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[crystallinum]

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text | un: caduceus

[flawful]

_{[Is Hermes drunk? Is he just overly confident? Is it a bit of both? Probably both, considering how much alcohol Hythlodaeus has pushed on him the past few days. That said he can't seem to get the red headed miquo'te out of his mind and so, throwing caution to the wind, he decides to send G'raha a message.]}

Hello G'raha, it's Hermes. I was wondering, if it isn't to forward of me to ask, if you would be interested in contracting with me?

[crystallinum]

[It is... quite forward to ask.]

Good day, Hermes. Am I
getting your meaning right?

[flawful]

You are, yes.

I am in need of a contract and I fear my time will expire soon. Of course I am more than willing to provide you with whatever it is you need and abide by any conditions you put in place.

[crystallinum]

Tis true that I need a contract as well.

[Is this a bad idea? It seems a bit like... an impulsive decision, but... Hermes is the most trustworthy Dominant he's met here.]

I suppose if we were to meet and look over the contract, we might work something out.

[flawful]

_{[Definitely not a bad idea to contract yourself to the future Fandaniel. Not at all.]}

Then let us meet, at your leisure of course.

[crystallinum]

I am not doing anything particularly pressing at the moment, so we may meet wherever you'd prefer.

[flawful]

Let us meet right now, at the elevator entrance to the Up!

[crystallinum]

I shall meet you presently, then.

[Hermes seems... a bit different than usual. And though his messages bely the way he's feeling, G'raha is more than a bit anxious about the idea of actually forming his very first contract.]

[flawful]

I will see you soon.

_{[And true to his word Hermes is waiting by the Up entrance of the elevator, a content smile on his face. When he does finally see G'raha he waves to the other man, happy to see him.]}

Shall we?

[crystallinum]

[It is the same Hermes as always, but there's sort of a different air about him, if it makes sense. Perhaps it's his stance? Or the relaxed expression on his face? Either way, he seems to be in a good mood, while G'raha is still a bit nervous about this--sort of like going on a date, not that he's ever been on one. He imagines this is what it might feel like.]

Yes, of course. Tis good to see you in such fine health.

[flawful]

_{[He's in quite a good mood, all things considered, and feels quite relaxed. G'raha seems good, as far as Hermes can tell.]}

You as well, G'raha. _{[His smile is easy as he greets the other man.]} I am glad you agreed to meet with me.

[crystallinum]

[This will be his first contract, if it works out, and G'raha is understandably a bit nervous about it, but Hermes is a trustworthy man, and he can't see anything bad coming from this. So... as good a friend as any to do it with, right?]

Of course! [Should he admit he was a bit surprised to have this situation proposed? Perhaps not.] This will be my first contract, so forgive me if I am a bit out of my league here.

[flawful]

It will be my first as well. So long as we are open with one another, surly it will be beneficial for us both?

_{[Gesturing for G'raha to follow him he begins to walk in the direction of the courthouse, making sure to keep his stride narrow not to overtake him with his long legs.]}

If it would please you, you are certainly welcome to stay in the apartment I was assigned. There is a spare room you can have to yourself, along with use of the rest of the space.

[crystallinum]

[Yes, a good point! All they need is to be open with each other. And perhaps it is a bit comforting to know they're both new at this. G'raha scrambles to catch up with Hermes, though he's pleased to find that he doesn't need to hurry his steps; the man is quite thoughtful.

He does almost falter, though, when Hermes offers G'raha to stay in his apartment. A spare room of his own, and it's such a delightful and kind offer.]

Oh! Really? Are you certain you wouldn't be too put out?

[The truth is, while it's far from the worst place G'raha has been, his current accommodations are... well, a bit cramped. Slightly lacking. Not that he's complaining, or anything, but he would be well within his right to do so, wouldn't he?

The idea of a proper place to stay, somewhere nice... He does like the thought.]

[flawful]

Put out? Of course not.

_{[He waves a hand dismissively before letting it drop back at his side.]}

No, no...I would enjoy the company. Admittedly I feel quite alone in the apartment and while Caduceus' attention is appreciated it's not the same.

_{[He loves his little snake, don't get him wrong, but it isn't as if he can hold long conversations with the serpent.]}

It would be nice to have the company.

[crystallinum]

[Well, in that case... G'raha won't say no. He's also a bit lonely, and it's difficult to know who he's able to trust in this sort of place. So...]

Very well. If it's not a bother, I would be more than happy to... to be allowed to live with you.

[Because that's what it is, isn't it? If he does this contract, then he will be under Hermes' direction. Everything G'raha does will reflect back on the man. He's meant to behave properly, and while G'raha doesn't have a particularly dominant personality, there are many intricacies to this thing that he's still figuring out.]

[flawful]

Please, I wish for you to think of it as your home as well. Tis unfair that what separates us is a brand on our throats...but I wish to reassure you that I will do whatever I can to ease whatever burdens you may encounter here.

_{[Which is to say Hermes is more than committed to taking care of whoever is, well, under his care, much like he did as Elpis' Overseer.]}

If there are any specifics you wish to have added to the contract, feel free to.

[crystallinum]

[Well, G'raha agrees it's unfair, and he's glad Hermes is of the same mind. How awful it would be to be forced into subservience even in the place he's living. Which is why G'raha is quite eager to allow a contract between himself and Hermes... if eager is a word he can use for this. Perhaps relieved would be better suited.

That being said... Hermes really does seem more confident than he usually does. Perhaps something happened?]

I don't believe I have anything specific I need... Though this isn't something I'm familiar with, either. Do you think a basic contract would suit us fine?

[flawful]

<sub>[What happened is a handy dandy sticker that's left him quite confident. Don't worry about it G'raha...it's best to just accept him for what he is right now...before it inevitably wears off and he turns into an embarrassed mess.

Rounding the corner of the street they come across the building, Hermes wasting no time in entering, following the signage to the room where they would contract.]</sub>

I believe so, yes. I see no reason to make things complicated.

[crystallinum]

[G'raha has learned that here, you accept a good many things you simply don't understand, so that confidence--while it poses a passing curiosity--is not something he's overly worried about. Oh no, he has plenty more things to actually worry about.

He follows Hermes, looking around with a barely-concealed interest.]

Yes, I agree. It's best for things to be straightforward.

[He's just. Not going to think about what this actually means.]

[flawful]

_{[It doesn't take long for Hermes to find the room, the clerks inside instructing them on what was needed from them to contract. Did they want to tack on anything extra? Would the standard document do? Hermes nods and takes the pen handed to him to sign off on it before handing it to G'raha. With the task completed he can't help but smile with relief.]}

Shall we congratulate ourselves?

[crystallinum]

[It's quite a bit simpler than G'raha had been anticipating, but then, he is used to dealing with the processes of Sharlayan, so perhaps this is all it takes. They simply sign the form, and that's that. It's all very anticlimactic, but G'raha is visibly relieved. Enough so that he smiles when Hermes suggests they congratulate themselves.]

I suppose so! I'll admit, it does feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, not having to worry about this.

[flawful]

Mine as well. I was worried I would find no one.

_{[The relief on Hermes' face is quite visible as he smiles down at G'raha, nodding to the person who takes their paperwork and gives him a few papers in return.]}

Ah. Here. This apparently will allow you to work and purchase goods as you see fit. Hopefully it will make things less restrictive. A copy should be sent to your device later.

[crystallinum]

[G'raha again perks up--he seems to do that quite often--when he is handed the papers. Oh, it is a relief to be able to find a way to provide for himself! Without this, it had felt too much like begging for scraps; being so restricted is not a good feeling, though he has made it work so far.

And as of now, he won't need to for the foreseeable future. What a relief. He smiles at Hermes, and bows his head in thanks.]

This will help quite a bit, thank you. And if there is anything you would ask of me, please do not hesitate!

[flawful]

_{[The bow has Hermes doing the same in turn, dipping his head toward the other man gently.]}

And you the same. I want you to feel completely at home - the apartment will be yours as well, after all.

_{[Which will be weird once his confident stupor wears off. Cohabitating with someone? Yeah, he's not used to it.]}