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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Oct 1, 2011 22:15:59 GMT -5
OOC: Just Mycroft and Jim, I think.
BIC:
The cafe was small and simple. People came and went, never staying for more than twenty minutes at a time. They just wanted to eat and get out and back to the world. Mycroft couldn't care less about these people. They came and went like time, and just like time, they held little value to him. He cared more about the people who actually decided to stay for more than twenty minutes. The elderly women who came and sat down and talked like school girls about the group of men at the opposite side of the cafe, the man who ordered a black coffee and sat alone with his laptop, and the little girl who didn't have the money to buy anything, but just wanted to sit by the window.
And Jim. Mycroft cared about Jim. He had to, or else he wouldn't be spending his time at this cafe to share tea and scones with him. But right now, Jim wasn't being courteous. He was making Mycroft wait. Fashionably late, his ass. Mycroft looked at his wrist again and heaved a sigh before scooping up his newspaper. Someone was walking toward him. It wouldn't be anyone but Jim, since Mycroft decided to put himself at the farthest corner of the cafe.
"If you are going to be late, you do realize that I have a cell phone, right? I mean, really? Making me wait. That is nawt like you, Jim."
So maybe it was five minutes. Traffic could have explained it. There was a small delay on Main Street today.
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Post by JAMES MORIARTY EDWARDS on Oct 1, 2011 23:37:24 GMT -5
Typically speaking, James was not one for coffee, or rather, tea dates, even with old friends. He thought them generally pointless and more often than not pretentious. But, this was Mike. Mycroft to others but Mike to James. Jim and Mike, an odd friendship dotted with ambiguous favors. In all, a good friendship with the added perk of annoying Holmes, the younger. Any chance to annoy his old 'friend' was a welcomed event in James's mind.
He had intended at leaving forty minutes early to meet Mycroft, to account for traffic and unexpected delays, but had gotten distracted in the shower with Sebastian. It resulted in him leaving only thirty minutes early and, as anticipated, was delayed on Main.
Decorum dictated that he should have called Mike and told him to expect him a bit later, but where was the fun in that?
James sauntered into the cafe, moving back to the table Mycroft had mentioned. James had developed not too recently the idea that he was never late and that others were either early or just wrong.
"It's really not my problem if you're so punctual, Mike," James drawled, waving his hand dismissively as he dropped into the chair across the elder Holmes. Tea was already on the table and James helped himself to a cup.
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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Oct 2, 2011 1:58:34 GMT -5
"Even if I am punctual, which is a wonderful asset for any person, you have to learn to be courteous. Like a phone call."
Mycroft wasn't mad. He couldn't be mad at Jim. That, and he didn't have the patience to be mad. He just looked at Jim with his head kind of tilted to the side, that smile on his lips as he looked at him. "But that's ancient history, now."
He straightened up in his chair and helped himself to his own cup of tea once Jim did, taking a slow sip. The scones would be there soon. They were one of the things that Mycroft loved about the cafe. The scones were to die for and very much worth sitting and waiting for them. That's why small talk was invented.
"I presume your week has been the usual. Late nights, early meetings, all of the other boring things you hate to do on a regular basis?"
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Post by JAMES MORIARTY EDWARDS on Oct 3, 2011 22:33:10 GMT -5
"Courtesy is overrated," James sniffed and took a sip of his tea. The occasional morning with Mike never failed to entertain. James leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs casually. The expensive fabric of his steel grey slacks rode up to reveal a maroon and navy striped sock; the socks were Sebastian's doing. The boy said he needed 'fun' in his wardrobe. James caught the sight of his socks out of the corner of his eye and tried to pull the hem of his slacks down to hide that abomination.
James added a squeeze of lemon to his tea and sighed. "I've been keeping myself entertained. And yourself?" It was quite unfortunate that two of the greatest minds on the planet were subjected to being so bored so often. James at least had someone to distract him from it all on a regular basis. Mike though, he wasn't so fortunate. It gave James a little selfish thrill knowing that. He was always a fan of outdoing people, even good 'friends'.
James didn't normally use that word. It was so trite and superficial but he supposed it applied to Mycroft.
"Might I add that you are looking quite well today?" Compliments were always good. Give one and receive one for your efforts.
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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Oct 4, 2011 12:45:42 GMT -5
"Entertainment is a hard thing to come by. I have managed to get to an opera this past week. It was real nice to get out and just relax instead of being stuck in that stuffy office." Mycroft grinned. "You should come with me next time I go to the opera."
The opera was the only thing that could really let Mycroft sit back and relax. The story and the singing were completely exquisite. Such communication through the bodies and the mind. He didn't really know what language they were talking in, but he could recite the entire piece word for word. It was the movements that told him what was happening. And it was wonderful.
Mycroft didn't know if Jim liked the opera, but it was always nice to have company. He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms, enjoying the buzz of conversation not only between him and Jim, but between the people in the cafe. It was a good day.
"Might I add that you are looking quite well today?"
"You might," Mycroft said, snickering a little bit. "I try my best to look my best. Those socks of yours are delightful. I suspect that Sebastian did that, yes?"
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Post by JAMES MORIARTY EDWARDS on Oct 5, 2011 16:57:08 GMT -5
"The opera is a bit boring nowadays. There's no good talent in it anymore," James added a squeeze of lemon to his cup of tea. The truth was that James had far too much energy to sit through an opera. He was a man who needed action. James took another sip of tea and decided it was good enough for the time being. The waitress appeared at their table with a plate of assorted scones, still steaming from the oven. James flashed her his most charming smile and she turned pink, shuffling off.
James smeared a bit of jam onto the corner of a scone then took a bite. "Sebastian's under the impression that, since my wardrobe lacks obscene colors, it's boring. I don't dress like a circus clown and he disapproves. So," James spread a little more jam onto the scone. "He insisted on buying me all new socks for a 'pop' of color. I've ordered new socks, I'm waiting for them to be shipped from Italy,"
James licked a stray bit of jam from his thumb. "I've been so terribly bored, Mike. I always get what I want, I don't have to work for anything anymore," To most people this would be a luxury but to James it was stagnation. He liked being forced to hunt for the prize, to slave away to get something. Lately, he didn't need to do that.
"For example, I wanted to purchase a new suit from Dolce and Gibbana, custom made, but they weren't taking an appointments for three months. Three months Mycroft." James rolled his eyes. "So, I talked to the office boy, flashed him my dimples and did a little act," James demonstrated, smiling at Mycroft coyly and running a single finger over the back of Mycroft's hand. "And now I'm getting my new suit within a week. See? Boring,"
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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Oct 5, 2011 21:19:09 GMT -5
"Boring?" Mycroft scoffed and picked up a scone of his own, electing to eat it plain. He took a nice sized bite, cupping his hand under his mouth to minimize the amount of crumbs that got on his clothes. "The opera is always exciting for me," he said around the food. "Do you even pay any attention at the opera?"
He picked a stray crumb off his tie and frowned. Scones were the best thing, but he didn't enjoy the mess they made. He took a sip of his tea, then raised the scone back to his mouth. "Sebastian is right. You need some color in your suits. You can't be just grey on grey on grey. And make sure that your socks are the same primary color of your suits. They can have color, but please have try to match. But, then again, considering who Sebastian is, that might not be an easy thing to do." He paused and smiled. "Like those socks. They do not match."
Just as Mycroft took another bite, Jim decided to lean a little closer, smile a little more, and rub a finger along the back of his hand. Inwardly, Mycroft sighed. James always wanted to start this kind of stuff. He couldn't just sit and enjoy a simple little outing with a friend. He had to flirt. And damn, was he doing it the right way. Mycroft swallowed the bite of scone.
"It's can't be all boring," he said, not daring to move his hand. "You got to persuade a man in to getting what you wanted. Now, my job is boring. I sit and look at endless words and determine if someone is lying. And if I'm not doing that, I'm looking out the window or something. It's completely and utterly a waste of my time."
Mycroft took another bite of scone, watching Jim from the corner of his eye.
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Post by JAMES MORIARTY EDWARDS on Oct 6, 2011 20:31:05 GMT -5
"Do you even pay any attention at the opera?"
James gave Mike a flat look. "Of course I do. I always pay attention to everything," It wasn't like James had much of a choice. He was hyper aware of his surroundings at all times. He knew exactly how many people he passed on the way to the cafe that morning, he knew precisely what all the other patrons were wearing even after only glancing at them once, and he knew the opera, timing, all the words and pitches, and the crowds of every opera he had ever attended. It wasn't any fun and he thought that the plot lines were, for lack of a better term, stupid.
James pulled his hand back from Mycroft and busied himself with lighting up a cigarette. He hadn't had a fag yet that morning and was in desperate need of one. James took a deep drag and released it through his nose. Tapping the cigarette lightly on the ash tray edge, he bit into the scone again.
"My wardrobe is just fine, thank you very much. And I own more than just grey, and you know it," Which was true. James owned a lot of cool colors, grey and blues with the occasional black suit thrown in. He knew what looked good on him and always made sure to emphasize that.
"There's no challenge in anything any more. Now, when I stole the Queen's pink sapphire ring and matching tennis bracelet while she was wearing them, that was a challenge. That was fun. Flirting some poor fool into submission isn't a challenge."
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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Oct 10, 2011 11:09:35 GMT -5
"Your wardrobe lacks finesse." Mycroft smirked and took a sip of his tea. "Okay, sure, you have more than grey. But blue isn't any better. I feel like whenever I see you, you're wearing the same thing."
He moved his hand to rest on his crossed leg, holding the tea with his other hand. He knew what James meant by having no challenge. Mycroft almost felt the same thing. Sure, being a lawyer threw the occasional curve ball at him, but it was foreseen and he could easily take care of the situation. He needed something that provided more of a challenge. Mycroft nodded his head, then shrugged.
"Sounds like we both are in need of something new. But you can go out and actually do something, though. All you have to do it plan it. Me, I can't do that. I can't go against the law. I am the law." Essentially.
He took another chunk of the scone and chewed slowly, thoughtfully. "I should go rob a bank, just to do it."
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Post by JAMES MORIARTY EDWARDS on Oct 10, 2011 23:49:15 GMT -5
"My wardrobe is fine," James took another drag from his cigarette and expelled it through his nose as he raised his tea cup to his lips again. "Not all clothes come fun sized, Thumbalina. I'm limited on what I have available that looks good."
"I should go rob a bank, just to do it."
James snorted. Mycroft was so straight laced that he would probably break out in hives if he even considered the idea seriously. Which was hilarious to ever think about. James had to break the law every other day just to keep himself occupied. If he went too long without stealing something or annoying the police, he usually wound up doing a large, dramatic crime to make up for it. That was when he would kill. Those crimes were the fun ones. They were always complex and twisted and were oh so fun to design and execute.
"I've got a little excursion planned this weekend. It's happening at a gala, you're welcome to join me." James chuckled and took a bite of scone plain. They weren't half bad jam-less but James decided that he preferred the strawberry jam. So, the next bite was accompanied by a liberal smear of strawberry jam and a follow up sip of tea.
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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Oct 24, 2011 10:49:12 GMT -5
He snorted at being called Thumbalina. By now, he was used to the nickname Jim gave him. It was a short joke. One that didn't make much since since he was only about three inches shorter than him.
"Sure, Princess."
Jim talked about his excursion this weekend. Mycroft tried not to let the color drain from his face. He was joking, but Jim was seriously suggesting committing a crime. No. He could not do that. Being a lawyer put him on a higher pedestal, up high in the view of the public eye. There was no way he could possibly get by with a parking ticket, much less with robbing a bank or committing a major crime, without someone seeing, someone questioning him, someone getting him. Jim was different. He could slip in and slip out before someone even noticed he was there.
"No." It was as simple as that. He pursed his lips, then finished off his tea with a tilt of his head. "Kind thought, yes, but no."
He waved his hand at the waitress for more tea, then looked back at Jim.
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Post by JAMES MORIARTY EDWARDS on Oct 31, 2011 19:35:55 GMT -5
James wasn't at all surprised when Mycroft oh so politely declined his offer. The man's moral compass was overblown and frightening accurate. James thought it was ridiculous and cowardly of Mycroft to never break a law. Sure, there would be a few ramifications for him if he were ever caught but that was if. If he decided to break his silly little mold with James, they wouldn't ever get caught. That just wouldn't happen. He was James fucking Moriarty, best criminal in the world.
To be perfectly honest, James was rather offended that he thought anything but a perfect heist would happen with him at the realm.
Honestly.
James fixed himself another cup of tea and wiped his hands on his napkin. He was done with scones for today.
"You're so boring, Mycroft," James whined. He leaned back and crossed his legs, his hand holding the cigarette draped elegantly over one knee. He looked relaxed and in perfect control. "At least tell me you've been doing something at least halfway interesting with your compulsively "perfect" life." James was burdened with being easily bored and yet difficult to amuse. Hearing other people's plights and downfalls, however, always did the trick.
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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Nov 3, 2011 8:38:23 GMT -5
Mycroft just kind of laughed and shook his head. James was easily bored and apparently, Mycroft wasn't entertaining enough for him. True. He was rather boring. But it kept him from straying too far from his routine. He worked hard to keep his routine. Wake up, go to the gym, shower, protein shake, work, home, more work, and sleep. Rinse and repeat for best results. Sundays were his little getaway. Mycroft always managed to come out here on Sundays. It was just a spur of the moment to invite James.
But yes. He was boring and he accepted that fact. James did not like it. James liked the differences in life.
"I am boring," Mycroft agreed, sitting a bit straighter in his chair. "I like being boring. It is better than going through life with no idea about what will happen. If I stay the same, I won't have to worry about that."
He shrugged a shoulder and eyed the scones. It was tempting to take another. But he didn't.
"The most exciting thing to happen to me lately was getting punched in the face by this skinny little broad." Mycroft laughed a bit. "She did not like the fact that I called her a cab after I was done with her. The bird punched me. Luckily it didn't leave much of a mark."
That stupid, feeling game people play was unimportant and useless. So Mycroft did not play that game. When he was done, so was she.
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Post by JAMES MORIARTY EDWARDS on Nov 3, 2011 14:25:02 GMT -5
"The most exciting thing to happen to me lately was getting punched in the face by this skinny little broad. She did not like the fact that I called her a cab after I was done with her. The bird punched me. Luckily it didn't leave much of a mark."
James gave Mycroft a small, sly sort of grin. That was one thing they both shared, a no muss no fuss approach to relationships. Or, they had. Settling down with Sebastian blew that out of the water for James. He was involved now and, while he still didn't involve his feelings any more than necessary, they managed to muddy things on occasion. Which, of course, was wonderful and exciting. An angry Sebastian was a glorious sight, so much fun to deal. So much fun to tame.
Draining his tea cup, he flagged the waitress and asked for fruit, whatever was in season, and a four tined fork. James refused to use those silly three tined forks some restaurants used. Those weren't dining utensils.
"You should have just left the cab fare on the dresser and left before she was awake. Women are so troublesome when they get emotional and clingy."
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Post by MYCROFT HOLMES on Feb 10, 2012 12:29:43 GMT -5
"You should have just left the cab fare on the dresser and left before she was awake. Women are so troublesome when they get emotional and clingy."
Mycroft snorted and finished off his tea, placing the cup away from him to signal that he was finished. He should have done that, if he had the time.
"She woke up before me. Insisted on bouts of affection and touching. I don't like that, so I told her to leave and thanked her for the night. The bird got all riled up and punched me in the face. It wasn't a hard punch, but it was one nonetheless."
He rubbed his nose for a moment, where the blunt of her punch had gotten him, looking amused. It was a bit sad that was the peak of excitement in the past few months, but he didn't really mind it. Mycroft liked his routine, and it took him a few weeks to get in to a new routine that involved excitement and everything else James craved out of life.
Mycroft shrugged lazily. "My cases have been taking most of my time. I have one against a major car manufacturer for a line of faulty breaks resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, the injury of a dozen more, and the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars." He took a moment to look smug. "I'll win. Easily."
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