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Tweak says, "Your haircut is hot."

Joseph Morvell (brute_aesthete) wrote in nybynightic,
@ 2020-09-27 12:08:00

Entry tags:

activity type: log/thread, character: garnet winters, character: joseph morvell, character: rhys green

Who: Garnet, Joseph and Rhys
What: Shopping
When: 9/27 - Just before midnight
Where: Garnet's jewelry shop
Rating: Likely low
Status: In complete

Joseph had decided when he'd made the appointment to view Garnet's new creations that he'd just make an evening of spoiling Rhys materially. It did him good to get out of the theater. Besides, watching his beautiful young lover try on clothing was both fun and titillating.

While he enjoyed the way Mab had dressed Rhys, it was clear the young Kindred was accustomed to hiding in his clothing. Like everything else, Joseph wanted to give Rhys a chance to explore and decide for himself what his own style would be. Compared to Amadeus, Joseph's style was a bit understated. He preferred a somewhat elegant but not quite formal look. Part of it was habit from his life. Victorian society didn't allow people to leave their private quarters without being turned out perfectly. Also, after experimenting with every fashion trend imaginable in his unlife, he found the classics suited him best. Honestly, as overwhelming as his personality was, outrageous style of dress would likely have just tipped things too far for most people. Joseph preferred an approachable air and his relatively sedate but elegant wardrobe served him well.

But that was him and Rhys was a completely different person who might benefit from the confidence of an avant-garde ensemble. He'd at least shown he scrubbed up and wore a suit well. The outfit on their first night together may have been his personal favorite, Rhys hadn't seemed terribly comfortable in it. He was hoping to strike a balance between that and the dowdy clothes the boy seemed to favor.

He'd taken Rhys to several shops he frequented himself, who were accustomed to his habit of late shopping and wouldn't comment on the age difference or sexual implications. A lot of very rich men in New York had very pretty younger lovers of both genders. Once he figured Rhys had enough of the fussing and scrutiny, even with Joseph's encouragement, they headed over to Garnet's. Rhys hadn't been in the theater the night Garnet had seen the show, which was rather a pity, but likely had her going mad from curiosity about whom he was bringing to spoil with her beautiful creations.

Once they were ushered in, Joseph didn't hesitate to greet the lovely Toreador. "Hello darling," he murmured as he hugged Garnet, giving each of her cheeks a small kiss. "I hope we're not too late. The traffic in this city is even worse at midnight than noon, I swear."

Stepping back, he waved Rhys closer. "Garnet, this is Rhys," he introduced. "Rhys, this is Garnet. The finest jeweler on the eastern coast." It probably seemed odd Joseph was a patron, he didn't wear much jewelry himself. Cufflinks, tie tacks, sometimes a watch, lapel pins, or rings. He hadn't any peircings when he was Embraced and keeping them as a Kindred when they weren't already permanent scarring was a pain. But jewelry made fantastic gifts and he would take any opportunity to admire beauty in any form.

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damenocturne
2020-09-27 11:25 pm UTC (link)

Though Garnet didn't know who the guest would be, she did trust Joseph. As much as a kindred could trust another who was into politics, that was. Her friend, and client, of four years wasn't like that but there had to be a line, even if it was a tiny little chunk. Even her best friend didn't hold the entirety of her heart in her perfectly manicured hands. Even though she was young, the Toreador had learned to be careful, especially lately, but that was more of her surroundings than the company that she kept.

If she hadn't trusted him, there would have been no way Joseph or his mystery friend would have been allowed up to this space. This penthouse apartment was her home, as well as her studio and shop. Her living room was outlined in bookcases and displays, and like the other night when Claudia had been there, the table was still strewn with little black boxes. This time, though, they were more things that the redhead knew would leave with her friend. Things he'd bought in the past, things she thought would be perfect for any of his group. Things specifically for Bruno or Chantal. She would never play favorites, though.

It really was too bad she couldn't have bitten Bruno, though.

Dressed in her absolutely favorite color, Garnet had opened the door with her usual little smile and charm, gladly kissing her friend on both cheeks. That brought her back! A lot of people didn't do that here and while she lived in Paris, it had become something of an everyday thing. "Hello there yourself, my love." Her bright blue eyes, however, were drawn to the slightly taller man. In heels, he and Garnet were the same height, but if she took those off? She was even with Joseph. There was a purr to her voice as he was introduced and turned that smile onto him. "Joseph is way too sweet for his own good. Hello there, Rhys~."

He was cute and when he looked away, she gave her friend a knowing look. No wonder he was going to be a surprise. He wasn't a Toreador but he really should have been. On her face, as well, was the knowledge that if he hadn't been kindred, she would have snapped him up in two seconds. "Come sit down? I don't have any dolls but I have something lovely I've been saving."

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nouveausang
2020-09-27 11:52 pm UTC (link)

It was only five hours from sundown but Rhys was already a bit tired and pulled from his element. He had liked the feeling of trying on new clothes, but quite a few of the options made him feel... tied in? Not quite. It wasn't something he could really put his finger on other than not quite comfortable. There wasn't anything more comfortable than jeans with a little bit of a stretch and a hoodie. Pajama pants inside when he was by himself and curled up in the study. Of course, those alone times were going to be cut to almost nothing, it seemed.

Being seen, those kind of clothes weren't going to be acceptable and he had to find a compromise. He really would have liked to be able to pay for things himself but other than some that Henry had left him, he didn't have much. Not that Henry really seemed to have had a need for it when he was around. Would his sire have been taking him clothes shopping eventually, like this? There was no real way to know. Even Rhys still didn't know what his plans for him had been and until he got back, no one else would either. How was he going to introduce everyone?

There was still one more place to visit but when he saw them stop in front of what looked like a classy, and expensive, apartment building, he was a bit confused. This was where Garnet's shop was? The elevator ride to the top was a bit of a long one but when the redhead opened the door, the young Tremere was looking past her for a moment. It looked like she lived here... The greeting wasn't lost on him, and neither was the woman. Beautiful and unlike anyone he had met so far. Like other kindred he had met, the fledgling was able to guess, easily, at which clan she was. He was struck by it everything about her, drawn in and he almost wanted to turn away from the presence she put out.

"H-Hello." They were pulled inside and offered a seat, and Rhys finally looked away from her, looking anywhere but her for a moment.

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brute_aesthete
2020-09-28 02:32 am UTC (link)

Well-made clothing could be just as comfortable if tailored correctly. Joseph didn't really care what Rhys wore around the flat above the stage. In fact, he preferred him in nothing at all. But he wasn't going to lock him in a proverbial tower like a princess who needed to be protected from a dragon. Part of the protection he could offer Rhys was making it known he was on the arm of the Marquess of Hell's Kitchen.

Besides, as Rhys grew more comfortable with his new life, he'd do better with groups of people and who could blame Joseph for wanting to show off his gorgeous lover? The best thing was to find dressier options that Rhys found comfortable enough.

Joseph played favorites and couldn't blame Garnet if she did as well. It wasn't as if Bruno and Chantal weren't equally smitten with the lovely Toreador. Especially Bruno. Joseph swore the ghoul had never played violin as long for him as he had Thursday. Even back in the 1960s when it had just been the two of them much of the time.

He didn't miss the appraising look Garnet gave Rhys. This is exactly why he'd showed his interest early on. If any of the city's Toreadors had spotted Rhys, they'd have immediately claimed him. If Rhys thought Joseph was charming and overwhelming, he'd have been completely run off by a Toreador with their inhuman charm and obsession with beauty.

"And she's too modest," Joseph quipped as Garnet waved off his effusive praise. Placing a hand on the small of Rhys' back, he headed for the seat in question. "Oh? Find something exciting at the Circulatory System reopening?" If anyone could, it would be a Toreador. Their tastes were always the most refined.

Once Rhys was seated, Joseph settled on the arm of his chair and smiled at their hostess. He had fully intended to introduce them Thursday, so Garnet could get a feel for Rhys and use her talent for guessing her patrons' tastes. Amadeus had decided Rhys needed to do something with him that night. Luckily, his lover was still fairly transparent in his reactions and if anything she offered appealed to him, they would likely be able to tell.

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damenocturne
2020-09-28 04:21 am UTC (link)

Clicking her tongue as she left them going towards the couches nearby, Garnet went for the kitchen and turned on the warmer she used specifically for blood. There were others, of course. One for wax, another for warming up the apartment in case she had human clients that were allowed up. There were very few of those, but some of her clients were both kine and unknowing of what she was. The heater helped in such situations. Otherwise, the space was allowed to be cool or warm, as it wanted.

"I missed the blood rain but Claudia loved it." There was a pause where she pretended to fix something on her sleeve before looking up coyly. "I was wearing the most wonderful dress and couldn't bare for it to be ruined." Though, part of her had wanted to stay and dance with the other redhead.

There was a little timer for the bottle and when it was done, she popped the cork that had been restuffed into the top before grabbing three of her black wine glasses and filling each one half way. With her long found hostess abilities, she was able to carry all three at once.

"Now, down to business, my darling boys." Each glass went to an owner before she was gracefully settled herself into an overstuffed chair on the other side of the table. "I've laid out things I know you've liked in the past, Joseph, but I don't know if any of them will do." If only she'd been able to lay eyes on him before. She was getting inspiration just from those darling cheekbones.

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nouveausang
2020-09-28 04:40 am UTC (link)

The hand against his lower back pulled him back from being too nervous, calming him even if he almost jumped at it. He also liked how Joseph settled on the arm of the chair he had chosen for himself, instead of siting away from him. As much as he didn't want to cling to others anymore, he found himself wanting that touch, even searching it out by tangling his fingers in between the hand closest to his.

That blood rain was something Rhys had also avoided. It was deemed not the best for him to be a part of, giving the timing, but he'd been there for the rest. Whether he had wanted to or not. Either way, he'd done a good job staying out of most everyone's way. He didn't remember seeing Garnet's 'most wonderful' dress, but he hadn't really been looking around at the other kindred that had attended.

He had eaten earlier, of course, but he wasn't about to turn down the drink he was being offered. He might have, at one time, guessed it was wine of some kind but he knew better. As she also settled, Rhys took a small sip of it. It was done without really paying much attention to it, but there was a very small, soft noise at the taste. What was it? Not a spice, not a sweet or anything like it, but it tasted so good and he wanted to down it in all one go but stopped himself.

Instead, Rhysie forced himself to look over what was in the boxes. Everything was beautiful but there was so much there, all different kinds of bits of metal and stone.

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brute_aesthete
2020-09-28 04:59 am UTC (link)

Joseph had noticed Rhys' attempts to be less clingy. Not that he'd minded the clinginess, but most likely it was due to something Amadeus had said. Besides, he enjoyed being close to his lover and he wasn't about to stop touching him because of some ridiculous notion he was coddling Rhys. Of course, he was coddling him a little. Everyone else who'd interacted with him except maybe Mab had bemoaned his lack of education and experience and seemed to believe the best way to make up for this shortcoming was toss him in the deep end and then get mad when he started to drown.

It was beyond absurd, which was why he'd come down on Amadeus like a building.

Joseph smiled as Rhys laced his fingers through his. He lifted the hand for a moment, pressing a quick kiss to his knuckles. His lover seemed nervous, but not nearly as much as he had been. Joseph firmly believed all Rhys needed was time and a little patience on the part of his elders. He was certainly do that much considering how he'd been neglected.

"I caught a glimpse of you and your gorgeous dress across the room," he said. "But you seemed entirely too involved with chatting up a lovely ginger. I thought it would be ungentlemanly to interrupt."

Ugh, the blood rain... Overdone and tacky. So Ventrue. "I only made a brief appearance. I had to dash early because of the show."

He took the glass from her with a smile and a nod. "Thank you, my dear," he murmured. Joseph waited until Garnet was seated comfortably and had her glass before taking a drink. It was a fine vintage, even if it was bottled. "Lovely."

Joseph was far more interested in the pretties Garnet had laid out. There was always a wonderous variety. He looked over at Rhys. "Anything stand out for you?"

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damenocturne
2020-09-29 07:12 am UTC (link)

Chatting up a lovely ginger? That could only be the one and only best friend as none of the other redheads were as great as the two of them. They could rule the room filled with them. "I would not have overly minded introducing you. I have a feeling Claudia would love you." At the same time, she might have been a little put back if they had been interrupted but she often took up her best friend's time more than she should.

Crossing her legs, Garnet watched the young man, eyes fully studying his face, body, and the way he held onto his lover's hand. Not possessive in nature, no. Something more loving, something that spoke of lovers that had had a longer time together than maybe they'd had. Possibly, with the positioning of them both, a little for comfort and closeness? Joseph, indeed, had good taste. It really was too bad he wasn't a rose.

At her friend's question, she watched Rhys' face, not seeing the look she wanted. He seemed overwhelmed, but nothing was quite jumping at him. Standing suddenly, she glided over to one of the cases, one next to the one she had found a certain little leaf knife, and pulled out a box with two bracelets inside. "What about this, my little love?"

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nouveausang
2020-09-29 07:32 am UTC (link)

While some things had been discussed with Amadeus, wanting to be less of a clingy person, not attaching himself so strongly to others, that had been a decision Rhys, himself, had taken on. It was a little bit hard to hold onto when one of those people was sweetly kissing the back of his hand to make him feel better. With him there, and with Garnet not pulling a nervous reaction from him like most other kindred did, he was feeling a little better.

As for if anything stood out for him? He was looking over everything curiously now. He wasn't really the type to wear jewelry all that much, but he had been wearing Henry's ring since the night he took it for his first date with Joseph. There had been an answer on his lips to that question when Garnet suddenly rose from her chair and almost glided away, making the young Tremere watch after her with something a little bit like awe. When she returned, it was to hand him a box opened to two bracelets. A matching pair.

Taking it from her in one hand, he pulled one of them out with the other, letting his fingers roll over the stones that made it up. Blue and black stones, the blue smooth, the black filled with pits but not rough. "I-I like them..." There was a look, as he lowered the first one, to look up at Joseph, watching his blue eyes before he looked back down and smiled, just a little. If he didn't know any better, he could have heard the redheaded woman made a cooing noise.

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brute_aesthete
2020-09-29 08:46 am UTC (link)

"I'm certain you'll get a chance to introduce us again," Joseph assured her. There were always more parties to attend. He threw a few of them himself.

While there was some possessiveness involved, Rhys gave Joseph a peace he'd only enjoyed briefly in his unlife. When he was alive, he and Matthew had to keep their entire relationship a closely guarded secret. It was literally illegal and would have ruined both of them.

Even with Jean-France nearly a century later, it was very much a bedroom relationship. With Rhys, he could openly show affection with a lover he felt very much connected to for the first time. So he was enjoying it.

As with many things, Joseph figured Rhys hadn't been given a chance to explore the idea of jewelry. He wore one ring, which showed he wasn't opposed to it entirely.

"Those are charming," Joseph agreed. He enjoyed uncut and rough cut stones, they added character to a lot of things because they were perfectly imperfect. "That reminds me. I definitely have to have those uncut turquoise cufflinks. They're so unique."

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damenocturne
2020-09-30 02:05 am UTC (link)

"Ah, possibly." Parties were sometimes a dime a dozen, but it depended all on the person who threw them. From all the ones she'd been to, some of her favorites had involved the older man in the room. Usually, she would have said that only a Toreador, like Ana, knew how to throw the best of parties. Hell, even Garnet herself had thrown an amazing event earlier this year.

The reaction Rhys was having to what she picked made her perk up quite a bit. It was always the honest reactions that got to her more deeply. If only she could pinch his little cheeks! There was a fierce smile at the little Tremere before her attention returned to her friend, a slight tilt to her head.

"I figured you might, love. I set them aside just in case." Returning to the display case, she opened a smaller drawer and pulled out a little square box. How she could remember what each little box had in it was still a mystery, even to her sometimes, but she was never wrong. "They go wonderfully with what your lover has chosen already." Not quite the same color, or even the same stone, but they looked like they could be together.

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nouveausang
2020-09-30 02:15 am UTC (link)

Rhys hesitated for a moment before going to slip his fingers away from Joseph's grasp, sliding the first bracelet on as Garnet went to grab another box. For what they looked like, the stone were a little more weighty than he thought they would have been, but it wasn't bad. They were a little bit bigger than his wrist, and when he dipped his head down, they rolled to the bottom of his hand.

There was a pause in his going to take them off again when Garnet called him his lover. It wasn't new, not really, but the sound of it from her lips did something that it hadn't coming from Amadeus or Ariel. The fledgling was smiling again, looking down at his hands again. Had him rubbing his palms against his thighs, but in less of a nervous movement than it normally was.

The bracelet got a little caught in the motion and stopped him short. Instead of continuing, he reached out for Joseph's hand again, not able to rid the smile from his lips.

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brute_aesthete
2020-09-30 03:52 am UTC (link)

Joseph had been throwing lavish parties for a decade and a half before he was Embraced. He'd rather refined the talent over the last century and a quarter. Toreador parties were often quite good, but for letting it all hang out, there was nothing like the Brujah.

He could see Garnet was charmed by Rhys' shy manner. That smile she graced him with would have been cause for concern with some of her clan. Especially given how beautiful Rhys was.

Adjustments were part and parcel of new clothing or jewelry. If the bracelets were so large as to be uncomfortable, Garnet would be able to remedy that easily enough.

Joseph smiled as Rhys stopped fidgeting and reached for his hand. There really was no way either younger Kindred could understand how unique this time was, to be able to openly show affection to a lover of the same gender or to present oneself individually.

Opening the box, Joseph showed the stone cufflinks to Rhys. "I've several blue and green shirts these will compliment beautifully," he said as he took Rhys' hand. "I'm finding myself more fond of green these days. I can't imagine why..."

Also, he didn't want to fluster his lover too much. This was supposed to be enjoyable. "Now show me what trinket you've concocted to try and steal Bruno away from me, dearest," he teased.

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damenocturne
2020-09-30 04:52 am UTC (link)

Oh~ The bracelet fit and everything! Perfect. His wrists had been slim, as he was every where, they were a good fit. If they had been too big, she could have taken them over to her desk to take a bead or two out, but they worked perfectly enough.

Ah, even after everything in her past, Garnet was still a bit of a romantic when it came down to it. It might not work out for her, but when she saw it in other kindred? She didn't even feel jealous anymore. Instead, she became a bit of a cheerleader, even if she wanted to steal Rhys for her own clan.

Speaking of a bit of romance. "Now, I know my charm and beauty is great but steal Bruno from you?" There was a certain smile on her face as she moved back to another drawer, telling of what exactly she meant. "Maybe for a little while." Another black box was being procured, but this time she took the lid off before offering it up. "I found these stones that were named after a Frenchman and thought they would be a good match for him." In the box were simple silver cuff links with a blue stone in the middle. "I may have an obsession with blue lately." A soft shrug accompanied the words.

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nouveausang
2020-10-02 04:23 am UTC (link)

As what was in the box was offered up for viewing, Rhys reached out with his free hand and touched the cuff links with a gentle finger, enjoying the rough feeling of the stone inside. He hadn't ever really seen unpolished and cut stones like this. His mother had always had the done up versions when it came to jewelry.

Why would he more fond of green lately? He had a guess. "You know... blue was always my favorite color." In fact, the shirt Joseph had worn to their first date had been one of his favorite shades and it was still his favorite shirt. Not that it had looked better on the - Oh.

Looking away from the other man, he looked towards what Garnet was offering for Bruno. Steal him away? That seemed unlikely but if anyone could, it probably would be her. Was that because she was a Toreador? It was hard to envision her as literally any other clan he had met or knew of.

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brute_aesthete
2020-10-02 05:00 am UTC (link)

Joseph's tastes for jewelry ran either very traditional or very avante guarde. The uncut stone cufflinks were a subtle but classy alternative to the usual.

He chuckled when Rhys said blue was his favorite color. He was in luck, since it was one of the colors Joseph favored because of his fair complexion and blue eyes.

The laughter at her admission she might steal his ghoul for a little while was much louder. "He'll love them," Joseph assured her. "You've managed to do in a handful of years what it's taken me decades of attempting. Teach Bruno to appreciate the finer things in life."

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