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Are you busy right now?

[ Just like they have interacted far more than they have, as opposed to Alaric deciding he wants to interact more. ]

Nope. Just got off work. What's up?

We haven't spoken in... too long. Do you want dinner somewhere?

Way too long. I kinda let life here get away from me.

Definitely. I'd love that.

As did I. Where are you? I'll meet you, and we can take it from there.

In the Down at the Midnight Theatre. Just got done doing some stuff for work.

I'm on my way.

[ And he is. He's there as quickly from the Up as he can be, dressed as always in a green buttondown and black slacks, collar on even in the down and hair back. He smiles, faintly, when he spots Caleb. ]

I owe you an apology.

[It hadn't been a performance night, but he's been working on his skills in hopes of helping out more for Nate. He needs the work, and he needs to keep busy while he's working out in his head all he's been through and what he had let happen.

Looking up when he hears steps, smiling as he raises his hand in greeting. The smile fades though, head cocking to one side, confused.]

You do? Why?

[ Caleb's smile fading isn't ideal, but as it's just confusion Alaric just shakes his head a little and keeps his smile. ]

I meant to keep in touch. As you said - life got away from me - but it seems terribly rude after being locked in a room with you for sex.

Oh. Oh, no. You don't have to apologize for that. I...

[He pauses, considering how to explain things. He didn't want the other man feeling he'd done something wrong.]

Honestly, after that I kind of withdrew from people because of how upset someone I care about got. Besides, we were locked in a room and decided to have sex.

[He grins, shrugging slightly and giving him a bit of a shy look.] I would have had sex with you without the locked room.

[ He laughs, a little.]

I would have too, that is why it felt so impossibly rude. It has just been... chaotic. Let's find somewhere to eat, and catch up. Is your friend better now? What kind of work are you doing here?

I didn't think it was rude. Not in the least.

[Not when it was Alaric. His smile waivers and he shakes his head.]

Actually we just recently broke up. A bit of this place and looking at the world different ways. Actually I'm working with the theatre with their magic program, and I'm considering finding another job. Especially while I'm working on finding another dominant.

But let's find somewhere to eat and talk about it all.

[ He tends toward being pretty quiet and this isn't an exception - he will open up and talk some more once they find a place to go and settle in to eat - but for the search itself, the ordering a drink and something to eat, he's just pretty quiet.

But then they have a table that's more than a little secluded, with drinks in front of them and food on the way. ]

I'm sorry about the break up. You seem... relatively okay? [ Yes, that is a question ] about it.

[Caleb hasn't talked about it much since he'd left the place he'd thought for a time might become his home in this place. It's definitely a risk in this place to throw himself out on the streets, to take the chance that he'll end up in jail but it was one he had to take.

So when they're seated, toying with things though he's glad for the meal. More than that, glad for the money he'd saved in the couple of months so that he's not entirely stuck in the Down and what's given to them.

He makes a face at that, nodding though.]

It's for the best? Which sounds lame but it's true. We wanted different things from one another, and I hope they find the right person for them.

How have you been? Is everything okay?

[ Oh dear Lord, that is a difficult question to answer. Yes, he is okay and has been fine, but- ]

I contracted with Anders as did Alec, then his significant other arrived and was also contracted by Anders. We've moved from public housing recently. Someone from my future arrived, brought terrible news, struggled badly and then left again.

I am fine, but it has been... chaotic.

[ And that's leaving out all of it the Duplicity related nonsense.

Alaric is, however, going to pick up that tab without a word of intention to do so. Between he, Anders, and Hawke all working multiple jobs-- Even with the house they are all right. ]

[Caleb is attentive, glad to hear about what has happened for Alaric since they met and since they last saw one another. Glad to hear things sound good, though when he speaks about this person from home coming here and then vanishing, he makes a face.

Frowning heavily as he shakes his head.]

I had kind of the same thing happen. Someone I knew from home was here for a couple of months and then one night they vanished. I worry because of things that changed him here and worrying how they changed him back home as well.

[He pauses and then asks softly.]

How bad was the news from home?

[ He smiles, wryly. ]

Kelson's lack of adjustment to being here, I hope, will prevent him being much changed when he returns home. He is so far from my future, though, I cannot begin to grasp what repercussions would be.

I'm simply glad he is no longer here, and miserable.

[ He toys with his glass, considering the harder question and drinks from it before he answers, then shrugs.]

Someone I was supposed to protect and... close to was killed.

[He looks upset, worried about what that could mean. It didn't effect his life that much but for Alaric it could be something else entirely and he couldn't imagine having to live with that knowledge. ]

I'm sorry you're here and not with him, back in your life.

[He knows some want to stay here, but there's so much he can't understand about that and he can only imagine wanting out of here, even if not for their own home.

His expression drops.]

I am so sorry, Alaric. That's awful. Maybe knowing that, when you get back, you can fix it.

I hope so. I wish I'd gotten more detail.

[ He doesn't shrug so much as twitches, but it's not dismissive so much as determination to move on. ]

Either way I am not unhappy, here, overall, just frequently confused and overwhelmed. The freedom with magic and people have been nice.

Now what happened with your... significant other?

[Despite himself, Caleb can't help but smile a bit.]

It is the one thing about this place that is amazing. People know I'm a witch, and I use in front of others. It's so new and so odd.

It really is the one thing I would hate to give up.

[He falls quiet, considering how to explain it without too much, without sounding horrible or angry about it. He just couldn't keep handling it, that's all.]

We wanted different things. He expected things from me that I wasn't comfortable giving to him. I need to be myself and not feel like property to someone else. I know this place says I am but certain expectations were just not part of it.

[ His expression turns from interested and mild to quietly horrified to concerned before returning to something largely neutral. ]

I'm sorry, Caleb. It shouldn't have had to come to that. You aren't property, no matter what the city has to say.

Are you- [ Nope, no way to ask those questions gracefully. He stops and tries again. ]

What do you need?

[Caleb sighs, sitting back as he nods]

Thank you for that. I think the worst part was when someone else drew away from me because I was my dominant's and it wasn't right to do what I wanted because they might not like it. That was hardest.

[He shakes his head.]

Close second was coping with anger for that hotel we got stuck in. Not that I planned on giving up my friends and lovers, but that... [He sighs.] I was just best I walked away.

A spot on the floor to crash from time to time if you have a spot. I'm not staying any one place twice in two weeks so I don't get anyone in trouble, but once I'm in the up I like staying there as long as I can so I don't have to fight the guards to get back.

You are not sleeping on the floor. We're all in a private house on the beach. You are welcome to my bed, either of the... couch like things, or the couch. You are also welcome to the food or anything else you need.

Where are you for quota?

[There are other things there that worry him - emotional ones - but getting things done on a practical level is more important to him in this moment. ]

[Despite some of their conversation, Caleb can't help but smile at that.]

Well, in fairness, I definitely don't mind sharing the bed. I can play nice.

[It's an easier talk though and it makes him feel more relaxed after talking about what had gone on.

Though he pauses at that, considering. He hadn't really had to worry about it, hadn't put thought into it but now he's wondering because he hasn't thought about it.]

I hadn't thought about it? Stupid I know but I haven't had to think about it before now. I think I'm okay?

[He chuckles slightly. ]

When things started getting like that I kind of got defiant and was definitely throwing myself at those I like. You're very lucky I haven't tonight.

[Then he's definitely grinning, relaxing more.]

You can behave yourself or not in my bed, as the mood strikes you, but I bite.

[ There's a flash of an easy grin at that, just for a moment. Caleb relaxing makes him feel better, though he knows he's still going to have to worry about Caleb staying safe and getting a contract that works.

Caleb is one of his, darn it, and if Alaric is nothing else he is loyal to the point of insanity. ]

I'll take comfort in those you like - both because it means it isn't self destructive and that it means you like me, but please, please be careful. Throwing yourself at people here sounds... dangerous.

UN: KingsService, Text

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