a little more, so people don't completely destroy me

[maderr]

Before Joss could turn around to see what had caught Michael's eye, a voice like crushed velvet purred in his ear. "My turn, Matchmaker."

His body tensed with a suppressed urge to jump and turn around.

Instead, Joss merely turned his head to meet the winter eyes, so close their noses almost touched, and he could smell tea and cinnamon on Sorrel's breath. "Marquis Bellow," he greeted politely, neither warm nor cool. "You're early, and here I did not expect you at all."

Sorrel rose to his full height, a good half a head taller than Joss.

He was, Joss suddenly realized, truly beautiful. The winter eyes against the summer hair, features elegant and refined enough to be worthy of being carved into marble or painted in rich oils. He wore haughtiness and arrogance like a second skin, and the twist to his mouth said he was used to getting what he wanted, and did not expect that to change any time soon.

Men who pretended to power and authority tended to be excessive in proving they already had it. Sorrel was dressed simply, elegantly, with only a small diamond in one ear, and a plain gold signet ring on his right hand. It was the sort of simplicity that said he had no reason to pretend anything.

Joss met the challenge in those eyes unflinching, and made a mental note to add further impressions to Sorrel's file: Hostile. Likely willing to use seduction to get his way.

"Shall we, then?" Sorrel asked. "The sooner this inquisition is over, the better."

"I would hate to keep you overlong," Joss murmured back, then turned around slowly and strolled leisurely back into his office.

He sat down behind his desk, and waited as Sorrel took his time in getting a drink from the bar and settling down in one of the seats in front of the desk. "So what would you like to know?" he finally asked, voice still holding a bit of that velvet purr.

Nothing like the cooler tones of that morning, which meant he was hoping to rattle or otherwise upset Joss' equilibrium.

It was nothing he had not seen before, and if the good Marquis wanted to play games – well, that told him more than Sorrel probably realized.

Though, it really did not matter. His first impression was not changing, and while he would go through all the motions to ensure he was correct, he did not see that impression changing. Sorrel would not be his final choice, or any choice at all.

Still, he could get information he needed on the others. "You have known the Queen your entire life," he began calmly. "Have you known Michael as long as she has?"

"Yes, and yes," Sorrel replied, looking amused. "What's your next question? Why haven't I married her? Am I jealous of him? You should ask the inhabitants of the palace, they have far better answers to those questions than I can provide."

Joss almost smiled. "While gossip provides information in its own unique way, my lord, I am not looking for lies and suppositions. I am looking for honesty." He looked down, then slowly dragged his gaze back up, looking through his lashes. "An interesting concept for you, I do not doubt."

Something sparked in Sorel's eyes, but whether it was amusement or annoyance, Joss could not quite say.

"I have no interest in marriage, even to a Queen," Sorrel replied, stretching his legs out, half reclining in his seat, one leg crossed over the other, whiskey glass held loosely in one hand. "I have never denied that I do not favor fidelity."

No, he was certainly not the type to trouble himself with something as bothersome as fidelity. Why settle for a rose when the whole garden is available for your perusal?

Joss made appropriate notes in the file, taking his time about it, feeling the cool eyes watch his every moment. "I'm told you are quite adept with law, my lord."

"Yes," Sorrel drawled, pale lips curving a wicked smirk. "Rules are an interesting game to play. Where to follow…where to bend…where to break…" He took a sip of his whiskey, and licked a trace of it from his lips. "I'm certain you must find rules just as interesting."

"It is true that I must follow a great man of them," Joss replied calmly, jotting further notes, telling himself he wasn't doing it just because it obviously annoyed and rattled Sorrel to see notes being made about him.

Except he got the feeling that Sorrel was seldom rattled by anything, and that was worth making note.

Sorrel's lip curled. "Must follow, yes. Question and harass and place people like so many pawns. I'm certain the rules for that games are most intriguing."

"People are not pawns," Joss replied and dipped his pen in the inkwell.

Trust issues? he noted, then looked up again, setting the pen aside for the moment.

"Her Majesty mentioned to me, not longer after we first met, that you greatly enjoy tea."

Sorrel looked at him, but said nothing.

Joss did not press him, refusing to rise to the bait. Sorrel wanted him to work for every single snippet of information, and that was not a game he intended to play. Let the bastard keep underestimating him; he'd already given away more than he would ever realize.

Realizing his own thoughts, he grimaced inwardly at his own bought of cockiness. Sorrel was not a man to be underestimated, either.

A pity, really. Back home, during her visit and after her initial request, the Queen had talked in detail about her friends. She had admitted her cousin was more than a little bit of a rake, and the living, breathing definition of arrogant—

—She had obviously also spoken with the familiarity of someone who had grown up with him, and so was immune or oblivious to certain aspects to which a stranger would be vulnerable.

Joss wondered, if he were to inquire, how many people would describe the Marquis as 'devastating' or something much along those lines.

He looked at general notes he had made on the journey here, and picked one that changed direction entirely. "Her Majesty's late husband – what did you think of him?"

"The King?" Sorrel shrugged. "He had excellent taste in women."

A flippant reply if Joss had ever heard one, and almost amusing – he meant it to be taken in the wrong vein, that the King had been a womanizer, yet in reality it was probably only a compliment to the Queen.

He picked up his pen again, and scratched out the question mark besides Trust issues.

Setting the pen down again, he stood up and smiled. "I believe that is all I need from you today, my lord. I prefer to keep the sessions short, though they will likely lengthen as you grow comfortable with me." He moved around the desk to escort Sorrel from his office, a reflexive gesture of courtesy.

Sorrel stood just as he neared, close enough their shoulders did not quite brush. His voice was all purr and velvet again as he dipped his head to Joss' ear once more. "As pretty as you are, Matchmaker…" He drew back as abruptly as he had moved in, voice suddenly frigid. "I doubt anyone could ever be comfortable with you."

He set his glass down with a faint click on the desk, turned sharply away and stalked from the room, gone as quietly as he had come.

Joss stood impassive for a long moment, then moved back to sit behind his desk.

Sorrel knew where to thrust the knife, that was certain. He had gone straight for the heart.

A man like that, however, always excelled at finding the weaknesses in others.

The trick was not letting him know he had found a weakness, and if there was one thing a lifetime of studying people had taught Joss, it was how to hide what he felt.

Comments

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

ARRRRR! I think this stopped at an even worse place than the last one. Now you have me contemplating sharpening my pitchfork and coming after you for more.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Shit. You live close enough now that's no idle threat *goes to secure the doors and windows*

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

I knew keeping all those pitchforks from when people came after me to finish stories would come in handy one day. Now to convince miome that I need to borrow the car...

[bleedtoblue.livejournal.com]

I do love this story! I can't wait for a bit more information about the Matchmaker. Thank you!

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

Oh man, that little glimpse of Joss's vulnerability at the end was devastating. D:

(And perfect. :D)

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Speaking of vulnerable, are you going to have a hurricane party or anything?

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

Nah, we're not set to get much more than bitch slapped by a little wind and rain. I had tomorrow off from work anyway, so I'd already planned to be holed up with a mug of cocoa and my laptop and a middle finger to Mother Nature. ;p

I'm going to post a bit for GtV tonight, though, in case a tree falls on my house and crushes me.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Heh. Enjoy the day off, sounds nice. Sadly, I'll be at a dumbass work party all bloody night -_- boo hiss!

So after tonight, I probably won't get much writing done 'til Tuesday. Still, I will work hard since it's getting me shiney <3

[(Anonymous)]

Eep, this is a very interesting story so far ^_^ I do love the idea of matchmakers, its not something you see very often in stories.

Slightly unrelated, but that wonderful snippet of Preston/Sandro/Tremont inspired me to do another sketch :3 (sorry if they don't look right, I wasn't paying loads of attention to their descriptions) - http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a82/blackstarart/Paintings/vampiresandwich.jpg

[maderr.livejournal.com]

vampire sandwich! *gigglefit* It's perfect ^___^ I love it. Mmm, sandwich.

[shattereternity.livejournal.com]

Oh the ending to that scene was goood ^__^

and since it amused me and directed my mind to the gutter, i noticed this typo:

"It is true that I must follow a great man of them," Joss replied calmly

::cough:: i think man should be many ^^

[maderr.livejournal.com]

But it's so much more entertaining typed wrong.

[blackstarart.livejournal.com]

It is a very tasty sandwich :q the vampires in that story are just plain awesome.

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

Well, geez, that's got to be really hard on you, I mean, having to finish that whole damn story tonight.

;P

Yup, give me another hour-ish and I should have shiney posted. :D

[maderr.livejournal.com]

I didnt' say I was going to finish it! I said I'd do my best to keep working! I'm not that arrogant, sheesh ^^;;;


YAY GREG

[rainbowfantasie.livejournal.com]

nuuu...don't stop! i wanna know what happens next!

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

I know, dearest. I was being pushy and sarcastic. :D

[maderr.livejournal.com]

NO YOU WEREN'T YOU WERE BEING SLAVEDRIVER! TROUBLEMAKER!

[(Anonymous)]

Ah, sexy boys with sexy issues. What more could I ask for?
Love your stuff!

-J

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GET THESE CRAZY IDEAS.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

FLORIDA.

[gossymer.livejournal.com]

IAWTC!

Sorrel knew where to thrust the knife, that was certain. He had gone straight for the heart.

Everything is still quite mysterious - can't wait for a bit more history and bonding and interaction - though it might be a long time in coming :(

For some reason, it seemed more like a psychiatrist had been hired and the court nobility was getting a check up XD Must wait for more of the plot to reveal itself!

[macteague.livejournal.com]

Ouch! Poor Joss! He's certainly got a difficult task ahead of him!

Also, I like Michael. Seems like he's not going to be quite as uncooperative as the others! LOL

[http://users.livejournal.com/_calex_/]

Oh god, my heart aches for Joss after his meeting with Sorrel. But the dynamics between those two... interesting. Very much so. I can't wait to find out what the others are like.


Also, it appears that people are not above bribing and threatening for this story (*cough*aggybird*cough*). I greatly approve. XD

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

I know! For some reason this story has really grabbed me. I love little logical Joss and his sekret project. :D I'm trying to bribe M with more GtV and I sincerely hope it works. XD

[gossymer.livejournal.com]

You know the creepy thing? I'm currently at your LJ,c atching up on drabbles and then possibly catching up with all the Greg chaps XD Am on a total orig slash binge now ♥

There is way too much eyecandy interacting with Joss though :(

[silrini.livejournal.com]

...You've got me pulling a Joss. I have a list of all the characters and what they look like and what they like. Every description you've given about them SO I CAN FREAKING TELL THEM APART. T__T And then this. THE PAIN!! THERE IS A KNIFE IN MY HEART TOO AND YOU PUT IT THERE!! IT WILL REMAIN THERE UNTIL YOU POST MORE STORY!! *coughhackcough* Damn this cold. *pouts*

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

Haha, the weird, wonderful magic of the internet in action.

Oh dear, I just posted a new Greg chap. Sorry for giving you more work! XD

Yes, the drabble meme produced many good drabbles. There are still a few more to come from people, I think. (Including, uh, me.)

[charisstoma.livejournal.com]

We do not bite the hand that writes for us. The nibbling is purely recreational.
Why did you have to name the one that struck bells for me Eustace?
Dark blond hair and hazel eyes. Freckles are nice and normally would be a hint at a certain vulnerability but dusted over cheekbones and if looked for hidden in the ears... *sigh* close enough to one from my past. Thank God he's bald now, but still..*shakes self* Yes, I'll take that one.

Sorrel is going to be a problem considering Joss is reacting to him. Sorrel is not as unattracted to Joss either.

Guess I can understand the reluctance of the victims. No one likes to have someone peer too closely beneath the facade of who we present, we're too vulnerable there.
I like your line of characters, tantalizing.

[saaski-moql.livejournal.com]

"It is true that I must follow a great man of them," Did you mean "many," by chance? Because while "man" could make sense...

Also. Story. More. Want. TwT it is a very intriguing concept, this.

[aggybird.livejournal.com]

Who, me? Couldn't be!

[mechante-fille.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor Joss!!! Meanie Sorrel. It will be such fun breaking that one. Er, I mean breaking through? ...something like that.

Oh, you are so right about the names! And then the titles, too. I like that we are meeting them again one at a time. Brilliant, as it solidifies who they are in my mind. Methinks that Michael and Sorrel might be the most important to know, but it is early yet, and time will tell.

One of my favorite books had a male Joselin. I was rather young when I read it, and mostly just thought it was an odd spelling since my (female) cousin was Jocelyn. Um, this prattling boils down to me liking the name. ^___^

Have a good day at work tomorrow!

[mechante-fille.livejournal.com]

Then who!?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_calex_/]

*raises eyebrow* Yes, I'm looking riiiiiight at you.

[kiyoshi-chan.livejournal.com]

Oh bugger. I kind of want to smack Sorrel. :( Ouch, Joss. *cuddles him*

[sunandshadow.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of puzzled by why Joss hasn't said anything to contradict this idea that marriage=doom. And even if he matches two people, nothing forces them to get married, right? Unless the queen ordered them to I guess. Because this is happening in a country that doesn't usually do matchmaking I see that you would have a tough time finding a reason to describe a typical matchmaking experience.

I'm quite curious whether anyone has attempted to matchmaker Joss, lol, it seems like something matchmakers would do to each other when they were in school, or maybe he has older relatives in the same trade.

Anyway bravo for attempting this - I've considered doing a matchmaking story but always shelved the idea due to being daunted by the number of characters and the difficulty of making each one memorable and individual.

[tsubaki-dono.livejournal.com]

How rude, that Sorrel. But his behaviour is indeed telling; he's on unfamiliar territory in that little office, in a setting where he is (as you said) accustomed to power and control.

But he does seem to be a little too off-balance which leads me to think he is the matchmaker's match. After all, what reason would he have to be hostile unless its because he's not got control over something... maybe his attraction, perhaps? *snicker*

Or I'm reading too much into things again. I'm just excited! Can't wait to read more.

[spurious-sanity.livejournal.com]

*_____________________________*
shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[avalon13.livejournal.com]

D: POOR JOSS. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH STUPID STUPID SORREL HOW WILL YOU EVER GET THE PRETTY NOW?? I AM INCREASINGLY TEMPTED TO PROCLAIM MY OTP AS MICHAEL/JOSS BUT YOU KNOW ME AND MY FETISH FOR REDEEMABLE BIG JERKS.

JOSS, OH JOSS YOU ARE SO KYOOT WITH YOUR SEEKRET HURT FEELINGS AND YOU ARE LIEK A KICKED PUPPY AND HOLY CRAP SORREL WILL HAVE TO WORK HIS ASS OFF TO GET IN YOUR GOOD GRACES AGAIN I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH HE SPARKLES IN THE SUN.

I am done now. I heart you. and I heart this story.<333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 SEE? HEARTS.

[moon-of-my-soul.livejournal.com]

Apparently I should just not comment until I'm through looking at your posts, because every time I think I've read as much of Matchmaker as you've posted, I discover that you've posted more! That doesn't stop me though. I really like this, and I feel bad for Joss that he has to hide how he feels about things. Cannot wait for even more!

[scary-sushi.livejournal.com]

YES. THE SEKKRET HURT FEELINGS! AND MICHAEL/JOSS! AND MYSTERIES!

THIS IS SHINY. *nodsnodsnodsnods*

*gives back Ava's CAPSLOCK key*

[(Anonymous)]

I wonder if it's gonna be Michael/Queen. DDD:

And. Uh. Sorrel's not being very nice, is he? xDDD

Moooooooore. ;D

[hsavinien.livejournal.com]

Argh, cool!

I love your secretary-types and your Regencyish stories! Ooh, it's going to be a while before I can keep all the guys in this one straight, though. Even the ones who aren't... Whatever.

Anyway, please write more, am very intrigued.

[ruselkie.livejournal.com]

i second the wondering about the michael/queen, and further wonder at WHAT THE FRACKIN HELL IS GOING ON???
all these 'no? yes, (mostdef) NO' scribbles, 'final choice' nonsense, you're KILLING ME HERE. it's like i'm in the middle of 'highwayman' again-- reading faster and faster, then re-reading thinking i've missed something because this is ALL OVER MY HEAD I NEED MORE HINTS PLEASE OR AT LEAST SOMEONE BRIBE HER I'M LOOKING AT YOU AGGYBIRD THANK YOU THUS FAR.

whew.

[alexiel-rain.livejournal.com]

Uhh...I want to ask something. What does Joss look like? Sorrel says that he's pretty, but he coud be a blonde, brunette, redhead, black-haired, hazel eyes, blue eyes, green eyes, etc etc...yeah, you get the idea.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

His description comes up in pages you haven't seen yet.

awesomesause!!

[bonyariotaku.livejournal.com]

Can't wait to read more about matchmaking and the guys.