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

[virtuesignal]

Some refused outright. Some gave me numbers even I could tell were outrageous. Some were jumping at the chance to make more coin. I denoted the last with a star.

[His notes are orderly. Concord has soldier names organized by regiment and then listed handily by their answer, refusal or negotiation, with their price listed if the latter. Some have absurd numbers, to the point that maybe they thought Concord was joking. Concord took them quite serious, diligently noting even the smart asses in his brigades. It should be easy enough for Ali to sort and determine a baseline bonus to be allotted and shared.

Concord leans back in the seat his took, taking a long breath in, basking within the space. It is quite pleasant, once settled. All paper and ink and Ali's smokey sort of scent. Even if the unicorn feels out of place, the cramped feeling is being overtaken by a certain coziness.

He also won't ask for a drink of that wine. Knowing Ali, it will be horded away rather than shared.]

We had many of our finest begin new families, this year. I could tell they felt strife at the choice. Provide more coin or provide more of their time.

[Concord thinks it a shame that some would choose luxuries over bonding, but mortals can make their own decisions. He does not need to coddle them...]

[srsbznss]

[For a moment Ali is actually impressed by Concord's note-taking skills. This is the same man who just ate Ali's budget report, after all, he's always questioned the unicorn's ability to do anything even remotely academic. But this information is actually quite useful to Ali, and the way his eyebrows shoot right up to his hairline as he reads through it all is a sure sign that his expectations have been surpassed. He won't verbally praise Concord, but the thought is there.

Looking through the numbers, Ali's first instinct is to give everyone what they request and not a coin more. Everyone has named their price, so it would be easy to just pick the lowest-priced guards and meet their expectations. But Ali has to stop that train of thought right there, because guards do talk to each other and they would quickly realize any unfairness in wages. No, they all had to be paid the same amount, whatever that amount may be. Already his mind is running calculations, piecing together a price point that hits enough of the guards that the rest will follow after the majority. Stating it in terms of a percentage of their usual pay might be useful here too, Ali realizes. His hand is flying over the slate, scrawling out calculations in chalk with a quick, practiced ease. He's so practiced at this that he can write out numbers while talking to Concord even, displaying his ability to split his attention while not meaning to show off.]

It should be safe to let them spend time with their families, the most trouble we should see at the festival are those who have a bit too much to drink. Just having a presence around should dissuade most troublemakers.

[Indeed, the kingdom is going through a period of relative peace. The last true wars ended when the king ascended to the throne some twenty years ago, and relations with neighboring countries are cordial. Peace won't last forever, Ali knows this all too well, but it should last for some time yet. Strife tends to make itself known long before it boils over, should one watch for the signs.]

I suppose the pay should be based on position too...speaking of which, do you intend to work for the festival?

[The question is, from Ali's point of view, a practical one. As the Knight Commander, Concord's wages would be the highest, should he choose to work for the extra pay. Ali would need to account for that in his calculations too.]

[virtuesignal]

[Concord sits back in the seat he chose, a lounger that he could stretch his arms out over the back of to rest. He watches Ali work, more attentive than at the meeting, if expression that of casual interest.

They had been bickering so long it almost felt... performative. Like they were expected to, in front of others. It wasn't fair to say that the King desired them to be at odds, but it did benefit him to have different viewpoints. If they got along perfectly, there would be less reason to speak up. It's conflicting as it is clever of their dear King. Concord understands the benefits of setting them up like that.

He tries to not sound combative to answer, tone subtly playful even, with a quirk of his head]

I do intend to. Does that mean I shall get a bonus from you, Ali?

[srsbznss]

[Conflicting opinions led to a more nuanced approach to problems, or at least the king had always said. Ali is too stubborn for his own good and butts heads with people frequently, often because he feels offended that some upstart human thinks they know better than someone who has been alive for generations. He can't explain that, of course, but that is the source of a lot of his irritation. Damn kids need to get off of his lawn, that kind of thing.

Ali can at least recognize that Concord is different in that regard. Though Concord is younger- probably, he's assuming here but there's no way Concord could be as old as Ali himself is- he is not nearly as naive or inexperienced as young humans tend to be. Concord's opinions were contrary to Ali's a lot of the time, but they were at least well-informed and thought through. As much as Ali hated to admit to 'losing' an argument, he didn't really have to worry about Concord's opinions leading to absolute disaster. That deserved...well okay, maybe not praise, but some consideration.

At Concord's words, though, Ali just sighed and erased a couple numbers from his calculations to change to slightly bigger numbers.]

I don't intend to make anyone work for free, so yes you would.

[Perhaps Concord wanted to let one more newlywed spend the festival with their spouse. Ali supposed that was a noble gesture. Not that he would know, he had never taken a mate so he didn't know about those kinds of attachments.

Ali finished scrawling out a few more numbers, and then he finally looks up to Concord. It's a bit strange to have the man still here, they did spend a lot of time bickering rather than actually talking, but it's not unpleasant. When Concord isn't being an ass on purpose (he assumes it is on purpose at least) he's not so bad to be around. Ali thinks back to that gift of wine, and he wonders briefly if he should grab a couple glasses and have them share it tonight.

Almost as a joke, Ali adds one last line:]

Unless you're the type who prefers an extended vacation later in the year.

[virtuesignal]

[Concord sees him shift at the comment and waves a hand, a "stop, stop" gesture at him seemingly rework his notes]

Whatever you would have given me, use towards the soldiers. I do not need benefit. [an actual moral stance is that Concord would never advocate for his subordinates to get a bonus and then enrich himself. Money is something he's.... chronically poor at keeping hold of. The unicorn immediately spends anything he's given, seeing no reason to hold onto it when it's whole purpose is to be given or exchanged away. He has his basic needs and his finery, those were gifted to him courtesy of the King, so Concord does not feel any need to hold a reserve when others could be using money.

A vacation makes him puff air out of his nose, one of his more horse-like expressions in this human form.]

And leave you to lord over the kingdom, unopposed? I dare not.

[srsbznss]

[Once again Ali finds himself surprised by Concord. He doesn't want additional compensation? Perhaps Ali is just too used to how humans can be when it comes to riches, because in the end humans always looked out for themselves. An action might benefit the group, but individual members of said group are more inclined to go along with it if they get a benefit themselves. And indeed, those with power do try to get on Ali's good side to get special access to the kingdom's funds. Not once has Ali ever cracked, but those conversations never escape his notice.

Maybe it's because Concord is a unicorn, Ali says to himself. They're supposed to be pure and altruistic, at least according to the legends. Maybe this is Concord's way of being altruistic.]

What would you want, then? If not money or time, then something else?

[virtuesignal]

Want? What more is there to want for? [he asks quite sincerely, if bored in his tone. He has all he needs and just what he could want; purpose in a land to protect and the comfort of fine living. He considers what more there is than that.

With a very dull naivety, Concord is still leveled in his gaze to ask,]

Companionship-? That cannot be granted with money.

[if this was with his own men, they would immediately razz him, "Sir Concord, the kingdom has brothels!" This obvious fact completely escapes him in the moment. As a unicorn, he is genuinely too innocent of ideals for the thought to cross his mind. Of course, when he says companionship, he means it quite chastely. Someone to spend time with is the only thing he could consider wanting beyond his basic needs and reasonable luxuries.]

[srsbznss]

[Ali has so many answers to that first question, but he sputters on his own words the moment Concord says 'companionship.'

Admittedly, Ali doesn't have any first-hand experience in the matter either. Being a dragon of his very small stature, he isn't exactly popular with other dragons. And he never really considered anyone beyond other dragons, so he had remained chaste through the centuries. But while he is chaste, he is not nearly as innocent as Concord is. Ali has lived among humans long enough to at least understand the concept of amorous activities- his good hearing is as much a curse as it is a blessing- so even without practical experience he can fill in the blanks on what 'companionship' would mean to most people. He is absolutely making those same assumptions here too, and it's a bit jarring to imagine a unicorn being interested in such things.]

Well- that is-

[He struggles to recover from that slip of Concord's tongue, and he looks visibly frazzled as he starts fussing with his hair and tucking a few stray strands behind his ear. How is he even supposed to respond to this? His mental image of this man has been ruined forever.]

I'm not exactly sure what companionship you're looking for, but generally speaking, more money would help with that. Courting isn't cheap.

[virtuesignal]

[Concord quirks his head further at the reaction that gets. Ali is fidgeting, fussing about with his hair. The unicorn wouldn't think that something so common would make the dragon squirm about. He's much too frank to not find that amusing, though he doesn't show that on his face. He stays stoney of expression, his tone turning more curious than disinterested]

I do not think I would be interested in the sort of courting that would require a show of wealth, Ali. Is that how dragons go about such affairs?

[A pause, a real sturdy pause before Concord interjects with just, such a call out it]

If that is the case, it lends me a very different understanding of all your coin hording.

[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.]