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Valmont ⬤ Jackie Chan Adventures
residential district ⬤ Level 2
moonblessing ⬤ Iris

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Action - Just before the event

[searchingforlove]

[Manuela has been preparing her new place to be suitable to her needs and that's meant picking up the essentials. Today it's groceries. Honestly she's not sure about some of the things they offer here, far more used to only the freshest of ingredients. Still, she's found plenty to work with.

However, the last thing she's expecting is to turn a corner and nearly run into someone. A gasp escapes her but she manages to not lose the things in the bag that she's carrying, adjusting them on her hip as she looks to see who it is.]

Really I...

[Has she been about to scold him? Scold herself? It's impossible to tell because once she sees a handsome man she changes her tune and blinks before offering a smile.]

Oh. You'll have to excuse me. I wasn't expecting my day to end with running into someone handsome.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Valmont's used to being called handsome. Or... well, he used to be used to it. Back when he had enough clout to pretend to be a legitimate businessman, charming potential sources of money was just part of the job description. Flirting came easy; insincere flirting came easier. And if someone was already interested in him, they'd be eating out of his hand within minutes.

It's been a long time since then. And particularly, it's been a long time since anyone could flirt with him without invoking the wrath of the demon sharing his body. When the guy you're hitting on hisses in your face and then suddenly begins ranting at himself, it doesn't especially encourage sticking around for a follow-up chat.

The point is, Valmont's rusty. And he doesn't have romance anywhere near his mind on the current excursion from his apartment. Mostly he's still fuming about how even in a world without actual money (and he still has trouble accepting that premise), he's expected to go out and buy his own groceries, like one of the common folk. Grumbling under his breath and not quite looking where he's going, he's absolutely at fault for the near-collision, but that doesn't stop him from opening his mouth to snap at the stranger. ]

Would you watch where you're -

[ A couple of things pull him up short at this point, though. First, the view down her dress, which ends up right in his line of vision, and which is, it must be said, quite a view. Second, the word "handsome" floating into his ears.

Okay. He's being flirted with. He remembers how this works, and certainly how to turn the situation to his advantage. You can do it, Valmont. Just look her in the eye and give her your best line. ]

- I - what?

[ Close enough. ]

[searchingforlove]

[Something that almost starts off with tension quickly melts into Manuela giving him a sly little smile. Because the bristling quickly dies away when she gets that reaction out of him. Given the fact that he's possibly closer to her age, it's remarkably endearing actually. It takes her a moment to just enjoy it before she speaks again.]

Were you in a hurry? You almost seemed like you were in a rush.

[Not at all really but she does want to test the waters to see if she can get him to stick around longer. To get a feel for him.

Because she knows she'd love to have another kind of feel but that's another story entirely.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ All right, how to answer? He could say yes, I was, actually, ta-ta, and move on. This less-than-smooth encounter would be left in the past, and no one would ever be any the wiser. But at this point it's a matter of pride - he needs to prove to himself that he remembers at least a few of the ways of romance. Because he does, right? ]

Do you know, I think I'm in rather less of a hurry than I was a moment ago.

[ There, that's a start. Build it back up. ]

That is, assuming you wished to speak to me, Miss...?

[ He tries to put a little bit of stress on the you, just in case. ]

[searchingforlove]

[Oh. Well someone can be a little charming once he recovers. Manuela blinks twice before her smile returns. She can't say she's displeased by the discovery. Far, far, far from it.]

Well, I certainly wouldn't turn down the opportunity if you are finding yourself no longer in a hurry.

[Because, um, yes. Of course she wants to talk to the handsome man before her.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ He notices that pause, and... maybe it's wishful thinking, but has she gone a little pinker than before? Yes - he's still got it! Inner fist-pump. Outwardly, though, he tries to remain calm. Wouldn't do to give the impression he's too easy to win over, after all. ]

I'm sure I can take a few minutes out of my schedule.

[ His extremely busy schedule. Really. ]

Shall we start with introductions? [ He extends a hand. ] Valmont. A pleasure.

[searchingforlove]

[She has to adjust the bag she's carrying. It's quite filled with purchases but she manages it so she can take his hand.]

Manuela. The pleasure is mine, Valmont.

[How could it not be? He's handsome and charming when he remembers he can be.]

Where were you in such a hurry to? I must say that I'm curious.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ lol did you expect him to give any consideration to someone else's comfort. Valmont doesn't offer to help with Manuela's groceries at all, but he does offer a practiced smile as he shakes her hand. ]

Charmed, Miss Manuela.

[ She really looks like more of a "Ms.", if he's being honest, but he's sticking with "Miss" for now. Women like to feel younger than they actually are, right? ]

Oh, merely what you yourself happen to be returning from, if I'm not mistaken - errands. It's ridiculous, isn't it, that this world has summoned us here as some sort of... I don't know, mystical beings, and we're expected to do our own shopping? Like common folk -

[ Another side effect of spending so much time not in control of his body: it's harder to stop his thoughts now before they reach his mouth. ]

[searchingforlove]

[Miss? Points in his favor there. Though she did lift her brow at the part about having to do their own shopping.]

I'm afraid that you mistake me for someone of noble birth, Valmont. I was born common folk and had to fight my way to the status I have now as a celebrated former diva of the stage.

[All the flirting aside, she simply can't let that one slide.]

Is that a problem?

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ He knew it was a mistake as soon as he said it, but he hadn't realized how much of one. Clearly, she's from a world where "commoner" is an established social class and not just something you call people who have less money than you. And it's a social class she happens to be part of. Great. Good going. ]

Er - I believe we may be employing different definitions of the word. That is, I'm no member of the nobility myself.

[ Although boy, wouldn't he like to be, in a world where that mattered. ]

I simply meant that we as Moonblessed ought to be afforded special treatment, that's all. You are Moonblessed, are you not, Miss Manuela?

[ She looks a little too human to be a local, but you never know. ]

[searchingforlove]

And what have we done to earn special treatment like servants to do our grocery shopping for us? Especially for people who lived here before us. We may be unique but we are still welcomed guests in their home. They don't serve us.

[Apparently that is also the wrong thing to have said to her and she is going to let him know that.]

Maybe it's time for you to learn to do these things so you can understand the hard work that they put in where you come from.

[She's being polite for now. But she does have to give that bit of sass.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Sore topic, sore topic, abort abort abort! It takes some effort, but he swallows the how dare yous that suggestion inspires in his mind and comes out with: ]

You make some, ah, valid points. And I'm not averse to changing my mind, you know.

[ Yes he is, and he will absolutely continue to believe that he's the best and specialest forever, but damn it, he's not leaving this conversation without getting back in her good graces. ]

Perhaps we ought to have this discussion somewhere other than in the middle of the street, however.

Christmas Delivery

[searchingforlove]

[On Christmas Valmont will get a basket delivered to him with freshly baked goods as well as a special gift just for him.]

Dear Valmont,

I know you are still denying what you enjoy with me. If you feel you want to try believing me then wear this the next time we meet. If not, well, you can always be rid of it, dear.

Until next we meet,

Manuela

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ There is no icon that could properly depict the exact shade of red Valmont goes upon opening the second part of his gift, much as there is no sequence of letters that could quite convey the noise he makes. But as Manuela isn't there to witness either of those anyway, there's no harm in leaving them to the imagination.

He stares at the collar for a long, long time, strongly considering doing exactly as Manuela suggests and just binning the damn thing. Instead, for reasons unknown, he finds himself shoving it in the deepest recesses of his closet. Or maybe the second-deepest. Just in case Manuela should invite him over again.

(The pastries, of course, he eats. They're delicious.) ]

right after that invitation

[graftage]

[Well, someone's looking forward to this. Valmont is...interesting, he has to say, and he isn't going to say no to a nice dinner, anyways. He's dressed up for this in his dress jacket and collared shirt along with dark dress pants, though internally he would've preferred to go more casual - ah, well, it seems like a nice place, and Valmont seems the type of guy to appreciate dressing up.]

[He enters, scans the room for the man - and then wanders over when he does, giving him a smile.]

Right on time. It's a nice place.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Valmont's been looking forward to tonight as well. Whether or not he would call it a "date" is up in the air - Steinbeck, while certainly not unattractive, isn't particularly his type. Too American. But on the other hand, it always pays to have connections, and those connections can take quite a few different forms, especially in this society. He supposes he'll see where the night takes them.

So here he is, sitting at a table in their agreed-upon restaurant, having arrived just a few minutes previously (fashionably early). He looks up appraisingly as Steinbeck approaches. ]

Well, well. You clean up better than I'd have expected.

[ Not an insult, at least not intentionally - just calling it like he sees it. He sweeps an arm toward the chair across from him. ]

Please, sit down. I'm sure we have quite a bit to discuss.

comes to this with starbucks 45678765 days late

[graftage]

Haha, what do you think I would've done? Dressed in overalls?

[He smirks at that, taking the chair as indicated. Valmont is an interesting man. A bit snide, maybe, for his tastes, but sharp, too. He likes sharp people.]

[He sort of unintentionally collects them, like knives.]

So, Mr. Valmont. What do you want to talk about, then? I'm all ears.

ssshsh no worries!!

[whitehairedprettyboy]

Overalls? [ He looks slightly scandalized at the image. ] My word, I should hope not. But there are some people who can pull off a proper suit, and some who simply cannot. You, Mr. Steinbeck, can.

[ Hmm. What exactly does he want to get out of this meeting? Well, they're ostensibly here to get to know each other better, and he can admit to a certain amount of personal curiosity, so... ]

Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself? It would seem I have a pretty good idea of who you aren't - an author, for one - but rather less of one who you are. Serving tea isn't your only passion in life, surely?

[graftage]

Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Valmont.

[But its flattery he'll accept. His eyes turn up with his smile at the question - get to know him better? Well, he could just tell him about his sordid past, about the blood he's spilled, that sort of thing...but that wasn't something to just unload on anyone. He has still yet to know what Valmont is about, after all.]

Haha, nope. I'm from a large family in California. We own a huge farm there, so I've grown up working on the land. Crops, livestock, you name it, I know it. I'm the type of guy who likes to get his hands in the dirt.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

Clearly I shall have to try harder, then.

[ He leans in as Steinbeck speaks, trying not to look too obviously disgusted at the idea of digging around in the dirt, for fun. Eurgh. Couldn't be him. ]

California? What a fascinating coincidence. I happen to live in San Francisco, and have for the past several years - though, as I'm sure you've gathered, my origins lie elsewhere entirely. You've never been to England, have you, Mr. Steinbeck?

[graftage]

Maybe you should.

[He says, cooly.]

[San Francisco, huh? So a city man. He looks the type, for sure, and the England part doesn't surprise him either.]

I actually have once or twice on business trips, though I do a lot of work at home. Which part do you come from? London, I guess?

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ A challenge, hmm? Valmont levels his gaze at Steinbeck across the table, considering. Very well, he can try and work a little more flattery into the night, but it'll have to wait. Talking about himself comes first. ]

Born and bred. And might I say, between the two cities, there's really no comparison.

[ His chest puffs out a little. For all that he hasn't actually spent much time in London in the past several years, he does miss it, and he's compelled to defend its honor. ]

Business trips to England, you say? Is this still farming we're talking about?

[ No, really, do farmers go on international business trips? He honestly doesn't have any idea. ]

[graftage]

Oooh, born and bred, huh? [He leans his cheek against his hand.] Why don't you live there, then? Stuff to do in California?

[The question makes his eyes narrow a little.]

Maybe it is. [He laughs - it sounds like bells ringing, bright and light.] What do you think?

[whitehairedprettyboy]

Duty calls, unfortunately. Would that I could conduct my business from London, but it's simply been more practical to stay in San Francisco for the time being. Although, recent events having transpired the way they did, perhaps it is time to consider relocation...

[ You know. Now that he's got the demon out of his body and all. ]

I think I don't know the first thing whatsoever about farming, so you tell me. And I think I'd like to hear you laugh more often.

[ Unless of course Steinbeck's laughing at him, in which case, screw 'im. ]

[graftage]

What, San Francisco causing trouble for you?

[He vaguely wonders what sort of business this man might be in. Perhaps just business- the arrogance smacks of it, a little - but he thinks its more than that.]

You really are trying to butter me up, huh. [He's not offended - in fact, he laughs again.] There's this capitalist who helps to fund my family's farm. As part of the deal, he wants me to travel with him and do certain odd jobs here and there. Nothing major.