19.Oct.12, 02:09 AM
Talian's eyes shifted skeptically among the wine bottles he'd selected, all lined up like criminals on his office desk. They were the best he'd managed to locate during his past week of searching. It was a difficult task, filled with variables and abstract considerations; Erisi didn't like overly sweet wine, but dryer was was better served with food. Valerian's tastes were unknown. Certain wine tasted better with or without food, or after a certain length of aging, or when aged in certain types of barrels. It was a science all to itself, and a science that Talian was infuriatingly poorly versed in. How could he be sure his choices were optimal?!
That didn't even touch on the social implications. Neither Erisi nor Valerian had actually told Talian that their birthdays were approaching, but Tal had learned them both through casual conversation. Would the others be offended by a surprise, or would they enjoy it? Would they feel like their privacy had been encroached upon?
The healer frowned. Oh shards...it was even more complicated. Erisi and Valerian were his best friends, but recent events had pulled them apart. Talian had been cruelly unwilling to socialize with either of their dragons, something that he knew and feared could ultimately drive a wedge between him and his friends. The situation with Valerian was even more awkward though...for much worse reasons. But they were his friends. He had to try, at least?
Talian had left a note on Valerian's door, inviting him to arrive at Erisi's hut at sundown. The healer nervously packed the bottles into his bag, carefully wrapping each one, before departing. If he walked at a brisk pace, he should arrive just a little bit early...
Talian knocked. 'Eri?" he called out nervously. His palms were already sweating, and he wasn't even sure why! When the door opened, Talian looked at his feet bashfully and shoved the bag at the greenrider.
"Erisi? Happy birthday."
That didn't even touch on the social implications. Neither Erisi nor Valerian had actually told Talian that their birthdays were approaching, but Tal had learned them both through casual conversation. Would the others be offended by a surprise, or would they enjoy it? Would they feel like their privacy had been encroached upon?
The healer frowned. Oh shards...it was even more complicated. Erisi and Valerian were his best friends, but recent events had pulled them apart. Talian had been cruelly unwilling to socialize with either of their dragons, something that he knew and feared could ultimately drive a wedge between him and his friends. The situation with Valerian was even more awkward though...for much worse reasons. But they were his friends. He had to try, at least?
Talian had left a note on Valerian's door, inviting him to arrive at Erisi's hut at sundown. The healer nervously packed the bottles into his bag, carefully wrapping each one, before departing. If he walked at a brisk pace, he should arrive just a little bit early...
Talian knocked. 'Eri?" he called out nervously. His palms were already sweating, and he wasn't even sure why! When the door opened, Talian looked at his feet bashfully and shoved the bag at the greenrider.
"Erisi? Happy birthday."