Cheeky piece

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Its a video call of one Anthony J. Crowley stepping out of a posh building eating a vanilla and chocolate swirled cone. ]

When you think about it sixty-five million isn't really so much to ask for a place like this in the middle of New York. Especially with all those terraces. Parking space for two cars. Concierge. More bedroom space than I'll ever need. And... ha! This might be the best part!

[ He laughed and attached a quick image to the post. ]

They don't want to take that painting with them so it would come with the place! You're an art restorer, what do you think of it, Mr. Fell? Cheeky piece. It's a bit like that play we saw last week, the one where you got all annoyed with me for magically upgrading our seats. I didn't hear you complaining when we ended up with that private box though did I?

[ He paused for a thoughtful lick of chocolate before it ran down the cone. ]

I never even dreamed of owning a place like this one before so of course I signed. What is the point of magic if you can't indulge?

Comments

[serpentinthegarden]

Would you believe I've been moonlighting?

[ And he didn't think Alec would go for that but he actually does love spoiling people he likes so he had to try. ]

[scotch_egg]

Doing what?

[in other words, not a chance in hell]

[serpentinthegarden]

I started playing a few nights in a piano bar, met a few fellas... It's fine! Anyway there is no way I'd actually pay that much for a place. I talked them down until it was a steal.

[scotch_egg]

Bullshit. Try again and the truth this time.

[serpentinthegarden]

That is the truth, mostly. I just left out the bits that involve magic.

[scotch_egg]

Did you... What... [he shook his head] Explain it to me.

[serpentinthegarden]

From the beginning or... Maybe it would just be better to show you?

[scotch_egg]

Christ. [he runs a hand over his face and then gruffly] Show me.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ He hummed, ate more of his ice cream cone, and shuffled a foot in the dirt. ]

In person? I don't think it works well over the phone.

[scotch_egg]

Fine. Come to the flat. [his he means. He doesn't trust that place somehow. It gives him the chills]

[serpentinthegarden]

Soon as I finish my ice cream.

[ He was over as soon as he was able to do that and retrieve his motorcycle from it's temporary parking space. It was dark by the time there was a knock at Alec's door. ]

[scotch_egg]

[there are several locks to unlock but once it's done he looks a bit more haggard than normal]

I'm not sure I want to know. [but he steps back to let Anthony in anyway and sprawls on the lumpy sofa]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony entered with a glance to all those locks as he closed the door behind himself. ]

Maybe not. I could... pretend it doesn't happen. You could go back to, what were you doing before I arrived? It smells like chips in here.

[scotch_egg]

That's next door. Haven't eaten yet. [he hasn't done shopping yet. Hasn't done much of anything. Has nothing to do but that's not here or there]

Might as well show me unless you plan to hide it forever. [he attempts to look relaxed and only manages to look more tense than ever]

[serpentinthegarden]

Show you... Right, I did say that.

[ He sauntered over, taking a seat on the lumpy sofa's arm like it was a perch. ]

Thing is, it would be difficult to show you if we are the only two here. What happens is I snap my fingers or look at some one in a certain way and they just give me whatever I want.

There's only you here. I couldn't really use it on you...

[scotch_egg]

Well that's not bloody terrifying at all. [he tried not to look at his cousin like he'd never seen him before but it was difficult] And you think that's the right thing to do, is it? Just manipulate people on a whim? Just because you can?

[it's terrifying in a way he can't explain]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Terrifying? Anthony sulked as he didn't see anything the least bit terrifying in it. ]

Why not? No one got hurt.

[scotch_egg]

How do you know that? How do you know they won't be hurt financially? Or maybe they can lose their jobs over it. Their livelihoods. How do you know that your... magic isn't warping them somehow?

Actions have consequences, Anthony.

[serpentinthegarden]

I know cause... these people were not hurting for money. Big Broadway types, they will land on their feet and it's not like I'm giving them nothing. Its just not the pie in the sky, never going to see that much money in a million years, number they actually wanted.

[scotch_egg]

[it still feels like fraud. Like something he shouldn't be doing.]

It's not right.

[not that he could stop him]

What if someone tried doing that to you?

[serpentinthegarden]

I think they would have a hard time trying it...

[ Unless it was that Anakin guy but no need to bring him up. ]

They got the place for a song I'm only doing the same thing they did.

[scotch_egg]

[he just gives him a look. Anthony can justify it to himself all he likes but they both know he's in the wrong]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ In the wrong maybe, but being wrong never felt so right. ]

I'm thinking about asking Fell to move in. Couldn't really do that with a dinky little one person place. There wouldn't be any room for his books.

And even if he's not into the idea... there is still plenty of room for visits. Mum can have her own room when she stops by, huge kitchen... She'll love that.

[scotch_egg]

Okay.

[there is no approval in his voice and he refuses to give it. He doesn't say he doesn't plan on coming over himself but he's pretty sure Anthony will figure that out]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ It's the very sort of 'okay' his mum might have given him right before a lecture started. Anthony's eyes rolled back as he growled up at the ceiling. ]

What? What do you want? Me to stay in that tiny flat, working hard every day and not getting anywhere??

It doesn't have to be like that anymore. We could live a little! Fine dining, luxury cruises on the river, we could get a table at Le Bernardin or Masa... two places I've only ever heard of but you need thousands to eat there.