inbox. duplicity.

[sheening]

Daphne Bridgerton

Please leave all correspondence here, action threads as well. While new to the game, her voice-mail message will be automated, and it may take longer than usual for her to reply to texts, videos, and phonecalls.

Comments

[poppycock]

( the hours at pose studio have been truncated these past few weeks — a necessity that cannot be avoided, quite frankly, despite the help he's received from his friends and intimates. it's the case this afternoon that klaus is obligated to close early, being the only person available to staff the art space, and also the only person available to receive subversion's delivery of alcohol in a few short hours.

that's he's snappish to the woman who spent the better part of an hour browsing a display of sketchbooks, asking increasingly uninspired questions, is of no surprise. that she's still breathing, is.

he's herded her out of the shop to close up, though perhaps a bit before he needed to, if he's honest. )

Well, I don't understand why you can't just hire someone. I wasn't done, ( she is saying from the sidewalk, as klaus stands in the doorway. )

I'd offer you the job, but you're exceedingly unpleasant. ( her face contorts with offense, but then slackens: klaus' pupils are dilating with compulsion. ) Leave.

( there is blessed relief in how she immediately turns on her heel and does as told. klaus lets out a breath, a touch of amusement alighting in his gaze. )

huge apologies for the delay! <3

[sheening]

[ klaus has always been warm and kind to daphne, and she's heard only similar comments about him from her family. she is out and about on her own, taking a leisurely walk, walking by the studio in time to see the exchange. to overhear the conversation.

vampiric compulsion is not a thing she is familiar with, so she doesn't see that bit. assumes the two of them simply were not getting along well. that's just part of life! she likes klaus. which is why she walks over to him, speaking as she draws closer. ]

Are you looking for help in your... [ oh, a studio of some kind. her forehead creases as she looks to the building, its doors and windows ] business, Klaus? Is it yours?

no worries!! ♥︎

[poppycock]

( they weren't getting along well. that, and the compulsion, is just a part of klaus' eternal existence, certainly. the edge of his irritation is soothed by the lady's receding footfalls. he turns his head to watch her go, eyes alighting on daphne striding forward.

the amusement on his features morphs to something degrees more welcoming. he also likes daphne. )

Yes, ( he provides without beat and with some pride, glancing inside. ) I haven't had as much time as I'd like to dedicate to it, but it is mine.

( it occurs to him daphne worked at the gallery, some time ago. ) Would you like to come inside? ( he leans in with the air of a conspirator. ) I was fibbing about closing early.

[sheening]

[ daphne's smile only grows when klaus meets her gaze, his mood seeming to transform at seeing her, in her presence. the apples of her cheeks rise, little dash of pride and delight rising for her too, that he'd ask her for what could seem a personal little tour, a small, warm giggle at his final words. ]

I would be delighted to, yes. If you are certain it shall cause you no trouble to have me in.

[ heaven knows she's not about to move away though, always polite, overly so but it does sound natural and smooth for her. she'll happily move along with him into the studio, eyes drinking in the sights as they go. ]

What sort of assistance do you require in its running, Klaus? I...well, I do not wish to be presumptuous, yet I have a deal of free time ever since Mr. Spector left the city and with it, his gallery unfortunately closing. [ never one to shy away with getting right to it, if the moment allows. ] I do enjoy being face to face with people, helping in a very direct, forward way. [ so, front desk, receptionist, whatever you wanna call it. ] If that might be what you need, anyhow.