We're Just Good Friends [Zander] {Casual}

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

It finally seemed like Claudius was getting on the right page. After downing the entire glass, he reached to fill it up again, looking like he was much more relaxed or maybe resigned. Zander wasn’t about to sit and puzzle it out. Claudius was his own person. He was on a tight rope with Hector, which was ridiculous, but it was what it was, and it was good that he was doing something he wanted to.

"I realize it's a dull topic to discuss when drinking but I can't help being curious...how come Hamlet Enterprises is doing so badly with this bloody economic downturn and business is booming at Devereux Industries?"

Ah, he was wondering when someone would ask. He couldn’t come right out and say he was smart enough to catch Richard in the act. That would cause him some grief, too, seeing as how if Richard went down because of something Zander said, he’d drag Zander along with him happily.

“Well, besides the fact that we’re still producing innovative technology or whatever we do at reduced expenditures?” Zander shrugged, taking a sip from his scotch. “A lot of it is me.”

How true that was...

“We’ve just kept morale up, I’ve financed some projects personally, and I’ve put my face out there to investors, so it’s been a good quarter.” He played with his glass for a long moment. “I don’t know what else to tell you. You know the market is fickle. A lot of people probably invested because I’m such a handsome devil rather than anything measurable.”

He paused for a moment, considering his companion. He was business savy, he knew the markets well, so why had he not caught onto what Ricky was doing?

"I think the question is what is Hamlet Enterprises not doing?"

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

ooc: 'That would cause him some grief, too, seeing as how if Richard went down because of something Zander said, he’d drag Zander along with him happily.' Can I just say I adored that? Reminded me of the time Yols' played Dr Faustus and he said if he went to Hell he'd be dragging Ricky with him...ah, memories. :3

bic:

“Well, besides the fact that we’re still producing innovative technology or whatever we do at reduced expenditures? A lot of it is me.”

Claudius smiled at little at Zander's use of the phrase 'whatever we do'. It wasn't as though he knew exactly what his company did, all he knew was that it kept him in the style to which he was accustomed. Claudius could relate, even if he had to be a bit more involved in the business, if only to sort out his shady underhand dealings which kept the company afloat.

"...A lot of people probably invested because I’m such a handsome devil rather than anything measurable.”

Claudius had to laugh at that, and so he did. Zander was indeed a handsome devil. And so was he, come to think of it? He was Claudius Chandler, for God's sake. Maybe some more TV advertisement would do it, so long as the cameras got his good side.

"I think the question is what is Hamlet Enterprises not doing?"

Claudius shrugged and took another sip from his glass.

"I don't know," he replied, though less moodily than before, perked up by the prospect of sorting a new advert or two - any chance for the media to look on him in a favourable light. "I just don't get why the market's so resolutely on the downturn, that's all. Its weird."

Having said that he shrugged again and drained what was left of his glass, setting it down and leaning back in his chair, more at ease than he had been before, with two glasses of scotch in him.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander was pleased when Claudius laughed. Now that was the carefree expression he should have worn more often. Zander was sure he probably hadn’t laughed in a while if the lines of stress were anything to go by.

When he asked what Claudius’ company wasn’t doing, he seemed to consider it for a long moment. Well, at least he didn’t take it as a comment meant to either intimidate or tease him. It was an honest question because he knew exactly what they weren’t doing, but he wanted to know if Claudius had any idea.

"I don't know. I just don't get why the market's so resolutely on the downturn, that's all. It’s weird." Claudius shrugged, draining his glass.

Now perhaps it would be time for Claudius to slow down. He didn’t want the other man to be drunk, after all. He didn’t need to antagonize Hector any more than he had to. Zander was certain that being alive did that well enough.

“It is weird, but you know how it is. Sometimes the market just slumps,” Zander offered with a shrug.

This was why he hated being in on secrets. He knew the answer, he wanted to tell Claudius why it was the case and prove that he knew so much more than the other man, but it wouldn’t be a wise decision on his part, especially since Claudius was friends with Hector and Hector would definitely not be happy. Richard would then not be happy and it would all come back to Zander being on everyone’s shit list for letting it slip.

“As for why it’s determined to stay turned, I’m not sure, but the law of economics has proven that there is always an eventual up turn after recession and depression. If something’s affecting it, it’ll eventually have to give.”

After all, Richard couldn’t keep it up forever. Zander hoped that was the case.

“I wouldn’t fret over it. I’m sure if it gets bad enough the government will be around to bail businesses out.” Zander shrugged. “But that’s a depressing thought. Let’s talk about lighter things. How’s your love life?”

When in doubt, bring up sex. Zander had always found this to be a good distraction.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

ooc: It amuses me that two of the three threads in The Night Life have Claudius as part of them. XD So much for rehab. Also, just so you know, the Jane/Claudius incident occurred in the past when this thread is taking place, yet Kay and I are just playing it out just now. One of the many reasons Claudius is being vague. And the idea of Zander being in trouble with everyone made me chuckle. XD Its not his fault! ):

bic:

“It is weird, but you know how it is. Sometimes the market just slumps. As for why it’s determined to stay turned, I’m not sure, but the law of economics has proven that there is always an eventual up turn after recession and depression. If something’s affecting it, it’ll eventually have to give.”

Claudius simply shrugged at this and shook his head in disbelief. Its determination to stay and on a downturn bugged him, and for some reason, even though he had asked Zander and Zander was just giving an answer, Clauidus couldn't help but feel that, in doing so, Zander was letting on less than he knew. It was probably nothing, just Claudius being paranoid, but there was a lot more to zander than just being, as he put it, a handsome devil. The man had a brain in his head, Claudius had to admit, even if it wasn't always obvious.

“I wouldn’t fret over it. I’m sure if it gets bad enough the government will be around to bail businesses out. But that’s a depressing thought. Let’s talk about lighter things. How’s your love life?”

Claudius laughed. Ordinarily, this was the part of the evening where he'd regale Zander with his latest escapades, and the younger man would return the favour. But this was not such an evening. Even now Claudius was unable to think of what had happened without a deep sense of shame, of guilt. How else could he feel? But he wasn't about to reveal that to Zander. Especially since it was his confession that had led to it. A confession of guilt which led to even more.

"Practically non-existent," he said, in an attempt at airiness, shrug and all, reaching to pour himself another glass of Scotch. "Shame, really. And yours?"

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander was glad when the change of subject made Claudius laugh. He had always found that turning the conversation to their love lives was something where they could share stories and get back onto even footing. He always looked forward to Claudius’ stories. He was very adept at getting himself into some memorable situations. As long as he didn’t count Hector as one of those conquests he was going to share, then Zander was more than willing to listen.

"Practically non-existent."

Zander’s eyebrows raised in surprise as Claudius threw out that statement with a shrug, brushing it off as though it were nothing as he poured another scotch. He was tempted to reach across the table and take his temperature with the back of his hand just to make sure he wasn’t running a delusion-inducing fever. Lord knew it was the only real explanation for it.

"Shame, really. And yours?"

“Shame indeed,” Zander replied, taking a long sip from his own drink.

He was a bourbon guy, but Scotch was a lot more professional and he preferred it when there were others drinking with him. Still, if the conversation continued on this way, he would be hard pressed not to order a bottle to really get him there.

And now Claudius had managed to turn the conversation back on him. What was there to say about his love life? He wined and dined beautiful women on a weekly basis, but it was all meaningless. He’d introduce himself, they’d recognize his name, and everything was all about the money from there. The few who didn’t care had no time for him, such as Jane. It was a tiring thing when one reached their late thirties and began to see how empty their life had become over the years.

“Oh, you know how it goes,” he offered his own shrug. “I don’t remember any of their names, but they’re quite the lookers.”

Nor did he want to remember their names. Looks weren’t everything, after all. He almost wished he could just lament to Claudius, but he was on a mission to cheer the man up, not bring him down with his own misery over not being able to find someone.

“But I’ve been a good boy lately – nothing on the evening news at least,” he laughed, and unfortunately it was more true than he wanted to admit, having had a few news spots to himself for some rather outrageous dates he’d had in the past. “I’ve been thinking about buying an air plane. Do you know anything about flying, Claudius?”

He was known for his almost random conversation flips, so he was sure there would be no suspicion over his change of subject.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

ooc: The fact that these women only like Zander for his money and status makes me sad. ): Poor Zander -pat pat- And an aeroplane? Random conversation flip if ever there was one!

bic:

The surprised look on Zander's face did not go un-noticed by Claudius, and he couldn't say he was surprised. Both of them got into ridiculous romance-related scrapes, it was true, and Claudius was always the one to begin the confessions of such. But to have little forthcoming, none even - this had never happened before. Claudius himself was surprised but then, he reasoned, after what had happened with Jane...

No, he wasn't going to let himself think about that -not here, not now. The ball of the conversation was back in Zander's court, and Claudius really wished to avoid that particular topic.

“Shame indeed...Oh, you know how it goes. I don’t remember any of their names, but they’re quite the lookers.”

Claudius nodded, almost sagely (he did know how it went, all too well), and took a gulp from his new glass of Scotch. It was excellent stuff, and he would have commented on it were it not for Zander's abrupt and unusual change of topic. He was used to them, but that didn't mean to say he wasn't surprised at this one.

“I’ve been thinking about buying an air plane. Do you know anything about flying, Claudius?”

"A plane?" Claudius repeated, looking rather incredulous. "What on Earth would you want a plane for?" He paused. Then, "When it comes to flying, Hector often tells me I fly by the seat of my pants but I take it that's not what you're reffering to."

He laughed a little at his own apparent wit and took another drink.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

OOC: Aww, yeah, but you know Zander - he bounces right back as soon as he finds something shiny

BIC:

"A plane?"

Claudius sounded like he couldn’t believe what Zander had just asked. His lip tilted a bit in reply. Oh yes, mission accomplished.

"What on Earth would you want a plane for? When it comes to flying, Hector often tells me I fly by the seat of my pants but I take it that's not what you're referring to."

Claudius laughed a little and sipped his glass again. Oh yes, he had definitely had enough, but Zander wasn’t one to help him hold back. After all the crap that was going on, the guy deserved to live a little and enjoy himself.

“Oh, that’s definitely not the kind of flying I was referring to,” Zander confirmed, sipping from his own glass. “And I don’t find that statement accurate. You plan things better than most people I’ve ever met. If you weren’t CEO somewhere else, I’d hire you on.”

It was true. Claudius could plan, plot, and scheme with the best of them. He never seemed to be lacking in ideas, and even when they were drunk, he seemed like he had it together enough to do better than Zander himself managed to. If that was flying by the seat of his pants, then Zander didn’t even want to know what his own flailing ideas looked like.

“And I think the question you should have asked was ‘why don’t you have a plane already?’ Why wouldn’t I want one? They fly!”

It was true. Zander had planned to buy a plane many times over, but it never seemed to happen. Either one of the girls had a crisis or his father died or Mr. Sucky choked on a rather large rock and needed repairs...The point was, there were a million things that always popped up when Mr. Zander Devereux wanted an airplane. Maybe he'd get lucky this time.

“I do have my pilot’s licence, you know. I fly a plane better than I manage a car.”

That wasn’t saying much. He was chauffeured so often that it wasn’t as if he ever got practice. Still, in the air it was like riding a bike. He loved the feeling of being up there, having no worries or cares...and barrel roles were pretty cool!

“If I end up buying one, I’ll have to take you on a ride!” Zander beamed at the idea. “I might even teach you how to fly, if you’re willing.”

Why not? It would be fun. And when Claudius was getting his wings under him, he could pull the old heart attack gag and really give him a scare. It would be a blast!

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

“Oh, that’s definitely not the kind of flying I was referring to,”

"Thought not," Claudius replied with another chuckle, taking another sip from his glass as Zander did.

“And I don’t find that statement accurate. You plan things better than most people I’ve ever met. If you weren’t CEO somewhere else, I’d hire you on.”

Claudius nodded then, in a manner more sage than amused. He did indeed plan things rather well, but Hector didn't often see that side of him, especially considering the facet of Claudius' personality he saw most often was off-his-head-drunk. Not exactly the type for plans, cunning or otherwise.

“And I think the question you should have asked was ‘why don’t you have a plane already?’ Why wouldn’t I want one? They fly! I do have my pilot’s licence, you know. I fly a plane better than I manage a car.”

Ah, of course. Claudius had almost forgotten Zander had a pilot's license - in truth he found the whole idea a bit crazy. For Claudius, planes were for business trips or going on vacation, not for flying oneself. Too dangerous, and too much like hard work.

“If I end up buying one, I’ll have to take you on a ride! I might even teach you how to fly, if you’re willing.”

Zander's beaming contrasted sharply with Claudius' newly regained look of bewilderment. Zander would have to take him on a ride? Was he willing to learn how to fly?

"I think the flying might be enough," he replied. "Learning how to fly...I sincerely doubt that'll be up my alley."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

The bewildered look on Claudius’ face caused Zander to chuckle. Oh, he was far too repressed. Did he have ANY fun? No, of course not, he spent all his time with Hector and his image. Zander was quite different in that respect. He approached life with gusto and happiness and adventure in his plans. Who cared who saw him doing what? His company made money and his good looks got him through. Honestly, flying was the least eccentric thing he would do on any given day. Claudius should try it and embrace it! He’d enjoy himself.

"I think the flying might be enough. Learning how to fly...I sincerely doubt that'll be up my alley."

“Claudius, how would you know until you try?” Zander asked, throwing his mother’s words at the other man.

Oh, now that was a bit creepy. There was one Milly Devereux, and if anyone was going to turn into her, it was Jean, not him. Maybe Sidda...if she took a few hits to the head, which he hoped wouldn't happen because he loved his sister...moving on.

“Either way, I will buy a plane and we shall go flying, and it will be an adventure,” he decided.

And then when he had Claudius up in the air, he would coax him into trying it. That would be when he would least suspect it, after all. Zander took a sip from his drink, thinking for a moment that he was a genius, or at the very least someone who could manipulate others when it could be of use.

“Or perhaps if you have an idea for something fun, we could do that instead.”

Fun was the operative word. If he thought fishing was fun, then Zander was going to have to suggest something else because there was no way he was sitting by a lake for a whole day without getting a fish. Well, unless he brought dynamite. That would be sporting. Hmm, maybe he should suggest fishing just to see the explosion. Claudius liked explosions, right? What guy didn't....

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

ooc: 'Claudius liked explosions, right? What guy didn't....' This made me laugh out loud! XD Oh Zander... Also, I hope you don't mind Claudius echoing Zander's 'I'm far too pretty to die' at the end of this post. XD

bic:

Claudius wasn't so sure he liked Zander's chuckle, particularly due to his interpretation of it. Claudius got the idea that Zander thought he wasn't any fun due to his qualms about flying... Claudius Chandler was nothing if not fun! Well, considering what his idea of fun usually consisted of, perhaps flying was a good idea by comparison...

“Claudius, how would you know until you try?”

It was Claudius' turn to chuckle this time; Zander's tone was just too amusing. Almost like a dissaproving parent, or a teacher. It didn't suit the younger man at all.

“Either way, I will buy a plane and we shall go flying, and it will be an adventure. Or perhaps if you have an idea for something fun, we could do that instead.”

"Nope," Claudius replied simply, full of bravado due to the insinuations he had assumed Zander was making and wishing to dispel them. "Nothing sounds more entertaining than going flying!" He drank what remained of his glass of Scotch in a decisive, almost grand gesture, as if to prove how prepared he was for this so-called 'adventure'. Having done so he put the glass down again and said, in a somewhat quieter tone,

"As long as the two of us going flying won't end in us crashing or dying or anything... we're both too handsome to die, are we not?"

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

OOC: Nessie...I swear to God that I responded to this! I’m kind of embarrassed that it’s taken me this long to notice! So, without further adieu – or opportunity to forget again (Zander’s memory is rubbing off on me)...

BIC:

"Nope. Nothing sounds more entertaining than going flying!"

Claudius was a fair liar. He could pull the wool over a lot of different eyes, but it was hard to lie to someone who knew what to look for. After all, he’d been lied to his entire life. He watched as Claudius drained his glass with a flourish, as if toasting to their plane plans. Zander drank from his own glass, resisting the urge to tell Claudius that he saw through the show. He would get nowhere by doing that. He was aware that his friends were few and far between in the city, and he wasn’t about to alienate one over something as petty as pride.

"As long as the two of us going flying won't end in us crashing or dying or anything... we're both too handsome to die, are we not?"

Zander couldn’t help but smile. That sounded very much like something he would say! It was wonderful when people were on the same wave length. That or Claudius was finally just as drunk as he should be. Good. A sober and grouchy Claudius was no fun. A drunk and loose Claudius was highly amusing and often the cause of some of his more interesting adventures.

“I couldn’t have said it better myself! Why, the women of this city would weep if its two most eligible bachelors died in some death defying, but very cool, stunt!”

And one crackpot inspector, but he wasn’t going to call attention to that. No, as far as everyone was concerned he didn’t KNOW any inspectors...

“Believe me, I would not let you die,” Zander offered, taking another sip from his drink. “I have been flying far longer than I’ve been driving. In fact, I fly better than I drive.”

Not that saying that was saying much. He hadn’t been behind the wheel of a car in some time. He glanced over at Claudius, realising how this may have left him open to ridicule.

“Not a word,” he warned, wagging a stern finger at him. “Have another drink.”

There. That solved all problems. And if that didn’t do it, he could always turn the conversation onto real disasters, like Sidda’s dating life, or Jean’s lack-there-of, or even the strange potpourri Mara had been arranging in decorate bowls his mother had deposited all around his apartment. His whole world smelled like dried flowers and cinnamon oil...

"Now, we've covered work, women, and wild adventures. What's next on the conversational hit parade?"

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

ooc: Not to worry, m'dear, not to worry... I've been too busy to notice you hadn't replied, so I guess we're both in the wrong here., XD This reply was well worth a wait though!

bic:

“I couldn’t have said it better myself! Why, the women of this city would weep if its two most eligible bachelors died in some death defying, but very cool, stunt!”

Claudius snorted with laughter at the mental picture Zander's words conjured - some sort of ridiculous looking aerial acrobatics that looked like something out of a cartoon. Granted, the end of the mental image wasn't pretty, but the comical flying part was. Then again, if he was to go flying with Zander, he most likely wouldn't be amused - rather terrified. But he wasn't going to admit to fear. He liked to try and give the impression he was fearless...at least in front of Zander, who would find it all too easy to mock him.

“Believe me, I would not let you die. I have been flying far longer than I’ve been driving. In fact, I fly better than I drive.”

"I believe you," Claudius said - not laughing any more, but smiling in a rather infectiousness, silly way. "I don't think I've ever actually seen you drive, though..."

“Not a word. Have another drink.”

Claudius sent Zander a falsely apologetic look at his tern finger wagging, but was all too eager and enthusiastic seconds later to reach for the bottle and pour himself another drink. He didn't recall what number he was on but at this point he didn't care.

"Now, we've covered work, women, and wild adventures. What's next on the conversational hit parade?"

"How good this stuff is?" Claudius said jokily, holding his newly refilled glass aloft before taking a drink from it.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

"I believe you. I don't think I've ever actually seen you drive, though..."

Zander had to secretly agree that it was for the best. He was a poor driver. Cars were horrible to maneuver. It didn’t seem to matter, seeing as how Claudius was already pouring himself another drink and carrying on. As it was, Zander was willing to bet that he was a better driver than his inebriated friend here. Alcohol and motor vehicles only ever spelled trouble, after all.

"How good this stuff is?"

Zander snorted. Oh, Claudius was so far beyond tipsy that it was clear he was done for the night. He reached for the near empty bottle, pouring himself a dollop and setting it on the table behind him so there was no more temptation for his friend. He wouldn’t embarrass the other man by taking away his glass, but he would make it harder for him to do any more damage. In fact, he thought it was high time that they called it a night.

Once he’d finished and Claudius’ drink was empty, he stood, rounding the table to grasp his friend under the arm.

“I may not drive, but I’m smart enough to employ people who do. C'mon - my driver'll give you a lift home."

After all, that was what good friends did after they purposely got you drunk.