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[Eustace remains completely out of it, both his mind and body exhausted from the double whammy of the enchantment and the alcohol. Valo does eye Ilsa a little questioningly... But he just snugs close to Eustace to give her some more room.

...

Until at some point the dog feels a bit crowded between the two of them. Eustace had fully turned to hug him as usual, but it also meant being a little cramped. With a little grumble, he slips out from under Eustace's arms and moves to the other side of his legs where he curls up much more comfortably.

However, the movement had roused Eustace just enough to notice that Valo had moved, but not enough to notice anything else. It's not the first time and if the dog wants to move that's fine, but he makes a half-hearted attempt to find him again. That's when his hand reaches out and touches something warm and soft...

...And immediately pulls the body towards him, face immediately nuzzling the back of the neck with a deep exhale. It's been a long day...he's tired... He just wants to hug his dog for comfort.

Unfortunately.

That's not his dog.

Nor is that a dog's waist his arm is wrapped around nor his dog's hair that he's unconsciously nuzzling into, the sweet scent pulling him in further.]

[For Ilsa, it had been the exhaustion of running around and worrying that made her doze off as hard as she did. She only wanted to close her eyes for a few minutes, to rest her own aching head for a moment before she went to prepare some soup or something for him... or bananas... she has plenty of those, but the call of the bed had called to her. It's not even that comfortable, but it had been too enticing to resist, and sooner than later, she'd completely fallen asleep.

And is still only slightly aware of what's going on. She hadn't noticed that Eustace had wrapped his arms around her, and she's yet to realize that that's his nose nuzzled into her hair, but...

...

Still too sleepy to wake up. So, instead, she turns around to face the other way—to face him—and curls up against him instead, not even questioning the new warmth that she's found (yet) but rather, inviting it.]

[By the time she turns around he's back to deep asleep. Normally he's a lot more alert and would notice such movements, but it's just proving how exhausted he is to not notice the change, his arm instead curling more around her as his chin naturally tucks over her head.

And that's how they will be until Ilsa wakes up first.]

[It's the press of something on top of her head that has Ilsa sleepily questioning things first. Her face scrunches and her ears twitch at the breath that tickles it. She's completely forgotten in her exhaustion-induced slumber that Valo and Eustace are still here, so the fact that there's anything blowing on top of her head at all is... strange to her.

Her legs stretch out and she makes a small noise of contentment, and odd as it is at first, it does feel nice. It's so warm, but so sturdy as her hands travel around his waist and up his back... Ah, she must be dreaming...

Dreaming of a strong man laying here next to her. Of a man who holds her with such conviction and devotion, just like they do in all those books that she's read. One who keeps in good shape, too, judging by the curves of his sculpted muscles beneath her fingertips, and she presses a little more firmly.

...?

But then she feels something wet pressing to her fingers. Something wet and soft licking at them, and then a whine...

......???

Before Ilsa finally opens her eyes.

...............

And it dawns on her.

.........................

Immediately, she pushes back with a yelp, hard enough to send Eustace rolling over.]

[It's when Ilsa starts touching him that he frowns a little... But he's used to Valo sometimes bumping into him. Except... This feels different? But it's not until Ilsa yelps that his eyes snap open in time to find himself staring up at the ceiling as he's rolling off the bed, Valo also yelping as he quickly jumps out of the way in time everyone to hear the loud THUD as Eustace lands hard onto the floor.

And just.

Lies there stunned, one leg still partially hooked over the bed as he lies on the ground on his back with his eyes just staring up into the ceiling momentarily dazed before Valo quickly comes over to lick him.]

—! Hang on—Valo—

[His head is hurting again for a different reason ow.]

[She really hadn't meant to push so hard but hearing him fall over on the bed has her crawling to the other side to check on him to make sure that he's alright first, but Valo seems to already have that taken care of.

So, instead...]

How long were you holding me like that!? Save those cuddles for your dog.

[IGNORING THAT SHE WAS LITERALLY JUST FONDLING HIS MUSCLES, OKAY...]

What are you talking about?? Who was I holding?

[Just a frosty glare up at her.]

And who was the one touching who, huh?

[Well.

At least it's a sign that he's back to normal.]

No one.

[She's going straight into pure denial mode, sitting back with a huff, ignoring the dubious stare that even Valo is giving her. She will not be judged by a dog, thank you!!!]

Good to see you're back to normal.

[...Ah...

After shooting Ilsa another dubious stare and giving Valo a rough ear ruffle before pushing him aside, he finally flips himself over so he can sit on the floor, back leaning against the bed as he closes his eyes.

...Ugh.]

...It's slowly coming to me... Unfortunately.

[Because wow. WOW. HE WOULD PREFER TO HAVE BLACKED OUT AND LOSE ALL HIS MEMORIES.]

...I've troubled you a lot. Sorry.

[Understatement.]

[Understatement of the century.

But that must mean he remembers everything... so from where she sits on the bed, refusing to look over at him for more than just the peek spared his way to see him sitting up on the floor, she mutters under her breath.]

It wasn't your fault.

[Though how much he does remember still remains unanswered, but she's not going to ask again.]

I'd rather you come to me for these things... than anyone else.

[Especially when he lets other women touch his ears willy nilly like that!? Ahem.]

.......Hrm.

[It's still a bit fragmented, but he does recall.... A few things. That he rather wouldn't.

Primals to think he completely lost his mind like that—]

Even so, my behavior.......

[He can't even word it properly.]

It was... Improper and offensive towards you.

[And, well, to everyone, but she got the worst of it.

Ugh, it makes him sigh and rub his brows. He's not even sure what to make of his behavior and thoughts at the time. Any of it real? Or just part of the magic that was over him?]

I said it's fine, so quit apologizing.

[Stop talking about it like that! While most of the behaviour was indeed... strange... some of it she really should have said no to......

Speaking of that, she's going to ask the question anyway—]

Was any of that real?

[Mainly the things that happened at the end, but honestly? All of it works too, because what the hell...]

[LOOK THIS HAS BEEN A VERY. NOT GREAT EXPERIENCE OKAY.

BUT uh..

....

He's silent before he can finally answer with some resignation.]

I don't know.

[And he really doesn't.

They already established there is indeed something between them, but neither are still sure if it's genuine or influenced by the magic.]

It...felt a little similar to back at the masquerade. But stronger.

[Which is also concerning...

But he doesn't say more for now as he tries to not only remember but also process what he was thinking and feeling at the time.]

[She winces visibly and audibly at that. Stronger than the masquerade...? As if that wasn't powerful enough magic, she can't help wonder what today must have been like for him. He felt compelled to... gods forbid, smile at people, and socialize with them. Share details about his life when he is Mister "It's Classified" every other time.

So, if it were like the masquerade, then she can reasonably conclude that some of it was real. It had made her act on every impulse she had when she was under the influence of the cocktail, but did Eustace really have such impulses? What happened between them, maybe, but everything else?

Plus, he'd said all those things to her earlier, too... things that she hasn't forgotten...]

Well. [Her voice is sharp, back to the way it had been when they met again after the first incident, right back to Business. It's easier this way.] At any rate, you seem to be recovering. Let's not dwell on what happened and move forward? Unless you'd rather discuss it further.

[They've already talked this through for the most part.... and that seems like the best way to move past it is to just... do.

Clearing her throat loudly, Ilsa pushes herself off the bed.]

You should stay the night, though. Just in case.

[He doesn't mind the tone, probably preferring it. There's a lot he has to think about and recall, and his mind still feels heavy from everything.

But when he hears her get up and makes that suggestion, he frowns and starts to pull himself up to stand.]

I won't refuse, but I'll take the couch.

[She looks him up and down, a questionable brow arching.]

You won't fit comfortably on the couch.

[He's too tall for it, and if he's still feeling sick—]

I'd rather you get a comfortable night's sleep and feel refreshed in the morning. Though, with how hard you slept, I'd be surprised if you could fall asleep again for a while.

I've already caused you enough discomfort, I'm not taking your bed on top of it.

[A sigh.]

And you're not wrong... But it would be better. Not sure if it's a hangover or aftereffects of the spell... Or hitting my head on the floor that's giving me this headache.

[Probably all three.]

All three.

[Definitely.

She comes around to the other side of the bed where he is, looking him over again.]

Do you want anything? I can brew you some tea.

...Sure, that might help.

[If he recalls... He did empty out his stomach in spectacular rainbow fashion and it was mostly alcohol, anyway.

....

Come to think of it, did he eat anything at all yesterday??? No wonder drinking all those shots was a poor choice. Ugh he wants to bury his head in the ground for all that. Uugggh....]

...Do you mind if I wash up> A shower might help clear my head a little...

[And he's all gross and sweaty and ick. He should offer to wash her sheets later...]

Go ahead.

[She makes her way to the door herself. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the large fancy ensuite yet so he'll have to make do with the regular bathroom, but it will do just fine.]

I'll leave some fresh towels for you when you're finished, and the tea will be done, too.

[Considering his personality—regular is more than fine right now.]

Tha—

[GUUuRURUuUURURUUGLE.

...

.................

Yeah that was his stomach.]

[...

....

Ilsa stares at him, wide-eyed and surprised. That was... loud......

She'll try not to laugh, but there is a stifled quirk of her lip as she bites back the urge to snicker at him. No... she respects him too much to blast another hole into his dignity for today. She can laugh about it tomorrow.]

Good thing you picked up all that food. I'll heat that up for you, too.

[What would he do without her—]

[...Uuuuugggh.........

A sigh as he runs a hand through his hair.]

...Thanks.

[AND HE IS GOING TO DISAPPEAR INTO THE BATHROOM BEFORE SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS—

Valo will only follow him a few feet before deciding to leave him be and trotting over to Ilsa instead, tail wagging. He wants to help! Even if it's just keeping her company.]

[She gives Valo an affectionate pat, cooing at him for being such a good boy all day today before she's heading to the kitchen where she'll work away at preparing the food, warming it up and setting it all nicely onto plates rather than the containers they came in. She also sets out a few bananas to help with his headaches and brews hot water for fresh cups of peppermint tea. Ah, and the two dozen cream puffs as well... in case he wants dessert? Someone's going to have to help her eat all of these!

And of course, she won't forget Valo—he gets a scoop of peanut butter, but that part is their little secret. Eustace doesn't have to know.

As promised, there will be a fresh, fluffy towel hanging on the inside of the door for Eustace for when he's finished. He'll have to use her soap, though—he'll come out smelling nice and floral when he's finished. Better than the sweat and alcohol from before...

And once he's out, the two of them sit around the small table with Valo resting near Eustace's feet. There isn't much conversation to be had... Ilsa doesn't really want to talk about what happened, and she's sure that Eustace would prefer to have some space to think through it and sort his thoughts out a little more, so she doesn't push the subject, let alone broach it while they enjoy the food, the tea, and the desserts.

They're there for a while, long past Ilsa's usual bedtime. The rest of the town is surely asleep by now, the street dark outside when she glances out the window. It must be well past midnight, but she doesn't bother to check as she finishes cleaning up the dishes, setting them into the sink to wash in the morning.

It's then that she does have to present one subject—that of their sleeping arrangements.]

I still think you should just take the bed tonight.

[She's going to be a little stubborn about this.]

A good night's sleep will do wonders for that head of yours.

Edited 2023-05-18 03:21 (UTC)

[The shower does him wonders, especially for helping to clear his head. He'll take a little longer than usual as he lets the water massage his head, the pressure of the water soothing. Of course... In the process he ends up thinking more and more about what transpired. Of how he woke up in the morning feeling oddly.... "Peppy" and trying on those godawful clothes. Of chasing after Valo in said godawful clothes and his behavior towards Ilsa...

Seriously, what he had been?? A child??? He wants to slam his head against the wall, but he refrains, instead letting out a longwinded sigh as he picks up the soap... And recognizing it as the scent that Ilsa uses. Normally this wouldn't matter, but this also spurs on other memories that he wants to slap himself over. He's already recalled them, but he really wish he hadn't. Wishing he hadn't acted in such a way that once more makes him question everything about himself.

What was real.

What was fake.

What was real but he didn't realize it.

The fact that this all happened towards Ilsa... Whatever more intimate feelings he might have aside, he still respects her as a friend and colleague. He can only be grateful she hasn't struck him down, though she had every right to. Really, he feels more guilty about that than anything.

His pride has certainly taken hits, but he doesn't care about what other people think. Ilsa on the other hand...

Seeing the towel waiting for him only sinks that guilt in further, and after drying up and changing back into his clothes, seeing her with that food prepared somehow makes it worse. She should be sending him packing, not taking care of him.

...

So while he is genuinely thankful and says as much as he joins her, there is that awkward silence as he continues to wonder and process everything. How this magic stripped him of his will and changed him completely. He's at least come more to terms with everything else—there's not much he can do but that, really. Dwelling on the rest of it won't get him anywhere, and really making a fool of himself while drunk is the least of his worries.

It's just Ilsa... And since she seems okay then... He won't press into it, either. He's not going to forget, that's for certain, but there's not really much more that can be said. He still can't answer the question she asked earlier—whether any of it was real.

Because he still doesn't know.

Still doesn't know if it was because of the magic and the alcohol or if they just helped those feelings come out.

...And perhaps because of that ambiguity, he's going to be stern right back at her.]

I won't be able to have one if I know I made you sleep elsewhere. I can sleep on the couch or even on the floor, it's fine.

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