TM challenge 145: Tell the truth about something you usually lie about.
Title: Yes, of course I’d like to be your Permanent Companion.
AN: Companion!Simon AU. If you recognize some lines, it’s because they were lifted from ‘Shindig’.
( This was his fourth year with Sihnon’s Imperial Cruiseline )
AN: Companion!Simon AU. If you recognize some lines, it’s because they were lifted from ‘Shindig’.
( This was his fourth year with Sihnon’s Imperial Cruiseline )
Out here a mistake was a mistake, and you paid for it.
Adrian wasn't deluding himself though. In his fairly new position as lawman, he was fairly independent but at the same time bound to the same authorities he'd wanted to leave behind forever. But at least it wasn't a constant oppressive presence, since Ita Moon hardly held any special position of interest. No great source of precious stones or metals or crops, no 'hotspot' for smugglers and pirates ... or refugess from the Alliance even, no ... nothing.
And Adrian kind of liked the 'nothing', even when it was hot and dusty as today, and he hadn't managed to catch up with that little piece of Niou-fun he'd been chasing for days.
Ah well, perhaps the sun and the heat would get him. And he'd sent wav's to the surrounding counties, so when the hwoon dahn crept out of hiding, it wouldn't be long before he was caught and put to justice.
For now, Adrian needed a drink. Badly. The small comm-link strapped to his arm glittered in the sun when he pushed back the sleeve of his dustcoat, but he could still see his current location as a small green dot on the map. It would be a while before he was back in Peachtown. The only option would be Tam's tavern. Or rather, the brothel.
He honestly didn't give a damn what it was, as long as it had a good bottle of some type of alcohol. And clean water. And since the owner was a registered companion, he doubted anything would be less than up to standards.
He dusted himself off lightly before entering the place, squinting slightly as the inside seemed much darker after being under the glare of the sun for all day.
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Must be the new lawman O'Malley mentioned the other day.
Then his eyes widened.
No one mentioned how... competent ... he looked.
Simon gave himself a moment to get his bearings and pulled out a new bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey. It was his best, and resevered for those Simon especially wanted to cultivate... like the lawman he'd call if there was any trouble he couldn't handle himself.
"Whiskey, Lawman?" he asked when the man came closer to the bar. He got out two shot glasses.
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He quirked an eyebrow as he took in the man's appearance. Very nice. Nicer in person, than on the small picture in the records concerning this establishment. Very much nicer...
And then he told his mind to kindly shut up.
"Whiskey would be mighty appreciated." He walked up to the bar and waited for the drink to be poured. He noticed the second glass and wondered if Tam was planning on drinking with him.
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"Just to be clear," Simon said softly, making a snap decision. "Your money's no good in here."
He ran the whiskey under his nose before taking a sip.
"But your presence is especially welcome."
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He picked up the glass and enjoyed the sharp smoky scent of whiskey in his nose before downing the drink in one swallow. It burned deliciously all the way down into his stomach, and slowly the different tastes enfolded on his tongue. Adrian set down the glass with a small smile. That had really taken the worst edge of his light frustration, and washed away the dust.
"A kind gesture, Mr. Tam, and appreciated. Although, I doubt I'll weigh heavily on your budget in that respect." Adrian rarely went out to bars of this kind. Even more rarely sought out more personal company, of the kind offered here. Of course, he was still settling in and knew he would have to make it a habit to go out more, if he wanted to be accepted and fit in.
His language would need some tinkering too, still very much coloured by his inner-core education, and upbringing in a wealthy family. He'd left that behind, so he should leave the polished language behind as well. But he wasn't very good at it.
"But a drink more of that good bottle would not be astray. It's been a long and dusty day." His smile widened faintly as he leaned slightly against the bar.
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[That's one of the reasons you don't pay... a lawman worth his salt, doesn't drink that much. Hungry?]
Simon drew a large glass of cold water and handed it over.
He let his eyes flit over the main room as was his habit, but it was early yet and there weren't many patrons. There were three clients upstairs.
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[And the other reasons are?] He asked in Chinese and took another sip, still looking at Tam.
[I'm always hungry. It drives my landlady mad.] He couldn't cook worth shit, so he'd made sure to find a place to live, even if it did swallow up a great deal of his pay, where he wouldn't have to.
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[Because,] Simon said slowly looking at the lawman through his eyelashes, [when the Emersons start encroaching on my 200 acres and I call you, you'll check the deeds and explain... the law... to them.]
Simon took a sip of whiskey.
[And when I report that a customer was shot for beating up one of my girls... I expect you to help me bury the body.]
Simon held up the tiny glass in toast.
"Ernesto! Two steaks please!" He called over his shoulder.
Facing the lawman he said, "In that case, I hope you'll join me for dinner. We have nice facilities, if you'd like to freshen up."
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Well, that was how it was out here after all, and everybody knew that. And if a disgruntled widow or other family members made noises over it, too bad. It was nothing like the tightly controlled and thoroughly investigated cases back ... home
Get used to it. The law of the gun and the fastest hand.
[You seem quite capable of burying those bodies yourself. No need for me to go all the way out here then, just to supervise.] Adrian said with a small grin and raised his shot glass in toast, then emptied it. This time it didn't burn so much, but the taste was still excellent.
"I think I'd like to make use of those facilities, if you don't mind. It's not very proper to sit down dirty and dusty, in polite company." Adrian wasn't going to say no to a steak dinner, or the chance to wash away the grime.
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"This way then." Simon stepped out from behind the bar and led the way past the girls on the couch, all staring with raised eyebrows. The newest ones hadn't seen Simon take care of a customer at all. Ever.
Unless Simon was very much mistaken, the good lawman would prefer his attentions to theirs. And Simon was never mistaken.
He opened the door to his personal room and led the way past his desk piled with papers and luxurious, though unmade, bed to the elaborate bathing facility.
"Bath or shower?" he asked as he laid out two towels and a washing cloth. "And what's your name? I'm Simon Tam."
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The room he was led through were far more luxurious than he'd expected to ever see out here on Ita Moon, the bathroom even more so. The bathtub drew his attention, and also drew his memories back to more ... easy times.
"A shower should be enough," Adrian decided, not wanting to get his body used to any kind of luxury like that again.
He turned around to face Tam. Simon Tam.
"Adrian Pucey." In fact, it was Pucey-Thirumalai, but Adrian found no reason in mentioning that, given the probability of Tam knowing that particular name.
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He turned to face Pucey, mildly curious as to whether he'd take him up on this offer... and not expecting it. Simon made it so that Pucey would think it over... at his leisure.
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And oh, what a tempting offer. Adrian could easily imagine accepting it, and enjoying it.
But that was another luxury he shouldn't get used to either. Best keep his mind in his head and not get caught up in foolish distractions. It was too easy to get caught, with companions.
"Self-service would do." He said with a small smile, so Simon would know the offer was appreciated even if Adrian hadn't accepted it.
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"Then I'll check on those steaks and see you back out front."
Simon closed the bathroom door, then the door to his quarters, sedately.
Once out in the hall, he skipped back to the kitchen and talked to Ernesto about whipping up the nicest salad and soup possible and searing those steaks as hot and rare as possible.
Ernesto listened in surprise and let an amused smile play across his face. He'd never seen his boss this interested in pleasing a customer. He nodded and mentioned the garlic toast and mashed potatoes he was working on.
"Don't forget the chocolate pie," Ernesto said.
Simon smiled sheepishly. "I'll leave it to you then."
Back out in the main room, Simon's table was already set. It was a booth on the back wall
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Undressing, he put the revolvers where he could reach them, and made sure his already rumpled clothes wouldn't become even more messy. He shook off the dust and winced slightly at the mess he was making. But Simon had seen the state he was in, and would expect a mess.
With a sigh he stepped under the warm spray of water and let it wash away the dust and the day. Most of the day at least, since this half of it was turning out rather well with a bath, food and most likely very good company.
Tilting his head back, he let the water fall on his face for a long relaxed moment, simply wallowing in and moaning softly at the feel of it streaming down over his body. Then he looked around for some soap and shampoo. He might as well do it properly, even if he was returning to sweaty clothes.
He found both and washed himself with efficient moves, aware that he'd be expected for dinner outside. After drying himself off, he dressed, leaving the dustcoat off. He finished off with fastening the belt around his hips and putting the revolvers back in their holsters.
He folded the dustcoat with the dirty side in, and left the bathroom, going back to the main room. His eyes found Simon easily, and he steered towards the man.
"Thank you. I clearly needed that." He said with a smile, and sat down, placing the dustcoat and his hat on the bench next to him.
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Pucey cleaned up nicely. His wet hair had little curls on the ends that were as captivating as they were adorable.
You didn't ask about a man's past out here on the Rim. That interfered with his fresh start.
"I don't know what the reports said, but the Manson Clan did the last sherrif." Simon crunched his salad of toasted almonds and soaked dried figs on a bed of small mixed lettuces with chopped tomatoe.
"He tried to burn their narcotic crop."
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