highly new, slightly improved open post

[appliances]

assorted morons

☆ @ the muselist

optional prompts/ideas

☆ caught in the rain meme ☆ little steps meme ☆ affectionate physical contact meme ☆ picture prompt also acceptable but link them so it's tidy ☆ AU ideas: soulmates AU, reincarnation AU, Bad End AU, canon divergent/roleswap AU, dorky college AU, crossover AU, super indulgent high fantasy AU ☆ melodrama is ultimate tier ★ SHIPPING AND FUCC: ☆ non-fluffy relationship types I'm down for: codependent, master/servant power imbalance type ships, "we're bad for each other but worse for anyone else," other things I am failing to think of tbh ☆ things I am not into: noncon (includes "dubcon"), incest, tsundere shit if your tsundere is just verbally abusive, gratuitous torture porn, you'll probably have to ask me about harder kinks and they will vary by character ☆ I don't have a kink list so pitch me an idea if u thirsty ☆ if you would prefer a locked post I can also make that happen

Comments

[takeroot]

[Some of Constantin's sentimentality is thanks to the drink, sure. Certainly a portion of it, if a small one, all things considered. The novelty of being here, in his own city, away from the oppressive court of his father trying (and failing) to get him to rein it in has yet to wear off, even after all this time. Essentially: he can't help it! So he might get a little starry-eyed over a gesture of good will! That happens!]

It is an undertaking, no matter how small! I appreciate the effort, that's all I mean to say.

[Like, a lot, but who's keeping track. Let him think - does he remember any of the very small appointments he has booked? No, not likely; it's easier on everyone's inevitable scheduling headaches to finalize the days one at a time, so, ah. No one on his staff has mentioned this visit even in passing, which makes him wonder...]

What did you tell them? Who did you tell? Was it Sir de Courcillon? Did his collar ruffle itself into a frenzy upon your request?

[Constantin knows in his heart that "I have to return the governor's glove, thrown at me in a drunken moment of passionate thanks" is not at all what Liem must have said, but let him pretend for this brief moment.]

[sterngaze]

[To be frank, Liem doesn’t quite remember who it was that he spoke to in order to get a meeting with the good governor. People at that level of administration all blend together after long enough, particularly if they’re not anyone he needs to encounter on a regular basis. He’s confident that it was an older man, but that description probably could apply to a majority of people in d’Orsay’s staff. Perhaps he should be remembering the gentleman in question, however― it may be wise to avoid him if he sees him on the street anytime soon.]

Some ruffling may have occurred.

[The amount of effort and stubbornness required to book some of the governor’s valuable time is, unsurprisingly, a fair amount! The staff were all too eager to shuffle his request off to some other channel, which ordinarily he would commend them for― the wheels of bureaucracy, working as intended! In this particular instance, however, it meant some egos needed to be deflated before he was able to make headway. He's navigated similar waters a hundred times before, and in his experience getting the desired result is often just a matter of finding the right person to lean on.]

It will likely be noted down as a meeting to review the terms of a small business permit for possible revision. [He gestures vaguely with one hand as he speaks, waving away the insignificant details.] As you can imagine, the gentleman I spoke to was insistent that I simply submit the documents for review, but I was… persuasive.

[“Persuasive” here meaning “overbearing enough that he decided it was worth a few minutes of the governor's time to make an exception, for the sake of what remained of his sanity.”]

[takeroot]

[Ah! Delightful! Not that poor, tired Sir de Courcillon deserves having his feathers-et-al ruffled, necessarily, but it puts a grin on Constantin's face that carries a decades-old childhood wickedness to it. Bothering his staff, some of whom have known him since he was barely walking... it's traditional! Liem earns himself a point in, perhaps, not the best way, but a way for sure.

Constantin pats him amiably on the shoulder.]

Good man! And did you complete them anyway, the documents? Shall I review your humble service for glove retrieval and return? There are fewer permits when no money changes hands, or so they'd have you believe.

[There are always permits. Permits never end. He hates reviewing permits because only one in a million is at all interesting.

But would be interesting is fully committing to the bit and writing up the plans for a fake business. Excellent use of the governor's time.]

Ah— wait, don't tell me! Save it for our important business meeting! Tell me what brings you out to this part of town, instead!

[Here, the governor forgets that other people just go around town sometimes, because it's normal to do that.]

[sterngaze]

[The documents? Hah… no. Liem hadn’t truly intended to bring any documents for him to review. Not because he doesn’t want to waste the governor’s time with fabricated papers (although that also wasn’t his intent), but rather because there probably are legitimate proposals he could be bringing to the man’s office. He has no intention of taking advantage of their temporary connection and the governor’s good humour to move ahead financially. Just the thought puts a sour taste in his mouth.

But then, he likely should bring something to d’Orsay’s office along with his wayward glove, even if it isn’t paperwork. Half the reason for his fable about business permits was to avoid raising the curiosity of nosy staff. It would be conspicuous to depart just a few minutes after his hard-fought meeting with the governor finally commenced.]

Of course… I’ll not burden you with such talk now.

[Important business matters… he’ll have to think on it later. Now that his visit is no-longer a surprise, it seems the good governor has formed some expectations. And, frivolous though it may be, he finds himself reluctant to disappoint him.]

Actually, I was here on business― concluded now, happily. [Sun still high in the sky and already it’s been a long day. “Just going around town?” Like, recreationally? He’s not familiar with that concept.] I was meeting with the proprietor of the Riqueti Patisserie, just down the street from here. A refreshing change from lurking in the city’s back streets at night.

[He doesn’t only prowl seedy alleys for thugs to vanquish and damsels to rescue, romantic as that might be. He does have a day job as well!]