“Yes there is a catch.” He coughs as he sets down his wine glass, standing up and tucking a trailing curl of grey hair back behind his ear. He offers a hand downwards. “Let me show you how to lead without stepping on your husband’s tail.”

A broad grin splits his face, creasing at his eyes and the corners of his mouth as he smiles. “Really you will?” He asks, happy that he could take Dreuer to experience something he enjoyed. “Is there a catch?”

He watches him, his tail tapping steadily against the man’s calf. “…. Hmmh.” He steadies himself with a deep breath. It’s awfully difficult not to crawl along the sofa and bite him. “… I may let you teach me to ski.”

“I will. Even if you will threaten to divorce me again.” He chuckles, getting himself a helping of the dish as well.

He leans forward for a sample. “Hmm… yes it is very good.” He says, his hand still on Tony’s arm. “Can you make this at home?”

“Tartiflette.” He says with a deep laugh. “Tardigrades are microscopic animals. He takes a hold of the fork on his plate with his free hand to scoop up some more of the dish and hold it out to his husband.

“Yes it’s fine.” He can barely suppress hiss gleeful little grin. “But standing on one’s partner’s tail is often considered bad manners. Unless they have asked you to do it.” He reaches out, his fingertips resting on Tony’s forearm. “Can I have some more of that… what was it called… tardigrade?”

He gasps as if that was the most hurtful thing he’s ever said before, as if his whole life had been a lie. He puts a hand over his chest, clutching his proverbial pearls. “How dare you, my dancing is just fine.”

“No I have more self preservation than you, my dear.” The wine is easily shared. “Though given your lack of coordination on the dance floor last time we indulged, I should have imagined you as a rather appalling skiier.” His lip curls in a mischievous little grin. His tail gives Tony’s calf a squeeze.

“well I was trying to insinuate you lack fun and adventure but that works to.” He holds out his wine glass and laughs, crossing his legs so that a foot came to rest on Dreuers calf as they sat facing each other.

“What exactly are you insinuating? That I am a drunk?” He drinks. “… I -could- ski. But I choose not to. Have another drink my love.” He refills his husband’s glass.

“I just think you would have fun if you tried it, I would teach you how to avoid trees.” He holds up his hands in surrender though. “But I understand, you would rather stay here where it is still and there’s plenty of wine.”

He grumbles, scowling at him. “A glass of wine in you and you become a cruel little man don’t you?” His tail is flicking back and forth, up and down Tony’s calf.

“Amore, it’s literally a cleared path. There’s no houses. Also there’s no elderly lady up there… you’re right here.”

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Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

alvilda_

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

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“Anthony do you think I was made to move that swiftly?” He reclines as he studies the man. “I would collide with a tree and die. Or a house. Or an elderly lady. Neither outcome is desirable.”

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Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

alvilda_

SoulFearer (Tav: Irory & Co)

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“I bet you would have fun.” He says, letting him steal from his plate. He was happy and felt glowy with the wine and company. “Look at them going now.” He says pointing out the wall of windows to the people that made their way down the hill. “Doesn’t that look like fun?”

“I choose life.” He grunts, sips his wine and reaches to steal from his husband’s plate.

“Because it is fun, Amore.” He grins over at him. Settling in comfortably with the tail that wrapped around his leg. “You should try it sometime.”

“And you learned to slide downhill for what purpose? Why not just… be on the mountain?” His tail lazily seeks Tony’s calf and loops around.

“Yeah but that’s the magic of the mountain, I had so much time to myself out from their watchful eyes. It was great.”

“But you hated your family you had a terrible time.” Dreuer scowls, studying his husband over the top of his wine glass. “Are you possessed?”

“You always do have such an eloquent way of explaining things, my dear.” Tony chuckles into his wine before setting it down to take a bite off his own plate. “But yes, I do look forward to going up the mountain. It’s actually fun, perhaps the one thing I looked forward to with my family was going on our annual ski trip.”

“Hmm. Wine is not bad either.” He murmurs, taking another drink and filling his glass once more. “I suppose come the morning you’ll be strapping yourself to bits of wood and throwing yourself down a steep slippy hill like a madman.”

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Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

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“For a lodge, I’m shocked at the decency of their selection. They had a French onion soup as well I may go back for.” He contemplates as he takes a sip of his wine, a smile resting across his face.

“Mmm…” He closes his eyes as he tastes the tartiflette. “That is exquisite… not a patch on your cooking of course but… a close second.” His tail swishes as he helps himself to more food.

“The very same.” He says with a low chuckle, taking the opportunity to pour himself a glass of the wine.

“Are those the potatoes you make that I told you I would divorce you over so that I could marry you again?” He swirls the wine in his glass before reaching for a sample.

“Tartiflette.” He says, taking a win where he could get it. Of course his husband wouldn’t ever admit that Tony was right about something. “It’s similar to au gratin potato’s… but with bacon.”

“Hmmh.” His tail gives a lazy flick. “Once you get out of the cold it isn’t so bad… what is this you have brought?”

He makes his way over to the couch with two plates of Tartiflette in his hands. Tony sets the plates down on the low table in front of them before taking his seat beside Dreuer. “See? This isn’t so bad, is it?”

It’s almost just like home, so long as he remains indoors. Dreuer, as he is so often predisposed to do, has found himself a spot on a large leather chesterfield sofa beside an open fire, and has scavenged a bottle of red wine for his own nefarious purposes. The sleeves of his black turtleneck sweater are rolled up and he is comfortably reclined. Perhaps leaving the house is acceptable. Sometimes.

Thirsty? The main area of the lodge has a bar to help many visitors rest and refresh. Cozy up with a hot drink, or cool off with a refreshing beverage. Either way, you’re in for a treat.

2

Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

alvilda_

Yltrin

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