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Post by Mirage on Jun 3, 2012 15:59:22 GMT -5
"Does she?"
Addison actually understands the games to which Arlen alludes. Those of society are often like this, playing sometimes deadly games of cat and mouse with each other. It is the result of too much money, too much pride, and too much boredom.
The touch on his hand draws his attention. Addison's lips quirk slightly, and if allowed will let his hand drop to rest casually on Arlen's shoulder. "Rodney seems quite taken with her. It is possible that you have done them both a disservice, if she is unlikely to accept his attentions with favor."
"He will survive the discomfort, of course, but will she? Or do you care?"
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Post by SceneMod on Jun 3, 2012 16:47:00 GMT -5
"She thinks that interpersonal relationships, however serious or light, however long or short, are a weakness. I disagree," Arlen explains, "So I rather doubt your companion will get what he wants from her, but I have no worries about her. She is pitiless and cannot be moved."
He actually sounds approving in enumerating those qualities of Carolyn's, not condemning at all.
"La belle dame sans merci."
"But your companion obviously has good taste, and I trust he will have no reason to be disappointed this night." Arlen looks pointedly at Addison, welcoming the hand on his shoulder.
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Post by Mirage on Jun 4, 2012 15:42:20 GMT -5
"Hm, if she is so lacking, then she was taught to be so by her family and/or surroundings. It is a difficult outlook to change, but it is possible. Of course," Addison sips his drink, "she would first have to want to change it."
His expression grows thoughtful as he looks at Arlen, "If you are family, why are you not the same? You approve of her outlook, and I'd dare say wish to be the same."
When Arlen pays Addison that obvious compliment, the model's chin drops slightly, and he says, "Hmpf. Rodney's taste is impeccable, but I am outside his norms. It makes me wonder why he puts up with me." Addison's tone is light, joking, but there's a hint of true wonder in his words.
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Post by SceneMod on Jun 4, 2012 20:26:56 GMT -5
"It has served her well thus far," Arlen says, and then he shrugs and demurs, "When one always loses, it is easy to become disenchanted with the ways of the winners. I would need to be stronger to be as she is, but as I am not, I can see the advantage of certain things she deems useless."
He looks thoughtful at Addison's reaction, which is not what he was expecting. "Why shouldn't he?"
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Post by Mirage on Jun 7, 2012 22:26:00 GMT -5
"Because I am a rich, arrogant, jackass of a playboy," Addison says lightly, "Rodney usually prefers more honesty and less aristocracy in his partners." He tosses off the rest of his drink and watches Rodney and Carolyn for several seconds.
"But I do love him, regardless."
In short order, there is another drink in his hand, and Addison tries to let his hand slip from Arlen's shoulder to the small of the man's back. "What advantages do you see at the moment that she does not?"
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Post by SceneMod on Jun 7, 2012 22:48:26 GMT -5
"He won't find any honesty with her," Arlen says, and he is being honest. "You love him. Does he return your feelings?"
Maybe that is why Addison is interested in Mr. Pryor, if Mr. Pryor does not. Arlen cannot imagine that Addison is used to being rebuffed, though he knows very little of the star. He's just guessing. That perverse urge to try harder... it is why Carolyn would consider it a irrational. A weakness.
Arlen allows the hand and looks at Addison sidelong, commenting again honestly, "I'm looking at one of them."
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Post by Mirage on Jun 14, 2012 22:22:57 GMT -5
"He cares for me," Addison says. The model does not feel he lies. Rodimus cares for all those under his wing. But Addison will not say Rodney loves him. That would be asking for trouble.
His lips turn up slightly at Arlen's compliment. Addison turns into the other man slightly and tilts his head so that his lips might just brush Arlen's ear.
"Then I must say you have excellent taste, yourself."
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Post by SceneMod on Jun 17, 2012 23:19:15 GMT -5
"Impeccable," and there is a brief flash of a fierce glint in Arlen's eyes, "I am all but immovable, given the risk."
The truth is, Arlen has never been interested in anyone. His plumbing works. He checks it a few times a year just to be sure, but it doesn't do anything for him. Arlen has always assumed his lack of interest was a design feature to keep him on track with missions and to prevent any of his proprietary genetics ending up in an... unlicensed copy. If he could really think, he would think about how unusual his interest in Mr. Payne is.
But that's one thing Arlen can't think about right now, even as he considers the trajectories of the other occupants of the room... and the ever so slight brush of skin on his ear. How his weight shifts a bare iota to bring him closer to the other man.
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Post by Mirage on Jun 18, 2012 22:28:10 GMT -5
Addison "Mmms," softly as Arlen turns into hims hat minute amount, and the model can't help but smirk a bit at what seems to be so easy a conquest. He leans a bit closer still, the hand that never left the small of Arlen's back sliding lower and around to rest just short of indecently on the smaller man's hip. As he rubs his cheek against Arlen's hair, Addison cuts his eyes back toward the little drama playing out on the dance floor.
The woman is certainly one of them of a sort, but what real tie she has to the man beside Addison is as yet unknown. He should have something to show besides a phone number, once Rodney returns, Addison supposes. Primus, but this man's desire is so intoxicating, though....
It's that thought that cause a little shiver to run through Addison- and which also reminds him of himself. He murmurs, "What else would your risk for me? You have already thrown your kin to the wolves for not even a kiss."
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Post by SceneMod on Jun 20, 2012 19:01:08 GMT -5
Arlen cannot remember the last time he was this close to another human being without the intent to kill him. It's strange.
"I threw the wolves to my kin," Arlen says matter-of-factually. His eyes narrow, and he observes, "Mr. Pryor is very interested in my cousin. Does that bother you?"
"Because, you see, for all that she does not want to be here, I am only here at her request. I do have things that need doing," that don't include a movie star, "and if they go undone..."
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Post by Mirage on Jun 22, 2012 12:58:24 GMT -5
"Why would it bother me?" Addison asks when Rodney's interest in Carolyn is brought up, "Our relationship is not physically or even emotionally exclusive. He is not my only love, nor I his."
"Such arrangements run contrary to the societal norms, I know. But it works for us."
Mainly, it works because their "arrangement" is sham for the cameras. A good thing, because Addison feels he could truly lose a part of himself to the red-haired FX expert.
"What things could be more pressing than your current distraction? Am I not interesting enough?" he teases, still maintaining that barely polite contact with Arlen.
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Post by SceneMod on Jun 22, 2012 18:10:10 GMT -5
"My apologies. I wasn't aware of your situation. Now...a business rival of ours is supposed to show up soon," Arlen says absently, taking his eyes off Addison long enough to scan the room, "He's been making a killing at our expense. If I'm not paying attention when he arrives, it will not go well for me."
Or anyone else in the room. Slaughter can be quite indiscriminate.
He tugs at one of his own gloves and pulls it just slightly, showing off a scar across his wrist, and he says flatly, "This one was for not being enough like my... father."
So what if Addison sees this scar? Addison will see them all if this goes farther than flirting.
Arlen tries to catch Addison's eyes and asks, "Do you see?
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Post by Mirage on Jun 28, 2012 22:06:13 GMT -5
Addison's eyes narrow when Arlen shows off his scar. The model drops his now-empty drink on a passing tray, then he reaches down and lightly grasps Arlen's hand. If allowed, Addison will use his thumb to keep the edge of that glove pushed down, exposing the scar.
"Such a lovely family you seem to have," the model drawls, the sarcasm exceptionally thick in his voice. He tries to turn Arlen's wrist this way and that, examining the old wound- and looking for evidence of more.
He looks up as Carolyn nears. "And here she comes to claim you again, I wager."
"She does not look happy."
OOC: mention of Carolyn w/ permission, because same player.
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Post by Carolyn Blake on Jun 28, 2012 22:28:15 GMT -5
Carolyn does not look happy at all, and Arlen might rightfully annoyed that she's dropped her character so badly and so quickly. As she gets close enough to really notice how close Arlen has let the playboy, her frown deepens.
"We have business to attend to," she says stiffly, "If you will quit pawing my cousin, we'll take our leave."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 29, 2012 18:42:53 GMT -5
Rodney follows along behind Carolyn, but he looks... sad, more than anything else. However, he, too, looks somewhat annoyed after his conversation with the blonde. Still, she offers the others a somewhat sheepish smile at the brusque nature of her return. "I guess I'm just not entertaining enough," he shrugs with a faint smile.
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