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Tweak says, "Emotional range of a teaspoon."

Thomas Murray (thos_murray) wrote in lechance,
@ 2008-08-29 16:45:00

Entry tags:

courting, simon belgrave, z -- thomas murray

Friday 3pm, Simon Belgrave
Once his note had been returned, Thomas hadn't seen any sense in waiting around. After all, Mr. Belgrave had indicated a willingness to receive him on Friday afternoon, and 3 was a respectable time to call. It also meant that he would have the weekend clear to make the final arrangements to actually open his store on Monday morning.

Hoping that Mr. Belgrave would not be offended by his promptness, he arrived a little before three, and left his card at the front desk to be conveyed to Mr. Belgrave to announce his arrival, taking the chance to bespeak the services of one of the hotel's chaperones for their meeting at the same time. Then, flapping the tails of his coat neatly aside, took a seat on one of the benches in the lobby, and awaited the gentleman's convenience.

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notsograve
2008-08-29 01:30 pm UTC (link)

Simon didn't particularly mind that Mr. Murray was prompt, other than the fact that he was still shaving when the knock announcing his arrival came. So he finished up, fastened his collar and neatly did up his tie, combed his hair for the umpteenth time and slid his jacket on as he went down to meet him.

He cleared his throat discreetly on the stairs, then put on a smile and stepped toward both Thomas and their chaperone. "Mr. Murray, I presume?"

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	thos_murray 2008-08-29 01:51 pm UTC (link)
	"Mr. Belgrave." Thomas rose to his feet, bowed, and held out his hand in greeting. "May I make known to you Ms. Lucy Hastings, who has agreed to act as chaperone today?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 02:12 pm UTC (link)
	He shook Thomas's hand firmly, smile still very much in place. Then he turned to Ms. Hastings and offered her his hand as well. "Thank you very much for your time, Ms. Hastings. It is greatly appreciated." When he'd let go, he offered, "Shall we move to the parlor?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 02:40 pm UTC (link)
	Thomas smiled, nodded, and tilted his head as he watched Mr. Belgrave. A fine looking, tall man, who'd obviously taken care over his appearance, and Thomas could very well appreciate that. "Please, lead the way. I haven't visited here before." Or almost anywhere in the town. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

notsograve
2008-08-29 02:54 pm UTC (link)

Simon had been nearly everywhere it was possible and permitted to be in the hotel. Short of the laundry and the kitchen, therefore, he knew the way to it, or could find it out. It was a very short trip to the parlor and he let Thomas and Ms. Hastings go first, then turned back and slid shut the panel door.

There was a tea service already waiting, as he'd arranged. He resisted the urge to tug his shirt cuffs down--not because he needed to, but to do something with hands that felt unsteady. "May I pour you both tea?"

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	thos_murray 2008-08-29 03:04 pm UTC (link)
	Thomas handed Ms. Hastings to a chair, and then turned back to Thomas, hoping that his posture would not betray the unease he generally felt in meeting new people. "Ah...yes, thank you, Mr. Belgrave. That would be most kind." Ms. Hastings also indicated a preference for tea. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

notsograve
2008-08-29 03:14 pm UTC (link)

He filled a cup for their chaperone, passing it to her first, then filled a second for Thomas, handing that one over with a little bit more of a smile. He prepared his own, then, and sat in chair, respectable distance between himself and Mr. Murray.

And took his first deep breath since coming downstairs. Now he took a moment to really look at Thomas, tails and all. "Thank you for coming to call," he said. "I was quite pleased to receive your card."

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	thos_murray 2008-08-29 03:19 pm UTC (link)
	"Thank you for receiving me," Thomas returned, somewhat amused by the situation. "And for the tea. I hope I did not interrupt other plans for this afternoon?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 03:44 pm UTC (link)
	"No, no, not at all," he promised. "I have yet to be tossed into the busy end of, well, anything. So these are my plans." He drank from his cup. "I trust that you're well and are enjoying LeChance thus far?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 03:49 pm UTC (link)
	"You are new come to town, then?" he queried, his teacup balanced carefully on his knee. "Most well, thank you, I hope you are in health? LeChance is...certainly something new." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 03:53 pm UTC (link)
	Simon nodded. "A week...no. Nine days, I think," he amended. "I haven't been here long at all, but I feel quite comfortable already. And yes, thank you, I'm as healthy as a ...well. I'm in good health." No need to overdo it, was there? "Where did you travel from, Mr. Murray?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 03:58 pm UTC (link)
	Thomas' lips quirked, tempted to ask what, exactly, Mr. Belgrave had been about to compare himself to. "I've been here exactly two weeks, which appears to make me one of the oldest inhabitants. And not one of the closest or furthest - I came in from Missouri. St. Louis, to be precise. Did you come far?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 04:13 pm UTC (link)
	He would probably gladly answer if asked. Until then, he'd button up. "Then I should be asking you for pointers about the town. Any secrets you've discovered that the rest of us are not yet privy to?" Lightly asked. He didn't really expect an answer. "St. Louis, really? Not that ffar from you, then, all things considered. I was born and raised in Chicago." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 04:41 pm UTC (link)
	"A little further north, then." He sipped his tea, raising an eyebrow in acknowledgment of the quality of the blend. "Are you enjoying the warmer climate?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 05:17 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh yes. At home, by now, they're already dreading winter. Me, I'm looking forward to being able to walk from home to work without fearing that my fingers might freeze." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 05:19 pm UTC (link)
	Settling his teacup back on his saucer, Thomas chuckled. "I'm certain that your fingers will be safe here. What manner of work do you do, if I might ask?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 05:37 pm UTC (link)
	"I am an apothecary," Simon answered. "The apothecary in town, for the time being, it seems." There was a note of pride in his voice and in the curve of his smile. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 05:45 pm UTC (link)
	And rightful pride, met by Thomas' open admiration. "The apothecary, my word, Mr. Belgrave, you are a man of hidden depths. Did you study long to learn your trade?" Such knowledge, knowledge such as books could hold but could only be unlocked by the right mind, a mind ready primed with knowledge as the key. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

notsograve
2008-08-29 06:11 pm UTC (link)

"Not too terribly hidden if I tell them at the asking, I think." He chuckled. "But thank you. And I studied for quiet some time. With my father, in ways other than the accidental, since I was ten, and then I apprenticed properly at the age of thirteen with a shop across the city." He drank to keep himself from rambling. "May I ask, what is your trade, Mr. Murray?" Because of course he had one.

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	thos_murray 2008-08-29 06:16 pm UTC (link)
	"Ah." Thomas smiled, spreading the hand that wasn't balancing his teacup. "Nothing like as scholarly, I'm afraid. I merely sell knowledge. I keep a bookstore, near the market place. How does one study accidentally?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 06:35 pm UTC (link)
	Simon laughed quietly. "How is the sale of scholarly works not a scholarly profession? You sell yourself short, I think, Mr. Murray. And, ah, by listening and picking up tidbits here and there. By performing chores because they amuse without realizing that they were lessons as well." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 06:39 pm UTC (link)
	"The sale of scholarly works should not presuppose that the seller has any knowledge of the worlds of ideas contained within their covers," he countered, chuckling. "And I assure you, I sell nothing short." He did, however, have a good idea of the knowledge contained within the majority of covers in his shop. "Your father sounds to be a most cunning gentleman." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 07:17 pm UTC (link)
	"But you do, now and then, look between the covers of the books you sell, yourself, don't you?" He was assuming. And daring. And determinedly not being reserved. "My father is an astounding man, I agree." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thos_murray 2008-08-29 07:24 pm UTC (link)
	"I do, frequently, look between the covers of the books I sell, myself, indeed," he agreed, and laughed. "Sometimes I even read them. Tell me about your father?" Not reserved was definitely making for easier conversation than true reserve and formality would demand. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsograve 2008-08-29 07:55 pm UTC (link)
	Simon took and released a deep breath, his smile fond. "What can I tell you, Mr. Murray? My father's name is Anders Belgrave. He is wise, he is clever, he has rarely met a soul he would not call a friend. He loves children, suffers the introduction of most small animals with patience, and laughs more than he roars." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)