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 Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 2:01 pm
Quote: The Meteor Shower (9) : One of the hallmark features of the Star Festival is the week long meteor shower that kicks off at the beginning of the celebrations. The first night is usually a little slow, and it picks up more on the second and third evening, but tonight is different. Within the first hour of the first visible falling meteor, something hits the ground with enough force that the ground trembles and power is lost for a few seconds. The impact can be heard throughout the city and the news reports that a small meteor made impact--only, they don’t report that they can’t find any damage and have no idea where it landed. Maybe that’s enough to convince some people, but anyone who knows about this powered war might expect that nothing good ever comes from space.
Caius had been up late preparing for this meeting. Even if Nick had only offered it as a courtesy, even if he’d only presented this opportunity out of polite obligation, Caius was taking it seriously.
Originally, he’d only meant to make a small presentation--just a simple explanation of intention and skill, and some basic marketing strategies he thought he understood well enough to express on a real business model.
He’d studied this--he was still studying this. He was doing his best to be prepared for the future, but he knew he was underqualified. He had more than six--seven--followers, and he knew how to advertise and engage.
He could just give suggestions. That’s all this had to be.
...Except, he went all in. All in.
He’d researched A&H Bakery. He’d researched over twenty bakeries in Destiny City, and thirty more elsewhere in the country--and even a few out of it. He’d practically memorized the menu, jotted down notes about the recipes and their scattered facebook pictures.
He’d doodled.
And then he brainstormed.
And then he stayed up until nearly three in the morning working on a project under his blanket while trying to stay as silent as possible so he didn’t wake up anyone else in the shared room. He woke up again just after the sun rose, and he was at the library five minutes before it opened.
Caius worked hard. He was wearing his nicest clothes, and made sure he was presentable before he left--and even did his best to make sure he still looked alright by preening in one of the shop windows as he got close. He suddenly felt incredibly silly about the extra gifts he'd picked up--star charms, that were free, so he was worried they might seem cheap, but he'd thought they were cute and wanted to make a good impression. And, he'd gotten three! So it was perfect, right? It was a good sign? Right?
There was a lump in his throat and his stomach was in knots--and not just because he'd been dreaming about lasagna. He held the straps of his backpack a little tighter and stood up as straight as he could.
And then, with all the courage that he could muster, he knocked.
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:05 pm
Nick was nervous for the meeting too, though for vastly different reasons. He hoped that Caius wouldn’t...not show up. That would just about break his heart. Okay, maybe that was too calm to say...it would completely break his heart was more like it.
The lasagna had been taken out of the oven and was setting up under a tent of foil as Nick dressed the salad and took a quick look at the garlic rolls that were currently baking...if all went well…
His head snapped up at the sound of the knock, and Nick nearly tripped over himself in his haste to get to the door, though forced himself to take a breath, calling to Arias that he was here and to please set the table.
With a warm smile, the male opened the door, a rush of smells blowing into Caius’ face as he did so. “Hey! Welcome! I hope you’re hungry, Caius. I know I am...I figure we can eat first and that way we can get introductions out of the way and we won’t be doing business on an empty stomach!”
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:27 pm
Arias complied eagerly and willingly, but he was absolutely eager to actually meet this young man.
“I’m hungry,” Caius answered, but that wasn’t abnormal of him. His honesty, however, was a bit uncommon. His stomach growled as soon as the smells accosted him, and he couldn't even try to hide it--it was like his stomach wanted to say ‘hello, I’m here!’ too.
“I hope I’m not too early. I tried to wait as long as I could, but I started getting nervous about all of it. I thought if I showed up, I couldn’t change my mind. I made a presentation, but I’m starting to second guess myself.”
He was talking too much, it was so uncouth. It was embarrassing, but he couldn’t stop himself.
“I sort of got really invested in some things last night. But if it’s too much, you can tell me. I might be totally off the mark. I don’t know what I’m doing. But yes, I am hungry. Thank you for having me over.”
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:33 pm
“Then dinner it is, Caius. I’m glad you let me know!” It meant that perhaps he was honestly starting to trust Nick...and that...that made him happy.
...Really happy.
Leading the boy into the apartment, Nick closed the door behind him and gestured for him to follow dining room where Arias wawa setting the table. “Caius, this is Arias, and Arias, this is Caius who I can’t seem to shut up about. You’re not too early at all, kid. Don’t worry. I’m just glad that you’re here. And hungry. I went a little overboard but...It’ll taste good I’m sure and I can’t wait to see your presentation, I bet it’ll be amazing. I never expected you to go through so much effort! But I’m very excited.”
He pulled out a chair for the boy to sit in and fluttered for a moment. “I’ll let you two talk for a few minutes while I go and grab the food, shall I?”
God. He hoped that Arias liked him as much as he did.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:39 pm
Caius immediately looked worried when Nick said he was going to leave them alone for a few minutes, and he’d already been jostled when Nick said he couldn’t shut up about him. Nervously, he sat down in the chair without any protest or fuss, and placed his bag next to him. Conveniently, incredibly in reach in case this turned out to be a really bad idea and he needed to bolt.
He was suddenly worried about them drugging the food, or just outright poisoning him, or--
“It’s nice to meet you,” Arias smiled politely; he’d just finished with the table and looked to Nick, as if to make sure he didn’t need any help, before he just sat down at the table across from Caius. He smiled reassuringly at his fiancé, as if to assure him that they’d be fine alone--and for the few minutes it took Nick to get the food ready, Arias played polite and curious host.
He was more soft spoken that Nicolae, and had a very gentle, non-intrusive demeanor. By the time Nick came back, Arias seemed to have found a very safe conversation--painting. He was usually private about his paintings, but Caius seemed a bit interested, and was explaining why he favored digital while Arias listened, nodding in agreement.
Once more, Arias smiled when Nick brought the food in and seemed ready to sit down. “They do get expensive. I’ve had fifteen dollar tubes run dry because I couldn’t use them fast enough.”
Caius nodded, eyes flitting to Nicolae but answering, “The tablet was really expensive but I saved up for a long time for it. I’ve had it for almost two years now, and it’s made it much easier. I used to draw with a mouse and it took forever.”
“I don’t think I have the patience or skill for that! I can only paint if I’ve got a brush, and then it’s of dubious quality anyway. I saw that you had some on display at the library, you’re very talented. Are you entering any galleries or shows this year?”
Caius squirmed a little and then shrugged. “Um, no, not really. I mean, maybe if it’s a low entry fee, but I don’t think my things would sell so it wouldn’t be worth the cost to try and get it in--and if they reject it, it’s just a waste of money. And if it does get in, it doesn’t really give me any exposure I can work with…”
Arias nodded understandingly again. “I suppose that’s true. Although, I’ve seen paintings similar to yours sold at galleries before, so I don’t know that you should cut yourself out so quickly. Do you like any of the art galleries around here?”
“Um, not really,” Caius said hesitantly. “Or--no, it’s not that. It’s just that they don’t really want me around. I’m not a hooligan or something, but I don’t think I pass for their intended audience and I guess a lot of places are worried that someone’s going to start trouble. Um. With all the hooligans and gang things and all.”
“Oh, those. Well, I don’t think you seem like a hooligan. A lot of the owners are pretentious and worried about their insurance, I suppose. I don’t know if it’s something you’d be interested in, but I like to visit the art galleries every few weeks or so. There’s just something different about appreciating art in person, things a picture can’t do justice for. Nick comes with me usually, but I know he does it to humor me.” He wore an amused smile on his face and just reached over to squeeze his hand. “If you’d ever like to, I have a pass that includes entrance for myself and a guest. We could always go see what was ‘in season’ in the art world. I know a few galleries that won’t charge you, but they do take a cut when you sell--but they accept you because they’re confident you’re going to sell at the show.”
Caius squirmed a little, nervous with the offer, but he was chewing on the inside of his cheek with obvious interest. “We can see,” he said, but pressed his lips closed tightly when his stomach roared now that the food was on the table.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:28 pm
Nick felt a thrill when he listened in on the conversation that Caius and Arias were having, it was sweet. And it gave him a lot of hope that perhaps Arias was getting along with the boy as much as he had wanted him to. He watched them for a moment before beginning cutting into the lasagna. “I’m so glad you two finally got to meet! Cai, do you want a big piece? And, corner or middle kid?”
He made two rather stupidly large pieces available and waggled his eyebrows. “One of these is yours...or both if you’re really that hungry. I won’t judge you, I promise.”
Well...Nick might. A little. But not out loud. It would be a fond, quiet judgement.
“There’s garlic bread and salad, I wasn’t sure what dressing you like so I picked up about five of them just in case...and if you don’t like any of these five...I really tried, kid. You can’t blame me for not getting the right one! And...just so you know, I would love to go to a gallery with the two of you. It would be amazing. I promise I won’t complain once, so long as Arias buys me ice cream afterwards as my good boy reward.”
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:59 pm
Caius blinked at Nick and looked like he was ready to say something catty but caught himself. “...Why would I blame you for salad dressing? I don’t know the difference, I don’t know the last time I had a salad…”
He shifted positions, and looked a little flustered again. “I--I’ll eat whatever, I’m not picky.”
Just hungry, and he was trying so hard to be patient. Everything looked so good, smelled so good.
Arias seemed a little amused and just said, “Oh, let him try both, Nick. He won’t know the difference it makes in your lasagna if you don’t let him try a middle and a corner piece.”
Caius again looked a little flustered, but he distinctly did not object to Arias’ suggestion. His biggest concern was looking greedy or being rude, but he could clearly absolutely devour anything they put on his plate.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 5:22 pm
“Both it is then! Only the best for our Caius.” He grinned and put both large pieces of lasagna on his plate, before putting a middle piece on Arias’ and the other corner on his own. “Eat up! But not too quickly, it’s not going to disappear, and you can always have more.”
...Not that Nick thought he would be able to stomach any more right away...though. He could be wrong. He was a growing boy...and a hungry one.
“Even if you’re full right after dinner, we can always heat up some before you leave. It’s no problem, Caius. You’re our guest. And...we’re really happy to have you here!” Nick placed a piece of garlic bread on the boy’s plate as well, and filled a small bowl with salad, gently pushing the dressings towards him, filling his glass with chocolate milk.
“Bon appetit.”
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:23 pm
He brightened at the chocolate milk, which absolutely didn’t go with the meal but he was still delighted to have it. He downed half of it before taking on the lasagna, which he absolutely devoured despite all requests to eat slow and reassurances that it would still be there.
It was like he couldn't help himself, like he was starving. He did his best not to make a mess or eat like a heathen, but he seemed like he was swallowing each little bite before really even chewing.
Arias watched without staring, and though he made small talk with Nick for a moment, it seemed like he finally felt like he needed to say something, just to make sure he was okay.
He opened his mouth and began to speak--just in time for the power to go out. He let out a startled noise instead and listened immediately for any sound of danger and--
There was nothing. Maybe, maybe he thought he heard a very distant rumble, but that could have just been the noise of traffic, of a generator, of anything else. The floor seemed to move, just slightly--but that could have easily have been the generator in the building kicking on, too.
“Oh,” he said, and sat still for just a second. There were no lights anywhere--not in the house, not from the windows. It was like the whole city had just gone dark.
He stood slowly, meaning to go check and see if he could see any lights, when everything picked back on.
Arias paused, considered this, and then slowly sank back down into his seat. “...That was strange. I wonder if the electrical grid was having issues. It’s been so hot, I’ve had to have the AC on higher than usual…”
Caius was frozen, fork tightly clutched in his hand and his eyes wide, like he expected something else to have come from the shadows. It was jarring and he seemed unsettled, but ever since he’d powered up, he just seemed like he was waiting to be attacked.
It was difficult for him to swallow the lump in his throat but he had to shake his head and blink quickly to try and get his mind moving again. It still felt like everything had stalled out--and, in the absence of proper thought, he just looked at his plate and continued eating quickly.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:40 pm
Nick paused and gave a slight little laugh, shaking his head. “No worries. It was just a quick power surge. Someone might have hit a pole or something too. Don’t worry you two. It happens.” And whatever shaking that had been was totally not any kind of an earthquake...that would just...well.
That would be bad. And tonight wasn't a night for bad. Tonight was a night for good food and presentations and jobs and…
And good things. And that would be what he made sure would happen.
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