[FIN] Work is Home (Viorel & Cosmitrius)

[Melomar]

Lunch went well, at least Viorel thought so. After all, he had met someone he was really interested in and they had had a nice chat together. Now he was bringing said person along to see his stall at the marketplace. In some small way, Viorel felt a little like he was bringing someone home. He spent most of his time there, after all, and here and there he had made little comforts for himself more than customers. Like the potpourri that some of his customers had commented on and in their interest asked to buy some. He glanced up at Cosmetrius with a little hope in his eyes. Maybe this man would take him away from that place he thought of as home, sometimes, instead of being "cooped up" so much of the time. Maybe. "It's just over there." He pointed to one of the tents, the sides rolled down to indicate that he was away, more than anything.  

[Melomar]

Viorel rolled up the tent flap and pinned it in place, glancing back at Cosmetrius with a small grin. He was generally confident in his wares, their design, resilience, and their energy. But today he felt almost demure. With a faint chuckle he stepped inside, waving at Cosmetrius to follow. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable while I pull everything out."

Everything of value was kept in a locked trunk. He carried the key to each lock. Everywhere the lid fastened to the body, there was a lock. When he finally pulled out his wares, they glittered faintly in the dim light. When he was done, he pulled up some windows and the sun made them shine with their energy and brilliance. He knew how to position everything to catch the light. "Let me know if you see anything you like."  

[Melomar]

Viorel could not help but watch Cosmetrius as he looked around the little shop. The vibe coming off this guy was amazing. He was not just a customer, he was something more. Similar to how he felt about Calais but completely different, too. "Cosmetrius, how do you feel about hair accessories?" His mane was truly glorious. Long, full of life and color.

Viorel stepped out and brought over a pair of hair clasps. He held them up so that Cosmetrius could look at them. They had a starry theme that went well with his complexion but also made his hair really come alive. "These would go well to either side of your face, either with a braid or to pin back your hair around your ears. I can show you what they would look like in a mirror."

He placed them into Cosmetrius's hands and brought over a mirror, trying to ignore a small surge of energy pass between them. He was overreacting. "What do you think?"  

[Melomar]

Viorel took a soft, deep breath and nodded. "You won't hurt my feelings if they aren't to your taste." He gently took a small lock of hair on one side of Cosmetrius' face and braided it until it effectively kept hair out of his face. Then he clasped it tightly into place. It had a way of pulling open without difficulty. He would show it to Cosmetrius if he decided he liked the set. He held it near Cosmetrius' face and let it go. Then he offered him the mirror. "How do you like it?"

Already he was thinking of what he could show next if this wasn't something Cosmetrius wanted. And if he didn't want anything, well, it can be fun to dress up in something and put it back. He could do this all afternoon with Cosmetrius if the other taur wanted.  

[Melomar]

To say he wasn't disappointed would be a lie, but Cosmitrius was being honest with him and he valued that more than he would ever value a sale. Silently he thanked the other taur with a nod and a smile.

"Let me unfasten that for you. I have a couple more in mind for you to try." He thought he knew what Cosmitrius was talking about and so he picked up a couple of single clasps for him and showed them to him. They each had their own style but he thought one might be the special one to capture his breath. "Cosmitrius," he said softly, with an equally soft smile, "do any of these strike your fancy?"

Cosmitrius's stare should have unnerved the hunter part of him, but it was not a challenge. It was something else. He didn't mind it at all. "As a customer, I want to make sure you leave with a smile on your face. You don't have to buy anything. If nothing fits what you are looking for, I offer my services to commission something that will make you happy. And, honestly, as a friend I would set aside an afternoon, or a whole day, gladly."  

[Melomar]

Viorel watched Cosmitrius deftly work with his hair until it was as he envisioned. He nodded. "I should have let you do this before... instead of touching your hair without permission." It had occurred to him that he didn't even ask, he just rudely took a lock of his hair. "I am very sorry."

But he thought it looked nice. "One moment." He stepped away to bring out another mirror. When he returned he held it so that Cosmitrius could see the back of his head too. Despite his chagrin he wore a broad smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "I think it looks great, but what do you think?"  

[Melomar]

He almost asked if Cosmitrius was sure it was okay to touch his hair, but there was no need. This man seemed comfortable where he was right now. "I'm glad." He lowered the mirror in hand and offered to take the mirror that Cosmitrius held. "I am all right. But," Viorel said, and he wondered if he could explain properly, "well, I hope that we can still be friends despite this transaction. And to call it a transaction would be inaccurate because I would like to give it to you as a gift."  

[Melomar]

Viorel grinned happily when he saw that Cosmitrius would accept the gift. If he had remained unhappy, he would have let him pay for it. "I do insist. Just don't tell it to my other customers," he winked. He was very happy with how things had turned out too.

"I sometimes give gifts to my friends. But the gift is something separate from what I'm a bout to say. I want us to get to know each other. Become friends." Awkwardly, he started to take Cosmitrius' hand, he wanted to hold it if he would allow it. "And maybe more, if you'd be interested. Ah! Later on, though. I'd like you to know me a bit better before you decide how you feel. If any of that's all right with you." He'd never been really serious about someone before. He had had flings but no one had expected anything from it. But this man he felt the chemistry with, but he also liked him as a friend, which was why he wanted to try taking it slow.