{ He'll wait until he hears footsteps in the hall - the perks of being almost neighbours - before he leaves his own cabin. The last thing he wants is to be waiting outside the other's door. Seeming eager is hardly a good look. }
[ Reid won't be looking for him, and he's unlocking his door before he perks up and gives Lestat a steady smile. ]
I wasn't entirely hoping to surprise you, in truth. But hopefully you'll find it more comfortable than the main room.
[ Lestat will notice as they walk in that the surgery tables have been piled up next to the wall and the large space cleared. He won't linger there, heading straight through towards the sitting room he'd mentioned, with the addition of a rather comfortable looking chaise lounge a comfortable distance from the fireplace. And, of course, there is the piano.
Lestat will notice that the cat isn't here at the moment, but there are signs of it's habitation out in the main room: a cat box specifically and a few cat toys scattered around both the main room and the sitting room. ]
The fact you got a sitting room at all is surprising.
{ He's teasing, of course. Mostly. Lestat can't deny that he feels more than a bit pleased, taking full responsibility for the new room regardless of if it's true or not.
Despite his curiosity and need to know what's going on with people, Lestat forgoes questioning the cleared out main room. It's a dreary room as it is, and far be it from him to question what the other man does with his space. The new room, however, is fantastic.
Lestat's face lightens up, bright eyes glancing over everything. It's much more comfortable, not unlike the sitting room from his home in New Orleans in those early years. And while there's a few things in this room that could be for him specifically, his keen gaze falls on the chaise lounge. A pretty piece of furniture that isn't necessarily out of place for the period of the decor, but something about it doesn't strike Lestat as something that Jonathan Reid might just have about.
And what better thing to give a dramatic Frenchman? }
You shouldn't have. It's almost as if you'd like me around more frequently.
{ Still teasing, but in that way of his where he can't help but be cheeky and coy all at once. He drapes himself on the chaise as if it's second nature, eyebrows raised. }
{ Truthfully, he's touched by the gesture. The doctor didn't need to do any of this, on top of the blatant kindness and generosity he's already shown. Lestat's not sure if he should find it suspicious, which peaks his natural wariness.
He can't help but wonder if he's being mollified into "good behaviour." He's never missed the ability to read the thoughts of others as much as he does now. }
I'll take most of the credit, but the nature of a chaise does help. It's hard to look bad on one.
And thankfully, it does seem to fit within the room well enough. You're welcome to the piano as well, as I haven't played since I was a boy and living in the house this room came from.
[ He will take his own seat in a high-backed chair across from him, relaxing the way one does at home. ]
Are you up for talking business or are you more inclined to keep this a social visit?
{ Lestat makes himself properly comfortable, though, only regretting that he doesn't have a cigarette in his hand. Not that smoking does anything for him, but he's fond of the habit. }
We may as well get some of it out of the way now. Are you going to set rules for me?
Given you haven't seemed to need them before, I don't see any reason to start any now. You're hardly a child and you are certainly no fool.
[ Lestat knows what will cause trouble and what he won't want. Setting a 'rule' is just an insult, treating him as if this whole thing is simply a matter of following guidelines Reid is perfectly aware Lestat is aware of. He isn't here to scold him like a recalcitrant child or bap him on the nose like a bad puppy. ]
But there is the matter of your file and your powers.
{ That piques his interest. It's clear in the way he turns his head just enough towards Reid that he can fix him with an unblinking gaze. }
Anything of interest in your perusal?
{ Being stripped of almost all of his powers has been a constant sore spot for Lestat. Even the small glimmers of them he does have seem almost insulting, and he doesn't quite feel like himself without them, even if he barely ever uses them. Too vulnerable, too open. He doesn't like that. }
All of it is of interest. And I'm not just saying that because I know you enjoy the attention.
[ Spoken fondly. ]
But it made me realize that the offer made to you the other day would leave you somewhat at a disadvantage. Specifically, I should like to restore your ability to read minds should we share blood, at least to start.
{ It's a rather trivial power, as far as Lestat's concerned, but it's something. He almost laughs, though, at being asked if he'd object to it.
More to the point, he's working on inferring what's going unspoken. A gift being given back to him to be on a level playing field, which means that Reid can also do it in some capacity. Something in the blood. }
I can't imagine any circumstance I might object. I don't feel myself without them.
[ He looks somewhat relieved at that before he continues. That power is important, to his mind, not only to put them at the same level in such an exchange but to let Lestat see into his heart and mind. While he does not think it a particularly healthy gift in general, at least not for this particular effort, the ability to request at any time to know his heart and mind, to assure himself of a lack of subterfuge, will (he hopes) do much to aid in their mutual trust.]
I also thought to restore your healing as well as some of your speed.
{ Clearly they're well matched, as those were exactly the abilities that Lestat was thinking of angling for. The healing seemed like it would be an easy bet, considering their meeting, but it has its practical uses. If they're going to do an equal exchange of blood to quell the thirst for something not manufactured, then it's beneficial to be able to heal.
And speed seems harmless enough. }
People will question your motives.
{ Another bonus, of course, as far as Lestat's concerned. It seems appropriate to give Reid that bit of warning all the same, though he knows it will hardly sway the man's decision to restore them. }
[ Not shutting him down, only reassuring him. He is very polite and he is very willing to be helpful, but he also has a rather shiny spine that he will happily show to anyone who tries to push him on the matter. ]
Men can murder men easily enough without the powers we possess and I refuse to treat you like a child... or a monster, especially when I know you to be neither.
{ That makes his lips curl up into a decidedly colder smile. Lestat doesn't see himself as a monster, either, per se. He understands why others do, and that includes those from his life before the barge, as well. He also does very little to try and change the minds of anyone he doesn't want to bother with. }
Thank God for this chaise, Jonathan, or I'd be swooning.
[ It's only the cold smile that keeps him from coughing. As it is- ]
Then it was an even more useful request than I thought it might be. [ A faint huff. ] It was true before our pairing, but you're welcome here whenever you care to visit, though I may occasionally need to use the main room for lessons I've been taking. You're certainly welcome to bathe here instead of in the inmate facilities if you prefer that.
Shall I just move my coffin in now rather than later?
{ It's far easier to fall back into the flirtatious teasing. Lestat doesn't really believe in kindness without motive, nor does he know how to respond to it when directed at him. People tend to do nice things for him for a variety of reasons, but doing it because they want to generally isn't one of them.
It's better to ignore the vague uneasiness by poking fun at Reid and his quickness to fluster. }
[ Reid's shared quarters before; it's not the sort of thing that bothers him. He's not a solitary creature even though his pursuits often make him feel as though he ought to be. ]
Just let me know if you want someone to hold the other end.
I'm afraid this is all moving quite fast. Perhaps the coffin can wait. I'm an old fashioned soul, after all, there's nothing wrong with taking time for a proper courtship.
{ He doesn't want to impose too much, either, which might seem contradictory to his nature but there's an art to it. With Louis, there had been no choice but to be together so much right away. Louis was newly turned with nowhere else in the city to find refuge and no one else to teach him the ways.
He doesn't need to force his presence on Reid all the time to be present in other ways. This room alone and his little sofa will be enough to at least put his name in Reid's thoughts once a day. He can simply just drop in now and then to enjoy some privacy in a much more spacious room. }
On the contrary, I'd say we're well into one. Simple conversations in sitting rooms, your obvious display of gentlemanly behaviour in your considerations towards me, rather large gestures of affection.
{ There's an amused gleam in his eyes before he shrugs a shoulder in indifference. }
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I'm ready to be surprised.
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I wasn't entirely hoping to surprise you, in truth. But hopefully you'll find it more comfortable than the main room.
[ Lestat will notice as they walk in that the surgery tables have been piled up next to the wall and the large space cleared. He won't linger there, heading straight through towards the sitting room he'd mentioned, with the addition of a rather comfortable looking chaise lounge a comfortable distance from the fireplace. And, of course, there is the piano.
Lestat will notice that the cat isn't here at the moment, but there are signs of it's habitation out in the main room: a cat box specifically and a few cat toys scattered around both the main room and the sitting room. ]
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{ He's teasing, of course. Mostly. Lestat can't deny that he feels more than a bit pleased, taking full responsibility for the new room regardless of if it's true or not.
Despite his curiosity and need to know what's going on with people, Lestat forgoes questioning the cleared out main room. It's a dreary room as it is, and far be it from him to question what the other man does with his space. The new room, however, is fantastic.
Lestat's face lightens up, bright eyes glancing over everything. It's much more comfortable, not unlike the sitting room from his home in New Orleans in those early years. And while there's a few things in this room that could be for him specifically, his keen gaze falls on the chaise lounge. A pretty piece of furniture that isn't necessarily out of place for the period of the decor, but something about it doesn't strike Lestat as something that Jonathan Reid might just have about.
And what better thing to give a dramatic Frenchman? }
You shouldn't have. It's almost as if you'd like me around more frequently.
{ Still teasing, but in that way of his where he can't help but be cheeky and coy all at once. He drapes himself on the chaise as if it's second nature, eyebrows raised. }
Does it suit?
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[ Lestat will earn a bright, chest-deep laugh from him at his posing but he'll nod, of course. ]
And only if it's comfortable. But I can't deny you look the picture of decadent leisure.
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{ Truthfully, he's touched by the gesture. The doctor didn't need to do any of this, on top of the blatant kindness and generosity he's already shown. Lestat's not sure if he should find it suspicious, which peaks his natural wariness.
He can't help but wonder if he's being mollified into "good behaviour." He's never missed the ability to read the thoughts of others as much as he does now. }
I'll take most of the credit, but the nature of a chaise does help. It's hard to look bad on one.
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[ He will take his own seat in a high-backed chair across from him, relaxing the way one does at home. ]
Are you up for talking business or are you more inclined to keep this a social visit?
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{ Lestat makes himself properly comfortable, though, only regretting that he doesn't have a cigarette in his hand. Not that smoking does anything for him, but he's fond of the habit. }
We may as well get some of it out of the way now. Are you going to set rules for me?
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Given you haven't seemed to need them before, I don't see any reason to start any now. You're hardly a child and you are certainly no fool.
[ Lestat knows what will cause trouble and what he won't want. Setting a 'rule' is just an insult, treating him as if this whole thing is simply a matter of following guidelines Reid is perfectly aware Lestat is aware of. He isn't here to scold him like a recalcitrant child or bap him on the nose like a bad puppy. ]
But there is the matter of your file and your powers.
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Anything of interest in your perusal?
{ Being stripped of almost all of his powers has been a constant sore spot for Lestat. Even the small glimmers of them he does have seem almost insulting, and he doesn't quite feel like himself without them, even if he barely ever uses them. Too vulnerable, too open. He doesn't like that. }
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[ Spoken fondly. ]
But it made me realize that the offer made to you the other day would leave you somewhat at a disadvantage. Specifically, I should like to restore your ability to read minds should we share blood, at least to start.
Would you object to that?
[ He holds up a hand. ]
...it isn't the only thought but it is the first.
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More to the point, he's working on inferring what's going unspoken. A gift being given back to him to be on a level playing field, which means that Reid can also do it in some capacity. Something in the blood. }
I can't imagine any circumstance I might object. I don't feel myself without them.
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[ He looks somewhat relieved at that before he continues. That power is important, to his mind, not only to put them at the same level in such an exchange but to let Lestat see into his heart and mind. While he does not think it a particularly healthy gift in general, at least not for this particular effort, the ability to request at any time to know his heart and mind, to assure himself of a lack of subterfuge, will (he hopes) do much to aid in their mutual trust.]
I also thought to restore your healing as well as some of your speed.
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And speed seems harmless enough. }
People will question your motives.
{ Another bonus, of course, as far as Lestat's concerned. It seems appropriate to give Reid that bit of warning all the same, though he knows it will hardly sway the man's decision to restore them. }
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[ Not shutting him down, only reassuring him. He is very polite and he is very willing to be helpful, but he also has a rather shiny spine that he will happily show to anyone who tries to push him on the matter. ]
Men can murder men easily enough without the powers we possess and I refuse to treat you like a child... or a monster, especially when I know you to be neither.
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Thank God for this chaise, Jonathan, or I'd be swooning.
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Then it was an even more useful request than I thought it might be. [ A faint huff. ] It was true before our pairing, but you're welcome here whenever you care to visit, though I may occasionally need to use the main room for lessons I've been taking. You're certainly welcome to bathe here instead of in the inmate facilities if you prefer that.
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{ It's far easier to fall back into the flirtatious teasing. Lestat doesn't really believe in kindness without motive, nor does he know how to respond to it when directed at him. People tend to do nice things for him for a variety of reasons, but doing it because they want to generally isn't one of them.
It's better to ignore the vague uneasiness by poking fun at Reid and his quickness to fluster. }
It'd look quite stately next to the piano.
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Just let me know if you want someone to hold the other end.
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{ He doesn't want to impose too much, either, which might seem contradictory to his nature but there's an art to it. With Louis, there had been no choice but to be together so much right away. Louis was newly turned with nowhere else in the city to find refuge and no one else to teach him the ways.
He doesn't need to force his presence on Reid all the time to be present in other ways. This room alone and his little sofa will be enough to at least put his name in Reid's thoughts once a day. He can simply just drop in now and then to enjoy some privacy in a much more spacious room. }
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We would have to begin a courtship for that, which I believe is frowned upon in inmate and warden relationships... for obvious reason.
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{ There's an amused gleam in his eyes before he shrugs a shoulder in indifference. }
I won't tell anyone, of course.
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[ Very very dry. ]
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