The Quiet Assassin 14/44
Title: The Quiet Assassin
Author: fictionfreak15
Beta: gwencarmichael <--- my backbone
Pairing: Adam/Tommy
Disclaimer: This story is 100%, complete, absolute fiction and apart from the OC's, I do not own the mass collection of characters used within
Warnings: angst, prostitution(past and mention of), contracted murder, rape(as well as attempted and mention of) sex.
Summary: Adam is an assassin for a powerful crime family in the City of Winserra. Tommy is a violinist with a past in the same city. After he witnesses Adam fulfill a contract, he finds himself more connected to the organization led by Simon Cowell than he ever thought a lowly musician like him could become.
Master List
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was pooped and wasn't up for fretting over whether LJ would let me post successfully. Here's the dinner and meeting with Simon. Love and Respect - ficitonfreak15
Chapter 14
Adam and Tommy arrived on foot a bit early to the House of Cowell that could be seen in the distance. They were shown in by a servant, and Adam encouraged Tommy that it was alright to relinquish his violin to the man when he asked for it. Assured it would be safe, Tommy handed over the case reluctantly and felt like collapsing into Adam.
As they waited in the library to be shown to the dining room, Monte happened by. He was a larger man, Tommy noted, but his intimidating size didn't prevent him from smiling broadly, like any decent human being who wasn't hung up on pretentious formalities. He greeted Adam with a friendly tone in the Thyren language, and Tommy was wondering if Serasec was all he knew.
Then Adam, requesting respectfully, said, "I must ask you to remember the boy, Thomas, does not speak the language of our mothers."
"Oh, of course, of course." Monte said, not offended and turning his attentions to Tommy. He shook the boy's hand firmly and said, "Hello, I'm Monte." He had not a trace of any accent.
"Tommy," he gave the other version of his name out of habit, despite the fact that Adam never used it. "Are you Thyren, too?" he asked. Monte sounded Rendellan.
"Half," said Monte. "My father was a man of Arkelle on the coast of the Premiloc Sea. My mother was from Enrass in Nydren. I taught Adam all he knows!" Monte chuckled. "Well, language-wise, anyway. Didn't know anything but Serasec when he first got here. Isn't that right, Adam?"
"Quite..." Adam said, uninterested.
"Well, I wish I could stay, but I've been sent...well...out... I've been sent out and regret I'll have to get to know you some other time, Tommy." Monte ruffled the boy's freshly combed hair, messing it a little. It annoyed Tommy, but he tried not to show it, not thinking the soldier meant any harm. Tommy liked him and wished he too could stay.
"He was nice," Tommy commented, smoothing down his hair once Monte was out of sight.
"I owe him much," Adam said softly, moving to stand next to Tommy. "I would have had much more difficult time without him. He taught me how to read and write and translated for me many months until I could speak with Rendellans on my own."
"I noticed he was hurt on the arm. What does he do for the Jaren?"
Adam answered, "Soldier...one of many."
It was then that a servant came into the room and told Tommy and Adam that dinner was prepared. They followed into the dining room, and Tommy could barely feel his feet again as each step carried him along with great apprehension of meeting the infamous Simon Cowell.
They entered the room, ornate and rich the way Tommy expected it to be, and the table was already set, decorated with a rose colored linen that covered the table. Ryan was already there, standing behind his chair and trying to smile genuinely. Tommy didn't want to look him in the eye, although he was shown to a seat that was directly in front of the man. Adam stood next to Tommy and nodded when Ryan greeted them both, but was silent.
A few more servants trafficking through silently came to set a few more things on the table. They were Winserran, most assuredly, and Tommy wondered what one might have to do to be trusted in the house of a Jaren boss. More than likely, fear and respect would keep most anyone in line if hired to serve. These people, men and women, didn't seem afraid through...not as much as Tommy was deep down. But they were just doing their jobs. Tommy thought if they could be calm, maybe he should just relax.
Those thoughts left his mind though when a man entered the dining room and stood in front of his pulled out chair at the at the head of the table. Tommy had lived in this city for a year now, and although this man never attended Badashan Hall to his knowledge (people would have said something) anyone could see this was Simon Cowell. He had dark brown hair, an expensive dinner jacket, and a natural indifference in his eyes, whether he felt that way or not.
Tommy kept his eyes lowered, eyeing Simon nervously out of the corner, until he felt Adam's hand, trying to guide him by the arm to sit. Ryan was seating himself and apparently Tommy had missed the cue from Simon. Great, I'm messing up already, Tommy thought, but as he sat, he looked to Adam, who didn't seem concerned in the slightest. So he felt better.
On the other hand, he felt a burning on the side of his neck as though he was being watched. Unable to help himself, he glanced over to his left and sure enough, Simon was looking at him. He looked away in time to see Ryan unfolding his ivory colored linen napkin and letting it drop to his lap. Adam was silently doing the same, so Tommy followed suit, noticing his hand was shaking. He sat with his head down.
Then he heard Simon speak and was surprised how normal his tone was. "Tommy Ratliff, I presume. Doubtful I need to give you my name." There was a pleasant look on Simon's face, and Tommy was struggling for an answer.
"I - uh...yes, sir...Th-thank you for inviting me to...dinner," he managed to say. Tommy desperately wanted to look over at Adam for assurance.
"Oh, not at all, young man. I wanted to meet you...but it would set the mood at ease if you would be good enough to look at me when we converse. The last I checked, I wasn't so ugly."
Tommy looked on reaction, trying not to look so horrified at the thought of insulting the most powerful boss in Winserra. However, he heard Ryan snicker, and though Adam gave no reaction, Tommy saw Simon smirk, too. A little embarrassed, Tommy felt better now and not nearly so tense.
With just the three of them present, Simon called for the food to be served. Tommy remembered the dinner he'd had with Kris Cowell and thinking it would be ages before anyone would treat him to such a dinner again. Now Kris' father was providing him with a cut of filet minions, creamy potatoes au gratin, fresh salad, steamed vegetables, and a glass of very expensive, very old wine. Tommy gaped at the food, just as appreciative as he was for the humble meals Adam had been able to provide. Actually he'd rarely seen such a collection and had he not been so preoccupied, he might have forgotten himself and dug in too early. He was pulled from his thoughts in time though when Simon announce, "Well, without any adieu...begin and enjoy."
The three men reached for their silverware. Tommy delayed, pretty sure of which piece to pick up, but he allowed himself a quick glance at Adam just to be sure.
Shortly after the first bite, Ryan complimented Simon on the food, and Simon nodded in agreement and thanks. Then, to Tommy's surprise, as he savored the first bite of steak, Adam spoke. "I understood the Vesdre would attend tonight." He was looking at Simon casually and such was the boss's answer.
"Yes, I had planned for it as normal, but pressing matters caused me to send Rand and Longinue elsewhere...and I do see this as more of a gathering of leisure anyway."
Tommy glanced at Adam, who continued to eat. Perhaps, not being in his own home, Adam went by different rules and would oblige his host with conversation. Tommy didn't take offense to the assassin never talking with him during meals. Could he ever be offended again after hearing Adam sing like he had?
Simon took Tommy's attention again. This time, he made sure to look at who spoke to him. "I hear you play the...viola?" Simon asked.
Tommy tensed at the thought of correcting him, but Ryan did it for him. Then Tommy supported, "Yes...the violin. I've been working at Badashan Hall for a year now." His voice was small but audible.
Simon said, "And have you toured yet?"
Tommy sipped his wine, shaking his head. "The orchestra tours every two years. I was too new to accompany the last time."
"Well, I'm sure you'll make it next time," Simon said, lightly, as if just being polite.
Tommy lowered head and unconsciously played with his potatoes a bit. He looked depressed. Ryan saw it, but Simon didn't seem to notice.
"I myself missed out at some point in developing an appreciation for music. Painted and sculpted art is what I'm known to collect as a man of Winserra. However, on occasion I do entertain guests with a quartet or a vocal soloist from the opera."
"Tommy, I don't suppose you brought your violin with you?" Ryan asked in a light voice.
Tommy hesitated. This was the man who interrogated him back in Adam's cottage. Though Ryan was not intimidating, the boy did not delight in talking to the man who witnessed - and in a way - caused his earlier breakdown. Tommy couldn't help but feel stressed, and he whispered simply, "Yes."
Adam spoke up again. "It was at my suggestion, a way for Thomas to show appreciation for the dinner."
"Oh, well that would be lovely," Simon said with half interest, and he cut another piece of his steak. Then he changed the subject again.
tbc
Author: fictionfreak15
Beta: gwencarmichael <--- my backbone
Pairing: Adam/Tommy
Disclaimer: This story is 100%, complete, absolute fiction and apart from the OC's, I do not own the mass collection of characters used within
Warnings: angst, prostitution(past and mention of), contracted murder, rape(as well as attempted and mention of) sex.
Summary: Adam is an assassin for a powerful crime family in the City of Winserra. Tommy is a violinist with a past in the same city. After he witnesses Adam fulfill a contract, he finds himself more connected to the organization led by Simon Cowell than he ever thought a lowly musician like him could become.
Master List
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was pooped and wasn't up for fretting over whether LJ would let me post successfully. Here's the dinner and meeting with Simon. Love and Respect - ficitonfreak15
Chapter 14
Adam and Tommy arrived on foot a bit early to the House of Cowell that could be seen in the distance. They were shown in by a servant, and Adam encouraged Tommy that it was alright to relinquish his violin to the man when he asked for it. Assured it would be safe, Tommy handed over the case reluctantly and felt like collapsing into Adam.
As they waited in the library to be shown to the dining room, Monte happened by. He was a larger man, Tommy noted, but his intimidating size didn't prevent him from smiling broadly, like any decent human being who wasn't hung up on pretentious formalities. He greeted Adam with a friendly tone in the Thyren language, and Tommy was wondering if Serasec was all he knew.
Then Adam, requesting respectfully, said, "I must ask you to remember the boy, Thomas, does not speak the language of our mothers."
"Oh, of course, of course." Monte said, not offended and turning his attentions to Tommy. He shook the boy's hand firmly and said, "Hello, I'm Monte." He had not a trace of any accent.
"Tommy," he gave the other version of his name out of habit, despite the fact that Adam never used it. "Are you Thyren, too?" he asked. Monte sounded Rendellan.
"Half," said Monte. "My father was a man of Arkelle on the coast of the Premiloc Sea. My mother was from Enrass in Nydren. I taught Adam all he knows!" Monte chuckled. "Well, language-wise, anyway. Didn't know anything but Serasec when he first got here. Isn't that right, Adam?"
"Quite..." Adam said, uninterested.
"Well, I wish I could stay, but I've been sent...well...out... I've been sent out and regret I'll have to get to know you some other time, Tommy." Monte ruffled the boy's freshly combed hair, messing it a little. It annoyed Tommy, but he tried not to show it, not thinking the soldier meant any harm. Tommy liked him and wished he too could stay.
"He was nice," Tommy commented, smoothing down his hair once Monte was out of sight.
"I owe him much," Adam said softly, moving to stand next to Tommy. "I would have had much more difficult time without him. He taught me how to read and write and translated for me many months until I could speak with Rendellans on my own."
"I noticed he was hurt on the arm. What does he do for the Jaren?"
Adam answered, "Soldier...one of many."
It was then that a servant came into the room and told Tommy and Adam that dinner was prepared. They followed into the dining room, and Tommy could barely feel his feet again as each step carried him along with great apprehension of meeting the infamous Simon Cowell.
They entered the room, ornate and rich the way Tommy expected it to be, and the table was already set, decorated with a rose colored linen that covered the table. Ryan was already there, standing behind his chair and trying to smile genuinely. Tommy didn't want to look him in the eye, although he was shown to a seat that was directly in front of the man. Adam stood next to Tommy and nodded when Ryan greeted them both, but was silent.
A few more servants trafficking through silently came to set a few more things on the table. They were Winserran, most assuredly, and Tommy wondered what one might have to do to be trusted in the house of a Jaren boss. More than likely, fear and respect would keep most anyone in line if hired to serve. These people, men and women, didn't seem afraid through...not as much as Tommy was deep down. But they were just doing their jobs. Tommy thought if they could be calm, maybe he should just relax.
Those thoughts left his mind though when a man entered the dining room and stood in front of his pulled out chair at the at the head of the table. Tommy had lived in this city for a year now, and although this man never attended Badashan Hall to his knowledge (people would have said something) anyone could see this was Simon Cowell. He had dark brown hair, an expensive dinner jacket, and a natural indifference in his eyes, whether he felt that way or not.
Tommy kept his eyes lowered, eyeing Simon nervously out of the corner, until he felt Adam's hand, trying to guide him by the arm to sit. Ryan was seating himself and apparently Tommy had missed the cue from Simon. Great, I'm messing up already, Tommy thought, but as he sat, he looked to Adam, who didn't seem concerned in the slightest. So he felt better.
On the other hand, he felt a burning on the side of his neck as though he was being watched. Unable to help himself, he glanced over to his left and sure enough, Simon was looking at him. He looked away in time to see Ryan unfolding his ivory colored linen napkin and letting it drop to his lap. Adam was silently doing the same, so Tommy followed suit, noticing his hand was shaking. He sat with his head down.
Then he heard Simon speak and was surprised how normal his tone was. "Tommy Ratliff, I presume. Doubtful I need to give you my name." There was a pleasant look on Simon's face, and Tommy was struggling for an answer.
"I - uh...yes, sir...Th-thank you for inviting me to...dinner," he managed to say. Tommy desperately wanted to look over at Adam for assurance.
"Oh, not at all, young man. I wanted to meet you...but it would set the mood at ease if you would be good enough to look at me when we converse. The last I checked, I wasn't so ugly."
Tommy looked on reaction, trying not to look so horrified at the thought of insulting the most powerful boss in Winserra. However, he heard Ryan snicker, and though Adam gave no reaction, Tommy saw Simon smirk, too. A little embarrassed, Tommy felt better now and not nearly so tense.
With just the three of them present, Simon called for the food to be served. Tommy remembered the dinner he'd had with Kris Cowell and thinking it would be ages before anyone would treat him to such a dinner again. Now Kris' father was providing him with a cut of filet minions, creamy potatoes au gratin, fresh salad, steamed vegetables, and a glass of very expensive, very old wine. Tommy gaped at the food, just as appreciative as he was for the humble meals Adam had been able to provide. Actually he'd rarely seen such a collection and had he not been so preoccupied, he might have forgotten himself and dug in too early. He was pulled from his thoughts in time though when Simon announce, "Well, without any adieu...begin and enjoy."
The three men reached for their silverware. Tommy delayed, pretty sure of which piece to pick up, but he allowed himself a quick glance at Adam just to be sure.
Shortly after the first bite, Ryan complimented Simon on the food, and Simon nodded in agreement and thanks. Then, to Tommy's surprise, as he savored the first bite of steak, Adam spoke. "I understood the Vesdre would attend tonight." He was looking at Simon casually and such was the boss's answer.
"Yes, I had planned for it as normal, but pressing matters caused me to send Rand and Longinue elsewhere...and I do see this as more of a gathering of leisure anyway."
Tommy glanced at Adam, who continued to eat. Perhaps, not being in his own home, Adam went by different rules and would oblige his host with conversation. Tommy didn't take offense to the assassin never talking with him during meals. Could he ever be offended again after hearing Adam sing like he had?
Simon took Tommy's attention again. This time, he made sure to look at who spoke to him. "I hear you play the...viola?" Simon asked.
Tommy tensed at the thought of correcting him, but Ryan did it for him. Then Tommy supported, "Yes...the violin. I've been working at Badashan Hall for a year now." His voice was small but audible.
Simon said, "And have you toured yet?"
Tommy sipped his wine, shaking his head. "The orchestra tours every two years. I was too new to accompany the last time."
"Well, I'm sure you'll make it next time," Simon said, lightly, as if just being polite.
Tommy lowered head and unconsciously played with his potatoes a bit. He looked depressed. Ryan saw it, but Simon didn't seem to notice.
"I myself missed out at some point in developing an appreciation for music. Painted and sculpted art is what I'm known to collect as a man of Winserra. However, on occasion I do entertain guests with a quartet or a vocal soloist from the opera."
"Tommy, I don't suppose you brought your violin with you?" Ryan asked in a light voice.
Tommy hesitated. This was the man who interrogated him back in Adam's cottage. Though Ryan was not intimidating, the boy did not delight in talking to the man who witnessed - and in a way - caused his earlier breakdown. Tommy couldn't help but feel stressed, and he whispered simply, "Yes."
Adam spoke up again. "It was at my suggestion, a way for Thomas to show appreciation for the dinner."
"Oh, well that would be lovely," Simon said with half interest, and he cut another piece of his steak. Then he changed the subject again.
tbc