Alex nodded, a little more at ease with the topic. "Yoga, tai chi. Couple times a week."
He returned to polite modesty at Eiryk's praise. "I worked hard to get it," he said. "It wasn't easy. Two, three jobs at a time. Mostly guiding... hiking, camping, some lifeguarding. Teaching of course. I finally bought the building I wanted a few months back. It's not pretty. Not yet. But it's mine."
That thought brought a smile to his face. He was proud of that particular accomplishment. He had worked hard for it.
Eiryk seemed used to a much larger scale. Working with contractors, directing that all, organizing it... "That has to require a lot of attention to detail," he said. "I can't imagine it's possible to do any of it, large or small, without having all your ducks in a row. Not to mention really making a job out of it."
Judging by Eiryk's attire, if that was any indicator, he was successful. Alexander had an idea what it took to run our own business now, and he knew competition was an ugly monster no matter what your field was.
Fancy Meeting You Here (Attn: Alex)
It wasn't the ideal place for a meeting, that s to say it was a terrible idea, but for what he was willing to spend, Eiryk was willing to deal with it. The contract would be for a hotel, an adorable little place on the outskirts of downtown, one of those boutique hotels. And it was in a historic building, he already quite a few ideas. So, he was dealing with the meeting venue.
He took the edge off with a drink, or three, during the meeting. Things had just wrapped up and he'd actually gotten the hotel owner to sign the contract and had celebrated, with another drink. Vampire or not the drinks were starting to catch up with him, that didn't bother Eiryk at all.
Really he should get going, he had some phone calls to return. Eiryk stood to leave but, well he hadn't finished his drink and sat back down to do so. It was so easy to get lost, mesmerized by the writhing bodies and really, the band wasn't bad. He could rationalize staying here a little longer.
Alex Aristos
14 years ago
Eiryk
14 years ago
"That might be fun."Â?
OK he wasn't being shot down or turned away so Eiryk took that as a good sign. Depending on the time of day he might come and try one of these classes. He was mildly interested in the subject matter.
Ah, they'd found conversation gold here. Alexander seemed to perk up and open up a bit. Eiryk again had to resist the urge to bounce or push or dive head long into things. It was hard. There was obvious pride in the other man's voice. Rightly so from the sound of it.
He was also telling Eiryk something about himself and he listened carefully. He was impressed and liked the idea that Alexander was apparently an outdoorsman. Maybe he'd like sailing. Eiryk had to shake his head a bit to get some of those ideas out of his head.
"Computers make it a lot easier but there is nothing like being hands on and talking to the people you're working with. You just have to be careful not to micro manage or you'll wind up with the plumber storming out on you and not knowing how to turn the water to the house back on or if its even safe. The next thing you know you have a fountain in the kitchen."Â?
That had never happened to him, well he'd lost a plumber in the middle of a job before but the rest was exaggeration. A blatant attempt to get Alexander to smile.
"It can get messy."Â?
After waiting for a reaction, he prodded gently.
"I'm sure you get yoga fiascos too..."Â?
OK he wasn't being shot down or turned away so Eiryk took that as a good sign. Depending on the time of day he might come and try one of these classes. He was mildly interested in the subject matter.
Ah, they'd found conversation gold here. Alexander seemed to perk up and open up a bit. Eiryk again had to resist the urge to bounce or push or dive head long into things. It was hard. There was obvious pride in the other man's voice. Rightly so from the sound of it.
He was also telling Eiryk something about himself and he listened carefully. He was impressed and liked the idea that Alexander was apparently an outdoorsman. Maybe he'd like sailing. Eiryk had to shake his head a bit to get some of those ideas out of his head.
"Computers make it a lot easier but there is nothing like being hands on and talking to the people you're working with. You just have to be careful not to micro manage or you'll wind up with the plumber storming out on you and not knowing how to turn the water to the house back on or if its even safe. The next thing you know you have a fountain in the kitchen."Â?
That had never happened to him, well he'd lost a plumber in the middle of a job before but the rest was exaggeration. A blatant attempt to get Alexander to smile.
"It can get messy."Â?
After waiting for a reaction, he prodded gently.
"I'm sure you get yoga fiascos too..."Â?
Alex Aristos
14 years ago
"There's a lot of discipline involved," Alex said. "You might enjoy it though." Finally, he achieved the tone he sought and managed to sound a little lighter, much less sarcastic. It was clear Eiryk was the enthusiastic type. That worked fine for yoga, if one had patience with one's self.
He realized after a minute that he'd missed a pretty broad hint in there and felt his face redden slightly. "You're welcome to come any time."
Great choice of words, pro. That didn't help matters any. Fortunately Eiryk let it slide and Alexander was amused by his plumber story.
"But you can just call it an intentional kitchen upgrade and charge a few thousand dollars for it, can't you?"
He did have a sense of humor. It was there. He was just... nervous.
"Yoga fiascos huh?" He thought for a moment, wincing a few times. "You know, yoga fiascos usually end with someone in the hospital, so they're kind of avoided at all costs."
Alexander actually didn't have a single yoga fiasco to relate and the fact made him feel a little lacking. But he shrugged it off. "If there's anything humorous about it, it's the fact that most people underestimate what an advanced practitioner can accomplish."
He realized after a minute that he'd missed a pretty broad hint in there and felt his face redden slightly. "You're welcome to come any time."
Great choice of words, pro. That didn't help matters any. Fortunately Eiryk let it slide and Alexander was amused by his plumber story.
"But you can just call it an intentional kitchen upgrade and charge a few thousand dollars for it, can't you?"
He did have a sense of humor. It was there. He was just... nervous.
"Yoga fiascos huh?" He thought for a moment, wincing a few times. "You know, yoga fiascos usually end with someone in the hospital, so they're kind of avoided at all costs."
Alexander actually didn't have a single yoga fiasco to relate and the fact made him feel a little lacking. But he shrugged it off. "If there's anything humorous about it, it's the fact that most people underestimate what an advanced practitioner can accomplish."
Eiryk
14 years ago
There was the answer he was looking for. Oh and he was cute when he blushed.
"I'd love to. Do you have a card?"Â?
There was another stumble, this one harder to cover, as Eiryk noticed they weren't that far from the Towers. He was -very- tempted to lie about where he lived just to keep walking with Alexander. It was almost, possibly, slight, romantic at least it was if you squinted your eyes and used a great deal of imagination.
Eiryk chuckled by the almost hesitant sense of humor, but he'd gotten a positive reaction from Alexander and almost beamed at the man. He was quite pleased with himself.
"That is the sort of thing clients will insist on approving up front. They don't like improvised fountains for the most part."Â?
Well that was... maybe he'd try asking about tai chi fiascos next time. He cringed sympathetically.
"Hmmmmmm I can see where that would be bad for business."Â?
"I'd love to. Do you have a card?"Â?
There was another stumble, this one harder to cover, as Eiryk noticed they weren't that far from the Towers. He was -very- tempted to lie about where he lived just to keep walking with Alexander. It was almost, possibly, slight, romantic at least it was if you squinted your eyes and used a great deal of imagination.
Eiryk chuckled by the almost hesitant sense of humor, but he'd gotten a positive reaction from Alexander and almost beamed at the man. He was quite pleased with himself.
"That is the sort of thing clients will insist on approving up front. They don't like improvised fountains for the most part."Â?
Well that was... maybe he'd try asking about tai chi fiascos next time. He cringed sympathetically.
"Hmmmmmm I can see where that would be bad for business."Â?
Alex Aristos
14 years ago
Alex wasn't sure if he'd misjudged Eiryk's level of intoxication or if the man just had two left feet, but that was the second time he'd seemingly tripped over nothing just while they'd been walking. This time he put a hand out on Eiryk's shoulder; he didn't say anything, just kept it there a moment until whatever was on the sidewalk grabbing the blonde's feet had left.
It didn't surprise him that they were in a far nicer section of Nachton than Alexander usually spent time in. He'd come through here before and it had struck him as the sort of place he might eventually like to live but might spend a while drooling over first.
"Uh. Actually I don't have one," Alex said. Thinking he was only running Jackie to work and then heading back to the store he hadn't brought anything but his wallet with him, and that he hadn't put any of his extra cards in. It had been on his to-do list for that night.
It did give him a chance to see Eiryk again though, and that thought appealed greatly. "You could swing by though. Anytime." He detailed the location of the store but didn't add he lived there. His apartment was probably an interior decorator's nightmare... or dream come true, he supposed.
"People should be a little more flexible," he said, laughing at the slight joke, He found his smile from somewhere and used it; it had served him pretty well in the past. "but then, if they didn't strive to be I'd be out of a job."
It didn't surprise him that they were in a far nicer section of Nachton than Alexander usually spent time in. He'd come through here before and it had struck him as the sort of place he might eventually like to live but might spend a while drooling over first.
"Uh. Actually I don't have one," Alex said. Thinking he was only running Jackie to work and then heading back to the store he hadn't brought anything but his wallet with him, and that he hadn't put any of his extra cards in. It had been on his to-do list for that night.
It did give him a chance to see Eiryk again though, and that thought appealed greatly. "You could swing by though. Anytime." He detailed the location of the store but didn't add he lived there. His apartment was probably an interior decorator's nightmare... or dream come true, he supposed.
"People should be a little more flexible," he said, laughing at the slight joke, He found his smile from somewhere and used it; it had served him pretty well in the past. "but then, if they didn't strive to be I'd be out of a job."
Eiryk
14 years ago
Eiryk was practically giddy when Alexander helped to steady him with a hand on his shoulder. Maybe if he did a full on face plant they could hold hands, or Alexander's lips were rather kissable. It would be worth a face plant.
No card?! Lord. How long did he have to wait to swing by to qualify as interested but not a total looser. There had to be a formula for this somewhere. Screw it, he'd look like a looser.
"Absolutely. I will do that soon."Â?
There was no doubt about his sincerity.
It was a smile. Dear lord. And it was soft and sweet, made his whole face light up but it was a soft glow rather than a radiant warmth. Regardless, Eiryk had a feeling Alexander didn't smile much. He very much wanted to rectify that.
He stopped out side the towers and did his best not to look up at the beautiful, yet imposing structures.
"Ummmmm... this is my stop."Â?
No card?! Lord. How long did he have to wait to swing by to qualify as interested but not a total looser. There had to be a formula for this somewhere. Screw it, he'd look like a looser.
"Absolutely. I will do that soon."Â?
There was no doubt about his sincerity.
It was a smile. Dear lord. And it was soft and sweet, made his whole face light up but it was a soft glow rather than a radiant warmth. Regardless, Eiryk had a feeling Alexander didn't smile much. He very much wanted to rectify that.
He stopped out side the towers and did his best not to look up at the beautiful, yet imposing structures.
"Ummmmm... this is my stop."Â?
Alex Aristos
14 years ago
Alex looked up at the Towers, which were, appropriately, towering above them. "I'm in the wrong business," he murmured, mostly to himself. But it made him think that Eiryk was either a very, very good interior designer or a very lucky one. "Do they supply free oxygen at the upper levels?"
He swallowed the sarcasm before it could become cutting. The last thing he wanted to do was sound critical; he was more impressed than anything but he risked not coming across that way.
"Home safe then," he said, "delivered in one piece as promised. Just don't go having any accidents in the elevator or anything like that."
He hesitated. He should say goodbye, turn around, and leave. That was what people did now. But Eiryk was the first person here in Nachton he'd found attractive and apparently, available, and what were the odds... he even seemed pretty likable. He wished Eiryk had lived a little farther away.
"So. I'll see you around," he said. "You know where I'll be if you do want to come by for a class."
He swallowed the sarcasm before it could become cutting. The last thing he wanted to do was sound critical; he was more impressed than anything but he risked not coming across that way.
"Home safe then," he said, "delivered in one piece as promised. Just don't go having any accidents in the elevator or anything like that."
He hesitated. He should say goodbye, turn around, and leave. That was what people did now. But Eiryk was the first person here in Nachton he'd found attractive and apparently, available, and what were the odds... he even seemed pretty likable. He wished Eiryk had lived a little farther away.
"So. I'll see you around," he said. "You know where I'll be if you do want to come by for a class."
Eiryk
14 years ago
"I wouldn't know. I don't live at the top."Â?
He knew a few people who lived a fair way up though and none of them ever complained about their ears popping or anything like that.
Eiryk was actually a little embarrassed at his address. Alexander was doing remarkably well for someone his age, assuming he wasn't older than he looked. It wasn't his fault that Eiryk had years and years and centuries and centuries to accumulate wealth and bask in the glory, that was compound interest.
"A man as good as his word. You have to love that. And I promise not to break my neck in the next thirty minutes or so."Â?
Slowly, reluctantly, Eiryk took a step back. Alexander was giving such mixed signals. Honestly, he couldn't tell for sure where to go with the man. It was like he was at war with himself.
Eiryk turned away from Alexander and wondered how he would have handled things if this had been a raid. Simple enough, get out the ax and charge it, take what you wanted and take no prisoners. Fuck it, why should this be any different.
Eiryk spun around quickly and leaned in for a soft sweet, if somewhat lingering kiss. It was a cautious kiss though, with questions and innocence mingled with the attraction he felt for Alexander.
Breaking the kiss and again stepping back from Alexander, but very slightly, he threw caution to the wind.
"What about dinner tomorrow? I know a great Thai place."Â?
He knew a few people who lived a fair way up though and none of them ever complained about their ears popping or anything like that.
Eiryk was actually a little embarrassed at his address. Alexander was doing remarkably well for someone his age, assuming he wasn't older than he looked. It wasn't his fault that Eiryk had years and years and centuries and centuries to accumulate wealth and bask in the glory, that was compound interest.
"A man as good as his word. You have to love that. And I promise not to break my neck in the next thirty minutes or so."Â?
Slowly, reluctantly, Eiryk took a step back. Alexander was giving such mixed signals. Honestly, he couldn't tell for sure where to go with the man. It was like he was at war with himself.
Eiryk turned away from Alexander and wondered how he would have handled things if this had been a raid. Simple enough, get out the ax and charge it, take what you wanted and take no prisoners. Fuck it, why should this be any different.
Eiryk spun around quickly and leaned in for a soft sweet, if somewhat lingering kiss. It was a cautious kiss though, with questions and innocence mingled with the attraction he felt for Alexander.
Breaking the kiss and again stepping back from Alexander, but very slightly, he threw caution to the wind.
"What about dinner tomorrow? I know a great Thai place."Â?
Alex Aristos
14 years ago
Alex glanced upwards again. It was a long way up. Probably felt like less when you were up there, but he'd never lived in a highrise. He smiled once again at Eiryk and said, "Thanks. I'm not so good with the last minute rescue from across town."
He felt a twinge of mingled disappointment and relief when Eiryk turned to leave. The man was the last thing he needed. However, he thought, when suddenly the blonde turned and closed the space between them almost unbelievably fast, he was quite possibly the first thing he currently wanted.
Alexander didn't have any time to react when Eiryk pressed his lips gently to his. He closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly, conscious of the difference in height between them; not vast but potentially awkward. And then Eiryk was gone, leaving him with a peculiar sense of mingled gladness and loss as he fell away.
"Dinner," he said with a hint of another smile, "sounds pretty good."
He felt a twinge of mingled disappointment and relief when Eiryk turned to leave. The man was the last thing he needed. However, he thought, when suddenly the blonde turned and closed the space between them almost unbelievably fast, he was quite possibly the first thing he currently wanted.
Alexander didn't have any time to react when Eiryk pressed his lips gently to his. He closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly, conscious of the difference in height between them; not vast but potentially awkward. And then Eiryk was gone, leaving him with a peculiar sense of mingled gladness and loss as he fell away.
"Dinner," he said with a hint of another smile, "sounds pretty good."
Eiryk
14 years ago
It had been hard not to wrap his arms around the taller man and hold on to him when Alexander didn't put up a fight or pull away. This being polite and a gentleman thing was going to kill him. Why wasn't he a jackass again? Oh yeah because it didn't get him rewards like this Greek god in front of him.
"I promise you'll love it. Say eight o'clock?"Â?
He quickly gave directions to the cute little mom and pop hole in the wall Pak had first taken him to. Eiryk had been there a number of time since meeting Pak, mostly with her but occasionally with a client or by himself. Apparently he amused the owners who fussed of her him almost as much as Pak and who continued to try and teach him Thai, which Eiryk mangled to no end. He quickly gave Alexander the name of the place and directions to it.
"It's a date then. Bring a card and I'll see you tomorrow."Â?
Reluctantly, but full of hope he turned and entered the towers. From the lobby he watched Alexander turn and go.
How was he supposed to make it until tomorrow night? A cold shower and a drink or five seemed in order.
((OOC... both out with permission))
"I promise you'll love it. Say eight o'clock?"Â?
He quickly gave directions to the cute little mom and pop hole in the wall Pak had first taken him to. Eiryk had been there a number of time since meeting Pak, mostly with her but occasionally with a client or by himself. Apparently he amused the owners who fussed of her him almost as much as Pak and who continued to try and teach him Thai, which Eiryk mangled to no end. He quickly gave Alexander the name of the place and directions to it.
"It's a date then. Bring a card and I'll see you tomorrow."Â?
Reluctantly, but full of hope he turned and entered the towers. From the lobby he watched Alexander turn and go.
How was he supposed to make it until tomorrow night? A cold shower and a drink or five seemed in order.
((OOC... both out with permission))