tramitem_net | [video]

[Fell is filming from his work studio and seems to have forgotten to take off his apron, which has various paint stains on it. He's also wearing a pair of round glasses which he doesn't normally wear.]

I feel like I haven't been around all that much lately and for that I am terribly sorry. I really ought to keep up with you all, but work has gotten rather busy and--well, no one wants to hear about work.

[Other things have gotten busy as well, but angels don't talk about that sort of thing on public networks except when they forget themselves and DO discuss it, but that'll probably take some demonic influence to happen again. And by influence I really just mean presence.]

However, speaking of art, I DID want to come here to let you know about a charity event happening October 14th, hosted by a friend of mine. It will be located at [a place in Manhattan that I'm not naming because I did indeed fall down that rabbit hole of trying to look for a real place and in an effort to get this post out this decade, we're handwaving the location.]

It's a small art event to benefit programs supporting art education for children in need.

For $35 per person, supplies and refreshments will be included and lessons provided, should you like to follow lessons (though that is entirely optional). Normally this sort of thing, this "Paint and Sip" is done with wine, but she would like it to be family friendly, and so refreshments will include only non-alcoholic beverages. Children are welcome, though an adult is required for anyone 16 and under.

All proceeds will go towards the charities and funding future such events. There will also be a small art auction.

I believe that is all. If anyone is interested, I heartily suggest you look into the link I've provided below [Pretend I have provided a link, please.] And if you have any questions, I'll be happy to forward them along to her for answers.

It should be very fun and I do hope some of you can make it! [He grins at the camera, nose wrinkling with delight, and then turns it off to post.]

[ooc: now obviously this is just a thing that is happening and is not like an event. So idk if there will be conflicts with an actual event next month. But characters don't know these things (I don't either, tbh) so. yes. I'll try to make a top level mid next month for this, assuming nothing ingame prevents it from happening.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He can't disagree about camping, but...still.]

Well. I can't fault them for that. [About the drinking.]

But no, I didn't expect you to appreciate the art or help. The whole process--it's all very tedious and I think it might put you to sleep if you tried to pay any attention to it.

No, I thought you might find time to read, play on your phone, do whatever other quiet, non-bothersome activities you like. I understand you enjoy mysteries; I could bring a few from home. I wasn't asking for company of help, Alec. I was offering you a bit of sanctuary.

I'd rather meet in a library if you want to read mysteries. [a pause] What kind of mysteries? Who by.

Oh, I don't know. Agatha Christie, a few le Carré and Chandler. Of course some Dashiell Hammett. I like the whole theater of the classic detective novel. Doyle, of course. Would be a poor mystery fan without Sherlock Holmes on the shelf. What's his name, who wrote Woman in White--Wilkie Collins. I mostly go to the library these days--I'm running out of space in the flat.

If action suspense is more your thing, I might have a Jack Reacher book, but I make no promises.

Read all of those. Haven't tried Reacher but suspense is garbage. [he narrowed his eyes shrewdly] Poirot or Marple?

They're so different! How can you make me choose! It's like apples and oranges. You're awful, absolutely awful.

Marple.

That's what I thought, Grandmother. [now it was his turn to look smug] Make sure you wear a shawl now and mind you don't poke yourself with your knitting needles.

I should poke YOU with knitting needles.

[that makes him laugh] You're welcome to try. On the other hand you might succeed. I'd say I'd outrun you but that can't end well.

[the smile faded a little.]

Do you know, it's funny, the happiest I remember being is in a life I've never lived.

What do you mean?

I had a daughter. A little girl. Her name was Daisy and she was so tiny. Every little part of her seemed fragile, and easily broken-- and I remember thinking why me? What did I do to deserve something as beautiful as this?

[he shook his head]

I had a wife too, if you'll believe it, but I don't think it ended well. Probably the least surprising thing about this whole bloody disaster.

A father. [His expression goes all soft]
Oh, Alec--why not you? You would make a wonderful father. I'm certain Daisy must have loved you dearly.

A father. Goodness. I can just see it. [Imagine Alec with his arms full of a tiny swaddled baby, a little bitty hand curled around one of his fingers, his eyes full of love and soft joy.] Maybe you should consider adopting.

[damnit. That soft expression cuts him to the quick every time. He looked away, pretending to be busy with something else.]

Nah. Nothing to offer. Not money. Not time. Not patience.

I think there's more than enough of my side of the family running around. And some that we can't even be sure of.

[he didn't even want to know what Ellie would end up contributing]

What about you? Kids in the future?

[There's a soft exhale that is sort of a laugh about the more than enough Crowleys, but he disagrees that Alec has nothing to offer in raising a child. But maybe Ellie is young enough and has inclination enough to give Alec some nieces and nephews to dote upon.]

No. I-- I'm not very good with children. They're very sweet, when they're someone else's. I do worry Anthony would like some, however; would have had better luck with Grace, I'm afraid.

If that was all that mattered he would have stayed with her. [he met Fell's eyes.] Some people are more than worth what you have to let go.

[ He holds Alec's gaze through the screen a moment, then he inhales and looks away, re-rearranging his paint tools. ]

It's alright, Fell, whatever it is. It'll be alright.

[glancing up, tone fond] When did you become an optimist?

[a faint smile] Even a pessimist can hope.

[Oops, another soft, fond smile.] Suppose they can.

What are your hopes for yourself, Alec?

Eh? Sorry. Bad connection. [he didn't hear a damned thing] Listen, I'll talk to you later, alright? I'm late for work.

Alec, you heard me, I know you heard me--you... Ooo! You dreadful creature.

[he didn't. Not even a little. And he's gone. But he does spend the rest of his day mildly amused by Fell's parting words.]

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