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Post by Rochester on Mar 8, 2008 7:43:18 GMT -5
*Rochester led Valmont into the darkened room, pipe smoke in the air and the tinkling of glasses and laughter making it all the more inviting.*
"This suitable enough, sir?"
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Post by Valmont on Mar 10, 2008 14:33:11 GMT -5
"More than," *Valmont murmured, a small smile on his aristocratic lips.*
"You there--" *he indicated a waiter* "--your finest brandy."
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Post by Rochester on Mar 12, 2008 7:34:56 GMT -5
*Rochester lifted his hand and indicated to make that two. He accented the request with a wink before turning back to Valmont.*
"Where would you like to begin?"
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Post by Valmont on Mar 12, 2008 10:58:01 GMT -5
*Valmont gazed around.*
"A short time at the craps table, to make the thing legitimate. Then, I'm thinking, other entertainment."
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Post by Harry Flashman on Mar 12, 2008 14:56:52 GMT -5
Flashy had been having a good evening so far. The cards were falling his way - for once, damn them - and he'd already been recognised once as "the Hector of Afghanistan" - albeit only by some frog eating fop, but nonetheless, recognition was recognition and word would spread.
A couple more hands and then change games, he decided, don't do to stay too long at one game, d'ye see? Dulls the edge. And afterward, if me luck holds, I'll saunter off in search of other entertainment.
Looking up he spotted Valmont, recognising the fellow from that coffee shop he'd discovered on his first day in Paris. He nodded amiably and turned back to his hand.
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Post by Valmont on Mar 12, 2008 17:54:11 GMT -5
*Valmont nodded back. Flashman, he recalled. Bit of a dandy, but he talked a good game.*
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Post by Rochester on Mar 13, 2008 7:03:46 GMT -5
"Craps it is then."
*Rochester's dimple deepened as he strutted his way to the table. He was out of practice, to be sure, but things were coming back to him. It was delightful. He placed a few bets and leaned against the lip of the table, making glances at the others congregated there, casting a line to see what might bite this evening.*
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Post by Harry Flashman on Mar 13, 2008 9:19:29 GMT -5
"Not at all, old man, not at all," Flashy accepted the congratulations of his fellow card-players with good grace, and pocketed half the blunt. The rest he handed discreetly to the passing waiter with instructions to keep the drink coming for the gentlemen at the table.
He didn't need the money after all, easy come- easy go, and a reputation for largesse was always a good one. He stood up with a final "Evenin' gentlemen," and sauntered over toward the craps table, and the only familiar face in the room.
"Damn fine to see you again, monsieur," he said to Valmont, not approaching too closely, observing the game. "Take it you're in good health, eh?"
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Post by Valmont on Mar 13, 2008 9:32:05 GMT -5
*Valmont took up the dice for his throw. It was good to keep a hand in, every so often. Complacency, even in conspicuous leisure, did no one any good.*
"Excellent," *he told Flashman, taking his eyes from the table only briefly.* "Yourself? Rochester, this is Harry Flashman. Brilliant war hero and the like. Flashman, this is Rochester. Dissolute member of the English aristocracy."
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Post by Harry Flashman on Mar 13, 2008 12:28:56 GMT -5
"The very best type," said Flashy heartily, "Damn fine to meet you sir, damn fine."
He offered Rochester his hand and treated him to his best 'all good fellows together' smile, war hero indeed, but with a hint of rascal allowed to peek through.
"And don't pay too much never-mind to the old war-hero nonsense," he said with a chuckle, "the newspapers make far too much of the smallest things d'ye see?"
True enough, but don't dare believe it. His expression was one of stern duty.
"I was just doing my bit, along with everyone else, my only regret is that I couldn't save everyone. Too many good men didn't make it back, and if people say I did a good job... well I'm glad d'ye see? But at the end of the day, I'm just a soldier of the Queen. I'm sure anyone would have done the same, even right at the end, holding the gate alone and all that."
Time for a slight faraway look to the eyes, Flashy, he thought, and suited action to word. Then:
"Still, all in the past eh? What's your poison gentlemen? Flashy's in the chair."
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Post by Satan on Mar 13, 2008 15:53:49 GMT -5
*While spening the time off from work in the den, Satan happened to notice the unsuspecting man she'd once engaged in a friendly romp with.*
"Rochester darling!"
*She went over and kissed him on the cheek*
"So nice to see you again."
*She smiled*
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your charming friends?"
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Post by Harry Flashman on Mar 14, 2008 4:48:01 GMT -5
My God, thought Flashy, Who is this?
He gave a formal little bow allowing him to surreptitiously check her out from neck to ankles and back again. Capital. Just the right amount of everything and poonts like rugby balls. From the expression on her face she'll be an active little beast too. Kissed Rochester who's been described as dissolute so probably up for anything.
He didn't want to put himself forward till he'd been introduced, but he did try to meet her eye and give her a raise of the eyebrow complete with a scoundrel's gleam in his expression.
Test the water Flashy, thinks he, and we might be in luck here. Failing that I'll give her a squeeze when we play cards and see what happens.
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Post by Rochester on Mar 14, 2008 5:38:03 GMT -5
*He was just about to start bubbling about how that was a right spot of luck, them running into him in such a place when Satan appeared. Rochester's face colored slightly beneath its powder as he instinctively kissed her back.*
"Of course, darling. Of course."
*He half turned, opening his body for the introductions.*
"Darling, this is the Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont, a connoisseur of just about anything."
*He gestured to Flashman.*
"And this is Harry Flashman, war hero extraordinare."
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Post by Harry Flashman on Mar 14, 2008 5:43:40 GMT -5
"Heh, too kind by half," said Flashman, all embarrassed (too kind by a damn sight further than that if you only knew it), "Just Harry Flashman will do. Harry. Delighted to meet you,"
He took her hand to kiss it formally, lips barely brushing the skin. Bloody fop didn't even give them her name he realised. Still, easy way out.
He straightened up, looked the filly in the face and suddenly acted all embarrassed.
"D'ye know what, fool that I am, so busy looking I forgot to listen, didn't catch your name. Do say you'll forgive me. You are the forgiving sort, I can tell."
He grinned, just a little.
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Post by Rochester on Mar 14, 2008 5:52:02 GMT -5
((Poor Rochester. His manners are in question because I'm up at 5 am. Suck.))
*Rochester ruffled his cravat. How could he have been so uncouth.*
"Lucy. Gentlemen, this is Lucy."
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