That's not an answer, and Jon wants it. His hand comes to rest atop the book block. He needs to know more about those eyes, what they really mean, particularly on Lucien.
"What do you want for the chance to review this more in-depth? Money? I can pay you by the hour for the time I'm examining it."
It is, but it's one that Lucien can solve in other ways. This has more value than some coin. He drums his fingers lightly over the bound pages, seeming to consider his options. Though it's difficult to tell when his focus shifts by looking, it's something one can feel. He looks at Jon.
He's not sure if that's what this man is driving at. It's not something he particularly wants to do, but he's willing to compromise when he has this mystery staring him down. Once Lucien finds out he's not especially experienced, he probably won't be interested in anything further.
"How am I supposed to know what you want?" Jon snaps back, his fingers pressing down harder on the book. "I don't know. You can ask me whatever you want and I'll answer honestly? I'll let you look at some of the Statements I have from natives? I'll give you a contract, if you haven't got one, so you can do whatever it is you can't do without one?"
"A contract?" he echoes. Now that's something that could be worth it. But that would tie him to this little man for what, three months? He supposes in the grand scheme that isn't terribly long. How far could he twist Jon's arm before breaking it?
That's easy enough. If he can survive a contract with Dorian Gray, he survive a contract with anyone. "A contract. Temporary, of course. I'll pay for you to live somewhere that isn't the Down public housing, and you'll have permission to buy whatever you want with your own money. You can write up the contract however you want and I'll sign it." Because that's legitimately never gone poorly for him. Why would it now?
"I only have one clause I include in every contract, which is that we can update it on a weekly basis, just in case something in the city changes."
"Everything is temporary, I'm not sure there's a need to specify that. You might hurt my feelings, Archivist."
Unlikely. But the possibility of getting out of the bloody Down sounds like a chance he can't pass up. Lucien is used to not having creature comforts, but this is... an enforced humiliation that he would rather not continue.
He drums his fingers again, considering the book.
"However I want?" he prompts, brow lifting. Surely there's a catch there, other than that little clause.
"However you want within reason. I'm not just giving you all my money, or whatever. You can rent a flat somewhere, and I'll pay for it. Buy what you need. I'll expect you to contribute your own income to things, as well." He accepts only one kept man in his life, and that is Martin Blackwood. "You can do whatever you want for quota. I don't care."
"You don't care? That hurts my feelings, Jon." A passing pout turns into another smile. "I already said I don't want your money."
What would he do with it, in his position? The contract grants him license to spend it, but.
"And when I change hands? What happens to a flat then?" Well, since this is temporary, he should look to the future, shouldn't he? "I've heard the newly contracted live with their Dominants."
It's not like they don't have space, but at the same time... that impacts Martin more. Which means he really ought to consult Martin. But the book. Martin would understand.
(Martin would not understand and probably yell at him, but Jon is choosing to ignore that.)
"When you get a new contract, your new partner would just take over payments or whatever new system you work out. We have... spare rooms. But we also have a dog. And a cat. And Martin likes his privacy." As does Jon. "I doubt you'd like it... Unless you're making that a requirement for examining the book?"
"I like cats," he drawls, lifting a brow. Poor Cree would probably resent that line, but she isn't here to do anything about it. "If you want the book in your custody, you'll have to keep me with it. Otherwise, you'll have to come visit it."
In other words, Lucien would have far more say in when and how Jon could look at it.
Jon narrows his eyes at that comment. He wants full access to this book. He needs it. Or the viciously curious part of him that has no other outlets needs it.
"Fine. You can live in the house while I'm looking into the book. But we'll get you a flat when I'm finished."
"If you can bear to let me go after that," he quips. Lucien draws the book closer and picks it up. "You can keep reading after the contract is signed."
Well, he has to make the effort worth it, doesn't he?
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"What do you want for the chance to review this more in-depth? Money? I can pay you by the hour for the time I'm examining it."
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It is, but it's one that Lucien can solve in other ways. This has more value than some coin. He drums his fingers lightly over the bound pages, seeming to consider his options. Though it's difficult to tell when his focus shifts by looking, it's something one can feel. He looks at Jon.
"Offer me something better than that, Archivist."
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He's not sure if that's what this man is driving at. It's not something he particularly wants to do, but he's willing to compromise when he has this mystery staring him down. Once Lucien finds out he's not especially experienced, he probably won't be interested in anything further.
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"Really?" he deadpans, trying to discern if Jon is actually being serious. "What a disappointing lack of imagination."
Sure, there's something appealing about the Archivist, but he certainly isn't interested in trading something so simple for another look.
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"A contract?" he echoes. Now that's something that could be worth it. But that would tie him to this little man for what, three months? He supposes in the grand scheme that isn't terribly long. How far could he twist Jon's arm before breaking it?
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"I only have one clause I include in every contract, which is that we can update it on a weekly basis, just in case something in the city changes."
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Unlikely. But the possibility of getting out of the bloody Down sounds like a chance he can't pass up. Lucien is used to not having creature comforts, but this is... an enforced humiliation that he would rather not continue.
He drums his fingers again, considering the book.
"However I want?" he prompts, brow lifting. Surely there's a catch there, other than that little clause.
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He makes a dismissive gesture.
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What would he do with it, in his position? The contract grants him license to spend it, but.
"And when I change hands? What happens to a flat then?" Well, since this is temporary, he should look to the future, shouldn't he? "I've heard the newly contracted live with their Dominants."
He lifts a brow.
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(Martin would not understand and probably yell at him, but Jon is choosing to ignore that.)
"When you get a new contract, your new partner would just take over payments or whatever new system you work out. We have... spare rooms. But we also have a dog. And a cat. And Martin likes his privacy." As does Jon. "I doubt you'd like it... Unless you're making that a requirement for examining the book?"
Is that what this is? More negotiation?
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In other words, Lucien would have far more say in when and how Jon could look at it.
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"Fine. You can live in the house while I'm looking into the book. But we'll get you a flat when I'm finished."
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Well, he has to make the effort worth it, doesn't he?
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"Write something up, I'll look it over and sign it, and we can get it filed at the courthouse. The sooner, the better."
The fast he can review that book, the faster he can shove Lucien out of the house and into his own flat.
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He pulls the book away and tucks it under his arm with a sharp smile.
"Now then, I'm back to bed. I had a long night, Archivist."
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