fashion choices, 'Caster' is an anomaly. It's no wonder he keeps himself under lock and key.
Bardo watches like a patient parent listening to his youngest wax poetic about some new trend that's beyond Bardo's comprehension. Hands on his hips and his jaw angled, the perfect picture of "mm-hmm" encapsulated in the arch of his brow.
When Avicebron apologizes, Bardo just shrugs. ]
You put that much thought into it, huh. —Thanks.
[ Oddly sincere, before he transitions. ] And, well. The offer for a date still stands [ his smile spreads, ruining the sentiment directly before this one ], but yeah. I thought I'd give it to you in person.
[ A toy. Bardo deliberately made the trip here to give him a toy.
And while part of him wonders if this is some roundabout method of teasing, especially given Bardo's ridiculous insistence on comparing him to a bird ... it's strangely difficult to be annoyed. The choice of something trivial and non-pragmatic seems characteristic. It's a sweet gesture, he'd guess? It doesn't feel bad, at least.
He's been quiet while ruminating over those thoughts, looking up at Bardo from behind the mask, and he finally gives a small nod. ]
... thank you, then. [ It's said just a touch more gently, because he means it.
And then he's back to being all business: ] As I've said, I can't offer much by way of hospitality. But I can at least offer you a drink, if you insist.
[ Joke's on you, Avicebron— to a Ribika, red wine is a luxury. A strange one at that, considering that it's a new and interesting drink for a cat who grew up on catnip alcohol (what the fuck, Lamento).
The swirl of ruby in pale glass is something that Bardo looks genuinely enamored by. Like a kid in an aquarium, nose pressed up against the partition separating himself from the whale sharks. ]
—This is 'wine', right? Hahh, it's different from what I had back in my world. It's plenty extravagant, if you ask me.
[ A sniff, and he takes a sip. Pauses, as if he has to consider whether or not it agrees with him, before poking his tongue back into the glass. ]
Phew, do you get drunk on this alone? At home? [ wow this shade ]
[ Interesting. He certainly hadn't expected that reaction. It truly is catlike, and though he isn't necessarily an animal person, Avicebron finds himself watching with some degree of interest. That way of drinking is almost coquettish, and a poor fit for someone like Bardo. Avicebron smirks behind his mask as he sets the wine bottle down in case Bardo wants to take a look, and leans against his table. ]
I'd assumed it would be fairly universal.
[ This shade. You come into my house. And drink my wine. And you disrespect me like this!!! ]
Would you easily be able to get drunk off it? [ Are you a lightweight, Bardo? Are you? ] It's more of a habit. Back in my homelands, it was often easier to find wine than it was to find clean, safe water. I would need something stronger, were I in the mood to render myself senseless.
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no subject
So when he opens the door (sans cloak) and is greeted with that incredibly rude greeting, he just stares for a long moment.
And then decides to pretend he didn't hear it. ]
So, what is your business with me?
[ Pointedly, he doesn't invite Bardo in. Yet. ]
no subject
For someone who gifted him something so (surprisingly) sweet, Avicebron is always a little sour. ]
Hm? Don't tell me you can't guess why I'm here.
[ As always, never answering the question he's being posed outright. Bardo smiles, expecting Avicebron to acknowledge his own good deed. ]
Come on, you can go ahead and say it.
no subject
And if he deliberately made the trip here for that purpose, it would be proper to reciprocate such a gesture with an off of hospitality. Probably. (Ugh.)
The gears ticking away in his head are practically audible, and there's a marked pause before he exhales softly. ]
If I had to guess -- a delivery of food. Cooking seems to be your hobby. [ He steps slightly away from the door. ] Well, I won't be so rude as to turn you away without listening. Close the door behind you, if you want to come in.
no subject
If only people were so easy to anticipate all the time, huh.
But he takes the offer with an easy one-two shuffle, hands still behind his back even when he breaches the threshold of the modest apartment room. It's hard to close the door while holding a stuffed sparrow, but he manages. ]
Good guess, but not the right one. [ And really, he doesn't have to make himself comfortable for the grand reveal, but he might as well. ] —I'd tell you to close your eyes for this, but I won't be able to tell if you're cheating.
no subject
At least there's a few chairs, and Avicebron gestures towards them without much thought. ]
Regardless, I hope you weren't expecting hospitality in return. As you can tell, I don’t have guests often.
[ And then he turns to Bardo. After a moment’s pause, he holds his hands out, palms up, head canted slightly down. ]
They’re closed.
[ For what it’s worth, he sounds too blunt for it to be a lie. ]
no subject
He doesn't take the chair yet, not even when offered. He waits until Avicebron gestures that he's blind, and tests it by stepping forward and sliding into the guy's personal space.
It's hard, with those claw-hands out. But once Bardo's satisfied, he pulls the sparrow out from behind his back...
...and circles it under the barricade of those palms, to give Avicebron a little beak-kiss with his new toy. ]
Alright, open them.
no subject
-- but there isn't anything?
Instead, when he opens his eyes, his field of view is completely full of plush sparrow, and Avicebron jerks back, slightly startled. He may or may not having made a very soft, undignified noise. ]
... a toy?
[ He drops his hands, instead giving the sparrow plush a confused tilt of the head. And then it clicks, and he gives a low 'ah' in understanding. ]
I take it you found the golem useful, then? I'd assumed that was the case when it didn't return to me, but it's good to have confirmation.
no subject
When Avicebron drops his hands, Bardo tries to deposit the sparrow into the guy's half-open palms. A bird nesting against another bird, he thinks. ]
It wasn't that useful, truth be told. [ rude.................. but no, what he really means is: ] But it was pretty cute. Like having a miniature you around.
[ His smile is languid, and he tips his head to look for a reaction. ]
no subject
Mm, I see. [ Avicebron gives a small nod, absently squeezing the toy with both hands. The soft give of the fabric feels nice, admittedly. ] Setting aside your strange definition of what is 'cute,' I suppose there are limits to a golem so small. The design was repurposed, you see. Originally created for surveillance purposes. But as I assumed you would have no need for such functions, I made adjustments so that it would be less obtrusive. Perhaps too much so, putting a limit on its ability to be useful ...
[ He's clearly preoccupied by thoughts of his work at the moment. But as he rambles, he subconsciously kneads at the plush with both hands, gently squishing it between his palms; it seems destined to be used as a very cute stress ball. Sorry, Bardo.
Avicebron eventually looks up, his words trailing off. ]
My apologies. I spoke too much. This ... [ Looking back down at the plush in his hands, giving it a small tilt of the head. Still slightly confused by the choice of gift(?). ] ... did you come here just to give this to me?
no subject
Bardo watches like a patient parent listening to his youngest wax poetic about some new trend that's beyond Bardo's comprehension. Hands on his hips and his jaw angled, the perfect picture of "mm-hmm" encapsulated in the arch of his brow.
When Avicebron apologizes, Bardo just shrugs. ]
You put that much thought into it, huh. —Thanks.
[ Oddly sincere, before he transitions. ] And, well. The offer for a date still stands [ his smile spreads, ruining the sentiment directly before this one ], but yeah. I thought I'd give it to you in person.
no subject
And while part of him wonders if this is some roundabout method of teasing, especially given Bardo's ridiculous insistence on comparing him to a bird ... it's strangely difficult to be annoyed. The choice of something trivial and non-pragmatic seems characteristic. It's a sweet gesture, he'd guess? It doesn't feel bad, at least.
He's been quiet while ruminating over those thoughts, looking up at Bardo from behind the mask, and he finally gives a small nod. ]
... thank you, then. [ It's said just a touch more gently, because he means it.
And then he's back to being all business: ] As I've said, I can't offer much by way of hospitality. But I can at least offer you a drink, if you insist.
no subject
Me? I'm not insisting anything.
[ What a roundabout thing to say, Bardo thinks. So he answers in a way that's just as indirect, equal measures cheerful and infuriating. ]
But I am curious to know what you drink when you're alone.
[ In layman's terms: okay. I want to have a drink with you. ]
no subject
But at the same time, expected by this point. Avicebron gives a small huff, but waves a hand dismissively. ]
Seat yourself, then. I'll return shortly.
[ Really shortly, as it is. He plinks off into the kitchen, but returns barely a few moments later, one (1) wineglass and a bottle in hand. ]
You'll be disappointed if you expected anything extravagant.
[ He hands Bardo the cup, then pours him half a glass. Red wine, neither fancy nor exceptionally cheap. Perfectly boring. ]
no subject
The swirl of ruby in pale glass is something that Bardo looks genuinely enamored by. Like a kid in an aquarium, nose pressed up against the partition separating himself from the whale sharks. ]
—This is 'wine', right? Hahh, it's different from what I had back in my world. It's plenty extravagant, if you ask me.
[ A sniff, and he takes a sip. Pauses, as if he has to consider whether or not it agrees with him, before poking his tongue back into the glass. ]
Phew, do you get drunk on this alone? At home? [ wow this shade ]
no subject
[ Interesting. He certainly hadn't expected that reaction. It truly is catlike, and though he isn't necessarily an animal person, Avicebron finds himself watching with some degree of interest. That way of drinking is almost coquettish, and a poor fit for someone like Bardo. Avicebron smirks behind his mask as he sets the wine bottle down in case Bardo wants to take a look, and leans against his table. ]
I'd assumed it would be fairly universal.
[ This shade. You come into my house. And drink my wine. And you disrespect me like this!!! ]
Would you easily be able to get drunk off it? [ Are you a lightweight, Bardo? Are you? ] It's more of a habit. Back in my homelands, it was often easier to find wine than it was to find clean, safe water. I would need something stronger, were I in the mood to render myself senseless.