Sure enough, as though on cue, the moment the scrap of paper hit the floor the novelist was in the doorway, issuing yet another reprimand in Kail’s direction.<b>”I just straightened up the living room,”</b>he said gently, more intent on the second half of his nagging.<b>”I’d really appreciate it if you got all your stuff out of the spare room before our roommate actually <i>gets</i> here.”</b>Well versed in the art of handling Kail when it came to tasks that the artist found less than favorable, he was using a tactic that avoided directly commanding him to do his bidding but instead was a reminder that he prayed would be heeded. He swept up the discarded piece of artwork in a graceful sweeping motion and disposed of it properly in the trash bin that was not two feet from the couch.<br/><br/>Graeme was tall and slender, but finely muscled throughout his body, giving him the pleasantly aesthetic physique of a dancer. He was clothed in the only manner he found suitable, which today included a pair of trim slacks that were dark in color paired with a gray shawl cardigan over a white dress shirt.  He was never without shoes, so of course on his feet he sported a pair of dark brown leather shoes.  When the door rang the usually collected male straightened up quickly, his eyes widening.  He took a moment to dust his fingers over Kail’s shoulder as he hurried past, giving him a firm pinch to prompt him to rise out of politeness, though knowing it would likely be futile.<br/><br/><b>"Kail, come say hello,"</b>he called, settling his hand on the doorknob without turning around.<br/><br/>He swept the door open grandly, revealing to Moria the main living area of the apartment, which was modest in size and cluttered with the things he had managed to entice Kail to move from one of the two bedrooms.  There had been a long argument over who would have to sleep in the living room and Graeme’s winning card had been that he not only footed more than half the rent but also furnished most of the apartment while Kail blew his money on things Graeme found frivolous.<br/><br/>He took in Moria’s appearance with a sweep of his blue eyes tinged steely gray, his facial features arranged in an attentive look of interest; he had known from their initial meeting that Moria was comely, but was pleasantly surprised to find that he was a bit shorter though not obnoxiously so.  It was a difference Graeme found particularly attractive, as well as the difference in the hues of their skin when he extended his hand, ghostly pale, to be clasped in greeting before he offered to take his bags.<br/><br/><b>”How was your trip?  Let me help you with your stuff.”</b>He reached politely for one of the bags at their feet, then stepped aside to allow Moria entry.<b>"Please come in!"</b>His smile was charming, his eyes welcoming, his arms hung loosely at his sides and his shoulders lax.  He radiated the image of kind elegance.