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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 15:46:54 GMT -5
WHO LET THAT DAMN VAMPIRE IN HERE
Adrian was silent for a long time. He understood far, far better than he could let Adrien know.
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Post by Adrien Baillon on Sept 5, 2009 15:54:19 GMT -5
((I was about to go to bed! I didn't have time to login as Adrien! *humph*))
After a moment, fearful that this silence was disapproval, Adrien gently touched Adrian's face, tilting his head to look him fully in the eyes, silently asking if this was okay.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 15:57:33 GMT -5
"I understand," he said finally.
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Post by Adrien Baillon on Sept 5, 2009 16:02:03 GMT -5
After a moment, not sure whether this was a good time to forge on ahead or not, Adren said hopefully, and a bit uncertainly, "So do this mean, that you'll... um. About my salary, this is....?"
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 16:21:14 GMT -5
"If you'd prefer," Adrian relented. "I don't think you realize how uncomfortable it is for me to leave you inadequately compensated."
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Post by Adrien Baillon on Sept 5, 2009 17:55:00 GMT -5
Adrien spoke gently, hand on Adrian's arm, trying to reassure him in a way that was obvious to everyone but himself. "But it's so much. It's far, far more than just adequate. I mean... I could understand if you, if you were tryng to make sure I... " He bit his lip. "I wouldn't tell anyone about us. But surely you know now, don't you, that I would never do that?"
After all, the other half of his discomfort had always been the strong sense he was being paid more than even a blackmailer would charge.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 17:58:49 GMT -5
"It also happens to be the standard salary for someone in your position within the organization," Adrian remarked coolly. "You are paid only less than Melissa was, may she rest in peace."
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Post by Adrien Baillon on Sept 5, 2009 18:03:38 GMT -5
Adrien looked shocked. "I - really? - am? I... that's a lot."
But it was said in a dazed sort of way, as he sorted this out. On the one hand, he clearly felt relief that he was not being paid off as a precaution, as he'd thought for such a very long time (he had told this to Divine. Divine had found this delightful. "Ooo, scandalous! Like a novel!" - had been the general response. That had not been the sympathy he'd been hoping for).
On the other, he still didn't want so much. He decided, after a moment of lips-parted hesitation, to plunge ahead and make another confession, this one smaller than the rest.
"Ummmmmm. Most of it ends up donated," he said, looking up at Adrian and biting his lip. "I can't... I can't keep that much. It's not right."
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 18:11:30 GMT -5
A shadow seemed to pass over Adrian's face, followed quickly by a smile calculated mostly to force it away.
"I can't argue with that, then."
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Post by Adrien Baillon on Sept 5, 2009 18:12:18 GMT -5
Adrien only caught it dimly.
"So you'lll - ?"
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 18:16:38 GMT -5
"I suppose."
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Post by Adrien Baillon on Sept 5, 2009 18:21:45 GMT -5
He smiled very brightly and genuinely at him. "Oh, thanks. Thank you. Adrian." His hand slid down his arm, rested on Veidt's a moment, and then he leaned forward to pick up his crumpled shirt again and dress.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 18:32:12 GMT -5
"Unless you'd rather just keep giving it away..."
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Post by Adrien Baillon on Sept 5, 2009 18:34:00 GMT -5
"No; that feels weird," he said as he'd dressed, not thinking to explain or that it wouldn't make sense in the first place.
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Post by Adrian Veidt on Sept 5, 2009 18:44:53 GMT -5
Adrian was beginning to look annoyed.
"You understand that it'll raise suspicion from my bookkeepers if I suddenly drop off your salary, don't you?"
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