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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 28, 2008 22:02:46 GMT -5
Mano nodded and turned to pour himself a drink before walking out from behind the counter. "So, what on earth was so horrible that you want death?" he asked, walking over to a booth by the window and sliding in one side facing the door. He knew plenty of things that would make someone hate life, but the guy certainly didn't look like he had been through any of them.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 28, 2008 22:17:09 GMT -5
Markise gave a humorless chuckle as he sat down opposite the guy and set everything up the way he wanted it. "I have this amazing talent to f~ up everything I can in my life," he said, then looked up from his coffee and death to meet the guy's eyes. "If it was just one thing I'd have been fine." He couldn't think why someone who didn't even know him would care, so it didn't really occur to him to give any more detail than that. Besides, people didn't like being forcibly depressed, especially not this time of year. So Markise focused for a moment on a long drink of blissfully hot coffee, only just managing to keep any vocal appreciation to himself.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 28, 2008 22:33:50 GMT -5
Mano nodded and watched the guy over his cup as he took a sip from it, then set it back on the table and wrapped his hands around it. "So do you have a name?" he asked, raising an eyebrow over sparkling eyes. Yes, he technically had a fiance, and a woman moving in soon enough, but that didn't mean he couldn't look. Or touch.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 28, 2008 22:50:01 GMT -5
Markise blinked as the change of subject, however much it made sense, pulled him out of his thoughts. "Markise," he said simply, then, "Markise Devine Sterling." The man had wanted his name, right? Why skimp out? He took another appreciative drink of his coffee, trying to ignore that feeling he was getting again. He told himself firmly that it was all in his mind, but he wasn't at all sure he believed himself, and part of him kept whispering that nothing was going to happen anyway. He was having a cup of coffee, for chrissake.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 28, 2008 23:19:34 GMT -5
"Mano Samil Berwyn," Mano said, inclining his head and raising his cup in a faux toast. He took a sip and then settled back in his chair, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee as he examined Markise. He went silent as he watched, his gaze level. It had been a long time since he had seen a guy quite like Markise, if he had ever, and he was going to take his fill, even if it was just visually.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 28, 2008 23:31:04 GMT -5
Now Markise knew he wasn't misinterpreting that. Straight men didn't look over other guys like they were appraising them unless their fists were up or their wands were drawn for a duel. And even then... A shiver snaked uncontrolled up Markise's spine and he licked his lips briefly before managing a polite nice to meet you. What kind of name was Mano? Far too interesting, that was what it was.
Markise tried to pretend he didn't notice he was being watched for all of a minute before he set down his coffee, unable to concentrate on it. "Do you own this place?" Markise asked, trying to start some conversation and silently cursing himself for the way his voice had softened. He looked down at death and captured a piece on his fork.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 28, 2008 23:41:46 GMT -5
Mano nodded and took one of his hands from his own cup, then rested it along the back of his side of the booth. "I bought it a couple of weeks ago. It came with a nice apartment," he commented, his eyes flicking to the door that led to his living room. Not all shops came with two bedroom apartments attached. He was very pleased with his purchase, and with the things he had put in it.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 28, 2008 23:47:13 GMT -5
If Markise had thought he was flustered before, that glance toward what could only be Mano's apartment door--and that fact that his own eyes had followed--affected him even further. He was grateful for the mouthful of sinfully rich chocolate that kept him from speaking too soon and saying something he'd regret. If he was a little wide-eyed, he didn't know it, so he put on the most polite smile he could and pretended he had no clue. "Well it must be nice, with a shop like this," he said, one hand rising absently to push his hair back a little.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 28, 2008 23:59:34 GMT -5
Mano smiled, the expression breaking the intense gaze he had held on Markise. He thought so, but he knew better than to assume someone's sexuality. He wouldn't do anything about it unless he had more proof. "Where do you live at?" he asked, then brought his cup to his lips for another sip. Not that he would go searching for Markise, but it was a logical question, wasn't it?
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 29, 2008 0:07:23 GMT -5
Markise took a deep breath at that smile, then worked hard to regulate his breathing. He might have balked at being asked where he lived, but thankfully it was in the middle of a well-guarded castle. Markise wasn't at all sure what he'd do if he lived elsewhere and woke to find this man standing over him. His mind tried to prove him wrong, but he looked back down at death and speared another forkful. "Hogwarts," he answered simply. "For another year." And then he had no idea where he'd go.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 29, 2008 0:20:23 GMT -5
Mano repressed a sigh. "So you're a sixth year, means sixteen, right?" He hadn't gone to Hogwarts, but he hadn't been homeschooled, either. Sixteen, but on which end? Mano could forgive a couple of months if he really wanted to, even if it made him squirm just a little. He knew that Holly went to the school, but he also knew that she wasn't a sixth year, so what were the chances that she and Markise were in contact with each other?
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 29, 2008 0:28:38 GMT -5
There had been no pretending Markise thought Mano was school age, and so the question shouldn't have come as a surprise. What did was the fact that he responded without censoring his words. "For another month and a half," he said, twirling his fork briefly against the plate. He caught himself and glanced up at Mano, then caught himself again picked up his coffee. He should start talking about that girlfriend in New York he'd told Annabelle about and escape before he was in too deep.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 29, 2008 0:46:22 GMT -5
Mano thought he could definitely overlook a month and a half. "Come in, I'll give you a coffee on the house," he offered, smiling. His thoughts went a little farther than a coffee, but Markise didn't need to know what he was thinking. "Maybe another dessert, if you ask me nicely," he added, lifting his cup up to his lips and taking a long drink.
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Post by Markise Sterling on Dec 29, 2008 0:53:34 GMT -5
Markise's eyes widened a bit and he swallowed the sip of coffee he'd just taken before he could choke on it. His eyes flickered back to that door, then to Mano as he shook his head. "I really shouldn't, I... I've had enough dessert." He could feel the heat stealing into his cheeks and elsewhere, to be honest. His mind had certainly caught on the offer of another dessert, but he'd just met this guy and... He refused to be an easy mark again. He'd done that and gotten screwed over for it. This guy, Mano, affected him far too strongly to be safe. And he'd given up guys.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Dec 29, 2008 1:08:52 GMT -5
"If you change your mind and want some more of that," Mano said gesturing toward Markise's plate. "Then come by and ask on your birthday." He had no problem giving out a coffee and a dessert, especially if it led to other things. His eyes caught on the faint color in Markise's cheeks, and it took a great deal of effort to pull them up to his eyes again.
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