"Lucky guess?"
Pak shrugged it off. It was a cheap, easy and occasionally eye catching way to decorate. It hadn't been a physic flash or anything.
Well damned everyone thought she was fretting about this too much, even perfect strangers. Well at least she had the good sense to turn the majority of this over to some one else. Otherwise she would just obsess over the details and nothing would every get done.
"Well no, probably not but I'd probably still be in my little place too. He's a friend of mine and talked me into... upgrading."
It was a long over due change. She might occasionally give Kem a poke about being a rich old vampire who lived in a tiny house but she was no better really. Hell she didn't even own a house she rented.
"Yeah and that just leads to people like my decorator. There are days I'm pretty sure he can't see the difference no matter what he claims."
The Good, the Bad, and the Boring (open)
Julian was wondering where to begin. Having made it out to this main drag of shops, stores, and bars, he'd thought he would buy some stuff for his studio. Having made that decision, he realized he didn't exactly have a clear plan of what 'stuff' entailed. Having reached that realization, he was simply wandering along waiting to see if any of the stores caught his eye. He needed food eventually, but he'd get it before he went back to his apartment.
It was after midnight but the roads were well-lit in the main areas, fading back to blackness in the alleys. Julian strolled along with his lopsided gait, not too worried about any of it, just pleased to be exploring his new city.
After a few minutes he saw a store that caught his eye, advertising home decor. It was like Pier One, but not as factory-made. It was much smaller, far more upscale. Julian might have insisted on renting his studio himself, but he hadn't cut up his credit cards or anything. He wouldn't feel bad making a few small purchases to help make the little apartment feel good to him.
Pakpao
13 years ago
Julian Stephenson
13 years ago
"Or we really are all that transparent," Julian laughed. That wouldn't surprise him. Guys would be guys for the most part.
Julian arched an eyebrow at Pakpao's next statement. "Do you not want to upgrade?"
Being talked into it was one thing; being forced into it was another altogether. It wasn't any of his business so he didn't ask, but Julian did wonder what sort of person got forced into something like that. Granted, he had only known Pakpao for about five minutes but she seemed to have no trouble expressing her opinion so far.
Julian lifted his shoulders at Pakpao. "Well... maybe he can't. As long as he seems confident though... you can go a long way on just that alone."
He was pretty sure his audition had made such an impression because of that. Julian might have gone through hell in the past eighteen months but if anything, his playing had only gotten better. It had kept him sane after his hand had been fixed and he was still recovering from the surgery on his leg.
Julian arched an eyebrow at Pakpao's next statement. "Do you not want to upgrade?"
Being talked into it was one thing; being forced into it was another altogether. It wasn't any of his business so he didn't ask, but Julian did wonder what sort of person got forced into something like that. Granted, he had only known Pakpao for about five minutes but she seemed to have no trouble expressing her opinion so far.
Julian lifted his shoulders at Pakpao. "Well... maybe he can't. As long as he seems confident though... you can go a long way on just that alone."
He was pretty sure his audition had made such an impression because of that. Julian might have gone through hell in the past eighteen months but if anything, his playing had only gotten better. It had kept him sane after his hand had been fixed and he was still recovering from the surgery on his leg.
Pakpao
13 years ago
Pak quirked an eyebrow and nodded silent agreement to that statement. Boy will be boys, men will be men, something about the opposite sex weren't hard to figure out nor did they change after a few measly little centuries.
"It never seemed to matter before. Room for one, cooking for one, tea for one... it matters now. Some people you need to let in."
That was the long and the short of it. She needed to have room for friends and family. It might have taken her a while to find those people that mattered, but she had them now and damned if she was letting go of any of them, and there weren't many.
She couldn't help it. She laughed. That sounded just like Eiryk For all she knew the crazy viking was color blind. And knowing Eiryk, Pak doubted if he'd let that stop him.
"Have you met my decorator? Because that sounds -just- like him. What's worse, he'd be cheerful while being confidant and the next thing you know you're agreeing with him for no apparent reason, just because he said so."
Pak paused and considered for a moment.
"I wish I could pull that off."
"It never seemed to matter before. Room for one, cooking for one, tea for one... it matters now. Some people you need to let in."
That was the long and the short of it. She needed to have room for friends and family. It might have taken her a while to find those people that mattered, but she had them now and damned if she was letting go of any of them, and there weren't many.
She couldn't help it. She laughed. That sounded just like Eiryk For all she knew the crazy viking was color blind. And knowing Eiryk, Pak doubted if he'd let that stop him.
"Have you met my decorator? Because that sounds -just- like him. What's worse, he'd be cheerful while being confidant and the next thing you know you're agreeing with him for no apparent reason, just because he said so."
Pak paused and considered for a moment.
"I wish I could pull that off."
Julian Stephenson
13 years ago
Aha, Julian thought he understood. Pakpao's words made him think that she was recently single, but had maybe found someone she wanted to share her space with. Well good for her. He nodded in understanding. "Living alone isn't healthy for too long," he said.
Julian enjoyed being around people. He didn't offend easily, liked a variety of personalities, and in general just enjoyed company. He always had. His little studio was fine for now but when he could afford it he'd like to get a larger place and find a roommate or two. It was possible he'd find some symphony members who would like that sort of arrangement, too.
Laughing when Pakpao asked about her decorator Julian shook his head. "No, I can say with certainty that I have not met your decorator. But he sounds like an interesting guy."
Sounded like she knew him pretty well too; beyond the casual relationship one would have with a hired contractor. So maybe she hadn't been entirely forced into her 'upgrade.'
Lifting his shoulders Julian said, "Confidence starts with an act. And then if you work at the act enough, you get so used to it that you realize you actually are confident. That's how it was for me. I hated getting up on stage and playing the violin when I was a kid." Julian rolled his eyes. "All the other boys teased me for playing a girly instrument."
He shrugged. "I liked it, so I kept at it. By high school I was the one getting all the dates... because all the other violinists were girls."
Julian flashed Pakpao a grin. "Take that, jocks."
Julian enjoyed being around people. He didn't offend easily, liked a variety of personalities, and in general just enjoyed company. He always had. His little studio was fine for now but when he could afford it he'd like to get a larger place and find a roommate or two. It was possible he'd find some symphony members who would like that sort of arrangement, too.
Laughing when Pakpao asked about her decorator Julian shook his head. "No, I can say with certainty that I have not met your decorator. But he sounds like an interesting guy."
Sounded like she knew him pretty well too; beyond the casual relationship one would have with a hired contractor. So maybe she hadn't been entirely forced into her 'upgrade.'
Lifting his shoulders Julian said, "Confidence starts with an act. And then if you work at the act enough, you get so used to it that you realize you actually are confident. That's how it was for me. I hated getting up on stage and playing the violin when I was a kid." Julian rolled his eyes. "All the other boys teased me for playing a girly instrument."
He shrugged. "I liked it, so I kept at it. By high school I was the one getting all the dates... because all the other violinists were girls."
Julian flashed Pakpao a grin. "Take that, jocks."
Pakpao
13 years ago
She wanted to laugh at that. She had lived alone for a very long time, longer than was probably good for her. She could and was often sociable enough but there was a difference between sociable and actually having friends. Pak could tell you that from experience.
"No, I suppose it isn't."
She agreed, without laughing.
"You will know if you do meet him. He's a good guy, a little crazy and far too cheerful. You'd probably like him every one does."
Pak had yet to met a person who didn't like Eiryk. She was often surprised he liked her, they were almost total opposites. But she wasn't about to worry about it, ultimately it was a good thing.
Grinning Pak nodded, it was a good lesson to learn and good to learn early. She was oddly pleased to hear he'd learned it. She chose to play up her younger appearance, just a little bit at this point.
"Yeah... I've got it down at work it is my personal life that is a mess. I'll get it yet."
His story made her giggle though. Julian seemed so pleased with himself, and really how could you not be when it all worked out for the best in the end. Despite his scaring he had a wholesome look about him and she could just see this happening in school.
"The sensitive artistic type is appealing to a lot of girls."
There were any number of ways to display for a potential mate, art was just another one of them. But she didn't know Julian well enough to say that.
"No, I suppose it isn't."
She agreed, without laughing.
"You will know if you do meet him. He's a good guy, a little crazy and far too cheerful. You'd probably like him every one does."
Pak had yet to met a person who didn't like Eiryk. She was often surprised he liked her, they were almost total opposites. But she wasn't about to worry about it, ultimately it was a good thing.
Grinning Pak nodded, it was a good lesson to learn and good to learn early. She was oddly pleased to hear he'd learned it. She chose to play up her younger appearance, just a little bit at this point.
"Yeah... I've got it down at work it is my personal life that is a mess. I'll get it yet."
His story made her giggle though. Julian seemed so pleased with himself, and really how could you not be when it all worked out for the best in the end. Despite his scaring he had a wholesome look about him and she could just see this happening in school.
"The sensitive artistic type is appealing to a lot of girls."
There were any number of ways to display for a potential mate, art was just another one of them. But she didn't know Julian well enough to say that.
Julian Stephenson
13 years ago
Julian smiled. "I probably would. I like most people. What's his name? I'll look out for him, in case I ever get a bigger place."
Well... it was a white lie. Julian was pretty sure he'd never pay someone to decorate for him. But he might recognize the name Pakpao gave him, and having contacts in a city this size was never a bad thing. Surely a decorator would know a lot of people from all walks of life.
By now, though, Julian was about ready to move off the subject of Pakpao's interior decorator. She had said he was a friend, which probably accounted for her talking about him so much but in his experience when a single woman did that it usually meant she had a crush on him. Maybe that was why Pakpao was allowing herself to be directed by her decorator.
Oh well. It really was enough idle speculation for one night. Julian chuckled softly and shrugged at being labeled the 'sensitive artistic' type. he wouldn't consider himself incredibly sensitive. Artistic, maybe. He just liked playing his violin. And when he was younger, it had seemed too good to be true, to actually be able t make a living doing it!
"Well, I don't know about all that," he waved his hand at Pakpao's choice of label. "I never lacked for dates at homecoming or prom though and I'm crediting the violin for it."
He was eager to drop this subject too; he didn't want to come off as trying to brag about himself. Face it, whatever looks he'd had were somewhat overshadowed now by the massive scarring on his left side. Julian didn't mind. He was who he was.
Wandering back to the music sculpture he picked it up from the wall. "I think this will come home with me."
He smiled at Pakpao. "I hope you have some luck with your decorating. And your decorator."
Well... it was a white lie. Julian was pretty sure he'd never pay someone to decorate for him. But he might recognize the name Pakpao gave him, and having contacts in a city this size was never a bad thing. Surely a decorator would know a lot of people from all walks of life.
By now, though, Julian was about ready to move off the subject of Pakpao's interior decorator. She had said he was a friend, which probably accounted for her talking about him so much but in his experience when a single woman did that it usually meant she had a crush on him. Maybe that was why Pakpao was allowing herself to be directed by her decorator.
Oh well. It really was enough idle speculation for one night. Julian chuckled softly and shrugged at being labeled the 'sensitive artistic' type. he wouldn't consider himself incredibly sensitive. Artistic, maybe. He just liked playing his violin. And when he was younger, it had seemed too good to be true, to actually be able t make a living doing it!
"Well, I don't know about all that," he waved his hand at Pakpao's choice of label. "I never lacked for dates at homecoming or prom though and I'm crediting the violin for it."
He was eager to drop this subject too; he didn't want to come off as trying to brag about himself. Face it, whatever looks he'd had were somewhat overshadowed now by the massive scarring on his left side. Julian didn't mind. He was who he was.
Wandering back to the music sculpture he picked it up from the wall. "I think this will come home with me."
He smiled at Pakpao. "I hope you have some luck with your decorating. And your decorator."
Pakpao
13 years ago
"Eiryk Jensen."
Pak answered, without mentioning that if Julian did meet him he should watch out.
The topics seemed to wrap up and Julian seemed to have made up his mind about his purchase. If he'd been some one she knew Pak would worry about her social skills and about having said something wrong. But as they'd only met tonight and only in passing she just chalked it up to him wanting to be on his way. And if he'd just arrived into Nachton tonight he might be tired besides.
She took a look at what he'd settled on and thought it was probably a very good choice for him. Not that her opinion mattered, so long as he was happy.
"Good choice. And thank you. Good luck with the symphony and enjoy the city."
She probably ought to get going, she didn't want to be late. Bao could be damned snippy about being late. But she had a minute or two and turned her attention back to some of the more abstract art again.
Pak answered, without mentioning that if Julian did meet him he should watch out.
The topics seemed to wrap up and Julian seemed to have made up his mind about his purchase. If he'd been some one she knew Pak would worry about her social skills and about having said something wrong. But as they'd only met tonight and only in passing she just chalked it up to him wanting to be on his way. And if he'd just arrived into Nachton tonight he might be tired besides.
She took a look at what he'd settled on and thought it was probably a very good choice for him. Not that her opinion mattered, so long as he was happy.
"Good choice. And thank you. Good luck with the symphony and enjoy the city."
She probably ought to get going, she didn't want to be late. Bao could be damned snippy about being late. But she had a minute or two and turned her attention back to some of the more abstract art again.
Julian Stephenson
13 years ago
"I'll keep my eyes open for him," Julian said with a smile at Pakpao as he held the new sculpture and admired it up close.
"Hey thanks," he said at her well-wishing. "It was nice to meet you. I hope you have a chance to come to the symphony."
Julian would have liked to offer her box seats or something nice, but he was the newest violinist. As he was also contracted to play solos he did have a little leeway insofar as special favors but his parents were first on that list, and he had of course already invited them to see him play in a few weeks.
Well. If he and Pakpao bumped into each other again, he could see about it at that point. So he kept himself to a friendly smile and bid her a good night, and good luck on her own shopping.
Taking his sculpture up to the desk he paid for it and left the shop. It was after midnight now, well after, and even though he didn't much want to he figured he should probably get some sleep. He needed to practice tomorrow; he joined rehearsals on Monday.
((ooc: Julian out))
"Hey thanks," he said at her well-wishing. "It was nice to meet you. I hope you have a chance to come to the symphony."
Julian would have liked to offer her box seats or something nice, but he was the newest violinist. As he was also contracted to play solos he did have a little leeway insofar as special favors but his parents were first on that list, and he had of course already invited them to see him play in a few weeks.
Well. If he and Pakpao bumped into each other again, he could see about it at that point. So he kept himself to a friendly smile and bid her a good night, and good luck on her own shopping.
Taking his sculpture up to the desk he paid for it and left the shop. It was after midnight now, well after, and even though he didn't much want to he figured he should probably get some sleep. He needed to practice tomorrow; he joined rehearsals on Monday.
((ooc: Julian out))
Pakpao
13 years ago
"Nice to meet you too."
He seemed like a decent kid. Pak could get to like him if they ran into each other again. She might even get tickets for a symphony performance in the near future. It would be interesting to hear him play, it always was more interesting when you knew the artist.
She watched him take his sculpture and leave. She checked out one or two more things but in the end didn't find anything that really caught her interest. She'd try some web surfing though. Heck that might make life easier for the viking, he'd know exactly what she liked and where she'd found it.
But she didn't stay more than a couple of minutes more, after all she had a chess game to win. Oddly enough, Pak was almost looking forward to seeing Bao. Huh, when did that happen?
((OOC... Pak out too))
He seemed like a decent kid. Pak could get to like him if they ran into each other again. She might even get tickets for a symphony performance in the near future. It would be interesting to hear him play, it always was more interesting when you knew the artist.
She watched him take his sculpture and leave. She checked out one or two more things but in the end didn't find anything that really caught her interest. She'd try some web surfing though. Heck that might make life easier for the viking, he'd know exactly what she liked and where she'd found it.
But she didn't stay more than a couple of minutes more, after all she had a chess game to win. Oddly enough, Pak was almost looking forward to seeing Bao. Huh, when did that happen?
((OOC... Pak out too))