SEA DREAMS

❛  please, salamanca,  ❜  he says,  ❛  you’re the detour, not the destination.  ❜  he closes his palm and puts his hand deep into his pockets once more, trying to look casually innocent in front of felix’s employees—though maybe he didn’t need to, and all of them knew all about their employer’s… predilections. with felix closing the door behind them, teo made himself pretty comfortable inside the other’s office, sitting in on a chair and resting his feet up on a desk, almost studying his salvatore ferregamo shoes.  ❛  there was a conference in berkeley and i thought: why not pay my good friend felix a visit ?  ❜  he said, stretching his arms and putting them behind his head.  ❛  scored the tabs off of a few college students so who knows how good they are,  ❜  he says,  ❛  but hey, it’s not like you have better things to do, right ?  ❜  he looks around.  ❛  why not here though ?  ❜  he asks.  ❛  be a good boss and tell ‘em it’s their day off or something, i don’t know—but hey, if it comes down to it ?  your crib’s pretty sweet.  ❜

“And I thought I was special,” Felix said, putting a hand to his heart, feigning hurt. Felix leaned back and rolled his eyes when the other put his feet up the desk, because of course he would, but listened nonetheless to his story. “Do you know how heavy a dose they are, at the very least?” he asked, sitting on his own chair, his gaze across the other. It had been a while since he had had a good trip, and really, Felix was ready to take it no matter what the answer to his question was. He laughed at the assertion that he had nothing better to do, and shrugged carelessly at the words that followed. “There’s a lot of work to be done. I can’t shut down an entire building just to trip. I’m sure they can take care of themselves. Let’s head to my place, then.” Felix stood and gestured for the younger man to follow him, pulling his phone out and texting for his driver to have his car at the ready. 

he lets out a scoff, because of course that’d be her reply instead of just answering the question. fucking coward.  ❛  well, i’m sure they’d appreciate a peacable atmosphere first and foremost,  ❜  he says, which is the most he’s willing to say regarding the current state of affairs in the esteemed house of doria-pamphilj.  ❛  nobody likes a dinner with a chilly air,  ❜  he says drily, and perhaps his voice could almost be called amused if his face wasn’t stone-cold and kept to an indifferent expression, something he’d perfected over the years.  ❛  is this open to spouses  ❜ — meaning: is your husband coming and can i bring mine or is this purely to be another battlefield with just us ? —  ❛  or is your husband indisposed because of… business ?  ❜  perhaps it surprises him most of all that he’s actually responding with genuine interest, instead of shooting her down immediately.

claiming 33 points for ALESSANDRA-DORIA PAMPHILJ

point breakdown :

STARTERS : [3] x [5] = [15]

REPLIES : [7] x [1] = [7]

ASK MEMES : [1] x [1] = [1]

MILESTONE: [1] x [10] = [10]

SUBTOTAL: [33]

PREVIOUS WEEK TOTAL: [88]

TOTAL: 121

standing here is like pulling teeth without the balm of any anaesthetic. he wonders why he was cursed to have the personification of greed and ambition for a sister, but then he thinks that’s why they fit in so well in the past.  ❛  well,  ❜  he says,  ❛  i don’t know what your standards are for treating family members anymore.  ❜  the statement is a little bit pointed, a little bit edgy, a little bit angry—but most of all, it is hurt.  ❛  but—the orsini, really ?  ❜  he echoes, and though he dislikes spending time with his sister for more than he has to, the orsini are valuable political allies—more out of history than anything else, but history seems to be the only thing that matters for a few. he thinks about it for a second, before:  ❛  are you asking just to be polite,  ❜  he says,  ❛  or are you asking because you genuinely want me there ?  ❜

hugo had always been careful to maintain a polite distance from those in the society who he deemed a slightly of more noble, respectable pedigree than his own. alessandra was certainly one of them, though he admired her philanthropy and her impeccable manner of dressing from afar. “kharis.” he replied with a polite nod. “it’s certainly an impressive collection of lots. the basquiat i like. or the darger.” he shrugged, taking a considered sip of his drink that was far stronger than one he should be consuming at an event like this. “maybe the van renesslaer, as a new name in my collection. i haven’t decided yet.” an impish smile came to his lips. “i suppose i should ask you what you’re planning to bid on, i don’t have any intentions of trying to outbid you, and i’ll not lie, probably not the means either.” he chuckled under his breath, offering her an easy smile. 

Amber: next week's fine

Amber: otherwise i don't really have much to do except drink wine and watch parks and recreation re-runs on E4, so

Alessandra: I'll see you then.

Alessandra: Oh, perhaps you'd like to "FaceTime"?

Alessandra: I can show you the pieces. Or perhaps you'd like to make me your proxy; you can call in your bids and I'll bid for you.

“I want to know how to help my friend gain entrance. She’s far closer than I am and she–” is more deserving, “has plenty of values the Society seems to uphold. Your suggestion seems to be to just mingle.” It was actually a very valid suggestion; Bocephus was told to organize his social network even as a child under his father’s direction, but it was quite easy when everyone came to him first before he had the opportunity to reach out to others. Astrid was more timid than he was and there was a definite chance that some of the members don’t know who she was yet.  “..Thank you for the insight.” He hated to offer gratitude, but this time it was necessary and genuine. “I would’ve asked my sister but she’s always quite busy with keeping an entire country afloat.”

Amber: honestly hearing from you is always nice

Amber: it makes me feel better to know people have my back through all of this

Amber: i'll have to come and see you in rome, though — let me know when your diary's clear and we'll make a date?

Alessandra: I want to make it clear that I'm good friends with Floraigh, too. I don't want to take sides. But I do realize that what she did wasn't at all appropriate.

Alessandra: But of course I'll always have your back.

Amber: i thought it was a better idea if i went home

Amber: i'd either bring the mood down or punch the british prime minister and neither of those are a good idea

Alessandra: Ah, that makes sense, I suppose.

Alessandra: It's a shame, though. I missed you.

Alessandra: I'm sorry that entire ordeal happened — I could only catch snippets from the chat, but it's truly another magnitude of terrible that someone so close to you would do something so soul-crushing.

Alessandra: I've been looking all over for you, but I can't seem to find you tonight.

“Lineage, achievement, comportment,” he repeated, as if trying to remember the main messages from Alessandra’s small monologue, “Those are the things that made the perfect initiates, hm?” Astrid had the lineage; her family was just as important as his in regards to American history and finances. She was a fantastic artist with overarching achievements– just look at how much her painting was appraised for! Comportment.. well, if she wasn’t the kindest damn thing on earth.. “I’m not asking for myself. I’ve got plenty of people to impress an’ I haven’t done a great job of it. One of my friends missed their acceptance by one vote. She seemed to fit all of your qualifications but I’m sure others value much different accomplishments. Do members know who voted for whom?” If so, perhaps he can convince Leah into persuading whichever douchebag decided Astrid wasn’t worth it.

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