whitehairedprettyboy

[If you say so... She's still skeptical. Then again, anyone who is mean to Raikov is generally on her bad side.

And he's quite the opposite of jealous right now. Raikov grins, thoroughly amused by Valmont's positive response.]

You're welcome, by the way.

[ Katya's right to be skeptical. Stunky's a good kid, but you can trust anything she says about her trainer to be about 200 times more positive than the truth. She wants to believe in him. She wants to believe so hard.

That being said, Valmont actually is trying to be nice to Raikov these days. Whether he's succeeding or not is a little more up for debate. ]

What? Oh, yes. Thank you, and all that. [ Sorry. He's a little distracted. ] However did you come by a proper appreciation of tea?

[Aren't all pokemon that way about their trainers?

And Raikov appreciates it. V has his moments but he is getting a little better. ... Just a little though.]

Would you believe you English aren't the only ones who love tea?

[ All of V's are, anyway. Though given the way he treats them, they really shouldn't be. Poor things.

Look, he did a real apology. With words and everything. He doesn't know what else you want from him. ]

You'll forgive my assumption, then. America has soured me on the idea that any other country might know how to produce a decent cup of tea. [ The horrors he's seen. Iced tea, really. ] But it seems the Russians have an idea of what they're doing, if you're any indication, Ivan. [ He takes another sip. God, that's good. ]

Of course.

[Smug smug smug. Then his expression temporarily changes to one of disgust.]

But I still don't understand why you went to America.

[Why would anyone want to go there willingly?]

I've told you, it was for my work. Believe me, given the choice I would have preferred to stay in England, but that just wasn't feasible.

[ After all, it's hard enough to transport a giant sentient dragon statue within the country. ]

[Raikov rubs his chin in thought.]

You know, you never did tell me what you do for a living aside from collecting artifacts.

Acquisitions.

[ He sips his tea casually. ]

I don't seem to recall you telling me what you did, either.

That's rather vague, isn't it?

And you never asked.

[Or looked in his closet.]

You're certainly welcome to inquire about specifics. And I'm asking now. What is it you do, exactly?

[ If his closet doesn't contain any green suits, Valmont isn't interested. ]

[It's Olive Drab.

... He supposes he can't tell Valmont. It's not like he can sabotage him. Not when he owes Raikov so much for being his sugar daddy the past month.]

I was in the military.

[ Olive and green are completely different colors. Get it straight. ]

Ah. A military man. [ Well, that's interesting. ] What was your rank?

[It's close enough.]

Major.

[This is the most he's told anyone here. Congrats, V.]

Major. [ He repeats this thoughtfully. ] Major Raikov. Rather a nice ring to it, I think. If I'd known, I should have been calling you that this whole time, shouldn't I?

[ He's not being serious about that part, but he really does approve of the title. There's a certain something about men in positions of power... as long as it's not power over him, of course. ]

[The edge of his mouth twitches a bit as he forces a smirk. If Valmont's good at reading people, then he might be able to tell that Raikov's not as chipper as he's putting on to be.]

If you were in the Soviet army, perhaps. But this is a different time, a different world. The title means nothing here.

[ Valmont isn't so great at reading people beyond "are they attracted to me" and "will they give me things". Both of which are true of Raikov, of course, so why should he bother to worry about anything else? ]

"But that was in another country, and besides, the wench is dead." I quite understand. Still, you may consider me impressed by your rank. [ Just a little. ]

[Raikov casually shrugs and takes a sip of his tea. He doesn't get Valmont's reference, sadly.]

I certainly have been impressing you a lot lately, haven't I...?

[ That's because Raikov is an ignorant plebe who needs to read more British literature. ]

I don't believe I mentioned your doing anything else particularly impressive.

[ Sip. ]

[Now his smirk is geunine. He leans over the table slightly and hushes his voice. There's children around.]

I'm sorry. Does almost every night for the past month not count as impressive? Because you seemed quite impressed, especially that first day.

[Raikov wiggles his tongue suggestively then licks his lips for good measure.]

[ He flushes, trying very hard to act like someone who didn't just choke on his tea. ]

Well, yes, of course, you're quite good in bed. I - I thought that was obvious, that's all.

[ He's embarrassed. What a cutie. ]

[Raikov finds it very cute. He leans back in his chair and casually takes another sip of his tea.]

So I have impressed you in more ways than one.

[ He ducks his head, becoming very interested in his remaining tea. ]

Yes, well. Don't let it go to your head.

I got to yours though.

[LOL WHICH HEAD DOES HE MEAN?]

Clever.

[ He puts as much British sarcasm into that word as he can possibly muster. ]

I know.

[Either he doesn't sense the sarcasm or he just doesn't care. What a troll.]

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