duplicity inbox | un: prince

[rosebyanyother]

"Morrigan Prince. I'm afraid I'm too busy to answer at the moment, but leave a message and I promise to respond as soon as I'm able."

text | video | voice | action

Comments

[the_fairest_flower]

I'm free now, if you are.
I usually only work in the evenings.

[rosebyanyother]

Give me an hour and I'll be available.
Do you have a particular cafe you like?

[the_fairest_flower]

Honestea is one of my favorites. Meet you there in an hour or so?

text -> action

[rosebyanyother]

That sounds wonderful.

[So, roughly an hour later Peter arrives at Honestea. He never did ask...anything about Jamie beyond his name - in fact, he does not know if it is in fact "his" name - so he pauses for a moment in the doorway to look around and to make himself visible to anyone who might be on the lookout for him.

If he's not hailed - if he happens to have arrived first - he'll take a table within sight of the door and face it so that it won't be difficult for Jaime to find him once he turns up.]

[the_fairest_flower]

[Jamie watches the door, realizing he probably should have asked more about Morrigan than he did. He looked up the picture on the network, though, and that gives him something to work with as he hurries into Honestea a little later than he intended.

He spots who he's pretty sure he's looking for and flashes an apologetic smile as he sweeps his way across the room to the table.]

Sorry I'm late, I got caught up leaving the house.

[Had to look just right if he's meeting someone for the first time.]

[rosebyanyother]

[Once Jaime does arrive, he'll be met with an expression of pleasant surprise from Peter. There aren't too many people in the city who present themselves like Jaime does - like Peter himself does - and so meeting anyone who does is always a welcome change. A smile makes its way onto his face and on instinct he gets to his feet as well.]

Not to worry. I often find myself in that situation.

It's a pleasure to meet you properly, Jaime.

[At that, Peter reaches out a hand.]

[the_fairest_flower]

[His own smile brightens - blossoms - at the sight of Morrigan's. Jamie accepts the hand offered to him and gives a gentle squeeze rather than a firm shake.]

There pleasure's mine, darling. You look lovely, if I may say.

[Jamie takes a moment to wave at one of the baristas - he's here all the damn time - and then slides into a seat across from where Morrigan was sitting.]

I can't believe we haven't met before.

[rosebyanyother]

[Peter's own smile is warm as he seats himself again, folding his hands on the table and leaning forward a bit.]

Honestly! You'd have thought our paths would have crossed at some point...

[Considering how they both dress. Speaking of which:]

You look lovely as well. Just to be sure, what pronouns do you use? Mine are he and him.

[It's asked with ease, as if it's the most natural question in the world. Which it is, of course.]

[the_fairest_flower]

He and him, [he echoes.] But I'll answer to almost anything.

[At this point his body is as much a costume as anything else and he changes it when he wants to. Though, even when Jamie changes, he never quite stops thinking of himself as him. The vestiges of his humanity, maybe. The ties that bind him to a more human world. Or just a habit.

He sits up more when his tea arrives and flashes a beatific smile at the barista before they leave.]

So. Corsets and shibari. And you like tying people up?

[rosebyanyother]

[Peter nods in recognition of that. It certainly isn't a foreign sentiment to him.

The question earns a bit of a smile.]

It can be very enjoyable, yes. Like creating works of art.

...I suppose the same can be said for putting on a corset. Or seeing someone else wear one. [There's a little grin.] Restriction of a slightly less intense nature.

[the_fairest_flower]

[Jamie relaxes back with his tea and smiles at the description Morrigan gives.]

That was my first interest in rope work, [he admits.] I might not consider it otherwise, but... I looked really good.

[He shrugs one shoulder. No false modesty here.]

And, that night at least, it was fun.

[He trusted Dorian and the bouncers to keep him safe, to make sure nothing untoward happened to him while he was strung up like an ornament. Jamie sips his tea and voices a soft hum of approval. And he thinks of the last time he was getting in and out of corsets with Dorian's help.]

Oh, I don't know. Corseting can be intense in a different way.

[rosebyanyother]

Yes, I suppose it can be.

[Peter smiles, maybe a little knowingly.]

More all-encompassing, at least.

[the_fairest_flower]

It'd been ages since I'd done it, but there was a lingerie fashion show at the Gray Room not too long back. I wasn't in the show, but I work there and I had costume changes, [he quips, looking particularly pleased with himself. Jamie had enjoyed himself thoroughly that night, both in his dressing room and in the club.]

What is it about shibari that you like? Have you been practicing it for very long?

[rosebyanyother]

Oh, I picked up the skill ages ago. I wouldn't say it's a particularly consistent practice of mine, but I do enjoy indulging in it now and and then.

[As for the other question, he tips his head to the side a bit as he considers.]

Well, as I've said, the art of it. I'm also fond of the precision that it takes to create the patterns properly. And, of course [Grinning a little at Jaime now.] I do like having someone in my care and under my control.

[In that order, really. Shibari can be sexual. It can also merely be stress relief. It doesn't have to be paired with anything but what it is.]

[the_fairest_flower]

[Jamie seems to consider what he wants to say next. He mulls over his tea and takes a drink from his cup. But, after a moment or so, he looks across the table at Morrigan again.]

I've been... thinking about trying more things like that, [he says as a start. He sits up a bit straighter.] But I've been cautious regarding who to ask.

[Cautious in thinking about who he would let make him so vulnerable. But the way Morrigan says it - having someone under his care - strikes a chord.]

Would you be willing to try it with me? On me?

[rosebyanyother]

It's good to be careful about it.

[Peter affirms with a little smile. He isn't always particularly careful when it comes to deciding who gets to take his reins - when that does happen, rarely - but that doesn't mean the general practice of caution isn't a good one.]

I would be willing to, yes. Though you might have to give me a bit of time. [Here, it's Peter's gaze that briefly dips to the table before he looks back up.] I've been a little distracted lately and that's not a mindset I should have in a situation like that. But I will certainly let you know when I'm feeling more up to it.

[the_fairest_flower]

I'm not in a desperate hurry. I'd rather you be comfortable.

[Jamie takes a drink from his mug and lingers over it. He does like the tea here and he's found a few blends that suit him just right. He loves the taste of flowers.]

Anything you want to talk about? [he offers.]

[rosebyanyother]

[He gives Jaime a faint smile but shakes his head. It isn't anything he really feels like getting into with a new acquaintance, honestly. Feelings are very hard and he trusts very few people with his. The fact that he's showing any sort of less than optimal mask is only because he has quite a bit of turmoil beneath it.]

Kind of you to ask but it's nothing terribly serious. [It is.] I suspect it will pass shortly.

[He is not.]

[the_fairest_flower]

[Jamie knows that look and he doesn't press, not now, not when things are so new. The mask is there for a reason and ripping it off in public would be rude.

So, instead, he offers a small smile and lightly taps Morrigan's foot with his own beneath the table.]

I hope that it does.

[Even if it won't.]

What if I help distract you? [he offers with a coy little smile.] What do you like to do when you aren't meeting wayward creatures like me?

[rosebyanyother]

[At that little tap and Jaime's description of himself, Peter's smile grows a bit.]

Hm. Well, I enjoy anything that affords good people-watching. I do spend quite a lot of time in bars for that purpose. Shopping...

[He has other, well, interests but they're not particularly socially acceptable ones and so he'll choose not to share those with Jaime.]

I like listening to music. I play a bit too, though generally not for anyone else.

[He likes. He's also only middling at it.]

[the_fairest_flower]

I adore people watching. And spending money.

[Jamie tips his head with a playful smile. It's too bad Morrigan is holding back: socially acceptable is overrated.]

I'm game for anything, darling. Your wish is my command.