[ Nikolai lets out a small, surprised laugh at that compliment. Of course, Noah has no way of knowing just how funny his words are. Nikolai's good looks are, after all, an almost perfect replica of his father's. His biological father, that is, who is decidedly not the former king of Ravka. Or any kind of royalty at all. Nikolai's handsome precisely because he's a bastard.
But he's not going to say that out loud, of course. His parentage may be an open secret in his own world, but that doesn't mean he's ever ever ever going to confirm it, apart from with his very closest allies. ]
I suppose I must look like one, since you guessed right away. But will you do me a favor, Noah? I'm trying to keep the whole royal situation discreet, while I'm here.
[ He sets one gloved finger to his lips, eyes still dancing with mirth. ]
Could we maybe keep this between us?
[ Nikolai knows people; he knows that a fast way to make friends is to give people a little secret of yours to keep. It makes them feel special for having the information, and inclined to help, especially since it asks very little actual work on their part.
Nikolai smiles at Noah, all hopeful and handsome. It's not that he's consciously trying to be manipulative. It's just that this is how his mind works. He had long ago deeply internalized the idea that no one would ever love him, and so he'd begun teaching himself strategies to make himself irresistibly charming to anyone and everyone.
He shrugs off the comment about Vasily, letting the matter drop there. There's not much about his brother's life or death that makes very pleasant conversation, so he'll spare Noah the details. Much more fascinating is the question of translation, as well as concepts from other worlds. ]
You must be, which is a marvel because I've never heard of a language called 'English'. But I do know about flip books! There was a soldier in my regiment who spent his free time drawing some that were decidedly not intended for kids.
[ He follows Noah into the apartment, back to the room with the bed in it. Nikolai approaches it, his head tilting to the side with interest as he takes it in. Very workable, he thinks. He drops to his knees without ceremony, examining it closely, trying to get a sense of where the various parts are joined together and what tools he'll need to deconstruct it. ]
No, nobody needs that. How does one recognize a cursed bed?
[ There's no teasing in his voice, only pure curiosity. For all he knows, curses are real and quite serious business in Noah's world. ]
no subject
But he's not going to say that out loud, of course. His parentage may be an open secret in his own world, but that doesn't mean he's ever ever ever going to confirm it, apart from with his very closest allies. ]
I suppose I must look like one, since you guessed right away. But will you do me a favor, Noah? I'm trying to keep the whole royal situation discreet, while I'm here.
[ He sets one gloved finger to his lips, eyes still dancing with mirth. ]
Could we maybe keep this between us?
[ Nikolai knows people; he knows that a fast way to make friends is to give people a little secret of yours to keep. It makes them feel special for having the information, and inclined to help, especially since it asks very little actual work on their part.
Nikolai smiles at Noah, all hopeful and handsome. It's not that he's consciously trying to be manipulative. It's just that this is how his mind works. He had long ago deeply internalized the idea that no one would ever love him, and so he'd begun teaching himself strategies to make himself irresistibly charming to anyone and everyone.
He shrugs off the comment about Vasily, letting the matter drop there. There's not much about his brother's life or death that makes very pleasant conversation, so he'll spare Noah the details. Much more fascinating is the question of translation, as well as concepts from other worlds. ]
You must be, which is a marvel because I've never heard of a language called 'English'. But I do know about flip books! There was a soldier in my regiment who spent his free time drawing some that were decidedly not intended for kids.
[ He follows Noah into the apartment, back to the room with the bed in it. Nikolai approaches it, his head tilting to the side with interest as he takes it in. Very workable, he thinks. He drops to his knees without ceremony, examining it closely, trying to get a sense of where the various parts are joined together and what tools he'll need to deconstruct it. ]
No, nobody needs that. How does one recognize a cursed bed?
[ There's no teasing in his voice, only pure curiosity. For all he knows, curses are real and quite serious business in Noah's world. ]