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*
So, if Max should follow Lamont one day….it's a big Gilded Age mansion way, way up in the hoity-toity updown districts. So that's where Lin stays when he's not at home. There's a front gate Monty unlocks with a key and leaves that way, as he heads up the walk to the front door. That he does lock behind him. Doesn't look as if anyone's home but him.
*
Maximus is dropped off in a limo, and comes out of it wearing a hot suit, hair slicked back, really…rather dapper. He waves off the driver and comes straight to the door and knocks.
*
That has Lamont himself coming to the door. He might be wealthy, but it doesn't look as if he keeps much staff, at the moment. He's already dressed down to shirt and pants - suit jacket and tie discarded. Maximus's presence has him blinking, but it's mere bemusement rather than annoyance. "Hello," he says. "Do come in."
*
Maximus sweeps on into the place, "You were right about the money, it seems. This is a fine place. You should invite me to stay here instead of that tiny apartment." He grins crookedly and then winks as he casts a look over to Lamont. "I like to surprise people…see what they are really like when they don't plan to meet you. When I was king, I used to now and then visit some…random person in the city. Just to see them."
*
For a wonder, he doesn't seem offended. Instead, Lamont mutely ushers him in. It's a long front hallway, mostly panelled in dark wood, with doors to either side and a grand stairway leading up to the next floor. "I generally prefer my privacy, as I'm sure you value yours," he says, blandly. The first door to the left is a parlor or living room, still kept in the original Victorian splendor - ornate furniture, all dark wood and burgundy plush. "Here, do sit," he urges him. "I can get us both something to eat or drink, if you prefer." A beat, and he adds, "Lindon's out for the moment."
*
"That's fine. I didn't come to see him in the first place. If he were here, its fine, but, I came to see you. I am going to move out of that apartment, soon." Maximus draws in a deep breath. "A drink sounds good. I wanted to know more about /you/, actually. Lindon may be unaware of your…special abilities, but…I know you have more going on than simply being a rich guy from out of town."
*
Something seals over in his expression, at that. Oh, the facade's still pleasant enough, but…. "Very well," he says, after a few beats considering Maximus. "Name your poison." There's a cabinet off to one side that serves as a wet bar, it seems, with crystal decanters arranged atop it. "And what makes you say that?" For all his languid speech, there's tension in the line of his back.
*
"You were at the club that night that I was…expressing myself…versus the owner. I barely remember what you said or did, but I turned my attention on you and it was allll locked up. That doesn't happen with someone who is normal. Human. So…you must not be." Maximus says casually as he paces nearer, following to the wet bar. "Bourbon."
*
"I'm perfectly human," he assures Maximus, glancing over his shoulder. "Born on Earth to human parents." Lamont pours him a bourbon - no ice, no fridge in that cabinet - and hands it off, before pouring a measure for himself. "I've just learned a few things, here and there."
*
"Like a sorceror? You've made an impression on Lindon. He's right smitten with you." Maximus arches his brows. "But I'm not sure what hes gotten himself into. He likes being a Librarian…and you dont seem dull."
*
Lamont concedes the point with a little moue. "Something like. Not much of one," he says. "And I can't blame magic for that, not really. Just luck. Are you suggesting I might lead him into trouble? OR that he's in some other sort of trouble already?" At that last concession, he grins, suddenly, a white flash of teeth. "I try not to be dull. I fear I'm very quiet, though. I lead a rather retired life."
*
"I like him. I could see myself liking him too much, if I let myself. So…I just want to be sure, before I…make my way, that he's not going to end up being trained as a demon's slave…and so on. The world IS very strange, you know." Maximus has an active imagination.
*
Right to the heart of the matter. Lamont looks at him for a long moment, and then says, simply, "I love him. More than anything. But…..I don't own him. I don't coerce or bind him to me by any means, magical or otherwise. If you want to be his lover, I will not stand in your way. I see the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you." There's no jealousy or anger there, but a kind of clear-eyed acceptance. "Just so long as you do not attempt to coerce him either, nor steal him from me."
*
"No. I do not wish that. Is that surprising? I warn him off when he gets flirty. He's not what I need, or what I want. He's a /mood/…and I value a friendship more than a mood." Maximus reveals with the sharp clip of practiced words. He's thought about it, and decided against it, apparently.
*
That mollifies Lamont a little, clearly. A little bit of that tension leaves him, and he nods. "Wise," he says, quietly.
*
"He said you're quite protective though. I'll admit…I was tempted to try something, just to see it. But…again, I like him better than as a tool for my amusement. Any chance of seeing it anyway?" Maximus grins crookedly.
*
He's thrown Lamont off-balance, it's plain. He blinks at Max over the rim of his g lass, before lowering it. "Seeing me be protective?" he asks. "Well, if you'd admitted to wanting to court him, I'd've noted that if you tried to hurt or coerce or steal him from me, you'd regret it." His tone's mild though, rather than fierce.
*
"You did say that. I thought you might…grow tentacles, or…eyes glow reddddd…" Maximus tilts his head and sips his drink, his steel eyes squinted slightly. "What…made you want him in the first place? What's the trick? I see all these…demure people having no trouble finding a date and I wonder to myself…so is that the trick?"
*
Stilll bemused. Lamont considers his answer in a brief silence, swirling his liquor in its glass. "Well, I find him simply physically attractive, that's part of it," he says, slowly. "But….it's getting to know him….he's very intelligent, and rather shy and awkward. Kind, though, too. It's hard to find New Yorkers who aren't cynical…." Then the first part of it catches up to him, and he laughs. "No. No glowing or growing. I'm really only a man."
*
Maximus exhales and shakes his head some. "There's this girl, Lorna. She is very awkward, very shy, and I have seen her with two different men, both attractive…rich…sort of exactly what I would want. Yet that sort of person does not seem to have an interest in /me/. So, perhaps I need to be more…like that?" He wrinkles his face. "That hardly matters. You say you are only a man, but I don't believe you."
*
"I don't know that it's shyness particularly. I think….it's a willingness to care?" Lamont's reaching, that's plain. Then he's looking at Max, puzzled. "What do you want a relationship for? Someone to take care of you?"
*
Maximus makes a face. "What! I care. Ugh. I want…someone…special. To talk with. That likes me. All the time."
*
His expression softens into something almost tender. "Male only, or female?" he wonders. As if trying to map out the outlines.
*
Maximus lifts a hand. "Well…I am pickier about the ladies. I don't like them very ladylike. Tough ladies, like that Tanya…I do like. Many males. Actually, features you might find weird do not bother me at all. So, hairy, blue, whatever. Why, do you have a brother?" He chuckles. "I am just trying to figure it all out."
*
"I did," Lamont's voice is still soft. "He died some years ago. And I can sympathize, when it comes to women. I tend to prefer Amazons myself. What….you've had a lover before, surely?"
*
"I came here to get some /perspective/, Lamont. You…and Lindon…have the sort of thing that I want, but while I seem perfectly capable of caring for someone else, I seem to /repulse/. I have had lovers…I was /King/, after all, but its not the same. It stands to my reason that if /I/ like people who are a mess, then I shouldn't have to alter too much, right? I mean, /surely/…" Maximus frowns. "I'm just trying to figure out how…it all…came about."
*
Lamont lifts his hand in a gesture of placation. "I'm just trying to figure out where you're coming from. And…forgive me, but how many of those lovers loved *you*, as opposed to what being with you could get them?"
*
"I have no idea." Maximus answers and then takes another drink. "Probably none of them." He lifts his shoulders. "And my relatives, aside from Crystal, seem to universally hate me, for /no reason/." He rolls his eyes. "So, Lamont…" he taps his fingers along the glass, "you have a drink with a guy and bond over flying planes and its settled? That's how it happened?"
*
"No, not exactly," he says, slowly. "The truth of it is….I'm a sorcerer. And…Lindon has a kind of magical significance. I won't explain that part further, that's for him to say. That's how I noticed him. And….what he is was hurting him. At first all I wanted was to understand and help…and to protect him. I thought that would be it, I didn't think he'd care for men in general, let alone me, specifically. And …I don't know how it is where you're from, but men with men is a very powerful taboo here. I feared that if I admitted my attraction, he'd reject me utterly." He takes a deep breath, continues. "He was staying here, as my guest, to better protect him. But…he admitted he was attracted to me, first."
*
Maximus widens his eyes and leans forwards, "I KNEW you had to be a sorceror! And I know what Lindon is. I tried to…get his assistance. And he did try helping me for a while with classical research. I am at least assured that it seems like…" He makes a gesture that seems to indicate everything, "this is all fine."
*
Lamont lets out another slow breath. "Well, there you have it. It snowballed quickly from there." Because two deprived introverts stumbling into an affair goes like paper burning.
*
Maximus finishes off his drink and then rises. "Excellent. Well…this is a wealth of information, such as it is. I appreciate you being more open with me about it all."
*
HE spreads his hands. "I fear it's not much help in a quest for true love. I expected and hoped for nothing of the sort. I mean, what I have with Lindon. IT's only been a few weeks, but….I think it'll last."
*
Maximus sets the clear glass down on the counter with a click. "Hmmm…I think its been longer than /that/. Regardless…I will see myself out. I have…seen what I needed to see, and…now this is wallowing." He seems annoyed with himself.
*
That gives Lamont pause. "Wallowing?" he parrots back.
*
Maximus makes a humming sound. "Wallowing." he confirms and then draws in a deep breath. "Thank you for the drink." He seems, suddenly, anxious to get out of there.
*
"You're more than welcome," He sounds almost gentle. "I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. I do wish you luck."