Prompt Post: ROUND TWO
ROUND TWO IS CLOSED
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Rules post.
Flat view.
ROUND TWO: Updates Post (WIPs only)
ROUND TWO: Fills Post (completed Fills only)
damalur's firstclasskink on Delicious.
Volunteers always welcome.
Please use the Discussion Post if you want to talk about community alterations or get my modly attention. Do not ( Read more... )
<< ROUND ONE | ALL ROUNDS | ROUND THREE >>
Rules post.
Flat view.
ROUND TWO: Updates Post (WIPs only)
ROUND TWO: Fills Post (completed Fills only)
damalur's firstclasskink on Delicious.
Volunteers always welcome.
Please use the Discussion Post if you want to talk about community alterations or get my modly attention. Do not ( Read more... )
McCoy’s studio was on the fifth floor. The door was unlocked and Erik pushed it open silently.
The studio was larger than Erik had expected, with windows stretching from floor to ceiling. A circular stairway led into an upper loft, and Erik caught sight of what looked like a couch and several chairs up there. The downstairs portion was obviously where the photos were taken. The studio had an open feel, like its occupant had wanted a clean, uncluttered space to work in. A tripod stood in the center of the room and backdrops of varying colors were draped along the walls. Erik heard a bell ring somewhere upstairs as he stepped through the door. Some sort of alert, then.
A moment later, a young man walked through one of the doors in the loft. He wore business casual clothes and glasses; Erik recognized the sharp features from the picture on the website. “Hank McCoy,” Erik said.
The young man hopped down the stairs two at a time with the kind of dexterity that comes with practice. He gave Erik a once-over and smiled. “Mr. Lensherr,” Hank McCoy said. “Yes, we’ve been expecting you.”
The words were enough to make Erik take a step back. Expected? At once, Erik’s hand darted up to his shoulder to touch a Glock that wasn’t there. Damn, he thought. He’d left the thing in his desk drawer, certain that he wouldn’t need it for an errand like this. It was a stupid mistake, one he never would have made if this had been any other case. If McCoy was connected with Shaw and knew that Erik was here, there was no telling what kind of trouble could be just up those stairs.
As if on cue, another man strolled into view. A boyish face beamed down at Erik.
“You…” Erik said in an undertone.
Xavier put a hand on the stairs railing and leaned against it, like it was the most comfortable of perches. His smile was just a little sharp-edged, just a little wicked. “Are brilliant? Fascinating? Far too intelligent to be fooled by such childish games? I know.”
McCoy was looking from Erik to Xavier, probably wondering what was going on. “Charles said you’d be along any minute,” he said uncertainly.
“I did.” Xavier waved a hand at Erik to gesture him forward. “Come along now. Hank was just telling me about his work.”
Erik mentally cursed himself. He was slipping up, letting a kid get the better of him. He should’ve realize that McCoy’s address was printed on his business card. It would have been a simple matter for Xavier to memorize it. It wasn’t like Erik to underestimate his enemies, but he hadn’t thought enough of Xavier to deem him a threat. Now, however, it was becoming clear that the kid was sharper than Erik had given him credit for.
As Erik stepped into the loft, Xavier held out a hand. Erik realized the kid was offering him a coffee cup. “No cream, no sugar,” he said. “Just like you wanted.”
There was indeed a couch in the loft. There were also two folding chairs, with a glass coffee table between them. Erik found himself sitting on the couch next to Xavier while McCoy settled into a chair. The loft had a more personal feel, Erik noted, as he glanced around the room. McCoy probably lived here. The remnants of a sandwich sat on the desk in the far corner, and several cameras were propped on a bookshelf. There were pictures on the walls-probably all shots taken by McCoy himself.
“So Charles was saying,” McCoy said, “that I was recommended to you by a friend.” He gave them a small, shy smile, like he was unused to being sought after for his services.
Xavier leaned forward, put his elbows on his knees, and gave Erik a significant look. Erik read the unsaid words etched into the lines of Xavier’s forehead: I wasn’t sure how you wanted to handle this. What now?
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love this :)
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I *knew* Charles was going to be waiting for him, adorable smartarse that he is! Am very liking Erik's initial assessment and the way it's slowly-believably-but-inevitably going to improve as they learn to respect and trust each other.
Moira is also cool =D
Very much enjoying this, way intriguing -- love the detail and texture. Can't wait for more ^^
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