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Post by MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI on Jan 14, 2012 3:40:16 GMT -5
When Claudius shook his head Hector frowned, worried that he was going to make himself puke. If that happened, Claudius would be footing the bill for an upholstery cleaning and even, depending on the how much vomit, possibly a new car. But the rich, spoiled brat could afford it, Hector knew for sure. The moment seemed to pass though only to be followed by slurred defiance to what Hector had thought had been a good gesture on his part.
"I's been a rubbish friend...for twenny years..."
Hector couldn't object to that. For twenty years their friendship had been wildly disproportionate. Hector was the one taking care of Claudius and Claudius provided the "fun" Hector needed.
"Yes, you have been. You've always been a selfish little prick, I'm used to it by now." Hector turned to flash Claudius a smile to let him know he was joking to find his friend's head lowered in what looked like shame.
It seeped into his voice too "God, Hector, I'm such a...an idiot."
At a loss for words or actions, Hector just reached out and placed a hand on the back of Claudius's neck, giving it a comforting squeeze. "It's not your fault, Claudius." Part of it was but Hector thought it would be better if he didn't hear it in his current state. "You're sick, you couldn't help it. And now it's going to be fine."
ooc: THREE PAGES! WOO!
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Post by CLAUDIUS CHANDLER on Jan 14, 2012 19:09:46 GMT -5
"Yes, you have been. You've always been a selfish little prick, I'm used to it by now."
Luckily for Hector, considering how Claudius could have reacted to these words as he hadn't seen his smile, his companion did not hear what he said, instead beginning to wallow in self degradation with his branding himself an idiot.
Another comforting gesture on Hector's part was again unexpected. Claudius hadn't the energy to jolt upright but had he not been in his current state he probably would have done due to the surprising nature of Hector's comfort. As it was he managed to raise his head a little as Hector spoke, as though his friend's optimism had affected him physically.
"It's not your fault, Claudius. You're sick, you couldn't help it. And now it's going to be fine."
Sick. Claudius had never thought of his drinking as being an illness. He'd never thought of it as anything except fun (or the ideal medium through which to forget his problems). Hector was making him see it in a new light, challenging his perceptions... Although this was what Claudius now realized he needed, he was able to get more satisfaction from Hector's telling him it would be fine than the actual perception altering.
"Itsh going to be fine," he repeated, looking at Hector almost imploringly. "You mean that?"
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Post by MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI on Jan 24, 2012 14:07:16 GMT -5
Hector kept his hand on the back of Claudius's neck, rubbing in what he hoped was a soothing motion. Hector wasn't used to comforting people so, as a result, he wasn't very good at it. But, for Claudius's sake, he was going to try. It was actually quite selfish, but Hector didn't want to lose his only friend. He didn't really care about what happened to Claudius just as long as Hector kept his only friend. The thought of being alone bothered Hector greatly, especially since he was nearing 50. Yes, he had Penelope, but for how long?
He couldn't stand to lose Claudius.
"Itsh going to be fine. You mean that?"
"Of course I mean it." Hector patted the back of Claudius's head gently. "We'll get you into a top-notch rehab facility, being discreet of course so your reputation isn't damaged. And then you'll be fixed right up." Hector patted his head again and pulled his hand back.
"And don't worry, buddy. I'll be right there the whole way." Hector nodded and checked the time. Because of his fear of being alone, Hector knew that Claudius had to be in a similar position. They were almost the same people as it was. Both in power, both with no family to speak of (not really), both feared and respected because of their power.
Both of them alone save for the other.
That was sad, but it was reality. Hector looked over at Claudius and gave him a grin. "Besides, this is me we're talking about. If I say it's going to be okay, it's going to be okay."
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Post by CLAUDIUS CHANDLER on Feb 1, 2012 17:31:47 GMT -5
"Of course I mean it. We'll get you into a top-notch rehab facility, being discreet of course so your reputation isn't damaged. And then you'll be fixed right up."
Rehab. Rehabilitation. The word and its shortened form served to drive home the fact that Claudius was ill. It was strange to think of his drinking habit in such a way, a way that for him was not only strange but also quite frightening.
You aren't getting any younger and if you keep going at this rate you'll die from liver failure.
It wasn't as though death itself was an alien concept to Claudius Chandler, far from it considering what he had done to gain his title, his reputation, the money to afford to drink himself into such a state. No, it was rather the idea in reference to him. He'd always seen himself as young, full of life, living it to the full. Now the realization of the truth...it was all too much, it seemed, particularly in the state he was in.
"And don't worry, buddy. I'll be right there the whole way. Besides, this is me we're talking about. If I say it's going to be okay, it's going to be okay."
Claudius tried to grin back but despite his appreciation of Hector's words the smile came out far weaker than he had intended.
"Yesh, makes sense...you're alwaysh right."
ooc: I forgot to say. PAGE THREE! -flail- ;D
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Post by MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI on Feb 7, 2012 16:12:38 GMT -5
"Yesh, makes sense...you're alwaysh right."
"Of course I am." Hector smiled and nudged Claudius. Friends through better or for worse. They were practically married, really. Hector scoffed at the thought but didn't think anything on it. When two people were such good friends for so long, it was to be expected really.
The car pulled up to the private club and Hector got out of the car, helping Claudius out as well. "We'll get you some coffee and some food, start you sobering up."
The doorman recognized Hector and let them in right away.
The club was dressed in dark browns and blues, the furniture made of solid oak or leather. It was luxurious and expensive which Hector liked. It was like his throne room of sorts. He sat Claudius down in one of the large, plush armchairs and got a server's attention.
"Coffee, strong as you can. And bruschetta."
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Post by CLAUDIUS CHANDLER on Feb 8, 2012 17:58:56 GMT -5
Claudius returned Hector's smile as best he could, but somehow managed to refrain from copying Hector's gesture, and just as well he did for he most likely would have fallen onto the floor of the car in his current state.
As Hector helped Claudius out of the car the CEo did not protest, not that he could have. He allowed Hector to lead him inside, staring with a look of childlike awe on his face as though he had never seen such a place before. Having been seated by Hector Claudius continued to look about him but was returned to some semblance of reality by Hector's voice.
"Coffee, strong as you can. And bruschetta."
Perhaps it was the change of scenery, or the prospect of his situation being bettered, but it seemed Claudius' mood had improved slightly - as much as it could do considering the drastic alterations his characters had only recently undergone. He laughed a little, drunkenly, before speaking again.
"Brush what?" He shrugged. "Nevermine. Coffee...coffee sounds good." Then, after a pause. "I like coffee."
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Post by MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI on Feb 12, 2012 14:36:45 GMT -5
Hector sat himself in a plush chair beside Claudius and propped his feet up on the coffee table. "Bruschetta, it's an Italian thing." Hector said by way of explaining. It was Hector's go to comfort food, something he ate when he was sick or upset, or even celebrating. He was pretty sure that Claudius would like it. Though, there was a chance that he wouldn't. Sometimes, Claudius was incredibly contrary. "I like coffee.""Good, because you're going to be drinking a lot of it." Hector said with a chuckle. He had known a few people who were addicted to the drink who got off it by getting hooked on coffee or sweets. One man started to eat only toffee, another didn't do anything but chew gum and drink coffee or tea. Every person had to handle their addiction in their own way. Claudius, Hector was worried would handle it by turning to something even more destructive. But, that's why Hector was there. To keep Claudius from destroying himself. The server came back a little while later with a tray of bruschetta and coffee. They were sat in front of Claudius and Hector and Hector began to, almost mindlessly, make Claudius's cup the way he liked.   |
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Post by CLAUDIUS CHANDLER on Feb 14, 2012 9:08:21 GMT -5
"Bruschetta, it's an Italian thing."
Claudius nodded, listening but not really comprehending. Instead he continued to glance about at the club, a vacant expression on his face as the alcohol's effects, ever so slowly, became less prevalent.
"Good, because you're going to be drinking a lot of it."
The CEO nodded again but did not laugh as Hector did, the full realization of the changed nature of his character and his habits seeming now to hit him full force. As the food and drink arrived he took a slice of the bruschetta and took a tentative bite, his eyes fixed on Hector all the while as though worried about what he'd do next. Considering Hector was helping him this would seem a foolish stance to take, but Hector had been the one to change Claudius' perception and tell him the truth - that frightened him.
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Post by MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI on Feb 21, 2012 2:19:31 GMT -5
Hector finished making Claudius his coffee and passed it over to him wordlessly, then started to make his own. Hector sat his to the side and picked up a bruschetta and took a big bite, humming happily as he chewed.
There was nothing quite as delicious as a well made bruschetta.
Hector polished off his piece in two more rather monstrous bites and leaned back into his chair. Chewing slowly, Hector looked at Claudius, a bit amused by his expression.
He looked terrified of Hector.
Chuckling to himself, Hector sipped his coffee, looking at Claudius with a grin. "Any particular reason why you're looking at me like a rabbit caught in a trap?" He asked lightly, the question followed by yet another chuckle. Why would Claudius be looking at him like that? If anything, he should be on his knees before him, thanking him for his help.
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Post by CLAUDIUS CHANDLER on Feb 21, 2012 8:49:31 GMT -5
"Any particular reason why you're looking at me like a rabbit caught in a trap?"
Although Hector had asked the question lightly, neither his laugher nor his happy humming as he ate were working wonders for his companion at present. Claudius should have been in a similar state of mind - pleased Hector had made him come to the relization of just what his 'habit' has cost and caused, pleased it would soon be over - yet he wasn't...not yet. It was too soon for frivolity, particullarly since he was only just beginning to recover from those shots at the Cat Scratch Club.
He took a sip or two of his coffee - made just the way he liked it, he noted with a mixture of pleasure and surprise - before making his reply.
"Itsh not funny Hector," he mumbled into his coffee cup. "Itsh just...so much has changed...so little time...you-" here he looked up at Hector, in an almost accusatory manner although that was the worst option to have gone with - "You changed everything..."
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Post by MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI on Feb 24, 2012 3:39:16 GMT -5
"You changed everything..."
Hector raised an eyebrow at Claudius's tone. That wasn't what he had been expecting. Claudius was blaming him, like he had done something wrong or against Claudius's will. "You're welcome." Hector said dryly, sitting his coffee aside to clasp his hands in front of him.
"Is there a problem, Claudius?" Hector asked mildly, waving away the waiter when he walked over to check on them. "It seems to me that this is an occasion that we should be celebrating and you're over there, acting like a grumpy four year old."
Yes, Hector had changed everything in a very short amount of time. It was what he did: Hector got things done as quickly and efficiently as he could. That included dealing with Claudius's problem. "Do you wish that I hadn't brought it up? That I had just let you continue on your merry way into self-destruction?" Hector sighed and shook his head. "I wasn't going to let that happen. And I'm not going to apologize for it either. You needed this change, Claudius. Far more then I think you realize."
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Post by CLAUDIUS CHANDLER on Feb 24, 2012 14:34:31 GMT -5
"You're welcome."
Claudius could tell from Hector's way of speaking that he had said the wrong thing but as he was, in all technicality, still tipsy, did Hector really expect him to be fully aware of what he was saying and how he was saying it?
"Is there a problem, Claudius? It seems to me that this is an occasion that we should be celebrating and you're over there, acting like a grumpy four year old."
To this Claudius said nothing, as though trying to live up to Hector's accurate description of him. He only stopped his apparent sulking to take another drink from his coffee cup, still not looking at Hector - not because he was sulking but because he was scared of the expression that would be on his friend's face.
"Do you wish that I hadn't brought it up? That I had just let you continue on your merry way into self-destruction? I wasn't going to let that happen. And I'm not going to apologize for it either. You needed this change, Claudius. Far more then I think you realize."
Hector was right, and Claudius knew this. he didn't know how many times he'd said this to himself since Hector had told him and he'd tried to get to grips with it. But it was what Hector had said about not letting that happen...he wouldn't let Claudius destroy himself. It was strange to have Hector cast in such a caring role, but then hadn't he always been where Claudius and his problem were concerned?
Claudius looked over at Hector at last.
"You're always right," he repeated, his apologetic expression back on his face as best he could make it. "Thank you."
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Post by MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI on Mar 27, 2012 16:36:58 GMT -5
Hector just nodded and reached over to pat his knee again. Claudius had to be going through a lot right now; a complete character revelation. Hector would help him through it. It couldn't be easy to have a major character flaw pointed out and eradicated in the same night. Well, starting to eradicate it. Claudius's battle with alcoholism would last the rest of his life and there was nothing Hector could do outside of being supportive.
"Eat some bruscetta and drink some coffee. You'll feel better in the morning." Hector brushed off his front and signaled the waiter, ordering more food. They were going to have a little Italian feast, mostly in an effort to distract Claudius. Give him sweets, give him good coffee, give him good food, and keep talking. That was the plan at the moment.
"You can stay at my place tonight, I've got a guest bedroom. Then we can go to your apartment and clear out the alcohol." Hector said, taking another bite. "Alright?"
((ooc: want to be ending it here?))
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Post by ||ADMIN NESSIE|| on Apr 3, 2012 16:55:51 GMT -5
ooc: That's perfectly fine with me m'dear. I love how brilliantly Hector managed to sum up Claudius' predicament there and, indeed, how brilliantly Claudius' character developed in this thread. Thank you so much! <3
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