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Léon Belmont (ex_the_ambas216) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-03-28 07:54:00

Entry tags:

ambassadors_ball, leon_belmont

An Invitation to the French Ambassador's Ball
Subject: The Ambassadors Ball
Where: The French Embassy
Who: Léon Belmont, the French Ambassador to the English court
Warnings: none as yet
Open to: All (all players may attend either as invited guests of the ambassador, as servants or guests of those invited, as staff, or as gate-crashers.)

The ballroom of the Embassy was already growing busy, and when Citizen Belmont paused for a moment besides one of the large windows, he could see yet more carriages pulling up outside, wreathed in the mist blowing in from the river.

The quartet had been playing now for a good half an hour, new French tunes as well as those the English favoured. His staff was busy handing out good French wine, and then refilling those glasses when they were drained.

It was going to be a good evening, and not only in the eyes of the party-goers. With some of England’s most prominent aristos on the guest list, and some than some newly arrived French nationals, tonight would be a night of information gathering, of sizing up the opposition, and perhaps even ensuring some of those French escapees were returned to face justice.

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social_climber
2008-04-19 10:08 pm UTC (link)

With Nell having snuck off with whatever Frenchie the ambassador had sent him after, Harry was finding himself rather bored. There were, of course, many interesting people, but now the dancing had begun he felt rather left out, and those who were not dancing seemed happily occupied talking amongst themselves.

There was one figure, however, who still lingered relatively close to the doors, glass in hand, but his outward appearance was shy, worried. But quiet comely nevertheless. And while Harry Fisher had nothing else to do, he had better introduce himself. After all, there was little else he could do tonight but chit-chat and make the best of the situation that he could. And as Harry had learnt, you could never be sure which of your associates would be the most useful.

"I would offer you a drink, but you seem to have already found them." Harry said as he approached the youth.

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jamie_daykin
2008-04-19 10:18 pm UTC (link)

Jamie turned his head and studied the man who had approached him for a few seconds before he smiled softly and watched the crowd again.

"Aren't drinks the most important thing to find once you arrive at a ball?" Jamie asked with a smirk before he followed a sudden impulse and emptied his glass.

"Besides, now I don't have a drink anymore. Is that offer of yours still up?" Jamie smiled, resisting the urge to fidget a little nervously.

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social_climber
2008-04-19 10:25 pm UTC (link)

"That all depends on what you want out of attending a party. If you want to eat and drink as much as you can, then perhaps, if you come for something else, than perhaps they aren't as important. What are you here for?"

He raises an eyebrow as the other drains his glass, but mentally shrugs off his surprise. The youth was quite clearly nervous. "The offer is still open." He says, as he gestures over one of the Ambassador's staff, taking another two glasses from the tray and handing one over. "Harry Fisher. You are...?"

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	jamie_daykin 2008-04-20 06:27 am UTC (link)
	"Primarily I am here to eat and drink as much as I can. I don't really like dancing and I know no one here so far, so I guess eating and drinking is the best thing to do at the moment." Jamie took the glass, enjoying how cool the glass felt against his heated skin. he held out his other hand to Harry. "I'm Jamie. Nice to meet you." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-04-20 08:47 am UTC (link)

Harry didn't often bother with the formality of hand-shaking. It was only done, in his world, when you made a deal you had no intention of breaking. However, it seemed that in these strange circles, it was the done thing. He shrugged to himself and shook the youth's pro-offered hand.

"Eat and drink as much as you can?" Harry said, looking the young man over again. Fashionable clothes, even if worse for wear and age. "You aren't another one of the bankrupt nobles, are you?" He asked, almost certain this Jamie was certainly not. A noble would have been James Someone-or-other, not plain old Jamie from round the corner.

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	jamie_daykin 2008-04-20 09:27 am UTC (link)
	Jamie laughed although there was no real joy in it. "No, definitely not one of those bankrupt nobles," He shook his head, taking another sip of champagne. Looking sideways at Harry he added "I don't think you are one of them either, or?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	social_climber 2008-04-20 09:37 am UTC (link)
	"Never been a noble, and never been bankrupt. I don't have the intention of ever being either, Jamie." He smiles, and the expression is almost predatory. "This isn't the place for hard-working people like us. You and me would only fit in here if we jumped into someone's bed. Even then we'd not be the same as them. More welcome, but not the same. Nobs." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	jamie_daykin 2008-04-20 10:08 am UTC (link)
	"Would we want to be the same as them?" Jamie asked as he watched the crowd. He honestly didn't know. If he were like them he would have money, he could publish his writings, but would he be truly happy? "Their beds though are nice as long as the payment is good." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-04-20 10:17 am UTC (link)

"Rich as them? Of course. Money gets you everything. But would I want to be them, no. They're all just parading peacocks, aren't they? All wigs and satin petticoats."

"That's right at least." Harry mutters, turning his attention back to the young man besides him, rather than looking out, over the crowd. "Do you? Warm beds?" He asks, taking the boy by the elbow and pulling him to the side of the room, away from anyone who might overhear. "If that's what you've come here to do, Jamie-boy, you're out of luck. My boys are looking after this little soiree." He says, pointedly.

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jamie_daykin
2008-04-20 10:33 am UTC (link)

"Now being rich would truly be wonderful," Jamie sighed. Only relucantly did he allow Harry to lead him away from the crowd, studying the man more closely now.

"I don't think what I do is any of your business," He replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest, trying to hide how much that comment affected him. He had set all his hopes into finding a client tonight.

"Even if, maybe your boys are not what every gentleman here is looking for."

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	social_climber 2008-04-20 10:39 am UTC (link)
	Harry couldn't help but smirk, eyebrow raised as the youth folded his arms. "And you are what they want?" He asks, "What do you have to offer, then?" He says, looking up and down the boy again, "Aside from the obvious." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	jamie_daykin 2008-04-20 10:53 am UTC (link)
	Jamie huffed lightly, not wanting to show his embarrassment. "Like I said, that is none of your business," He mumbled, not finding anything else to say. Jamie knew that the boys working for someone were always more successful, but he'd be damned if he would admit that in front of this man. (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-04-20 11:04 am UTC (link)

"Ah ha." Harry smiled. "But you see, it is my business. But perhaps, for tonight Jamie-boy, we could make an arrangement? Split the profits, perhaps 70/30 to me? And you can be free to go about your evening, and I won't bother you. Nor will you have an unproductive night."

He glances about the crowded room, "After all, there are far, far too many guests for my boys, as good as they are, to see to themselves. What do you say?"

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	jamie_daykin 2008-04-20 11:09 am UTC (link)
	Jamie raised an eyebrow before an amused smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "I say that I'd be pretty stupid if I would agree to that. Why would I split my profit with you when, as you just said, there are far too many guests for your boys? I don't see any benefits for me in this deal." (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-04-20 11:14 am UTC (link)

Harry smiles again. "No benefits? Perhaps I should make it more clear to you, Jamie-boy, you either work for me tonight, or you don't work tonight. Or ever again, do I make myself clear?" Harry explains, fingers closing tightly about the boy's shoulder, applying enough pressure to hurt. "And no one here will say a word about it, because the Ambassador and I? We have a little agreement."

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jamie_daykin
2008-04-20 11:30 am UTC (link)

Jamie licked his suddenly dry lips, looking everywhere but at Harry. His thoughts were racing as he tried to decide what would be the best way out of this.

"If you want me to work for you what you offered is definitely not enough. If I work for you then I want benefits, otherwise I am not convinced and you don't scare me either," He finally replied, wondering where the bravery came from. Probably that of a man who had nothing to lose.

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	social_climber 2008-04-20 11:39 am UTC (link)
	"And what do you think would be enough, Jamie-boy? I think you have a pretty good deal. Of course, the other boys get a better one, but they work for me permanently. I could hardly offer you the same thing. Although I will guarantee your safety for the rest on the night. No one is going to slip away without paying. Or get too rough. Understood?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

	jamie_daykin 2008-04-20 11:43 am UTC (link)
	A frown appeared on Jamie's face as he thought about it for a few seconds. "Safety doesn't help me much if I am not able to pay my rent, you see?" Jamie tilted his head to the side as another thought crossed his mind. "How much would I get if I'd work permanently for you?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-04-20 11:48 am UTC (link)

"Then maybe you need cheaper accommodation?" Harry explains, his grip loosening slightly on the youth's shoulder. "My boys don't have rent to play. They don't have to pay for their own food either. They're much better looked after than a lonely little creature like you, no matter how pretty you are."

"Smart boy." He compliments. "They get a nice, round 90 percent. Hardly a loss at all when you consider all the things they don't have to pay for." He smiles, and releases Jamie all together. "As long as you work at least two night a week, of course."

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	jamie_daykin 2008-04-20 11:55 am UTC (link)
	"The room is already the cheapest thing I could find," Jamie muttered to himself before he gave Harry a pointed look. "I am no lonely little creature, thank you very much," He replied, his lips forming a slight pout. He took a deep breath to calm himself, not wanting to ruin this chance. "I'm working six nights a week most of the time. Do we have a deal?" (Replies frozen) (Parent) (Thread)

social_climber
2008-04-20 12:04 pm UTC (link)

"I think we do, Jamie-boy" Harry says, holding out his hand again. "Wait for me after the Ball's over. I'll take you somewhere you can get a proper meal into you." He offers, giving the boy a broad grin, as if he hadn't threatened the boy just moments before. "And maybe we'll get you some new clothes too, while we're at it. Can't have a smart, handsome boy like you running around dressed like that."

Anything, of course, to get the boys in. And after a week, maybe a little else, of being treated like royalty, the poor little thing would be in too deep to get out. And then, like Nell, he'd be one of Harry's proper boys.

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jamie_daykin
2008-04-20 12:13 pm UTC (link)

Jamie took Harry's hand without hesitation. Whatever the downside of this deal was, it couldn't be worse than his life right now. Jamie coughed to hide his embarrasment when his stomach rumbled at the mention of a meal and he looked himself down.

"What, I am not dressed that badly," He replied. "and I'll have to pick up all my stuff from my old room." Not that he had any belongings that would matter much, but he would never leave his writings behind.

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social_climber
2008-04-20 12:18 pm UTC (link)

"Not that badly, no. But not as well as one of Harry Fisher's boys." The man said, patting the youth on the shoulder, and then letting his hand slip down Jamie's back, almost a caress. "And we can arrange to have your belongings moved in the morning, but now you have work to do, young man, and I won't see you slacking off. Nell'll keep an eye on you. He's the ambassador's piece of pie, he knows this place better than you know the back of your hand."

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jamie_daykin
2008-04-20 12:26 pm UTC (link)

Jamie shrugged lightly. He had never particularly cared for clothing. Mostly he was happy when he had something decent to wear, when he had been a child that hadn't always been given.

"Whatever you say, Harry, whatever you say," He agreed, already watching the crowd again.

"I can go and pick my things up in the morning myself, there's not much anyways. Mostly notebooks." In truth he didn't feel too comfortable with someone else going through his things.

"Who's this Nell?" His eyes roamed over the crowd, trying to find out who the person in question might be.

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social_climber
2008-04-20 12:41 pm UTC (link)

"That's Mr. Fisher, Jamie-boy, I'm your employer now. A bit of respect wouldn't go amiss." Harry said, not even looking at the young man any more, but turning his attention back to the party, trying to locate his other errant employees. They all seemed to be doing well enough.

"Nell?" He pauses, "That little waif over there. Who has had far, far to many drinks despite knowing better." He nods towards the boy across the room from them. "He'll be hanging off the Ambassador's arm again in a minute, you just watch him."

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jamie_daykin, 2008-04-20 12:47 pm UTC

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social_climber, 2008-04-20 01:03 pm UTC

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jamie_daykin, 2008-04-20 01:19 pm UTC

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