Akahana smiled and shook Julian's hand. "Excellent.†She gave him a small bow as well. "It is a pleasure to be doing business with you, Mr. Stephenson.â€
"Oh? And what business might that be?†A sugary sweet voice said from nearby. Akahana turned to find Nasya looking down at her from her lofty six feet of height. Akahana decided, rather uncharitably, that tall women shouldn't wear heels. It made them look less demure and approachable, not that there was anything demure or approachable about the blond that was glaring at her as though she could kill by sheer willpower.
She noticed that Vasili had gotten up, most likely when he saw Nasya walking toward her and Julian, and was headed this way as well.
Smiling serenely at the other woman, she shrugged her shoulders slightly. "We were working out the rough details of some musical performances for events that one of my companies coordinates.†See, it was entirely legitimate. Aside from the command she had made of him earlier, that is.
Vasili was now watching over the scene like a protective bear, towering over them all, waiting for the moment when he needed to charge forward and begin to intimidate, threaten or bully someone, anyone. He was a good man, very loyal, stern, business-like and perhaps lacking in some of the finer points of social skills but he was honest and had a good heart. Akahana decided that she liked him enough to probably claim him. She would see him a few more times to be certain. He had excellent connections in several countries and would make a very useful ally. She could not afford to make every person that she wanted into a familiar but she could still make him one of her own through the use of her gifts.
Julian too was someone that she wanted to see again. Akahana did not think he had a lot of connections or real power to bring to her network of information gatherers but perhaps someone in the symphony had its uses. He was simply interesting and likeable. Akahana watched him through lowered lashes and decided that he was the kind of person that one made a vampire. The Bobrov's of the world were useful but numerous; there was something about Julian that really made him stand out. Perhaps it was his musical talent and obvious determination, perhaps it was his easy going charm. Whatever it was, Julian seemed to burn with a brighter inner light than everyone else in the room. Akahana wondered if Nasya could sense that also and that was why she seemed so interested in him.
Vasili came forward and extended a hand to Julian. "Andrei was telling me that you teach him very good, the music. I am wanting to thank you for that.â€
A Second Childhood (PM for invite)
Julian was enjoying an evening at the Elmwood Opera House. Oh yes, he was playing. But not with the usual group. This groups was a whole lot... smaller. Figuratively and literally.
Some of the performers from Nachton's Symphony had been invited, or recruited, to work with young musicians from Nachton's middle schools. For the past six weeks they'd been practicing two songs, and Julian as one of the Symphony coaches had been working with the young violinists. It had been a lot of fun, and tonight was the culmination of their combined efforts.
The performance went off without a hitch. Or, at least, without any hitches that couldn't be hastily repaired with spare strings, tuning forks, rosin, safety pins, and glue. Sometimes all at the same time.
The crowd was large; this whole affair would benefit the music programs of all the Nachton schools. In a nation that was struggling economically, those generally got cut first in any district. Julian was happy to help out a cause like this. He was generally happy to help out any cause, this was what was fun about playing music. It wasn't just about making pretty sounds, it was about influencing people and using your powers for good, as it were.
When the festivities were over Julian spent time with the kids he'd been coaching; there was a reception at the opera house. All the families had been invited as well as everyone who'd decided to come contribute. The turnout wasn't bad at all, and there had been many donations made so far.
Akahana Yoshida
12 years ago
Julian Stephenson
12 years ago
"You as well," Julian said to Hana, returning her handshake. He was looking forward to this. It was something to do, something new, and that always pleased him. Every time he spoke to his parents he liked to have something new to tell them; they had been against his moving so far away from them and they worried that he wouldn't get out. He liked to reassure him that just the opposite was true.
Julian sighed under his breath at Nasya's return, but he was given a reprieve when she apparently decided to go after Hana instead. That didn't exactly make him happy but Hana handled it well. He nodded his agreement; there was nothing in his contract that said he couldn't enter a business arrangement as a solo artist; in fact, that clause was specifically written into Julian's contract since he technically wasn't a full member of the Nachton Symphony; he was a guest soloist for an undetermined length of time. He was free to play where he liked and for whom, so long as he claimed no affiliation to the Symphony while he did so.
"If you ever have need of a violinist, you can find me here at the Symphony," he offered to the blond. It wouldn't do to seem like he was playing favorites, although making the offer almost made his head explode. The way she was looking at him... he didn't date women taller than he was. Or, at least, that seemed like a good excuse for the moment. He'd never really given any thought to a height requirement. He was implementing that rule as of now.
When Vasili joined them Julian shook the big man's hand as well, his smile much warmer. "Andrei is very good at what he does," Julian said. Give credit where it was due, he thought. "It's nice to help someone out when it's clear they really enjoy playing."
Vasili's son was talented. He could make a career out of music if he wanted to, even as young as he was. He was no child prodigy but he didn't need to be; Julian was proof of that. He just needed to love what he was doing.
Julian sighed under his breath at Nasya's return, but he was given a reprieve when she apparently decided to go after Hana instead. That didn't exactly make him happy but Hana handled it well. He nodded his agreement; there was nothing in his contract that said he couldn't enter a business arrangement as a solo artist; in fact, that clause was specifically written into Julian's contract since he technically wasn't a full member of the Nachton Symphony; he was a guest soloist for an undetermined length of time. He was free to play where he liked and for whom, so long as he claimed no affiliation to the Symphony while he did so.
"If you ever have need of a violinist, you can find me here at the Symphony," he offered to the blond. It wouldn't do to seem like he was playing favorites, although making the offer almost made his head explode. The way she was looking at him... he didn't date women taller than he was. Or, at least, that seemed like a good excuse for the moment. He'd never really given any thought to a height requirement. He was implementing that rule as of now.
When Vasili joined them Julian shook the big man's hand as well, his smile much warmer. "Andrei is very good at what he does," Julian said. Give credit where it was due, he thought. "It's nice to help someone out when it's clear they really enjoy playing."
Vasili's son was talented. He could make a career out of music if he wanted to, even as young as he was. He was no child prodigy but he didn't need to be; Julian was proof of that. He just needed to love what he was doing.
Akahana Yoshida
12 years ago
Andrei came over and joined the small group, looking from one parent to the other with a wary eye. The two remained civil while the topic concerned the musical talents of their son, who seemed both proud and embarrassed in turns.
When Mitch joined the group the tone of the conversation began to change. Nasya brought up her new husband's celebrity exploits and new commercial deal. Vasili became a stoic block of wood and the whole temperature of the area dropped considerably.
Akahana thanked Julian for allowing her to play with him and for the future business arrangement. She then quietly told Vasili that they could simply leave. He shook his head and muttered not yet. Akahana realized then that he was putting up with his ex-wife and her new husband so that he could spend as much time with his son as possible.
Well, she could do something about that.
She 'suggested' to Vasili that he offer to take Andrei out for a late dinner to celebrate or perhaps a nice desert. Then, when Nasya immediately vetoed the plan, she 'explained' that she should take Vasili up on his offer. It would give him a chance to spend some time with Andrei and her some time to go out and have some fun with Mitch. They could bring Andrei home afterward. Of course her mild spoken opinions were immediately agreed upon and they all parted ways.
Akahan gave Julian a parting smile and a little nod before being led off on the arm of Vasili who had his other hand resting protectively on his son's shoulder. It would be a good end to the evening, not one that an escort normally expected, but good none the less.
((OOC: all out ))
When Mitch joined the group the tone of the conversation began to change. Nasya brought up her new husband's celebrity exploits and new commercial deal. Vasili became a stoic block of wood and the whole temperature of the area dropped considerably.
Akahana thanked Julian for allowing her to play with him and for the future business arrangement. She then quietly told Vasili that they could simply leave. He shook his head and muttered not yet. Akahana realized then that he was putting up with his ex-wife and her new husband so that he could spend as much time with his son as possible.
Well, she could do something about that.
She 'suggested' to Vasili that he offer to take Andrei out for a late dinner to celebrate or perhaps a nice desert. Then, when Nasya immediately vetoed the plan, she 'explained' that she should take Vasili up on his offer. It would give him a chance to spend some time with Andrei and her some time to go out and have some fun with Mitch. They could bring Andrei home afterward. Of course her mild spoken opinions were immediately agreed upon and they all parted ways.
Akahan gave Julian a parting smile and a little nod before being led off on the arm of Vasili who had his other hand resting protectively on his son's shoulder. It would be a good end to the evening, not one that an escort normally expected, but good none the less.
((OOC: all out ))