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 Posted: Tue May 21, 2024 7:19 pm
Shopping was something best done in pairs or in groups, it was not as enjoyable when done on your own, if you asked Alexandre. It was a shame he had done so much shopping over the years on his own, because there was no one to get an opinion from or enjoy things with, but those days were in the past. He’d sent out a message to a few of his cousins, ones he was close to, asking if anyone wanted to do some shopping with him. He needed to grab some things for summer, because he had more than enough sweaters, he needed warm weather clothing so he didn’t overheat.
He’d wanted to hit up some of the small boutiques in the city, rather than any luxury shops or anywhere else. He’d mentioned a particular shop to meet at if anyone wanted to join him, because he really rather not shop on his own, and that’s where he stood less than an hour later. He’d picked up an espresso, from a small cafe nearby, and was drinking slowly as he looked around at the people walking by. This backstreet was nothing but boutiques and it was the perfect place to spend a whole day shopping for clothing.
Short sleeves left his fair arms bare, showing the ink he had there, and he knew it was because of his clothing choice that people were looking at him in certain ways. He knew what sorts of looks being tattooed got, he got them whenever he wore short sleeves, it was why he kept them covered unless he couldn't take the heat - like today. It had been a choice of his thought, hastily made as it was, but he didn’t regret it. He’d embraced it and perhaps it helped a little, or a lot, that his partner liked the ink as well. It wasn’t something everyone in his family knew about, Lorcan having only discovered it when he’s turned up at his door a bloody mess a few months back. His absence from family events, high tea, and other things for years had ensured that most had no idea he had ink decorating his skin. But slowly people would know…some had seen during Easter when he’d turned up with Rene at his side. But even if everyone had heard the whispers, which maybe they had, they had not seen it in person.
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Posted: Tue May 21, 2024 7:25 pm
It was, in Gerard’s opinion, an excellent day for a family outing—particularly of the variety that meant shopping. Certainly, he knew there were people in his office who would be stunned to discover that he liked either the family or the shopping, but those were people who Gerard generally took little interest in, and their opinions and perceptions of him mattered only as much as he let them. Besides, what he did in his off hours was none of anyone else’s business anyway.
And, in any case, it was foolish to refuse an invitation without a good reason, and Gerard couldn’t even think of a bad one. Summer was fast approaching, and that meant an appropriate casual wardrobe.
He arrived precisely on time, because “fashionably late” was a myth, and as he walked up, he took note of Alexandre’s bared arms—and the ink on them.
“Those are new,” he observed, idly. “Fine work.”
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Posted: Tue May 21, 2024 7:25 pm
Nodding his head in greeting the smaller blond approached his elder cousin and fell in line next to him. “Not that new really, a few years, I’ve just been away from the family so long.” He knew the rumors, some were the truth and some were fiction. But it had been the fact he’d been dating people who just…weren’t comfortable wit the money his family had…so he’d kept his distance. Before that it had been the Negaverse and injuries and such, something Lorcan had learned a few months back.
“I’m still surprised the work was as nice as it was…it was a spur of the moment thing.” Emotion driven sudden decisions did not always go well for him, but had in this case. He’d gotten lucky with the ivy creeping up from just above his elbows to vanish under his shirt sleeves. The thorns decorating the ivy was a non-natural addition by him when he’d asked for the tattoo.
“That aside though, I was hoping for someone to shop with and perhaps some opinions as well. I’d have asked Lorcan but I think he just goes with whatever lacks personality the most, I might just buy him a few new ties while we’re out, he might appreciate them because they serve a purpose.” Because they could be used at work and unless he got something ridiculous, which he’d never do, it would be as lacking in personality as most of his cousin's wardrobe. One day he might have to go through the younger's wardrobe and see if there was anything interesting in there…any hints to other things he could purchase for him.
“Now, which shop should we start with, it’s still nice and early.” Which gave them a good amount of time to get a start on summer wardrobes.
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Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 9:35 pm
Gerard regarded the tattoo with a longer moment of interest, considering the general style and work.
"It's held up well," he said, "and for a spur of the moment decision, the design is well executed." A simple compliment, but more than Gerard was often willing to offer. There was little purpose in empty, pointless flattery. Alexandre had known him for long enough that Gerard expected he would recognize that it was high enough praise. "Nothing I could get; judges don't always look well on that sort of thing."
Stodgy, unfortunately. But that was the legal field.
Gerard did crack a brief smile at the thought of going shopping with Lorcan. No, no, that wouldn't do. "Ah, Lorcan wouldn't know half of what you'd want to hear. But I'm always glad to provide opinions." On everything, generally. But on clothing especially. "We can start at V.T. Clothiers. Small, well run, very professional. Just down the block from here."
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Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2024 6:09 am
Smiling at the compliment the smaller blond could appreciate his cousins words, because he knew Gerard meant them, his cousin didn't waste time saying things that he didn't mean. Alexandre could understand and accept that, he even agreed with it most of the time, because he tended to like using flowery words and twisting things in his favor.
"Ah, a shame. I think you'd look good with some sort of ink." A shame but Gerhard could always get something in a place he could hide it...somewhere which would never be shown in a courtroom. He was certain his cousin could figure this so he didn't mention it, maybe his cousin one day would do something similar.
"No, I'm afarid Lorcan wouldn't. Though to be honest it would be rather amusing to take him, his expressions would almost be worth it." Though his cousin in return might just make the next trip to him, for some sort of injury care, a bit more painful than it needed to be. "Sounds like a good place to start, lead the way." Motioning for Gerard to do just that.
"Tell me, how has work been? Mother has been having an issue with a particular judge, doesn't like female lawyers especially from mothers firm." Since his more was a partner in her firm, as of a few years ago, there were several female lawyers under her. It seemed every female there was being given a hard time by this one single judge. He was still working on finishing this guy, ruining his reputation, with Melody's help. The man had skeletons in his closet...
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2024 6:09 pm
Gerard shrugged. "Perhaps if it were somewhere well hidden," he said, "though that might somewhat defeat the purpose." Still, if there were ever something meaningful enough, there were places to put a tattoo that would be guaranteed to be invisible in court, and that was mostly where it mattered.
Something to think on, at a later date.
A wry smile crossed Gerard's face as he considered the idea of shopping with Lorcan--of watching him make faces as he considered what was before him. "Perhaps another time," he said, "but today, we'll at least get things done if it's the two of us."
He started down the street, frowning at what Alexandre described.
"No major projects at the moment," he said. "Unfortunate for your mother--she's a brilliant woman, but apparently some of the fossils still on the bench can't leave their prejudices in the last century, where they belong."
Pathetic.
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2024 6:44 pm
"I'd say mine are mostly covered." Unlessi t was too hot out and he had to roll up his sleeves, or wear short sleeves, but for the most part his were covered even if the tattoo work covered a large part of his body. It wasn't all that hard to cover, something he could cover if he had a job where covering it was needed. Such jobs would not be the sort where you showed your arms anyway.
"Yes, Lorcan would take a very long time to shop with. Or perhaps not - he'd just turn everything down and walk out." Their cousin just had no sense of fashion, though he thankfully didn't dress like he'd rolled out of his closet either, as he stuck to the same things and didn't try anything different.
Turning stormy eyes up to his cousin he shook his head. "It's not that cousin dear....it's deeper than that. I've gotten some help, someone from another family, and we've realized things go deeper. It would seem he is....not so interested in his wife anymore...but that isn't to say he's not interested in certain things." Watching how he worded it, and changing the tone of his voice, he was certain his elder cousin would figure it out.
"Though I've now racked up a bit of a debt for the help I've aquired in my endevor to figure this fossil, as you so nicely put it, out. We're just figuirjng out everything...including how to bury the fossil. I was thinking of...speaking with grandmother and letting her decide if certain measures should be taken." If this judge should have an accident, or go missing, should the darker side of the family deal with this man. He could as well, so could Melody, though if the man lived having a judge in the pocket might be nice. But you never knew when an old man might decide to bail on things and out the puppet master, cut their strings, and off themselves all in one go. It was a dangerous game to play and one he knew their family wouldn't play. It was too much of a risk for all of them - the family came first.
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Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2024 6:05 pm
Alexandre's observations about his own tattoos and about Lorcan's fashion sense got a nod, and a wry smile for the latter, because it was true--it would either take forever or result in him storming out in a huff.
The further revelations about the judge made his eyebrows climb up, and the grin went from wry to a little bit cruel. An edge of understanding. He nodded, accepting and understanding.
"Well. He certainly wasn't aware of who he was toying with," Gerard said. "I suspect he'll be made aware quite quickly, though." He clucked his tongue. "How unfortunate for him." Because anyone who crossed the family was likely to discover exactly how much influence they had--and in how many directions.
"Do keep me looped in," he said. "For the entertainment value, if nothing else."
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Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2024 10:35 am
"Not so quickly, it's taken some time to gather information." He'd been taking his time, making sure everything was as iron clas as possible. "It would seem the distraction he's been so preoccupied with...would like to be the only thing in his life - he isn't pleased." Considering the man was married, had been for a long time, he wasn't about to divorce his wife especially when it also meant admitting to cheating. Keeping his voice low as he spoke, not wanting anyone to over hear him, Alexandre knew how to keep secrets just as well as anyone else.
"Of course. If you want to drop by tonight I can show you what myself and Lady Sharp have gathered. I'll provide dinner, of course, something nice and a bottle of wine for you if you'd like." Smiling oh so sweetly as he spoke, far too sweetly, as he kept pace with his cousin.
"We figure his...habit has put him in a bit of a spot and he's taking it out on everyone who shares the same....equipment shall we say." That poor man...dug his own grave really and he just didn't know it yet. He just had to figure how to go about handling it. He could handle it, along with Melody, powered up or he could let his grandmother handle the issue. Either way it was likely the man would need replacing once he went missing. Or perhaps his grandmother would decide to out the judge and all the mans dirty laundry would be put out for everyone to see and know.
"Lady Sharp however has a price she wishes me to pay for her help, something I'm working on figuriung out..."
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2024 4:55 pm
Gerard raised his eyebrows, and smiled, in the way of a shark smelling blood in the water. There was an amusement there, something delighted by the suffering he was going to witness. It wasn't the first time he would be compared to such--but then, being good at his chosen career tended to bring out the great white metaphors. Frankly, Gerard enjoyed them.
"Well. That sounds like a dinner I would be an idiot to miss," he said. "I'll look forward to seeing what you have tonight." And to seeing the lovely Miss Sharp, but that was more of a side benefit, all things considered.
"Projection," he said, "is a hell of a drug. But I suspect Miss Sharp's request isn't monetary, or you would have no problem paying her for any kind of assistance she rendered."
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2024 6:24 pm
"Yes, projection is...it's also a weakness. to allow the dislike of one to boil over into a dislike of all. A weak point to be certain...and one that will damn him for certain. If he weren't so weak his little predicament wouldn't have ever been noticed." But the man couldn't help but take out his displeasure for one woman on the many around him, his own mother included, and thus the digging he and Melody had done and the uncovering of his little secret. He really should have kept his behavior in check and his secret would have remained just that - a secret.
"Of course not, Lady Sharp has more than enough money. She fancies power...and for that she wants to marry into the family. I've been tasked with finding her someone suitable who doesn't mind marrying for everything but love." Which in their family was not the easiest of things. They had money, they didn't need to marry for money or power, so they married for love typically.
"She's been at more social events trying to ingratiate herself with our family, if you've noticed." Unsure if Gerard had noticed, since he was older than Melody he might not have noticed. He also likely socialized with others closer in age, those in the family he'd grown up with, as well as people he worked with.
"Let me know what you want for dinner and I'll handle that. The wine...it's all French. My parenter refuses anything else, especially Italian wines." Shrugging as he spoke, not at all bothered by it, he didn't drink so his collection of wines was always for others who came over. The same for his collection of teas. Reaching the entrence to the shop he moved to open the door and hold it for his elder cousin.
He was certain Gerard, by the end of the night, would be keeping his eyes on a certain judge...just waiting for the blood to hit the water. Depending on how thigns went down it might be something the whole legal arm of the family would know about and be watching for, waiting, eager for the take down. It would, without a doubt, be well worth it either way.
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Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2024 1:58 am
Gerard couldn't help but laugh. Miss Melody Sharp was certainly a bold one, it seemed, and she wasn't aiming low with her ambitions, either.
"I'm impressed by the audacity of the request," he admitted. "Clearly, Miss Sharp only aims for the highest targets." And perhaps it was strange for him to think so, but perhaps it was something worth considering. Certainly no one had ever held his eye for long--and getting entangled with a social climber looking for power on purpose, with his eyes open, seemed better than doing it by accident.
Besides, love was for fairy stories. Gerard had found enough partners that started with "love" and ended with "running throguh his bank account" or "complaining that he was too cold" or "being informed that he wasn't giving his partner what they needed" to be interested in more of that.
"I had noticed her," he admitted, "though we haven't spoken much. No more than a passing interaction or two."
Perhaps he would feel things out at dinner tonight--more than just Alexandre's plans for taking down a judge.
"As for dinner, it depends on the kind of wine we're drinking. But I trust the food will be of the quality we're both accustomed to, so as long as it pairs well, I suspect I'll be more than content." Which was the real point of a good dinner, anyway.
He stepped through the door, and casually took over holding it so Alexandre could come inside as well.
What a thoroughly interesting trip this had already turned out to be.
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Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2024 10:35 am
Choking on air, as he laughed, Alexandre shook his head. "You are right, she is." She was bold and she was aiming high, it wasn't a surprise really. "At least she is upfront in her wants." Which was better than some. It was one thing to safe guard against, all of them really, because there was always the risk of someone wanting anyone of them for money, social power, and other things. He was counting himself as lucky right now - Rene needed and wanted none of that. He had money and a name of his own, though his partner didn't seem to like his last name. It was something he'd have to fix in time...
"I'm surprised you've had any interactions with her, she is a good deal younger than you." And while they were all seen at the same social events he didn't figure the two to have the same friends, and acquaintances, at these events.
"I'll give you the choice of the wines I have then, most are reds but I've got some whites. Given my partners background I can assure you the quality is there, I don't think he'd permit any subpar wine in the house." Also, as he'd already said, nothing Italian either. Alexandre was certain if he were to have cheap wine in the house, due to his own lack of knowledge about wines, Rene would have thrown it out already - not even drinking it himself. Though he wasn't actually sure if Gerard knew who he was seeing, or the taste Rene had in things.
With the door of the shop closing behind them the smaller blond took in the clothing aorund them, a smile forming on his face, this was going to be fun. He should really do this more often, especially with Gerard. "Steak or seafood tonight?" He'd figure the rest after that. Though it was summer and seafood was appealing really.
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2024 11:29 pm
Gerard nodded, thoughtfully. Already, he was turning over the possibilities in his mind--it was easy to see a path forward, all things considered. Statistically, being in a relationship was a benefit to men--and if he and Miss Melody Sharp could work out a mutually beneficial arrangement, there was no reason anything silly had to come into it.
"I can spare a few moments for conversation at an event," Gerard said, "but I wouldn't say we're friends. Barely acquaintances at this point. It certainly doesn't have to stay that way, though." Especially not with such apparent and obvious ambitions.
Was it really gold-digging if you were invited in to do it? And it wasn't as if the Sharps were without assets.
"As for dinner, seafood sounds lovely, and it sounds like your partner and I will have plenty to discuss." Gerard had to admit, he liked this man of Alexandre's already, if he was so knowledgeable and picky about his wines. "Likely a white, unless we're having salmon or a similarly heavy fish." But that was all for the evening.
And a productive evening it was sure to be.
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