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Post by rohan on Aug 20, 2018 20:32:13 GMT -6
Fausto Deneris notes: Well, helloo there ~~~~ Fausto listened to Les, nodding as he kept his eyes on the hot pan before him. It was strange to be feeling so comfortable with a stranger he had met just hours before, yet here he was making pancakes while talking about his childhood to a guy who was in nothing but his boxers. Life had strange ways of bringing people together, but he supposed it could have ended up a lot worse than it had. He preferred making pancakes and talking over getting kicked out at the crack of dawn.
"Oh,yeah, you're a mage, aren't you?" The question seemed to hang in the air, catching Fausto slightly off guard as he lifted his head slightly with his back still turned to Les. He knew Les was just asking for curiosity's sake, but with tensions still high between the two groups, he made sure to select his words carefully. "Ah, yeah." he answered with a hesitant nod as he reached for a plate,"Earth mage, to be exact. You don't have to worry about me bursting into flames or anything like that. I can't throw a rock to save my life, but I can grown flowers like they're going out of style." He finished, passing over a hot stack of pancakes with a light teasing expression.
Fixing his own plate, Fausto joined Les at the island table before getting up again. "Need anything to drink? I forgot I had grabbed some juice if you'd like some." he offered, searching the cupboards for a moment before locating the glasses and removing one for himself. He felt his eyebrows raise when Les Mentioned that he was a Cestie. There was nothing wrong with where he was from, but it was a bit surprising that he had made such success after being in a place like that. Good for him. "Hey, you're not scum." He pointed out, pouring the juice into his cup and takinga small sip, "The places you come from may have an influence on you, but they're not who you are...ya know?" .Baby, I dreamed of you amid the flowers, For a couple of hours, Such a beautiful day...
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Post by sky on Aug 21, 2018 7:28:50 GMT -6
Leaning into the counter, chin resting on his wrist, Les nodded softly as Fausto spoke, watching and listening intently. It felt like the other man fit in this space, in his home-- it was a strange feeling, the first time he had ever felt that way with a stranger. Perhaps the fact that he had agreed to hang around longer than most of his nightly endeavors was pulling at his emotions. Perhaps the previous multiple hours of crying and nightmares were, too.
"Ooh, Flowers? You mentioned you had a shop, but I didn't expect a gruff and handsome guy like you to secretly be a flower boy," he teased, his normally light and soft voice coarse and quiet. It felt like he had to force the words out of his throat. "Most of the mages I hang around are bigwig politicians who think being seen with a shifter is more embarrassing than being seen with a call boy. You're like a breath of fresh air, babe."
Giving the other man a weak smile, Les lifted his chin up as he approached on the other side of the island, watching him with a slight tilt. He tucked his handless arm under the counter and into his lap as the plate was set before him, leaning in with closed eyes to smell the fresh pancakes. Doughy sweetness entered his nostrils, punctuated by fatty butter, and almost inexplicably he felt tears welling in his eyes once again. He turned his head and rubbed at his eyes as Fausto fussed with his own plate.
With a light sniff giving away a hint of his secret teariness, Les nodded at the offer of a drink. "Yeah, um, that juice would be awesome," he considered, for once thankful to have something other than alcohol around the house. The black hole floating in his chest told him that drinking at six in the morning had likely been a bad idea. He watched brazenly as the other man searched through his cupboards, offering no guidance, enjoying the ongoing sensory distraction from the ache in his nonexistant hand and the shadow of memory from his nightmares. He felt like cattle watching a farmer fuss about with their feed, rolling hay into the fields.
With a sudden thought, he cut into his pancakes, scooping up a bite and shoving it into his mouth. He closed his eyes and basked in the sweet and fluffy treat, only peeking when he heard the clinking of glasses. Looked like he had found them. When he fully opened his eyes again, he found them bleary once more, vision worn away by more unwarranted moisture. He set down his fork and wiped at his face again with mild frustration.
"I mean, sure, but also, like, how successful am I when I have a stranger making me breakfast after a dumb nightmare-induced series of panic attacks? Like, you're only here because I slept with you. Sounds like some grade-a Cestie shit to me." He was partially joking, but at the same time his current mental state was wearing his normally unwavering confidence thin, unraveling the threads of his carefully constructed facade. "Look, Fausto, my actual friends don't get to see me like this, much less someone I've only known for an... admittedly incredible night. You're the fuckin' special one, not me."
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I scream, you scream, the cops come, it's awkward. |
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Post by rohan on Aug 21, 2018 10:59:00 GMT -6
Fausto Deneris notes: Well, hello there ~~~~ " Flower boy my ass." Fausto snorted, grinning briefly before taking a sip of juice. "It's not really a secret either. I get some high traffic between the tourist and business districts. They're willing to pay almost anything for a plant with a fancy name attached to it." He was quiet for a moment, shoveling another wad of pancake and butter into his mouth as his stomach growled impatiently. Good thing he made extra batter. " Don't expect any roses though," he warned between bites, "Most of my plants are exotic; mainly carnivorous or just rare species. I don't do any of that floofy stuff."
"You're like a breath of fresh air, babe." A sudden warmth began to rise into Fausto's cheeks and he looked away from Les before it had a chance to fully appear on his face. It was strange, having a reaction to a simple compliment. He had gotten tons of compliments and never felt the need to look away from somebody before. It had to be the alcohol in his system still. Yeah, tha'ts all it was.
"...how successful am I when I have a stranger making me breakfast after a dumb nightmare-induced series of panic attacks? Like, you're only here because I slept with you." Fausto was silent for a moment as he pondered Les' question, taking a few more large bites and nearly clearing his plate. Looking down, he twirled his fork in his fingers a few times before looking over at Les, giving a light shrug " I'm here because I wanted to make sure you were alright." He pointed out, shifting his weight as he leaned over his plate casually. His stomach growling at him to take another bite. You think I would leave you knowing something upsetting happened? I mean, I know were strangers, but that would be pretty shitty of me, don't you think?" He gave another lighthearted shrug, feeling like he was beginning to lecture the other man unintentionally. Perhaps another person may have left and allowed Les to pick himself up again, maybe that was the 'correct' way to sleep with somebody, but it didn't sit well with Fausto.
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Post by sky on Aug 21, 2018 16:40:42 GMT -6
The thought of Fausto surrounded by otherworldly, unusual plants was far more fitting than him stuck in a bed of roses. Although the bed of roses thought was nice, too. "A fancy name and a high price tag, right? Those golden turds will fall for anything if they can feel smug and superior about it," Les mused, thinking about the bulk of his clients. Sure, some of them he genuinely liked, but most were obsessed with flaunting their wealth. It was less impressive when you had an army of people taking you out to the most expensive places in New Rome, although he was good at feigning excitement and surprise outside of the bedroom, too.
Les leaned in and took another bite, tilting his head when Fausto looked away from him. He smirked, but said nothing, still trying to push back the water in his eyes. Lifting his stub from his lap, he pressed it into his eye, feeling strange pausing after every bite to wipe at his face. He could probably use his prosthetic, but after shooting it a glance at the end of the counter, he decided he couldn't deal with it quite yet. There was still a phantom ache that pulsed in his invisible fingers and strained at his non-existent wrist. He probably looked silly, sitting around handless when his usual one was only a few feet away. He hated feeling helpless, but he hated the idea of exacerbating the pain more.
He picked his eyes off of his plate when Fausto began speaking again, almost forgetting that he had made some offhanded, self-deprecating comment in the first place. He took another quick bite, realising just how slowly he was eating once he glanced at the other man's plate. He probably looked ungrateful. "I mean... yeah, I guess. And I appreciate it. You staying around, I mean," he shrugged, leaning his cheek into his handless forearm.
He pushed around his food for a moment before cutting off another mouthful, chewing slowly to avoid biting his cheek, pressed into his jaw. He leaned up again and gave Fausto an amused look before adding, "I just think it's ironic that you're here making me breakfast when I very much owe you dinner." He stuck his tongue out a little and brushed it against the corner of his upper lip and front teeth teasingly before falling into a laugh. He set down his fork and covered his face, shaking his head. He felt almost weird being flirty right now, a time when he could very easily break down crying again. He pressed his thumb and forefinger into his eyes, inhaling sharply.
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Post by rohan on Aug 21, 2018 22:49:16 GMT -6
Fausto Deneris notes: Well, helloo there ~~~~ "A fancy name and a high price tag, right? Those golden turds will fall for anything if they can feel smug and superior about it," The comment caused another smile to appear on Fausto's lips as he nodded in agreement. "They're willing to pay top dollar for something just for bragging rights." Fausto rolled his eyes at the thought. Why someone would pay out the nose for a tiny plant they were probably going to kill in a week was beyond him. " Jokes on them though," he pointed out, taking the last bite from his plate and turning back to the stove to make a few more of the fluffy treats. " Sure everything is rare, but I have over a hundred of the same plant sitting in the back gardens- and they're no so rare anymore- but they're still willing to pay for the name of it." He shook his head, rubbing the rough stubble on his chin lightly as he thought to himself. " Money is a powerful thing I guess." he decided finally, pouring more batter into the hot pan.
A low rumble came from Fausto's chest when Les teased him about the irony of having breakfast when a dinner date was owed. If he was being honest, any time spent with Les was appreciated. Sure, they had met just hours before, and Fausto had no idea what the other man's last name was in the event of emergency, but the company was much needed. He couldn't place it exactly, the feeling he had being here with Les and the evening they had shared together. It just seemed to flow together without being forced the way a puzzle piece fits to another. A much needed break from his usual routine of trying to please his normal slew of snobby clients.
Baby, I dreamed of you amid the flowers, For a couple of hours, Such a beautiful day...
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Post by sky on Aug 22, 2018 2:02:42 GMT -6
Les emitted a short laugh at Fausto's admittance, shaking his head as he continued to lean further into the counter, blanket once around his shoulders having drifted to his waist. Finally, with a plop, it dropped to the floor. Shoving another hasty bite into his mouth, he took it as a sign and stood up, grabbing the blanket and balling it up one-handed, leveraging it against his chest, before tossing it onto the nearby couch.
"Be right back," Les said simply, walking the short distance to his bedroom, leaving the door open behind him. He took a moment to dig through the drawers of his wardrobe, pushing aside some of his more favoured items of clothing and digging out an old, oversized shirt, something an ex had left at his place years ago that he had never cared enough to return.
He put it on and looked at himself in the mirror briefly, dissecting his thin arms and still slightly blotchy cheeks. He looked like an absolute disaster, and yet Fausto was still here, joking and flirting like nothing was weird. He pumped some lotion resting atop his dresser and rubbed his nub with it before returning to his place on the barstool.
Les picked up his fork and began moving around the food on his plate again. After a moment of consideration, he took a sharp inhale and scarfed down another bite, his stomach groaning under the wrinkled fabric draped over him. He wasn't sure if it was a sign that he was starving or that he was getting sick. Shaking it off, he looked back to Fausto.
"So I don't know much about you, Fausto, and I don't like that," he started, studying the curve of his back under his clothes, "I know that you grew up in New Rome, and what you do for a living, and that you are very good at it, but that's about it." He punctuated his compliment with a seductive voice, leaning in on his wrist, fork pointed towards the other man. "Let's trade questions. I'll start. How old are you, if that's not too forward?"
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Post by rohan on Aug 27, 2018 9:48:51 GMT -6
Fausto Deneris notes: Well, helloo there ~~~~
With a nod, Fausto watched Les vanish into the darkened bedroom before shifting his eyes back to the hot griddle. He wasn’t sure if Les wished to have anymore, but was positive that he could finish off at least three more with some juice. While Les changed, Fausto hummed a tune lightly to himself as he created another stack , making sure to add a few extra incase Les decided to have more. He had plenty of ingredients after all. He hadn’t noticed Les’ return until he spoke, causing a moment of surprise as Fausto’s head raised and shoulders tensed briefly. He scolded himself for being jumpy, but old habits die hard.
He chuckled at Les' proposition of trading questions. "Sounds fair enough." He smirked, pleased to hear the man's seductive tone returning. Perhaps he was starting to feel better. "I'm twenty five." he answered, glancing over his shoulder as he flipped a pancake over to brown the other side. " Though sometimes I feel like I'm pushing fifty with all the running around I do." he teased, finishing off the pancakes stack and turning to set it on the island, hot steam rising up between Les and himself. He paused to stuff his mouth and ponder a question of his own.
" What is.." he began, mouth still partially full as he shifted his weight and swallowed. " Your favorite color." he finished, tilting his head with subtle curiosity.
Baby, I dreamed of you amid the flowers, For a couple of hours, Such a beautiful day...
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Post by sky on Aug 29, 2018 0:56:00 GMT -6
Leaning into the counter, Les tilted his head, offering a slight smile. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction as he watched Fausto tense up, surprised by his presence. He was definitely quiet, and the sizzling pan didn't help. "Twenty-five. How cute." He was only a few years older, but he wore those three years with pride. Plus, he loved to tease. But that was obvious.
With a snicker, Les shook his head at Fausto's return. He leaned into the palm of his hand again, crossing his handless forearm into the crook of his elbow. "My favourite colour? Sure you're not fifteen?" He smirked, although the false confidence looked strange on his face, still slightly red, his eyes puffy. "Lilac. Or wine. Can't pick. Definitely something purple."
There were hints of this littered throughout his apartment, abstract paintings marked by swirls of rose and periwinkle, accented by beige and hazelnut. A deep mauve comforter. Lilac bath mat and hand towels. They were like little bits of Lesley's insides, his feelings and tendencies spread throughout the flat in violet hues.
He attempted to tap his fingers on the counter, but when his twitching muscles found no relief, he remembered his hand was off. Les could almost feel it, the quartz under his fingertips. He shivered slightly, unsettled by himself, feeling unnatural in his own skin. He snaked a pinky up to the corner of his eye, wiping away a bit of moisture when Fausto wasn't looking. Not this shit again.
Les cleared his throat as he considered his next question, his lips wavering slightly. Finally, he hummed affirmatively at himself and moved his gaze from Fausto's torso to his face with a smooth slide up his chest. "What do you do for fun? I'm sure you don't just work and hang out at bars." After a beat, he laughed, then amended, "though to be fair, I guess that's my life. I don't know, you just don't seem the type."
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Post by rohan on Sept 12, 2018 17:04:05 GMT -6
Fausto Deneris notes: Happy almost Birthday!! ~~~~ " Twenty-five. How cute." Les teased, causing Fausto to roll his eyes. "Oh please," he scoffed as a smirk caused his mouth to shift, " You're hardly older than I am." he pointed out, turning and lightly waving his spatula in Les' direction.
Another tease came once he had thought of a question, and again hie rolled his eyes as he turned the stove off and removed the hot skillet from the heat. " Right now I'm acting older then you are.."he sneered, presenting the final stack of hot cakes. Glancing around the kitchen, Fausto noticed the hues of purple in the hand towels and kitchen rugs. They seemed to stand out even more than before- perhaps due to Les' conformation. It was a fitting color for him really.
"What do I do for fun?" Fausto repeated the question as if hearing it a second time would help jog his mind.Stealing a bite of pancake, he rest his elbows casually on the cool counter top, head tilting to the side. " When I'm not meeting handsome strangers in dark bars, I like researching things. People." His brow furrowed slightly as he gave it some more thought, as if unhappy he had shared his hobby. " I guess I'm kind of a history buff..or something. Maybe I need new hobbies."He shrugged with a light shake of his head. Most of the time he was working- both jobs- or sleeping so he could go to work.Having gotten so busy with clients lately, his free time was far and few between.
Another question for Les. Hmm. While searching for a question worthy of asking, Fausto studied the kitchen curiously. The room was twice as large as his own, and cleaner. Better lighting too. Little by little he scanned the walls and counters until he eyes returned to Les. He settled his gaze on the other man, admiring his puffy, but handsome eyes. The mischievous smile that had returned to his lips. Having finally found his question, Fausto opened his mouth to speak; pausing briefly to organize his thoughts before continuing." Last night at the bar," he began,raising his eyebrow slightly," Out of everyone there, what made you so interested in me?" He waited patiently for Les' answer, curious to hear his explanation. Baby, I dreamed of you amid the flowers, For a couple of hours, Such a beautiful day...
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