That's wonderful, my dear! I'm so very proud of you.
#nsfw
"Naughty little pup." *[he shakes his head with a chuckle.]* "Are you so impatient? Perhaps I need to have you restrained to teach you a little lesson?"
#nsfw
*[he brings Illario's face closer, not hiding the glint in his own eyes as they slowly take in all of the younger man's body.]*
Is that so? Care to share your thoughts, my pearl?
Goodness. *[he clears his throat as his cheeks turn a slight shade of pink.]* That certainly would be a bit distracting.
*[he laughs softly, then gently cups Illario's cheek]* I could say the same about your beauty, my dear. Whatever am I to do with you?
Oh? What's on your mind, darling?
And I am more than happy to oblige, my lovely Antivan pearl.
Goodness, I seemed to have lost track of time while researching. Nothing like getting lost in ancient tomes to keep one busy for... months.
Emmrich nodded in understanding. "I am so sorry to hear that, my dear. For what it's worth, I stand by what I said. The way you are with Manfred shows me you are already on the right path."
Emmrich's smile faded to a more apologetic look when he realized his faux pas. "Forgive me if I overstepped, my dear. I did not mean to upset you."
Thank the Maker he was a fast reader.
He skimmed the pages until he found the answer he was looking for, then quickly made his way back out to head towards the Chantry. He only hoped he could remember the way through the streets. He had to rely on kind souls to give him directions.
Emmrich's heart ached as he read the letter. His love carried so much pain in his heart that they had been working slowly to heal together. He needed to find Illario before he did something he regretted.
The mage turned back to the book on the nightstand and picked it up.
+
"That is indeed my hope." Emmrich turned to Xerenon with a soft smile. "From what I just witnessed with Manfred, I've no doubt you'd make an excellent father yourself."
He spotted the book, letting his fingers trace the embossed lettering of the title with a frown before moving on. The next promising clue was the crumpled papers. He picked up the basket to see if any of them held answers... when he found a letter addressed to him.
The door swung open and Emmrich nearly gasped when he saw the state of the room. "Oh, my dear... what haunts you now?" He took a tentative step into the room, casting a magical light to see better in the shadows of the chaotic mess it was left in.
+
Emmrich had grown concerned when Illario didn't show up for their dinner date. He was never usually this late, so the professor decided to head over to Treviso to check in on the man.
He knocked on the door to Illario's room and called out, "Darling? Are you well? I hope I'm not intruding-"
+
Emmrich gave him a bashful smile. "Thank you. You are not the first to say that. I suppose, in a sense, I am now. I never had the opportunity for children of my own, but... I am more than glad to have Manfred now."
Emmrich's smile was warm as he watched Manfred start to sort a stack of books. "Indeed I am. He's so much more than Curiosity now... watching him grow has become, dare I say, some of my most cherished memories in all my years."
"I don't mind childish wonder. In fact, I'd encourage it in more adults." Emmrich replied, then sighed softly. "I would simply request she not act so flippant about the spirits here and their boundaries. If you wish to speak with her... I won't stop you."
Manfred hissed happily, and it made Emmrich chuckle. "He seems to like you already. I think this will be a splendid arrangement." The professor noted as he watched his skeleton son affectionately.
BASICS
~ MDNI | NSFW
~ Mun is 30+
~ Semi-Serious
~ Treviso Saved / Illario Spared
~ MV / MS Friendly
~ Ship With Chem
Excellent! I look forward to seeing it. I imagine it would be... quite enchanting.
[Emmrich closed his eyes and returned the kiss, holding it for several long seconds before pulling back with a smile]
Thank you. It was certainly well worth the wait.
Well... that is one way to do it. How about tomorrow afternoon? We can have lunch and I can guide you to my favorite spots in the garden.
[He can't help but chuckle softly at Illario's shyness. Using one finger to tilt up the younger man's chin, Emmrich leaned in close]
Would you do me the honor of a kiss on the lips?
Thank you, my dear.
Did you have something else you wished to say? I'm always here to lend an ear.
*He takes Illario's hand and brings it to his lips to gently kiss his fingers*
Do I get to choose where?
What a novel concept. Do you have any left for me, my dear?
"The Spirits of the Necropolis deserve just as much respect as their vessels. Manfred is his own person and deserves to be respected as such. Would you go up to a random stranger and start poking and proding at them?"
"That is not the only reason I was frustrated, simply the most baffling." Emmrich turned to Manfred and patted the skeleton's head. "Working with bones and bodies is only half the work we do here."
+
"It simply baffles me that someone who claims to be so knowledgeable of bones would actually believe that men and women have a different number of ribs. That was disproven ages ago." Again he sighed and shook his head. "Ah, well... I appreciate the gesture anyway."
