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

Video

[scotch_egg]

[a very lengthily pause]

One of us is dreaming.

[serpentinthegarden]

Absolutely! And why not? I think I can do better than that tiny studio apartment I have now.

[ He senses doubt but presses on all the same. ]

Actually... Its more room than I need. You could always take up one of the spare rooms? It's a large room, has a balcony, private bath... It might even be bigger than the one you are living in now.

[scotch_egg]

How the fuck are you affording this? I know they don't pay you that much. [and he wouldn't anyway. Even if it didn't seem bizarre as hell.]

[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]

[chenqing_player]

....[Give him a minute because he's still trying to swallow down the price]

......

.....sixty-five..

[Okay now that he has recovered, he is ready to have a little fun with it.]

Since I didn't get to be the plaything of a god, how do I get on the ground floor of being the Live-in best friend to a demon?

[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]

Eh, I didn't really pay that much for it. That was just their starting point, the wishful thinking price. They knew they were never going to get that much, I just helped them see that.

It was worth mentioning the price just to see your face!

[ A more shocked person he had never seen! ]

You'd like it! The roof would make a great party space.

[chenqing_player]

[And Wei Wuxian does love to be on roofs and see the skyline and the stars.]

Well that is more money then I'll ever expect to see in my two lifetimes.

Ahhh...I better be invited to every party.

[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.