Anyone that could have observed the interaction may have surmised that Fabian had a crush on the composer, but there was nothing romantic in his anxiety creeping into his heart as he was internally arguing with himself at how he had agreed to have Anthony make so much trouble for him to get a drink–a drink Fabian shouldn’t have even been allowed to have.
“Oh, there’s no need for special treatment. I didn’t mean to impose on you in such a way,” he tried to sway him, but followed along his side loyally regardless. He didn’t even feel the need to ask who Jules was, only imagining whomever it was was either too fond of alcohol that it had to be stored away or they were barely around that it was reserved for special occasions. How Fabian had found himself entered into the mix in either regard still flattered him as much as it confused him by the generosity.
“I’m finding that Prometheus Productions has a kaleidoscope of personalities,” he answered with mixed emotions before offering a resilient smile. “I cannot discuss details, I’m afraid, but I can tell you that I will have to ask you to sign your contract relatively shortly when we are afforded more time, of course. Ms. Samson informed me that you would be interested in participating in an event Prometheus Productions was developing in the coming weeks.”
Ant waved off Fabian's protests easily, leading the man into the kitchen. It was the space Ant spent the most consistent amount of time in, making up for all the missed family dinners of his childhood. When your memories mostly consisted of reheating casserole and hoping your mom came home before you passed out on top of your homework, you tended to get a little anal about making sure your husband came home to a warm meal and a smile-- At least, that was Ant's experience. The impulse had spread to the rest of their friends as well, with Ant bullying the league over for dinners and brunches and whatever excuse he could think of to feed them all.
It was quieter in the kitchen, with most of the party leaking out of the house and into the surrounding grounds. A few of the dogs had found themselves in the pet beds scattered next to the large sliding doors, watching the commotion from safety. Ant sighed as he stepped through the doorway, a grin curving across his face.
"This is where the magic happens," he told Fabian as he walked to rifle through their liquor cabinet. They had another, larger one in the den, filled with gifts of fancy whiskeys and rare finds, but this was for more personal, everyday use, just as the IPAs Cooper drank after work were kept separate from the pretentious shit they served the guests. Ant supposed that was a metaphor of some sort; They were still the same men they had been in that crappy one bedroom downtown, they just kept that a little separate from the men they needed to be now.
"I mean that personally and professionally. I have an office upstairs, but I don't write there-- I either write on the piano on the balcony or here, in my head." Ant snorted, gesturing at a table. "I wrote half of The Social Network's theme on my phone, covered in cake batter." He pulled a face. "I was trying to make baumkuchen. It didn't end well."
He pulled down the bottle and flipped a glass out of the drying rack on the counter-- Iz had teased him for even owning the object, telling him he was bringing down the property value by admitting he did his own dishes, but Ant was set in his ways.
Ant laughed at Fabian's description of Prometheus, although some of that faded when he mentioned the upcoming event-- The Cancellation event. Sure, there were no planned Cancellations, not in Ant's docket, anyway, but from what little he'd been allowed to read, points were definitely involved. "Ah, yeah." Ant tried not to frown, but they were literally talking about playing with people's lives, here. "Apparently they're doing something to shake up the leaderboard a little, and I figured it would be good if they had a volunteer with a leveler head. The, uh, what did you say? Kaleidescope? Yeah, that's real nice for making art, but less nice for keeping people alive."
"Besides, Coop can't, he has to keep his cover, and I figure at least one of us should be there."
