Then we are dead.

[newtralize]

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

Comments

[captivecharm]

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.

[newtralize]

[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.]

[captivecharm]

[ 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.

[newtralize]

[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.]

[captivecharm]

[ 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. ]

[newtralize]

[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.]