|
Luigi Fabri: Where Asbolus had instructed Luigi to pick him up is where he had directed the car service. The modern Lincoln was not overly large, but the back was comfortable, and when it reached the corner, Luigi emerged to greet his partner for the evening dressed in his hessians, breeches, and a chocolate colored tailed coat that was entirely a hundred years too late. And yet, worked just splendidly. "Buonasera! Spero di non averti fatto aspettare?" Luigi said, arms outstretched, in preparation for a very old European style greeting.
Asbolus: The building in question was in the northern part of town not too far from UPenn's main campus, and the man himself was dressed up from their last encounter in an all-black ensemble. His eyebrow arched as Luigi emerged although a smile soon followed, coming in for the proper greeting. "I'm afraid my Italian is rather rusty these days..."
Luigi Fabri: "Ah yes, forgive!" he said after the hug and cheek kiss. "I was merely wishing you a proper evening, and hoping I did not keep you waiting?" Luigi held open the door for him. "You are very...sharp looking tonight."
Asbolus: "Not at all, no." Asbolus moved to enter the car, smirking a touch at the compliment. "As are you, if i may say so."
Luigi Fabri: "Grazi," Luigi stated, slipping in and sitting across from Asbolus, back to the driver. He used his crown crested cane to rap on the glass to signal the driver, and the car set off. "It does us no good to be fashionably late to a show, unlike a party. We shall be there with time to spare. Balcony seats in the Merriam are .." He kissed his fingers to express his delight. "Have you seen this show?"
Asbolus: "Quite welcome." Asbolus nodded, getting settled as the car rolled onwards. "I have not, no. Looked into it a bit after you mentioned it but not too much. Would rather come in fresh, as it were. Yourself?"
Luigi Fabri: Luigi grinned. "I have not. It is lucky for us, then, the Merriam is showing it- fresh performances for experienced eyes." The rode on, and Luigi watched outside the window, a smiling statue. "Have you thought more about my offer? Nothing in your situation has changed that would make it untenable?"
Asbolus: "I have, and I'm still interested and available to take up the position if you'll have me."
Luigi Fabri: "I know I said tonight would be a matter of making certain our personalities did not clash," Luigi replied with a nod. "But I sense this will not be an issue, and indeed, I would still have you as my Keeper of the House." He reached to the empty seat next to him, and produced a dark blue folder carrying paperwork, presumably hiding in the darkness of the car. He held it out towards Asbolus. "Standard employment and tax paperwork. Unless you prefer this be...more discreet."
Asbolus: "No need for a sub rasa arrangement, no." Asbolus took the folder when it was offered, taking a moment to look through it as he continued. "Can get this back to you by tomorrow easily enough."
Luigi Fabri: "No hurry needed on those," Luigi assured him. The paperwork was all standard, and the salary on the job offer letter was for an even 120,000 a year. The car took another turn, and pulled in front of the Merriam. "Ah, here we are. Do I have anything in my teeth?" he joked, flashing a grin, even as the driver opened the door.
Asbolus: Asbolus' eyebrows climbed up briefly as he saw the salary amount, clearly not expecting that much, although he managed to smooth out the surprise on his features in short order. He set the folder aside as they pulled up to the theater, smirking a touch at the question. "You're in the clear."
Luigi Fabri: The driver took the car away once they were out, and Luigi lead them towards the will call box, his cane tapping a happy rhythm as he walked. Their tickets were waiting, and the Ventrue made an after you gesture. "I must admit, it is awfully trusting of you to attend such as this with me," Luigi noted.
Asbolus: Asbolus kept even pace with Luigi as they headed for the will call, giving the Lord a curious look. "How so?"
Luigi Fabri: "Look at me," Luigi insisted. "Who in their right mind dresses like they should be in the ..what was it called...the Constitutional Convention." He chuckles, and offers Asbolus his ticket. "All I am missing is the wig. Did they wear wigs then? or was that just the Old World?"
Asbolus: "I believe that was still the fashion at the time, yes." Asbolus chuckled, taking the offered ticket. "I've come to find that Philadelphia is rather accepting of the more esoteric sartorial choices of its denizens, and who am I to be any different?"
Luigi Fabri: The various glances Luigi received certainly were not noticed or cared about by the Ventrue. He took a slow pace towards the stairs that would take them to their box seat. "Indeed. And the boots are surprisingly comfortable once they are properly..ah..broken in," Luigi noted. He pulled out a pair of old fashioned viewing lenses, complete with gilded holding stem, and offered them to Asbolus. "A gift."
Asbolus: "I can imagine." The Darkling claimed his seat once they reached the box, pausing when the viewing glasses were offered before taking them. "Thank you...I'm honored."
Luigi Fabri: "I know not if you need them," Luigi stated, "but why not go for the complete as they say, experience?"
Asbolus: He gave a small smile at that, looking the lenses over. "I don't need them normally, no...rather keen-eyed, in fact. Not opposed to the experience, though."
Luigi Fabri: "They are not antiques. I had them custom made," Luigi noted. "I have not needed them for some time, but I too like the experience." He pulls out his own set, burnished, aged silver, where Asbolus's were golden. "I will not lie- I admit I am hoping this spurs you to reconsider your own acting career. A stretch, I know you say you have complications that limit you...."
Asbolus: "I see..." Asbolus nodded, admiring the gift all the more for it. "It's not for a lack of desire, I'll say that."
He paused, thinking a moment before looking back to Luigi. "You asked me previously if I was an 'associate' of Mearcstapa as well as a friend. What did you mean by that precisely?"
Luigi Fabri: Once in their seats, Luigi leaned towards him to be able to speak softly. They were along in the box balcony, but still, it was a Theater- sounds carried oddly. "I know...about Maestro Mearcstapa, what he really is, and not just a security consultant. It is...unwise to assume, forgive, that any of his associates would be the same, but there are...considerations I must tend to if you are."
Asbolus: Another small nod was given, Asbolus' gaze on the stage below as he answered just as quietly. "We are of a kind, yes. That has led to complications in question; when I departed someone was left in my place, and he is still quite active in the local theater community. We are on good terms in general, but due to his current role getting back on the stage myself isn't feasible."
Luigi Fabri: "Ah....I see. I have heard about this curiosity," Luigi said with a nod, watching the stage through his glasses. "What if there was a way to manage such a thing, with a modern usage of publicity? Would you reconsider it?"
Asbolus: "Potentially." He spared Luigi a look. "What do you have in mind?"
Luigi Fabri: "It would take time, but it is not unheard of for my kind to manipulate media," Luigi explained. "I am certain all do, but it certainly, without being braggart, something we excel at. It is possible to alter records so that a cousin moves to this city to join his family in the art. Make a public spectacle out of it, and it will make the records change more...credible."
Asbolus: "It is an idea that has crossed my mind, in truth. I have options available as far as a...thorough dose of makeup, as it were, and getting paperwork to match would make that easier to make use of."
Luigi Fabri: "It is an idea- I have not taken any steps, and would not do so without your go ahead, but we can make your employment with me part of the process," Luigi stated, thinking of the folder of paperwork in the car. "And really, a haircut, glasses, beards would be enough, unless you have other means. "
Asbolus: "The latter two would only add to the similarities in our appearances, in this case. He keeps his hair longer than I do currently, though. " He allowed himself a small smirk at that. "I think for the moment letting Mister Sharpe settle in to the role as your seneschal first may be best. If I do move forward on that front your assistance would be greatly appreciated, however."
Luigi Fabri: "Then you shall have it when you desire it," Luigi declared, still quietly. "This leads to my next concern. You should know that the theater is...my point of power. I have taken measures to protect it as such. And those protections could be...harmful to you, as I have found with Maestro Mearcstrapa. Accidentally of course."
Asbolus: Cue another curious look, along with a small nod."Noted...what sort of protections, if you feel comfortable saying?"
Luigi Fabri: "Possibly some of the most powerful illusions you could imagine," Luigi stated. "I assure you everything in there is real, but if need be, I can make anything, or anyone, within the theater look like whatever I wish. There are , I should warn you, three stairwells that are hidden, and only I could reveal them. I could make an intruder go in circles as long as I wish."
Asbolus: "Ah...that could potentially cause some issues, yes." He sat back in his seat as he mulled that over. "Being informed of where not to be when such protections are activated if I'm on site should be sufficient, I imagine."
Luigi Fabri: "I do no ...think I could say any specific place," Luigi admitted. "It would be a response to any particular attack, so...don't be near the attacker." Luigi gave a wane chuckle.
Asbolus: "Understandable." Asbolus nodded, giving the other man a reassuring look. "I won't take any offense at you doing what you need to do to protect yourself. If something comes up I'll manage."
Luigi Fabri: "Would it help to just close your eyes?" Luigi asked. "Of course, that might limit your own response to defending yourself."
Asbolus: "That would make self-defense more difficult, yes. It could help in the moment, though."
Luigi Fabri: "So noted," Luigi said, using Asbolus's own phrasing with a smirk. He turned to focus on the show for a while. When the intermission hit, the Ventrue did not bother standing to stretch or any such notion of humanity. "What do you think so far?"
Asbolus: "I'm enjoying it so far." The Darkling, on the other hand, did take a moment to get up and stretch a bit. "I can relate to having teachers tell me that what I wanted to do wasn't 'real' enough...rather glad I didn't listen."
Luigi Fabri: "You went to a public school?" Luigi asked
Asbolus: "For primary and secondary, yes. Went through Oxford for my degree in theater, though." He paused a moment, smirking a touch. "Or UPenn, I should say, going by my current paperwork."
Luigi Fabri: "Hah...so you would say this experience here, no doubt embellished, is not unheard of?" Luigi asked. "Forgive, I am curious. I was, as you might say, homeschooled. Tutors, so the ....politics of dealing with fellow students and teachers was not something I experienced. Unless you count an older brother harrassing you during fencing lessons?"
Asbolus: "It's not, no. Teachers can run the gammut from encouraging to disparaging, but I was lucky enough to have more of the former." He chuckled at the mention of the sibling 'love', however. "Know how that goes...I have two older brothers and they were both far more athletic than I, so I got a proper ration from them both. We got along well overall, though."
Luigi Fabri: "That is good! I should say, my brother had me assassinated, so that is where our familial relation ended," Luigi said with a smirk. He seemed not at all bothered by such. "Did you...contact your family after...I understand you are captured by something and then escape? -After your escape."
Asbolus: Asbolus blinked at that particular tidbit, nodding after a moment. "I can imagine...I assume that's what led to your current state of being?"
"I have not directly, no. I've been kept abreast of how they're doing through my replacement, however."
Luigi Fabri: "Is that normally such an amicable relationship? I have tried to imagine what it would be like to be replaced, and it only fills me con furia!" His voice rises a bit, and he takes a moment to collect himself. "Yes, the actions of my brother are how I have ended up here. If he were alive, I would thank him, but ultimate justice...or vengeance if you prefer, was mine. Mind you, I did not have him killed."
Asbolus: "Not usually, to my knowledge. It was as much a surprise to him when I returned as it was for me when I found him in my apartment, and after a rather long conversation we decided it was more beneficial to us both to keep things civil rather than be at each other's throats. And, truthfully, I wasn't in a state to step back into the life he had led for the years I was gone when I initially came back, so it worked out better to have time to settle and figure out my future path." He nodded quietly as the Lord continued. "Karma came back for him, perhaps?"
Luigi Fabri: "That is good you and he came to an accord," Luigi allowed. "As for my brother? Perhaps it is as you say, karma, but I worked for it. He had me killed so he could take and inherent my title, but I managed to work from the shadows, and got my son, despite not being in his majority, to become the next Duke. And my brother was left quite destitute. "
Asbolus: "Ah...I see. A much more potent punishment, I would say...death is usually rather final, after all."
Luigi Fabri: Luigi chuckled. "Typically, yes. Oh, intermission seems done," he noted as the lights dimmed. The viewing glasses came out, and he settled in to watch the second half. Towards the later part, after 'My Man, Your Boy', Luigi found himself standing with most others applauding intensely. "Mio dio, è stato bellissimo."
Asbolus: Asbolus reclaimed his seat as the lights went down, watching the action on stage with interest. He joined in on the applause, smiling warmly. "Indeed...most impressive."
Luigi Fabri: "Oh? Parli italiano?" Luigi asked quietly. "Or was that a lucky guess?" There was a soft chuckle.
Asbolus: "I know bellissimo, at least." He chuckled in kind. "I do know French and Latin, for what that's worth."
Luigi Fabri: "Bien. Nous pouvons utiliser le français comme langue discrète si besoin est," he noted, then fell into statuesque silence to finish the show. When it was done, he rose again, with everyone else, cheering the cast on for their performance.
Asbolus: "Bon à savoir." Asbolus replied with a small smirk, turning his attention back to the stage as the show continued. He rose with the rest of the audience as the cast came out for their curtain call, clapping enthusiastically.
Luigi Fabri: Luigi stood, even after the encore, even after the lights came up, and just watched the audience as they mingled and left, from the balcony. "Well...what did you think of the show. Details and specifics are important- I need to know my Keeper of the Theater can assess performances properly!"
Asbolus: "Rather solid all around. I did notice Pritti's actress miss a mark once but she recovered well, and the company worked well together in general. Didn't see any major issues with the stage work, either."
Luigi Fabri: "Oh? You saw this missed mark. Excellent," Luigi noted. "West End performances typically do not attract the same quality in the tours as Broadway does, at least in this country. But this well done performance puts the rest to bed." Luigi gathered his cane. "I forget, did you already eat?"
Asbolus: "So I've noticed." Asbolus nodded, making an 'after you' motion towards the door out. "I haven't yet, no."
Luigi Fabri: "Ah. I sense that our dinner arrangements are quite different," Luigi noted with a wry smile. "Foolishly, not part of my plans."
Asbolus: "Most likely, yes." Asbolus replied with a small smirk. "I can get something at home, though; wouldn't want to impede things on your end."
Luigi Fabri: "Was the location you were picked up your home?"
Asbolus: "That it is, at least for the time being. Looking into getting into another place soon, though."
Luigi Fabri: Luigi nods. "I spotted someone I need to...ah..meet, if you forgive. The car can take you home, oh wherever you need."
Asbolus: "Of course." Asbolus nodded in return, offering Luigi a hand and a proper smile. "Thank you for the lovely evening, and I look forward to working with you."
Luigi Fabri: The Ventrue took the offered hand with his gloved hand, and shook firmly. "The pleasure was all mine. Yes, this is something to look forward to. This evening bodes well to our future endeavors."
|