A day in the Lights

[der_umgekehrte]

Who: Stildyne and YOU
What: A Day-in-the-life in Paris
When: The first day (and night) of port
Where: All over! Churches, cafes, clothiers and cruise joints.
Warnings: Not expecting any

Comments

Evening - booze and cruise (La Marais)

[der_umgekehrte]

Stildyne had found a young man-- rather, the young man had found him-- who wasn't exactly a professional but wasn't a rank amateur either. The little blond had seen the color of his money from half a block away. Despite Stildyne's ignorance of the local tongue and the young man's only dubious standard they had reached a perfect understanding. Stildyne would go where he was told and pay what he was told to and the little blond would give him a fair chance at seducing him back to his hotel room.

--which is how Stildyne found himself dragged to what might have been every bar and club in La Marais, enjoying himself thoroughly, flirting badly and baldly, drinking, and meeting fascinating new people.

Evening - booze and cruise (La Marais)

[majorum_pride]

And Rhade was doing his thing that first evening, dressed in a pale suit he'd gotten specifically for these sorts of ports and resisting the urge to rub his once again irritatingly naked forearms. Two lovely ladies were on either side of him as they had, much as Stildyne's companion, noticed that Rhade seemed to have no issue acquiring funds. There seemed to be less gratification in it than when he'd went out of his way to earn (through illegal means) the money that he used to keep the interest of his company as he'd done on the space station, but right now he was of the mind that this was an investment in acquiring information

[der_umgekehrte]

Stildyne lifted his glass back with a very muted smile, and turned back to see his own companion ogling Rhade openly. The young man paused immediately, scanning Stildyne's face to see if his meal ticket was the jealous type. Stildyne managed, through an eloquent shrug and a pidgin conversation, to reassure the blond that he was ugly, not blind, and that over there was a very pretty piece of something, much worth looking at.

He tried a few words the French the young man had been schooling him, got a laugh at his accent and a bit of half-understood gossip about the pair of young ladies, and good naturedly paid for the young man to send a round of drinks over to the party. Apparently, Stildyne's arm-warmer ran in some of the same circles as the red-headed one.

[majorum_pride]

For a moment Rhade returned to talking to the ladies, but he seemed to happen across a crucial piece of information that he wanted. And then the red-head turned and pointed at the young fellow beside of Stildyne.

He left money for the tab (and them looking disappointed) before he went by Stildyne and his companion, stopping and putting his hands in his pockets. He gave Stildyne and nod, and was hesitant to ask with another warden there. But still, if he was going to do what he need to do... "I'm looking for Bernard Cowl. Can you tell me where to find him?"

Leave it to Rhade to be seeking out a notable criminal. But at least one that seemed to control the money, and not the goods.

[der_umgekehrte]

Stildyne gave the other man a reproachful look. What are you involving me in, it said. I just wanted a drink and a piece of something easy, it said.

The young man's smile grew an edge and he prowled out of his chair to drape across Rhade. "Not here," he murmured. "A word in the back room, Monsieur."

You Owe Me, Mister, Stildyne mouthed, and then obligingly turned his attention away.

[majorum_pride]

Just a cheeky smirk was answer enough for that. Apparently "rehabilitated" meant nowhere near free of trouble. Considering who his warden was for a while, it shouldn't be too surprising. But at least he didn't seem keen on robbing Stildyne of his piece of easy, he just stepped into the back long enough to get that information, before returning him to the older man unscathed.

"Here you are," he remarked as he brought him back.

[der_umgekehrte]

"If you land in trouble, I don't know anything about it," Stildyne replied conversationally. His arm warmer was all smiles again, asking about another club. "Off to do more than a man my age should," he said. "Good luck with whatever endeavor it is, Mister Rhade."

Evening - booze and cruise (La Marais)

[can_has_vodka]

Arkady was at the bar, alone, in one of the watering holes that Stildyne got dragged to. She had a Long Island Iced Tea in front of her, only half drunk though the ice was almost completely melted, and looked subdued and distracted.

Evening

[der_umgekehrte]

"Un moment, la est mi ami," Stildyne said, his newfound French as battered as his face. His companion was choosing to find it charming, kissing him on the cheek and shooing him over. The better to flirt with the barman, Stildyne suspected, and didn't mind.

"Arkady? What's on your mind? Would've thought this was your place to own."

Evening

[can_has_vodka]

"They have the best drinks in the district," she replied with weak enthusiasm, tapping her glass. She glanced at the blond bemusedly and nodded to herself. "If all one is after is alcohol and conversation one can drink anywhere."

Re: Evening

[der_umgekehrte]

"That's one of the ones you mix, isn't it?" Stildyne asked, indicating her neglected drink. "Let me buy another round and see how close they come to yours.". A giggle behind him. The barman must be biting. And bless his endeavors, as one man who knew the game to another.

Evening

[can_has_vodka]

"All right." She tried on a smile. "Thanks for that. So what do you think of Paris so far? It's not as I remember it. Cleaner, for one thing."

Re: Evening

[der_umgekehrte]

"It's not bad. More vibrant than most cities I've met. The old and new together--I haven't seen anything quite like it." He nodded and signaled for fresh drinks. "How's it treating you?"

Evening

[can_has_vodka]

"It's all right. I'm glad to be off the Barge for a bit. And have a little time to myself." She accepted the fresh glass and took a polite sip. "Take a little break from being Not Severus."

Re: Evening

[der_umgekehrte]

Stildyne drank a little more deeply and nodded. Aah. He'd run into the history of Snape and Mozenrath when he was researching unpairings.

"So did you leave him for the night, or vice versa?"

Evening

[can_has_vodka]

"I gave him permission to leave. Otherwise I'm certain he would have walked off in some way he presumed was sneaky so he could go be with his friends." Her lips quirked briefly. "Nor do I suspect that the Wardens among those friends would discourage him from doing so."