private PSL

[srsbznss]

[Part of the problem with being a financial advisor, Ali realized, was that it meant he had to work. And it wasn't even the fun kinds of 'work' like stacking coins and sorting them by the quality of their gold or silver, oh no. The king had made it quite clear that any coin-counting was to be done only when requested, or outside of working hours. No, Ali had to do things like read and fill out paperwork, or run analytics on tax revenue and what kind of surplus or expenditures there were in the quarter. Or, at the very least, he had to assign all of that work to one of his several secretaries. After all, he at to at least keep up the appearances of being a financial advisor, and over the last few decades he had gotten pretty good at that. It wasn't impossible, but it also wasn't nearly as fun as counting coins.

Of course, he would get odd looks if he just sat around counting coins all day. To anyone else looking in, they did not see the fearsome dragon Aligrezoph, guardian of the kingdom's treasury. They saw Ali, a normal- albeit quirky- man who kept a very small social circle in the finance department and spent most of his days trying to keep expenditures to a minimum while saving up as much as he could. All for the kingdom's benefit, of course. It totally wasn't so there would be an even bigger pile of coins for Ali to count on his breaks.

Indeed, most who looked at Ali would just see an average-looking man. shoulder-length black hair tied back with a black ribbon, piercing blue eyes, a perpetual frown stuck on his face in most situations. A lean body that was more built for flexibility and speed than strength, and a very simple style of dress in neutral colors. He looked every bit like a stuffy accountant, though Ali would argue that he wasn't really THAT stuffy. He was just comfortable with the form!

He also would not talk about his other form under any circumstances.

On that day, Ali had an armful of expense reports with him. There was to be a meeting, and he had stayed up all night with two of his secretaries preparing these reports. With the midsummer festival coming up, the festivities had to be decided upon and paid for. And, as usual, Ali wanted to keep the expenses as low as possible. For the good of the kingdom, of course. Ultimately his team had prepared a few possible expense reports, with varying amounts spent on decorations, hiring out staff, and paying guards for keeping the peace. Any one of his plans would be acceptable, but Ali was sure that someone would complain. There was always someone who complained and called him a 'coin-pinching cheapskate', but those complaints had picked up more in recent years. Already Ali was annoyed just from the thought of the argument that would happen that day when he butted heads with a certain other advisor. Sparks would fly as usual, and these weren't the good kind of sparks.

But Ali was willing to give it a chance. As people arrived at the meeting- a meeting between the king and his dozen or so advisors in the various ways of running the kingdom- Ali worked to lay out one set of expense reports at each desk. It was only two pages of paper per table spot, so hopefully everyone liked to read!

Of course, when Ali passed a certain advisor, he had to fight the urge to make a snide comment. Instead, he just held out the two-page document to him, trying not to show too much contempt when he spoke.]

Do take care of those papers, will you? My staff stayed up all night finishing them.

[He was a dragon in hiding, not a snake in hiding, but his words still had bite to them.]

Comments

[srsbznss]

[Ohhhh boy. Ali is torn between being offended at the very suggestion that dragons buy their mates, and abject mortification at the fact that Ali's own words have been twisted to give that impression. It does get him to stop fussing about with his hair though, as he slaps his desk with one hand and turns sharply to look at Concord and spit out the best response he can muster.]

That is not how dragons go about such affairs! And that- it's not hoarding, it's being economically responsible!

[It absolutely is hoarding. Though it's not done to win mates over, it's done out of the greed and possessiveness all dragons feel.

That possessiveness does translate over to courtship and finding mates though, which is why it's difficult to court a dragon.]

[virtuesignal]

If that is not it, then what is the way? Color me intrigued, now. I don't know much of dragonkind.

[He's honest in that, even if his tone is rather teasing. Concord hasn't gotten a rise out Ali in this way before. How novel, flustering him rather than purely frustrating him.

Of course, Concord might be embarrassed in turn, if it was pointed out to him the he started on this topic. So. It sounds strangely like he's trying to get Ali to direct him in his be to go about courting the dragon.]

[srsbznss]

[The fact that Concord is being honest here is probably the part that makes it the most difficult to answer. If he were being an ass on purpose, Ali could just kick him out. But for as stony of a look as Concord gave everyone normally, there's always been this naive honesty to what he says, and Ali just can't overlook that. Even if Concord did just imply that he is interested in learning how to court dragons, Ali is sure that he didn't actually mean to imply that. It must just be curiosity.

So Ali does give an answer, but he still sounds quite flustered as he does so.]

Just so you know, I'm only answering such a ridiculous question so you don't embarrass yourself in front of other dragons with your banal curiosity.

[He takes a breath, and then-]

Not all dragons hoard- collect gold. [He has to immediately correct his word usage there, because of Concord's 'hoarding' comment previously.] A collection can be of anything. If one were to court a dragon, they would need to learn what it is the dragon collects. It's not as simple as 'gold' or 'jewels', there's always something more specific behind it. My mother collected shields, but only the metal ones that could be polished up nice and shiny. Shields of other materials like wood, or ones that were too rough to be polished, were discarded.

[He uses his mother as an example instead of himself on purpose. Because he does not want to accidentally imply that he would like to be courted. Especially not by a unicorn that he butts heads with on a regular basis.

...he is reasonably sure he does not want to be courted by a unicorn that he butts heads with on a regular basis. Probably. It's something he is talking himself out of.]

[virtuesignal]

Let us avoid bringing your own mother into this discussion.

[Concord will prod and poke at Ali all the livelong day.

Even just insinuating that Ali's mother is a whore, however, is beneath the unicorn. He won't go there. Such disrespect should be properly directed and not merely incidental.]

I have only ever seen you covet coins. The implication you present is that with enough money, one could purchase their way to your affection.

[srsbznss]

Why should we avoid- you know what? Forget that part. The important part is that it's not just about money. It's about understanding. You probably wouldn't like it if someone shoved good food at you and said "here, like me because I fed you", right?

[Ali is quickly realizing that he doesn't actually know about Concord's likes and dislikes, so it's a little difficult to explain the nuance here. Explanations of nuance might be wasted anyway.]

And when you're looking for...'companionship', you need that understanding about whomever you end up trying to woo. Humans are a bit more straightforward than dragons, so it should be easy for you to pick up on.

[Is he implying that Concord is too dense to woo a dragon? Yes. Yes he is.]

[virtuesignal]

[Dense is certainly a word that describes Concord. He's stubborn, some might call mulish, a funny thing to call something so pure as a unicorn. He often misses the obvious or trods right over more common sense because of his own views. This doesn't mean he isn't curious, or able to reach understanding, it simply doesn't come so easily.

He does consider what Ali is saying, he does try to understand, instead of just trample ahead]

No. No, I think I am beginning to grasp. It is not about the item given. It is about the gesture of giving the correct gift. A display of thoughtfulness and not of value. Yes?

[his nose twitches, considering if he knew correctly that dragons prefer wine over mead. Did he get that mixed up?

Wait, it shouldn't matter. It's no gift to wo Ali with, Concord did not bring it to earn any favor. It was merely a gesture of good faith, he doesn't give anything with an expectation of gratitude.]

[srsbznss]

Yes, exactly.

[He gets that much at least, which is good. Ali is not the best at explaining things to begin with, he assumes a baseline level of knowledge in everyone he interacts with and gets easily frustrated whenever someone doesn't have the life experiences he is expecting them to have. Which might be why he butts heads with Concord so much, honestly.

Ali rubs at his temple with one hand while his other nudges the slate to the side. No more numbers today, this conversation has exhausted his mind. Instead, he's going to go ahead and open that wine bottle. Concord had been right there, dragons do prefer wine to mead. And while Ali doesn't make a habit of drinking in the office, he does have a stash of glasses for use on the odd day when a drink is needed. Usually it's his secretaries making use of said glasses though, not him. But regardless, he gets up from his desk long enough to grab two glasses from the shelf, along with a corkscrew.]

Normally this would be better served with dinner, but tonight can be an exception I think.

[He will absolutely be pouring Concord a glass, unless Concord says no first.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord nods in understanding, watching Ali as he gets fed up with his work and moves to fiddle with the wine. Ah, so he will share? That's interesting. Concord wonders to himself if that's out of a need in Ali to drink just to put up with him or a genuine act of graciousness.

It could be both, he assesses.

Concord will accept the glass when handed over, unicorns only binge drinking or becoming slovenly as a vice. The drink itself, in fair moderation, is no sin. Unicorns also prefer wine. He swirls it momentarily, before humming in consideration. The previous topic is not off his mind-]

So. What you are saying is if I brought you, say, a coin each day to your liking- Even if they coin stood for little value by its own merit- you would consider that a mating ritual?

[-nor is his desire to rile Ali up further gone. That is very fun to do.]

Or would you know I was making fun of you? [He sips his wine before adding, with a little smirk]

[srsbznss]

[It can be both, and it somewhat is. If Ali is going to be talking about courtship with anyone, he would like to be a little tipsy for it. Then maybe he can avoid thinking about how he's never had the chance for romantic dalliances in his life.

He hands one glass over to Concord, and he keeps the second for himself. But before he can even take a sip, Concord asks that question. It makes Ali pause, and then he adds a bit more wine to his glass before he drinks from it.]

Since you mentioned it now, I would know you were making fun of me. [He could leave it at that, but.] But yes, that is the general idea for dragons. 'Value' as it is understood by humans matters little to a dragon, they assign value to something based on their own preferences. For instance, the gold coins are worth more in the human economy, but I prefer the silver ones.

[All coins are good, but silver in particular looks good against his black scales. There's a reason why, when he does sleep in the treasury, he sleeps among the silver coins.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord is genuinely surprised that Ali is telling him so much, even when being teased. It isn't that Concord wants to demean him or harm his feelings. This is just... their rapport. Their particular bond. He's not sure how else to speak with Ali, that isn't in some bit combative. A rivalry of push and pull. Concord wonders if he'll be pushed back on, soon enough.]

The shinier the better, I take it? I thought you wore silver to simply not appear... gauche. The treasurer flaunting too much wealth would project corruption. [if Ali just prefers the look of silver, that is interesting, something Concord didn't know and would not have guessed. He figured the look was a reputational tactic, to not look so wealthy as to be suspiciously enriched by his station,]

[srsbznss]

[Part of him does want to push back, but another part of him keeps saying 'he brought you wine, he's trying'. Heavens know why, but Ali can try to be slightly more tolerable. Slightly.

He does roll his eyes at the shiny comment though. It's true, but Concord doesn't need to point it out. Silver needs to be worn tastefully, especially when you're already small to begin with. Too much and it looks like you're overcompensating.]

Well I can't look corrupt when I have to work with a pure, innocent being like a unicorn, now can I? Imagine the rumors there: evil dragon tries to corrupt the king while the brave unicorn protects the king's honor.

[And there's the push back. He's trying, but even he can't avoid the comments forever. Especially since he doesn't usually get to talk about the whole dragon thing, given everyone's perceptions of dragons as 'big and dangerous if you cross them'.]

[virtuesignal]

Haa... [A genuine, if short bit of a laugh. Concord's voice is nice, deep and yet very clear. He didn't often sound even that amused,]

I would not stand for that kind of treacherous talk. You do well by the King and our people. Even if we don't see eye-to-eye, it would be dishonorable of me to not recognize your valor. [as for if he is pure or innocent, such terms often applied to unicorns by mortals, Concord looks somewhat self conscious. Unicorns have their own code of morality and ethics. If they appear righteous to humans or dragons, it is only because others have far looser standards for their own kind than the unicorns uphold. Concord supposes higher populations must be more lenient within their own groups, as there are simply so many more of them...]

[srsbznss]

[For a dragon like Ali, who grew up on the losing side of a 'might makes right' society, any kind of morals is an improvement. Even the finicky court of nobles with their ever-complicated social rules is an improvement. So unicorns, to him at least, look like paragons of all that is right and good in the world.

Maybe that's why Ali gets so irritated with Concord sometimes. Ali isn't naturally evil or anything, but somehow Concord always looks better than him. Though in this moment, he's genuinely touched by those words, partially because he knows Concord actually means it.]

The valor of counting coins and making sure taxes are paid in full?

[It's said with a joking tone, but it's all because Ali does feel slightly self-conscious now. He's not strong, he's not impressive, and he certainly doesn't think anything he's done recently counts as 'valor'. He's an accountant. Even if he works for the good of the kingdom, he doesn't think that his work is particularly impressive when compared to things like guarding the kingdom or being the king's shield.]

[virtuesignal]

Yes.

[said with a swift and precise confidence, unwavering as Concord might be on any serious matter. Not a joke, not a jab, but an assertion of fact. He takes a swig of his wine after, then moves slightly aside, freeing room on the lounge seat besides him. He pats it, a gesture to join him.]

You do important work, Ali. I would never deny you that pride. Money makes no sense to my kind. The King needs your mind as much as he needs my sword arm. In times of peace, even more of you than of I.

[srsbznss]

[There is a long pause there, because really, he hadn't been expecting an answer like that. He probably should have, Concord is just so ridiculously honest like that. But somehow this unicorn still surprises Ali again and again.

After that stunned pause though, Ali breaks out into a small smile. It's a rarity on him, as he usually smirks in victory when he's doing anything besides being a grump, but it's a genuine smile. His words are similarly less biting and more genuine sounding too.]

You know, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.

[A far cry from the usual bickering they have.

It's that kindness there, that perplexing confidence in his words that normally annoys Ali, which actually wins him over this time. He does get up from his desk, and he'll go over to join Concord at the couch.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord gets caught up in that smile. Attractive. Has he ever seen much of a smile from Ali before? Maybe not like that one. Not a soft, earnest smile, not a smile the way a smile should be.

His mind immediately splits between two responses. The first, that of breezy charm, "I shall do one better; you have a dashing smile". The second, repentance "I'm sorry to have been unkind to you". Neither turn out to be fully within his character to voice.

This is Ali, after all, they are something of rivals. He does not need to treat the man with such tenderness. The urge to do so should leave him, he thinks, it would be better left unexpressed.

He blows more air out of his nose, looking sidelong as Ali takes his seat.]

Do not grow accustomed to it. [there's the Concord Ali knows well, though it's said without his usual firmness. He sips his wine before straightening himself forward, realizing his wide armed relaxing onto the lounge put one arm at Ali's back.

That urge returns, of tenderness, of affectionate comradery, and he cuts the legs out from his own words by reaching for Ali and playfully ruffle his hair.]

[srsbznss]

[That's more of the Concord that Ali knows, and the familiarity does feel a bit better. It would be too strange if they were suddenly all buddy-buddy best friends, he thinks. With how long they have been butting heads, it can't change overnight. Especially not when Ali still technically lost one of their 'battles' that day, he would never settle for a loss.

The hair ruffle does get Ali's attention though, and the smile drops into an irritated look. That's his hair!]

Gah!

[Funny noises aside, Ali's immediate response is to reach out to grab for Concord's braid and tug on it. Not too firmly, since this transgression isn't one that deserves actual pain, but it's enough of a tug to be revenge for the hair-ruffling. A tit for tat in terms of mussing hair, basically.]

[virtuesignal]

Nghh-..! [Concord also makes... a noise. Not the same kind of frustrated that Ali exclaimed. Much more down in a chest, heartier and less yelped out. One might call it a moan, he's embarrassed to consider that's what it sounds like.

His hair being pulled is a different beast, unicorn hair being a particularly sensitive thing!]

How dare you- Ali..! [what's this, is he a bit red in the face? From anger, certainly, not anything else]

[srsbznss]

[That sure is a noise. It's not the one Ali had been expecting, and he's left sitting there looking dumbfounded.]

Did- did you just moan?

[He has not let go of Concord's braid. He would have, but he's too shocked by this revelation to even think of moving right now.]

[virtuesignal]

Do not- do not call it that-! Unhand me, dragon. [Outrage!!

And also... he seems entirely held in place by Ali's hold on his braid. He could easily pull away or bat at the dragon, but seems strangely reluctant to do so.

He is glaring flustered daggers, eyebrows crumpled down harshly over his flushed cheeks and nose]

[srsbznss]

[This is putting way too much power into Ali's hands. And truth be told, if Concord had given a better answer Ali would have accepted it and let go. But to deny the moan like that, well. Ali has to run with it.]

What's wrong then? Does it bother you when I do this?

[He tugs the braid again when he says 'this'. The smirk on his face says he knows exactly what he's doing too. Having the upper hand for a moment is nice, especially since he's making Concord flustered after a day of being flustered by Concord's actions.

He'll let go in a moment if Concord says to, but he needs this moment to have a tiny bit of revenge. As a treat.]

[virtuesignal]

Bother... is not the word..!

[Ali is in luck, because Concord doesn't seem to have the will to protest. He arches a bit into that tug and that noise escapes him again, this time with more attempt to withhold it.

Which, sad for him, just makes the sound more desperate. Then his face flushes more, bright red against his pale skin, the constellation like beauty marks practically glow against the blush.

Ali will need to have mercy]

[srsbznss]

[Oh this is a wonderful new discovery that Ali is going to make sure to use on occasion. Dragons are not nearly as honorable as unicorns, and while it is slightly embarrassing to know that Concord is being affected so much, the enjoyment of watching the man squirm outweighs that. Ali is tempted to give it a third tug, but he relents for the moment. A useful tool is best not over-used, after all.]

Well what word would you use then?

[He's not tugging, but he still has a hold of that braid. Concord's answer will decide if Ali has mercy or not.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord responds with a terrible honesty, because the only word that speaks any truth to him is aroused, but he won't just say that. Not to Ali! That's not what this meeting was supposed to be about. Giving the dragon that admission after their prior conversation-?

He can't give that kind of a win,]

You do not want to know that.

[srsbznss]

[The cheeky grin on Ali's face says that he already knows the answer. But that kind of honesty is funny here, so he'll relent for the moment.

Which means, instead of tugging on the braid once more, Ali turns the end of it towards Concord and pokes him in the ear with it. But once that bit of teasing is done, he'll let go of the braid.]

I didn't know you could turn that shade of red. I think you went darker than the wine.