'Cause who can tell when the clock strikes twelve

[privilegecheck]

Who| Kankri Vantas and Cronus Ahab Beauregard II
What| A promised coffee meetup occurs at last.
Where| Aquea Pax
When| A few days after Kankri's return from the Arena
Warnings/Notes| Cronus being. You know. Cronus. Basically, sexual harassment is extremely likely. Also possible discussion of the Arena and all the issues that go there.


Even with all that's happened, there are more mundane things to attend to. And honestly, it's a nice distraction. So when Cronus's invitation out for an afternoon arrives, Kankri sends back a note of acceptance all too readily. He's ambivalent towards the Cronus he knows, but for all he knows this one may be a good friend to him. He's met good people in the Capitol before, after all. Not many, but some.

The place he's been directed to, though, is...unusual, to say the very least. Kankri has never been to a spa, period, and to find himself at one that seems to be a restaurant rather than the quiet cafe he expected is more than a little disconcerting.

So here he sits, wearing little more than a towel in near-scalding water, waiting anxiously for his new acquaintance to show up. He's definitely feeling very self-conscious with so much of him bare and visible, and he hasn't even touched any of the delicious-looking foods that have been floating by on their little boats yet.

Comments

[escortgot]

To say that there's more to Cronus' intentions than an innocent outting with Kankri wouldn't be... wrong. Though it'd be understating things quite a bit. It's absolutely true that he wants to have a little 'date' with the troll, but what he's really after is something more intimate in flavor. Not that he thinks he'll get that yet, but this is just the baby step before the graceful leap between the sheets.

The place isn't without its reasons either. Sure, there's plenty of places he could have picked for him and the troll to get some food. Though, there's far more opportunity here that won't leave red flags unfurling, while also allowing Cronus a chance to ogle the goods, maybe even cop an accidental feel. There's limits to be pushed, waters to be tested, and Cronus intends to take down some mental notes on this guy.

It also gives him a chance to show off.

When he arrives, he's proudly not wearing much under a violet silk bathrobe that's purposefully left mostly open. There's even a slight spring to his step as he approaches the half-naked troll. He's scoping him out, but being sure to not make a hugely noticeable show of it, can't go scaring him off so soon, after all!

"Glad you made it, I'd feel really lame if I had to enjoy all of this by myself." He says just as cheerily as he smiles down at him, slipping into the hot waters with ease, after artfully disrobing, placing it on one of the chairs. It's as if he's practiced in coming here a lot. He is. Absolutely. At least he allows some space between them, can't get all cozy from the start after all! Gotta work his way up, he knows how it is, and this guy seems the skiddish type.

[privilegecheck]

Kankri is kind of baffled by the scant bit of cloth covering Cronus up. That large, stationary lump it's stretched around looks like some kind of awful tumor. It can't be comfortable. So sorry, Cronus, Kankri is looking at you with an expression half-confused and half-repulsed for a few moments before he turns his attention away. Surely staring at the poor human's deformity must be rude.

"I confess I find myself somewhat confused by the concept behind this establishment," he says after Cronus climbs in beside him. "I've seen spas before, and restaurants of course, but combining them seems to me a good way to just...end up with soggy food."

He's quite obviously uncomfortable, and the more uncomfortable he is the more stiffly he speaks. He squirms slightly in his seat, incredibly conscious of how small the towel around his waist is. He's sure Cronus only wanted to bring him somewhere relaxing, but his shyness about his body means that this place is only having the opposite effect.

"But- thank you for inviting me," he adds hastily, realizing that his criticism might seem rude. "It's not as if this isn't, er, interesting."

[escortgot]

If Cronus were privy to Kankri's thoughts, he'd be gravely insulted! However, as it stands, the expression alone is enough for Cronus to blame it on something else other than his lovely visage. Who could honestly not be attracted to him? He's confident in his ability to turn men gay and lesbians straight, so he can totally get this alien kid to want him with ease.

So he wholly ignores the expression, or how he turns away from him. Poor kid is obviously bashful! How cute.

"You'll only get soggy food if you take too long to eat it, or if you're a complete spaz and drop it before it gets to your mouth. But seeing as neither of us are physically or mentally incapable of basic motor controls, I'm confident we'll be fine!" He lets out a friendly laugh, reaching over to pat Kankri's shoulder. Very friendly-like, or so he likes to believe.

"It's alright, new things are always weird, but I'm sure if you relax a little, let loose, and try some of the food you'll enjoy yourself." He says this with an almost predatory-like grin. It's still friendly, welcoming on the surface, but there's just something... off with how he's looking at Kankri.

[privilegecheck]

Even the socially awkward Kankri is picking up on something being really, really wrong here. The derisive way Cronus is speaking, the way he's grinning at him, the hand on his shoulder out of nowhere can he please stop touching Kankri right this instant - he scoots away slightly, ducking his shoulder away from Cronus's touch.

He's kind of grateful that one of the food boats floats by at that moment. It gives him an excuse to lean away while picking up some kind of soft bread wrapped around jammy fruit. He stuffs it into his mouth so he has an excuse not to reply, since honestly he doesn't much know what to say right now.

[escortgot]

Cronus watches the troll with interest, not the least bit offended looking when he pulls away from his touch. A tough one, huh? Well it's a good thing Cronus likes a bit of a challenge. Sometimes.

His eyebrows raise as he focuses on Kankri stuffing food into his mouth, his blue eyes transfixed a bit, before he tears them away to focus on the troll proper. He's still sporting that friendly smile, though making an effort to hide what predatory feeling it might be giving.

It's... sorta working.

"See? This shit's absolutely delicious, sport." He says as his own little snack floats on by. Another little baked good, with some sort of fruit jelly center. He takes a bite of it, making an entirely unnecessary 'mmmm!' sound as he chews. It's all in due emphasis, surely.

"So, why don't you tell me a little about yourself?" He asks after he swallows that bite. He knows the best way to get people to relax is to usually let them open up a bit, he knows he always feels better when he's talking about himself.