Entry 577; Day 1335

[misterblackbird]

[Video Post]
[In a blink and a shudder, the image begins with a start, the Network device held at something like arm's length or shoulder height, or maybe it's being held out of someone else's reach. Either way, it's recording, well, an unexpected scene:

Namely, it would be one of Lord Cain C. Hargreaves (almost certainly immediately recognizable to his acquaintances) in the rather distinctly passionate embrace of an unfamiliar but handsome and fair-haired young man. Not that Cain looks at all thrilled with the ordeal, given the expression on what can be seen of his face, and the way he seems to be trying to extricate himself from the embrace, and how he keeps trying to grab for his Network device (the one recording the whole scene, naturally). To be more specific, it appears the two are engaged in a very long kiss...

... ... ...

And it persists.

... ... ...

Look, now, really. This has gone on at least twice as long as it should have and shows few signs of stopping.

Cain is still fighting--perhaps for air now, it really must be said. And it is at this point, mercifully, that the other gentleman does release him (perhaps more slowly than would really be desirable, given the circumstances) and, with a less-embarrassed smile than one would hope, takes his leave and vanishes from the view of the Network device. And, in so departing thereby also leaving Cain with the Network device still suspended in his hand and looking more than a little disheveled and put-out (his tie and collar are both a bit undone, to say nothing of his hair).

With the device still fixed on him, he stands there in the street for a moment to collect himself, as pedestrians pass him by and a few similar scenes go on in the distance with different couples and different victories.]

And here I had thought my good fortune might continue a day or two more...

Hasn't this all happened once or twice before...?

[There's little more that he can do at this point, really, besides give an exasperated sigh and turn back to the Network device (still recording) in his hand. He turns away again as he turns it off, driving the image back into the dark with a flicker and a blink and--]
[//video post ends]

[ooc: An NPC with a crush on Cain using the curse to his advantage? Well, stranger things have happened ;3c What you didn't see: Cain came out of the Turnabout Cafe looking for this particular fellow after this particular fellow walked out without his order (charmingly boxed and tied up with string, I can assure you). Cain stepped out to try and call to him about it and this stranger (now half a block away) then turned back and ran the sidewalk obstacle course of people, baby carriages, dogs on leashes, and miscellaneous creatures and road furniture in nothing short of magnificent style and record time and thereby claimed his...prize for it? As part of the game (to record it for posterity or for himself, naturally), our other gentleman here managed to nab Cain's Network device and get to postin'! Well, it's a curse, which explains the kiss...but not the rest of it... For the record, Cain is still in the cafe and is still very much kissable.]

Comments

Action

[allinhishands]

[Once there was a handsome man of noble standings in society. Of course, he made some choices that led to him faking his death but not before he taught his son some very valuable lessons. After all, what kind of father would he be if he just failed to teach him anything? He did have some duties to attend to and he hardly wished to let his own child down.

Well, today that man was out and about, enjoying the day. He was thoroughly enjoying the day, watching the kisses happen all around him while he headed for a cafe that was truly his favorite. It was the one he'd been introduced to the day he'd arrived and what a joy to know that his son actually owned it.

Even better when he saw that his son was actually working there. That certainly counted as a victory in his mind. Such a thing called for a celebration and naturally that meant grabbing Cain's harm to pull him into an embrace.

Oh yes...and to provide his son with the most passionate of kisses while he was at it. It would be cruel to not do so when there was such a victory in knowing he could do a great deal here while his son was working. His heart was already humming with excitement over the idea.

Do enjoy the kiss, Cain. Father was ever so good at them.]

Action

[misterblackbird]

[It takes him a moment at first to realize what's happening, to realize that not only is he being kissed, but who it is that is kissing him. It takes him a moment to recognize the shape of a jacket, of a hand, of a face.

He catches a scent that sends his mind reeling. Panic and fear find their way into his gut before the reasons for them ever form in his mind.

He knows that face, that hand, that scent.

And no sooner does he recognize them but he is struggling to free himself, terrified and also ashamed.]

Action

[allinhishands]

[Only once he is satisfied does Alexis allow his son to escape his embrace. A smile plays with his lips as he gazes down at the boy before he tips his hat to him.]

Good day to you, Cain. What a pleasant surprise to run into you. Perhaps I could ask if anything special is being served today?

[That smile turns into a smirk.]

Unless you are following the path of your father and offering yourself as part of the menu.

Action

[misterblackbird]

[The astonishing thing--and Cain will think it astonishing once he can think about this ordeal without his flesh crawling--is how, for all his vows and oaths of blood and revenge, the very sight of his father can render him all but paralyzed.

He stands here, staring up at his father, the man he has sworn to kill a hundred times over, and he can't move. He can only gape and stare and cower and gasp. He is, for no small amount of time, rendered powerless.

It takes what strength he has to gather his courage and, finally, to speak:]

You're not welcome here.

Action

[allinhishands]

Didn't you know, my son?

[Removing his hat, he takes a bow as if he's introducing himself for the first time here. After all, he doubts his son actually realizes this next bit of information that he wishes to share with him. That alone delights him but there's no need to count that as a victory as well.]

I am one of your best customers. I come to this cafe often.

[And he's organized his schedule to such perfection that, except for this rare instance, he's always been here when his son hasn't been.]

Action

[misterblackbird]

[He should have known or guessed long before now. It's no secret that the cafe is his (inherited, yes, but his). Why wouldn't his father find out about it sooner or later? And sooner, rather than later? It's the first weakness, the first flaw in his attempts at secrecy and safety in what he now sees as a great cascade.]

Then never come here again.

Action

[allinhishands]

For what reason? I enjoy coming here to learn how my son is doing.

[That's right, Cain. People talk and he takes advantage of that fact. So far he really has no reason not to come here anymore. It's a great place for information, he can torture his son, and he can enjoy a good cup of tea.]

[brobeforehos]

[A witness to such a display happens to be Mae here. She can tell he's distressed, however, so it begs the questions of how consensual that kiss actually was?

Maybe some people did not wait or want for it when cursed. No courtesy at all.]

I think it has? Wasn't it cursed mistletoe or something as unshocking?

[misterblackbird]

[Please excuse him while he straightens his hair and tie and collar and cuffs again. How fast dishevelment creeps up on one.

It takes a moment before he realises he's being addressed. Oh. Damn. That means someone saw the whole ordeal in the moment.

Well.]

The mistletoe strikes most every year, I've seen.

[Fiddling with his shirt cuffs some more.]

I think this same curse struck last year about this time--it's like the mistletoe curse but without the mistletoe.

[And he runs his hands through his hair.]

[brobeforehos]

[Yes, the voyeur. How rude of her.]

Oh, I must've missed it. [It's certainly coming back twofold. She fishes through her bag for a moment, and offers him a hand mirror.]

There, that'll work better.

[misterblackbird]

[He waves it off.]

I'm not sure it's really worth it today.

It's a pity you missed it, really. As you can see, it's truly a wonderful curse.

[Deadpan sarcasm.]

[brobeforehos]

Well, you will never know when you might need your looks. I doubt dishevelledness will keep anyone at bay.

[Sarcasm met with good spirits.] You'd be surprised.

[misterblackbird]

Yes, I suppose it might very well attract more admiration than one might wish for today.

Is that so? Do surprise me, then.

[primrosella]

My goodness, who was that?

[Except that because of the full-face motorcycle helmet she's wearing, it comes out a little more like "mm fwhmmnss, oo uh VAT".

Such are the perils of avoiding being kissed on a day like today.]

[misterblackbird]

[Cain is not exactly fluent in Motorcycle Helmet, but he has encountered it before and can hazard a decent translation.]

A regular patron of the Turnabout Cafe, I believe.

[primrosella]

[From the looks of things, Cain needs it more than she does.]

A what?

[Look, it's kind of hard to hear through one of those things, okay.]

[misterblackbird]

[This is quite true.

Louder now:]

A regular patron!

[primrosella]

Oh, I see!

[As she pops open the visor, and really, Rosella, why didn't you just do that in the first place.]

A regular patron I rather think I ought to go have a word with, I might add.

[misterblackbird]

A word with--? But, why?

[berthierite]

[Honestly, Cain? Berthier is sorry about this, she doesn't actually think much of physical pursuits such as kissing, unlike her sisters. But you see... there just isn't a lot of cake on planet Nemesis, being on the outskirts of space with no light by which to grow some of the main ingredients involved. She what that little slice is pushed over and she smiles...

You just happened to be in arm's reach, and contrary to your earlier embarrassment, she is really very sweet and nigh on chaste about it.]

[misterblackbird]

[This is much better than that earlier embarrassment. Far and away better. If he's going to have to put up with being kissed, he'd rather it be more like this, thank you so very much and do enjoy the cake.]

what is english /squints

[berthierite]

[It wasn't really what she intended, and when she pulls back, her eyes wide and a hand over her mouth, it's probably genuine surprise.]

Oh dear.

[misterblackbird]

[The kindest smile he can muster.]

It's a curse. It's been happening all day.

[berthierite]

[While internally, Berthier is nauseated to have kissed a human. Somehow she keeps the wide-eyed facade while delicately wiping her lips with her fingertips.]

Terribly rude.

[misterblackbird]

[Good thing Cain has no idea. He's beginning to find Berthier rather charming.]

Of the City, yes. I quite agree.