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Mearcstapa is in line at the cafe, staring at the menu trying to parse the cutesy names for the spring seasonal drinks (perhaps also wondering if any of them are kosher for Passover, but he's not really going to bother over that. Much), hands on the strap of his messenger bag. He seems to be thoughtful, freckles greener than average.
Enter Jack, his charcoal sketch mien flickery and a little scattered as he rubs his face before staring up at the menu boards. He's got jeans on, black ones, and a T-shirt with the IATSE union bug printed large on the back, and smaller on the breast pocket. He might not even see Mearc at first, as much as he needs the caffeine.
Lux is wearing an open button up shirt that was at one time light blue but has been tye dyed all colors of the rainbow with a crop top underneath, showing off some stomach, paired with neon pink cargo pants. They follow Jack into the cafe, hands stuffed into their pants pockets. "Fuck, I want... like... all the sugar. I wonder if they still have cotton candy frappes..." They do spot Mearc, grin brightening. "Fuck, today is my lucky day."
Raphael comes in looking quite awake and equal parts happy and nervous. He's dressed in a pair of slacks that make his ass look amazing (not that it's hard), men's dress shirt, brocade vest with pocketwatch, and cravat, and carrying a full length umbrella and his old school medical bag, and spots Mearc instantly, beaming. "Good afternoon, Mearcstapa!"
Mearc looks over his shoulder, and there's a moment where all of his freckles dim slightly, before he catches himself and properly greenshifts. "Jack, Lux. I'd like to introduce you to Raphael. Raphael, Jack and Lux. Details once we're at a table, I think."
Then he turns to the barista, putting in an order for a large mocha frappe with an extra shot of espresso poured on top. He has a feeling he's going to need it.
Jack blinks, fully registering Mearc's presence and eyeing Raphael with a mixture of confusion and polite interest. "Uh. Hey." It's directed to both Mearc and Rapahel, and then he orders himself the largest coffee he can. No cream, no sugar. Coffee before more talking is clearly the way to go here.
Lux blinks, the neon yellow lights of their eyes flickering off and on as they turn to regard Raphael, giving him a full up and down look. They don't immediately say anything, but after a couple seconds they recover, grinning playfully. "It is my lucky day. Hi, nice to meet you." They step up after Mearc and Jack, ordering a large candy monstrosity that might as well have involved just dumping a sack of sugar into a cup and adding some whipped cream on top.
Petra was on the roof of the building when she spotted the others go in the cafe down below, and she chortled a little and took to the air. A little brown finch landed in a discrete alley and a few moments later Petra emerged and followed the others to get coffee and a then over to the table. "Do you mind if I join you guys?" she asked a bit hesitantly. "Or is this a private party?"
"Ah, a pleasure to meet you both!" He blushes under Lux's regard, and orders a hazelnut coffee, which he puts sugar in but no cream. And beams even brighter on seeing the finch-woman. "Petra! what a delight to see you again!"
Mearc watches Lux's reaction to Raphael closely, before there's a smile that blooms on his face, and he steps over to the side to pick up his drink. "Not a private party, but it is properly a party with you here, Petra."
More surprised blinking at Petra, but Jack nods. "'S not private, just happenstance. Right?" A quick glance around to Lux and Mearc and Raphael to confirm that he's not walking into something unexpected.
Lux sinks into a chair, lounging back as they take a sip from the bright blue and pink frappe. They give Petra a friendly nod, but their eyes are lingering on Raphael. "I'm guessing we interrupted a date."
"You too! I'm glad to see you're making connections in the communi- oh! Shit! Are we?" Petra looked rather appalled at crashing a date.
"I wasn't sure if it was chance, or Mearcstapa arranged for you all to come as a surprise, to introduce me to you," Raphael admits, a little sheepishly, as he sets down his things at the table. "And er, yes, I, er, met Mearcstapa as you recommended, and..." he giggles, and covers his mouth with one bladed hand, not having expected that sound from his own mouth. It's terribly cute.
"No, this is chance. While I am definitely a mastermind who tries to engineer situations to my liking, I didn't plan this meeting. And don't worry about interrupting; this was more a casual coffee thing than a formal date-date."
Mearc sits beside Raphael, setting his bag by his feet and stepping on the strap.
Jack takes a sip of his coffee. "O - ooh?" He takes half a second to give Raphael a once-over, just a quick thing. Buddies in black and white, you know?
"Right, well, date-date or not, if you want us to fuck off, let me know." They take another sip, glancing to Mearc. "You were right. He's beautiful."
Raphael does definitely notice Jack's also black-and-white mien, though they're very different media. But Lux's comment distracts him, making him blush again. "Oh goodness, Mearcstapa, have you been talking about me?"
"Just a little, and only to those I'm close with, so far. I haven't made it a public matter, though I think at this point it probably is one, just by the nature of this encounter." Mearc chuckles, ducking his head as he sips at his coffee.
Petra seemed to shrink in her seat, the tiny woman practically disappearing behind her large coffee cup. Her wings hunched up with her shoulders, curving around herself slightly. "Well I'm glad you two are getting on though I can't claim to have planned it when I said you two should meet."
"I'm Mearcstapa's partner. If that wasn't clear. Or he didn't mention," Lux says to Raphael. "And Jack here is my boyfriend." They smirk. "Petra is not a part of the polycule, but a good friend."
There's a flash of fear across Raphael's face as Mearc says it's public, but then he mostly gets hold of himself and scoots his chair a little closer to Mearc's. "oh! oh, I, ah, Mearcstapa said he is poly... polyamorous?" - glancing at Mearc to confirm he has the word right - "but did not name names. Poly...cule? Ah, no, I ran into Petra's boyfriend very shortly before meeting Mearcstapa. Fascinating gentleman. And she's actually the first one of us I met."
"Polycule is a term for the extended web of relationships that arises from being polyamorous. There's other interesting vocabulary, such as 'metamour', which is the term for my relationship to Jack, via Lux. Or your relationship to Lux, via me. It doesn't actually mean there's a connection, but can be useful in discussing things."
A pause, then he glances to Petra. "I heard about you and Guy. Congratulations. I didn't realize you were so into the night-life."
Petra blushed. "Yes, well, I like him. He's nice and funny, and kinda badass." A flash of amusement crossed her expression. "And the heteronormative odds aren't in my favor among my usual friends."
Lux glances back towards Raph, considering him after the flash of fear. Their lips purse a hint before their expression softens into something more gentle. "Uhh... Yeah. It can get complicated and overwhelming, but--hey. We're all cool. And I trust Mearcstapa's taste, so you must be pretty cool, too." They blink over at Petra. "I haven't met anyone named Guy, I don't think. Is he hot? What's he like?" They smirk at the woman. Might as well drag everyone's relationships into this conversation, right?
Jack follows the conversation without speaking, sipping his coffee while he does. Nodding especially when Lux says that everything's cool.
"Forgive me, my vocabulary is... a little out of date." Raphael's sartorial choices and facial hair, as well as the photographic appearance of his mien, suggests there may be a great deal of out of date at play here. But you can almost see him parsing the words - metamour, heteronormative, before he nods. "And I am... very inexperienced, with all of this. Guy is... quite imposing, actually. Watching a room react to him is tremendously entertaining." For an Autumn Courtier, anyway. "But he's far nicer than I would have guessed at first glance."
"Of course he's hot!" Petra's feathers fluffed up expressively. He's tall and his cheekbones and facial structure are pretty incredible. And he fought with Sturm and did pretty good." She shifted awkwardly and tried to preen her hair feathers back down with her taloned fingers. "We're taking things one step at a time and feeling things out as we go, but I like him a lot and have been having fun. More fun than I've had in a while. We went hiking the other evening."
"Guy's alright, yeah. Ruggedly handsome, Lux. Tall, broad, a little quiet but it's clear he thinks more than he says." Mearc lifts his drink in salute to Petra. "Just be careful, but I don't doubt that you are."
"Being inexperienced is okay." They lean forward to grin playfully at Raphael, resting their elbows on the tabletop. "That just means you have the pleasure of experiencing many, many amazing new things. We're pretty good people to do them with, too." Lux winks. "Especially Mearcstapa." They slurp down more coffee-cream-sugar monstrosity, peering back to Petra. "He fought Strum and kept his nuts in tact? Okay, but--are his biceps as thick as Strum's?"
"Nobody is a match for Sturm in that department." She sighed a little. "She's so cool..."
Raphael blushes terribly and sips his coffee to buy himself a moment, holding the cup with praticed care. "Yes, ah, he certainly is, Mr... Ms.? Lux." Victorian manners are beyond useless for this situation. "I have not met this Ms. Sturm. She sounds remarkable."
"Sturm's brilliant. Winter, tall. Usually a little gruff and grumpy, but don't take that as a sign she's mean, because that's very much not the case." He pauses, glancing at Lux. "You take 'Mx.'? Or no courtesies because you're informal and that's just how you roll, hummingbird?"
"She is." Lux lets out a swooning sigh. "Still, he sounds awesome. Grats!" They eye Raph a second, then huff out a breath. "Just Lux. Though I guess if I had to be called something formal, Mx. Would work. But... please. Just Lux."
"Lux and formality don't tend to get along," Jack agrees with a grin.
"Standards of social propriety have changed along with the body snatching habits of medical students, alas," Petra said dryly.
"I am terribly sorry! The last thing I intended was offense, I simply... well, this already is informal, compared to how I was brought up to behave. Just Lux is it, then. Ah. I should ask your pronouns, oughtn't I?" Raphael is trying, he really is. He chuckles wryly to Petra. "Yes, well, I can't say I'm sorry medical ethics have improved, so I shall just have to work harder to catch up there, as well."
Mearc gives Lux a sidelong glance. "He's...pretty far displaced. Makes me realize how lucky I am, honestly."
Lux waves a hand. "I'm not offended, don't worry. I was more surprised by the formality than the gender stuff. I get it! Honestly I don't care what pronouns you use for me. I'm genderfluid, which means my gender identity varies. Some days I feel more masculine, sometimes more feminine, but often times just... somewhere in between. I default to they and them pronouns, and it might be good for you to get used to using them in general because there's others who do strongly prefer they and them in the world. But if you mess up I'm not going to be personally offended."
"Yeah." She shuddered. "I can't imagine doing that. You're braver than I am, Raphael."
"Doing...? oh, goodness, no, by the time I started we were using donor cadavers!"
"Laika, for example, only takes they and them, despite trending slightly toward feminine presentation. I think Ari's also they/them-ish, though they might be genderfluid as well?"
"Under the circumstances, I went with 'Your Majesty' for Ari." Raphael smiles a little, sheepishly.
Lux snorts softly in amusement, then peers curiously at Raphael. "So. Tell us more about yourself, Raphael. It sounds like you're into... medicine?"
"Yes, I... was very nearly a doctor before, ahem, circumstances intervened. I recently got a job at the Mütter Museum, that's why I moved here. I met Petra giving the tour."
"Oh my god I have to come see you on a tour. I bet you're adorable while leading them." Lux looks to Petra, for confirmation, then back to the Leechfinger. "The Mütter Museum is like, a medical history museum, right? That sounds perfect for you." They give Mearc a fond grin. "Of course you found an adorable nerd, why am I not surprised?"
"Because you're an adorable nerd?" The response is immediate and casual.
"Ooh - I haven't been there since I was a kid."
"Oh please do! Yes it is, and the collection is amazing. Both of you, and Petra you must come back to see the shrunken heads!" And then realizes Lux just called them an adorable nerd and blushes deep red.
She raised an eyebrow at Lux. "He was an excellent docent," she confirmed. "He knew all the talking points and didn't let me see any of the really good stuff behind the scenes."
"How am I a nerd?" Lux squints at Mearc--confused, not offended. "I'm the least smart person here. ...Wait, there's shrunken heads?"
"And sliced up brain," she said with a grin. "And a wall of skulls."
"Lux. Have you heard yourself when you're talking about painting? Or parkour? Even if you're not book-smart, you can still be a total nerd."
"We hadn't even finished the main tour! but I shall certainly see if I can get permission to let you see some of the research space, since you're a medical professional and all. And yes, yes there are! And slices of Einstein's brain!"
"The wall of skulls is fucking incredible - and really fucking creepy. From what I remember. And yeah babe, I gotta agree with Mearcstapa here. Sorry." He nudges Lux with a grin.
Lux eyes Mearc, then Jack, looking... maybe sheepish? Just for a moment. Then they slurp down more sugar-coffee. "I'll stop by sometime, Raphael. Sounds interesting."
Mearc glances up at Jack, and shares a bit of a smirk with him.
"I'm just teasing," she told Raphael with a little grin. "I wish I could have stayed for it all
"Oh there's plenty of creepy, especially if you see it as a child. We had a school tour in and it was..." Raphael does a momentary swooning expression, fanning himself with a bladed hand. "I couldn't even eat dinner after my shift. But yes, please, do come, Lux, I'll look forward to it."
"...yeah that would be a Glamour feast. Cruel on the part of teachers, but if they're already there..."
Lux gives Raph a bewildered, amused look when he swoons. "...Uhhhh... Cool. You have a phone, right?"
"I went on a school tour, yeah. Had nightmares about the fucking Soap Lady for a week." Jack shudders.
"Oh they tell them not to bring anyone below fifth grade, but... honestly, some of the children, I harvested for mercy's sake, they were so overwrought." Nodding at Jack, though not without a little smirk of amusement. "I know most of you aren't Autumn, but if you're ever drained enough not to be picky, it's an absolute buffet. Ah, yes, yes, I do. and Mearc got me set up on Signal."
Lux makes grabby hands at Raphael. "Gimme your digits. Er--phone number."
"Yes, asking for my digits is...." Raphael waggles his scalpel-blade fingers, grinning, and then recites it slowly.
"Risky, to say the least." He nods at Raphael's hand.
"Wonder how much's new, since I've been." Jack sips his coffee thoughtfully. "We could...'f you wanna -" He glances at both Lux and Mearc, "go together, maybe?" His cheeks get a dark scribbly blush, and he takes a big sip of coffee to cover his expression.
Lux takes their phone out to tap rapidly at the screen, saving the number, then sends Raphael a text: Lux! :wink: :kissing_heart:
"Are you suggesting a double-date?" Lux's brows climb. "Cause I'm in." They look to Raph. "If you are?"
Petra looked between them all bemused, and sipped at her coffee.
"That sounds...absolutely delightful, honestly." Mearc nods at Jack, his freckles shifting redder. It's not quite a blush--everyone's been around long enough to see it sometimes happens at entirely inappropriate times for that. But it looks a lot like one, right now.
Raph leans down to pull their phone and a stylus from the medical bag, at the chime it makes. "Oh, yes, Petra, Mearcstapa found me a solution to the touchscreen!" demonstrating the stylus, as they save Lux's number. "Well certainly! And if you come to the museum while I'm working, it's my job anyway."
"It's not going to be a date if you're working. We should do it some day you're off work. That way you can just nerd out as much as you want and not have to worry about keeping things professional. You know... In case you want to hold hands with Mearcstapa. And stuff." Lux grins wickedly. "Then we can all get dinner after or something."
Mearc coughs quietly. "I'm not sure you've noticed, but hand-holding is a little more complicated with Raphael."
"I don't really... do... holding hands," Raphael agrees, then blushes about the 'and stuff'.
"I more went with holding hands so he didn't have a seizure if I said make out instead," Lux says dryly, though they do peer at Raph's hands thoughtfully. "I could think of work arounds."
Petra chuckled and clicked her talons on the table. You need some sheaths. It would look very cosplay, but it should work."
"Oven mitts." Mearc avoids eye contact even more pointedly than usual as he sips at his drink.
Lux eyes Mearc. :blureyes:
"It's still my workplace! and there are security cameras!" Raph almost squeaks, turning crimson. "Y-yes the mitts are a. workable option. At least in private."
"Why are you guys planning to fool around at work anyways? Get a room or something."
"There's also other places we could take a group outing for a double date, though I definitely want to visit the Museum at some point. I've never been."
Lux leans back into their chair, picking up the drink for another sip. "Sure, whatever. Some where else works too."
Raph is having significant difficulty getting back his composure. "Well, ah, either way. Though they don't mind my.... nerding out? if the guests are interested. that's what I'm there to do. Help people be.... 'Disturbingly Informed'." It's the museum's real slogan, but it's also the most Autumn thing ever.
The suggestion about impropriety while at work, even while off the clock, makes Jack dip his head to drink, avoiding eye contact with Lux. "I still wanna go back, too. But if a double date's on the table too, it can be wherever. Doesn't have to be there."
"...disturbingly informed. Sounds similar to my work, and how I tend to get my Harvesting in." He chuckles. "Jack, I will go with you at some point, even if it's not a date."
"It's the official slogan for the museum. They like when I tell people the horrifying bits."
Lux falls quiet, finishing off the drink--then leans over to toss it into a nearby trash bin.
"I - sure. That'd be...yeah, sure." Jack nods, giving Mearc a small smile. And leans against Lux just a little - not an overt display of affection, just...a comforting presence. Hopefully. Or something.
Petra smiled faintly, perhaps a bit wistfully. Then she grinned and downed the rest of her coffee in one big gulp. "Well! I need to get going. Thanks for letting me hang out with you but I've got a shift to get to after I grab some dinner."
"It was good to see you again, Petra."
Their arm lifts to drape over the back of Jack's chair, coiling loosely around his shoulders. They smile to Petra, giving a wiggle-fingered wave. "See you."
"Take care of yourself, Petra. And pass on my fondest to Guy next time you see him." He inclines his head at her.
"See you Petra," Jack holds up a hand to wave. "Hope your shift's uneventful."
"It never is!" She said brightly. "There is no end to people's stupidity or misfortune."
Raphael can't help watching Lux when they move, fascinated by the light trail effects. "Um, uh. If not the museum then, although of course you're welcome to come and I'm happy to go with you when not on duty. Where would you want to go, for a, a double date?"
"Mmm. Probably something more active than just sitting down for dinner. Though that's probably a good idea, too." There's a bit of a glance at Lux. "What do you think?"
Lux glances between the three men. "I can sit down long enough to eat a quick dinner, at least. Especially if it's good food." Not that Lux's standards for good food are very high. "But yeah, I guess having something else to do would be nice." Their lips purse a moment, then they pull out their phone to hold one handed, tapping away at the screen with their thumb. Maybe doing a google search.
When Lux drapes an arm around him, Jack leans in a little more. "Mmm. How active are we talking? Like...group workout session, or a walk around the park...?"
"I must admit, I'm not very athletic, so.... parkour is that running on buildings thing? I'm probably quite incapable of anything like that."
"I wonder if there's a cosmic bowling place, or glow in the dark mini golf place in the area. I went to those a few times in Chicago, and always had a good time."
"Nah, I know parkour is off the table. There's not anyone that can keep up with me." They continue tapping at their phone. "...There's an interactive exhibit themed around love at the Please Touch Museum. That might be... too sappy..." They squint at the phone. "There's some Cherry Blossom Festivals going on. OH SHIT we totally have to go to the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival--but that's not until next month..." They pause, then look up at Mearc. "Glow in the dark bowling or mini golf sounds awesome."
"Bowling, shit, that's another thing I haven't done in years...I'd be down for that." Jack nods.
"A Chinese Lantern Festival? that sounds delightful! I've never been bowling, nor mini golfing, but I wouldn't mind trying either." Oh lord, Mearc and Lux are going to be distracting as hell under glow in the dark, but at least he can blame lack of practice for his incompetence.
(hey i mean that's why Jack's into glow in the dark activities)
"I'm definitely in for the Lantern festival. Bowling, that may require some adjustment for fingers, but there are alternate ball-handling methods."
Beat.
"Let's pretend I didn't say that."
"We're definitely doing a follow-up double-date for the Lantern Festival, cause it looks fucking gorgeous. Assuming we feel up to a follow-up, anyway." More tap-tapping, peering at the phone with an excited grin. "Found a place--Erie Lanes. I'll send you all the address..." Tap-tap, send! Lux looks up and smirks at Mearc. "I'm sure we can get... creative."
Jack snorts into his coffee. "Mini golf'd be fine too, that's probably easier on the fingers. More...grasping sticks than handling balls."
Lux smirks wider.
Raphael blinks, having so little experience with bowling he hadn't even thought of that... and only when Mearcstapa points out the innuendo does it hit him, and he turns red. And then Jack... "Lord have mercy." Half prayer, half.... directed at any or all of them.
Mearc pinches the bridge of his nose, but he's smiling as he does so. "Meanwhile, mini golf is as much about the holes as the sticks."
Lux reaches over to pat-pat Raphael on the shoulder, but doesn't look at all apologetic. "You'll get used to it."
"'S kinda how we are, yeah. I dunno if we can help it? Can we? Do we want to?" He looks to Mearc and Lux, grinning.
Raphael shuts his eyes, trying to get his poor mind back in order, and is totally startled when Lux reaches over to touch his shoulder. Perfectly innocent, by modern standards, but for him, and under the circumstances? His eyes pop back open, leaving him staring into Lux's glowing gaze like a bird transfixed by a snake.
Mearc watches the interplay, his freckles shifting greener rapidly.
"Nope," Lux says cheerfully to Jack. "I am quite happy to have a filthy mind. Especially when surrounded by so many hot men." Raphael's reaction catches Lux off guard, drawing their hand back while blinking at him. "Uh... sorry? Do you not like casual touch?"
"N-no, I....do. I'm just... not used to it. And I. The things you've all been saying."
Jack gives Lux a chaste peck on the cheek, clearly happy to be one of the hot men. But he also pulls back when Lux pulls away from Raphael, eyeing him a little curiously.
"The world has become much more permissive over the past couple centuries, yeah. It's a big adjustment, I'm sure."
Lux frowns, looking less certain. "Oh. Uh... We can tone it down, if you want? I was just joking around. But I get that I'm... a lot, sometimes. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"No, no, it's. What Mearcstapa said." He's breathing hard, but the leaves in his Mantle aren't moving that fast.
"...Let us know though. If it's too much." Jack sounds absolutely serious. "'S not fun if you're uncomfortable, you know?"
Mearc nods agreement with Jack's comment, shlurping the last of his frappe.
Lux looks at Mearc, then back to Raphael. "Okay..." Their hands move to rest on their lap, glancing to the side. "Anything we can do to help you relax if you get like this? Or just... back off and give you space?"
"Just give me a moment. And it is.... maybe a little much innuendo for.... a public space." Raph takes deep breaths until his heart stops racing quite so fast.
Mearc looks thoughtful. "Something that might be useful is having a codeword, something subtle an innocuous that you can say, and we'll stop whatever we're joking off, or change the subject immediately. It's actually something I've used in other circumstances."
Jack's gaze flicks toward Mearc, and he nods. "Could be helpful, yeah. And...sorry Raphael. 'F we took shit too far for you."
"Right... Yeah. Sure." Lux leans back in their chair, glancing around the cafe idly rather than looking at them. "Safe words are good."
If Raphael actually knew what a safeword was normally used for, he'd die. As it is, he nods slowly. "I... perhaps. though I think you can probably tell just by how badly I'm blushing."
"If we can stop before you get to the blushing, that might be better for you though, yeah?" Jack tilts his head. "And hey - maybe there's sometimes when you're blushing, but you're feeling better about it. Words are helpful, in both those cases."
"Yeah. What Jack said. I'd rather not get to the point where you look like you're about to have a panic attack."
"I'm afraid I'm rather too easy to make blush at least a little, for that. Ah. No, I, it's... it's not actually panic."
Mearc watches Lux for a moment, the green intensifying as his red freckles dim to near nothing. They don't come back as he rejoins the conversation. "It's useful to pick a word that might not be common in conversation, but still innocuous enough that strangers won't pick up on what's going on. It helps set a boundary, and builds trust."
Mearcstapa has seen Raph panic, and the leaves in his Mantle are a dead giveaway - being Autumn, it reacts to his fear. This? is the opposite problem.
Lux eyes Raphael a moment when he says it wasn't panic. "...I think I get it. Sorry for getting you... worked up, or whatever. But yeah. Pick some random word or something that you can easily work into a conversation. I'm a fan of food stuff that isn't common. Like... 'I could really go for some krugel right now'. Lets you set boundaries without... like... making it feel like a huge deal."
There's a soft snort from Mearc, and a crooked hint of a smile.
That's a hell of a specific phrase, and Jack gives Lux the smallest of Interested Looks, but doesn't pry. And then Mearc snorts, and Jack's eyebrows twitch upward, a grin growing on his face now, too. "Foods work well, yeah," he agrees. "Especially in public."
"Yes, that's.... a good way to put it. Worked up." Raphael takes another deep breath. "Well, I don't even know what krugel is, so I suppose that will do." It's a brand new euphemism, if he uses that phrasing, is what it is.
"Kugel. It's a sort of casserole, common in Jewish cuisine. However, I request you pick a different food in this instance, if you don't mind." That sounds sort of serious.
"It's really good. Mearcstapa taught me how to make it." Lux pauses, glancing to Mearcstapa at the serious tone.
Jack finishes his coffee and tosses it in the closest trash, staying silent for this exchange.
"Sure. ok." Raphael thinks about it, trying to come up with a food that's reasonably obscure that he knows of and doesn't like. "Haggis? Because I will never actually mean that one."
"Haggis works," Lux says with a nod. Then they look to Jack. "While we're on the topic, you want one too? Might be useful, if we start pushing your buttons too much." You know, like the other night when they tried to get Jack to talk about feelings.
"Haggis works. I've never eaten that, honestly." Mearc nods, and then glances at Jack. "Probably wise."
'I haven't either, the very idea is.... eugh."
"Uuuhhh. Hhh. Um." Jack shifts - the attention is on him, of course he's uncomfortable - and charcoal lines from his mien scatter into nothingness. "'S like asking me what my favorite music is, makes me feel like I've never listened to anything in my life..." A grimace. "Gimme a sec."
"Do you have one, Mearcstapa? or you, Lux?"
Lux watches Jack for a second or two. "Take your time, babe," Lux says gently, taking Jack's hand to squeeze. They nod to Raphael. "Mine is kugel, actually. Not sure if Mearcstapa would prefer to use that one or choose a different one for himself, while we're all together."
"I'll pick a separate one, I think." He nods, looking thoughtful. "Gumbo. I don't have a mouth for spice much at all."
Jack is...quiet, and squeezes Lux's hand back.
"Ah. That explains why he didn't want me using it."
"You... want me to help you pick something?" Lux offers softly to Jack.
"Yes, it already belonged to Lux. It would be...weird? To have you using it as well." He glances sidelong at Lux. "Speaking of, happy Passover."
"...Later, maybe. Yeah." He's just as quiet, but his mien settles. "Eh...sorry."
"Oh, are you Jewish? Happy Passover, then."
"Don't be sorry. We'll talk about it in private, okay?" Their fingers brush through Jack's hair gently, combing his hair back, just for a moment. Then they blink at Mearc. "Oh--shit, is it Passover already? When is seder?"
"I'm Jewish...ish, Lux and I were planning on going to a seder. First seder was last night, second is tonight."
Lux grimaces. "Did I miss the main night? Fuck, I'm sorry. We going to go tonight?"
"Maybe. I might also have a meeting at the Succubus club--with Lethia, not a fun sort of meeting. Well, Lethia is fun, but you know what I mean."
"...Huh. Yeah, it's Easter weekend too, isn't it..." Jack seems thoughtful, more than anything. "What's...what's a seder involve? I - what?" Well that's got his whole train of thought in an entirely unexpected direction.
"The where?"
Lux's expression turns guarded. "Oh. Okay."
"The Succubus Club. It's a goth club owned by a friend of mine named Lethia." He pauses, deciding what other information is important. "Raphael, you'd probably be overwhelmed by it, at this point, but Lethia's akin to Guy and Atalo."
"...Work shit, then?" Jack's cautiously interested.
"Ah. Interesting. I will take your word for it on the... wisdom of not going."
Lux watches Mearcstapa quietly, shifting to sit sideways in the chair, arm draped over the back of it. "Probably because there'll be a lot of people wearing leather. Or mostly nude," to Raphael.
"Also, dancing in clubs now a days is basically foreplay."
He shakes his head at Jack. "Not quite work-work. Just making sure the understanding between myself and her is solid. There's a lot that's sort of hanging unspoken now, and I'd like to get clarity on the matter."
Lux gets a bit of a smile as he says that, though his freckles are greening up again.
"I... have seen the mainstream clubs, yes. The name suggests it is a bit...more."
"It was absolutely foreplay for us," Jack gives Lux a kiss on the cheek again. "The name feels a...little on the nose, for...them. But I'm assuming shit doesn't get too creepy there. Right?"
"Do you like to dance, Raphael? We should go dancing sometime, if so." Lux turns their attention on him rather than Mearcstapa now. "There's a couple really nice gay clubs in town, where everyone there is like us, or at least allies. No one to judge you or even look twice if you're being physical with someone."
He gives Jack a quick tiny grimace and wavers a hand like 'so-so'. "I'm not sure how creepy things get in the private rooms, and I'm not intending to ask Lethia for details."
"I went to nightclubs a few times in Baltimore, but not gay ones. Modern dancing does not seem to require as much practice as waltzing did. I have been, too nervous, to go here, yet. But since it's... clearly accepted, here.... if I had someone to go with, it might be fun?" And then he realized what Lux implied there, blushes, and stammers a little. "I don't know what people wear to those places, though."
Lux grins slowly. "I have some clothes you could borrow, if you want."
"'S probably for the best - plausible deniability, and shit." Jack shrugs at Mearc. "...We could all go dancing. Together." He grins. "Between the three of us, we'd help you figure out what to wear. I mean shit, I've shown up dressed like this once or twice."
There's a point where Mearc clearly imagines Raph in Lux's clothes, and he turns vividly red, his green freckles dimming out.
"I don't think I'd.... feel right in your style of clothing." And then he sees Mearc react. "I... do have some more fitted trousers?"
"Suit yourself." They shrug. "But yeah, we should go sometime. Maybe tonight, since Mearcstapa is going to be busy."
"Well, you do show.... a good bit of ankle." Drily, as he realizes that standard is ridiculous these days.
They stare at Raphael for a moment, then look down at their exposed stomach. "Not all of my clothes show a lot of skin... But yeah, I like showing off my body, usually."
"I didn't mean it as criticism, only a point about my comfort level. Your body is.... well worth showing off." Blushing again.
"Strongly agreed." Mearc grins.
"It really is, isn't it?" He gives Lux and openly admiring look. "And hell, there's gonna be people who're into your look as it is."
"Oh, is steampunk club-acceptable? Brilliant."
Lux smirks smugly at the praise, lights shining a bit brighter. "Thanks. But yeah, you don't even have to change. You look... like... super dapper and hot already, just in this."
"Depends on the club, but there's people into all sorts'a shit, that go to clubs. I mean..." He gestures at himself, Lux, and Mearc.
"Well in that case I should be delighted to go. And, and, thank you."
Mearc grins. "You're welcome. Even if this does feel a little like corrupting an innocent."
"I am definitely planning on corrupting him," Lux says bluntly.
Jack chuckles. "Pretty sure you've already started there, babe."
"Oh my. Ah. As, uh, you're already. both dating Lux. And I... unless I am much mistaken, Lux is.... expressing interest? Uh, is that, um, acceptable to everyone?" He looks anxious, both that he might have misread Lux's flirting and that he's doing this poly thing all wrong, but it seems like a question that really needs to be asked before they go out dancing.
Mearc turns a mild questioning look on Lux, but says nothing.
"Dancing is just dancing, to me." Lux shrugs. "It can lead to other things. But it doesn't have to. I'm pretty open with my sexuality, and you're hot, so definitely would be up for it. But if you just want to be friends, or Jack and Mearcstapa aren't comfortable with it, then I know how to put up boundaries when I need to."
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"I did not mean just the.... dancing. I did not think just that would qualify as 'corrupting' me."
"Doesn't bother me." Jack shrugs, and gives Raphael another once-over. This one's a little more lingering, and he flashes Raph a smile.
"From where I sit, that's between you two." Mearc stands, moving to throw his cup away.
"You haven't seen me dance yet," Lux teases. Then they glance up to watch Mearc.
Raphael blushes harder, but holds out one of his hands, making sure the scalpel blade fingertips are clearly visible to Lux and Jack, after that look. "There is also the small matter of... these. I can only do so much without.... hurting a partner."
"Hurting and harming aren't necessary always the same thing." Mearc resumes his seat with a tiny smirk.
Lux's eyes linger on Mearc quietly for a moment, before focusing on Raph's hands. They consider them thoughtfully. "Makes sense. I'm not afraid of them, if that helps comfort you any?"
Jack's attention is caught by Mearc, as well, just for a moment, before his eyes return to Raphael's hands. He doesn't quite recoil, but there's definitely a tiny shudder as his imagination gets the better of him. Just for a second. "There's all kinds of shit can be done without worrying about that," he finally says with a shrug.
"I am medically trained, and capable of real healing, if anything should go wrong, but it is... I am not familiar with all the things that could be done, or certain of my.... self-control under.... those kind of circumstances." Raphael takes a deep breath, fighting down anxiety. At least he's sure bringing it up is the right thing to do. "At the very least, it is.... it would not be acceptable, to not address the risk, even among the likes of us. It's... part of why I have so little experience."
"Well, one useful tool can be to have a word to use that ends contact, for when someone is hurt more than they can take, or overwhelmed." Mearc smirks.
"That makes sense," Lux says with a nod. "Like I said earlier--and I'm saying it seriously now, it's okay to not be experienced. And--Nooo! You beat me to the safe word joke!" Lux whines.
Raphael looks at Mearcstapa and sees the smirk. At Lux. Realizes why Lux has a word and that he just set one himself and..... oh, god. He goes pale, then crimson.
Jack can't keep back a snort of laughter, and shakes his head. "Traditionally...yeah. There's plenty of ways to ease into that experience, too. Start slow. With someone - or with people - that you trust to let you know if shit's not working. Or is working."
"Wh-which use is the... standard one?"
Mearc laughs aloud, warmly. "To be fair, Lux and I set it up for conversational use first, because I can be...pushy, sometimes."
"Luckily, I get off on pushy, sometimes." Lux says fondly to Mearc. "Standard use is for sex," they confirm to Raph.
Jack opens his mouth, possibly to say something a little less bluntly, but then gesture to Lux with a huff of amusement. "Yeah."
"If the conversational use was more standard, the world might be a better place, though."
Raph gets a look like he wishes he could just drop through the floor about now. "Oh Jesus. You did start corrupting me already, and I didn;'t even know.....I didn't say I wanted to hurt anyone! just that it's.... a risk." Except that he's a Leechfinger, of course.
"It's true, yeah. I wish it was more of a common place thing. Having a conversational safe word has helped me and Mearcstapa a lot with our relationship." Lux pauses, eyeing the Leechfinger. "Raphael... it's cool. We weren't accusing you of anything. Just saying that there are options there. That sort of thing requires a lot of communication before... before you should do stuff like that. So, like, you don't have to worry about that right now."
Another gesture, and Jack nods. "Communication helps with all of this sort of shit." He doesn't seem to realize how hypocritical he's being.
"And honestly? That might be something you should experiment with Mearcstapa before anyone else. He's... good at that stuff."
Mearc does and gives Jack a mild Look, perhaps the closest he's given Jack to actual eye contact in the whole time they've known one another.
Raph takes a deep breath. Another. His voice is shaking, and so is the finger he levels at Jack, but that does little to reduce the extra accusatory force the blade gives the gesture. "You need to pick a word before I can let you.... do anything, then."
Jack actually flinches back into his seat, his mien absolutely scattering, bits of charcoal flying every which way.
"We don't - the flirting was just...flirting, we don't...you and I don't...have to do anything." He's almost cowering.
But then he takes a breath.
"I'm...not comfortable talking about it, here."
Lux blinks in surprise at Raphael, then frowns at Jack. "Neither of you have to do anything you're not comfortable with."
"Perhaps a bit too much Autumn there, Raphael."
"Ok. I just. I didn't know how much you intended, and. I had to ....set a boundary, that's the word, right? I had to.... make sure I don't.... harm someone by accident." Now the leaves are flashing through his Mantle more frequently and at higher windspeed.
"Like, I'm being dead serious here--none of you have to do anything you're not comfortable with, with each other." He gives a look to each of them, especially Mearc. "Even if we're all flirting and joking around, it doesn't mean we all gotta like... have some orgy or something." They nod to Raphael. "Boundaries are good."
He lowers his hand, and nods shakily at Mearc, even if it was actually meant to be about his own fear.
Jack doesn't meet Lux's eyes. In fact, he's staring very intently at his knees. His mien's more charcoal flecks than person, at this point, his expression hard to see. "'S fine, Raphael." He says softly. "You're good."
Mearc reaches out to put a hand on Raphael's arm lightly.
"I think maybe we should take a break from this conversation," Lux says, eyes lingering on Jack. "Raphael, if you want to go to a club later, give me a call? Or text me." They push to their feet. "Good luck with your meeting, Mearcstapa." They put a hand on Jack's arm to gently nudge him to his feet.
Raph sags, as if the contact is giving him permission to let go of it. "I do want to, Lux. S-sorry about that, Jack."
"No, it's, it's fine. Don't worry about it." Jack conjures up a small smile for Raphael and lets Lux help him to his feet. "I eh...yeah. 'S nice to see you Mearc, good luck with all that. Mu - museum, sometime? Maybe?"
"Definitely. I'm looking forward to it already." He nods.
Raph nods encouragingly. "Please, yes, come by the museum."
"See you cuties later," Lux says with a wink, but it lacks the usual brighteness. They hook an arm around Jack's waist to lead him out of the cafe.
Mearc gives Raph a small smile. "Well, that went better than it could have."
"Did it?" In a small voice. "I don't know what's.... just flirting and what's... intent, sometimes."
"With Lux, a lot of it is flirting until you ask if it's serious. With Jack...that's complicated. I'm not sure he knows what it is he wants, the vast majority of the time. Ironic, for the Spring in all this." There's a bit of a sigh as his freckles shift redder. "I want to like him, but it's so terribly obvious he's not yet capable of liking himself that it's hard, sometimes."
"Lux..... flirts very hard then. And they're.... very beautiful. I just. I.... react so.... strongly, to.... such small things. I wasn't trying to scare Jack, I was trying to...protect him, because I.... I'm afraid of what I might do." Raph shudders and scoots his chair close to Mearc's. "But Autumn's nature.... cuts both ways."
Mearcstapa turns to face Raph properly. "It's something you can apologize for later, once there's been time to calm down. You're alright, you're not going to hurt anyone. Give me a deep breath?"
Raph does as Mearc tells him, taking a couple deep breaths. "You... know them better than I do. does either of them actually want to... do anything with me? I was pretty sure when Lux said.... they meant to.... corrupt me."
"Lux is serious about thinking you're beautiful, but that's a conversation between the pair of you. I'm not sure if he was trying to get a rise out of me, with that, or not?"
"Ah. I didn't... realize they might be messing with you, by that. You both do the same thing where you .... make an innuendo and then smirk when I get flustered.... and I... I don't know why but it... gets me a little ... worked up. "
Mearc's freckles shift toward the green. "There's...probably a discussion to be had about power dynamics in play, but I think that's for later and in private. I like to see you flustered, though. That's true."
"About... what? Right, ok. later. private. yes. At least I'm... not imagining it, that you both do it on purpose sometimes?"
"No, you're not imagining it. But you're always welcome to call haggis if it's too much and you're actually uncomfortable with the situation."
"I can't believe you two set me up with a.... sex.... word thing... and I didn't even know it. And Jack was in on that too!" They blush. "I... would you mind terribly.... just.. giving me a hug?"
Mearc laughs, wrapping both arms around Raphael. "Look. As I said before, Lux and I had a safeword for conversation before it came up for other uses. I honestly believe that they're a useful tool outside the bedroom; that the capacity to set boundaries and know they'll be respected is a firm basis for trust, and that trust is vital to relationships of all kinds."
Raph lays his head on Mearc's shoulder with a sigh, laying his hands carefully against the other man's back, sighing softly as the contact makes the tension fade away. "Yes, I... can see that being especially useful for.... our type."
"For all types. We just have a lot more rough edges to be careful with." There's a light pat on the back. "It's alright."
Raph snorts delicately about that 'rough edges'. "So you don't think it went badly, really?"
"No, it went pretty well, honestly. Introducing metamours is always awkward at first. I think the first time Lux had me and Jack both in a room was also pretty weird at first. We couldn't figure out things like 'is it okay to hold Lux's hand in front of one another?'"
"Lux coming in with Jack probably helped that. I thought I'd done alright with Lux, it's just Jack was.... very scattered at the end there. But I guess it can't be too awful if he still means to come to the museum."
"True. If you're alright, I'm going to head out...but I'm glad I got to see you." He leans in to kiss Raphael on the cheek.
"Yes, thank you. I'm glad I got to see you, too. And meet both of them." He hugs Mearc a little tighter and then gives him a small kiss on the lips before letting go of him.
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