chrisisofaith | IC Contact

[Following this conversation Erik uses the contact information he obtained to deliver this message:]

Dear Lord Sonom, I apologize for contacting you without prior warning. You don't know me. I was given your information by a mutual friend, Mr. Jon Sims. He mentioned the two of you were working closely together. I'm interested in your project. Would you be opposed to meeting me so we can discuss it in person? Yours sincerely, Lord Erik Osborne

[He’s a little surprised Jon sent someone his way, but his curiosity stands piqued.

There’s a couple projects that run through his mind at the mention, but he’s fairly certain one of them wouldn’t have come up with a stranger. Surely. The other was certainly befitting the more political tone used. Well, that and the title that matched his own.]

Fair greetings to you, Lord Osborne.

I would be happy to meet with you come evening. If you’ve access to the Up, I would recommend Honestea. If not, then I will be happy to treat you to an evening at the bar, Crimson.

My thanks, Lord Sonom. I am able to travel into the Up, and I admit I much prefer the accommodations there. I will join you this evening at Honestea. I feel it fair to warn you I will not be able to partake in any food or drink, but the setting itself will be comfort enough. Look for me in a cream colored suit and crimson tie.

I understand and appreciate the warning. I am looking forward to our meeting.

-Lord Chris Sonom

[He was hardly dressed for a meeting of nobility when he’d gone in to work for the day, so he bailed early with apologies and a chance to clean up in something nicer than his usual leather ensemble. It feels strange to put the clothes on he’d arrived in, but they’re better suited for this.

Chris heads to Honestea shortly after, procures a cup of tea for himself out of formality, and waits for a man in a cream suit with a crimson tie.

When he sees such a man arrive, Chris stands to greet him, polite smile and hand offered as he approaches.]

Lord Osborne? A pleasure.

[His voice is light, noticeably accented, and genial.]

I’d offer full title, if you like, but I’m afraid you’ll find it matters little but to us in the city.

[The suit and tie happen to be what Erik arrived with himself, attire from a party he'd been in attendance at before mysteriously ending up here. It's fortunate that his being a vampire causes him to neither sweat nor soil his clothes as easily since he's been stuck in the same thing for several days now.

Erik's skin, when he takes the offered handshake, is cold as the grave. But his smile is warm if a touch rueful at that comment about titles.]

I am discovering that rapidly. If you would like to share it with me, for my reference, I will of course be happy to know your full title. But if we wish to dispense with formality, then you can know me as Erik.

[Chris’ smile ticks up at the corner and he shakes his head.]

Full honest? More than happy to dispense if such things unless they’re needed. Chris’ll do fine for me. Come’n sit with me.

[He leads Erik back to the table he’d taken up with his cup of tea and gestures for his companion to take up the other seat.]

So…while I can take a guess to the nature of this talk, it’d be easier to start if I knew what was said to bring you to me.

Very well, then. Chris it is.

[Erik follows, taking a seat opposite and sitting primly on it with his hands folded in front of him on the table.]

Of course. I went to Mr. Sims because I'd been told he had information on people here changing their designations. He told me that he, himself, had experienced such a change. He mentioned that the powers that be don't acknowledge these shifts--with one notable exception--and he mentioned that you and he were working on changing that? Is that correct?

[Chris nods and thanks his lessons in political meetings for keeping his buried frustration over this very ‘project’ from surfacing.

It was a fair question and not Erik’s fault Chris didn’t have better news.]

For the most part. I have a dominant-assigned friend loaning his name to the letters I draft to assert credibility, but the idea and proof is Jon’s while the execution is mine.

[He shifts to lean a bit closer.]

I’ve sent two letters requesting a meeting with the Mayor and creator of the LIEs program with the intention of roping him or his partner into the line of questioning. With a figure, at worst, they might respond with violence to myself and show a hand of desperation for mere questions.

I’m sorry to say what they’ve sent me back is not heartening, but they offered to have me send my questions in…which’s far less than ideal.

[Erik leans forward to meet him out of courtesy. the vampire could hear a mouse sneeze from across the room, but he doesn't want to seem rude. His voice is takes on a low discretionary tenor when he responds.]

You're risking a lot on this, and I admire both the courage and the perseverance. How long have you been pursuing this project?

[He doesn’t…feel like he is. Or, rather, he wishes it felt more like a risk for it to feel worth it. Instead, he’s left with cold words on a paper and hoping it yields something. Still, the smile he offers is polite.]

Thank you, I’m hoping it gives us something to work with. If not a new lead to follow.

The planning, gathering, and execution has been over the course of the last two months. We first started talk in…January. I sent the first letter earlier this month.

If I might be so frank, what might your interest be in this, aside from the general?

I know it doesn't feel this way, but I'd say any response at all in that short time is a positive, unsatisfying as it still is. A regime like the one in power here is not going to be easily moved.

[He speaks with the certainty of someone who has tried.]

A fair question. My interest is a selfish one. I do not agree with the designation I've been dealt and I want to change it. After learning that when it does occur it is seemingly random, I'm looking into other options. If the people in control will not even acknowledge that it is possible, what hope do I have of making it happen for me?

Make no mistake, it is a self-interested angle, but that doesn't mean I can't be helpful or committed to a common goal.

[That is very true and he’d do better to remember it. The last tyrannical regime he helped dismantle took five years of concerted effort before an opening appeared and that was still shorter than some reigns. It was easy to forget when such time had passed. He ought remember the patience he had then.

There’s a measure of gratitude in him for the reminder, even if it shouldn’t have been needed. Erik’s voice tells a brief story of familiarity Chris makes mental note to ask after another time.

For now, he listens, but there’s no judgement in him for the admission.]

Self-interested gives me more confidence than the claim of a good heart. Good hearts in harsh movements rarely last long or well. No shame nor harm in knowing exactly where a man stand. Besides, harsh honesty’s better than a gentle lie to my ear.

Alright, your aid is welcome, as are your ideas to it. When I’ve final word from my last letter, I’ll share the results and all information gathered that time, if Jon’s not already given it.

[He offers his hand again and a more earnest smile with it.]

To hear you say so, in turn, increases my confidence in you. It is a truth in my world, and many I should think, that we all have self-interests to serve. Only a fool or a liar denies it.

[Erik takes Chris's hand and shakes it with warm pressure despite the chill of his skin.]

I will be glad to hear what response you get. And more glad to help you succeed in this quest. If I come across anything I think might be useful to you, I will send you a message to meet. You can rely on my discretion.

[He takes note of the chill again, but this doesn't feel like the time to say something. It wasn't really his business until it was.]

Thank you, I appreciate that and your discretion. Is there anything else you'd like to know? Of me or the city or what-have you, while we're sat here? I'll not take your time up otherwise.

[He was genuinely more than happy to help with questions as he could, but they were likely both busy, small talk wasn't the cards for today.]

I have no job and no other obligations besides. If anything, it is I taking-up your time. And you have been most generous with it, so I won't overstay my welcome.

Ah, fair. Then I apologize I can't be a better host today, call in a raincheck sometime and I'll be happy to offer better company. Unfortunately, too much time leaves an idle mind I've no use with, so I've two jobs to my name. Which reminds me, if you've need of me in working hours, you can find me at Haven or the Midnight Theatre, both in the Down.

[He finishes off his tea and moves to stand. Though, he hesitates as he does.]

Actually...what do you like to do for fun, Erik?

Thank you. I dislike being idle as well, so I can sympathize.

[He nods, and takes note of those business names. He'll plan on making his rounds to them soon.

When Chris starts to rise, so does he. But then that question leaves him feeling quite flat-footed. What does he like to do for fun? That shouldn't be a difficult question, yet as he stands there, he finds himself struggling to summon an answer.

His mind flashes to his recent years, where most evenings are spent in the company of his human servant. Treating his Max to whatever desire he fancies, spending time in carnal pleasure, traveling abroad. All of it, for the last seven years, has revolved around his human companion. Those handful of years have somehow felt more full than entire decades past. But what does he do with himself when not doting on his Pet? What did he do before his Pet?]

Oh, I don't know. I like to read, or travel. I sometimes collect art. I suppose, otherwise, I'm a little too much of a workaholic for other hobbies.

[He watches the man pause a little too long for an answer that ought be simple and it’s an interesting note. He’s clearly been busy enough for long enough that he’s nearly forgotten and ‘workaholic’ seems likely enough. He can sympathize.]

Not sure to the work you’re used to, but you might want to start finding some unless you’re to pick up a job or two while here.

That said, there’s an art gallery here in the Up, couldn’t treat you to tea, can I offer an evening’s distraction instead?

I was a land broker and investor. I don't see much hope for that here given my... designation.

[His lips twist into a grimace while his hand tightens the tie at his neck as if to cover the mark under his chin. But as quickly as the distaste on his face comes, it's gone again, replaced with a look of genuine interest.]

An art gallery. Yes, I would like that very much. A feast for the eyes one might say.

Ah. [Chris offers a sympathetic look. No, there likely wasn't much call for that even beyond designation, not that Chris has looked much into either, but the designation snag is certainly the biggest issue.

For now, he takes his cup back to the counter and returns with a genial smile.]

Art is good for the eyes and soul. It's not so far, if you'll join in the walk?

[He'll lead them out, hands itching to tuck into the pockets of a jacket he wasn't wearing. It isn't far at all and Chris fills the space with talk of art, as well as he knows it. The building itself it nice and he pays their admission with an easy smile.

Once they're inside, however, he largely lets Erik decide what they look at and where they go, more than happy to listen if the man has any insight on the pieces displayed.]

With pleasure.

[It's still a new and somewhat uncomfortable notion for him that someone else should have to pay his way, but he accepts it with grace. Once inside, his discomfort is forgotten. His whole demeanor lights up and he leads Chris around with a kind of giddy excitement as he points out this or that detail about paintings and sculptures they pass.

He explains off-handedly, that he's been a minor collector of art for some time, but also, that he has the advantage of having been a contemporary viewer during many of the now "old" movements on display. He speaks vividly about his memories of going to private galleries to see pieces when they were still new, hinting at the truth of his age and nature. He gravitates the most heavily to Neoclassicism and Baroque styles, stopping to view any of those types for much longer than most.]

I hope I'm not boring you too much? My servant at home, Max, always starts getting fidgety by this point when I take him to a place like this.

[He's gathered a picture in his mind of Erik, between the small phrases and the chill of his skin, as to what he might be. He's also seen a man impassioned by a topic he clearly cares greatly about and that carries just as much weight.

He doesn't know as much about the topic as Erik does, but he does enjoy watching someone else's excitement. When he asks, Chris shakes his head.]

Not at all. When someone really cares about a thing, their smile turns more genuine and there's a brightness to their eyes and a upward shift in their voice. It's noticeable and attractive to watch, even if the subject is a bit outside my purview. You've been a connoisseur of art for quite some time. It shows and it's lovely.

Hm. [Erik pauses a moment to really think about what Chris has said. It's true. He does feel more at ease now, less hopeless.] I think I'd forgotten how much of a passion I had for this, with all that's gone on lately.

[He means the things that have gone on in his own world more than here. Since the (relatively) recent death of his sister his life has been increasingly eventful.]

Thank you for reminding me of it.

[Chris’ smile ticks higher and he briefly puts a hand on Erik’s shoulder.]

Happy to. This city can get scary rough, even for those used to such things or rolling with life’s hits. Good to find those things of people who make it easier to manage.

Do you do any art yourself?

[Erik's smile creeps wider when Chris puts a friendly hand on his shoulder. He's taking a liking to the man already.]

Oh, no. I'm afraid I've got no talent for it. My sister had some, but she lacked the patience. I am doomed to be an admirer only.

What about you? Any hidden talents?

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cw: mentions family death

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