The Shadow of Winter

[immortalrose]

WHO: Augustine & whomever joins (open prompts below)
WHERE: Throughout most of Stygia (the Barrens, The Harbors, and maybe a few other locations.)
WHEN: December catch-all & event prompts
WHAT: Winter was never his favorite time of the year, especially since the winter always seemed to last forever.
WARNINGS: Mentions of self-harm, suicide ideations, possible violence, and maybe cuddling?

[ Hey, folks! I'm still on hiatus but I wanted to put up a few prompts for this month's event. I'll be tagging in and out throughout the week, so please be patient. If you would like to plot with me, feel free to drop me a DM or hit me up on devillady. I'm always more than happy to make a starter or two. So don't be shy. Also, you're welcome to make your own starters as well. ]


PLOTTING 🌹 EVENT🌹 WILDCARD

Comments

I. COLD HANDS, WARM HEART

[immortalrose]

[Even with the fireplace lit, Augustine struggles to keep warm. This brutal chill that has come this winter is enough to make everyone shudder.

He should’ve heeded Gilia’s warning about the approach of winter, especially since the cold is almost too much for him to bear. Even while drinking nothing but hot tea, the frigid arctic air is a bit too harsh for poor Augustine. The tips of his fingers feel numb along with the pointy tips of his ears. It’s a maddening situation, one that is impossible to ignore. Nothing seems to keep him warm. Not the crackling fire at the fireplace or the many blankets he wrapped around himself. Augustine feels deathly cold right now, almost as if his entire body is slowly being frozen stiff by this oppressive chill. He did all he could to weatherproof his little cottage but nothing seems capable of keeping the heat within.

Augustine takes a few sips of his tea before eventually placing it back upon the little white saucer. The tea is already lukewarm at this point, quickly losing heat as the windy gusts outside continue to blow fiercely outside. A tense sigh escapes the dhampir as he reaches for his phone. The temperature is continuing to dip even lower this evening. At this rate, all of Stygia is bound to succumb under sheets of ice as the howling winds and constant snowfall continue to pelt the city.

Just what is he supposed to do? Augustine swears he can hear his bones rattling at this point. This is just maddening.

Now curled up by the fire, he was just about to fall asleep when he heard a knock at the door. At first, he assumed it to be nothing more than a figment of his imagination. That is until he heard an even louder knock.

Just who would be crazy enough to brave the cold in this kind of weather?]

[windsongs]

[ Her go-to person whenever it comes to anything plant related (and a terrible enabler, since she's started to collect a few for her Home as well), Augustine is on her regular check-in list. She knows that he's ill, but she doesn't make a big deal about it; it's an incredibly uncomfortable and perhaps a bit intimate problem to have. And the last thing she will do is judge.

So he has to deal with her fussing and making regular wellness checks.

While she's been out and away from Stygia proper, it's been about a week since she last saw him. It might come as a surprise when there is a gentle knocking at his door, followed by a muffled "Augustine, are you home?" from the other side.

Held in her arm is a small basket, the only indication of what's in there being a baguette poking out from underneath the cloth. If he doesn't answer by the second pair of knocks, Hibiki is going to try to enter. ]

[immortalrose]

[Anyone who's managed to befriend the dapper florist always ends up with a couple of flowers and plants because of him. That’s just a general rule of thumb at this point, especially since opening this boutique. However, business has slowed to a crawl thanks to the unpleasant weather. While Augustine had the foresight to move his precious flowers indoors thanks to Gilia’s behest, he still wasn’t quite prepared. The frigid air never suited him, especially now.

It doesn’t take him long to recognize that voice but he couldn’t help but look surprised nonetheless once he opens the door. There is Hibiki dressed in her warmest clothes carrying what seems to be a small basket of goods and food judging from the baguette. He blinked owlishly at her for a moment, his tired red gaze focused on the baguette. Food was the last thing on his mind lately, especially since this awful weather began. Just the sight of the bread reminds him that he hasn’t eaten anything for a few days now. Just tea, really.

Not particularly healthy at all.]

Ah, welcome!

[He manages to say once he realizes he was staring. Without ado, he steps aside to let the young woman inside. After all, it’s bloody cold out and he doesn’t want to let the heat out.]

What brings you here on such a dreadful day? You’ll catch a cold at this rate.

[windsongs]

[ Augustine, you aren't allowed to be like her. But the small blonde had anticipated that he likely wasn't getting much, holed up in his home as he is. It's unusual to not see the red-haired man wandering around Stygia.

He doesn't have to tell her twice; the moment he steps aside, Hibiki shuffles in, shivering as she moves from extremely cold to tolerably warm. Thank goodness, she thought she was going to turn into an icicle out there. They would have to dig her out from the snow and the ice! ]

I'm fine! Idiots don't catch cold, so I've got immunity! [ Hibiki! ] ...I'm kidding, obviously!

[ She doesn't make any moves to remove her coat, instead pulling on a carefree smile for added warmth, for the both of them. ]

I was just in the neighborhood and thought, wow, it's been a while since I've seen Augustine. I bet he'd be up to try one of my latest creations.

[ Has he had anything that she's made before? Well, he's going to, if she has anything to say about it. ]

How are you feeling, by the way?

II. The Darkness of Winter Looms Over Us

[immortalrose]

[A shudder escapes Augustine as he wanders through the nearly desolate streets of Stygia. Winter has come and it’s as brutal as everyone feared. The dhampir can barely feel his face anymore in this blistering cold and his fingers have grown numb. It’s a horrifying feeling, one that shatters any illusion he might have possessed about his alleged immortality. Trudging through the dirty snow is a treacherous affair by itself without the addition of this oppressive cold. If Augustine felt well enough to fly, he would’ve but the wind chill alone makes him rethink that idea. What should’ve been a short twenty minute trip from the Harbor to the Barrens feels like an eternity. Between the howling winds and the bone-chilling cold, he should’ve known better than to try to make a trip to his boutique in such dismal weather. While some flowers can thrive in such miserable cold, Augustine can’t.

He was gingerly making his way back home when he slipped upon the ice. As surefooted and nimble Augustine typically is, nothing could’ve prepared him for this nasty fall. He blacks out seconds after hitting the icy ground, his entire head throbbing in agony as he lays there in a crumpled heap. It takes him a moment to regain consciousness. What could’ve been no longer than a few minutes feels like hours when he finally wakes up. He can feel something warm trickling down his face as he tries to right himself. A familiar metallic scent that has plagued him his entire life, blood.]

‘Now you’ve done it, you idiot.’

[A voice whispers to him as he tries in vain to stand. Between the slickness of the ice and now sporting a twisted ankle, Augustine falls back against the snow in a pathetic heap. He trembles as a surge of pain shoots up his leg, unable to move as the snow continues to pelt him. He could feel the snowflakes start to stick to his lashes as he tries to pick himself up again with little avail.]

‘You’re going to die out here.’

[The voice whispers for a second time as he continues to ignore it.]

‘A fitting end for a worthless murderer like you…

[Augustine suddenly goes deathly still once he hears that last bit. While he has done well to keep his shadow at bay, his growing distress has fed it enough power to speak. Between this and the illness that still wracks his lungs, Augustine is in terrible shape. He can still feel the petals scratching his throat raw as he struggles to stand. It’s painful, exceedingly painful. A low growl emits from his throat as he tries his best to ignore it. Little splotches of red dots the snow once he manages to get himself upright.]

‘You know, dying wouldn’t be so bad.’

[The annoying whisper continues as he trudges through the thick snow.]

‘It’s not like you would be missed by anyone. Hell, no one would even know you’re gone.’

[Despite desperately trying to ignore the whispers, Augustine nearly falls a second time within the knee-deep snow. It’s hellishly cold out here but it’s nothing in comparison to the cruel words of his shadow. The warm blood trickling down his face eventually starts to cool as the icy gusts start to pick up again. His entire body feels like it’s been frozen stiff, everything except for the slow beat of his heart.]

'So not just give up, and stop acting as if your life held any meaning.’

[Just as he attempts to take another step forward, he falls. Both literally and figuratively into the depths of his despair.]

[heavenstorn]

[ Augustine is not alone for long.

Strong hands grip his shoulders, steadily pulling him up and out of the snow. Broad shoulders block the wind, at least a little, as Augustine is bodily turned over and brought into a half-sitting position. ]

Your hands. Here--take this and hold it tight.

[ Whether Augustine hears him or not, Cedrik is helping. The dhampir's freezing fingers are taken and carefully tugged open, a small, shockingly warm stone placed in his palm before Cedrik closes the other's hand over it, forming a fist.

He only has the one. Augustine needs it more. ]

What were you doing out here...?

[ How did Cedrik even manage to find him in this squall? It was damned lucky... ]

[immortalrose]

[For a second there, Augustine thought he was dead.

He could feel the last of his strength dissipate as this bitter frost continues to swallow him whole. It would’ve been a painless death since his body felt so numb already. His ragged breaths slowly faded into silence as he laid there within the blood covered snow. He couldn’t feel anything anymore, not even the icy winds or the wet snow. He simply lied there ruminating over his failures and disappointments in life while situated between life and death.

Dying wouldn’t be so bad, would it? It would be better to die than to linger here any longer within this miserable world as an empty husk. This is the Netherworld, after all. It’s not like he would be missed if he died in the first place. No one would remember his name or even care to remember. Even though Augustine carries himself with such self-importance, he's honestly nothing more than a lonely old man lost in delusions of grandeur.

Maybe dying isn’t so bad after all…

Just when he was about to close his eyes and succumb to the darkness, something pulled him away. The call of the Void sings loudly to him but suddenly, its haunting tune is interrupted by the familiar friendly voice.]

Cedrik…?

[He lets out a groan as Cedrik pulls him out from the snow. Everything hurts now. That delightful numbness he felt earlier quickly fades as Cedrik places something warm into his hands. Now all he feels is pins and needles as his body tries to wake up from its final slumber.]

Why are you here? [He asks while trying pull away from him.] I was almost there--

['I was almost dead.']

[heavenstorn]

[ When Augustine tries to pull away...yeah, no, that isn't going to happen. Cedrik keeps his grip firm, frown deepening at the nonsense that his friend is speaking. ]

Where? There is nothing out here.

[ Was that the point? Cedrik's own Shadow rumbles in the back of his mind.

He's finally getting it.

A chill that has nothing to do with the weather sinks into Cedrik's core. ]

Gods damn...come on, up we go...!

[ One arm behind Augustine's shoulders, another under his knees, and with a huff Cedrik pulls himself up off the snow covered streets with Augustine in his arms. The dhampir's wings will drag...he'll have to hurry to get the man indoors. Augustine's store isn't far, perhaps that was his original destination? For lack of a better option Cedrik marches onward, ignoring the bitter cold as best he can. ]

[chokuto]

[In those wan hours, in the dark and wilderness of the Barrens, Sasuke is surprised to cross the path of another person. Less surprised to find the stranger in such poor condition. The area isn't known to be forgiving, not when its ruins are crowded with criminals and vagrants, Stygia's most aberrant individuals pushed to the outskirts.

Sasuke should leave him alone. Yet the figure, crumpled form vanishing rapidly beneath flakes of thick snow, is still alive. And there is something that burns here — he cannot tell if it's a source of power or otherworldly magic or a trick of his own muddled senses. He doesn't understand that too walk away would be another tally on his own long list of sins.

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫?

Crossing the field, feather-light over the top of the trench of snow with chakra beneath his feet, he reaches the individual and kneels.]

You won't live long in this state. [His right hand extends, lifting up the man's head from the snow by a fist of red hair.] Can you hear my voice?

[immortalrose]

[Even in this dismal state, Augustine is still alive. Granted, he might be frozen halfway to death but he isn’t dead when someone suddenly grabs him by his hair. A pained groan is all he can muster out between windburned lips. He’s exhausted, delirious, and ultimately fed up with existing in this pathetic excuse of an afterlife.

Enough is enough.

He has humored enough of this nonsense to last him a lifetime over. All he wants is to die and yet, he can’t even be granted the peace he vehemently desires.

That’s why without any warning, a massive black silhouette forms behind the youth in the form of an inky black serpent. The serpent quickly slithers right towards the stranger bearing its mighty fangs in hopes of defending its master. This isn’t the first time Augustine summoned this beast, and it certainly won’t be the last now that his shadow has reigned control.]

Why won’t any of you let me die in peace?

[He questions as he slowly musters up the strength to rise. His body aches in terrible pain but the pain alone doesn’t stop him from standing on shaky feet. The bitter cold suddenly doesn’t feel so cold to him anymore as this shadowy entity takes root.]

Don’t you realize the futility of it all?

[That's not him speaking but rather his shadow.]

[chokuto]

[Sharp, glowing eyes notice the movement at his back seconds before the strike. He drops the fistful of red hair — the same hand lashes, a snap of movement, seizing the snake by the base of the head. The circle of strong fingers gets enough purchase to keep fangs from sinking into skin; he won't be bothered if the tail attempts to constrict him. He stares into the snake's eyes, undaunted. It may be a creature from another world, but perhaps it will still be swayed by the hypnotism of the Sharingan's stare... or the contract he holds with Aoda.

If it doesn't yield, Sasuke will cripple it with a swift squeeze and throw it into the nearest snow bank with a physical burst of chakra.]

Don't bother trying that with me.

[As the stranger struggles to stand, he remains kneeling on haunches, reviewing the older man's physical state with a quick look. Without knowledge of who this person is, he can't know that he is speaking to their Shadow. But those words are hopelessly nihilistic. He can understand that something is afoot. However, he's confident he can prevail.]

If you want to die, do it on someone else's time. This is nothing I've agreed to. [Sasuke rises in kind, cloak sweeping the snow.] Can you walk? I'll drag you to civilization if you've lost the use of your legs. You can face futility once you've returned.

III. The Offending Mistletoe

[immortalrose]

[When he first noticed the mistletoe, Augustine thought he was seeing things.

He was standing in the middle of his boutique when he first laid eyes on the offending plan hanging from the ceiling. It’s ugly little parasite made of dark green leaves and cheerful white poisonous berries. Such a homely little plant doesn’t belong within his exquisite floral boutique, especially since mistletoes are known to feed off of flowers until they die. That’s why Augustine was about to cut the offending pest down with a pair of shears. That is until a little faery sprite suddenly appears before him.

This isn’t his first rendezvous with the fair folks and probably won’t be the last since these little MONSTERS seem determined to trespass into his property. An audible snarl escapes the dhampir as he glares at the tiny creature. It’s nothing short of a miracle that he didn’t just grab the damn sprite and snap its neck in two. His temper is skyhigh at this point, especially after nearly losing himself to his shadows cruel whispers. The last thing he wants to do right now is kiss the first person who enters his humble boutique.

No, he really doesn’t want to do that. Nevertheless, Augustine doesn’t have much choice once he hears the door chime. He just prays that whoever enters his shop is at least someone he vaguely likes.]

Welcome to Anthanasia's Hortus, how may I assist you?

[He asks in a falsely sweet tone that borders on deranged since he’s just beside himself with unspoken rage. Augustine hates pixies. He hates the fair folks. He hates all of them with every fiber of his miserable soul. If he manages to find a spell to keep these little gremlins out of his fucking shop, he’ll use it. Until then, poor Augustine is destined to suffer.]

It Him ,,,,, sorry

[wrists]

[ it's been weeks since he placed his order at augustine's newly opened shop and promptly neglected to both pick it up or pay for it. he can barely remember when he even asked for and why — something blue, and some other thing he clearly has no use for — and while his flowers are surely dead by now, it isn't going to stop him from striding in and demanding his items.

he does not immediately notice the mistletoe, though in hindsight he should have expected such an infernal blossom to be in such an infernal shop. at least the store offers a slight relief from the brutal outdoors, where the temperatures have dropped to nearly unlivable levels — laurent's golden hair is dusted with snow, frost clinging to his lashes, his cheeks ruddy with cold. he is, in a word, miserable. his shadow roils within him, barely leashed, and he stops before augustine's counter, a pale circle of snow falling from his shoulders. ]

I'm here to pick up my flowers. [ his gaze is blankly impassive, impenetrable, but he shivers despite himself. ] Where are they?

lol! <3

[immortalrose]

[At first, Augustine greets this newcomer with a cheerful greeting but eventually his smile fades. He stares at Laurent for a long while, clearly recognizing him from the Soulidarity nonsense. A deep sigh escapes the dhampir as he leans against the counter behind him with his arms crossed over his chest. In the most deadpan of tones, Augustine announces the somber fate of those two lovely bouquets.]

They're dead.

[He states evenly as he pins a glare on the youth. If Laurent thinks that Old Man Winter is a bit frosty but wait until he gets a load of Augustine's glare. He stares down at Laurent with a rather lofty expression, one that clearly shows his displeasure of this impromptu meeting. Nevertheless, he's willing to keep things vaguely civil…for a price.]

For not picking the bouquets on time, I'll have to charge you sixty gold for wasting my time.

[A smirk curls onto his lips as he regards Laurent, clearly amused now.]

[wrists]

[ his pockets are not very full after buying extra food to feed the atrociously behaved cat he'd rescued from the cold, and he's fairly certain he barely has six gold left, much less sixty. it's too cold to pick up any jobs for coin, and he hasn't been to the taverns to perform his coin tricks and swindle unsuspecting restless of their gold. ]

I didn't know there was an expiration date. I thought your flowers were special. Clearly, they are not. [ he ventures through the shop, reaching out to flick at a white blossom of... something. a petal flutters to the floor, which he then steps on. ] Anyway, I don't have any money. I'll have to pay you some other way. Hopefully, you've already gotten your cock sucked recently.

idek man

[somatosensory]

( it's the snarl that catches his attention, dark eyes shooting to the ceiling, where they linger on the meagre twist of greenery, wrapped in a tidy little bow.

there are no yuletide traditions in the empire. even the colonies have more or less abandoned the habit, as far as he understands, so the only association he has for this is inconvenience and occasionally having to duck a leering monster demanding to be kissed. )

I was in the market for something for a friend. ( he's being liberal, here. he barely knows gilia, but gilia is sweet and earnest and currently very ill. bringing gifts to the ill, ostensibly in the hope they will get better, is apparently the Done thing.

right now? it's possible that he has regrets. )

Something pretty with a nice scent?

haha, welcome!

[immortalrose]

[Augustine can’t help but look a bit sheepish once he realizes that the man heard him growling. Honestly, these little fairies really do get under his skin. Between the pixie that haunted him for nearly a month straight and now the appearance of this mistletoe loving sylph, Augustine firmly hates tiny little pests.

He quickly returns to working on this one bouquet he was making for another client when the fellow asks him a question. If there’s one thing Augustine loves talking about, it’s flowers.]

If you’re looking for a gift for a friend, then may I suggest a bouquet of yellow roses? Yellow roses are the quintessential friendship flower. They’re perfect because of their sunny disposition and lovely fragrance.

[A bouquet of yellow roses would certainly do the trick of maybe a bouquet of chrysanthemums mixed in with some tulips and daffodils. There’s many ways to style a bouquet like that but Augustine offers his new client the simplest option.

And the most expensive.]

Roses aren’t cheap, you know.

[somatosensory]

I have the coin.

( mildly.

if he were the type to take offence to every merchant implying that he couldn't possibly afford their wares — well. he'd probably still be cooling his heels in a gallows cell. )

And what would you recommend for someone more serious than a friend? ( idly curious. it occurs to him that he has no idea, truthfully, what mavis is to him — aside from a thorn in his literal (and occasionally metaphoric) side. )

[terraria]

Well, I was going to say "good afternoon", but... it doesn't sound good at all.

( aspen's delicate pink face pops in along with the crime, his fair skin rush with red from the frost. the snow flurries almost seem like little jewels on the crown of his hair with the way they melt and glitter in the light. unlike many others, he hasn't changed his usual wear - still fluffy petticoats underneath a navy blue button-down dress and tights. perhaps the most clear-cut evidence that aspen is feeling the cold is the fluffy white scarf and earmuffs he has. he sends augustine a politely apologetic look, uncertain if he's welcome at this time.

and why should he be? augustine may be only some human, but he is a dhampir. they're powerful. aurain are...

well. they were weak enough to be almost fully killed and enslaved. he has serious problems imagining anyone like d or augustine undergoing the same things his kind went through. )

I can come back later if -

( he yelps suddenly, rushing inside all of a sudden. the door creaks shut as aspen holds the back of his neck, looking to the door as if it threatened to choke him. )

I thought I felt someone touch me...

[immortalrose]

[Augustine nearly dropped the bouquet he was tending to once he heard Aspen’s voice. It takes all his willpower not to be awestruck by the little angel’s beauty. He looks positively angelic right now with little bits of frost in his white hair. It’s a picturesque moment, one that he wishes to remember long enough to transfer it onto paper with ink. Just something about Aspen appeals to him in a way that makes him feel all mushy inside. However, he’s quick to push such feelings aside for now. After all, he doesn’t quite understand what these feelings are but he definitely cannot deny that Aspen is beautiful.]

O-Oh, don’t fret! I was just—

[He trails off as Aspen suddenly rushes inside as if something was chasing him indoors. The dhampir quickly places the bouquet off towards the side as he quickly makes his way towards them.]

Is something a matter? What happened?

[He questions with a hint of worry in his tone. There’s been reports of strange oddities happening as of late since winter began. However, he hasn’t been keeping up with all the news lately. For the better of a month now, Augustine has taken a momentary leave from the Adventurers Guild due to this annoying illness. While he’s no longer coughing up flowers every ten minutes, he still hasn’t recovered yet.]

Well, whatever it was…you’re safe now.

NOTICEBOARD

[immortalrose]

( if you want to do a noticeboard quest or two, just post a starter here! )

WILDCARD

[immortalrose]

( for anything that doesn't quite fit the threads above. )

Tea Party Among Vampires {closed to D}

[immortalrose]

[The moment he sent out that distressing text to D instructing him to come meet him at his shop, Augustine started preparing brunch. It's been awfully cold as of late now that winter has reared its ugly head. However, that didn't dampen Augustine's spirit. No, the dhampir was feeling a bit chipper thanks to all the holiday zeal. Christmas doesn't exist in his world but the festive events of the Winter Solstice do.

That explains why Augustine's humble little flower shop is decorated to the nines with bright red flowers and festive little holiday wreaths. He feels the need to spread the holiday cheer despite grumping loudly about the awful mistletoe hanging near the door. He'll deal with that parasitic menace later, as for now, it's time for tea.

By the time D arrives, there will be a little table set in the middle of the shop filled with all sorts of scones, pastries, and treats just for the two of them. That along with a very pretty white ivory tea set he managed to purchase from the marketplace weeks ago. While this humble array of food and delicacies is nothing like the wondrous food he used to dine on frequently, it’s better than nothing. However, he can’t help but feel a bit nervous once he realizes he made all this without asking the hunter whether or not he liked sweets.

Well, this is bound to be a disaster.]

Welcome, welcome! You arrived just in the nick of time.

[damnpire]

[D really thought this was going to be some kind of soirée into adventure.

Coming to Augustine’s shop isn’t strange to him. A part of him had wanted to come initially just to see Augustine’s hard work, but he has no real use for flower outside of previously bringing them to human’s graves when they passed him by in the blink of an eye. So in the end, he didn’t visit.

But now he stands out front for a moment, peering from beneath the brim of the hat at the way the place is decorated for the festivities. The ability of some to simply continue on with what makes them happy and comfortable earns a little of his awed admiration. It’s be easy to become lost and stagnant here.

Since it’s a shop, he doesn’t knock when he enters, but he does enter slowly and politely. The hat is removed at the threshold, knocking away snow accumulated on the brim outside.]

…

[He stands just inside the doorway out of respect, but looks over the table in the middle. This is… Well, he does not think it’s for him exactly since (gestures at all of him).]

If you’re busy, I can come another time.

[immortalrose]

Ah, ah, ah!

[He gestures for the glorified vampire hunter to take a seat at the table.]

Don’t you dare run off into the night after I prepared all this for us.

[Augustine threatens as he places the silverware beside their plates. While he’s certainly used to the finer things in life, he doubts his rustic friend here has ever enjoyed a fine meal. D comes across as a man who lives on the very fringes of the great frontier. A wandering soul that cannot find rest no matter how long they haunt this earth. He’s like a ghost in a sense, a living specter forced to exist without any meaning or goal other than the hunt. It’s a rather sad existence.

Pathetic, even.

Nevertheless, Augustine is determined to make D’s gloomy life here within the Netherworld mildly pleasant. That’s why he went through such efforts to prepare a delectable meal of some of his favorite desserts along with some delicious tea. However, it seems his honored guest is determined to flee and he simply won’t have that.]

Either sit down or I tie you up.

[He grumbles before fetching a small pitcher for milk for his tea.]

I realize that the two of us are quite different in many ways but even you must like tea.