Hazel eyes flicker from Max's cautious words of warning and towards the other familiar smoothness of the voice now joining them. It's a tone that forces Klement to sit up a bit straighter out of habit – not all clients can be treated so casually unless a long bond has formed, after all – poised and professional as if they were to continue their business here at the lonely booth in a lonely Denny's.
"Mr. Osborne," the Antiquary greets, also getting to his feet with practiced grace to properly welcome the master back after their previous meeting. He does notice the difference in Erik's wardrobe, but he feels it's for the better since having obvious blood stains in the early hours of morning will still bring about many questions from strangers.
Although he pauses when Erik introduces Max as his 'pet,' he still smiles, nodding in confirmation. "It is also good to see you are doing well," comes his reply without hesitation, gesturing for all of them to sit again so that they wouldn't be standing around awkwardly. "Please, there is no need to apologize, sir. Business tends to come with some surprises, after all.
"And Mr. Maximum has been wonderful company tonight – to be honest, I did not think anyone would be here, considering the time."
Erik inclines his head politely when Klement stands to greet him. This is one thing that makes the Antiquary so pleasant to do dealings with, he has the proper respect for decorum.
"Yes, I had the same notion. Which is why I instructed Max to wait for me here. Great minds think alike, it seems."
Erik slides gracefully into the booth. Max sits down beside him, pressing in close enough that their thighs touch beneath the table. That brings a momentary pitying smile to the Vampire's face. Max had obviously been fretting, he still smelled strongly of fear.
Erik pats Max's arm, above the table where Klement can see. "Yes, Max is incredibly good at making fast friends."
Nothing in Erik's tone or demeanor really seems to perceptibly change, and yet, it's as if the temperature in the room has dropped a degree, "And, it seems he's already gotten quite comfortable speaking with you about certain personal topics."
Through the connection of their thighs, Erik can feel the muscles in Max tense. The human's eyes cast down to the table immediately, as if he's been harshly reprimanded.
Klement sits down once they get comfortable (or as comfortable as a master and pet can get in the presence of company), blissfully unaware of the cues that are happening under the table. The arm-pat he does notice, taking it into account as Erik replies to his earlier commendations.
While he knows the air-conditioning units are always on in some restaurants, he can't help but feel a chill run down his spine. His expression, however, mentions nothing of it, letting his gaze linger between Max and Erik before speaking again.
"Then I should apologize, Mr. Osborne. I believe I am at fault for getting into such details," he insists, hands spread with his palms open as they hover inches above the tabletop. "Having you as a connection was unexpected at best, and it was only natural to be worried when you disappeared shortly after our meeting ended prematurely." His palms are then gently pressed together in asking for forgiveness. "My curiosity piques where it should not, and scenes like the one tonight have a way of staying fresh in memory."
"Of course," says Erik genially, "I'm sure after all of that, your curiosity couldn't help but be piqued. I do not hold it against you." He pats Max's arm again, as if to imply the words are meant for both of them.
Max lets out a slow breath and seems to relax again. He reaches for his coffee to take a sip and grimaces. It's still just as burnt but now it's also cold.
"I think," adds Erik, "we might be better off if we tried to forget what we saw in that warehouse. I do hope it won't keep us from doing business in the future?"
The corner of his mouth twitches slightly. Sadly, he can't help Max there with cold coffee.
Yet Klement perks, his attention unwavering as he nods. "Oh– oh yes, indeed. We never have to bring the incident up again." It just goes in the pile of other incidents he's had happen during the growth of his careers, mostly left alone until someone decides to bring it back to the forefront.
Most likely his father. That will be another issue to deal with later, however.
His hands clasp together. "Mr. Osbourne, I am more than happy to continue our business relationship," he says. "You have a keen eye and great respect for antiquities and the like, and I only wish more clients understood the value in collecting and preservation."
"Good. This is why I like doing business with you. I can count on your discretion. And you have a knack for flattery as well," though the vampire looks quite pleased by the praise. "I'll be sure to forward to you a few more of the choice pieces I am hunting for."
Just like that, the matter is put to bed.
Max breathes another shallow sigh. He's just as happy to put all this in the rear-view mirror as the rest of them. Now, if only he could put this restaurant there too. He fidgets slightly in his seat. Erik, ever attuned to his Pet's moods, picks up on that.
"But, alas, the hour is late. So, I think that shall have to conclude our business for now. Perhaps you will come by my home sometime in the near future? We may have more to discuss." An invitation to a vampire's abode is both an honor and a dangerous proposition. What will Klement decide?
On the inside, Klement isn't entirely sure how he should feel about that. His training in the business did do something to raise the levels of flattery he exudes from time to time, and like dancing along the edge of a knife he's been careful enough to not lay it on thick. This meeting, like most of the others he's attended, reminds him that he's still remains on the 'safe' side of that talent.
Now, perhaps because of the hour, he barely remembers the thing about inviting vampires into one's house. And one would think to have better judgment in accepting an invitation from a vampire. But does it count? Does it still hold true in reverse?
Since the faint warning signs never cross the Antiquary's mind, these answers are left unknown. "Indeed. I would be honored, Mr. Osborne," Klement smiles through the onset of exhaustion. "I look forward to it."
Will he regret it later? Maybe. But business is important.
Klement also stands, clasping Erik's hand to complete the handshake. "Yes, of course, of course." He looks from Erik to Max, smiling all the while as they all step out of the booth. "And that sounds wonderful. Until then, I shall await your call. Good night to you both."
Since he has to gather his things together, he notices Max, turning to nod at the man. "You are very welcome, Mr. Maximum," he smiles. "It was the least I can do. Goodbye and take care."
He waits as the two leave first, making sure things remain relatively quiet the further they get from the restaurant. Before he goes, he walks over to the counter to bother the one server who's been chatting to the cook through the service window. "Hello, forgive me – I would like to order the Original Grand Slam breakfast platter, please..."
He probably won't eat it, but it will appease the fluffball of a cat waiting for him at home.
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Re: Enter Erik
Date: 2020-12-01 12:02 am (UTC)"Mr. Osborne," the Antiquary greets, also getting to his feet with practiced grace to properly welcome the master back after their previous meeting. He does notice the difference in Erik's wardrobe, but he feels it's for the better since having obvious blood stains in the early hours of morning will still bring about many questions from strangers.
Although he pauses when Erik introduces Max as his 'pet,' he still smiles, nodding in confirmation. "It is also good to see you are doing well," comes his reply without hesitation, gesturing for all of them to sit again so that they wouldn't be standing around awkwardly. "Please, there is no need to apologize, sir. Business tends to come with some surprises, after all.
"And Mr. Maximum has been wonderful company tonight – to be honest, I did not think anyone would be here, considering the time."
Re: Enter Erik
Date: 2020-12-03 03:39 pm (UTC)"Yes, I had the same notion. Which is why I instructed Max to wait for me here. Great minds think alike, it seems."
Erik slides gracefully into the booth. Max sits down beside him, pressing in close enough that their thighs touch beneath the table. That brings a momentary pitying smile to the Vampire's face. Max had obviously been fretting, he still smelled strongly of fear.
Erik pats Max's arm, above the table where Klement can see. "Yes, Max is incredibly good at making fast friends."
Nothing in Erik's tone or demeanor really seems to perceptibly change, and yet, it's as if the temperature in the room has dropped a degree, "And, it seems he's already gotten quite comfortable speaking with you about certain personal topics."
Through the connection of their thighs, Erik can feel the muscles in Max tense. The human's eyes cast down to the table immediately, as if he's been harshly reprimanded.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-05 03:59 am (UTC)While he knows the air-conditioning units are always on in some restaurants, he can't help but feel a chill run down his spine. His expression, however, mentions nothing of it, letting his gaze linger between Max and Erik before speaking again.
"Then I should apologize, Mr. Osborne. I believe I am at fault for getting into such details," he insists, hands spread with his palms open as they hover inches above the tabletop. "Having you as a connection was unexpected at best, and it was only natural to be worried when you disappeared shortly after our meeting ended prematurely." His palms are then gently pressed together in asking for forgiveness. "My curiosity piques where it should not, and scenes like the one tonight have a way of staying fresh in memory."
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-21 02:25 pm (UTC)Max lets out a slow breath and seems to relax again. He reaches for his coffee to take a sip and grimaces. It's still just as burnt but now it's also cold.
"I think," adds Erik, "we might be better off if we tried to forget what we saw in that warehouse. I do hope it won't keep us from doing business in the future?"
(no subject)
Date: 2020-12-24 07:34 am (UTC)Yet Klement perks, his attention unwavering as he nods. "Oh– oh yes, indeed. We never have to bring the incident up again." It just goes in the pile of other incidents he's had happen during the growth of his careers, mostly left alone until someone decides to bring it back to the forefront.
Most likely his father. That will be another issue to deal with later, however.
His hands clasp together. "Mr. Osbourne, I am more than happy to continue our business relationship," he says. "You have a keen eye and great respect for antiquities and the like, and I only wish more clients understood the value in collecting and preservation."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-02 02:08 am (UTC)Just like that, the matter is put to bed.
Max breathes another shallow sigh. He's just as happy to put all this in the rear-view mirror as the rest of them. Now, if only he could put this restaurant there too. He fidgets slightly in his seat. Erik, ever attuned to his Pet's moods, picks up on that.
"But, alas, the hour is late. So, I think that shall have to conclude our business for now. Perhaps you will come by my home sometime in the near future? We may have more to discuss." An invitation to a vampire's abode is both an honor and a dangerous proposition. What will Klement decide?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-20 12:04 am (UTC)Now, perhaps because of the hour, he barely remembers the thing about inviting vampires into one's house. And one would think to have better judgment in accepting an invitation from a vampire. But does it count? Does it still hold true in reverse?
Since the faint warning signs never cross the Antiquary's mind, these answers are left unknown. "Indeed. I would be honored, Mr. Osborne," Klement smiles through the onset of exhaustion. "I look forward to it."
Will he regret it later? Maybe. But business is important.
last comment from me on this, but we can work on setting up something new
Date: 2021-01-26 10:09 pm (UTC)"Then we'll be in touch soon. I'm sure Max will enjoy showing you his skill in hospitality."
Max does brighten at the prospect. Someone to cook for? To entertain? Yes! He can't wait.
"I'll be delighted," the human says, following his master out of the booth.
Erik is motioning for them to go, but Max lingers just a moment longer to say, "And thank you, again, for keeping me company. Goodbye for now."
Okay!
Date: 2021-01-27 12:41 am (UTC)Since he has to gather his things together, he notices Max, turning to nod at the man. "You are very welcome, Mr. Maximum," he smiles. "It was the least I can do. Goodbye and take care."
He waits as the two leave first, making sure things remain relatively quiet the further they get from the restaurant. Before he goes, he walks over to the counter to bother the one server who's been chatting to the cook through the service window. "Hello, forgive me – I would like to order the Original Grand Slam breakfast platter, please..."
He probably won't eat it, but it will appease the fluffball of a cat waiting for him at home.