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 Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:22 pm
Paul wasn't, in all honesty, much of a wallflower. Usually, at these kinds of events, he let himself get swept up into the dancing, the food, flirted with every woman -- or, at least, every ineligible woman, usually behaving himself, stiff and a little bit awkward, with the girls actually interested in pursuing him. Usually he swept in the better part of an hour late in something new, fashionable, fun and flashy. Usually he grinned.
It wasn't that far off tonight. He was certainly late, certainly dressed up, in flashier colors than most of the young men on display. His eyes were bright and he went for alcohol, in a thoughtless way. But some of that brightness was, perhaps, exhaustion -- and as such, he stood more apart from the crowd. A more quiet corner. An intense conversation about lawyers and estate management. For Paul, this degree of focus, being this serious, was usually reserved for funerals...
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 6:37 am
Alex, on the other hand, was never late, nor flashy. He wore a dashing brown jacket, with a slightly darker pair of pants, and the combination complimented his stunning green eyes beautifully. Not that he had any specific reason to look well, other than not to drop in the face of society. After he chatted politely with all of the people he knew of the guests and the hosts, Alex took up his favourite position at all parties - the quiet corner. He quietly observed the guests laughing, dancing and exchanging pleasantries while he took small sips of the fantastic red wine that was served. It was at this point he noticed Paul in a nearby nook, talking with serious people about serious things.
Alex resisted the urge to rub his eyes, opting for blinking his eyes a few times. He was... Acquainted with Paul, and his peer's actions were rather out of character. Alex even considered the possibility of a recent tragedy, but then mentally shook his head - even Paul, with all his gaudiness and, erm, dream-like interpretation of the world around him, would not dress that fancy and be that sociable if a death of a family member had occurred. Perhaps something happened that made him a bit more grounded to reality? What major event would that have to be, considering it´s Paul?
Curiosity got the better of Alex and, when the target of his interest came to some kind of understanding with his partners in conversation, the fair haired man approached his peer with a genuine smile and an offer of conversation. "Lord Blair, how are you? I have not seen you around for months! Have you been busy all this time?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:15 am
The approach, the comfortable use of his name, made Paul blink and start just a little, torn from his conversation -- which a few moments of listening would have determined to be about picking and choosing which property to invest in, and which to lease out, and what rents he could afford to raise, and what grounds he could convert to what -- to meet Alex's eyes. It was a hilarious reaction, one like a child stuck with his hand in his cookie jar, it was like he'd been caught doing something naughty.
They all had their reputations. Paul's lay in fashion, in gaming, in being social and friendly, and not, like so many others, in actually having a head for business.
His fumbling attempts to get his estate in order would ruin that impression.
At least his fumble was brief, before Paul summoned up his usual, dazzling, somewhat-vapid smile, and reached out to catch Alex's hand and shake.
"Lord Kinnaird!" It was overly familiar, as always. Somehow, Paul got away with this more often than not. "I've been at the country estate, mostly, I fear the townhouse is filling slowly with moths even as I air the old place out."
A pause, more of a smile, and he raised his eyebrows, "You're not digging for an invitation? I wouldn't mind. It gets rather dull out there..."
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 11:15 pm
Is Paul actually doing business?! Living in his estate, which he didn't give two shakes about a few months before?! Has the sky fallen on our heads and I've missed the occasion? How curious! Alex was nearly bursting with interest, but, true gentleman as always, he didn't let it show, and let Paul continue with his answer.
"Not digging, exactly, but..." Alex laughed merrily,"I wouldn't mind a little break from the city life. And my parent's displeasure." Alex laughed again, but this time his laughter was full of self-depreciation. His father had recently found out that Alex was tutoring to earn money. An unworthy job of a noble, even if he was a noble but in name.
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Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:09 am
"I understand that feeling well." It came with a bit of a wince, exaggerated, Paul not quite throwing a hand up to his face dramatically -- but it was a close call. He was a dramatic person, and that was putting it kindly. He went from shaking to tossing an arm over Alex's shoulder, consolatory if overly familiar.
"The furrowed eyebrows and jumping jaw..." More exaggeration. Paul's father had been impossibly reasonable. Even his own son's obvious shortcomings had been taken in stride, as best he could. But Paul shook his head. "I must reiterate that it is dull however. All fields and forest and wandering goat girls."
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 1:43 am
Alex, thrown out of his sudden depression, had to hide a childish grin as Paul made a show of relating to his troubles. He knew that Paul probably didn't have any problems with his parents, and that the young man just couldn't resist making some drama. Alex didn't mind his showy manner and overly familiar gestures. If anything, they were a welcome change from most people's stiff and proper manner, and their expectations. So many expectations, so many judging glances. Paul didn't care about others doing everything right, because he himself rarely did things in a proper manner.
"Well, dull isn't always bad, you know! And what was that about goat girls?" Alex chuckled,"But some contact with nature seems very tempting right now, actually, what with the-" Alex snapped his mouth shut, and bit down on his lower lip. He had nearly let word out about his... Condition. The ache in his heart that started a few days ago. It was very soft at first, barely noticeable, but it was getting stronger. So strong, in fact, that he catches himself tapping his foot impatiently while sitting, or looking at the front door and wanting to open it, or starting to wander in a direction completely different from where he wanted to go. A voice started living in his mind, whispering for him to go... He didn't know where, exactly. Not yet. But right now it was pressuring to agree to Paul's invitation.
Alex wasn't sure what to think about this voice. But he knew that if he tried to defy it, it would not end well for him. He was never good at saying no, and, besides, it was Paul's estate it wanted him to go to, not a brothel or anything. So it was fine. And it definitely had nothing to do with his desire to follow some great goal in life. Nothing at all.
But he shouldn't let Paul know of the oddness in him. He shouldn't let anyone know. So Alex decided to change the subject, desperately hoping that Paul wouldn't notice his slip, or, if he did, have tact enough not to mention it. "I must confess, I am a bit surprised at the sudden shift in your behavior. When we last met you didn't seem to care much for your estate. Did something happen to change your mind?" Alex tilted his head slightly, his curiosity momentarily defeating his unrest.
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:42 pm
There was a moment's pause, a little breath, his head tipped to the side and eyes scanning the crowds around them in a vaguely conspiratorial manner. This was a secret, and his movements made it clear it was a secret, as did the hushed tone he used to reply. Eyes bright, amused, and almost feverish.
"Samael. My Guardian." Which could have been an exciting prospect, except that it as Paul saying it. Paul who had a new story every week, who couldn't be trusted nine times out of ten. And, even if he sounded so certain, who knew where flights of fancy would take him?
"He needs the space to run around." He patted Alex between the shoulder blades, cheerfully enough, and leaned back. Nearby, the man he'd been talking to rolled his eyes.
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