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Although Ian had only been in Destiny City for a few short days, he had already mapped much of the locale around the Hargrove apartment - including hot spots for food, and also a nice little Farmer's Market type thing that he could totally get behind...even if it meant he would be walking ten blocks to get 'home' after.

So it was that he walked the part of the street cordoned off for the market, stopping here and there to check produce, to make purchases. He was slightly miffed to realize that there were no plums, but then he supposed it was a bit early in the season unless he hit up a grocery store for hot-house fruit. Instead the curly haired blond picked up a jar of blackberry preserves, admonishing the person to be sure to bring plums as soon as possible.

There was even a vendor with fried insects - which most folks seemed to avoid, but not Ian. Oh no, he bought quite a bit, pleased when the vendor allowed him to sample the wares before shelling out the cash.

Ian was chatting amiably with the vendor about the various flavored offered currently and what flavors might be offered in the future, when a dark haired man came over wearing an oddly curious expression. The curly haired blond would have ignored him or snubbed him, but there wasn't a discernible distaste on the man's face and his question - while a bit blunt - seemed honest. Give him a chance, many won't try something like insects without another person advocating.

"Yes, I believe so. They're also an excellent and sustainable source of protein, much cleaner and better than farm raised cattle, pigs, or chickens. Here." Ian gestured to the vendor, who was quite willing to 'invest' in allowing Magiore to try some of his wares if it meant that perhaps another sale would be coming his way. "I suggest either plain, bar-be-q, or ranch flavors, if you've never had insects. These are crickets and have a kind of nutty flavor under it." The man also had chocolate covered crickets, ants, and grubs available, though in much smaller quantities - and for more money due largely to the chocolate.

"It's not as uncommon as you might imagine, though less so in the States." Ian could have gone into a rather lengthy diatribe about how the harvest, preparation, and ingestion of insects was actually quite common in other countries across the globe. He watched as the other man perused the wares and finally selected the ranch flavored sample; Magiore didn't seem repulsed, but it was clear this would not become a favorite.

At least he'd tried it and been open to the idea.

The blond nodded, smiling a bit, "It's an acquired taste I believe, much like spinach or artichokes." Magiore's question about his consumption habits was not remotely surprising - many often wanted to know once they discovered he enjoyed insects. "When I can, yes. I spent time in Africa as a child, insects are quite commonly eaten there...some are even delicacies." Just like snails were considered to be, in some places.

Shifting his purchases, Ian offered his hand to his newfound companion. "Ian. Ian St. George."

"As do I." Perhaps shared enjoyment of foods that many found an acquired taste was a strange thing to be amused about, but Ian was new to Destiny City and in a good mood...and perhaps this man could be a good contact for him.

Ian nodded a bit, then shrugged, "As is France, and yet here I am." Magiore Carpenter? What an interesting name...I wonder what the etymology behind it is... how fascinating. "Likewise. Ah, I must confess, your name is an interesting one. Is it a common name here?" Could help asking? Not really - there was, he knew, a lake called 'Maggiore' but he was not certain the two were related in any way.

Perhaps Magiore's parents had simply seen the name in a fantasy novel or some such thing?

"When I was younger, much more frequently. It became...well, more difficult once I began schooling, of course." One thing that Ian had noticed about Destiny City was the proliferation of Loréal or Herbal Essences model wannabes walking about with their shining hair at lengths most would not seek to caretake. Magiore's thick, dark hair wasn't quite as excessive as some, and seemed well cared for; it was obvious he took care of himself, but he seemed almost...unused to social situations. It was a bit of a dichotomy that the blond found further fascinating, so Ian was quite willing to continue entertaining conversation with the man.

"My regards to your mother's ingenuity." Ian carefully used a single finger to push his spectacles back up his nose where they'd been slipping slightly, "A name should stand out well enough, but it takes quite the person to wear something so wholly unique so well." No commentary on his own name, which wasn't rare or even remotely interesting until one got to his middle name, though even that wasn't so unique or exotic as it might have been. I suppose it's better than being named akin to a dog breed, like Colin.

"I suppose one might say I traded off seeing far-away exotic places for a name that stands out." The conversation, odd as it may have been, came easily and there was something about his newly met companion that made Ian wish to continue discourse. His lips pursed briefly, the slant of his expression amused, "Have you always lived in Destiny City then?"

Humble and intelligent, with refreshingly unguarded reactions; it seemed Ian had found quite the fascinating young man. Perhaps one that would be worth befriending for more than what future use he might gain from Magiore. Of course, Ian was still quite interested in what gains were to be had from befriending the dark-haired man, but perhaps there could be more - maybe he'd become an actual friend, a compatriot.

He did eat a bug at my suggestion. That says a lot. And he wears an odd, unique name with confidence. Definitely something to work with there.

As they spoke, Ian kept his body language open and his expression one of polite interest lest he seem...well, like the calculating creature he truly was. "I do not mind at all, we are becoming friends, n'est-ce pas?" Here he smiled, flashing a bit of teeth and humor; Ian knew that his smile was the sort that often endeared him to others - his cousin had this same smile, but where Colin's was genuine and spontaneous, Ian's was calculated to the tiniest degree though most never realized it.

"I came for work, you see. As much as I enjoyed my life in France, it was...well, time for a bit of change." Ian's lips pursed a bit, the reality was more that his family had decided he needed to actually do something with his life other than carouse and attend university. That, paired with a few 'youthful indiscretions' had prompted the reaching out to some of his American relations - namely the Hargroves. "I was hired for a position at Romano's Constitutional Haven. Two, actually. I will be instructing students in world histories and French."

Ian shifted his grocery bags so that he could use a single finger to press his glasses more firmly up his nose. "I hear it is a new institution, but it came highly recommended. Have you heard of it, perhaps?"

Watching the reservation in Magiore's body language ease away was gratifying, to say the least. He'd already decided that forging a friendship between them was worth his while and apparently (happily) it seemed that Magiore had also come to believe this was a good idea as well.

"Really? That's fantastic." Ian took the proffered card, looking over it in a perfunctory manner before fishing out his wallet and setting the item within before sliding one of his own out. "Right." His smile was several degrees more genuine, though Magiore would probably only read it as brighter - it took someone that had known him for years to be able to parse just how much (or how little) of Ian's expression was fabricated.

Ian's phone beeped and vibrated in his back pocket and he gave his new 'friend' an apologetic smile. "That would be my signal to head home. It's been really nice meeting you, Magiore. Might I suggest perhaps discussing our mutual employment further another day? I think I'm free any time over the coming weekend." They could always hash the details out via phone or text, of course, including the location. "Coffee or brunch, perhaps?"

Ten blocks to walk, with produce and insects - it would take him a bit of time, which was why he'd set an alarm; he was supposed to be back to the Hargrove apartment in time to help Rebecca with some work project or some such thing he'd agreed to because it made him seem as though he were attentive and grateful instead of scheming.