❝ spring for flirting but fall for the untamed delicious wild things ❞

[medievalism]

{ an autumn mixer }

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𝑩𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 ☕

[medievalism]

Pumpkin spice is in the air! Go indulge in that coffee you've waited all year to come back to your local café. But don't forget cider for those evening autumn festivals. Or mulled wine. Or all the beer you can drink at your local spin-off of Oktoberfest!

𝒟𝒶𝓁

[bagelbites]

[ This character comes with a blanket content warning for references to sex work as he is a sex worker. They probably won't be explicit without prior CR, but just throwing that out there. ]

The cooler weather was such a relief from the scorching heat of summer. It was nice to feel like showering was actually effective for more than the first three minutes after walking out his door. The humidity tapered off and a crispness replaced it in the air. It made Dal’s habit of wearing layers much more tolerable, too. Shirt, hoodie, coat over that. He’s the sort of person who would have a vast collection of scarves and cute hats that looked like different animals if only his situation were a little different.

But there’s a downside, too: Dal’s almost always cold. Even in the height of summer, he got cold quickly (hence the love of layers). Luckily, the local diner wasn’t far away and the biggest cup of piping hot coffee didn’t cost a lot. He wasn’t a huge fan of fancy coffee drinks: just regular old coffee with a little milk and sugar was good enough for him. Dal spent a small fortune on skincare products and makeup, he wasn’t willing to do the same for his caffeine habit.

It’s late afternoon by the time he actually gets to the diner – he’ll probably be there several more times over the course of the night now that it’s getting cooler. He enjoyed the way the heat permeated through the paper cups to keep his hands warm (far more effectively than just shoving them in his pockets). Clutching the cup in both hands, he turned to push the door open with his butt, almost swinging it open into the next patron walking in.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” he exclaimed in thickly accented English.

[brokensmile]

Alex was entering the diner in search of a much needed coffee. As he entered he had his phone out, his attention on the screen, and was about to send a text message to Dal when the door of the diner swung suddenly open surprising him and the another patron. He almost collected the patron coming out.

"No, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention...Dal!
Hey, pussycat. I was about ready to text you to see if you want to go do something Autumny."

[bagelbites]

Something autumny. Alone? Never! The best of autumn he gets is the few trees lining the few blocks with which he’s familiar changing colors and dropping their leaves onto the uncaring street below. But adventures with Alex have proven themselves to be fun, so Dal found himself nodding in agreement without even knowing what ‘something autumny’ might be.

No surprise. Their second date was a mystery adventure for Dal, too.

Moving out of the doorway so Alex could get inside for his coffee, Dal fell in step beside him and waited with him in the small line. “Whatcha got in mind?”

[brokensmile]

Being familiar with the boroughs, Alex knew of a few places. But his knowledge of the places were a little out dated since he came back to the States from Zurich. He moved up in the line as it progressed.

"There's a couple of places I know of. The easiest is going to Central Park to look at the foliage. Queens has a farm museum with hayrides. And there's Oktober Fest downtown in a bar at pier 15. I dunno, you have any ideas too?"

[bagelbites]

"I don't drink." And wasn't Alex still on the wagon? Why tempt him with Oktoberfest? Unless he insisted, Dal wouldn't mind if they skipped that one. Queens seemed like a long way away... But Central Park? He's only been there once or twice in all the time he's lived in New York.

"Last time I was in Central Park, musicians were there." It's actually one of the nice memories he has of trying to explore the city all by himself. Nodding to himself, Dal looks up to Alex with a smile. "Let's go there!"

[brokensmile]

"I was thinking about the food there."

Alex paused as he ordered his coffee. He was familiar with Central Park and liked the idea of being surrounded by something familiar even though he hadn't been to the place since he came back into the States.

"Guess, we're going to Central Park. I really like the fountain there, we can go look at that too because I haven't seen it in a while."

[bagelbites]

"Yeah," he chirped happily. Prying a hand free from his cup, he quickly looped an arm around one of Alex's and tucked in close beside him. "Can we walk?" More proof that Dal really didn't leave his little neighborhood often: he didn't even realize if Central Park was close enough for them walk to. Not that he'd mind if they shared a taxi or something either. It was spending time together that mattered, not necessarily what they were doing or how they got there.

"I think I saw the fountain last time." The eagerness in his face crept into his voice, revealing that he wanted to see it again, too. "When's the last time ya went?"

[brokensmile]

Once he ordered his coffee, Alex moved in close to Dal when he looped his arm around him.

"Yeah, we can walk." He figured if they got tired either on the way or at the end he'd call in Bishop to pick them up. He briefly thought about getting his motorcycle out of storage too, to make him more independent from a life he had left behind. The idea appealed to him. Just as much as the idea of becoming familiar once again with Central Park. At Dal's question his brow wrinkled trying to remember.

"I dunno. I used to take CeCe for w-a-l-k-i-e-s and runs there, but I can't remember the last time I was there."

He didn't even realise he had spelt the word walk out, so used to doing it when he was with CeCe it was automatic.

"Was there a part of the park you liked?"

[bagelbites]

How cute! Even if it took Dal a second or two to realize what Alex was spelling out. He ducked his head to hide the giggle, lifting his cup to his lips to help cover it. He couldn't use his hands since one arm was wrapped around Alex's and the other held his coffee.

Dal's secretly a little happier that Alex agreed to walk. The traffic outside of his neighborhood was thicker and a little scary for someone unused to it -- even as a passenger. Plus, the weather was nice, so if they got a little warm from the exercise, it wouldn't be terrible.

"There's a bridge I thought was real pretty..." Now, he wished he would've brought his sketch pad with him.

lark ★

[gaietes]

It's October at Lark's place of work, Duets Karaoke, which means the weekends are full of costumed groups either singing in the main bar or renting private rooms. This means lots of orders for their autumn drink specials and this especially means lots of tips. Lark is pretty happy about both of these things.

Friday night and things have really picked up after 5 PM, which means they've got Lark running back and forth from one private room to another, balancing trays of drinks and refilling water jugs. With the bartenders attempting to fix their frozen drink machine (pumpkin spice cocktails are waiting!), Lark also has to manage the room check-ins.

The bat wing headband he wears seems to flap anxiously as he tries to keep himself afloat, flustered and half paying attention when someone taps his shoulder.

"Sorry?"

[eroticpain]

"The one I came with passed out in the room."

Passed out from a very good time really but this was one incubus who wasn't about to just say that this was his own fault. Absolutely not. Instead he just pouted a little because his what was he to do now that his company was passed out? Clearly get help! That was a convenient excuse for it.

"Could you get someone to call him a cab? Please?"

That way he wouldn't have to keep looking at him...

[gaietes]

Another day, another passed-out guy in the booth. Though, how much had he served that room? He doesn't think he brought anything more than a beer and a frozen pumpkin spice. Oh well, some people are more sensitive than others.

Lark blinks a few times as another server shows up to help with the crowd rush before nodding slowly. He hands the check-in tablet to one of the bartenders and fishes his own phone out of his pocket to look up the best cab service (no way was he going to call for one on his personal taxi app!).

"Is he okay?" as he copies the phone number before handing the ringing cell to the stranger.

[eroticpain]

Oh he'd be fine. The fact that he'd fall in love and keep bothering Tiras? That was another matter entirely that he'd deal with later. But in this exact moment...

"I think so? He was breathing and it looks like he's sleeping."

Fully passed out but not the point. "Thank you so much."

Calling for a cab, he continued his sweet little act and the service was quick to send someone over. Handing the phone back, he pouted a little. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I didn't know he couldn't handle his alcohol."

[gaietes]

"It happens!" Lark shrugs and chuckles lightly, glad to have gotten the customer out safely. He pockets his phone and pulls up the work tablet once more.

"I hate to do this to you, but will you be taking care of the bill for your room?" He is still, after all, on the clock. He turns the tablet around to show them the fees.

[eroticpain]

"The bill?"

He leaned forward to look at the fee. Was that a lot of money? He truly didn't know given how wealthy he was. But he also most certainly hadn't brought money with him. That was what that idiot had been for.

"I don't have money. He told me I didn't need it."

Something like that anyway.

[gaietes]

Lark sighs. This isn't the first time someone's tried to walk away without paying. "Well, you owe about two hundred for the time in the room and drinks," he elaborates. "We need this paid one way or the other."

They still have the fellow's ID stored in their box under the counter. If anything, they can track him down and call him for payment. Hopefully he can get the payment out of his date without having to ask for one of the bartenders to stand up for him.

[eroticpain]

"Two hundred?"

Oh was that supposed to be a lot? Ugh. Human currency was so tiresome to keep up with. The way this one was talking it had to be so it was easy enough to just act like it was. Like he wouldn't know where to get the money for it at all. Never mind that he practically sneezed that to get 'take out' using online dating apps.

"Is there something I can do? I really don't have the money," he lowered his gaze and hugged himself.

[bagelbites]

It's not common for Dal to venture outside of the very small number of city blocks with which he's familiar. But, he remembered Lark mentioning where he worked once or twice and thought it would be nice to pay his friend a visit. It's not like Dal has a whole lot of friends! He just hopes he's not crossing some unknown line by showing up unannounced.

"Surprise~"

And if he sounds nervous, it's because he is. This place is a lot busier than Dal imagined it would be and, frankly, he's fighting every instinct that tells him to bolt for the door.

[gaietes]

Lark gasps and his entire face lights up when he sees Dal standing there. "This has been so unexpected!" Without thinking ( and honestly just relieved to see a friendly face ), he wraps him up in a little hug in greeting.

"Do you want anything to drink? It's on me." If Dal is nervous, Lark couldn't tell, but that might also just be because there's someone wailing to Adele's "Someone Like You" over the speakers. It's not bad. But it's also not great-sounding either.

"Here, there's a seat at the bar over there," he points to a corner unoccupied.

[bagelbites]

Oh! They're hugging! Okay, that's okay! Alright, maybe a little awkward as Dal hugs back, but... not terrible. At least he's assured that his surprise visit is welcome.

"Oh, I don't drink," he utters as he glances toward the seat. Yes, sitting will be nice. He can fold himself up in that corner and chat with Lark when he has a free moment here and there -- he's obviously busy! "But it there's juice..."

[gaietes]

"Yes, I meant any drink!" Lark finds a physical menu and slides it over to Dal before giving a nod to the bartender. "I have to take some orders, but let her know what you want. Lots of Halloween mocktails there."

He gives him a pat on the shoulder before scurrying off with his tray. It's a crazy night but having a friend here makes it a little better.

[bagelbites]

Taking the menu in both hands, Dal nods in understanding. Only once Lark scampers away does he move to the indicated seat. Menus are a struggle, especially when they're full of unfamiliar words. Luckily, Dal has his phone with him to look up what he doesn't recognize. After a ridiculous amount of time pouring over the options, glancing anxiously back and forth between the menu and his phone, Dal waves to the bartender to get a cider sangria mocktail. He wonders if it's something Lark's tried. If not, he's prepared to share when he pops back out from taking and delivering orders.

[gaietes]

He's a busy bee for the next few rounds of drinks, going back and forth between the private booths and the bar. Eventually, he does take a deep breath and leans heavily against the bartop, facing Dal with a big smile. He's 'on' tonight but he knows he's going to have to crash after so much social interaction.

"How is it? What did you get, the sangria?" Lark beams. "I love that one, with or without the wine." He nods in thanks to one of the bartenders who passes him a glass of water, taking a big gulp.

"I think I have a moment to talk now."

[bagelbites]

Dal perks up when Lark finally reappears before him. His smile is much more genuine, but he understands Lark's at work and the whole need to be 'on.' This time of evening, Dal's usually 'on' too, but he decided to treat himself to a night off since it was a good week.

"Wow," he exclaims softly. "I thought I got busy on Fridays."

But taking note that Lark likes the sangria, Dal nudges his glass across the counter to him. If he's cool with sharing a glass, Dal certainly doesn't mind.