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Post by Valmont on Nov 25, 2008 18:31:19 GMT -5
The man was so desperately eager to place, it made Valmont quite giddy. Somewhere deep inside, of course. No trace of it showed in his calm exterior. In anyone else, he'd have felt overtly propositioned, but he did not think that was the case, here. Oh, he was certain he could maneuver Cunningham into bed in three moves or less, but that wasn't his interest, here. No, his interest was rapidly becoming determining how far he would go.
"If only there was some way I could help," he said. "I hate to see a visitor to my fair city so cruelly left to his own devices. It reflects so poorly on us all." He paused, and then hesitantly, as if quite imprudently speaking as he thought it out, he continued. "What if... I were to find some occupation for you? If it is not too presumptuous of me. Just temporary, of course. Something to assuage the stretch of hours."
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Post by Gawain on Nov 26, 2008 8:40:33 GMT -5
((Hmm...poor Gawain, gonna get abused because I'm a bad author. Just let me know how I need to swing this.))
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Post by Archie Cunningham on Nov 26, 2008 13:07:43 GMT -5
((Brandi: Valmont is making stuff up to try and see how Archie responds to being treated in such a fashion. I'm sure Gawain is going to be okay.))
Archie wasn't tense, almost never, but he was never quite relaxed, either. There was a certain strain, however, to him, more than there was a laxness. He was like a string on a violin, held taut, waiting for the bow to come and provoke a sound from him. And that was what Valmont had been up until this point, the tickling bow, earning the natural note that particular string happened to be. Now, however, Valmont also was the fingertip pressing on a particular area, trying to see what other notes he could get, sliding higher and higher up the neck... And Archie answered to everything. He was so compliant, in his movements appearing simply to await the word, very responsive in the tilt of his head or the movement of his hands or in the lifting or lowering of his eyelids to every word Valmont said.
"Not too presumptuous at all, my lord," he said, a certain brightness, combined with a certain modesty, giving this note a unique tone. His eyes were very much open and seemed particularly alert. He almost hesitantly smiled, but did not look away. "I would be eternally grateful to you for the privilege."
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Post by Valmont on Nov 26, 2008 13:51:52 GMT -5
Valmont was convinced the fellow actually meant it and was completely unaware of the artistry Valmont was putting into the thing. For he could feel the strings quivering under his fingers, and wondered whether they thought they played themselves or eagerly awaited the touch of a master.
"It is I who am grateful," he said with relief. "It gives my visit an unexpected purpose. Then I may call upon you? For small favors, now and again, to which I cannot trust one less capable?"
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Post by Archie Cunningham on Nov 26, 2008 14:27:16 GMT -5
Archie did not know much about being more capable than anyone else, and that was the only sentence that gave him any pause; but he was not aware of the reason for his pausing, and therefore took very little note of it. He did believe that he would carry out the smallest thing, his every caprice, with a certain delicate touch and conscientiousness that someone else would not bestow upon it, although he didn't suppose Valmont himself realized just what a perfect servant Archie was. He would certainly have been blushing if he thought he were being that much appreciated.
Archie seemed incredibly flattered and honored by this unexpected pleasure and was, for a moment, quite speechless. "Sir, I would be honored," he said. "And no favor is too small that can be carried out with great reverence."
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Post by Valmont on Nov 26, 2008 16:58:04 GMT -5
"You are a man after my own heart, then, M. Cunningham," he said. The man's obsequiousness bordered on the pathological, and it was quite heartening to witness. He very much hoped the right task would present itself, when the time was appropriate. "How fortunate we are to have met." He would leave him without a task, for now, on tenterhooks awaiting that first assignment.
He crossed one leg over the other.
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Post by Archie Cunningham on Nov 26, 2008 17:07:03 GMT -5
"The fortune is primarily on my part," said Archie very easily, smiling with a certain air of privilege. It did seem that way, for even if Valmont was a very luck in gaining such a fine servant in such an impressionable person, it seemed to Archie that he could not make much of a mark on Valmont's life, although Valmont would very much leave an imprint in his. He was almost giddy at the thought of this. He had always been a fine servant himself, but had not had the opportunity to serve someone who stirred him as Valmont had. Even now, when he wasn't saying probing questions that left Archie imbalanced, he seemed enormously magnetic. "I greatly look forward to serving you in whatsoever capacity as you prefer."
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Post by Valmont on Nov 26, 2008 17:41:15 GMT -5
It was a dangerous statement to make, and Valmont fully intended to take Cunningham at his ill-considered word. The fortune was all Archies, Valmont agreed, but it didn't hurt to flatter the help once in awhile. If it served.
"I'm delighted to hear it," Valmont said. And feeling that his visit had served its purpose--and prolonging it would serve no other--he rose to go. "But I fear my schedule bids me elsewhere, unless my man has bungled that as well. I do apologize for the intrusion, M. Cunningham. Though I am happy it brought us to our current understanding."
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Post by Archie Cunningham on Nov 27, 2008 15:29:46 GMT -5
Archibald stood quickly, not to appear lazy in the man's presence for a single moment. He swept another deep bow.
"I remain, then, your humble servant," he said with a smile that in no way mocked the sentence.
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Post by Valmont on Nov 28, 2008 11:32:53 GMT -5
Indeed he did, Valmont thought. In every way, at least as far as Archie himself was concerned. Oh, this could be delicious. He inclined his head grandly (though as with everything he did, there was a slight informality to his formality).
"Monsieur," he said. "Until we meet again." He favored Cunningham with a slight smile as he turned to go.
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Post by Archie Cunningham on Nov 28, 2008 18:13:15 GMT -5
Archie himself nodded cordially, although for him it was not informality that tinged his gesture, but a certain affectation, almost a coyness, although far too naive to be knowing of it.
Now this was terribly flattering. He felt distinctly annoyed with himself that he knew less of the Vicomte than he would have liked. At least Englishmen he knew where to look - there were always books about the Peerage in England. In France, however, he would be just floundering about in nothingness. Well, detective though he certainly was not, there had to be some way to learn of him. He'd have to try.
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