With a vaguely uncomfortable feeling, Thaddeus took the collar from Alfarinn's hand. It really -was- an odd item to wear; he wondered if it was meant to protect the neck in some way. Really, if he'd been permitted to keep his shirt buttoned the collar would be unnecessary. However, he had seen that look in the pictures and had to assume Alfarinn knew what he was doing; at this point he was quite out of his depth.
He lifted up his arms to put on the collar, noticing as he did that the shirt rode up past his midriff. Great, another thing to be cautious of in this clothing. He struggled with the clasp for a moment, then, exasperated, turned to Alfarinn.
Could you possibly get this clasped for me? It's rather tight.
Fashion Emergency
Alfarinn carried several hanging bags of clothing and a few more bags with things like shoes and accessories, as well as the much needed visual proof up to Thaddeus's door. He had tried his best to pick things that would not cause the man to go running in the other direction and yet still look within the norms for the fetish club.
He could already guess what kind of battle he was in for so as a result he brought his own set of clothes with him. This could take a while. Besides if he came dressed already the man was likely to shut the door in his face and call the police.
The Anantya's amazing ability to see the world how he'd like it to be was endearing. Thaddeus seemed to be a mix of reality and his own optimism. Of course, he also noted the other man had a scathing wit that was quite the verbal weapon. As a person who moved in the world of social competition, this was also a trait Alfarinn admired as well.
Hoisting the hangers higher over his shoulder, he sat down the bags in his other hand and reached up to knock on Thaddeus's door.
Let Operation Anantya Update begin...
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn took a deep breath and tried not to attach any significance to the request. He knew damn well that Thaddeus had no idea that people dressed this way and had even less idea why.
"Of course"
He reached his hands around behind the Anantya's neck and carefully fastened the piece of leather. Willing his fingers not to linger longer than necessary, Alfarinn took a step back and crossed his arms.
He took a long look at Thaddeus, yes, this would work and was pleasant to work with. Alfarinn was quite grateful that his companion wasn't an empath at the moment.
"Much better." He said quietly and looked away, on the pretense of finishing up his own preparations.
"Of course"
He reached his hands around behind the Anantya's neck and carefully fastened the piece of leather. Willing his fingers not to linger longer than necessary, Alfarinn took a step back and crossed his arms.
He took a long look at Thaddeus, yes, this would work and was pleasant to work with. Alfarinn was quite grateful that his companion wasn't an empath at the moment.
"Much better." He said quietly and looked away, on the pretense of finishing up his own preparations.
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Thaddeus felt Alfarinn's cool hands at his neck, a slight tickle as a lock of hair touched his shoulder, and the clasp snapped firmly in place. He turned his head one way, then the other, attempting to adjust to this new constraint. His shoulder tingled, and he scratched at it absently as he selected his boots. Finally choosing a reasonably suitable pair, he carefully sat down on the bed to put them on. He was relieved to see that the act was possible.
Hmph. Much better indeed. I looked 'much better' before I changed.
For some reason finding the silence awkward, he chatted about the first topic to come to mind as he pulled on his boots and did up the laces.
I tried growing my hair long once, if you can imagine that. I think Sorin took film with that contraption of his, though I can only hope it is now destroyed; the look was most unflattering, made me appear effeminate.
He turned to look at Alfarinn, his laces complete, and pulled on his right glove.
It was a silly fancy. Seems to work for you though.
Hmph. Much better indeed. I looked 'much better' before I changed.
For some reason finding the silence awkward, he chatted about the first topic to come to mind as he pulled on his boots and did up the laces.
I tried growing my hair long once, if you can imagine that. I think Sorin took film with that contraption of his, though I can only hope it is now destroyed; the look was most unflattering, made me appear effeminate.
He turned to look at Alfarinn, his laces complete, and pulled on his right glove.
It was a silly fancy. Seems to work for you though.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn arched an eyebrow, trying to gauge whether or not the Anantya was being serious or insenuating something. There didn't seem to be anything behind the statement but empathy wasn't always so great at telling these more subtle emotions. It'd be stronger if he were actually touching.. Alfarinn decided not to go further down that line of reasoning and just accept the statement as a compliment and hope that it was intended that way.
"Thank you."
He sat back down on the bed and waited for Thaddeus to be finished.
"Most people know me as Arin. That is the name I go by these days. Are you wanting to go by Thaddeus. This is just a guess." Alfarinn smiled slightly. "but I'm thinking you'd not take too kindly to being called Thad. I can't say that I blame you, It doesn't suit you."
"Thank you."
He sat back down on the bed and waited for Thaddeus to be finished.
"Most people know me as Arin. That is the name I go by these days. Are you wanting to go by Thaddeus. This is just a guess." Alfarinn smiled slightly. "but I'm thinking you'd not take too kindly to being called Thad. I can't say that I blame you, It doesn't suit you."
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
Arin it is, then, thank you. And yes, I prefer Thaddeus, though even Thad is preferable to 'Lord Grey.'
Arin. Interesting.
Thaddeus looked down at his gloved hands, considering, then looked back at Alfarinn with a self depreciating expression.
I'm afraid it's not exactly an honorific when referring to me. My father, definitely, but not me. I had only recently come of age when I was turned, and so associate the title more with bad memories than good.
Thaddeus instantly regretted elaborating; he felt it was somehow...in poor taste to bring up one's life before turning, though it certainly wasn't a spoken rule by any means. He felt it made other people uncomfortable, and hoped he hadn't put Alfar...Arin off. At the same time, he couldn't help but shudder at the memory. Cornered and frightened and nearing starvation, the vampires in the alley, taunting him to feed, and when he wouldn't, couldn't bring himself too, it had begun. "Oh, Lord Grey's too good to feed, is he?"Â? "What's the matter Lord Grey, fangs not grow out yet?"Â? "Go on Lord Grey, eat! Won't hurt you, we -promise-."Â?
At any rate. We should go.
With that Thaddeus rose and opened the door to the bedroom, then turned expectantly to Arin.
Arin. Interesting.
Thaddeus looked down at his gloved hands, considering, then looked back at Alfarinn with a self depreciating expression.
I'm afraid it's not exactly an honorific when referring to me. My father, definitely, but not me. I had only recently come of age when I was turned, and so associate the title more with bad memories than good.
Thaddeus instantly regretted elaborating; he felt it was somehow...in poor taste to bring up one's life before turning, though it certainly wasn't a spoken rule by any means. He felt it made other people uncomfortable, and hoped he hadn't put Alfar...Arin off. At the same time, he couldn't help but shudder at the memory. Cornered and frightened and nearing starvation, the vampires in the alley, taunting him to feed, and when he wouldn't, couldn't bring himself too, it had begun. "Oh, Lord Grey's too good to feed, is he?"Â? "What's the matter Lord Grey, fangs not grow out yet?"Â? "Go on Lord Grey, eat! Won't hurt you, we -promise-."Â?
At any rate. We should go.
With that Thaddeus rose and opened the door to the bedroom, then turned expectantly to Arin.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn frowned slightly at this revelation. He distinctly remembered calling Thaddeus that very thing when they met. Of course he was under the impression that was his title. Which it seemed to be but obviously it had become somehow less than appealing to his companion.
"I do apologize then, Thaddeus. I didn't know." Alfarinn spoke quietly and looked down at the floor.
That would explain the reaction he had gotten that first meeting then. He could sense that whatever had happened was serious enough to be a definite source of discomfort and embarrassment. That is a shame. While no one called him by his title any more, very few even remembering what titles were to be had back then, Alfarinn felt that it should be a source of pride not a thing to be ashamed of. He would have said more but it would probably do more harm than good. Thaddeus was already embarrassed as it was.
"Of course."
"I do apologize then, Thaddeus. I didn't know." Alfarinn spoke quietly and looked down at the floor.
That would explain the reaction he had gotten that first meeting then. He could sense that whatever had happened was serious enough to be a definite source of discomfort and embarrassment. That is a shame. While no one called him by his title any more, very few even remembering what titles were to be had back then, Alfarinn felt that it should be a source of pride not a thing to be ashamed of. He would have said more but it would probably do more harm than good. Thaddeus was already embarrassed as it was.
"Of course."
Thaddeus Grey
18 years ago
As Arin walked by him, out the bedroom door, Thaddeus found himself holding out a hand to stop the other man's progress.
There is much we do not know about each other, though in this matter the benefit of the doubt was given before you spoke a word. It is inevitable that at times we will say things that we later discover are regrettable. As I...regret raising my voice, earlier. I hold no hard feelings whatsoever from our first meeting; it was a net gain in every way.
Ironically unsure if he had said the right thing, but feeling a bit better nonetheless, Thaddeus turned and started down the hall. The fact that he had snapped so harshly at the Evenhet had bothered him in the back of his mind, if for no other reason than because that sort of behavior was the exact opposite of the high minded "class"Â? he was trying to defend. Furthermore, he felt guilty for bringing up the uncomfortable subject, and wished to put Arin at ease.
For some reason such things were awkward to say. Perhaps silence would have been better.
Before he could brood any longer, he passed the hallway mirror and caught a reflection he hardly recognized save the familiar pale blonde hair.
Deciding he would have been better off not knowing, he pulled a face and moved on.
There is much we do not know about each other, though in this matter the benefit of the doubt was given before you spoke a word. It is inevitable that at times we will say things that we later discover are regrettable. As I...regret raising my voice, earlier. I hold no hard feelings whatsoever from our first meeting; it was a net gain in every way.
Ironically unsure if he had said the right thing, but feeling a bit better nonetheless, Thaddeus turned and started down the hall. The fact that he had snapped so harshly at the Evenhet had bothered him in the back of his mind, if for no other reason than because that sort of behavior was the exact opposite of the high minded "class"Â? he was trying to defend. Furthermore, he felt guilty for bringing up the uncomfortable subject, and wished to put Arin at ease.
For some reason such things were awkward to say. Perhaps silence would have been better.
Before he could brood any longer, he passed the hallway mirror and caught a reflection he hardly recognized save the familiar pale blonde hair.
Deciding he would have been better off not knowing, he pulled a face and moved on.
Alfarinn
18 years ago
Alfarinn was about to reply but Thaddeus turned to leave. Sighing, for having brought it back up. Still he wanted to make sure the Anantya had realized that he had not meant anything ill by it. He followed silently behind the smaller man in front of him which caused his mind to wander away from any further brooding on the subject. Thaddeus might not think so but he did look exceptional in what he was wearing.
Alfarinn chuckled softly when he noticed the man refusing to glance in the mirror. Oh well guess he'd have to make sure Thaddeus continued to look decent.
((OOC: Both out))
Alfarinn chuckled softly when he noticed the man refusing to glance in the mirror. Oh well guess he'd have to make sure Thaddeus continued to look decent.
((OOC: Both out))