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 Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:09 pm
Alexandre had decided, earlier in the day, that René’s shop needed an espresso machine. So his espresso machine now sat in the backroom of the others office so he could have a hot drink while here, or several hot drinks. The fridge in the back also had several bottles of flavored water and juice, things a person might need when staying at someones shop for hours on end helping out here and there. Though today he wasn’t helping at all, he wasn’t permitted to since he was still dealing with a concussion. What he was doing instead was sipping from a water bottle as he watched a customer head out the door, someone he well knew, and he eyed René from where he sat.
“His family is old money, not as old as my family as far as I know, but they attend the same social events.” Meaning they knew just who he was and likely put two and two together with ease. It would get around, rather quickly, that he and René were seeing each other. “Long line of stock brokers, it’s how they’ve always made their money, their wives are house wives by choice.” Because they had the money for that, as did his family, and so the women chose to not work and rather tended to the home and the children.
“It’ll get out, you know, about us.” He stated while motioning between them. “Not that I care but people will wonder and whisper.” About all manner of things, of course, because some people really had nothing else to do with themselves. His own family traded in secrets and gossip daily, it was simply how they ran things, but they did other things and held jobs and went to school. They didn’t simply sit about doing nothing with themselves, some even ran charities and donated to other charities and causes.
“He has a son about my age - stocks of course. His daughter however is…a surgeon. A heart surgeon I believe if I remember right. A job of passion since her grandfather died of a heart attack. It was the whisper of town when it happened…something his doctor failed to catch in time, otherwise the right medication and a simple procedure would have handled it.” Shrugging a bit as he spoke, taking another pull from the bottle he had. “And so the family has a heart surgeon at their disposal.” A simple, and easily spoken, bit of history for René about one of the families in the city. A family he’d meet, without a doubt now, once he wound up at some social event with Alexandre.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:11 pm
“Another one who isn’t nouveau riche, I could tell. They’ve purchased a few things for what I assume is a dining room renovation. A whole table and chair set, thank god for that. It was taking up too much room here.” Marking things off in the big binder of inventory, the thing was getting too thick to close all the way. It was almost time for him to swap out to a newer one soon. Everything was also on his computer but he still preferred a paper trail just in case anything happened.
“I don’t mind, though I wonder what they’d think without knowing the whole story about me.” Teasing a bit before kissing them softly on the cheek. He quite liked hearing all the gossip and tales of his customers from the blond, that extra layer of intrigue to fill in the gaps of the narratives he constructed for each customer. A whole web of influence and entangled families that the other had more than a few tales of. It was just the perfect way to pass the time and he could listen to them for hours about all the things in this city.
Thinking of the city reminded him of the previous night and what had happened. Sleep had made things feel less urgent but he didn’t want to double back on what he’d said either. Nothing of that matter could be spoken of here though, it wasn’t something that should be talked about when anyone could walk in.
Leaning his chin on his palm as he pondered a few things, that click of a piercing against his teeth passed the time while he sifted through the things he knew and what he wanted to know.
“How is your head feeling so far today? You seem alright, though I still don’t want you trying to do anything too strenuous today. Maybe I’ll return the favor for what you did when I had a concussion later.” A sly smile crept over his face as he watched them.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:13 pm
“I figured you would notice that, for those who know what to look for it’s easy to spot.” Most of the new rich bought certain brands, as did the middle class who wanted to look rich, but the actual rich…the old money. They didn’t go for the same brands, in most cases anyway, he didn’t mind wearing those brands so long as logos weren’t plastered all about or big and bold. It also was amusing when people didn’t know what to make of him, when new money didn’t realize who he was even when he said his name. But he also knew René liked stories about people, liked gossip, and even came up with stories for people. So he thought the other might like a bit of information on the man.
Eventually René would know about a lot of people in the city, he’d need to, and Alexandre would provide him what information he could. The rest he knew his family could easily fill in, it was just a matter of time and introducing him to family. “So they know who you are then?” He asked, adding just a bit of emphasis on the last part, did they really know who René was? He knew a few clients did, René had told him as much, was this one of them? It certainly wouldn’t surprise him, the old man had good connections, so then he’d be quite shocked and surprised to see what was obviously two powerful families uniting even if René was the only remaining member of his family. It still spoke of something.
“If he does it’ll without a doubt be out before the night's end. Considering your family and mine…” Trailing off, as if he needed to say anything more, he gulped down the rest of his drink rather quickly, nearly choking on his drink he shook his head slowly. “I suppose we might as well give the rumor mill something to do with their free time.” Rolling his eyes. The man would tell someone, without a doubt, and they would tell another and once the wives got a hold of the information it would be everywhere. At least his family already knew, especially his grandmother, he didn’t need to worry about shocking his family.
“If he didn’t know, and thought you some French dealer of antiques, and nothing more, I’m sure my reputation would be sullied and perhaps finally fall beyond repair. However, even if that did happen I’d still have my family - because family is everything.” And they did not turn their backs on a single member, because every member was loyal to the family. Even the branches were loyal and gained loyalty in return, it was even amongst them all, no one was lesser because that could cause all manner of ill feelings to fester and cause problems for others in the family. No, no person or branch was held over another person or branch. It wouldn’t work - they wouldn’t survive.
Laughing, even as his cheeks warmed and took on some color, he couldn’t help himself. “My head is feeling better though I admit I still have a headache. I’ve also been injured worse so I’m pushing through, it’s nothing I can’t handle. The offer though…I might take you up on that tonight. But I think there were other matters to discuss today?”
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:13 pm
“In a way they know, the Gastinnes are also an important family that became intertwined with the Rennettes the rest is history as they say but even a partial truth for those that know makes things a bit bothersome. I don’t really like the connection I have to any of it, even if I do like the financial benefits of it.” A name was a chain in this case and he was very tired of the history tied to his.
“My reputation is a completely different story, nothing I did stuck no matter how hard I tried to fall out of things. They were hell-bent on me being married off to some other family for something or other.” Scratching at the back of his head, he had done everything short of murder to try and make himself undesirable just so that they’d show up to yell at him or try to stop pawning him off as a bargaining chip.
Pulling them a bit closer so they could lean their head on his shoulder, René nodded. “You don’t need to push yourself around me just be careful. While we are here though maybe lighter topics just in case.” Leaning in to whisper in their ear as he spoke. “Later tonight we can talk about the magic and things before I have a little fun with you.”
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:14 pm
“So then they know what our pairing really is.” In terms of power both socially and financially, lovely, he wasn’t surprised though. He’d survive this because he didn’t care, and he doubted René cared a single bit, it would cause waves though and he knew it. “Meanwhile all I did was not settle for a career and I get labeled a black sheep by every family that isn’t my own. Didn’t help that I never married or had anyone with me.” Rolling his eyes once more he sighed.
“Well, this might just help in killing that reputation I’ve managed to garner myself. And you - you managed to get away from the marriage, by some form of luck, and you’re here and you’ve decided for yourself who you wish to be with.” But this all meant René would, at some point, wind up at events with him and brought into the city's social circles.
“Alright, later tonight for that, and whatever else you have planned, until then would you like the gossip and information you’ll need to survive at my side?” He questioned, drawing back enough to smile up at the other, a mischievous and yet promising smile, he knew enough to keep the other very happy. “Magic tonight, gossip now if you want? Or some other topic? Questions about me, my family, whatever you’d like. I don’t mind.”
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:14 pm
“I mean I’m happy with things as they are, names and status really don’t mean much to me. But if it does help you, then it’s a win-win I suppose. Though luck had nothing to do with how I wiggled out of that arranged marriage.” Rubbing his shoulder, he gave them a look that let them know it was connected to his injury. “How could I not decide to be with you? When confronted with such an angel and they offered to give me their name? How scandalous~ Wooing another foreigner like others in your family?” Laughter bubbled out as he spoke, the temporary seriousness fading back away to his normal casual teasing that seemed wholly effortless on his part.
The mischievous smile of theirs always piqued his interest so he offered one of his own. “Tell me all the delicious gossip about some of my regulars maybe? I have all the names written down in my ledger and I am so very curious about how many of them you might know. Maybe a bit more about what kind of jobs you’ve had, since you say you can’t settle on one. I would guess that the other things you do sort of make it difficult.” He could also very much see where the other would be hard to manage or deal with in a customer based setting. The way they would get all bothered and annoyed by things and very much let everyone know by tapping their foot or making comments. It was cute to him but it wouldn’t be something most jobs would be accepting up.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:15 pm
“I have never offered to give my name to another person, I may have considered it once but it passed fast, I would more than consider it here.” Alexandre responded easily enough, honestly, as he watched the other. He wanted to see how the other would respond to such knowledge.
“Pull out the books and I’ll see which names I know. I may not know everything but those who are like us I’ll know something about.” Even if it wasn’t a lot he would know something, it was expected for him to know something about everyone if possible.
Hefting himself up he sat on the counter top and tilted his head a bit. “I worked at a plant nursery selling plants, that was my first job, and it went well for a while…till I got fired.” Because he’d had a panic attack over a spider, though he didn’t say that, he knew it was a possibility but he enjoyed plants and knew a lot about them. “Then I worked at a pagan, witchcraft, shop dealing with herbs because I know enough about them. While I don’t know the magical properties I know about the medicinal uses.” And he did use air quotes when saying magic properties, because he did not believe in such nonsense. Magic was real but not that sort of magic.
“Then came a high end clothing store, I worked for a friend's sister, she brought in fashion from high end European brands. I did well enough there but it’s boring…so little to do and just uninteresting. After that I was teaching art in a high school…but I soon discovered I didn’t like the idea of grading art. How do you grade someones skill and if a student can’t manage one style but can do another - or has a preference. I found it unfair to grade things so I couldn’t continue there.” He’d been through a variety of jobs but no office jobs, not yet anyway, but his inability to just settle and find a comfortable career was what got him. None of them suited him really, perhaps if he hadn’t ever joined the Negaverse he’d have been better off in terms of a job, but he was who he was now and there was no looking back and pondering what if’s.
“I just can’t find a job where I’m content and comfortable…if that makes sense.” He seemed a bit hopeless, and perhaps he was, but he really didn’t know what he was suited for. He’d spent years in a war fighting, and killing, and to do something so normal and mundane…something stuck in one building and catering to others in some cases. In other cases grading art. It just didn’t work.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:15 pm
Raising an eyebrow, he really liked hearing that, even if they maybe hadn’t meant it the way he’d taken it then. Ghosting his lips over theirs as they shifted up onto the counter, he kept a hand on their thigh once they settled in their new seat. Squeezing softly, he nodded, pulled out one of the smaller ledgers, and flipped through it with his free hand. “Maybe first the ones who seem to know me, I figure it might be best to know what I can about them just in case.”
Leaving the page open for them to look at, he looked up at them and listened as they went over their work history. It was drastically different from what he had expected but at the same time, he could see bits and pieces of each thing that made sense with what he knew of the other. The air quotes around the word magic gave him a laugh, especially considering the things he’d seen so far and the fact he knew there was so very much more he didn’t know.
“I don’t think I could teach art either, I’d have the same problem when it came to grading.” Reaching up, René brushed Alexandre’s bangs out of their face. “It does make sense but I think you have a few extenuating circumstances that make it a little more difficult than the average person.” Even now he really wasn’t sold on his position at this counter every weekday from nine to five but it was easier than some of the other options he’d been looking at.
“Maybe I can try helping at some point, you seem to enjoy being here at the shop though I’m not sure if that’s just because I’m here or the things we do here.” If it was something he could help with, he’d try it out and see what they liked. Or maybe if he got things worked out enough he could just work from home like they mentioned and see if they liked the idea of running their own business as well.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:16 pm
While he spoke he was looking over names, he knew them…he knew them all. Some names he knew more about than others but they weren’t unfamiliar to him. Of course they weren’t. If they knew René then they had to be high enough, socially speaking, for him to know of them and their families as well. Well, if they ever did anything René didn’t like he’d be able to handle them without issue. They’d learn their place if need be…he’d make sure of it. “Well, I can easily say that if any give you a hard time I’ll handle them…or someone will.”
Pushing at the other when he broke out laughing he puffed up a bit. “How could I believe in that sort of magic when I’ve seen magic? Seriously. They can do all the chanting they want - it does nothing. It’s all a bunch of people who want more than they have, who want some sort of power out there, all so they can feel better with their lot in life…like something might help if they chant enough…if they burn enough sage.” Shaking his head he couldn't help it, he had his opinions on the matter and they were rather strong. “It’s just that they believe in unseen powers who listen to them…hear their wants and will give it? But if they don’t get things than it’s that they didn’t want it enough? It’s all useless this supposed magic. It’s not magic…it’s seeking more than you have and seeking for things to happen which they cannot do themselves.” All rather useless and in some ways it was hard to describe, in precise words, his feelings on the matter but he figured he did well enough.
“Plants however I believe in, I know they can be used medically…among other uses. Their magic uses meant nothing to me and yet I needed to learn such tripe.” And that was utterly beneath him, if the look he suddenly had didn’t say that.
“No, need. I think I’ll be happy with a job dealing with plants, something that it’s a plant nursery. But I don’t mind coming here and helping, I get to spend time with you.” They got to work on them, on repairing what he’d gone and ruined, even if he’d had a good reason for messing everything up. “It feels right and it keeps me from being stuck in one place too long.” Because he could come and go as he pleased, and that he needed. He didn’t like the same thing day in and day out, he’d realized that at some point. “If you dealt with more paintings I might find more interest.” With a smile he added the last bit, because he really knew nothing of most of the items here for sale. But he knew art and paintings.
“Now, do you want to hear some gossip?” He questioned jabbing his finger at the book which he’d pulled into his lap. “Some of the people here are rather interesting and some have a good deal of power.”
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:17 pm
So that was news, not sure if it was good or bad depending on the mood the other was in but either way, it was good to know that if something came up there was a bit of a secret weapon. “Makes things a bit easier then if something does come up but I’m pretty good at evading the uncomfortable topic of my family.” He might as well have a medal for how good he’d gotten at waving things off and dancing around things.
The push set him laughing more, as did the explanation they gave. “Never really liked the stuff myself beforehand but yeah, a bit hard to buy into it knowing about other things.” René nudged them back before settling his hand back onto their thigh. The mention of seeking more hit him in the wrong way for a second, the smile faltering before he shook it off. It wasn’t that way now, not the one-sided thing that it was like before. Leaning up, he pulled them into a quick kiss to reassure himself.
Pulling back away to listen to them going on about plants, he could see that being something that would maybe work out for them. “Plants and their language, I could get behind that and seeing all the plants you work with like in your greenhouse. And I’m glad you like being here, the paintings will come later after I get some of the larger furniture sold off. I think there are a few hundred paintings scattered that need to be packed up and sent but those are a bit harder to do the paperwork for. I think you might want to whisk some of them away, there may be a few of my larger works mixed in with everything. Who really knows though, it’s all been packed up since before I left.”
Looking down at the ledger where Alexandre was pointing, René thought for a moment about how much juicy gossip he was about to hear. It was going to be quite an interesting day and he’d be taking a lot of mental notes. “Yes my petit ange, tell me all their stories.” This was something he could manage, something he would dive headfirst into every time.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:19 pm
“I am glad too my petite souris is good at evading things, it means you can handle yourself in a social arena.” And he would need that skill if he remained at Alexandre’s side. “I think I have a social event coming up soon…if you would like to come with me?” He questioned, right before the other was kissing him. “I believe it is a charity event for the local shelters…so they can remain no kill.” He spoke softly, as if he wasn’t sure what the event was for…when he most certainly knew. “I believe they’ll even have animals up for adoptions at the event.” Not that he was planning to adopt, not after he’d lost Cadha months ago. He was fine with Katya, even if she wasn’t a normal cat by any means.
For a moment something seemed to shift before it was gone but he’d seen it, had felt it. Reaching out with a hand to grasp the other's face, his fingers smaller and more slender than the others, he held him for a moment. “Did I say something wrong?”
Pressing his lips together he gave a firm nod of his head. “Yes, I do believe I’d like to see the paintings before you sell them. I’m certain I’d like a few.” And he was certain other members of his family would as well, he’d call Fiona to look at them as well. “I also think we should keep anything you painted - I’d very much like them.” He would need to figure something out for them all, he had an idea that had been forming for a while, and it would work well with the idea.
“Mmm, I can tell you all their stories.” Or at least everything he knew, he had no issue in telling René so many stories. And he did start with one of the families on the list, and the whispers of a possible unmarried and very young pregnant daughter but no baby. But the whispers and rumors seemed to have a lot of backing. Someone had seen the daughter leaving a certain sort of doctors office and how she’d been wearing bigger clothing, when out and about. The daughter had also been avoiding all social events where baggy clothing wouldn’t work. The excuse was a change in style. No one was buying it but there was no baby to see either…so everyone assumed they’d adopted a child out or were hiding them somewhere.
The stories went on from there.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:20 pm
“If there was a medal for avoiding my family ties, I would be the undefeated champion. But… I would be up for joining you for something like that. I should get back to getting out more…” He’d stopped his adventuring for the month that things had been at their worst and since then he’d been just juggling all the backlog and spending time with the other.
“Oh, that sounds really nice. There will probably be a lot of other couples there too. I never really had a pet and I doubt I could call Katya one. I think she’d take offense to that.”
Pulling his hand up to hold theirs, he felt a bit bad that they’d noticed. It wasn’t something he wanted to worry the other with since it wasn’t a terribly big deal but it was hard to evade when they looked concerned. “Not exactly just something getting lost in translation and hit a bit close to some of those worries of mine about us. I’m okay though, really I am.”
That settled, he made the mental note to set the paintings aside for review before putting them out on the floor for sale to everyone else. “If you want, most of them are from university so the subjects are pretty repetitive. I am still up for painting more interesting subjects like you or the scenes of this city. I still like the idea of painting something small of you and those little rabbits.” It was something to look forward to, something farther out than he would normally plan but it would also mean that he’d been able to keep them around that long as well. By then, he hoped that nagging worry in the back of his mind would be done with and he could focus more on the rest of things.
Resting his head on them, he listened with an excited little smile on his face. There were scandals, drama, and all manner of muddy topics that his customers had been dragged through in the social world. It was messy and he lived for each and every tale they wove, sometimes leaving him with his mouth hanging open just a bit in shock from how deep down the rabbit hole he was being pulled. He regretted nothing though, the stories gave him a lot to think about.
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Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:20 pm
“Couples yes, but a lot of families as well. It looks good to support puppy dogs and kittens - everyone knows that.” Hadn’t he once heard that the internet loved cats? Thatcats, and kittens, could solve all the world's problems and various other things. He was certain he’d heard such things spouted on the internet, and it was why everyone would be supporting such an event. He was certain his family would be making some big donation as well, as they did for so many events, but this one would be honestly made and not just to look good.
“No, I don’t think she’d appreciate being considered on par with your normal, average, cat.” He said shaking his head and laughing. No, Katya might even plot against him with Lorcan’s help, because those two got along rather well, if he insinuated she was the same as any other cat. “Perhaps an exchange of sorts then? Some of my high school and university paintings for some of yours?” He offered while holding a hand out and smiling up at the other. “Because I would very much like to keep your work for myself, call me greedy if you want. The rest of the art I will look over, see what catches my fancy.” Because he would properly purchase pieces from the other, he wasn’t about to ask for free art, he was certain some of the pieces would be worth a good deal and he would pay it if he wanted the art.
“I would enjoy seeing what you could paint of me.” Because he really would enjoy the other painting him, the others focus on him with such intensity…yes, he very much liked the idea.
As he spoke of each person he knew, and their families, he didn’t hold back anything which he knew. There was, he suspected, a lot he didn’t know but whatever he knew he shared with the other. Laughing at the faces René made he would poke the other or tease him gently here and there. If they were going to a charity event, together, he’d have to talk to René about clothing and what colors…but that would wait till later - after the stories.
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