Ain't that family. Dick you over even when long gone or a complete mystery.
( He knows there are things Toby can't tell him. Can't physically speak out loud. Ancient, Fae magic. Go figure. His Fae power mostly lies within for his blackouts, but if it gets bad enough, he can go on the defensive and send someone flying. Sometimes, he can pick up on other people's thoughts. But, alcohol drowns them out. )
[Curse breaker, king breaker, her reputation has always been about solving problems the Fae don't want solved. And as much as she isn't sure who will be left behind when she does - whether it will be Ford or Faron - whoever that person is deserves to have all of their life.]
No offense, but you've been feeding me the same line. Not that I don't believe. I've just stopped hoping. Surrendered myself to the family name.
( And legacy. And, yes, when he says it out loud: curse. If only he were able to speak it out loud to anyone but Toby, to explain things besides, "I lose track of time" or "Get in moods," or "Wanderlust," which is his worst excuse he lost a couple he was seeing at the time over that.
Malina is a capable manager, maybe his best over time. He doesn't worry about his business when he does go off. But, now that things feel more serious. There's more to lose.
He hates that a breakup is an inevitability in his eyes. She deserves more. )
Something that's been going on this long isn't going to be easy to crack.
[Believing and hoping are usually the same thing, but she understands what he's saying. She moves to rest a hand on his arm, giving it a soft squeeze.]
And it's not a line.
[But she won't push any further. At least not right now.
Malina, down the bar, can't exactly hear what's being said, but she can read the body language. She doesn't like to think of herself as a jealous person but, well ... every time Toby shows up, her boyfriend disappears for a while. There has to be something there, but she's trying to trust.
( He knows, his gaze says. It's a promise. It's just one she's tried to keep up for longer than Malina has been an adult and much longer than Malina has worked for him. He has told her time and again, Toby is his assistant, and, yes, friend. But nothing more.
Even if he wanted to cross the line, he actually couldn't. It's ancient. It keeps everyone in their place and ensures he, Toby, the arbitration - it all remains objective. There could be no sexual attraction and no deeper romantic intimacy. It doesn't mean he can't not trust her with his life.
She is the first minder of his that he believes. She sees what happens generationally. She sees both sides. The other side of all that blank, lost time.
She's the first person that cares. The others just did their jobs.
His last one was assassinated before Toby found him.
The ball drops unceremoniously, with a loud countdown from the guests and shared kisses and pecks. He hesitates, then very briefly kisses her cheek. )
( he sighs and lets the rest of his drink sit, turning the glass in a circle against the bar. making a nice ring his bartender will have to clean at close.
looking up, he sees the face of a woman who's getting impatient. not with the job, but with the man behind it. )
Aunt Claire has her eye on another property in Battle Creek, Michigan. ( And because of that, his face already tells the story. To Malina, he and eccentric but exacting aunt Claire share an assistant. It's "easier" and he's tried time and again to find her other candidates. But, she insists what she needs done is paltry compared to what he needs.
Every now and again, she's his excuse because it's her money backing him. ) She wants me to go ahead next week. Get eyes on it. It's going to be "slow" here next month, so she's turning her eyes to what's next. Didn't even call me personally.
( it's at the end of the day and he'd just gotten back earlier this month so he hopes it lands how it needs. but as he gets advantages on deception he drops a (nat 20) )
[Maybe Cancun. Maybe just to Florida or California. She will browse their options and make sure she can find somewhere for them to tuck away for a little while.
( He closes his eyes, letting himself feel her embrace. Smiling. If it could be like this always and he wasn't beholden to a legacy he can't remember, things would be so different. )
[Malina pauses, just enjoying the moment of being here with him, and given that it is a brand new start to a brand new year, she tips forward, leaning in to kiss him softly.
She's doing her best to not do what she usually does. Not mistrust and suspect but just enjoy being present in the moment. She'll start here and hope that things can only go up.
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Okay. I'll talk to Helene, at least have her as a backstop.
[She'll drop by Battle Creek later. But on another note.]
I wish you could too. Life would be a lot easier all around.
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( He knows there are things Toby can't tell him. Can't physically speak out loud. Ancient, Fae magic. Go figure. His Fae power mostly lies within for his blackouts, but if it gets bad enough, he can go on the defensive and send someone flying. Sometimes, he can pick up on other people's thoughts. But, alcohol drowns them out. )
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[Curse breaker, king breaker, her reputation has always been about solving problems the Fae don't want solved. And as much as she isn't sure who will be left behind when she does - whether it will be Ford or Faron - whoever that person is deserves to have all of their life.]
It's all out there. I just have to find it.
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( And legacy. And, yes, when he says it out loud: curse. If only he were able to speak it out loud to anyone but Toby, to explain things besides, "I lose track of time" or "Get in moods," or "Wanderlust," which is his worst excuse he lost a couple he was seeing at the time over that.
Malina is a capable manager, maybe his best over time. He doesn't worry about his business when he does go off. But, now that things feel more serious. There's more to lose.
He hates that a breakup is an inevitability in his eyes. She deserves more. )
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[Believing and hoping are usually the same thing, but she understands what he's saying. She moves to rest a hand on his arm, giving it a soft squeeze.]
And it's not a line.
[But she won't push any further. At least not right now.
Malina, down the bar, can't exactly hear what's being said, but she can read the body language. She doesn't like to think of herself as a jealous person but, well ... every time Toby shows up, her boyfriend disappears for a while. There has to be something there, but she's trying to trust.
Even if it isn't what comes naturally.]
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Even if he wanted to cross the line, he actually couldn't. It's ancient. It keeps everyone in their place and ensures he, Toby, the arbitration - it all remains objective. There could be no sexual attraction and no deeper romantic intimacy. It doesn't mean he can't not trust her with his life.
She is the first minder of his that he believes. She sees what happens generationally. She sees both sides. The other side of all that blank, lost time.
She's the first person that cares. The others just did their jobs.
His last one was assassinated before Toby found him.
The ball drops unceremoniously, with a loud countdown from the guests and shared kisses and pecks. He hesitates, then very briefly kisses her cheek. )
Happy New Year, Toby.
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Malina takes a breath, before making her way over, and leaning over the bar.]
Everything okay with Toby?
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looking up, he sees the face of a woman who's getting impatient. not with the job, but with the man behind it. )
Aunt Claire has her eye on another property in Battle Creek, Michigan. ( And because of that, his face already tells the story. To Malina, he and eccentric but exacting aunt Claire share an assistant. It's "easier" and he's tried time and again to find her other candidates. But, she insists what she needs done is paltry compared to what he needs.
Every now and again, she's his excuse because it's her money backing him. ) She wants me to go ahead next week. Get eyes on it. It's going to be "slow" here next month, so she's turning her eyes to what's next. Didn't even call me personally.
( it's at the end of the day and he'd just gotten back earlier this month so he hopes it lands how it needs. but as he gets advantages on deception he drops a (nat 20) )
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You would think that would be easier. Unless they're screwing over Toby by not paying her for all this travel she's doing.
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Toby is on a salary and her travel is taken care of. Aunt Claire is as old world as they come. Very, I beckon from on high, you come.
( She's why Malina also has an enviable salary. )
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[But she can't argue with the way the old money folks like to do business.]
When do you have to go?
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( He leans in close, intimate. He steals the time he can, because he only has so much. )
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[She'll match that lean, reaching out to play with the collar of his shirt.]
Guess we better make the most of the start of the year, then.
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( He leans forward, pressing a kiss to her lips. The regulars know who she is to him. It's close to after hours. )
Sorry my time's so unpredictable.
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Not like I didn't know what I was getting into. I just wish you could tell me more sometimes.
[It feels like it doesn't feel she can be trusted. Then again, she's keeping her own secrets, for better or worse.]
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( Except when he is away and Toby fields his calls, often rolling them, but usually picking up for Malina. )
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Maybe we should take a trip together. Maybe a vacation?
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( Maybe there's a clause, some kind of, he can have uninterrupted time, exception. )
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Okay. Any preferences on locations?
[She can start doing some research.]
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( He can use sunscreen. And also redden. )
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[Maybe Cancun. Maybe just to Florida or California. She will browse their options and make sure she can find somewhere for them to tuck away for a little while.
Hopefully Toby will let them.]
Unless you want me to surprise you?
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( Gives him a taste of his own medicine. Feels more equal. And, he's curious what she will pull together. )
I can answer vague questions, but it's ultimately up to you.
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[She winds her arms around his neck, as she moves in closer.]
Just let me know what dates are good.
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( He closes his eyes, letting himself feel her embrace. Smiling. If it could be like this always and he wasn't beholden to a legacy he can't remember, things would be so different. )
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[Malina pauses, just enjoying the moment of being here with him, and given that it is a brand new start to a brand new year, she tips forward, leaning in to kiss him softly.
She's doing her best to not do what she usually does. Not mistrust and suspect but just enjoy being present in the moment. She'll start here and hope that things can only go up.
Maybe make it her New Year's resolution.]
Happy New Year, Ford.
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