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Jun. 13th, 2013 10:06 amstillfriendsNatasha smiled at the hostess as she was led to a table on the patio of the New York restaurant. This particular location, frequented by the most influential and money heavy in New York, was far from the reconstruction happening in Midtown. In fact as people spoke over their mimosas and eggs benedict, it hardly seemed as if this side of town had been affected by the attack at all.
A few glances were shot her way as she was seated, an expected result of the designer dress she was wearing, but her actual reason for slipping on her most expensive heels and dialing up Natalie Rushman to an eleven hadn't appeared yet. She ordered her own mimosa and waited.
Natalie Rushman at an eleven was actually Natasha Reed, art buyer and connoisseur to the rich and famous. It was an identity that she hadn't drawn on for at least two years and one that had been created nearly five years ago to retrieve information about valuable art knock offs that were being auctioned off to influential people. Of course, they'd been less interested in the art than the state secrets inside of each piece. Or were until Natasha had made their interest wane with a host of bad information and switches.
Her stint as Natasha Reed had led her to cultivating quite a collection of contacts inside the art world of New York. She had met up and coming artists, hobnobbed with New York's elite and exclusive at art gallery openings and most importantly, met the movers and shakers behind the business side of the industry.
The man she was lying in wait for now just happened to be one of the most influential, a role that he'd carved out of opportunity with his wit and charm. Gaius Maecenas was nothing more than a con man in some ways, despite being born into the right financial class. He dealt with all sides of the business, legitimate and underhanded, and somehow had always managed to keep himself out of trouble. Natasha might have helped with that a time or two, in her own way. It wasn't often that she got attached to a contact, but her and Maecenas had their own game and stakes, along with their own code of honor.
The truth was, she was looking forward to seeing him again and it had nothing to do with the favor she needed to ask of him.
A few glances were shot her way as she was seated, an expected result of the designer dress she was wearing, but her actual reason for slipping on her most expensive heels and dialing up Natalie Rushman to an eleven hadn't appeared yet. She ordered her own mimosa and waited.
Natalie Rushman at an eleven was actually Natasha Reed, art buyer and connoisseur to the rich and famous. It was an identity that she hadn't drawn on for at least two years and one that had been created nearly five years ago to retrieve information about valuable art knock offs that were being auctioned off to influential people. Of course, they'd been less interested in the art than the state secrets inside of each piece. Or were until Natasha had made their interest wane with a host of bad information and switches.
Her stint as Natasha Reed had led her to cultivating quite a collection of contacts inside the art world of New York. She had met up and coming artists, hobnobbed with New York's elite and exclusive at art gallery openings and most importantly, met the movers and shakers behind the business side of the industry.
The man she was lying in wait for now just happened to be one of the most influential, a role that he'd carved out of opportunity with his wit and charm. Gaius Maecenas was nothing more than a con man in some ways, despite being born into the right financial class. He dealt with all sides of the business, legitimate and underhanded, and somehow had always managed to keep himself out of trouble. Natasha might have helped with that a time or two, in her own way. It wasn't often that she got attached to a contact, but her and Maecenas had their own game and stakes, along with their own code of honor.
The truth was, she was looking forward to seeing him again and it had nothing to do with the favor she needed to ask of him.
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Date: 2013-10-17 06:16 am (UTC)She cocked an eyebrow the tiniest bit at him. "If you were so inclined, you could arrange for a meeting between myself and your employer. All I need is a chance to make an impression."
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Date: 2013-10-21 08:31 am (UTC)"So what you want from me is an introduction, one that will set you apart from all the others clamouring for his attention?" He clarified with a faint smirk. Octavian was known for being politely dismissive of a lot of people he met. It was just the way he was, he was good at being charismatic and making speeches when it was planned, but he wasn't the most social of people.
A planned meeting meant Octavian would make a good impression too, a good enough impression for the kind of money Stark could throw at him...
"A private meeting, or a public introduction?"
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Date: 2013-10-29 05:57 am (UTC)It would convey the in she had with Maecenas, which couldn't help with someone who seemed as guarded as Octavian. It would also allow her to feel out his weak spots with less distractions.
"You'll be there, of course. Maybe a dinner? We could all get to know one another better."
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Date: 2013-11-12 09:30 am (UTC)Octavian would probably agree to it, it gave him a chance to weigh her up as well without any distractions, and Maecenas imagined he'd prefer it that way. It was easier for him, as well, if this meeting didn't go well he didn't have to run around making amends the way he might if it went wrong publicly.
"Do you know when you're available? I'll check Octavian's schedule and see what I can come up with."
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Date: 2013-11-13 07:07 am (UTC)There's the slightest hint of a flirt to that comment. Not unusual for Maecenas, but probably not unappreciated either.
"You can text me the details after you talk to him. You do still have my number, don't you?"
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Date: 2013-11-19 01:54 pm (UTC)"I'll see if we can arrange a couple of options and you can just let us know which one suits you best. I think I still have your number, unless you've changed it?"
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Date: 2013-11-20 09:40 am (UTC)[She grins at him.]
Now enough business, Maecenas. Are you seeing anyone?
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Date: 2013-11-20 12:40 pm (UTC)Well that was unexpectedly blunt, but with their usual way of dancing around everything it was fun to get the blunt questions every now and again.
"Why, are you asking?" He grinned back.
Sorry about the random prose switch up.
Date: 2013-11-21 06:47 pm (UTC)She gives him a measuring look.
"You look much more happy than you did the last time I saw you. Something tells me it's not your added responsibility. So that must mean love."
She's half teasing and half serious. If there is someone in Maecenas picture attempting to manipulate him might be more difficult.
I was so offended by it I made you wait. But actually because I fail
Date: 2014-01-09 05:12 pm (UTC)Catching his breath, he stared at her incredulously.
"Love? Me?" he laughed "I don't think so."
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Date: 2014-01-11 05:06 am (UTC)"And why not?" She asked, tilting her had. "As I recall, there were plenty in the habit of loving you. And fairly frequently as well."
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Date: 2014-01-11 09:41 am (UTC)"Well that's different," he smirked "that's not love, that's a good time. Good times, actually."
He shook his head slightly. "No, I'm not the... relationship type, you might have noticed. Casual and fun, that's my style, none of those pesky emotions, they just get in the way."
Lying through his teeth while also completely telling the truth, it was a skill. He didn't bother with relationships and emotions because he was already too smitten - not that he'd ever use the word to describe the way he felt.
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Date: 2014-01-14 11:08 pm (UTC)She gave him a small smile and shook her head. Maybe she had taken things too far, their relationship had never quite included this kind of talk, though there had been plenty of flirting leading up to but never actually following through with the good time part.
She liked the way Maecenas kept his emotions in check. He was a business man first and foremost. Ruthless and calculating, but not without the ability to have fun. They were alike in that way. Except her business was deceit. Death.
"Perhaps," she said with a small shrug. "But sometimes they make things that much more fun."
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Date: 2014-01-20 03:16 pm (UTC)He didn't really mind talking about it, he had enough control over himself to dismiss any insinuation that he might be utterly head over heels in love with a particular red head who may or may not be his current employer, why would you even suggest that?
Mostly it was just that nobody would really expect him to be such a romantic, and nobody would expect Octavian to evoke that kind of emotion in someone, so he hardly expected anybody to make the connection.
"Well, I'll let you know if I agree when I experience any," he joked