[ Now where on earth did Sen get to? And has he found their guests?
After leaving the roof, Rin touched up their eyeshadow, touched up their lipstick, checked in with a brief list of staff members, ascertained that the evening’s musical act has indeed arrived, and paid the group a visit. Was told, on returning to the main floor, that there’s a mild altercation going on, some verbal tussle between a couple. Something the staff is keeping an eye on. Something that doesn’t require action right now, though one of the men involved is a known and occasional shit-stirrer.
A shit-stirrer whose name Rin knows. (It’s rare that they recall names of people they don’t care for. This one is a… particular exception.) (This one slashed their tires some years back, if they’re remembering correctly.)
(This one really shouldn’t be anywhere near Darius Scarlett. And it’s awfully suspicious that this altercation and Darius’s presence have coincided tonight. And Rin doesn’t like the sound of any of this.)
Rin’ll be told if anything more develops. And it sounds like Jerry and Simon were maybe, maybe on their way out. So for now, there’s not much to be done, save to catch up with Sen. Save to greet Darius and to meet Darius’s— What, newest accessory?
If ‘accessory’ is the right word; from what Sen’s said, and from what Rin’s heard from Darius, from the wreck Darius made of himself when the boy was away, this one might be something other. Which doesn’t fit with what Rin knows of Darius Scarlett, and Rin doesn’t really believe it, but. Stranger things have probably happened.
Probably.
They’ve spotted Sen - their absolute noodle of a man - and adjust their hat, resettle their scarf, and are walking over to him when they hear an unfamiliar voice speaking a too-familiar topic: ’What horse joke?’
Oh. No. Oh-dear-no.
Nearing Sen, they take in the scene: Sen with his shit-eating look of impish anticipation (they adore that ridiculous, that roguish face, in all its schemes and angles), ready to pounce. Darius on the lap of a man Rin has only ever glimpsed once, briefly. Darius looking very nearly horrified, Darius sputtering the edge of what’s probably some foul variation on a curse, Darius apparently torn between keeping perched upon the mostly-stranger’s lap and throwing himself at Sen, probably, probably to slap a hand over Sen’s mouth. The man - young man, little more than a boy; didn’t someone say he’s another one of the… Pendletons? Boyles? One of those ridiculous dynastic families - the man named Enri, arms wrapped around Darius (the two of them look awfully comfortable together; it’s interesting), seems to have been drinking, looks as if he’s no idea what he’s walked into.
And Rin - confidant, walking as if on air - swishes up beside Sen (feels the solidity of his presence; feels the world settle a little more evenly beside him). Nudging Sen with their shoulder in a graceful little movement, looking upward to smile at him, eyebrows raised. ]
I beg your pardon, Senan: are you thinking of retelling my joke?
[ They huff a breath, as if affronted, their eyes faux-wounded. Clearly faux-wounded, clearly tending over-dramatic. Pulling lightly at their scarf, they shake their head once, decisive, as if they’ve decided on what must be done. ]
I’m afraid I must insist that you repress your wit in this instance. No, when you tell a joke for me, it must not be told for any other! For I am a jealous null, and demand to keep it for myself.
[ And, shifting up onto their toes, they reach to set a kiss to Sen’s jaw, offering a bright smile. ]
Another day, perhaps? For this evening, let the joke be mine— Much as I understand Darius is dying to hear it.
[ To Darius, grinning with a flash of teeth— ]
Patience, Darius, patience; all things in good time.
[ And, back to Sen, in French, voice lowered somewhat— ]
There’s been a minor upset nearby. We may need to keep an eye out. A familiar - mm - offender.
[ Then turning quickly to Enri, Rin gives the young man a brief but obtrusive survey, not bothering to hide their scrutiny. Then, chin tilted slightly upward, they meet his eyes. ]
no subject
After leaving the roof, Rin touched up their eyeshadow, touched up their lipstick, checked in with a brief list of staff members, ascertained that the evening’s musical act has indeed arrived, and paid the group a visit. Was told, on returning to the main floor, that there’s a mild altercation going on, some verbal tussle between a couple. Something the staff is keeping an eye on. Something that doesn’t require action right now, though one of the men involved is a known and occasional shit-stirrer.
A shit-stirrer whose name Rin knows. (It’s rare that they recall names of people they don’t care for. This one is a… particular exception.) (This one slashed their tires some years back, if they’re remembering correctly.)
(This one really shouldn’t be anywhere near Darius Scarlett. And it’s awfully suspicious that this altercation and Darius’s presence have coincided tonight. And Rin doesn’t like the sound of any of this.)
Rin’ll be told if anything more develops. And it sounds like Jerry and Simon were maybe, maybe on their way out. So for now, there’s not much to be done, save to catch up with Sen. Save to greet Darius and to meet Darius’s— What, newest accessory?
If ‘accessory’ is the right word; from what Sen’s said, and from what Rin’s heard from Darius, from the wreck Darius made of himself when the boy was away, this one might be something other. Which doesn’t fit with what Rin knows of Darius Scarlett, and Rin doesn’t really believe it, but. Stranger things have probably happened.
Probably.
They’ve spotted Sen - their absolute noodle of a man - and adjust their hat, resettle their scarf, and are walking over to him when they hear an unfamiliar voice speaking a too-familiar topic: ’What horse joke?’
Oh. No. Oh-dear-no.
Nearing Sen, they take in the scene: Sen with his shit-eating look of impish anticipation (they adore that ridiculous, that roguish face, in all its schemes and angles), ready to pounce. Darius on the lap of a man Rin has only ever glimpsed once, briefly. Darius looking very nearly horrified, Darius sputtering the edge of what’s probably some foul variation on a curse, Darius apparently torn between keeping perched upon the mostly-stranger’s lap and throwing himself at Sen, probably, probably to slap a hand over Sen’s mouth. The man - young man, little more than a boy; didn’t someone say he’s another one of the… Pendletons? Boyles? One of those ridiculous dynastic families - the man named Enri, arms wrapped around Darius (the two of them look awfully comfortable together; it’s interesting), seems to have been drinking, looks as if he’s no idea what he’s walked into.
And Rin - confidant, walking as if on air - swishes up beside Sen (feels the solidity of his presence; feels the world settle a little more evenly beside him). Nudging Sen with their shoulder in a graceful little movement, looking upward to smile at him, eyebrows raised. ]
I beg your pardon, Senan: are you thinking of retelling my joke?
[ They huff a breath, as if affronted, their eyes faux-wounded. Clearly faux-wounded, clearly tending over-dramatic. Pulling lightly at their scarf, they shake their head once, decisive, as if they’ve decided on what must be done. ]
I’m afraid I must insist that you repress your wit in this instance. No, when you tell a joke for me, it must not be told for any other! For I am a jealous null, and demand to keep it for myself.
[ And, shifting up onto their toes, they reach to set a kiss to Sen’s jaw, offering a bright smile. ]
Another day, perhaps? For this evening, let the joke be mine— Much as I understand Darius is dying to hear it.
[ To Darius, grinning with a flash of teeth— ]
Patience, Darius, patience; all things in good time.
[ And, back to Sen, in French, voice lowered somewhat— ]
There’s been a minor upset nearby. We may need to keep an eye out. A familiar - mm - offender.
[ Then turning quickly to Enri, Rin gives the young man a brief but obtrusive survey, not bothering to hide their scrutiny. Then, chin tilted slightly upward, they meet his eyes. ]
You must be Enri Anderson, yes?