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 Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:36 pm
"Genetics, oh? What sort?" She trailed her finger along the rim of her wine glass. Candice was truly interested now - she had seen her own doctor recently on a matter of genetics. Her family had been tested for Parkinson's.
She'd be developing it, later down the line. So would her father.
For now, though? She was going to enjoy life to the fullest. And the fullest included Mr. Peanut Man, if she could get him.
Natalie smiled up at Thorn, edging slightly towards him so that their legs touched a little more. Safety. It was odd, she decided, that Thorn now seemed safe, after all the odd comments in the maze back home. And compared to Michael...
But at least, as far as she knew, Thorn had never lied to her. Betrayed her. Used her.
Michael watched as she scooted away, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. But then he put on a cordial smile. "Well, then. It seems we have everything figured out, hm?" Everything, including how to use my folly to your advantage, yes? "I wouldn't want tonight to be..." his voice dropped, "more unpleasant."
Natalie bowed her head, shivering. Michael eyed her, wishing he could steal just one moment alone with her. He needed to talk to her. To win her back to him. But with this Thorn... no. It wouldn't do. It would have to wait.
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Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:28 pm
What field of it, hm? Well...that was something he hadn't quite thought about. Hadrian took a moment, before speaking - as if in thought.
"I suppose it would be considered...mapping the purpose of each part of the genetic code. We may have mapped each actual fragment, but we don't know each ones purpose."
And in a way, that's what he was doing. Just...more magical. After all, he had to have a pretty firm understanding of genetics to do what he did - and he was starting to get an idea about specific ones, simply from checking the samples he took from each Soul at birth.
The server returned at this point, to collect food orders.
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Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:26 am
Thorn smiled easily, agreeing with a natural ease as if they were speaking of an accident with finances, or a mistake a child might have made. "We do not." he said, and at the sight of the server, ordered for the three of them.
Food, of course. Not laced with anything either-- he had enough on his plate to handle without the temptation of two of his favorite playthings going weak and lucious. Besides, while he didn't think of it as a challenge, it made him uncomfortable, thinking of Michael or Candice taking advantage of his pets.
His.
See? Thorn had a considerate side to him too.
"It is remarkable work, that Hadrian does." he added, smiling as he nodded his head. He had noticed the move of Natalie's side, but didn't choose to remark on it. Wouldn't want to scare her away, with sudden advances.
"It is fascinating, really. Natalie and I are both astounded." he smiled. A private grin. The three of them-- they were a team, hmm?
Alright. So maybe Natalie was. Technically, Thorn was too. He spent enough time there anyways.
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Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:20 am
Candice was clearly rather impressed. She held scientists in a high regard. "Yes, remarkable... from what I understand, we know bits and pieces - what sections can cause degenerative... problems." Like hers. She didn't enjoy dwelling on it, so she changed the subject, involving Natalie and Michael.
"I've already mentioned it to Michael, but I quite enjoyed your performance tonight. Impressive, for somebody as... young as you are. Do you enjoy acting?"
Natalie looked up at Candice with a bit of alarm, but quickly schooled her face back to calm. "I do. But I'm not sure I'll continue with it - it's so much work, on top of school and everything else..."
"Oh. School. Yes. I can see by your uniform...."
"College," she quickly supplied. "Private college."
Michael put a hand on Natalie's shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. "I wouldn't have guessed she was even still in school, if it weren't for the uniform." A charming smile.
Natalie wished she could sink away and hide under the table.
Michael turned to Thorn and Hadrian. "So. How do you two know Natalie?" Because neither of you could be her boyfriend - she's too innocent to do what I did to her.
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Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:41 am
"She lives near me, actually."
Because they wouldn't believe that she was, in a way, working with him.
Though...come to think of it, he didn't know how Thorn had met Natalie. When had he been on the compound? Of course, Hadrian also didn't know that Thorn seemed to be spending a good deal of time there.
Glancing at Thorn, he raised his eyebrow - he wouldn't mind hearing how they met either.
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Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:44 am
Neighbors, was it? That was something that sounded believable enough. He smiled, a slow, long one as he looked at Natalie, arching a brow. Well, couldn't she remember just what they had done on their first meeting?
Not much, actually. Just a kiss, really. But the look was enough. Or should have been. It suggested more.
Actually. It suggested what he and Hadrian had been up to on THAT night. The fight night.
"We got lost in a maze." he purred the words out, letting them slip over each other with a nod. "Together. It was... quite an experience."
He looked at Hadrian, and grinned.
He would blame this one on the mage, privately. They were his compounds, after all.
"I hadn't expected to find such a puzzle at the compound."
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Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:20 am
Natalie bit back a squeak, blushing at Thorn's gaze and comment. Did he have to add all the dripping innuendo?
Michael looked between Thorn and Natalie, curious and... a little bit astonished, to be honest. They had... what? Thorn's look implied so much, and Natalie's reaction only served to back it up.
But he wouldn't bring it up with Candice and Hadrian around.
"Neighbors, hm? And a maze?" He blinked, pondering. "Compound...? Oh, that must have been where you said you were moving to."
Natalie nodded.
"Your new home seems to be bringing surprises and adventures already." Away from me. Michael wasn't sure why, but he didn't like not knowing where she lived. He knew where her old apartment was - had driven her home more than once. But now... it seemed that with his mistake and Thorn's appearance on the stage, his leading lady was drifting away from him.
Somehow, he didn't think he'd be able to change that that night.
Candice smiled predatorily at Natalie. "Moved, oh? Why ever for?"
"For work." That's what she left it as, hoping Candice didn't ask her to expand on it. She finished off her glass of whatever alcoholic drink Thorn had ordered her, closing her eyes and feeling a familiar, comfortable warmth spreading through her body. Hopefully, she'd be able to relax soon. Alcohol could be so useful.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:21 am
The maze...blame that one on Dacian. Hadrian didn't see the point of it, but the other mage loved it - and apparently some others did as well. Though it seemed like it may have allowed Thorn to take advantage of Natalie, and that wasn't something he...approved of.
At least with Natalie, it seemed Thorn was taking a slower route - not getting her drunk and enjoying her. And he'd done that twice, now...the first time they'd been interrupted, but...
Well, he was preferring to not remember the second time.
Flitting his eyes to the other people at his table, it occurred to him that Natalie already had some 'relationship' problems.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:35 am
Thorn smiled. "It is quite lovely." he looked over at Hadrian then, arching a brow. "In fact, since I'm there so often, I've always thought that it would be easier if I moved in."
Alright. He wasn't too completely serious about this yet. But he liked goading Hadrian... and besides, wasn't the possibilities that could rouse from that delightful? He could have access to everything he needed. And the children like Haki could use an authoritive figure.
Like himself, to teach them all the important things in life.
As the food arrived slowly, an appetizer was bought before them. He nodded his head, inclining his head towards the youngest one.
"Would you like another drink, ma'am?" a server asked politely, reaching for her glass.
Thorn's eyes were on Hadrian, though. Whatever she said, he was curious. But he wanted to know if this mage would react.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:46 am
She shouldn't. She really shouldn't, and she knew it. But she wasn't driving, and she trusted... well, at least Hadrian. He was an upright sort of guy - he wouldn't let anything happen.
She trusted Thorn to an extent... but... there was that matter of the kiss in the maze.
"Yes, please," she murmured, quietly.
Well, it wasn't hard liquor. She wasn't getting smashed, which she had done a few times. She was... relaxing. A great deal.
Michael tilted his head slightly, bent down to whisper close to her ear, "Natalie, aren't you a bit young?"
She looked at him, then shrugged. He nodded. "I understand." Then he drew back and took an appetizer.
Candice, flipped some of her bleach-blonde hair behind her shoulder, taking an appetizer as well. "So, what is it that you're working as, Natalie...?"
Natalie shot a 'Help! Help! MAYDAY!' look at Hadrian. What was she supposed to say? Mentioning the child would be... odd.
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Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:52 am
At Thorn's mention of moving in, Hadrian - well, the technical term would be 'spazzed'. And he very nearly knocked over his coffee as well. But thankfully, his hand avoided knocking over the coffee; barely.
And quickly, he muttered something to Thorn. "No openings."
Not for him anyway...he'd had to make sure to say something to Dacian.
The disapproving eye Hadrian fixed on Natalie made it clear that he didn't like her drinking that much - not around Thorn. And he decided that he wasn't leaving her until she was alone in her apartment.
"Oh - she's actually begun helping at my workplace. Paperwork, that sort of thing."
And truthfully...he could use something to help him out there, with the paperwork. Perhaps, if Natalie was interested, they could make that a reality? He could even give her a small salary.
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:13 pm
Was Hadrian hiring the young girl? His brow quirked at this. Maybe he could ask for a job too? Although... he wasn't sure if it would work. The mage had shot down his first subtle hint, after all.
But Thorn was just made all the more intent. No openings, was it? They'd see about that. He'd work something out... sooner or later. It had been passing fancy. But now it seemed to root itself with more determination.
One more thing to add to his growing list, then.
"I'm certain Natalie can handle herself." he answered Michael dryly. "It is only a couple of drinks." He grinned. Something about alcohol kept bringing his thoughts back to the stubborn mage. And he didn't understand why.
It wasn't as if he'd imbibed the man and slept with him.
... oh wait. There was that.
"Besides." he added. "I'll take her home." he smiled. Slowly. Right? It was all working out...
or something.
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:51 am
Hadrian's lie didn't sound all that bad, actually. Natalie didn't mind paperwork that much, and then finding daycare for the child wouldn't be problamatic...
Michael didn't trust Thorn's look at all. But he couldn't argue, now could he?
"She lives near Hadrian, yes? It might be easier if he took her home," he settled on, leaning back slightly in his chair. He let her hand drop to his side, allowing it to brush against Natalie's thigh in the process. He was rewarded with a blush and another scoot towards Thorn, followed by a quick sip of alcohol.
Candice was looking at Natalie, one eyebrow raised. "Paperwork? I would have never thought you were a secretary."
"We do what we have to," Natalie mumbled, folding her hands nervously in her lap. She wanted out, badly. Her stomach was in such a knot that she doubted she'd be able to eat. But she wasn't so sure it'd be safe having Thorn take her home. After the garden...
No. No, Thorn was being more of a gentleman that Michael had turned out to be, and Michael had taken her home, no problem, before. She'd be safe.
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:12 pm
It seemed like every one of the men had a different motive for whom to take Natalie home. Thorn wanted to take her home to - obviously - increase his advantage. Michael wanted Hadrian to take her home so that she didn't get closer to him.
And Hadrian wanted to take her home so that Thorn couldn't take advantage of her.
Well, this was interesting.
"I'll see her to her apartment, of course, since we live so close."
Did they even live in the same building? Oh, who cares.
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:10 pm
Thorn smiled slowly. "It won't be a problem, Hadrian, if I escorted the both of you back home." see? He could use proper, grown up language. And there was nothing blatantly dangerous about the word escort.
Unless one was thinking escort services.
That was different.
"I have a car, so it will make everything easier." he shrugged, deciding that THAT little avenue was closed for discussion. How would Hadrian manage it, then, call a cab?
His lip almost curled with amusement.
Almost.
First course was taken away and replaced by main course, and he nodded, looking down at their dishes with a quick survey. He could live through this meal.
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