Noel Abgrall

Liana couldn’t help her string of laughter when she caught Noel’s pun. “Exactly! I’m very hands on. I basically chose my job so I can build gardens all over. It’s a little selfish, but other people enjoy them too so it works.” She grinned. “Are you enjoying learning the design side of it?”

“I dont know if I’d call that selfish, so much as smart.. Design is... Difficult, but I’m learning. I don’t mind it, I suppose. Most folks would kill to have a job they loved so dearly though. Especially one that pays well.. Does it? Pay well, that is?”

“I read basically anything I can get my hands on. But perks of being a librarian is that I can usually think of it as work research. But mysteries and historical fiction are always a lot of fun to read. The other day I just finished reading Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and I was absolutely blown away by how it approached history.”

“Approached history,” Noel repeated back curiously, interest piqued by her profession. While he’d never considered it, being a librarian certainly seemed like something he could see himself doing in another life. “Historical fiction, or nonfiction?”

Jadon watched Noel over his coffee cup, his smile reaching his bright blue eyes. “Well, I’m sorry that most folks are too boring and selfish to let you talk about yourself. I am genuinely curious, don’t think I’m not. I never really understood the point in asking people how they are if you didn’t have a genuine time or interest to hear the true answer, y’know?” He shrugged, setting his half empty cup down as he looked over Noel, watching him scroll through his phone. “Is what you’re wearing something of yours?”

Noel felt his ears burn with embarrassment, not one to think poorly of others for not going out of their way to inquire about his work. He wasn’t the type to flash it about even if the very nature of his work included making flashy pieces at times. “Oh this?” Noel’s eyes darted downwards to himself a moment before back up, wearing a dress shirt that had the sleeves rolled up, a pair of well-fitted jeans, and his favorite leather boots. “Heavens no. The only thing I own that I’ve made is a suit and maybe one or two other things. Handful of things I’ve altered too, I guess, but pretty much all of clothing is bought just like anyone else’s.”

“Oh wow! That is an excellent recommendation. I was already enjoying this, but now I’ll be even more curious for this exciting plot twist. Thank you, Sir.” She smiled and leaned forward slightly. “It sounds like you like to read anyway? What else do you like to read?”

Noel shrugged, smiling as he brought his cup to his lips to buy him a moment to think. He didn’t often chat books with anyone aside from Anna, so he felt a bit taken back for a moment. “I enjoy mysteries and thrillers mostly-- the whole whodunit, you know? Although I also read a decent bit of historical fiction and occasionally an autobiography. And you?”

“I don’t mind at all! I’m a landscape architect. Most of us don’t actually build landscapes and gardens, but I never wanted to sit on the sidelines. I’d rather be in the dirt.” It wasn’t standard for her profession, but she felt like that set her apart to clients.

“Ah so you’re more hands on then-- I can dig it,” he responded back, pausing for a moment afterward and cracking a grin when he realized the unintended pun. “My uncle similarly handles designing clothing as well as actually making it-- I’m not much for the design aspect myself, though I’m learning.

“You’re exactly right. Although to be fair, I’ve never been one to turn down a snack.” She laughed as well, only stopping when she saw the petals he pulled from his pocket. “Oh!” She was a surprised to see the petals in his hand, mainly because she couldn’t imagine many people taking the time to pick them up. Then he took his mask off and her lips curled into a smile. Mirroring him, she took her mask off as well. “I’m glad to know I have a familiar voice, Sir. We met at a coffee stop, if you don’t remember. And thank you for picking those up. I wouldn’t want to leave a mess. I had a feeling a few of them would fall off when I added fresh petals to the artificial ones on the mask, but I couldn’t help myself.”

“You’re right, I remember you,” Noel commented when the woman slid off her mask, the familiarity making him instantly feel more relaxed. “And quite the touch-- beautiful yet fragile. A risk I probably wouldn’t have taken myself, but lovely none the less. I was worried whomever they belonged to might be missing them-- had it had more of an impact, however, your mask looks quite full still, thanks to the silk ones mixed in.”

“Oh, that’s watermelon, raspberries, pure sugar and lime,” Yan gestured proudly at his drink, laughing before he took a sip. “You looking for a seat? It’s pretty packed here tonight and I think my date is running late, so I would appreciate the company.” 

Noel paused a moment when the other rattled off the ingredients, silently thinking to himself how it did sound rather sickeningly sweet. Not bad-- just sweet. His grin widened at the offer though, gladly accepting. He often struggled to extend such offers himself, always feeling awkward and a bit shy at anything other than making brief, polite smalltalk with most strangers. When he occasionally found himself on the receiving end of an offer, he almost always took it. “Sure. I suppose I can chat for a bit longer till your date arrives.” His eyes glanced at the other giving a brief once over as he added, “I’m presuming your Dom/me?”

It wasn’t lost on Jadon that something was on the young man’s mind. “Where’d you go?” He took a sip of his coffee, eyebrows drawn together and blue eyes warmly looking over him with concern. He waited for Noel’s answer and then remembered his own question, “Oh, I’d meant to see photos of your work. What did you think I meant?” Jadon smiled, now a bit more alert with curiosity running through his veins.

“Hm?” Noel gave the other Dominant a confused look before shaking his head. “Oh no- sorry. I wasn’t sure-- folks don’t often ask about that to be honest, nor do I take too many photos, so it was just unexpected I guess,” he added, feeling faintly embarrassed and awkward as he fished his phone out of his pocket, opening up his photos app searching for one of his more recent projects.

“Oh, you’ve read it? I’m glad to hear that you liked it! I had seen it appear on a variety of the book recommendation lists at the library so it seemed like it was time to read it for myself. I’ve only just started it, but the writing style is really interesting. What did you like about the book?”

“Why the climax, of course. Excellent plot twist that I will be shocked if you see coming,” Noel answered, shoulders relaxing faintly. “I haven’t had the chance yet, but it made me interested in a re-read almost immediately even though I hadn’t finished the book yet at the time. That good.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir.” It had seemed only fair to offer considering that he had noticed the mistake before she could and saved her from a jittery night. “My name is Adelaide.” She smiled and ducked her head in an approximation of her typical curtsey. 

“The pleasure’s all mine, Adelaide,” Noel responded back with a polite smile, eyes darting to the book in her possession. “Please-- don’t let me interrupt though if you’d like to get back to reading. It’s a good read,” he added, familiar with the title. 

“I’m definitely serious. The last time I got a dress fitted was back at the new year and I can’t exactly wear and fancy clothes for work, but the next time I need something I’ll give you a call.” She wished she had something she needed fitted just to go see his shop, having a feeling she would love it.

“Can’t wear it to work, huh?” Noel wasn’t usually one for striking up conversations with strangers, although he couldn’t help but ask, “What do you do for a living, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Oh, shit, thanks, man.” Yannick accepted his brightly colored cocktail - pinks and purples overflowing from a festively decorated tall glass. “Don’t judge, my claim got me into those. It looks like it should be served to a five year old, but it’s so good I am willing to live through the humiliation.” 

Noel chuckled, shaking his head.  “No judgement here. Not sure what’s in that, but I enjoy a good tequila sunrise from time to time myself,” he answered, a nondescript pint of beer in his spare hand.

“I don’t blame you for being nervous. I think everyone is. I am too, but the nerves are pretty easy to push aside when I think of how ready I am for this. I was built for this.” Nearly every aspect of her upbringing had set her up for this position. It had made her into a duchess, even when she didn’t think it would ever actually happen. She was ready and wouldn’t make the same mistakes Amalie had. “That sounds great. Please don’t push yourself too hard though, Noel. Work on whatever timeline you can.” She didn’t want to see her friend run himself ragged trying to get the clothes made for her.

Noel’s grin widened, finding amusement and comfort in Anna’s confidence. “Nonsense. I don’t have much else going on right now-- I’ll speak with Uncle about rearranging what we can in the calendar, and see if I can clock a little overtime this weekend wrapping up some existing orders,” he reassured. “Out of curiosity have you spoken with many senior members of the house yet about all of this?”

“Have you?” Jadon smiled, bright blue eyes full of light and sitting up a bit in the chair. “I’m usually on the bar end of the place, but if we’d met I would’ve remembered. My brother, Javan, takes care of the restaurant end. We’re better at managing what we know, I suppose.” He took to to drinking his coffee with his elbows propped on his knees, listening to Noel talk. “I think that’s very exciting. Javan and I could’ve taken over our uncle’s farm but it wasn’t our passion. J2, on the other hand.” He smiled, “I just mean that I get it. Be proud of yourself, don’t shrug off an amazing accomplishment. When you’re doing what you love, that’s what really matters.” He held out his hand in anticipation, “C’mon, Noel, don’t leave me hanging.”

Noel nodded politely, though he internally mused over how he wasn’t sure if it was really what he loved or what he was good at. Perhaps a second love, since his first hadn’t panned out. “Hm?” One eyebrow shot up, slightly confused. “What... Are you asking to see photos, or?”

With a nod he said, “You’ll get used to it after a while, the change in title and all that. Start practicing, and I’ll promise not to tell the tabloids or anyone else about the little slip.” He winked in Noel’s direction before taking another drink from his coffee. “And at least she’s got a friend in you, yeah? Hopefully, she’ll have a decent support system around her. I think the real trouble’s gonna be keeping track of real friends, and fake ones now. She’s on her way up, and people will try to latch on to that, while others try to drag her down to elevate themselves. Yeah, it’s a hard road and I don’t envy it at all.”

“I think most might feel that way, but I have faith. Anna will do just fine,” Noel responded with a confident smile. “So you know what’s new with me. Anything exciting happening in your life?”