INT - Murphy’s Pub, night
Dorian had a big double helping of armagnac brandy in a snifter, and the bottle upon the table. He'd just lit up a cigarette and as he exhaled the first drag, he remarked, "I bloody well know I should not have resorted to bashing him with my fists." It was what he'd wanted to say, to own up to. He'd already talked to his twin about it.
Drystan Windgrace sipped on the amber spirit in his glass and listened to his little brother. He sympathetically dug into his jacket pocket and found the tin that contained his hand rolled smokes. He pinched one between his lips and lifted his chin at Dorian, "Hey eyy gimmie that light.." He reached over the many glasses that had already been emptied and an ashtray with several butts in it. "I was just...afraid because I didn't know what he was capable of, and....i know what you are capable of, but everything is changing since we've moved here. Its in the air. The aetherite, it makes everything...bigger, more attuned?" He lifted his glass curiously, and then sighed. "You know the punching wasn't that bad, I've seen men get a worse beating than that...Hells, I've delivered it myself. But the cut at the end. Dorian, that was...I don't know what to call that."
Dorian ignited the flame and held it over for his brother to light up his cigarette. He took a long draw from his cup staring right into his brother's eyes as he said what he did about the little signature placed on the end of the beating he'd put down. It made him look away, thinking about what had transpired. He had not thought about the particular malice that had showed. It had all been of one piece, the rage over Roesler. The guilt over their father's death. After going a thousand yards away and back, silver eyes floated to his big brother and he said, "Would you believe me if I said that I was just making sure I did the thing by the book? It is not as if I brought the blade myself, how was I to know it would hurt him so? Wait so, you think the fists were better?"
Downplaying it was what he went for, and justifying it. The matter was only semi-settled in his own mind, but time usually healed and helped such fits of pique.
Hector: has been working in the shop all day. He closed up just a bit ago and walked his way to the Pub. He was going to have a few drinks and then go back to the shop to clean up for the day...both it and himself. He pushed the doors open and blinked at who was there. He heard a little bit of the conversation. He stepped in closer, waving a hand to the bartender, whom he knew of course. He didn't even have to order. They knew him well enough. He stopped and hovered over the table of the brothers with his hands on his hips. "It was a set-up. After all...there is but one kind of creature that is THAT allergic to Iron."
Drystan Windgrace took a long drag off the smoke and held it for a moment before blowing it up into a plume above them. Hector walked up unexpectedly, both in his presence and his words. "Hector! Hey...wait, what did you just say? A setup? To what ends? None of this is making sense to me at this point." he sat his drink down and leaned his head back as he took another big draw from the smoke, and looking at the ceiling as if it held the answered he was seeking. "So if he knew the rapiers would harm him, he was just vying for the sympathy card? For a man that I've heard so much about, that seems an awfully petty and ...on the nose move. I thought he was supposed to be full of finesse, a Sidhe of all things." He tossed his hand in the air and shook his head.
Dorian thought Roesler was up to all kinds of nefarious things potentially, but he could not imagine the man setting himself up to lose, "Blimey, does just everyone know this about that people? I certainly did not until after. And why would someone set him up? Sure he has his detractors, but to get me involved? That is a lot of maneuvering. Good evening Mr. Graham. He had half decent form, I presume he'd not expected mine to be quite so... practiced."
There were a number of reasons he wasn't the brains of the the Windgrace operation and failure at seeing and being duplicitous had a lot to do with it. He stepped aside to make room for the newcomer to the table, giving the man a small smile and for once, as it had been since he'd befriended the eldest brother, not putting up hackles or curtains like the guy was a stranger or potential threat.
Hector: when Drystan said 'Sidhe,' Hector slapped himself in the face and draaaagged his hand down. His facial piercings made a jingle jangle and he looked at the brothers like they answered their own question. "Are you serious? Drystan, my love, I would follow you to the ends of the Earth, but have you dealt with the Fae much?" He turned his strange eyes toward Dorian and gave him a sympathetic smile. "I had no idea that Roesler was a Fae. I would have been...much more cautious in how I dealt with him. I might have even tried to stop you. I cannot do anything about the past, but hopefully he will remember me being there to heal him and that...so far as I'm aware, I have not offended him or his people on accident. The customs of the Fae are very specific and not knowing or understanding them is not an excuse. There are things like...slapping a head of household under a full moon means you bequeath your first born daughter." Gives a pointed look to Dorian. "And a Fae will trick anyone they can into forking over something precious. And the thing about the Fae, is that royalty is ever-lasting. If you ever offend one, cross their customs, or get yourself into a situation where you 'owe' one something? The Courts will simply show up and force you to comply. It does not matter who or what you are. There are stories of Old Ones upholding Fae Law." Sighs heavily.
Drystan Windgrace stood up off his stool when Hector joined him, putting and arm around his shoulders and squeezing him into himself, and gazing at him in that way that people do when they are likely smitten. His hand rubbed at his back as he spoke, stopping when Hector gave a lesson in Fae dealings. He was somewhat dumbstruck and had to blink several times. "I have never personally, ...to my knowledge, ever dealt with a Fae, however I must have had interactions and I was an unknowing party." He dropped his hand and shifted back to the stool to take up his mug, and drain it. "I recall some books that i read while investigating ingredients for a spell that called for something from them - I don't recall now, it's been centuries." He waved his hand with the smoke held between his fingers, making little faded circles of smoke above the trio. "Salt, ... spilled milk...something about making deals - same as you'd imagine a demon deal ...or at least how I thought." He wondered out loud. He had only everyone else invested with this individual and he was far far too curious for his own good to speak to him and witness him for himself, knowing all the new discoveries that were coming to the surface as they exchanged details about Niles Roesler.
Dorian drained his glass while Hector went on, looking over the man with disbelief plain in his eyes. Pouring another, he'd huff disbelief over how serious the man was. He'd add, "Let us not forget the mushroom circles, and avoiding them, right? I but I am sure it is not like that. We did not even set terms. I suppose I got what I needed out of it." Mostly that he was certain, more certain that he'd been before, even, that if he had to eliminate the man he could. For now, he'd let Dinah keep her pet Sidhe and try not to complain about it. As Drystan had taken up with his witch. A little grin played out as the pair of them shared such adoring looks, and he'd append, unconcerned enough to change the subject, "So, Graham, how is the apothecary business going, I hear you have gone into business for yourself?"
Hector: leans into Drystan from the squeeze, but as if he could smell the wheels turning his nose wiggled. The emptied mugs refilled themselves. Was that the nose wiggle or something else? Who knows, maybe that's where it came from in Bewitched. "You're all alike, you know that? Right now, I bet you're thinking about digging around about him or even making a deal." He huffed and puffed out his cheeks. "I've no doubt that Dinah has known all along and she has something up her sleeve. As you say...sometimes you need things from the Fae." He looked back to Dorian. "But yes, I think he intended for you to strike him with the Iron but I also think something went a bit sideways. Something didn't feel right that day. It was as if...everything went to plan but he didn't expect you to be as strong as you are nor did I think he expected you to hand over the blade to Dinah afterwards." He stroked at his chin. "But no doubt, your sister has something up her sleeve..." At the mention of mushroom circles he snorted and held up his hands. "Considering there are two of us in this room that can fly, I wouldn't think you one not to believe the stories of old. My family has long-standing treaties with the Fae. My flesh may be pretty...but I'm an oooold man." Then came the question and he nodded. "Aye. The Cabaret is not for the faint of heart. It has put a lot of cash in my pockets, however and I am going to try and go back to what I was doing before I washed up on this shore. I owned my family's herbal shop and trained young witches, once upon a time."
Drystan Windgrace sat and chewed at his lip while Hector spoke and rolled his eyes a little, and shook his head and even reached over to the basket of peanuts and started to unshelled them while he spoke. "I am curious, I will admit. But I would not have any such goal as to make a deal with him. If Dinah has machinations beyond what she reveals to even us, ...well i have to have faith in her that she knows what she's up against.
Drystan Windgrace added quickly as he tossed the peanuts into his mouth, "Dorian! There is SO MUCH COCAINE in that Apothecary! I don't know why, but my Gods, its an amazing array of goodies.
Dorian shrugged about what Di had in mind, knowing little of it, but reminding himself of his new mantra, he had to trust her judgment. It was easy where so many other things were involved. He'd keep trying to make Roesler another one of those things, which meant avoiding him as a topic, perhaps, now he'd gotten through talking to his brother about it, and potentially having worried Hector. "The cabaret! I had not said, you were magnificent. It was really a tremendous spectacle, and a true showing of your talents. I knew a fellow who swore by coca wine, once upon a time. How do you sell it these days?" It had been a navy doctor in the 18th century, thus he'd need updating on how the stuff was even consumed.
Hector: leans over and teasingly bites at Drystan's shoulder through his jacket. He then sat back down and turned as they were brought another round of drinks and some fried pickles. He started busying himself shoving fried pickles into his mouth. He probably forgot to eat today. Then Drystan just shouted 'COCAINE!' and he almost choked. He thumped himself in the chest a few times and coughed before shaking his head and swallowing hard. "Yes, yes, there's cocaine. There are medicinal properties." He snorted and shook his head. "Most of that goes to the Asylum you know." Except for what Hector sticks his face in while he's measuring. "I have to be careful with how people do their refills, though...it's quite addictive you know." Then Dori raved about his performance and it actually put a pink tint to his cheeks. He lowered his head and hid in his enormous hat for a moment. He cleared his throat and shifted a bit. "Mostly as powder, now. It can be snorted, ingested, injected...quite versatile."
Drystan Windgrace grinned and lit up when Dorian mentioned the show. "It was magnificent, really! The music is so different, but, it still speaks to me as the music of our days now, .." He gazed at Hector a moment and then stole a pickle chip and popped itin his mouth, chomping it down quick, looking over at Dorian. "Its still used as a numbing agent, for surgeries and such, but if you just sniff a little bit up the nose, you feel...like you can do anything. Energy, motivation, some sort of clouded clarity, .." Clearly he had already tried it in its many forms, "It can be smoked, in one of these!" He held up the sad looking butt of his joint and sighed, tossing it into the ashtray. "Just add some flower in the paper, then sprinkle it with the powder. It's quite the feeling." For Dorian and himself, they both chased vices because the lasting effect were much more fleeting for them. having a monster metabolism helped. Plus, they could do nearly any drug or potion and live easily enough through its effects, - unless it was well done - and there were plenty of people on Callisto that had that knowledge. "But the rest of the shop, it's big! Large area for spell casting and such, makes me what to pull together my alchemy set. I haven't made anything or really practiced in some time, " He turned to Hector, reaching his hand out to touch his hand. "I found my chests of tomes and writings, you should come over and we can search for anything that may help in your own Ritual."
Dorian took the opportunity while the pair of them were love-birding and speaking about cocaine, to pour himself another, and snuff out the butt he'd left burning until it canoed itself to hell. "Is it as good as opium though? I rather like that particular dragon, and its so fragrant." Dorian was a fairly energetic person by nature, he might climb the walls on uppers, but he'd try anything once or twice, particularly if his big brother recommended it. He was fairly certain he had no need to worry about addiction as the only habit he had and couldn't quit was one he never planned to. Amusement rested on his face behind his snifter as he took another sip, and gladness that his brother was content. He probably stared a moment too long, thinking about if it could only happen because of the absence of a Charles Windgrace on the planet.
Hector: gasped teasingly and made a biting motion in Drystan's direction when his pickle was stolen. He winked teasingly and then there were fingers atop of his hand. He turned his hand over and twined fingers together, giving a squeeze. He wasn't particularly interested in letting go, at least for the moment. "It is a nice space. I moved my things into the upstairs. It has huge beautiful windows. Do believe it's the nicest place I've ever lived." He shrugged before nodding. "Of course, I'd love to. Thank you. I appreciate it. You should let me teach you some common potion recipes to play around with in your alchemy supplies." He perked suddenly and shifted. "Oh! How's my baby girl?" He wiggled excitedly in his seat. "She should be arriving soon, yes??" Then he turned his head back to Dorian and shook it. "I don't think so, if I'm to be honest. I prefer opium as well. But if I need to get something done, cocaine. Can't have nightmares if you don't sleep." Spits out his tongue, wiggling the piercing in it.
Drystan Windgrace laughed a bit and allowed his hand to get entangled with Hectors. "The view, though....it is something." Perhaps Dorian would see it for himself one of these days. The warmth that Hector exuded was just reflected back out, to reach and touch his brother and mix with whatever feelings he might have been having. A warm, happy, dazed sense of calm just languished out of him, and slipped its way to the two closest to him, and he heaved a satisfied breath before going back to grab another hand-roll from his tin, offering the open box to the both of them, "We actually have a shipment that happens to contain some opium, so we only have to wait a short time to enjoy that." He grinned, and flashed a beaming smile. "Ah the ship from Lima - I have only gotten the tracking updates of when they are in the tradelanes and then via radio, that gets finally back to me - Lets just say her ship will arrive shortly as well. Perhaps this month? I've not been notified of any change so I assume she's faring the sea well enough. We have quite advanced staging areas for animal transport in some of the ships. We refuse to cramp animals into cages and stack them like cards. So - She will arrive well." He laughed a little and looked to Dorian. "I purchased an alpaca for Hector as a little gift to help him in his business venturing. All the lore about the greenest and more giving of all animals goes back to before we were even born. It bodes well if she can get a stall at the barn station across the way? I'm not sure yet where she will be housed. We will figure it out." He pressed his lips into a small embarrassed smile but it was fleeting. He squeezed Hector's hand back, and shook it a little bit. "You act as if I've no knowledge of potion creation, but I have had vast studies involving all sorts of alchemy. I just..well, let's say since we got here, to Callisto, I have felt like I am on vacation, and there is no pressure to make, to create, to learn, to push yourself for some odd goal..." He babbled.
Dorian: "Who, what? Alwhatca?" He'd taken one of his brother's pre-rolls and lit himself up and offered fire to the others. He had winked about the incoming opium, that he understood and acknowledged and was glad of it. He knew a number of things about the world, but he was not versed in the Americas and the wilderness he thought that part of he world was. The relaxation that came burbling in from the other two washed over him.
Hector: looked to the little smokes in the tin and he managed to shake his head. He busied his hands, one in Drystan's and the other holding a beer. He was trying not to do too much recently. He wanted to do well for the store and he couldn't do that if he was going off the rails on a binder. Instead, he focused on the update on the alpaca. He let out a completely unmanly sound and kissed Drystan's knuckles. "I'm so excited." Then he blushed and hid behind his hat a bit again. "Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to imply...it's just... ah... force of habit." He leaned back and let his eyes slide closed, just slurping at his beer quietly as he listened to the brothers. "Don't worry. It'll all work out." Then Dori said 'Alwhatca' and Hector almost shot foam out of his nose. He put his arm over his mouth and coughed into it a few times. "Alpaca. Looks like a camel fucked a sheep and their love child got high on some mushrooms and never came down. They're so cute and fluffy and their poo makes for wonderful fertilizer!"
Drystan Windgrace had taken one of the last he had with him, and lit it as well and tried to keep the smoke from blowing right at Hector. "You'd know one if you saw it Dorian, trust me, Its like a llama, its part of the camel family yes." He looked over at Hector as he admonished himself, He shook Hector's hand and held it up, like way up so that it was the point of conversation now. "Look, listen here..." He talked with the smoke hanging out of the corner of his mouth. "No reason to be sorry or hide it. Dorian understands these sorts of things for me, he's not bothered." he kissed the back of Hector's hand and laughed a bit shaking it again. "Yes I am in a relationship with the witch that wears the ridiculously huge hats." He made eye contact with his brother and gave him a little wink. There was nothing to hide away, not in his family.
Dorian was not surprised nor worried, nor even had any judgment about the pair of them. He was not his father, with antiquated notions and strict rules. In fact, he'd joke, "The two of you, why I hadn't noticed. Ahahahahahaaha." He'd drag and then exhale a plume of smoke up toward the ceiling, and lifting his glass, ask, "You must let me see the creature when it--she arrives. If you do not mind."
He knocked back the rest of the fluid in his cup and when he put the snifter down, he'd pat his belly, to try and tame it's grumbling.
Hector: gasped faintly and shook his head, turning bright red and pulling that over-sized hat down. For a moment he literally couldn't breathe. He thought he was going to have a full-blown panic attack. Then the NEED to breathe hit him and he realized he'd been holding his breath. He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. He ended up downing his beer before sitting the empty mug down. "Ah, I didn't mean that." He gave Drystan a wink. "I mean...the day I came running out of your bedroom in my pajamas with bedhead I think...kind of cemented what we've been doing when no one was looking. I meant...when someone mentions anything magical, I'm used to jumping on it with Big Dad energy, 'oh let me show you!' It's not meant to imply I know better I just...it's second nature. I'm typically one of the oldest people in the room. Hard getting used to being younger." Snorted when Dorian's reaction was essentially 'naaww really??' He shook his head and offered a shrug. "I know it's a travesty, right? So many women in the world would give their everything for the likes of him, but alas...I just look too good in a red dress." Shrug with a grin before nodding. "Of course you may. I'm going to learn to knit, so perhaps I could make you a scarf out of her wool for the next winter."
Drystan Windgrace let out a hearty low laugh that took him over entirely, he had to let go of Hector's hand and slap his thigh and hold a hand to his chest. "Oh Gods. I'm sorry ha!" His little proclamation was unnecessary but it did serve a purpose. It was the first time he had said that he was in fact, in a real live relationship. Not just some rando he'd never see again. It was all different on Callisto. "Oh brother, we have some splendid Shepherds Pie waiting at home! It smells heavenly. We can stick that in the oven and it will be ready in a snap! Oh...Hector, do you have responsibilities at your shop, or would you care to join us for a late dinner standing around in our kitchen shoving food in our faces?" He laughed again, having enjoyed himself greatly, but it was time to retire to their prospective nests for the evening.
Dorian: "And Keiko said she'd make a sticky toffee pudding. Yes, I am rather ready to get back. I will get a head start so you do not have to be embarrassed in case goodbye kisses are called for, Graham. But I won't start the foot race until you get outside. Last one to the house is a dirty egg." He'd lay down some bills on the table and then head toward the door, tapping the side of his nose conspiratorially.
Hector: closed his eyes to listen to Drystan's laughter. He adored that sound. Whenever he heard it, he'd get this tiny flash of the man when they first met. Wearing barely anything other than a robe, eyes rimmed in dark circles and bloodshot and the mere suggestion of getting near him sent the entire room into a spiral of flinging tables and chairs. He'd never felt a wave of Telekinesis so strong, so threatening, and yet all he wanted to do was step inside of it. To hear such mirth come from THAT man. It was heaven. He snapped out of his thoughts and smirked. "I do like...your kitchen." He reached into his back pocket to toss a few bills onto the bar. "Plus, when have I ever been able to turn down an invitation from you? Shepard's pie or no." Then Dorian said he'd made a foot race out of it. "Oooh my my...I would like to race you, but not by feet. Perhaps out in the Wilds one day? You have the advantage." He made a little flappy motion with his hands together like making a bird shadow puppet before hopping off his bar stool.