Viravos~✨Talking to the Stars~✨

To Understand Each Other

[Trigger warning::
Suggestive language, discussion of s**ual/s**ual content .]
(Aaravos' POV)
I heard a groan reach the senses of the caterpillar resting on Viren's ear. I chuckled softly, checking the large clock in the corner of the room that I had set to Katolis time. Five o'clock in the morning. I was aware that this was considered early morning by human standards. I propped my head up on my hand. I caught myself wondering whether or not he was a morning person before dismissing the thought as irrelevant. However, did not give insight on how one conducted themselves? Surely that would be a reason to pay it mind. "Are you awake?" I asked in a whisper.
"Gah! You shouldn't speak into a man's ear first thing in the morning like that!" His voice was shriller than usual and he seemed to be flustered.
I tilted my head. "Is that so?"
"Yes." He said in a more normal voice.
I nodded. "Let us begin. First, if you and I are to being partners in this, we ought to know more about one another."
He hesitated. Perhaps this was a bad idea after all. "Shouldn't we discuss our plans for conquering the Dragon Queen?"
I smiled, resisting the urge to hesitate. "Nonsense. It is of the utmost importance that we understand each other first." I said.
"So, Would You Rather then?"
"What?"
He let out a short laugh. "Right. Uh, it's a human game of questions to get to know a person better. For example, Would you rather stay in one place and know it well or explore the world?"
"So I am to answer the question?"
"Yes, and then respond with your own."
"Very well. I would prefer to travel, I find staying in one place to be quite boring."
"Okay. Now it's your turn to ask me something."
I thought for a moment as I looked out my window as the sun rose. I tried to picture his face, what sort of expression it might be wearing. I assumed something neutral, possibly curious. "Would you rather... stay a human or become something else?"
"Become something else. Humans are inventively weak."
I raised my eyebrows. "You think so?"
"Unfortunately. That's why we're so easily conquered."
I grinned widely. That phrase was simply too much. I wondered if he knew of the double meaning to what he had just said. "Your turn again."
"Right. Would you rather have an amazing intellectual experience or physical experience?"
"Intellectual. I have never pursued diverting physical experiences. Though I am curious about them, I doubt they would compare to intellectual ones."
"Okay. Your turn."
"Does that surprise you?"
"No, not really."
I laid back down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. "Am I allowed to ask you the same?"
"I suppose but I don't know my answer. I think both would be good, though I think more about physical relationships. Perhaps it's because I used to have a wife and now we're divorced. So I guess... it's something I miss?"
"Your relationship with your wife was entirely physical?" I asked, my jaw clenching.
"No, of course not. But I have more of longing for it. I can have intellectually challenging encounters in my work, with colleagues and such."
I bit my laugh to resist laughing at him doing that again. Surely he would notice. Wouldn't he? "I understand. You turn once more."
"Hmmm...  would you rather be able to only see a person or only hear them?"
"See. There is too much to be told by facial expression and gesture. Thought there is a lot that can be told vocally as well." He was quiet. I waited a while. "Viren? Can you still hear me?" I rose from the bed and checked the spell. It was still working.
"Oh, yes. Sorry. I nodded. I was pondering. Your turn."
I took a deep breath. I looked out the window again. "Would you rather overhear a... private encounter or have one of your's overheard?"
He hesitated. "O-Oh. I would definitely rather overhear someone else."
"Is that so?"
"Yes." He made a small sound. "In fact, when I was a teenager I made a pastime of doing so. There were other teenagers who would do such things in an abandoned shack near my home."
I grinned. "That's very interesting."
He chuckled. "It's a bit embarrassing actually."
"Why?"
"Well... It was quite immature."
I nodded. "Teenagers have a tendency to be that way."
"You're immortal, aren't you?"
"That is correct."
"Did you have a phase like that?"
I laughed. "Hm... I had a morbid interest in it for a while. Though I never had the desire to engage in the activities myself."
"Never?"
I smiled. "Never."
"I can't imagine that."
"Is it so important to you?"
He chuckled uncomfortably. "It's actually quite annoying."
I nodded. "It seems like it would be." I resent the idea of not having control over my situation.
"Would you rather have to perform sexual favors for your enemy or ally?"
"Ally. Why would I do such a thing for my enemy?" My voice wavered slightly, I straightened my back and calmed it. "It seems odd."
"To manipulate them and get under their skin. People are vulnerable in those situations; certainly more vulnerable than they would be on the battlefield."
A shiver ran up my spine but I smiled. "You have an excellent point. I like the way you think."
"Thank you. I also think that having that sort of relationship with an ally might be embarrassing in other situations."
"Yes, that could be." I wrapped my blanket around my body. "Would you rather—" I began before hearing a door on his end.
Then he shouted: "Soren, how many times must I tell you to knock before entering my chambers?"
"Sorry, Father."
"Wait outside. I have something to finish up." I heard a door close.
"I'm sure you heard that. We'll have to talk more tonight. Right now I have to prepare for a meeting in an hour and see what my son wants."
"Very well, I will continue to commentate as if I'm listening to a novel."
He laughed. "Okay. I'll see you later on."
"Yes, good luck."