Week 7 : Francis / Tino

Francis hummed a tune as he studied the paintings that hung on the ballroom wall. He tipped his top hat back a little as he took interest in a particular piece that depicted the ocean. Very interesting. The chatter and noise of the party bore him, he thought, as he sipped the wine in his glass. Such social events were excruciatingly boring, and yet so essential. Like a necessary evil.

It was ironic how it could be a direct parallelism to himself. Could he depict himself as a necessary evil as well? He smirked and trotted down the hall, the cane in his hand clutched lightly. He felt oddly relaxed. There were things to do though, and businesses to get to, and so he leaned against the wall, winking charmingly at a group of girls whom he caught staring at him.

Tino glanced uncertainly around the room from his corner, feeling too timid and nervous to venture forth into the rest of the party. He really had no idea why he'd been invited to this sort of event, it really wasn't his thing. He was completely out of place among all these high-society types, and it was obvious just by looking at what he wore. His clothing was simple, and nowhere near as elegant or luxurious as any of the other gentlemen's. Essentially, he was just here making sure nothing untoward happened. It made him comfortable to examine faces and behaviour for any signs of trouble. The biggest issues he saw, though, were too much alcohol and lovers' spats.

When the corner became too crowded, Tino drifted off quietly to another emptier section of the ballroom, and joy, discovered a little hall leading away from the party. He snatched up a glass of champagne and went back to observing from the mouth of the hall. Some charming devil he hadn't noticed before was flirting with a bunch of young girls. The Finn tipped his head slightly, eyes memorising the face of the blond man easily. He looked like a troublemaker.

As Francis made small talk with the ladies, mostly with them chatting excitedly, he spied from the corner of his eye a young man watching him quietly. The look that Francis received from him felt like it wasn't one of captivation, he mused. Excusing himself from the conversation politely, he went up towards his observer.

"Lovely party, isn't it?" He smiled, raising his glass up. Up close, he thought the other looked somewhat familiar. Just where had he seen him before? His dressing was also a little out of place in such a grand ball. It rather sparked Francis' curiosity. It would be alright to converse a little; after all, there was still a little time before his plan was to be put into motion, and Francis wasn't about to attend a social event without meeting the purpose of the event.

When the very man he was studying actually approached him, Tino's eyes went wide. He glanced about in search of an easy escape, but found none. After managing to keep to a minimum of socialisation for the night, he was cornered.

"Um... Y-yes, I suppose, it is lovely, if you're into this sort of thing,but really, it's all subjective." Tino paused, taking a quiet breath. "I presume you are enjoying yourself, so you have every reason to think that it is a lovely party."

The Finn was distinctly uncomfortable socialising with someone so far outside his strata of society, as nearly everyone at this party was (with the exception of the household staff, he thought wryly). This stranger was not only a member of the upper echelons, he was obviously the attractive, charming, calculating sort. He would have to keep an eye on the man.

Francis smiled in amusement. "The idea of a party, aside from socialising, is to have fun. If you're not having any, then it defeats the purpose of the party, making it quite redundant, wouldn't it?" He commented lightly, eyeing the other blond's emptying glass of champagne. "Perhaps you would like a glass of red wine next - the bottle of merlot that they have opened is most excellent." He swirled the contents of his glass, smiling quite sincerely at the other. If it came to a subject of alcohol, there was no question that he definitely favoured wines, and in fact, adored them.

He noticed that the other did not seem to break eye contact, or at least, failed to take his eyes of himself. If his violet eyes were not boring into his blue ones, they would be scrutinising his clothing and watching every movement he made. That was odd. "So, what brings you here to this party?"

"Hm. Maybe you're right... But I didn't think about that when I was getting ready for it. I always forget how bad I am at parties until I'm actually at one, and by then, it's too late." Tino fidgeted for a moment. "Maybe... I will try some of the wine. It might help me relax a little..."

"I am friends with the host. We've known each other for some time, since we were in school together. But his life took him in a whole different direction..." The Finn glanced around the room with a sigh.

Francis listened to him quietly, and the mention of the host brought a soft sigh out of him. He knew the host too, although it was more so from another social event back when they were younger. "Can't say I don't understand that..." He murmured softly into the wine glass. The host was a friend whom he had watched change over time, and it was his straying from the path that caught his attention. Sometimes, it frightened Francis to know how much people could change in time.

Still, the memory of it reminded Francis of his purpose. A glance at the windows outside told him the time, and he knew he had another ten minutes before his plan was to be set in motion.

"Are you looking for someone?" Tino asked curiously. "You seem a bit preoccupied. If you're needed elsewhere, I apologise for distracting you..."

This fellow seemed to be waiting for someone or something, the way he glanced around. Maybe he was searching for their host, or another of the young ladies he'd been charming before, or someone he'd arranged to meet. Then again, he could be waiting for the food.

"Oh, me?" Francis blinked slightly in surprise and smiled at the other. "No, I was only away in mind for a moment. I apologise for being rude." He was a little curious about this person who attended social parties while disliking them, quite the enigma, in his personal opinion. Still, that could wait until his work was done. Maybe he would still be around if things went smoothly.

Nodding his head, he set his glass down on the tray of a passing waiter. "Well, an appointment calls. I'm afraid I shall have to leave you here for now." With a slight wave, Francis departed and headed off, mixing into the crowds to slip out of the ball room inconspicuously.

"Oh... Okay..." Tino waved a little as Francis disappeared, back to observing and drinking until he forgot how much he disliked parties. Interesting man. A little suspicious, in Tino's opinion, but definitely pleasant to talk to, and very polite.

Francis hurried down an empty corridor, turning corners and going down long flights of stairs. He had memorised the layout of the huge mansion well, having bought off a butler in the family. His only worry was that the documents that he was here to steal were already moved elsewhere. He fumbled a little as he picked the lock of the master's study, frowning as the door refused to budge.