newtralize | Then we are dead.

Then we are dead.

And we are together in 'other' New York.
Which is both heaven and hell,
And we have coffee, and ice cream
And aching hearts.

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[It's definitely feeling like a Monday.

What was he told a few days ago about this meeting? Don't be late? Make sure to be on time? Be early if possible? It's very important?

Right, so that's not happening. He is running quite late and everything is quite against him, he has found. He should have known that things were gonna go disastrously when his alarm didn't go off in the morning and he all but spilled hot tea on himself and burnt his toast for the morning. The only upside to that is the toast is still somewhat edible and it was at least his pajamas.

When it rains though, it really does pour.

No, really. It's pouring because of course it is. It's New York. And he should have already known better and always keep an umbrella on him, but he was running quite late already. Of course he forgot his umbrella. Wonderful. Now that he has found himself with a dissatisfying breakfast and having burned his hand on tea, he's soaking wet. Oh, and the subways are running late, so he might as well just try and get a taxi. What was that about being wet? How about a car going by and getting splashed? Well, now he's wet with dirty water. Fabulous.

By the time he arrives at the university, he's looking not too hot. He's soaking wet and looking a bit disheveled and he doesn't even want to know how late he is as he tries to quietly enter the room. Surely, he could at least manage quietly entering, right?

Newt all but drops his case and books with a loud and cluttered thud and he stands there like a deer in headlights before looking up with the most awkward of smiles.

Ah, well... This is going to be quite the first impression.]

[ The start to his day was simple and less chaotic, though having to travel across the city of New York was never really fun, especially in the rain. Even if he had a chauffeur to drive him to his destinations, traffic was always the same, no matter where in the city you needed to be.

The university was the best place for this meeting since it was within easy traveling distance between all parties. Of course, he wasn't here to be a guest speaker on artifacts like some have invited him to be but rather to get help from a recommended art historian and restorer on a case that he was assigned to.

Percival thought this would be like every other meeting he's ever attended, where everything would run smoothly and everyone made it a point to be on time. Except, this time he was left to wait, he didn't mind of course, but as the clock kept ticking by he started to wonder what might be keeping the other.

A few apologized heavily on Newt's lateness but he simply waved them off as it being no big deal. Taking it upon himself to get up from the chair he had been sitting on, to slide his hands in his pockets and wander around the room, idly looking at the array of artwork that adorned the walls.

And all of his questions seemed to be answered when the door opens to a clatter of books hitting the floor and turning to see the man looking like he had the worst morning of his life if his appearance was anything to go by.

Before he could even as so much welcome the other, someone else chimed in that Newt was late and complained about making them wait for him when they told him before to be early or even on time.

Percival on the other hand, makes his way over to the other and tries to help pick up some of his books. ]

Glad you could finally join us. Terrible morning, I take it?

[Newt immediately flushes a bright red when he's chided for being late. of course, he doesn't actually light to be late and isn't usually ever tardy (with how New York is, it's kind of expected for the unexpected sometimes). He bows politely for his tardiness because he can't verbally apologize and he really didn't mean to be late.

The world was just really out for him today, it seems.

He kneels down to start picking up his stuff and now he is face to face with Percival Graves.

Oh bugger, the man is attractive. He just kind of goes completely still because he looks like a drowned cat and he is face to face with a very attractive man. Oh dear. Today was really out to make him a complete fool. He only belatedly realizes that Percival had spoken to him and that he should answer. It would be really rude not to answer! Even if his face is growing warmer and probably redder and he's so terribly shy and embarrassed.

He just nods his head a little at the question. Yes, right. Answer the hot man.]

[ As one of the others lectured newt, he found that to be completely unfair. Clearly, it had been a rough morning and he knows how those tend to get, taking it upon himself to try and reassure the other. ]

Personally, I didn't mind waiting for you. Do you want me to see if i can get you something dryer to change into? We wouldn't want you to get sick on us.

[ Percival glances up at Newt when he catches him freeze, spotting the ever growing blush on his face as he piles some of the books against his arm. Though he pretends not to notice before getting back to his feet.

He smiles softly at the other before leaving him for a moment to walk towards the head of the university, quietly asking for a change of spare clothes for the other. He couldn't image standing or sitting around for however long this meeting was supposed to be, would be very comfortable in soaked clothes. And with this being a school, there was bound to be something he could borrow for the time being.

Percival sets down Newt's books in front of one of the chairs at the large confrence table, one that was close to his own that he had picked. The head of the school chimed in for the receptionist to bring in a spare set of clothes while Percival took a seat in the spot he had chosen, motioning for Newt to take the other while they waited for the spares.

While he could have taken a seat further away from him, it felt necessary to be close due to the nature of this case he was about to ask for help with. ]

While we wait for a few minutes, I wanted to thank you all for being able to be here. If you don't want to be a part of this case, you are more than welcome to leave. I not in the business to force anyone to stay for the sake of recovering and restoring art.

[Oh no. Attractive and kind. He's really done for. Is this the worst or best day? No, it has to be the worst. He's going to have to pay attention when he's a bit of a shivering mess and there's something very nice about Percival's voice.

Newt just swallows and nods slightly as he gets back to his feet and moves to sit down at the chair where his stuff was brought. Well, the man certainly had his undivided attention, so there's certainly that. Maybe not in the way one would expect, but he definitely has his attention on the other.

Although, maybe it would be fine. The man seems to become a lot more attentive at the mention of recovering and restoring art. After all, it was what he did for a living and he was quite passionate about it. He wasn't like his family at all. Wasn't much for the limelight or being the center of attention. Newt very much loved his job and loved what he did. Preserving history through artwork and repairing it so that they may resemble how they once did when they were first made.

Newt wasn't really sure what the case was actually about. Just that he had been requested to assist it as one of the best in his field. It didn't really matter to him what it was or the pay or anything about that. He cared about the art.

His soggy clothes forgotten momentarily. He sits there waiting to hear if the other will speak more about the case and what it entails.]

[ No one left the room so that was a good sign, meaning everyone here wanted to be a part of this in some form or another despite his request.

Percival brought out a briefcase he had placed on the other side of his chair, pulling out a series of folders containing a variety of detailed photos from the case specifically for Newt. He slides them over to the other to get his thoughts during the his presentation.

Its as far as he gets before there's a knock at the door and the head of the university greets the breathless receptionist with a change of clothes, a new pair of the school's gym clothes since its all they could manage as the receptionist lingers by the door for Newt, prepared to lead him to the nearest restroom to take his soaked and dirty clothes to get cleaned while he participated in the meeting. It should be long enough that he'd leave the premises with a set of dry clothes.

Of course, Percival wasn't about to continue without the other but this also gave him enough time to set up the technical portion of his presentation which he honestly could have done while they waited for the other in the first place but well, he didn't. Shame on him, really.

The head of the university calls out to Newt and waves him over. Percival smiles at him again to reassure him that he wouldn't be missing out on anything as he tilts his head up for him to go. ]

Go on, we won't start without you.

[ He watches Newt leave the room, taking his time to set up the projector and his notes, video clips, and a the same series of photos he had given in the folders minus his little notes. Percival had finished just before the other walked back into the room and they could really get down to business as he stood off to the side with his hands behind his back while everyone remained seated. ]

Better, at least, for now?

[ Once Newt was comfortable, he began telling how he had come across a series of secret auctions deep in the countryside of Austria. Showing footage and images of the auction itself, before he stopped at a series of artifacts and paintings he had managed to win before authorities had made it on the scene. It was then that he flips through images of the painting themselves, likely fakes due to the damage that seemed to be on them but he couldn't say for sure. They very much could be the originals that would clearly mishandled. In the folders he had provided Newt, there were sticky notes with information he had managed to piece on his own.

Later, he would take Newt to where the individual pieces were being held but until then, these would have to suffice. ]

What are your thoughts, Mr. Scamander?

[Newt bows his head politely as he leaves the room to get changed. It gives him a bit of time to also breathe a little. It's not even noon and he's already made quite a fool of himself from arriving late and looking like he washed up from shore to freezing up and obviously staring at the other.

This was going to be a day and he imagines it'll either get worse or somehow it'll go wonderfully. He's going to bank on the former than the latter.

He returns to the room in dry clothes and a towel and quietly takes a seat. He offers a shy smile and a nod before he pulls the file he was given and starts looking through the contents while glancing up at what was being projected too.

It's very obvious that Newt is rather well learned in what he does. He takes a notebook out of his bag and is already jotting down notes. He can name the pieces shown and the artists that created them and could easily look them up in his art history books. It takes him a moment to realize the other had spoken to him as he looks over his notes before looking up.

He holds both his hands up and makes the "F" symbol and has his index and thumb fingers close to each other almost as they're linking. He twists his dominant hand before separating and straightening his hands for the sign for "person" which makes the sign for "interpreter." He wasn't sure if Percival understood, so he feels it might be better to ask if someone could interpret.

No point in giving his thoughts if Percival doesn't understand him.]

Good.

[ Newt looked rather adorable when he smiled, he's seemed to notice. Later in his presentation, he also notices when Newt pulls out his journal and begins writing down notes, he suspects and how he's engrossed in them that he responds a little late when he calls his attention.

Percival watches Newt's signing, his understanding of them is a bit spotty and he lacks the memory to really reply back properly. He didn't come unprepared. He looks over at one of the women seated nearby, an interpreter he had brought on for this purpose. ]

Mrs. O'Connell if you would please, I'm not entirely well-versed in signing at the moment unfortunately.

[ He gives a sort of embarrassed smile, he should be better than he is at this, given the variety of people he's worked with and against but busy schedules and all that leaves very little time for refresher courses.

Mrs. O'Connell on the other hand, nods and looks over in Newt's direction, she was fluent in a number of sign languages so she could easily interpret to everyone else what Newt was saying. She replies to the other and signs in tow as a force of habit while everyone's attention was at the restorer. ]

Go ahead, Mr. Scamander. I'll follow.

[Newt turns to O'Connell and immediately starts speaking to her in a flurry of hand movements.

The other goes over the low likeliness of the authenticity of the pieces that were shown. How the damage itself wasn't the usual wear and tear from time that paintings exhibited and that it was unlikely these would be legitimate originals given the carelessness of even how the frames had been cared for. That even if these were fakes, they would still have been cared for as though they were originals if that were the main objective of these auctions.

Newt explains that he thinks that it's probably a front of some kind. Either that means that there are actual authentic pieces that exist, or the front is to hide a different activity completely.

He can appraise the pieces the other has in custody to confirm their authenticity, but he can easily guess just from what he's been given that they're likely to be fake. Newt reasons that there's a lot happening in the background given what information the other has at hand.]

[ Mrs. O'Connell repeated everything that Newt was signing in real time with his hand movements, it was quite impressive while everyone at the table listened attentively . Percival crossed his arms and flipped through his slides and followed along with the other's thoughts, quickly understanding where he was coming from and agreed with his points.

It wasn't unheard of for these times of auctions to be a front for something else as well as the painting being fakes automatically to either hide the true originals or otherwise. He's been to enough auctions that he's seen pieces already in museum care being sold at these types of events to unsuspecting buyers.

As far as museums he covered for these pieces, the ones Percival managed to get in contact with and inquire about them didn't have them in their storage nor on display so it was still likely they could be originals.

They wouldn't know without Newt's hands on appraisal. ]

Interesting. Well, I can't take you to where the artifacts are being stored at until tomorrow since they are being held on the other side of town but I do appreciate your insight. It confirms some of my theories but we can't say for sure until you see them in person.

[ That settled one case. Percival walks around back to his chair and digs through his bag for another folder, one much thicker than the ones he had given Newt earlier.

It was another series of photos for another painting, one that was in much nicer condition then the set they were just discussing. It looked extremely well cared for but it suffered some damage around the corners, probably due to age. Percival follows up with another slide of the same painting, explaining that he had found it at a different auction, this time in France, thinking it could possibly be a lost painting from a famous artist, though the painting itself is unsigned.

He explained how the price for this painting went through the roof quickly before he outbid one of the potential buyers after a minute or two of intense bidding. Percival wanted to believe that this was an original but again, he can't be sure. ]

This one is being held along with the others but every restorer I've gone to seemed to have conflicting thoughts about this particular piece and I would like to here your thoughts on it as well.

[Newt seems to look a little put out at the idea of not being able to see them until tomorrow. Of course the man would be itching to see the works. These kind of things was why the man was obviously employed as he was. Restoration was more a multitude of jobs packaged in one. He was an art historian, an artist, and a scientist all at once and there was just something so wonderful about being up front and personal with these timeless pieces. It was an honor to work and restore them to as close to their original beauty as possible.

It was something to look forward to tomorrow at least.

He takes the folder from the other and shuffles through them. His curiosity was immediately piqued. He glances at the other and back at the photos as he listens to Percival speak.

Newt turns to O'Connell. He explains that the frame looks to be in good condition and that most of the damage seems to be from age. That varnish yellowed with age and that the painting is the color it is because of that. The only other way that it would be like this if it whoever made the fake itself purposely glazed over the piece to give it that tint. Just explaining usual signs of what a painting may look like from damage over time.

That the piece definitely seems to exhibit those qualities.

He does ask why Percival hasn't asked previous art historians to restore or attempted to restore the piece.

Surely the other could have went ahead than to wait now. He's a bit puzzled.]

[ Percival noted his thoughts and he could have simply brought the pieces to a restorer he had worked with previously, knowing they took immense pride and care into their work with each piece he handed off to them be it authentic or fake. A quality Newt shared as did many in their field.

When Mrs. O'Connell repeats Newt's question, he's completely honest. Percival was mostly here for work over pleasure but that doesn't stop the idea he has in store for once this meeting was over. He returns to his seat as he speaks, resting a hand against the back of the chair. ]

I could have but it only seemed right to get one last opinion on it from one of the best and I wanted to see your skill first hand. There is also the matter that those that I've worked with previously are currently occupied on different projects at the moment and you were free.

[ A half lie. His colleagues weren't actually that busy enough that they couldn't make room for the pieces Percival found and retrieved had he requested their help. ]

Tomorrow morning at the earliest convenience to all parties, of course, we will be heading to see the paintings. Mrs. O'Connell, I would appreciate your assistance come tomorrow as well.

[ She nods. Percival didn't formally sign her on past this meeting since she was scheduled elsewhere later tomorrow. But it would give a bit of an overlap until their actual case interpreter would be able to join them.

The receptionist from earlier knocks on the door again before stepping inside to drop off Newt's newly cleaned outfit he was wearing earlier, still warm from the dryer. ]

This meeting is over. I will keep in touch should I need any other services from the rest of you. Mr. Scamander, if you would be so kind as to linger for a few moments, there is something I wish to ask you.

[ Percival smiles as the other people at the table moved to stand and leave as well as the dean of the university. Mrs. O'Connell lingered behind for good measure until it was only the three of them. ]

I would like it if you'd join me for dinner tonight, if you're available, of course. Conversation might be a little rocky and slow between us but I would enjoy your company.

[ His other motive for asking for him in the first place. Though he completely understood if the other didn't wish to accept his invitation. There was still some time to kill before dinner anyway. ]

[Newt flushes a bright red when the other compliments him. He didn't hear compliments and praise very often and it wasn't something he really cared or complained about, but it always flusters him when someone does.

It really doesn't help that Percival is a very attractive man.

Oh gosh, he's a real mess.

Percival doesn't really have to ask him to stick around. He takes a bit time to pack up; carefully placing the papers he had been presented into his messenger back so he can study them more back home. He also had to change back into his clothes. He just felt more comfortable in his own attire and he's more than happy to ditch his current wardrobe for it.

Plus, his clothes were nice and warm now.

When the other invites him to dinner, he gives the other such a puzzled look. He never had clients invite him to dinner after the first movie. Sometimes they would later on to discuss work or talk about progress, but his clients never cared about a meal with him for his company.

Newt is hesitant for a moment before he finally lifts his hands up. He has both his hands in D shapes and places his fingers close to each other before pulling his hands apart from each other.

The sign for "date."

Maybe it's presumptuous of him, but he doesn't understand why the other would invite him to dinner to enjoy his company. They've hardly gotten to know each other.]

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Then we are dead.

Modern AU

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