Gathering Post : 2/24 - 3/2

[londoncallingmods]

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[prince_of_nymphs]

"We met at The Alpha actually," Fin laughed. "I was- I was in a bad place, if I'm honest. I was homeless, struggling to get work, repressing who I really was. Will was... He was kind of manipulative when we first met, actually, but he wound up being the best thing to ever happen to me."

[utterly_mysterious]

A man in love. He had all the signs. Angelique had seen worse cases, but not many. "He helped you out of a bad situation?" she asked, quietly prompting. Fin seemed eager to talk about his Will, which probably wasn't very surprising.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"He helped me get noticed. Got me off the streets, got me focused. ...I was ill when we met as well, and I credit him fully with my recovery," Fin gushed.

[utterly_mysterious]

"He sounds like magic," Angelique commented, quite innocently. It was a common enough metaphor, especially one so highly praised as Fin's Will. "Everything you need all wrapped up in one, reportedly gorgeous, package." Her smile softened a bit. "That must really be what they mean by 'partner.'"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin tensed at the mention of magic, then laughed awkwardly. "I suppose it is," he agreed.

"What about you, Angelique? Do you have anyone special in your life?"

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique knew the question was coming, so she made sure to have a ladylike mouth full of fish when it did. She covered her mouth with her hand as if chuckling behind it until she was able to speak again. "Oh... no, dear, not for me. I tried it, once, being in love. It didn't agree with me at all."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin smiled brightly at that.

"It's not so bad," he assured her. "And with the right person, it's wonderful. Will- God, not to wax on and on about him, but- I'd never been with anyone else. Dated a few girls in my youth, but nothing serious- So, as you'd imagine, I was a bit nervous about settling down. But Will? He just understood. He's always given me all the freedom I need. He doesn't mind me seeing other people, doesn't mind me trying new things. Well, so long as I come home to him. Though I suppose I know some people who think that's not romantic at all. My best mate, for example. He's all about settling down with his one and only, and never looking elsewhere again, even for a night. ...Though I suppose if it's not for you, it's just not for you. All any of us can do is find happiness in whatever suits us."

[utterly_mysterious]

While Angelique listened, an odd little smile grew on her lips. Was Fin uncomfortable? Trying to convince her of something? Trying to tell her something? She doubted all of that very much, but she did listen, because it sounded like Fin needed to say it. Perhaps, being Finlay Flynn, he didn't have many people he could say things to.

"Learning what suits you is a step that so many people never seem to take," Angelique observed. "Or denying it, which is worse."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Truthfully it was a bit of each. He had few people he could talk to about his private life, and at least one of them didn't really seem to understand why he and Willy's love life was the way it was. It felt good to just say it, and Angeligue just seemed like someone he could talk to. Though he wasn't sure why.

"I imagine some people aren't lucky enough to have the chance to practice what they feel fits them best."

[utterly_mysterious]

"No, but that's why people like me are on this earth," Angelique assured him. In her experience, plenty of people felt more comfortable talking to a whore than a therapist. Or a wife, for that matter. She had seen that play out over and over even in her short career.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh?" Fin asked curiously, not sure what she meant. She'd said she was a costume designer, but Fin hadn't assumed anything more.

[utterly_mysterious]

"Would you be shocked if I told you that I'm not just a hopeful theatre girl, but I also help the questioning and the confused live out their fantasies?" Angelique smiled as she asked this, chin tucked down, dark eyes sly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Ah, I see. I wouldn't be shocked though, no- Unless shock is what you're hoping for," Fin teased with a soft smile.

[utterly_mysterious]

"I do live to shock," Angelique confirmed, quite un-phased, "but it's only fun when it's genuine. I'm sure you do an absolutely devastating gasp and faint, but best to save that for your adoring audiences." She glanced up at Fin, her searching dark eyes not as confident as her careless words would seem to indicate. Pretending not to care what anyone thought was a kind of armor for her, but pretend she did.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Then I promise to never fake it for you," Fin replied smoothly, offering a playful wink before popping another chip in his mouth.

His phone chose that moment to buzz, and he rolled his eyes as he pulled it from his pocket.

"So much for having an evening to myself," he sighed as he read the message, tapping out a reply and then tutting softly. "I'm afraid I've got to eat and run, but I meant what I said before, I'd really love to see your costume work."

Pulling out a business card and a pen, he turned it over and jotted down his mobile number, then held it out in offering. "I can't be sure when my scheduled will be clear, but feel free to text me sometime. Perhaps the stars will align and we'll find time to get together."

[utterly_mysterious]

When Fin produced one of his cards, Angelique opened up her pocketbook for one of hers, too. Hers listed the address she worked out of, and a pair of phone numbers, along with her name, but no indication of her business. That was safest. She laid it on the table by Fin's plate, and accepted his with an expression of delight.

"It's been an absolute living dream to meet you, Finlay Flynn. Best of luck at your dinner. I hope you find something gorgeous to wear, even without my help," she laughed as he stood.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'm sure it will pale in comparison to what you'd have selected, but thank you. I hope to see you again soon," he added, before heading to the counter to pay for their meals- And taking the liberty of ordering another drink for Angelique.

He paused at the door to offer a wave, but was on his phone the moment he was out the door, back to work and ready for whatever his manager had planned.