Illya Kuryakin is a man from U.N.C.L.E (spychotic) wrote in angellogs, @ 2019-04-03 21:43:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, arno dorian, calum vael, dmitry, illya kuryakin, noah fon ronsenburg, shay cormac |
Who: Noah, Calum, Illya, Dmitry, Arno, Shay
When: Current
Where: Gatehouse, Craigcrook Castle, Edinburgh
What: Noah's breaking bread with family, ceremonially, before the wedding, and having a dinner with friends. He's a little uncertain, but really, anything should go well, right?
Rating/Warnings:
Status: Complete
Noah's got Basch around, at least before he's got to head in to work, and it's surprisingly peaceful helping pack a dinner for him and set up the bread. They're going to be upstairs, with pillows and the little laptop for music, and the couch and the low table. It's warmer up there. "Do you think it'll be good?" He could see using the more usual table, and it's set up as well. It's just a windy cold night, and he suspects everyone will end up there, so - clean the room up.
“It seems like it should be,” Basch nods. “You’ve thought of about everything that would do well here, I think. And taken some things into account for everyone. It should be fun.”
Noah laughs. "I keep suspecting I'll end up with wolves sleeping on the rugs, but - I don't know. I'd kind of like that, you know?" He gives Basch a light hug. "Want to take one of those warm flask things of soup?"
“Is it a moon?” Basch raises an eyebrow. “THought they only shifted THEN. But, as images go, it’s a nice one? That would work well, I think.”
“When they get angry too, I think.” There’s Calum, poking his head in a bit. “I think anyway. That’s why they have their focuses. Something to hold onto and bring them back. Sebastian was telling me about Shay once.”
Noah's filling up a thermos, but he waves. "Hello, Calum. There's broth, here, because I sent some to Bahorel for a fast dinner. And bread." Noah's also keeping a stock of home-made broth just for soup nights. It makes the house smell good, and he can set it up to percolate while he sleeps.
“Sounds nice.” Calum smiles. “They said they’ll be here in about twenty, last I heard. Something about lines at the bakery Illya wanted to stop off at. It’s a surprise what they’re actually bringing, but I suspect some kind of pastries.”
Basch laughs at that part. “Likely. If I’ve learned anything it’s that Saint Petersburg has just about anything.”
"Illya agreed to talk to little old ladies while searching for food. I suspect anything will be great." Noah snags a stool to perch on and sips his mug of tea. "Will you be joining us, Calum?'
“For at least a little while.” Calum nods. “I uh, made a playlist if you’re interested. Just light background stuff, nothing particularly themed in any direction.”
Hey, why not, right? “It’s about 45 minutes or so of pieces. Various ones.”
"That sounds lovely? Want to throw it on?" Noah's smiling at him. "Instrumental, I'm guessing? I got stuck without the radio while piping flowers and we were picking random playlists to see if we'd have any luck at background noise." Anything and "chill" seemed surprisingly successful for inoffensive background music.
“Of course.” Calum grins and goes to cue it up. It’s a bit of light background stuff, fairly heavy on the violin at first, at least in the first track. It’s nice and shouldn’t take away too much attention from the conversation.
There’s a few more voices outside now, and a moment later, there’s Shay poking through, a few bottles in hand. “Ah, hello. Iomhar said you were mostly going to be upstairs. We brought some wine and a seltzer sort of a thing.”
"It's warmer up there." Noah grins. "Hello."
“Sounds good then.” Shay grins back. “How’s it been here? Deimos’s sister turned up so he’s finally got someone who understands a bit more than we do, though I suspect it’s going to be a little odd. The cult that took him as an infant was the start of our order and it’s all likely very damning at the moment. Luckily, if the plan Arno and I’ve come up with works…”
He winks.
"Aedan said there was something odd going on with one of the places where he was riding. I told him that he should pay attention to feelings that things aren't quite normal." Noah smiles. "Beyond that, not too much. The radio was out, at work. We've got a big order for robin egg themed cakes and chocolates, so I've had blue fingertips whenever I didn't get properly protectively gloved."
He waves. "Broth, bread. Want to look around, Shay?"
“Definitely.” Shay agrees. “That said, he’s got REALLY strong Sight. It’s odd in someone without at least one ancestor but they said the same thing about me.” He shrugs. “So he should be able to navigate it fairly decently. And that must be a thing. Arno’s actually doing that right now.” He adds. “Said he’d take the chance tonight.”
"The chance?" Noah blinks. "Sorry - I'm a little -" He waves a hand. "I want this to go well, but it's cold enough that I'm honestly inclined to just all nest down upstairs near the heater. I think it's the damp."
He trails off. "And I don't know. I offered to walk around with Aedan. He's been giving me some basic how to mount a horse lessons, so I can surprise Sebastian at some point. So I've got an excuse. And maybe I'll see what's worrying him."
“At wandering around, pissing off security.” Shay grins. “They’re up for a challenge, Iomhar said.” And he nods at the last part. “Likely a good idea. May take two pairs of eyes for some of that sort of thing. “
“COULD just be show jitters.” There’s Arno, poking his way in now. “Outside’s clear, and the agressively blond guard said he’s glad that I’m not Shaun.” He snorts. “Apparently our mentor’s made himself memorable. But keep encouraging Aed to use the sight when things feel off. It SHOULD help, and it takes a while to make it second nature, even when someone’s graduated. We’re doing his first solo mission soon so it’ll help if he’s prepared a little more for it.”
He grins and eyedarts a little.
“NOT that he’s to know until perhaps the night before exactly WHAT he’s doing.”
Noah shakes his head. "I'm not sure I should know, but I'm proud he's to that point." He smiles. "Want to head up? I was talking to my brother as a fool, and it might help to let you two know about it."
“Oh I can’t either.” Shay nods. “So it’s the general sense of him being ready sort of a thing. I doubt anyone’s really decided yet. It’s not as though WE share details. Well, most.” he eyedarts and Arno snorts.
“Let’s do that, then. And oh?”
"I was saying to Basch that I might - not mind just sitting with some wolves on the hearthrug, so to speak, and relaxing. Especially if the rain started up again. I'm glad you came over." Noah's heading on up. "There's a good spot to write, if you'd like, Calum."
Shay laughs. “I wouldn’t be opposed. If you want it literally, we’ll drag over some of the pack on a full moon sometime.” Pause. “Actually that’s a horrible idea, we’re not really all that controlled then. I mean, enough we’re not DELIBERATELY going to go after anyone, but we haven’t got the wolfsbane potion either.”
He laughs.
“Harry Potter wolfsbane or dangerous wolfsbane?” There’s Dmitry, heading up with some bagged up loaves and Illya’s behind with a few packages. “You would NOT believe the lines. I suggested we just leave the money and go but this one here was having no part in it.”
“Not when it could be helped.” Illya shrugs. “Easier just to handle the line for now. Times and places, right?” He grins. “I made the dumplings with one of our neighbors.”
Noah grins. "There's broth on the stove, if you'd like it. Shall we get comfortable and we can talk? Can I help carry things?
“I’d appreciate it.” Illya grins back. “And that IS a good idea. How has it been lately?” He’s not heard MUCH, but he’s been relatively busy. There’s a few secret projects up his sleeve for one.
"Not so bad. We've got a former problem client, new person we're working with, but the same very large order for very specific things. They run a makeup division, so having the colors and the look of stuff correct is something they pay extra to get." Noah's helping take some bags as he heads up the stairs. There's Calum's music playing, and it's - peaceful. Very salon like, in the places where Noah was semi welcome, and would do paperwork under a cool breeze and have finger food sometimes. Though it's obviously much cooler tonight, and the music isn't live.
Arno’s been to his share of those, and he does notice that a little, smiling at it. “Anything else we can grab to bring up?” He’s looking around. “Bowls or anything?”
"How about the pot of broth? I've got bread up there already. The stuff here is extra." Noah's grinning. "Not sure how hungry people are, and it's simpler to have leftovers." He's snagging a trivet to put the pot on. "So how are things going with all of you?"
“Not badly.” Dmitry looks thoughtful as they start up. “Preproduction work on a few things. I did send a quick email earlier today about an idea we COULD collaborate on. Potentially it would keep things interesting while still making sure your wedding remains private.”
"I've been suggested to go down to a - sort of touristy shop and look at knives, with cameras around." Noah's sliding in to sit and helping set down the trivet. "Here - the pot won't hurt the table this way. "Apparently someone already got a photo of us outside it. What's the idea?"
“Nice.” Dmitry nods. “I was thinking a pre-wedding interview. Might be interesting if you both were willing.”
"I know we've -" Noah frowns. "I guess it's . . . partially because I left home barely an adult? I don't remember a lot of traditions, and I worked somewhere with alien traditions to home. So finding my traditions has been difficult. Sebastian's been very patient."
“Well. making your own seems a thing.” Dmitry offers. And honestly, most of what HE knows about russian marriages could fit on the head of a pin, if that, so he gets it. Not that he suspects most things still apply as it IS, but...it wasn’t like people he knew were getting married or anything, generally speaking.
"And I wasn't sure I was the marrying sort. Not out of wanting to sow oats, but more of a - line of work." Which could be true for all of them but Calum. "But I can change the subject. Do you want to hear about the latest book series that Basch brought home?"
“Reasonable, I should think,” Illya looks thoughtful “I DO know what that is like.” Mostly anyway. His career...he’s had the close calls. He’s had the times where he’s thought about things and then the demands of the field and what it takes from you sometimes came through extremely clearly for those you care about.
Arno nods at that, biting his lip a little. “Some fields you either don’t have the time or it becomes a really lousy idea.” He says, and laughs.
“OR,” Shay puts in, glancing out of the corner of his eye. “They’re an assassin and you...aren’t one anymore.” He laughs a little. “If those people could see us now.”
“Elise never minded the assassin thing.” Arno muses now. “I mean, she WANTED to recruit me in the worst way, but she didn’t mind.” He grins. “She’d think our development was HILARIOUS.” Would she want in? Shay’s seemed not to mind that thought before.
Then he snorts. “This is getting dark.”
"Then let's eat, and we can talk about the past or the future. Or nothing at all." Noah's leaning to fill up a bowl with broth. "Dumplings? I'm happy to see you, Illya, but I'm deeply interested."
“Dumplings.” Illya grins and goes to dish them out. “And what is this book then?”
"So, it's a spy story, so might not be fun with you." Noah's leaning to grab the stack of them. "But apparently the medical science is a little wonky in it, and it's actually readable."
“Spy stories I don’t mind.” Illya says. “I don’t speak much about my actual work, but I hardly mind the particulars of others. It’s simply a preference to keep both lives separate.”
“Or all three.” Dmitry mutters, and Illya kicks him in the ankle, briefly.
“Ignore him.” he tells the others.”But so, readable is good.”
"Well, the politics are academic for me, so for all I know, they're talking ridiculous stuff with politics." Noah's nibbling a dumpling and beams. "Were these really hard to make?" The books have a sniper, and a lady standing near each other on most of the covers, with a variety of "looking at the ocean" and so on kind of landscapes.
“Oh interesting.” Illya grins. “Spy romances are sometimes fantastic, sometimes horrible but usually always amusing.” His lip quirks. “And not once we were really started. AND I have a new babushka out of it.”
“He DOES collect them.” Dmitry laughs. “Half the building’s adopted him.”
Noah slides it over and curls his bowl of dumplings and broth close. "There's wine and sparkling water from Arno. What'd you bring, Dmitry? And I could see worse things, than being adopted by grannies. The group home near here seems really interested in us. I suppose we are the weird neighbors."
“A few things from the bakery.” Dmitry pulls out some breads, and a fwo boxes of pastries. “I went for an assortment of things. Most of them have some kind of jam or cream involved, but they’re labeled in case there are leftovers after the fact so nothing gets too mixed up.”
"That sounds lovely. I - think Aedan's managed some cream filled things, occasionally, but it'd help, having them labelled." Noah smiles. "Thank you for bringing all of this."
“The more sugary ones, sometimes.” Arno says. “Where it’s more like an icing, I’ve noticed.” It’s been slow going, but he’s seen it happen too. “And drier.”
Dmitry grins. “Not a problem at all, believe me.”
Noah smiles back at him. "I fear my excitement the last few nights have been doing some embroidery. It's - something you'd do when you replaced shirt collars or shirt cuffs. Or to reinforce the fabric. I suggested to Calum that . . . perhaps it'd be all right, to have a bit of Landis on my wedding shirt."
“Nice.” DMitry nods at that. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”
“Is that what you were doing the time Arno was...asleep..” Shay asks, now. “You had a few supplies out.” He grins. “And whyever not have a bit of it? We’re the ones getting married somewhere I’ve only ever visited with the family heritage.” Well, he was CONCEIVED there, but…
"Are you feeling better, Arno?" Noah tilts his head. "Shay said you had trouble sleeping. If it's the houseguest -"
“Too much work the holiday weekend.” Arno shakes his head. “The sad thing is, I do it to myself every year. But it’s better now. And, well, his sister turned up so that’s been helpful. I get the impression she’s sane. AND not from a proto templar cult.”
"I wonder if the profits from the holiday couldn't afford paying for some extra help. I'd offer to be another manpower, but I suspect -" Noah waves a hand. "I was a bodyguard. I'm bad at being lighthearted and glib, and I don't think that'd help."
“Well, we’re fine until next March now.” Arno says, with a little wave. “I’m pretty sure Sherr’s new girl’s coming on to do bartending, which helps, amd Des is willing to moonlight occasionally. It was more I overestimated my ability to do a holiday weekend. Thankfully, next time, it won’t be on a Sunday.”
He grins.
"Sounds good to me." Noah tilts his head. "I just - I'm not used to people liking invitations to come over and roost. You're not a loud overly proud pigeon on my windowsill, you know."
Arno laughs. “An eagle, perhaps, but that’s a LOT of us. Some of our parents in the brotherhood managed to all hit on the same theme. It’s sort of amusing.”
"Is there - a thing about birds of prey? I know that there was falconry, for - hunting, right?" Noah's guessing. "I know America has a thing about eagles, but I don't see the same interest in owls."
“For assassins.” Shay nods. “Symbolic so you get a fair bit of names among them. Haytham, Arno, Ezio, Altair...they’re not all LITERAL but have the elements.” He looks amused. “I’m likely forgetting some. Evie would know.” He makes a note to ask.
“And Bayek and Kassandra who’s just arrived, our Deimos’s sister, actually HAD companions.” Arno nods. “It’s all VERY symbolic. Kind of funny.”