Neal Caffrey (caffreynated) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2016-11-30 20:48:00 |
|
|||
Neal had been in a downward spiral since the fallout with Pansy. He hadn’t talked to her since he saw Draco going to her apartment when it became more than apparent that she really was using him. She had no intention of ever being with a Muggle as she liked to call the non-Magical folks. It was always about Draco, and no matter how good Neal sought to treat her it would never be enough. So he had decided, and had been acting on the philosophy of keeping it casual with her. While it hurt to see her or even talk to her (which explained why he hadn’t lately) he never really threw away whatever it was they had. There was no “official” breakup, only a break. She had no intention of being exclusive with him so he sought the same casual attitude. He had quite memorable one-night stands with a couple of women already, and while he wasn’t actively looking to bed anyone he wasn’t going to shy away from an attractive woman’s company. It was why he approached Pepper that night. She was sitting alone in the coffee shop, sipping on what he assumed was tea when he sidled up to her table. He cleared his throat to alert her of his presence, and grinned. “Pepper, what a pleasant surprise. May I join you?” He asked. *** Pepper had taken to going out for a little while after her work was finished for the day at the firm. Her apartment was still lonely, even with the beautiful piece of art now hanging in her entry way courtesy of Neal. His talent was impressive and she would have lost good money betting that the piece was an original, but it didn't quite fill the void the way being buried in work had in her world. Going out allowed her the opportunity to make friends, to flirt and to have fun. All of those things were key when it came to putting her relationship with Tony behind her. This particular evening saw her at the coffee shop, settled in with a book and a cup of tea that she continually had refilled. Her book was nearly finished when Neal happened upon her and Pepper smiled warmly. He was much more interesting than her book, and she always preferred to be interacting with others. Solitude was for the massage table in her opinion. "Of course, of course," she replied as she marked her place and closed the book. "It's lovely to see you again, Neal." Pepper smiled warmly, already fond of the artist. "Did you want coffee? Tea?" She was already signaling the waitress. "I could use another cup myself." *** “They know my usual here,” Neal said as he waved over at the barista. His drink was already on its way, a steaming cup of Italian Roast (his favorite), and a couple of biscotti. He settled down into the seat opposite of her, and leaned back into the chair. When his drink arrived, along with Pepper’s refill he thanked the waitress, and then offered Pepper one of his cookies. It was the polite thing to do, after all. “So how are you today,” he asked with sincerity as he raised the cup to his lips to sip the coffee slowly. “Eventful day at work?” Or uneventful as things seemed to go in Madison Valley. His days were filled with art, either his own or helping others to hone theirs. He was still holding his classes, of course, and still working on commissions. In fact, he was almost done with what Pepper had requested. *** "A creature of habit, are you?" She certainly liked her structure and routines, which was why she too had her usual even after being in town for only a short while. He seemed so casual and it made her relax further even though she'd wanted a bit of a break from people. Neal was a breath of fresh air, and she'd gotten into the swing of things at the law firm, so it felt like a lot of pieces were settling into place. Now she just wanted to have a little bit of fun. "It's been okay. I've been covering for one of the lawyers who had to deal with a personal matter recently," Pepper replied, respecting Lucas' personal life and his right to privacy. She wasn't sure if Neal knew either Lucas or Paige, but losing a child was such a personal thing that she wouldn't be the one to spread it around. "Your Mural always cheers me up, I must say. I've got it hanging so that it's the first thing I see when I walk into my apartment. It never fails to make me smile, and I'm looking forward to the next piece." She'd left it a bit open ended for him, so that it would be a surprise for herself and an enjoyment for him. "Thank you again." Pepper gave him a warm smile, because it really did make a difference. "How has the art store been?" *** “I can be,” he answered with a grin. The truth was he usually lived his life without a routine. It made it harder for any one person to pin him down for anything. But that was before he was brought into this bubble and forced to live a dull life. He shrugged it off, however. If Neal was anything it was adaptable, and he certainly had to be here. Neal didn’t know that Pepper worked at a law firm, but it provided good insight into her personality. He smiled as she spoke, and though he didn’t know Lucas (the name was unfamiliar to him at least) he could appreciate the delicate nature that Pepper handled whatever situation he was in. It spoke to her character, and it was something that Neal definitely liked about the woman. “I’m glad it cheers you up.” It was always a compliment when someone enjoyed his art on a daily basis. The next piece was still up in the air. He wanted to paint an original for her, and he had quite a few ideas as to what the subject would be, but Neal was a perfectionist when it came to those things, and he had to make sure that it would fit with the rest of her decor. “There’s no need to thank me,” he said to her with a wave of his hand. “I’m happy to do it. I only hope the next piece will be as enjoyable for you as the Pollock replica.” Neal took a sip of his coffee, and licked his lips. “The store’s been good. The classes are going well. I never thought I’d enjoy teaching art, but here I am doing it and it’s actually quite fulfilling.” Quite a leap from professional con artist to teacher. *** "It's a bit boring, isn't it?" Being in a routine, being predictable, it wasn't her favorite thing. Working in business, she certainly had a schedule, but what she was doing changed day to day as different things came up. Life had been a little more fun, even if her definition of fun tended to be different than most other's. Pepper thought Neal might appreciate that, and understand where she was coming from. "We may have to agree to disagree on that," Pepper replied about giving thanks. "I'm all for appreciating the arts, and giving credit where it's due to the artist." She was being a little more flirtatious than she had been before, but Neal was handsome and she didn't think he was attached to anyone in town. "It's lucky that you've found something that suits you. Maybe there will be more of a need for a gallery soon, once your students have learned a few things from you." She was definitely interested in what kind of talent he was cultivating, so she made a mental note to stop by the art store more frequently in the hopes of checking it out. "For me, it's a bit like changing from going 60 miles an hour to 40 or 30, but that's nice in its own way. More time to have a personal life." *** It was more than just a “bit” boring, in Neal’s opinion. The life that Madison Valley offered was quaint, in every sense of the word. Sure, there were the occasional odd things that happened, like turning into one’s Halloween costume, or dinosaurs roaming about, and power swaps (which he had only heard about, never experienced), but all-in-all it was normal everyday living. People moved on from the life they had in their old universe and made a new life here. It was interesting how it all worked out, if one could call it that. “It is,” he finally answered with a chuckle. “But some people like that. I think for me it’s like what you said. Going from sixty to forty is a big difference, and one that I’ve had to force myself to adjust to.” He shrugged a bit and shook his head. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Sometimes slow is good.” He had given up his life of crime in New York for a slower life in Paris. He had money to last for ages, and no one knew who he was there. He could be Neal Caffrey, or Victor Moreau, or Nick Halden or whomever he wanted to be. He supposed being brought into this world was like that. No one knew, or had even heard of the infamous thief and forger, Neal Caffrey, and no one knew of his past. It was, in every sense, a fresh start. “I appreciate your appreciation then,” Neal said to Pepper in regards to the arts. “I’d like to open a gallery, I think. Showcase the art of my students, and my own. Give this sleepy town a bit of culture. I think it could use it, don’t you?” *** "It's hard to combat that feeling of restlessness. I'm trying to be a bit more spontaneous, or at least to try new things that I otherwise may never have done before." As with any post breakup, she was also finding it hard to go back to not having that physical, intimate connection with another person on a regular basis. Pepper assumed that Neal didn't have that sort of problem, considering how handsome and charismatic he was. "Slow just takes a bit of getting used to. Sometimes, I find myself wishing I could do something out of the ordinary for myself, as opposed to it happening as a result of whatever it is that runs this place." She thought a gallery was a wonderful idea, and already her mind was spinning, figuring out ways she could personally support an endeavor as well as how she could get the community to support it. Working at the law firm helped, plus the sheer number of people she knew - even if that number paled in comparison to what it would have been in her world. "I certainly do," Pepper replied. "And I'd be happy to help with the organization and promotion of it, if you'd like." Spending more time with Neal as well as supporting the arts was a win-win in her book. *** Pepper was right about one thing, Neal usually didn’t have a problem finding a woman to connect with. The only problem with that were the feelings he still had for Pansy. He was in an odd position of unrequited love, it seemed, and he sought to cut off those emotions before he hurt himself any longer. And Pepper was on track to becoming the sort of distraction he needed. Except… well, he didn’t want to use her that way. He enjoyed her company and wanted to get to know her better. Her enthusiasm for a gallery made Neal’s lips curl into a happy grin. It wasn’t often that someone showed such an interest in something that they weren’t personally invested in. It was true that Pepper did appreciate art and knew quite a bit about it, Neal just never expected her to offer up her assistance to him so easily. Once again it was little actions like these that granted Neal a peek into Pepper’s personality, one that he couldn’t get from small talk. He leaned forward, to speak. “I think I’d like that very much,” he said to her with a wink. This could be the beginning of a beautiful partnership, and friendship. And whatever else would come of it he imagined. *** Pepper was lost in thought for a moment, already running down a list of people she could connect with - and connect Neal with - in her head. He was a really nice guy, and she appreciated his skills in a way that probably amounted to a crush more than anything. Pepper was nothing if not professional though, so while she might flirt a little, it was mostly harmless. "Well, I don't know about you, but that was a delightful bit of business that I wasn't expecting," she admitted with a grin, teasing him just slightly. "So, do I get a hint of what you're painting for me?" Pepper asked. She took another sip of her tea while she waited for his reply. *** Neal chuckled and leaned back in his chair. “Uh uh uh,” he chided her in a playful tone. “No hints,” he said. “I want it to be a complete surprise. Besides,” he paused to take a drink of his coffee. “I think I like keeping you in suspense.” Another wink, and a teasing smirk. This was the part of the game that Neal excelled it. The fun sort of flirtation that seemed to suggest more than what they were talking about on the surface. “I tell you what,” he said. “If you let me walk you home I might be convinced to give you a small hint.” He put his thumb and forefinger close together to show her the size he was thinking of. “A tiny one, really,” the distance he showed her got smaller. “I don’t even know if it’ll be worth it, but it’ll be a hint regardless.” *** Pepper grinned, very appreciative of the teasing flirtation going on. It was exactly what she needed to take her mind off all the things she didn't want to be thinking about. "I have a feeling it'll still be a complete surprise. I've got faith in you," she replied with a slight smirk. It was fun to just be in the moment, something she really hadn't made time for in the past. "How could I say no to that? I might, but I really am curious. I suppose at least this way you can see where it might best be displayed," Pepper suggested, and she was more than happy to pour them a drink of something stronger, if he was so inclined. "Would a particularly nice glass of merlot convince you to part with a slightly bigger hint?" she asked, using her own thumb and forefinger to suggest a size that was just a bit bigger than his. *** How could he say no to wine? Especially when coupled with the prospect of Pepper’s company. This was dangerous territory, but Neal needed it to forget about the things he didn’t want on his mind. “You seem very curious, and I wanted to give you the option of finding out some information.” Neal liked her smile, and the way she was playful in turn. “And wine might convince me to part with a bigger hint,” he said. “But it’ll depend on the wine, of course.” Neal finished off his cup of coffee, and set it on the table. “Are you ready to go,” he asked without any pretense of rushing her. “If not that’s perfectly fine. I’d be happy to wait here with you until you are.” He bounced his eyebrows at her and grinned. There was nothing quite like flirting, and it was even better when the other person did it in return. *** "I've got just the bottle," she replied, thinking of the bottle of wine she'd splurged on after securing her job at the law firm. "And I'm ready to go, yes. Just need to settle the bill." Pepper waved over the waitress to bring over the check, and she left enough cash to cover the cost of both their drinks with an ample tip. She was always a very generous tipper, particularly now that she had the means to do so. Once that was settled, Pepper stood gracefully and gathered her purse. It was still not quite chilly enough for her to need a jacket, thanks to Extremis, and she was willing to take it as one of the few perks to that particularly terrifying experience. "Shall we?" she asked, more than ready to slip out of her heels and share a bottle of wine while discussing art. She'd be lying if she said she hoped for maybe a bit more than just flirting, but the chase was half the fun. *** Neal tried not to think of Pansy when he thought about wine, but it was hard considering that it was one of the things that had brought them together. He pushed it from his mind when Pepper settled the bill, and made a sound. “Well now I feel like a heel. I was going to offer to pay for both,” he said as he rose from his chair. “But thank you,” he said with a bow of his head. “But the next one’s on me.” And that was said with the assumption that they would be meeting for coffee or drinks or even dinner in the future. He straightened his suit, slipped on his topcoat, and popped the collar to brace against the chill in the air. When Pepper had gathered her things he held out his elbow so she could slip her hand through. He thought it was odd that she wasn’t wearing a jacket since women had a tendency to get cold, but he didn’t mention it. Instead, he resolved to offer up her jacket if she shivered as they walked to her place. “We shall,” he answered with a grin. “But you’ll need to lead the way. I’m afraid that while I am a talented man, I haven’t quite mastered the art of reading women’s minds.” *** "If you insist," Pepper replied easily. She hadn't even thought twice about paying for their drinks, but she'd remember to let him settle up the next time and she was already looking forward to more conversations shared over a hot drink. She took his arm with a smile, though he likely wouldn't feel that she was slightly warmer than an average person through his clothing. Pepper did indeed lead the way, and she wasn't that far from the little shop they'd found themselves in. "I'm sure you could, if you tried very hard," she teased. "But then, some might think that's more like stalking, and I wouldn't want anyone thinking ill of you." He was too kind for that. It wasn't long at all before she was unlocking her door, and true to her word, the Mural was right in front of them as they walked in. "Can I take your coat?" Pepper offered, ever the host, as she shut the door behind him. It was only a few steps to the open kitchen, where she set her purse down. *** There were times in Neal’s old line of work where his surveillance felt like stalking. Watching and taking notes on someone’s routines in order to pull off the perfect con. He laughed at Pepper’s statement, however, because if she only knew what he did in his other life she might think ill of him for certain. White collar crime was still crime nonetheless, and not many people looked past that. When they reached her apartment Neal hesitated for a moment. It was a quick motion, something most people wouldn’t notice, but he knew it in his heart. He dismissed it easily, and followed her in. “Yes, please,” he said as he handed her his coat, and glanced at her space. Neal smiled when he saw his forgery hanging right in the front entrance. “It looks good here,” he said as he traced a finger along the length of the frame. Neal had a certain level of vanity when it came to his own artwork, and he was pleased at how well it looked outside of the art store. He followed her into the kitchen, and once more looked around. “What can I do to help,” he asked earnestly. “I can open the wine, or get the glasses…” he trailed off as he waited for Pepper to give him some direction. *** She hung his coat up in the hall closet before making her way back into the kitchen while he marveled at his marvel. He really was quite talented. "Why don't you pick the wine that'll get me the biggest hint," Pepper suggested. "The wine rack is right over there." She pointed to the tall wine rack that held twenty bottles of wine in rows of two. It was nearly all filled, the way she liked to keep it, and there were a number of good vintages there for him to choose from. While he did that, she picked out two wine glasses from the cabinet and pulled out the opener as well, so that he could use that once he'd settled on the bottle he wanted. Her living room was just next to the kitchen - a wide open space that had a TV more for ambiance sake than actual use. She was never one for watching anything other than the news, and she didn't see much of a point to it these days. *** Neal picked a merlot from the impressive wine collection. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself a bit; he certainly had a knack for picking up on women that enjoyed wine just as much as he did. Neal thought fondly to Mozzie, and all of the times his diminutive friend would come to his place just to drink the wine he had procured. He missed his friends in New York, in his own universe, and while he was thankful for the memories they were bittersweet when they came to the forefront. Yet once more that night he pushed thoughts out of his mind that would hinder him from enjoying Pepper’s company. He opened the wine, the cork pulled out with a pop!, and he immediately poured a portion of it into each of the glasses that Pepper provided. He handed it to the pretty redhead, and then moved from the kitchen to the living room. “You have a nice place,” he said to her as he settled onto the couch. He hadn’t tasted the wine just yet, but had swirled the red liquid in his glass, and watched the caudalie to determine the its finish. Plus, letting a wine breathe was never a bad thing. “Thank you for this,” he said as he lifted his glass to her. “And for your first hint… the piece I’m working on would look best there. The light will highlight the girl perfectly.” He pointed to an empty area on the wall where the morning sun would be able to hit it at just the right angle. So it wasn’t much of a hint. He did tell her it would be a small one, after all. *** Pepper hadn't had anyone outside her small circle of friends over to her apartment, but it seemed fitting that Neal was the one she cracked open a bottle of wine with. She followed him into the living room and took a seat just a bit away from him, not too close as to be crowding him, but close enough that he could reach her, if he wanted to start something. Flirting was done with more than just words, luckily enough. "A girl, hmm?" That didn't narrow it down at all, but Pepper didn't mind. "That leaves quite a few beautiful pieces as possibilities," she replied easily, turning them over and discarding the ones she thought he might not be fond of. "You did say it would be a small hint." Not that she was terribly disappointed, because they still had plenty to talk about. It was a very nice way to spend the evening all things considered. *** |