Colin's posts

Vincent just looked towards her and feigned an unimpressed look, before chuckling.

"A couples' photo session, eh?" he asked. "You know... that could REALLY be the distraction that Rowena's been looking for..." he admitted, thinking about it even further.

"Yeeeeah. Yeah, I think that'd be perfect." he said further.

"And already paid for a session, huh? Shouldn't be surprised." he told her with a smirk.

"I'll have to contact her ASAP." he said.

"...and tell Rowena about this." he quickly added.

"..." Vincent was silent for a moment, before mentally clearing his throat.

'Mental note: too soon.' he thought. 'FAAAAR too soon...' he added.

"Jordan?" he then asked.

"I... oh, that's right!" he exclaimed. "I forgot she's studying for that." he admitted. "Desiree's told me on a few occasions, but it just slips my mind." he said further.

"But... she took these?" he then asked.

"These are gorgeous." he told her, continuing to look through them.

Vincent raised an eyebrow when she said that, but before he could properly respond, she caused the photo box to appear on the table. He looked at it, then to her, and then back at the box, before grabbing it and placing it on his lap. He opened it up and pulled out the first photo, looking shocked for a moment, and then looking at the next one, and the next one, growing progressively more shocked.

"Good lord!" he exclaimed. "You're involved with a DJINN!?" he exclaimed at her, looking at his sister with a mix of horror and indignation... but only after a few seconds, he broke his focus, and poorly suppressed a laugh.

In the past, he'd held horrible antiquated views towards Hal, so much so it almost ruined his relationship with his sister... and the one with Rowena. That had been the eye-opened he'd needed, and after some soul-searching, he'd finally started to leave that stupid and narrow mindset in his past. It seemed he'd moved on enough to at least crack a joke or two about it.

"But seriously, these photos are stunning." he told her.

"Who was the photographer?" he asked.

Vincent merely smiled at the woman.

"Oh, funny." he said to her. "You and I both know that my going out there is usually what happens because of YOUR scheduling nightmares." he said further. And it was true. It was always easier for her to plan these things, even if Vincent initiated it. Her life as Head of the Council kept her so busy, he wondered if it might start wearing down on her patience. But then again, he knew that was why his sister already had a replacement in mind, and... whether they knew it or not... they were being observed and mildly 'tested' to see if they would be fit for the position.

"And life has been all right here." he told her. "A little on the slow side for me, but that means I've been able to deal with things around the house, while Rowena's been working on some custom orders." he informed her further. "The deadline is a little on the tight side, but she's getting a little stressed over it, even though she knows she has no reason to." he explained. "And there's not a lot we can do, sadly." he lamented. "Wishing there was something I could do to distract her proper." he then lamented.

"And yes, it HAS been a while since we last sat and chatted." he then agreed.

"How have things been for YOU as of late?" he inquired.

As Vincent was in the kitchen, preparing everything, he pondered how nice it was to have her there for tea. Normally he went over to her home for tea, but she had actively chosen to come here. Actually, she had insisted. It was a nice change of pace, and it allowed him to be the host for once, and worry about getting everything ready. It was a small thing, but he liked it. He liked spending quality time with his sister, and lately it seemed like her life had been a little MORE on the busy side, with Council work piling up on her. So this was a way for him to help her relax even more on her rare time off.

As such, he made sure the blend of tea that he had decided to make for them was one of Rocky's more soothing and relaxing blends. It wasn't one to make someone tired or sleepy, but it had a soothing effect on the nerves, and she had even managed to infuse it with something that helped with muscle tension as well. It was small, yes, but it was something. And it had been working wonders for Rowena, to boot. He'd figured this was a good way to introduce Hollie to it, if Rocky hadn't already. It wouldn't have surprised him if Hollie already had access to this particular blend.

If nothing else, it was smooth and sweet and had a refreshing taste to it. Overall, he'd considered it one of Rocky's best blends ever. Her (so far) magnum opus of a tea. It also paired nicely with the jam-filled cookies that he had opened and put on a plate to serve with it, which was a nice added bonus. Rather than small sandwiches this time, he prepared a small platter of bagel chips and small crackers, as well as a medley of cheeses to go with them. He'd decided that this would be a more special little luncheon for the two of them, as they were so rare at his place. And to finish it off, a small bowl of mint chocolates, some sugar for the tea, and a small pitcher of milk. Once he'd places the small spoons on the tray, and the mugs for their tea, he brought it all out to her, and sat down beside her, placing the tray on the table in front of them.

"And here we go." he said.

"Nice to see you here for an afternoon tea." he commented with a light smile. "Been a while since we're done this over HERE." he commented. "Usually it's when I go there." he went on.

"Which is fine, don't get me wrong." he insisted. "Just a nice change of pace." he stated.

"...wow." Hal mumbled.

"I can only imagine the burden of having vampiric genes." he said further, before he grabbed his phone and sent Hollie a text.

Remember when we tried the whole photoshoot thing, but the photos didn't come out so well? he sent.

Think I found the real deal this time. he then sent further.

Give me a text or call when you can talk. he finished in his third text, before staring at the ceiling.

He had a bit of a blank expression on his face, but the paperwork had been a bit chaotic lately. He suspected he just needed something to destress, and these photoshoots could be just the ticket.

Hal didn't say anything at first, but sighed.

"Hey." he said when she reached the door.

"If you're SO desperate, then you can get some here." he told her.

"I'll allow you to use our requisitions department." he offered.

"We stock all types. Some... more than others, but we have enough to spare some for you." he went on.

"Unless you would rather make your way home. But you now have a choice."

Hal just smirked when she said that.

"Oh yeah?" he asked.

"Well, have it be agent King, then." he told her. "He can handle it." he laughed.

"Anyway, scram." he then finished, causing her to nod in response, as he sat back in his chair.

"Safe journey home." he then added.

Hal accepted the phone and looked at the shots.

"...always throws me off how GOOD these always look." he mumbled.

"Anyway, perfect." he told her. "These will be perfect to show to Hollie to make the case." he chuckled.

"And yes, we'll contact you soon." he confirmed.

"Watch your email."

"There's nothing else." he assured her.

"I just wanted to speak with you to see if you are interested." he told her.

"Well, as you can tell, very much so." Jordan chuckled.

"All good, then." Hal concluded.

"...and sure." he then said, looking around.

"Yeah, nothing incriminating or sensitive around."

Hal accepted what he was given, looked at it, and nodded.

"Excellent." he replied.

"I will discuss this will Hollie, and email you when we come to our decisions." he told her.

"Do not feel the need to rush a response or anything, your schoolwork comes first." he then assured her quickly.

"But I will contact you ASAP." he promised.

"Within the week, at longest."

Hal paused for a moment, thinking about it.

"Well, I have 3 ideas that I know Hollie will sign off on." he told her.

"The first is a series of photos outdoors. Wilderness. Like forest background, out in a meadow, surrounded by greenery." he said.

"The second photoseries is in a cave in Wales that very few know of. Inside is surrounded by these amazing crystals, and it'd be wonderful to get some photos of us in there." he went on.

"And the third is a series of pictures taken by Hollie's pool." he finished.

Hal was silent for a moment.

"Oh! Well... no. No, those are ones I did NOT see." he admitted.

"I saw the folders, but... I believe I decided AGAINST looking in them." he mumbled.

"So. I suppose that was a good call on MY behalf." he reasoned.

"Regardless, already I have a few ideas for areas/places in Wales." he told her. "Let me know when YOU are available. I don't want to pull you away from your schoolwork." he went on.

"And specific times of day and such."

"No, but it's tangentially related." Hal responded.

"For starters, yes, I did see the more... risqué... photos... but all were quite tasteful." he commented.

"I'll be blunt. I want to hire you." he then told her.

"If you can produce photos of THIS level of quality, then I want you to photograph myself and Hollie." he said further.

"Quite frankly, we've tried it in the past, and other photographers never seem to get it quite right." he admitted. "However, the photos that I saw prove to me that YOU have what it takes."