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anish + 🫡

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"yes," nasir breathes softly, wondering if this was a continuation of the joke, or if his own attempt at a jest had fallen flat. it wouldn't be the first time, so his default assumption is the latter. or perhaps it was simply the callout for watching that had his heart beginning to race. he tries a smile, encouraged by the joyful expression on the other's face. "oh, uhm, neither, actually. just a passerby... i almost came to this college, so i thought i might take a look as i was in town." he explains, twirling his pencil absently between finger and thumb, papers clutched to his chest with the other arm. "i am sorry, i did not mean to... impose, or anything. i was just worried you were going to hurt yourself climbing out of that window."

Had it not been for the quiet of the morning, Tobias thought that he would have gotten away with a discreet exit and being able to sneak away with nobody knowing of his presence. Not that he minded being caught, the feeling from the night before was still there as was the satisfied smirk on his face paired with a cheerful way in his step.  

“Seen the very thing you stopped to watch,” Tobias says turning his grin from satisfied to playfully teasing. “If its still the groundskeeper from when I was a student then I think I’m exceptionally lucky. Are you a student or professor here? If the former, you missed a good night. If the latter, nothing is going on here.”

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he flashes another grateful smile to be certain his appreciation is clear. having sifted the papers into a better state, he folds them and pushes them aside to rest near the edge of the table. "i am glad to hear it," nasir's gaze follows hers to the contents of the cup and he wonders briefly what her choice was. "oh, i do not think we could ever hope to compete with any mother's chai," he laughs softly. "but it is good to know we have at least not failed you completely. i am nasir, by the way." a bright smile blossoms now.

natasha watches the other with a curious gaze, her lips quirked in amusement. judging by the amount of papers in his hand, he was needed a brief rest. "i do not mind at all," she murmurs, gesturing for him to sit with her hand. natasha takes a sip from her steaming tea cup, only to set it down with contemplation. "my morning is off to a good start, i should say. the tea--?" she glances down at the brown liquid in her cup. "i miss my mother's chai," she admits with a small sigh. "but this will do in a pinch!"

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it was desperately important to nasir that he spent as much time as possible in the outdoors. he perhaps wasn't outdoorsy in the traditional sense -- certainly not the english sense of it, anyway -- having a general dislike for sports, but he did love being in nature. as such, his morning routine consisted ( almost exclusively, given how long they tended to last ) of a walk. often he would take paper and pencil with him, just in case inspiration hit. this morning's walk took place in oxford instead of his usual haunts out of necessity -- a meeting with a supplier had brought him to the city in the earlier hours.

nasir was determined to make up for lost time, and the grounds of most oxford colleges were undeniably beautiful. it's the noise that catches his attention first, head tilted to one side and then up as he locates the source. quite a sight for so early in the day, but he chuckles despite the instinctual worry rising. the other speaks, and nas realises in that moment that he had stopped to watch. "oh, um... seen what?" he offers tentatively in response, tone light as he plays along but still edged with concern. "you are lucky it's not the groundskeeper you've run into, you know."

OPEN STARTER | OPEN TO ALL LOCATION | OUTSIDE STUDENT DORMS, OXFORD UNIVERSITY

With news of the Queen’s intent to match everyone unruly combined with his fathers determination to marry him off and places some roots down, Tobias reacted in the opposite way of a lordly heir and managed to find himself in the company of a rowdy student crowd after a night of drinking in a tavern near the institution. As things often did, one thing led to another with more than one of the students and he enjoyed the group activity.

Morning hit and instead of sticking around, snuck out as quiet as he could but with the door locked, he had to make his way out of a window. Thankfully, he does it with experience and manages to get down without causing himself any harm and thinks he’s done it in privacy until he turns and sees someone looking in surprise. “Pretend you didn’t see that?” he pleads trying to smooth down his dishelved clothes from the night before.

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"... only if you are sure you don't mind," he hovers for a moment, half-distracted by the bustling interior and by the unexpected diversion from his plan. which was really just to tuck himself away in the apartment upstairs for a bit ; maybe tackle some paperwork or another... boring task. down here at least, nasir figured he might be jump in and help if needed. so, with a smile, he takes the offered seat. "thank you very much. are you enjoying your morning -- and your tea?" he cannot help but ask, squinting as he attempts to shuffle the papers in hand into a neater pile.

open to: all

location: a tea house or somethin

she holds a cup of tea to her lips, enjoying the hot steam that hit her lips. it had been a long time since she stepped foot in mayfair. she wondered if anyone recognized her. natasha was hoping that no one did, how nice it was to be a stranger. the sudden bell signaled a new customer in the shop. natasha glanced up and offered a polite smile. it was rather full in the shop. after a moment, she offered the empty seat in front of her. "you can join me, if you'd like. i promise i don't bite," she offered a larger smile, then.

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ASSAD ZAMAN as Anish Sengupta — Hotel Portofino ◦ “Lessons”

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(assad zaman, thirty, cis man, he/him) you do not know me but rest assured i know you, MISTER NASIR DASGUPTA. you are the OWNER OF GUNTER’S. you maybe be known for your BENEVOLENCE but it is only a mask for the true nature of your INGENUOUS ways. however, i am not here to spread slander on the queen’s jewels, though i suspect you are her OCEAN JASPER. the ton says your name reminds them of THE TINKLES OF FINE CHINA, CONSTANTLY LOOKING OVER ONE’S SHOULDER, TEMPORARILY-FIXED EYE GLASSES, & THE SCENT OF FRESH FRUIT. how scandalous! you have been warned, dear reader, that i will prove if this is true and share every last detail. (penny, 25, gmt+1, she/her, no triggers)

full name:  nasir rohan faruq dasgupta. nickname(s): nas. his daak naam ( used by close friends & family only ) is khemi. birthday: 13th july, 1782. gender / pronouns:  cis man ,  he / him. orientation:  asexual / biromantic. personality: obstinate, generous, nervous, adroit, passive. languages spoken: bengali, arabic, persian, english, greek & latin. relationship status: unbetrothed. build: slim.

( tws ; anxiety, implied ptsd )

the oldest of three, the thing most commonly said about nasir was that he had a gentle soul. he was a quiet but happy child, adoring brother to his younger siblings and always doing the utmost to be the perfect son.

he liked being around animals, and most especially helping them when they were in trouble ; injured or struggling. when he wasn't physically with them, he spent hours bent over sketches and various other artworks, trying to painstakingly replicate the animals and the landscapes around them.

his parents travelled often -- to europe mostly, where they had significant business interests, but elsewhere too -- and would take their children along with them. on even the shortest trips nasir would get dreadfully homesick. there was nowhere he would rather be than his beloved bengal.

shortly before he turned eleven, the announcement that they were to move to england was made. it was the first time nasir acted out in his life ; he tried running and hiding, screaming and crying, bargaining and begging they even just let him stay -- anything to express how little he wanted to leave. but it was no use.

the family settled in london, taking over an existing failed teashop. the name was changed to gunter's ( a play on a more anglo-recognisable 'gupta', which nas never liked ).

it took nasir a long time to settle in london, unsurprisingly. he grew to like it in its own right, heart and mind captured by the numerous art galleries and the green parks that would become his inspiration. he found some comfort in the fact that it rained a lot in england, too -- even if it was significantly colder and he hated having to wrap up so much of the time.

he'd avoided any involvement in the war for a long time, convincing himself that it was none of his business -- why should he die fighting for a country he had to be dragged kicking and screaming to? but as familiar faces vanished, nasir one day decided he could abstain no longer. he talked his way into the army medical department and worked as a hospital assistant / orderly from 1807 until the war's end.

when the initial excitement from returning wore off, nasir felt his life was devoid of purpose. of course, there was always work to be done with the shop, particularly with him being trained to take over, but it was not fulfilling in the same way. he turned to an old love, interest in art reinvigorated. he had some sketches made during the war published in magazines and newspapers and worked up the courage to apply to the royal academy of art.

he was one year into his course when his world seemed to collapse around him. rushing to leave the family townhouse to get to class on time one morning, nas almost missed the letter on the table in the parlour. it detailed that his parents were returning to bengal and nasir was to be left alone and completely in charge.

he did not go to class that day, or ever again. it was a responsibility reluctantly and begrudgingly taken on, but taken on nevertheless out of a sense of duty. that was one year ago, and though he's pleased the shop is thriving even more than ever, it is a hollow happiness.

he is not much in contact with his family now. they contact him even less, so he writes only occasionally to inform them that everything is fine. little does he know, that this is by design. his parents had been involved in dubious dealings regarding the shop. firstly, they'd financed the venture through illegal money lenders, then as if that wasn't enough, they were using gunter's as a front for several illegal smuggling ventures. for the time being, these have quieted down -- hence nas remaining unaware, but it may not last long.

cannot read anything or really see very much up close full stop without his spectacles. which makes it very concerning that they are practically always broken and even more frequently misplaced.

was always kind of an anxious guy, but it has been unquestionably exacerbated by his experience in the war. his siblings have found great joy in taking the mick out of how jumpy he is -- not helped by his tendency to have his head in the clouds, usually thinking about what he'll draw or paint next. likewise, if he is invested in his art, it can take great effort to remove him from it.

wanted connections.

childhood / family friends. school / tutored friends. best friend(s). acquaintances. gunter's regulars / his favourite customers. somebody helping him run the business. past relationship -- good / bad ending terms. crush ( either way, or mutual ). folks he served with, or even helped treat. maybe one or both of his siblings has returned to london despite their parent's wishes? distant / extended family. someone involved in all the dodginess who wants to make sure nas will be on board. literally everything pls.

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Assad Zaman as Anish Sengupta HOTEL PORTOFINO | 2.02

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ASSAD ZAMAN as Anish Sengupta in "Hotel Portofino" 1.06

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ASSAD ZAMAN as Anish Sengupta — Hotel Portofino ◦ “Alliances”

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“…a terrible hunger for knowing things, for knowing everything.”

— Catherynne M. Valente, from Deathless (via luthienne)