Tweak

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Tweak says, "I have a .45 and a shovel..."

Callum Young (fakingit) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-08-26 00:55:00

Subject: Another check up.
Who: Callum Young
Where: The abode Antony pays for Callum to live in.
Warnings: tbc
Open to: Antony Blackwood

The sun was very very bright as the morning drew on, peeking through the curtains directly into Callum's eyes. Callum mumbled and turned away from the horrid iris-burner. He was resting, tangled in the sheets of his bed after a long night of pleasing a lady-friend he'd happened to tice back to his home when he was slightly sozzled the night before. Said lady was now tottering around in sheets of her own, looking like she was wearing a toga as she tried to find something to eat. There was nothing. Callum had not been sober enough to try and get food for himself. No doubt she'd had to walk him home.

As he only grunted in reply to her many many questions, she eventually gave up and left him to his hangover in peace whilst she browsed the artwork on display. No doubt she'd ask him to paint her any minute but with the ache in his head at the moment he didn't really have the patience to explain.

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rakehell
2008-08-25 07:23 pm UTC (link)

Antony's nerves had taken all they could take. It had been days since he had checked on the younger man, knowing it did not look good for him to be visiting the artist as frequently as he usually did. But worried too much about what he was getting up to, and he had to discuss some up-coming commissions, Antony found himself outside the door of the man's home, or really his as it was in his name and he paid the rent for the moment.

Lord only knew what the man could get up to when alone and drunk. Half of London could know the truth of their situation, or other more horrible things that could be happening were popping into his head so he banged on the door louder when he did not answer right away. "Callum! Callum, it's Antony, let me in."

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fakingit
2008-08-25 07:34 pm UTC (link)

Banging, banging was not good for his head!! Reluctantly Callum rose from his bed, stumbling over his own clothes to grab his robe and haphazardly drape it over his form. He had to keep his financier happy, even if it meant being dragged up out of bed and an ungodly hour just to calm the man's nerves. What time was it anyway? Eleven? Twelve? Far too early, far too early indeed.

With a great yawn Callum opened the door, blinking blearily out at his sudden noisy guest and stepping aside to let him in with a big yawn. "What are you bangin' for, it's not nice..." he said behind it, licking his dry lips as Antony entered whilst the lady still wandered around the house semi naked.

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rakehell
2008-08-25 07:42 pm UTC (link)

He was not a vicious man, but Callum presented him with the chance to annoy him so he took it. "But loud banging gets results." he said loud enough to cause the man's ears to ring. "You would have stayed in bed had I not been loud and we have things to talk about."

He wrinkled up his nose as he moved past the shorter man, "Good God, what have you been up to? You smell absolutely terrible." glancing at his state of dress, or rather undress, he raised an eyebrow at him. "You didn't subject some poor woman to yourself and your... Smells?"

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fakingit
2008-08-25 08:01 pm UTC (link)

Callum wafted his hands at Antony as if he were swatting a fly buzzing around his head, though he didn't make contact with him. "We have things to talk about?" he repeated, looking pretty bewildered as he dawdled into the living room. He also appeared rather offended when Antony sought to insult him.

"I have been drinking, and for your information..." Callum was caught short by the appearance of the woman trotting into the living room, grabbing her clothes with a smile before moving back into Callum's bedroom. This made him smile. "See? Woman. Now talk quietly, please."

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rakehell
2008-08-25 08:16 pm UTC (link)

He shook his head, "That poor woman." after she left he looked back to 'Callum'. It always felt so strange calling him Callum, he could still remember time spent with his father, being called by his real name, the name that the man before him was now using... And dirtying. But he was not going to go into it.

"You'll have business soon, there is a woman who wishes to speak with you, Louisa Beeton. Have you heard of her? She gave me a damn good grilling the other evening and wants to speak with you. There are a few possible commissions coming your way soon as well. And you must finish your most recent work before then." he was speaking of the painting of Lalla, which the man had not even seen yet, but he was careful of what he said as they were not completely alone.

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fakingit
2008-08-25 08:23 pm UTC (link)

"You mean you have to finish it," Callum replied, sitting at the table with a sour look on his face. He'd heard of Miss Beeton alright, and apparently she wasn't very favourable about him. He'd have to tidy up, look presentable and the whole thought of having to maintain a facade through an argument was not really appealing. "Why does she want to speak to me? Does she want a painting, what? I can't abide people who want to visit you just to tell you you're shit."

He grabbed a nearby cup and drank some water before offering it to Antony. "Speaking of commissions, you might have an extra one... how many have you got?"

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rakehell
2008-08-25 08:40 pm UTC (link)

"Do not jest like that, Callum, I have no talent whatsoever when it comes to painting." he said loud enough to make sure the woman would hear it if she had heard the first thing.

Clearing his throat Antony continued. "She wants to talk to you about your immorality and the fact that you paint nothing but pornography. I did my best to quiet her but she would not listen to me, so she wants answers from you. She wants to set up a meeting."

He shrugged, "I'm not sure at this point, two perhaps. YOU will be busy soon."

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fakingit
2008-08-26 11:57 am UTC (link)

Callum made a point of rolling his eyes as Antony went on about having no talent in painting just to make sure. He sipped the water once more, wrinkling his nose. He needed to get some fresh stuff, really. "Nothing but pornography??" Callum said, rather loudly for his current state and he winced. "That's rubbish. I'll have to give her a hiding about that."

The woman had obviously haphazardly put on her clothes and she waved to Callum with a small 'same time tonight!' as a farewell as she slipped out of the door. Callum scratched his chin. "So I'm going to have people coming to me expecting to pose and be painted and I'm supposed to do what exactly?"

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rakehell
2008-08-26 12:07 pm UTC (link)

"Don't give her cause to write about you." he said after the woman left. "That would be the last thing we need right now, so play nice alright, I know she's a little intmidating but I expect your charm to be enough to calm her."

He sighed softly, "The standard routine, I'll do my best to be there, if not try and find a woman who resembles her close enough and bring her to me. Scribble on the canvas as you always do, then pull a drop cloth over it and proclaim in that self-assured voice I pay you for that no one must see it until it's finished. I will come around at night to finish them."

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fakingit
2008-08-26 12:13 pm UTC (link)

Callum nodded. "Right. Lie, cheat, drag similar women to you, be nice to the old dragon. Got you," he said, ticking it all off on his fingers as he sighed and looked at his friend rather drowsily. He always looked so worried and careworn. "You should move, you know. Go out in the countryside. Get some air. Be somewhere that you don't have to keep putting on that stupid foppish voice, it's silly..." he grumbled. "I only say this because I care - I worry about you too you know - but you're beginning to get wrinkles."

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rakehell
2008-08-26 12:28 pm UTC (link)

He cleared his throat, lapsing deeper into his scottish accent. "I'm being told I look terrible by a man with a massive hang-over and who smells as if he's been living on pub floors all of his life, lovely..."

He shook his head, "Gourock is countryside, nothing but sheep fields and a port, I go a little mad with out a bit of society, and yes, I realize I'm talking about the north and sheep but I'm not from that far north. But we're not discussing me here, I'm tired of seeing the name 'Callum Young' splashed across the gossip pages, you need to shape up or at least be more careful."

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fakingit
2008-08-26 12:36 pm UTC (link)

"Me shape up?!" Callum cried, suddenly jerking his back straight and looking at Antony with wide eyes. "Listen, mate, I've been driving myself crazy fielding needy women who want you to paint them, and I've been slapped three times this week by outraged mothers! Just who is Genevra Hall anyway? Her mother looks like a shetland pony..."

Highly grumpy now Callum rose from his seat and over to the side where he found a fresh bottle of water to pour himself another drink. "It's no fault o' mine the name's in the papers. If you painted your women with a shawl on now and again maybe there wouldn't be as much interest."

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rakehell
2008-08-26 12:49 pm UTC (link)

"I'm sure you have a terrible time with all these women wanting to strip off their clothes for you." he said dryly. It took a great deal to get Antony agitated and Callum's barbs were not enough to even dent his mental armor. "Genevra Hall? Genevra... I believe she's my Persephone a few weeks ago when I was on that mythological kick. Lovely girl, terrible mother."

He sighed. "When your drinking and carousing are printed more often than how 'distasteful' my paintings it starts being your fault, Callum. I know you get bored, believe me I would rather have you happy and at the top of your game, so what is it you want?"

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fakingit
2008-08-26 12:56 pm UTC (link)

"Persephone. Ha! No wonder she went to Hades with that battleaxe around her," Callum snorted, but quickly quietened when Antony pointed out the stories. He hated failing, and he really couldn't say those reports were on Antony's head. Becoming rather sombre, Callum's face dropped and he leant against the counter of the kitchen.

"Nothing. I don't want anything from you," he said softly, glaring into his cup. "I know I'm a crap actor, alright, I don't need you telling me I'm in bad shape as well."

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rakehell
2008-08-26 01:11 pm UTC (link)

"I would not have hired you if you weren't good, but perhaps it isn't easy to constantly play a part as we would have first believed. Burn outs were always a possibility, not that I'm saying that you are, but perhaps we need to ease up, only take commissions with plenty of zeroes. It isn't a bad idea as my wrist is starting to make these horrible popping sounds." not that he was bothered too much, he lived for painting.

"You've just got to take care of yourself, I'd be in quite the jam if managed to drink yourself to death."

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fakingit
2008-08-26 01:19 pm UTC (link)

"I hardly think I'll drink myself to death. I'll be punched to death first," he said sourly. "I just..." Callum sighed deeply, twiddling the mug in his hands. There was no easy way to go about it, or express it but as it had been playing on his mind for several days he saw an opportunity to tell his - well whatever Antony was to him.

"Now this is not me getting sentimental, okay, heaven forbids that among many other things, but - I miss my family. You know, I miss being called 'Alastair' and I know there's no chance of visiting them, they won't accept me, but I was a disappointment to my parents and now I don't want to be a disappointment to you.. that's all. You're kind of... my life now." He raised his eyes embarassedly to Antony. "So to speak."

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rakehell
2008-08-26 01:26 pm UTC (link)

"Callum... Alastair." he was far more comfortable calling him by his given name than 'Callum', it was hard saying his own name and speaking to someone else. He knew exactly the way he felt, Antony had felt it himself not long after his aunt handed him over to the Earl, but he could never tell that to him.

"I understand how you fell, it must be hard to have to completely forget your own identity. And if you will permit me, we are not so very different you and I in regards to being each others lives right now."

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fakingit
2008-08-26 01:32 pm UTC (link)

Callum smiled a little then made it disappear, putting on a stony face and wrinkling his eyebrows to make the tender moment go away. "I am your life? That's sad. I mean at least I have an Earl as mine, you have some poor actor who's under a fake identity with a hygeine problem. At the moment. I'll wash later," he said, trying to deflect some of the mood.

He appeared brighter now. "Painted any good melons lately?"

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rakehell
2008-08-26 01:45 pm UTC (link)

He sighed and brought a hand up to rub his eyes. "You seem to relish the fact that you make my life difficult, and after everything I do for you, it hardly seems fair." wrinkling up his nose, he sighed once more. "Melons? I'm glad the etiquette lessons you had your first week were a help."

He wasn't going to answer that question. "If asked say you are currently working on a lovely writer who, despite her particular personality, you have found greatly intriguing." when he continued to look at him, Antony gave in. "Blonde, lovely proportions, kept trying to jump me, didn't tell me she was a-" he stopped himself, Callum didn't need to know that.

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fakingit
2008-08-26 01:49 pm UTC (link)

"I don't relish it, Tonyboy, I just enjoy it slightly too much," he said with an innocent smile which he had used on many women in the past. Callum listened intently to what Antony had to say, hanging on every word and repeating it in his head to try and remember it for later. He was studying Antony until he almost gave up something juicy. Callum's eyes widened and he beamed. "Was a what? What is she? A hybrid? A man dressed as a woman? What? I won't tell anyone I swear. I'll only laugh. A bit."

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rakehell
2008-08-26 02:42 pm UTC (link)

He frowned when he was called Tonyboy, if there was one thing he did not like it was being called Tony, and Callum knew that well enough.

Why was he telling Callum this? Well, he knew why, he had a weak backbone and usually gave in at the slightest bit of pressure or nudging. "Virgin." he finally muttered. "I didn't think there were any left in London this day and age, but I managed to find her." He had always been a bit uncomfortable with the idea of taking virgins, something about him being a woman's first didn't sit right with him, and usually they got clingy which only caused more trouble. "She didn't tell me before we..."

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fakingit
2008-08-26 02:55 pm UTC (link)

Callum was unable to stop the burst of laughter that flew from his mouth when Antony got out the first word. Well, he had warned him. Managing to stop his chuckling for the time being he cleared his throat and tried to regain a serious face. "I'm sorry. You were nice enough to entrust me to that information and I should not have reacted so foolishly, I apologise..."

Still, the straight man act was too hard to keep up and soon he was cracking up again into giggles. "So how old is she? Can't be too young if she's a writer or whatnot... you don't half pick 'em don't you Antony? Eh? Good on you though! At least you know you won't catch anything."

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rakehell
2008-08-27 11:33 am UTC (link)

Antony sighed, "I fail to see how this is funny." he rubbed his eyes again. He knew the man would not be understanding, why did he still tell him? Because you're an idiot, Callum Young, your fake name and stolen title doesn't change that, that's why came that little voice in his head, the one that only popped up after he had done something wrong.

"I did not ask, late twenties or early thirties, what does it matter?" he then folded his arms and glanced up at the ceiling. "I'm so happy you find my life amusing."

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fakingit
2008-08-27 11:39 am UTC (link)

"I find our life amusing," Callum chuckled but then he noticed his patron's strange demeanor and frowned. "Why are you so up your own arse today? You're grumpier than me and I'm the one with the headache. Is it because you think she'll go all doe-eyed and clingy?"

He made his way back to the table and sat down, sighing and stretching his stiff muscles. He hadn't slept in a very good position on that bed, a common theme when he had a woman alongside him.

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rakehell
2008-08-27 12:02 pm UTC (link)

He sighed once more. "Eh, that woman got to me, rattled my cage a bit more than I would have liked. If she did not care for my-" he corrected himself. "Your work, then she could have been reasonable about it, not spout some sanctimonious drivel about God and morality and how I- you take advantage of every poor woman that comes in the door. I would have been fine if she would have brought me criticism that was logical, but no, close minded women when they reach that age take on a self righteous bent."

He ran a hand over his hair, "What do writers know about art anyway? I am sure she is the sort to be happiest when miserable and believes everyone around her must be miserable as well. I mean, how was I supposed to take being marched up to and told I was a bad man for being the patron of a pornographer?"

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fakingit
2008-08-27 12:12 pm UTC (link)

"Oh tell the old bat to sling one," Callum said, rather unhelpfully at first, but it was only the beginning of his 'advice'. "She's probably jealous that she doesn't have the body to be flaunted in a picture. Either that or she needs a good shag. Probably both. These self-righteous people think that if anyone doesn't meet their own impeccable high standards and morals that you are automatically scum and should be cast out for your horrid ways! I don't understand them and I doubt that I will."

Shaking his head he looked at Antony with a shrug. "I'll do my best to remain civil with her but there's only so much I can stand, with you being insulted like that. With me being insulted," he corrected himself suddenly.

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rakehell
2008-08-27 12:28 pm UTC (link)

"Bloody English." he said to himself. "I appreciate that, I don't want to pick up the newspaper in a few days time and see the the headline 'Scotch painter throttles lady romance novelist'. Not that it would not please me a great deal, but you have an image and reputation to uphold."

He shifted his weight, as if that would force that woman from his mind. "Are you in want of anything for the moment? You haven't ruined your new set of clothes yet, have you?"

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fakingit
2008-08-27 12:33 pm UTC (link)

Callum laughed, mentally agreeing to avoid a throttling when he cast his mind over his current status and tried to think of anything he was in dire need of. "Scotch. And food. I haven't been able to stock up my cupboard yet. Oh, and a few new books might be nice - I also think some girls are getting suspicious because the paintings in the study are the same and no new ones are being added, so I might just attempt a few myself. Other than that I'm quite fine."

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rakehell
2008-08-30 10:06 am UTC (link)

He nearly rolled his eyes when Callum mentioned Scotch, but then he reasoned that if he drank at home he would be far less likely to go out and drink in public. "I'll give you a bit of extra money, it might be good if you're seen out and about buying things for yourself. The masses may start to believe you're just a normal fellow who happens to paint."

Antony flinched, "No. I've seen your attempt at drawing, I do not want to imagine you painting. After dark I'll have some new ones delivered, perhaps a few unfinished to make you look busy."

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