OTA

[shannonteverius]

Shannon had been spending more time out in the evenings and at night lately. He hated the sight of an empty bed and tried to avoid it until it was absolutely necessary. Because of this, he was also branching out from his usual haunts. Not too far from them but the places he spent his time were becoming slightly more eclectic.

Tonight he was in a local jazz club. He wasn't a fan of jazz per se but the place was nice and the music gave him an excuse to be there besides drinking. The clientele were a little more classy than a regular bar as well which he appreciated.

He accepted his glass of wine from the bartender and took a seat at a small table some ways back from the stage. He would rather someone join him to socialize than to listen to the music for the whole evening.

Comments

[benependente]

Jazz. Jazz was just an excuse for people to be deep and complicated and feel superior towards others. The music was idiotic. Same song a million times, but with varying rhythm. Or without any recognizable rhythm at all. And all those haughty twats just bobbed their heads pretending to understand it. In Juan’s opinion there was nothing to understand.

And the lyrics! Music isn’t deep when you slow it down and moan the words as if it’s painful.

Anyway, he wasn’t here by choice. He was here because a business relation would be here tonight as well, and after a few indiscretions on Juan’s behalf, he needed some good-will to make up for it. Well, that was why his father had insisted on his presence here.

But wine flowed freely and Juan was considering proving a point about jazz in general – the method he had in mind would be considered an indiscretion as well.

He sighed and downed the last of his wine as the next was placed in front of him. He spotted a man sitting on his own at a table and recognized him. Shannon Teverius. He didn’t know if he would be recognized by the man as well – there were a lot of functions and shit that the Borgia son was dragged to, but fuck knows if they’d met at one of those. Wine flowed freely there as well.

Anyway, he decided to join him. “You’re Teverius, right? Shannon, if I’m not mistaken?”

[shannonteverius]

Shannon was getting a little bored and was considering moving to another location when the man approached his table. He looked up and recognized Juan from various affairs he'd attended, though they had never spoken before.

"Yes, and you're Juan Borgia." He extended a hand. "I don't think we've been formally introduced before."

[benependente]

Juan shook Shannon's hand. "Pleasure to meet you. May I join you? Or are you waiting for someone?" Juan could be perfectly charming if he wanted to.

[shannonteverius]

Shannon shook his head. "Please, sit," he said, his own charming smile on his face. "So are you a fan of jazz?"

[benependente]

Juan saw no point in lying. Besides, more than likely his opinion on jazz was written on his face. "No, not really. Just here to create some good-will. Are you? You don't seem thrilled to be here."

[shannonteverius]

"It has a better atmosphere than some of the other bars," Shannon said, "but it is not my favorite."

[benependente]

"So why are you here then?" Juan asked.

[shannonteverius]

"A change of scene," Shannon replied. "If I only frequented one place I would be in danger of seeming tedious and predicable."

[benependente]

"I don't think visiting this place makes you seem less tedious, though," Juan said. It wasn't an insult. It was simply true.

[shannonteverius]

"Perhaps," Shannon allowed. "Though some might consider it cultural." Not that he did, really. He'd come in tonight on a whim.

[benependente]

"Yeah, I know," Juan agreed. "I'm not really cultural. I'd favour a strip club over jazz though."

[shannonteverius]

Though Shannon's tastes had broadened, strip clubs were not on the menu. "I prefer the theater or a museum."

[benependente]

"Theatre has it's charm," Juan agreed and grinned. "But I wouldn't say no to a double D dance girl."

[hollow_moon]

Valentine had arrived with his uncle, a portly man who had been hopeful he might set his young nephew up with a very respectable girl, from some family they were apparently doing business with in Norway or Sweden- Val couldn't remember which.

She was beautiful and sweet- And about as interesting as dry bread. Though to be far, she looked just as disinterested in him as he was her- That felt fair at least, and they both suffered through drinks with smiles plastered on their faces until Valentine managed to slip away.

"Do me a favour," he said as he sat down at the fair haired man's table. "Just laugh and smile, and pretend we're good friends. If I have to go back over there, I may just end my life with this cocktail stirrer, and that seems like a dreadful way to go, don't you think?"

[shannonteverius]

Shannon blinked in surprise, but he agreed that death by cocktail stirrer was an awfully pitiful way to die. He was also curious as to what would drive a perfect stranger to make such an introduction.

He settled back in his chair and regarded his new acquaintance. "Sounds like you have a story to tell," he said. "As my good friend, you wouldn't keep me in the dark now, would you?"

[hollow_moon]

"My uncle's trying to get me married off and settled down. My mother's doing, I'm sure," the dark haired man sighed. "I'm Valentine, by the way. Valentine Collingwood. ...I'd be polite and offer my hand, but were already so close, anything less than a kiss on the cheek would be rude- And with this table between us, that seems unlikely to happen. You'll just have to trust I usually have much better manners," he quipped with a grin.

[shannonteverius]

Shannon smiled, flattered by Valentine's charm. "Shannon Teverius," he said. "And that sounds absolutely dreadful." Marrying a woman sounded like a nightmare to Shannon. "As your friend I won't stand for it."

[hollow_moon]

"No worries, she's as interested in wedding me as I am her, so it's all fine really- I just can't stand another minute of my uncle attempting small talk," Val replied, groaning a bit, as if the thought alone caused him physical pain.

"So, friend, why are you sitting all by yourself tonight? You're far too pretty to be lonely."

[shannonteverius]

Complements never failed to please Shannon. His smile warmed, making his face even prettier. "I was waiting for you, of course," he said. "Though I wonder how it is we haven't met before."

[hollow_moon]

"Bad timing, perhaps?" Val suggested cheerfully,

[shannonteverius]

"A trait you will have to improve on if we are to remain such good friends," Shannon teased before taking a sip of his wine.

[hollow_moon]

"Sounds like a very good reason for me to finally invest in a watch," Val quipped cheerfully.

[shannonteverius]

"We'll go watch shopping on our next outing then. Friday, perhaps?"

[hollow_moon]

Grinning, Val leaned in and wet his lips with a flick of his tongue. "We're going shopping, are we? How fun. I'd very much love to see you try a few things on," he purred playfully.

[shannonteverius]

Shannon was unaccustomed to playing with such brazen flirting. Felix didn't do it, and any time someone else had been so bold he'd viciously put them in their place. He wasn't taking Val's advances as an insult, quite the contrary in fact, but he wasn't sure what route to take when responding. Teasing seeming the best course for now. "Do you really think my wrists are so exciting?" he asked, giving them a once over appraisal.