InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Bring out the halflings!!!"

xavier delamere {the count of monte cristo} (whatbefell) wrote in bellumlogs,
@ 2010-06-13 16:08:00

Entry tags:

count of monte cristo, fernand mondego

Who: Xavier and Lucas
What: ~~Old friends~~ Business partners ~~reacquaint~~ meet over lunch.
Where: Lobby then to Osha
When: This afternoon
Warnings: It's a bit early for that, isn't it? Some dark thoughts, maybe some swearing - nothing more.

With the final message from Lucas, Xavier pushed back from his desk and locked down the computer. It was a habit from when he travelled - even if his doors had the best locks, he couldn't have people walk in and finding his notes and what was left on his hard-drive. He was careful, he'd been taught to be that over the years.

He flexed his hands, glancing over his office briefly before heading to the main room. Judging from what he knew of Lucas from previous years, he truly would be down in the lobby. There wasn't any reason for him not to be and Xavier, was in fact doing the man a favor just by entertaining the idea of funding him. It didn't change the fact that Xavier wanted to be there before Lucas; it meant he had to move quickly.

A vase, hand-made from Venice, had been smashed during his conversation with Lucas. He grabbed a broom from the closet, sweeping up the pieces with swift, quick work. The vacant spot on the shelf from where it had been didn't look too strange; his whole apartment had carefully placed open areas, just for sitations like this. He made a mental note to buy a new supply of breakables for the next time he lost control.

One small shard was pocketed in his black pants, the edge digging into his leg slightly. He ignored the sharpness as he dumped the shards into the trash can, grabbing a pack of cigarettes and his keys from the counter in the kitchen. He tucked those into the opposite pocket before slipping into the hall. On a warm day like this, he could hardly wear a hat. His appearance had to be hidden with more direct methods.

He arrived in the lobby a few minutes later; he didn't want to risk the elevator, after already dealing with it's misbehavior. Finding it empty, he moved to a seat with a clear view of the front doors and the staircase and elevator. A good view and it allowed him a chance to prepare himself. Cleaning had helped as had breaking away from the computer. He wasn't Edward, he reminded himself. He was Xavier, an investor from England - that was all Lucas needed to know. A hand moved to his darkened hair, eyes catching on the paler skin for a moment. He didn't even look like the man; there was no reason to act like him.

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charmed_lies
2010-06-13 08:52 pm UTC (link)

A quick run through with a comb through his hair and Lucas was bounding down the stairs to the lobby, taking them at an easy jog, round and round until he came to the final floor. Taking a moment to adjust his clothing, straighten his shirt, fix his collar, and he was moving towards the only person waiting in the lobby at this time of day.

"Xavier, I presume?" he asked, extending a hand to the man once he was in reach. Lucas was the picture of rugged handsomeness with the attitude of someone who knew he looked good. A wedding ring glinted on his left hand, a band of platinum studded with several small diamonds; flashy, but not so much that it looked tacky. Just like he preferred. "I hope I didn't leave you waiting too long down here. I live up on the Deluxe floor. It's... a bit of a run down here. I'm sure you know how it is." He flashed him a smile, white teeth, perfectly straight.

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whatbefell
2010-06-13 09:05 pm UTC (link)

At the sound of someone pounding down the stairs, Xavier had moved to his feet. A hand went to his pocket where the porcelain shard was, pressing it into his leg for a moment, before he saw Lucas. He kept his face composed, taking in the changes that had happened in his face over the years. Nothing other than age. Once more, he wasn't surprised.

He extended his hand, staring at the ring for a moment before letting his eyes move up to Lucas'. He wore contacts to cover his blue eyes, making them appear a unassuming brown. Edward would have been able to match Lucas' enthusiasm; Xavier was calm and smooth as he gave his hand one firm pump. "I couldn't be anyone else," he said, an amused look crossing his face. "It's good to finally meet you in person." The amusement seemed to rise at that, but they had communicated over letters and emails recently. Xavier could be amused about it.

Removing his hand from Lucas', he gestured towards the doors. "It is quite a long way. Part of the reason why I went with a lower apartment." Not a complete lie. "Shall we head out?"

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charmed_lies
2010-06-13 09:12 pm UTC (link)

"Trust me, the pleasure is all mine," Lucas said with that same smile, returning the handshake and releasing the man's hand, already moving towards the indicated door. "It's one thing to talk with someone through emails and letters and the like, but it's completely different to meet them in person. I don't think you can get a real feel for a person until you can look them in the eyes."

He stepped forward, pushing the door open and holding it for Xavier. "It's easy to tell if someone's going to screw you over. You can read everything about a person if you just look at him." His smile was crooked, his own eyes bright as they stepped out into the afternoon sunlight. "And I admire you for being able to live on the lower levels. I just couldn't though. Too..." He wrinkled his nose, trying to find the word that he wanted.

"Homely. My mother says my tastes are too expensive. I just like to think that I have exceptional taste." He paused, then laughed, stepping ahead several steps so he could look face on at Xavier. "Not that I'm putting your taste down, mind you, so don't think that I'm saying that! I just prefer something a bit nicer, that's all!"

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whatbefell
2010-06-13 09:28 pm UTC (link)

Xavier inclined his head slightly, before following out through the door. He could grant Lucas that; he wasn't pleased to see him. No, it was...something else. He looked at him sideways, expression still calm and neutral. He'd anticipated this and expected the rush of hatred. He hadn't expected to be able to control it. Perhaps he was doing better than he thought. "It's impossible to get a true feel of them," Xavier agreed.

He paused outside, waiting for Lucas to follow. A laugh came from him them - bitten down to prevent from becoming too close to manic. "Being in person does solve that problem then. People would be scammed less if they actually met up with those who offered them strange deals." His hands went to his pockets, as he tried not to laugh anymore. The irony and level of ignorance that Lucas had was astounding.

"I'm not offended at all," he reassured him, beginning to walk towards Osha. "As a bachelor, I felt like I needed less space - there's better investments for my money." A pointed look was sent there, as Xavier continued. "I spent my first week remodelling the whole apartment though. The place was a disaster beforehand."

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charmed_lies
2010-06-14 01:58 am UTC (link)

"But I trust that you've spruced it up to your specifications?" he asked, giving the other man a smile as he walked down the sidewalk. It felt good to breathe the air here, smoggy as it was, because it felt like a new beginning. There were possibilities here, things would happen, and Lucas was more than confident than his run of bad luck was coming to an end.

"Well," he started a moment later. "I must say it's good to have someone here that I already know, especially since Regina couldn't join me right off. A shame. I'm sure you would love her. Everyone loves her, after all. I'm a lucky man."

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whatbefell
2010-06-14 02:29 am UTC (link)

Xavier nodded, matching his step to his. He'd redone the flooring and done work to the walls. No noise should carry from his apartment to elsewhere, in the off-chance he lost his temper again. A few safes had been installed - some in more innocuous places then others - and a wall had been built for the large bedroom. Extensive work done for his plans. Not that Lucas needed to know that. "It's in excellent shape," Xavier said, tone even.

His eyes could stay on Lucas - manners dictated that as well as his own desire to watch his every move. He'd had years to think over every movement Lucas made towards him; actually faced with him again, the expressions he used to know so well was disturbing. His fists tightened in his pockets, tension showing slightly in his shoulders. He needed to fix that, but couldn't.

"I'll take your word for until I meet her myself," he managed. The smile he gave him was tighter than it should have been - another line he had crossed unintendly. "How long have you been lucky for?"

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charmed_lies
2010-06-16 12:52 am UTC (link)

As full of himself as Lucas was, any tightness that might have belied the true source of Xavier's questions went completely unnoticed. It wasn't that he was an oblivious person, there was just no reason right now to concern himself with any sort of suspicion. "Just a couple years," Lucas explained, looking up towards the afternoon sky, the skyscrapers towering above them.

"I've been courting her since college. She was a stubborn little thing and didn't want to get married until she had heard news about something. I thought it was pretty silly since we could have been settled down much sooner, but you know how women are." He let out a laugh, bright and jovial, and before they knew it, they were at the door of Osha. Lucas skipped forward to pull the door open, giving an extravagant flourish. "After you, good sir," he said, going so far as to scrape into a bow. This was the man who could ave him. It didn't hurt to put on airs.

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whatbefell
2010-06-16 01:20 am UTC (link)

None of this was new news, but Xavier's stomach clenched with every confirmation. Not even the fact that Gina had waited for his "death" didn't reassure him. Keeping his face neutral, he shrugged and said, "Women are unpredictable." The truth, if nothing else.

Xavier inclined his head back, an amused expression crossing his face before he slipped inside. He asked for a table for two and they were soon ushered to a table in the corner. She gave them each a menu - something Xavier made a point of thanking her for - before heading off, giggling slightly. He supposed it was the accent - too many people got caught up in it. He wondered idly what the reaction would be if he told her it was fake, before brushing it aside. He was still amused as he looked up to Lucas.

"It's not my usual choice of fare. What sort of thing would you recommend? I trust your taste." Hardly.

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charmed_lies
2010-06-16 01:28 am UTC (link)

Lucas gave his own thanks to the waitress before turning his attention to the menu, half listening to Xavier when he spoke. "If it's not something you're used to, you should have said something," he said with half-hearted care, lips pursing and unpursing as he perused the selection. "As for what I like..."

He canted his head to the side, pondering. "Always been a fan of curry. Any of those are bound to be good. I'll be going with the Masman curry myself." Lucas glanced up then, setting his menu off to the side.

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whatbefell
2010-06-16 02:39 am UTC (link)

"I've only eaten it once or twice," Xavier said with a slight shrug. His eyes scanned the menu, glancing briefly up to him before closing it. "I'll follow your lead then." As he was, with lies and false friendship.

The waitress drifted by a moment later, laying down napkins and asking for their order. Xavier took the lead, asking for a gin and tonic along with the Masman curry. Eyes slid to Lucas, as waiting for him to order. Of course, Xavier expected to pay for this meal in the end.

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charmed_lies
2010-06-16 06:34 pm UTC (link)

Easygoing. Not pushing ahead to take control of the show. Lucas had absolutely no arguments bout Xavier's behaviour. He quite liked it, if you needed him to put words to it. So he gave him a grin, glancing up to the waitress as she came by, echoing Xavier's order except requesting whatever the best beer on tap was. Only when she had vacated their area to put in the orders did he let his attention be drawn back towards Xavier.

"So. Business. Unless you prefer to wait until after we eat. I'm sorry if I'm coming off as a little over-excited about all of this," Lucas said, not really apologetic in the slightest, but it paid well to act as such. "I'm just really looking forward to trying to get everything... stable. This economy has just been murder on my investments." His face wrinkled up just a bit, and he took a drink of water from the glass that sat in front of him, thumbing his lips dry once he was done. "I admit, I was quite beside myself when you contacted me."

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whatbefell
2010-06-16 06:46 pm UTC (link)

Once the waitress left, Xavier leaned back in his chair. His hands went on the armrests, giving off a casual air. He didn't want to indimidate Lucas - that wasn't for now. Disarming him later was the goal - or here and there. He needed to be trusted now, for him to be as taken in by his friendship as Xavier had been by Lucas so long ago.

"Not at all," he said with a smile. Business falsities - he hated them. "I won't lie and say I'm as excited as you are-" A shrug, not that apologetic either. "But I'm happy to get straight to the point." Dallying about was for other aspects. "I'm surprised you haven't had more interest - from what I've seen, supporting you is a once in a lifetime opportunity." And the latter wasn't a lie.

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