Duplicity Inbox

[notfoul]

You have reached Thomas Barrow's voicemail. I am unavailable at the moment, but please leave a message and I will respond later. Thank you.

video | text | voice | action

Comments

[sixfeetofdirt]

"I've a couple of roles myself. I do custom embroidery for a boutique called Plumage, and I work in my partner's new jewellery shop, Obsidian."

It still feels a little strange. Having normal-person jobs. Doing honest work for honest money. Not that he's entirely stopped laying his hands on the odd bit of dishonest money, but where his sticky fingers end up is between him and the gods.

"I don't think I've ever visited the Neptune Lounge. Has it any particular selling points?"

[notfoul]

"Apart from myself?" Thomas says with a smirk before his expression sobers. "There are no distractions from the devices as you leave them at the door. You can smoke indoors, play cards, have a strong drink or tea and sandwiches if you're more interested in those. It also has a few rooms at the back to have a more intimate meeting if you want to make quota."

Taking another sip, he adds. "It's for those who are from a different time period or a world that isn't so used to modern things. A place for them to relax."

[sixfeetofdirt]

"Ah - I see. That sounds pleasant, actually."

He sips from his glass.

"...I'm not from Earth, as you might already suspect. My home has a great deal more magic, and a great deal less technology."

apologies for the delay

[notfoul]

"I'm close friends with a magic user here, although it doesn't exist where I'm from. Our technology is limited too, so it took me a while to get used to the city."

He laughs softly, thinking about how clueless he was in the beginning.

"Can you use magic?"

no worries!

[sixfeetofdirt]

"A little. I'm no wizard or sorcerer, but I've picked up a few things."

He summons a flame into his hand, letting Thomas watch it float and flicker over his palm, before dismissing it.

[notfoul]

“That looks like more than a few things.” Thomas replies, sounding impressed. “I think my most impressive skill would be fixing clocks, but I never went along with my father’s business.”

He doesn’t sound too bothered by the last part.

“How did you make a living back home?”

[sixfeetofdirt]

"I was a magistrate in the city I called home. Then I was a vampire, and it's rather difficult for the subjects of bestiaries and hunting parties to find paid work," Astarion says blithely.

[notfoul]

He lets out a low whistle at that. "Sounds like quite the life you've led." Thomas takes a small sip from his glass, wondering about the kinds of creatures that existed in Astarion's world.

"I often accompanied the Lord of the house and his guests on hunting parties. Sometimes in the grounds of the house or up in Scotland - it's another country where I'm from."

[sixfeetofdirt]

"I see. And what did your lordship hunt - game creatures, I'm assuming? Deer, boars? Most of the nobility I've encountered wouldn't level a weapon at anything that could put up much of a fight."

[notfoul]

"Deer, foxes, pheasants." Thomas replies. "So you're right. No animal that could really defend themselves from a gun." It was just part of his job as a butler, so he didn't have much of an opinion on the activity.

"Mostly for sport."

[sixfeetofdirt]

Astarion nods.

"I've encountered the type. Along with those who roam the countryside to hunt down ogres, gnolls, harpies - and dread creatures of the night such as myself, of course. Very much not for sport, no matter what they say to make themselves sound more dashing and heroic."

[notfoul]

"They sound like a bunch of pricks." Thomas replies with a frown. "Is there anyone in your world who protect beings like yourself and the others you mentioned?

He has his doubts, but he can't deny his curiosity about it.

[sixfeetofdirt]

"Ha - absolutely not," Astarion says, amused by the mere idea of it. "It would be like sheep seeking to protect wolves - our interests are, shall we say, at odds. I'll grant that not every monster hunter's quarry has the sense to avoid intelligent prey."

[notfoul]

"Ah. Then I'm sorry to hear that." Thomas replies with sincerity, his expression becoming serious for a few moments. "I don't think I would fare too well in your world. At least the hunting part. Perhaps if you were in need of a butler, I'd do alright."

He laughs softly, feeling amused.

[sixfeetofdirt]

Astarion shakes his head, smiling.

"I'm making it sound like it's all wilds and wickedness, but that's not the case - even as a vampire, I lived in one of my homeland's wealthiest cities. Plenty of men too rich to polish their own boots. You could quite easily have plied your normal trade."

[notfoul]

"Mm. Sounds like something I would take advantage of. I can do more than butler duties. I was a valet for a time - dressing the Lord of the house or a distinguished guest. Fixing his clothing and shining his shoes. Accompanying him on journeys."

Thomas pauses there before finishing his drink.

"Sorry. I don't mean to drone on about my work." He smiles. "Did you want another drink?"

[sixfeetofdirt]

"Please - the same again, thank you. And don't worry about boring me, darling; I'm learning about you, and your world," Astarion adds, reassuring.

[notfoul]

"Thank you." He ducks his head, smiling at the reasssurance. "Sometimes, I don't know what to tell people about myself. Not many asked back home." A pause. "I'll go get our drinks."

Thomas gets up from his chair and heads to the bar, ordering the same for the both of them. He returns a few minutes later, placing Astarion's drink in front of him.

"Here you are."

[sixfeetofdirt]

"Thank you."

Astarion waits for him to sit down.

"...It must have been quite the thing, to go from a life in service to being labelled a Dominant," he says, levelly.

[notfoul]

The comment give Thomas pause for a few moments before he nods, agreeing with it.

"It was. I didn't believe it at first, being given such a position. To have a different status and advantages over others is something I could only imagine back home. I've always tried my best to do right by my contract partners and not treat them any less equally. It wouldn't be fair."

[sixfeetofdirt]

"It wouldn't. But there's also a great deal of temptation to misuse any power you're granted after having so little - and that, I'm afraid I can say from experience. It's a compliment to you that you've resisted that urge."

[notfoul]

"Thank you." His response is genuine, and yet he also felt that he had to be honest. "But there have been times when I have thought of the power I could hold over others just to bring myself satisfaction. Mostly in the beginning, when I first arrived. I'm glad I didn't."

[sixfeetofdirt]

"A better man than I would have proven, in your situation. Not that I'm strictly glad to be a Submissive, but - I've found a good partner, and things have worked out as best they can. I certainly wouldn't have made any friends in my first months here, as a Dominant."

Likewise honest, in a way he can only really be in retrospect.

[notfoul]

"I'm happy to hear that you found a good partner, and that they look out for you. I've been lucky enough to find a decent partner as well." Charles had helped to ground him in a number of ways, but they weren't really quota partners.

"Can I ask why you think you wouldn't have made any friends as a Dominant in the beginning?"

[sixfeetofdirt]

"Oh, because I would have thrown my weight around horribly and abused whatever measure of power the city saw fit to give me," he says. He's self-aware enough to know he wouldn't have handled the responsibility very well. "I tend not to do things by halves, for better and for worse."