Xavier Darnai
New Customer
Networking
Posts: 49 
Marital Status: Married
Other Half: "She's a blood sucking corporate type."
Quotes: "Do poslednego vystrela."
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Post by Xavier Darnai on Feb 10, 2014 4:07:37 GMT
Xavier Darnai: World wide business could always generate an appetite, even if he wasn't really in the mood to eat. Finding himself at the diner wasn't exactly unexpected, and sitting in the rear corner table, he stared at the leather bound box in front of him while his fork pushed noodle and steak around in the basin style plate. If he was being honest with himself, he wasn't sure why he ordered the befstroganov, outside of the fact that having something in front of him made him feel like he belonged. Even without being honest with himself there was no need to really belong. Flagging down the blonde, he took a soft breath and let the fork rest down on the edge of the plate. "Natasha, go ahead and take that box, would you. I'll go with something a little less... ceremonious. The triple wood will do." Watching as she nodded and took the box, rounding the corner to head off to the the bar, he turned his head towards the window again, watching the quiet streets. He hated when all there was to do was sit and wait.
[Sonja DeValois]: Traveling wasn't always something done for the pleasure of seeing far off places. Or even nearby places that held some historical value. More often than not, it was for business. Especially when you had a lacking sense of nostalgia for having seen it all before. Mountains were mountains, canyons were canyons, restaurants were restaurants. This particular stop was all business. The pristine white and chrome trim Excalibur pulled up in a parking spot near the door, were the driver's door opened to allow exit of a tall man with chiseled features, pale eyes and dark hair in a fine black suit. This wasn't his stop, of course. He was just the driver. The back passenger's door was opened and his hand offered to the passenger in the back seat. Despite the delicate appearance of the hand that accepted, there was strength in that hand, much like the other. In the black heeled boots she donned, she stood two inches short of six feet as she stood. Free hand smoothed the black pencil skirt and feminine trench over with a casual glance cast about the face of the diner. A nod of thanks given to the driver, and some silent exchange, the better than thou brunette made her way into the diner with intent and purpose, making no attempt at hiding her undead nature from those who would recognize the presence.
Xavier Darnai: It wasn't accurate to say he'd been distracted by the arrival of the car, but it certainly had his attention. Nodding lightly in thanks to Natasha as she set the bottle of Auchentoshan down with a tumbler, he sat back for a moment in his chair before taking the bottle in his left and removing the stop cap cork. When the woman stepped out, he lift both brows, this hadn't exactly been expected, but it would have been foolish of him to believe that anyone other than himself could move pieces on the board. That's why there were always contingencies. Pouring a measured double, he straightened up in his seat and undid the buttons of the suit jacket he wore, keeping the corner of his eye on the driver while very keen ears kept him at attention for the rest of the diner's business. It was quiet, just himself and the staff, and now the new woman. Certain he wouldn't have to flag her down beyond simply being there, one foot carefully pushed the chair opposite his own away, leaving her room to take a seat.
[Sonja DeValois]: Undoubtedly, Xavier would recognize her from the photo presented to him by Hex. Sonja wasn't a common looking woman, not that she was overly exotic, but memorable. Perhaps for the air she carried herself in. There was no bother in a hostess offering her a seat. When asked, the offer was waved off politely and without pause of the casually paced gait towards Xavier's table. A ghost of a smile barely turned up the corners of her mouth, noting the movement of the chair that left her room to join at his table. "I had a feeling that you'd be welcoming, even if in a bit of chilly manner." Light English lilt to her words that were spoken softly, having no need to raise her voice. The belt of her coat was tugged and pulled open, only for the sake of comfort as she eased down onto the seat across from him. She had no intentions of making this a long visit. A simple trip to make open a line of communication.
Xavier Darnai: "Can't say I've ever been accused of being friendly." Setting the bottle down and capping it again, bandaged fingers pulled away from the bottle and wrapped carefully around the rim of the glass as he picked it up and gave the Scotch a slow stir. "Though it's safe to say I'm not often surprised, either, so I suppose one for two's not bad, neh?" Lifting the tumbler and taking a sniff from it, he tilted it back for a quick sip with a pull in the corner of his lips at the rather memorable burn. "Still, it's a pleasure to meet you doctor. If I'd been expecting you I'd have had a second glass brought over, though I get the impression that Scotch might not be your drink of choice."
[Sonja DeValois]: "Welcoming is not the same as friendly." Stated factual. Once more she smoothed over the fit black silk shirt before resting her hands settled to rest on her lap. As he continued to speak, a slight tilt of her head to the right. "Doctor?" Slight rrise of sharply manicured brow. "I'm afraid you've confused me for someone else. I am hardly a doctor." Sonja was the vampire that Alexandra had offered him a file on. Glance slanted towards the drink, followed by a shake of her head. "I prefer a good merlot."
Xavier Darnai: "It isn't, but being warm is, and you did say I was chilly though to be honest I've never concerned myself with temperature." He grinned over the glass as he took a sip. "And I haven't confused you in the least, Miss DeValois, I am just terribly fond of seeing how people react when they think I'm wrong about something." Another sip of the Scotch was taken before he lowered the glass to the table and rest his wrists on the edge of it. "So tell me, what brings you about. I have to imagine that the idea of being looked into is one you put up with on a daily basis, but I'd doubt that it'd typically warrant an in person visit." Eyes bounced over her quickly enough as he reviewed her stature and presence, how she held herself, any little tick or shift in her reactions.
[Sonja DeValois]: The soft, though no less brilliant smile lightened her features with an equally soft laugh. "Well played, Mr. Darnai." Well enough. Enough to rouse a little laugh from her of at least semi-genuine amusement. Casual watch of him while he took a drink of the amber liquid, before he posed his question. "You would be correct that being looked in on is daily. If not often on a daily basis, but very few of those who look in on me are competent. Most I don't care about. Their lack of experience or knowledge makes them mice in a trap. However, your little Frost Fairy and her company... " Her head tilted the other way. She was sure she didn't need to finish that statement. He was perfectly aware of how talented Hex was and what kind of people she kept in her circle of employed.
Xavier Darnai: "If I spent all of my time being surprised by how compitent my employes had become, either they aren't worth the money I'm paying them, or I've got a very low bar." He didn't feel either of those statements were true. Still, her approach to tell him that the coffee he drank was good coffee seemed odd enough. As it went, the person who bought the coffee was often aware of how good the coffee was. "What brings you to my table tonight, Sonja. I don't expect that complimenting another person's staff is the sort've thing that'd've brought you across time zones. Your time's a bit more valuable than all that."
[Sonja DeValois]: The smile faded, she took a false breath and exhaled slowly, if not a bit dramatically. "You're right, Mr. Darnai. I did not come this far just to compliment the compentence of your staff. I've come to ask that you call them back to you. If rumor and research holds true, then it is highly unlikely that our lines of business will ever cross. Our paths likely would not have crossed had it not been for your pixie feeling the need to have me watched."
Xavier Darnai: He took a moment to straighten his tie a bit before sitting up again and taking the glass in hand once more. Looking into the liquor, he stirred it around slowly before taking another sip. "My business's expanding in a good deal of ways, and the reason I'd sent the frost fairy your way was to see if those're ways that're likely to cause or paths to cross. I'm not actively seeking bloodshed, but I prefer to know when bloodshed's heading my way. But asking me to pull my woman back's a step beyond. What assurances could I possibly have that you're prepared to do the same. If you've gotten this far, then you've had someone looking yourself." Another tilt of the glass was made as he lift his reddish brown eyes to hers again. "I've no intention of interferring actively with your business, and New York's not on my list of spots for holiday. I'll keep my eyes about, as I'm sure you will, and what say instead of expecting someone to draw arms, we find a way to remain mutually beneficial."
[Sonja DeValois]: She didn't look the least bit surprised by anything he had to say, nor the notion that she'd looked into things as well. Leaning forward, elbows rested on the edge of the table. "Surely you wouldn't expect someone of competence to not have some idea of who they were speaking with." She might have been disappointed if that was the case. "I am not trying to make a war with you, Mr. Darnai. I do, however, prefer my business dealings to be my own involving only those I chose to bring into the deal. As they have nothing to do with you, there is little need to have your frost fairy dig around. Or any of her pups. If you feel the need to keep tabs on me, I prefer a straight forward approach." She stood easily from her seat, pulling her coat closed and smiling just barely. "I'm sure your fairy gave you information of contact. If you wish dealings with me, then we will do them properly. Now, if you will excuse me, I have another meeting to attend. Do have a pleasant night, Mr. Darnai. Give your frost fairy my regards."
Xavier Darnai: There was nothing he could say tat this point that needed to be said. Raising his glass to her once, he pulled it back and took another sip of the Scotch. He did indeed have her contact information. "Do svidaniya." Leaning back in his chair, keeping his glass level while letting it hang at his side, he glanced once to her car before turning to watch her make her way out.
[Sonja DeValois]: Her hand brushed across the surface of the table in leaving. "They'll never see me coming if it boils down to it." Barely a whisper in passing as she headed for the door. Left on the table where her hand had touched was a small brown envelope, like one a jeweler might use to keep a ring or necklace in. It contained a small lock of dark hair belonging to Francia. Felix, her driver, was there and had the door opened by the time she made her exit from the diner.
Xavier Darnai: It was a popular threat these days, and largely the reason he had people looking into everyone he did. Being caught off guard was not his business. Looking to the envelope, he reached up and rubbed at the bridge of his nose, muttering soundlessly to himself about headaches and new pieces. This was going to become a very expensive game if he had to fend off the advances of more than two vampires. "...bloody vampires."
[Sonja DeValois]: Yes, bloody vampires. |
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Xavier Darnai
New Customer
Networking
Posts: 49
Marital Status: Married
Other Half: "She's a blood sucking corporate type."
Quotes: "Do poslednego vystrela."
|
Post by Xavier Darnai on Feb 10, 2014 12:57:15 GMT
u pIay with fire: The front door was pushed open and Maggie stepped through, satchel slung over her shoulder, shivering as she made the transition from cold into warm. She turned, holding the door open for the kid to come in behind her. "I don't know about that," she was saying, "sounds kind of cliche. Like... I need to get a big spider-tattoo on my face or something." -d-
Some Bum Kid: She followed in, sniffing a bit and wipping imaginary dirt off of her face as she passed through the threshold of the diner for some reason, smirking a little at that response. " Well.. I did say it was cliche.. plus if it was the right kind of spider maybe it'd be hot? You never know. Then again you could end up looking like a psycho version of Mike Tyson with tits." She chuckled softly.. apparently feeling a little emboldened by the subject matter, or maybe just because they were not out on the street anymore or... maybe because she was under the impression she was still going to get to keep that twenty bucks.. unless this chick thought Bug was going to pay for their coffee. That would likely result in a dine-and-dash. -d-
Xavier Darnai: The sound of someone else coming in caught his attention, and looking up from his table, he brought his glass up and took a sip to drain out the rest of the Scotch before setting it down empty. It wasn't as if he could say he had been expecting his first visitor, but this one was doubly unexpected. Picking up the bottle of Auchentoshan Triple Wood in his bandaged left, he tilted it with the skill of a practiced alcoholic and poured a measured double, giving it a smooth rotation as he lift the bottle and pulled it away again to avoid spilling a drop. Setting it down, he sat back in his seat and picked up the tumbler once more, very keen eyes and ears on the pair.
u pIay with fire: "Hey, Xavier," Maggie said with a half-hearted attempt at a wave that turned out to be little more than a lift of her hand in his general direction. "Is the kitchen still open? I was hoping to put some coffee on." Her eyes cut to Bug, and she shrugged helplessly at the man. "Just warming up for a second, is all." And then she glowered dubiously at Bug for that wonderful mental image she just imprinted onto her brain. "Mike Tyson? Thanks. I think he talks higher than I do. Go grab a chair somewhere." -d-
Some Bum Kid: She seemed somehow a little uncomfortable when Maggie spoke to the gent. As she visibly tensed just a little. In small, subtle ways such as her jaw tightening a bit, and shoving her hands into her pockets while simultaneously trying to hide all of it with false bravado. " Maybe so but he could knock you out for saying so.. and with his track record he probably would." That joke was probably a little old for Bug, but then one had to keep in mind the kid was socialized mostly by Vietnam vets and battered women and a few throw aways from mental hospitals. Not to mention her world was.. nothing close to what the average girl her age knew. When told to grab a chair though, she shrugged and did exactly that, pulling up to the counter to plop herself there and wrap her sneaker clad feet around the leg of the stool. -d-
Xavier Darnai: There was a quick glance back and forth between himself and the blonde and the Hostess podium. Fingers tapped lightly against the table he was sitting at before he gave Maggie a nod. "If the doors're open, someone's in the kitchen it seems." Continuing his appraisal of Maggie's friend, he watched the two as he quietly drank in silence. The befstroganov in front of him from before had gone cold.
u pIay with fire: "Thanks, Xav," she didn't want to call him Boss in front of Bug, because that might end up revealing a bit too much. She rounded the counter and walked into the back. Several minutes later, she appeared holding a tray and a pair of steaming cups filled with black coffee, and a handful of sugars and creamers were tossed out onto the tray with the cups. Maggie set it down on the counter in front of Bug, then eyed Xavier. "Uh'm... I'll be right back, okay?" Then walked over to the man. "Hey. Slow night, tonight." As if he could probably guess by her being here. -d-
Some Bum Kid: If she was supposed to be able to pick up on something between Maggie and this guy who was.. admittedly making her more and more uncomfortable by paying attention to her. In her experience the only time a guy paid any attention to her was when he wanted something from her. Usually something she didn't want to give. Or if he was just displeased by her presence. Though that typically led to her being kicked out of wherever she happened to be at the time too so.. not really a good thing. But anyway, if she was supposed to notice.. she didn't. She was too busy trying to become invisible until Maggie put coffe in front of her. She wasn't really much of a coffee drinker usually. Not because she disliked it, for one the smell alone was mouth watering. But her day-to-day simply didn't usually afford her many oppotunities for it. " Yeah.." She said in response to Maggie, her tone a little tense as she took one of the cups to hold between her hands just to warm them for the time being. -d-
Xavier Darnai: Watching her vanish into the back for a moment, he raised a brow. Another sip of Scotch, and he took up the fork in his right, stirring the noodles around again before grabbing a bite of it and bringing it up to munch away. One eye remained on Bug, the other keeping his surroundings in peripheral. Still, as Maggie came around to his table after dropping off the coffee, he set his fork down again. "Been known to happen." He didn't seem overly frustrated by it, but he could be hard to read on occasion. "Be careful just heading into the kitchen like that though. I may have a level of respect here, but I don't own the place." A quick look of 'mind your surroundings' later, and he looked to the other one, motioning with his glass. "Friend of yours, I take it."
u pIay with fire: "Oh. Sorry. Didn't know," she shrugged uncomfortably, suddenly glad that she didn't see anyone back there when she went into the kitchen. Maybe they were taking the trash out, but she totally raided them for some coffee. Now she's going to have to pay for it. "Something like that, yeah. Just met her, really, but you know me. I have a soft spot. We're just gonna get warm, maybe get a bite to eat," though probably that meant she was going to buy Bug something to eat. "Just wanted to let you know. Call it a lunch break or something." She tried to smile; it was a flinty thing. She wasn't accustomed to smiling. "I should get back over there, though. I think she's getting nervous. Thanks, Xavier." And then she made her way back over to Bug, and climbed up onto the stool next to her and claimed her own cup, grabbing a few packets of sugar, too. "Good stuff?" -d-
Some Bum Kid: She sat in silence for a moment, staring off into the distance in a way that suggested she was either intoxicated or just day dreaming. However that didn't mean she was unaware of being spoken about, yet as nothing had been said just yet that would make her suspicious, she didn't pay it any mind. She just let her mind drift toward nicer things, nicer places. For some reason she was picturing herself in Georgia, in the hills in some rural town where everyone was too nice and probably faking it to hide some skeleton in their closet. Well she did have an uncle in Georgia.. though last she heard he was living with a bunch of cats in a trailer or something. Probably best to just stay away, though not like she had to way to get there anyway. By the time Maggie got back to her, she had actually allowed her attention to slip far enough that she was startled when Maggie spoke up. Causing her to jump a little and spill a drop or two of coffee on her hand. " FFf... " She hissed, not the worst pain she'd ever felt but not pleasant either. Though she'd just wipe it off on her jeans. " Ye-yeah.. so uh.. why the charity Spider?" She asked with a little half smirk. -d-
Xavier Darnai: Nodding silently, he watched her head back without saying another thing. Going about his meal again, he sat back and relaxed, listening to the pair without feeling the need to interrupt. For the time being, at least.
u pIay with fire: Reaching across the counter, she grabbed a small bar napkin and handed it over to Bug. "Call me crazy, but I've got a soft spot for kids on the street. The adults can go fuck themselves, it's a hard world, but someone needs to look after you." She eyed her through the black ice of her hair hanging down into her face. "Especially you types who think you can look after yourselves." She dumped some sugar from two packets into her coffee, then stirred it with the spoon before taking a sip. -d-
Some Bum Kid: She nodded in thanks for the napkin, as well.. there was no reason to be rude considering this chick had given her money and now was going on about looking after her. If that meant a free meal here and there until Maggie got bored with her that was fine by her. " Yeah..." She said, unsure of how to respond to that really so instead of talking she just sipped at the coffee a bit. " Not like I can't though. Been on my own a while now." Three years actually but she wasn't in the mood to tell a sob story. " Stay out of the way, and eat whenever and whatever you can." She shrugged, and learn to run fast. A knife to the gut hurt but didn't always keep a guy down. She'd learned that lesson the hard way. -d-
Xavier Darnai: Interesting. Of all the things he had taken Maggie for, a guardian of anything had not been on the radar. Considering what she'd made her charity case could explain a fair portion of it. It just further went to show that coming up on the streets alone could make more than one kind of person. Stirring the Scotch once more, he took another sip and pushed his plate away before reaching into his suit jacket to fish for his cigarettes and lighter. The tumbler was set on the bar and he held the filter between his lips as he snapped his lighter to life in his left hand. Eyes jumped to the flame quickly as he took a deep hit, finally shaking the lighter out and dropping it to the table.
u pIay with fire: "Maybe you could do something better than that, though." She glanced over her shoulder at Xavier, but didn't decide to ask him if he had any job openings for someone who lived on the streets. Not yet, anyway. She turned back to the kid and pulled out her own pack, suddenly feeling that nic-fit hit when she watched Xavier light up. Cigarette withdrawn, set between her lips, and lit with a simple Scripto after the third try; nothing so fancy as what Xavier himself had. She took in a long drag, then exhaled the thin gray streamers out through her nose. "You hungry? They've got good nachoes here," she took another sip of her coffee, then added another packet of sugar. -d-
Some Bum Kid: She quirked a brow at that. " You're not about to start telling me how I should give myself up to Jesus or something are you? Cuz one.. you don't look anything like other bible beaters I've met.." She chuckled. " And two you'd be barking up the wrong tree. " She smirked, sipping the coffee again, hidding the lower half of her face behind the mug for a moment. " Mm.. nachos?" She said, watching the chick light up and nibble her lip for a moment. Her eyes even narrowed a bit, though it wasn't that she disapproved of the habit, but rather that she herself had her nic fits once and a while. " Yeah... that.. that sounds good." She said. " Er.. thank you by the way." She said, feeling a wall of shame building up in her for some reason after saying that. It was hard to accept help. -d-
u pIay with fire: She snorted, but still flashed a grin. "No, and fuck you for that one, kid." -d-
Xavier Darnai: Xavier didn't have anything outwardly against the religious, but he certainly didn't take to them kindly. Amused, regardless, by Maggie's reaction, and seemingly pleased by the other girl's response to the false possibility, he smirked and picked up his glass again. Taking a sip of the Scotch, he held it in place as he pulled in another hit off the cigarette, filtering the smoke through the already peat-heavy Scotch, drinking the liquid down before he bushed out the hit around him. People talking about survival, surrounded by dangerous clientele, and meals in the most unlikely of places. It was quite a throwback.
u pIay with fire: "Don't worry about it," she raised her hand to flag down one of the waitresses that was buzzing around getting the closing business done. Since the door was open, though, so was the kitchen! After putting in her order for some nachoes, she took another sip of coffee, then stirred it again. "Three years, huh? You must be tough to survive out there for that long. Need to learn how to climb a little faster though," another sip. Needed more sugar. Maggie was on her way to a diabetic coma by the time she was thirty-five. "I was talking about work, though. Not, like, forty hours a week driving palletes or anything. And no guaranteeds; I'd have to talk to someone, if it's possible at all. But it'd put some money in your pocket to buy food and keep you from having to scrape out of garbage bins and pickpocketing." -d-
Some Bum Kid: She gave that trademark, Bruce Willis-esque half smirk of hers at that retort. Obviously just as amused as the gent was, before she looked down into her coffee, seemingly fascinated by the way the dark liquid sat in its mug until Maggie chimed back in. " Eh.. just lucky. " She shrugged. Though that was an almost ironic statement coming from her one might say. "Pff.. usually people don't notice right away. Picked the wrong mark that's all." She teased. She quirked a brow when she saw how much sugar Maggie was putting in her coffee though. " Holy shit.. like some coffee with your sugar?" She asked, then blinked when a job was spoken of. " Yeah? What kind of work?" She asked, she'd heard similar offers from pimps time to time, and she'd had to politely decline by brandishing a knife. She had no plans of doing that again if she could help it. "Hey don't knock it till you've tried it. Subway usually has the best trash." She said before sipping her coffee. Was she kidding? "So uh... you know that guy?" -d-
Xavier Darnai: "..." Sitting there for a moment, still as death, he put the cigarette between his lips and went digging for his phone. It didn't take long to find, but a quick sweep across the screen unlocked it while his fingers double tapped the button on the side before locking it again. Slipping the phone back into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, he gave Natasha a quick wave to have someone come and clear the table. It seemed like no matter where or when, business was always around the bend. The glass in his left was tapped at lightly, bandaged fingers keeping a careful grip as his eyes looked over to Maggie and her friend. Sitting back again, he took the last of the Scotch down, setting the tumbler down on the table top. Pulling the cigarette away, he reached over for the ash tray, pulling it closer as he flicked off the excess burn-off. His thumb came up after, rubbing at his temple for a moment and taking care to keep the burning end of the cigarette out of his rather wild-grown hair.
u pIay with fire: Sooner or later she was going to buy him a fucking hairbrush for Christmas. "Him? Yeah, that's Xavier." She let that hang for a second as she tried exactly to define how she was involved with him. "I, uh, I work for him. Part-time, I guess you could call it, but maybe he might have a job for you, too, if you're interested in something that might pay. Don't know what, but it's possible. He's got his fingers all over the place." She smirked. "And it's pretty clear you don't mind being legally dubious." She took another sip, then, "Shut up. I like it sweet." -d-
...Totally just dropped a that's what she said joke, didn't she?
Some Bum Kid: She leaned forward a bit to look past Maggie at the dude later dubbed Xavier as he was spoken of. " Yeah? I just figured you two were fucking or something." She said matter-of-factly. Saying it just dead-pan enough to sound serious but with just enough of a hint of jocularity that might make one wonder if she were kidding or not.
u pIay with fire: "Uh'm... no," she took another sip of coffee, suddenly nervous and anxious.
Some Bum Kid: The kid seemed to do that a lot though, odd sense of humor. " What kind of- oh. Cuz.. I mean I know some of those girls out there.. but I'm not looking to join them." She said. She didn't really get that kind of vibe from Maggie, but it was safe just to make her boundaries clear ahead of time. She grinned at the reaction she'd gotten though. " What? Everyone needs a little release once and a while." Teasing more obviously this time as she leaned back to look at Maggie again. " Could probably do worse." More teasing. " Who me? Nah.. I'm a perfect angel. Unless you know.. there's a fence nearby." She chuckled. " Yeah.. so does that oatmeal guy." -d-
Xavier Darnai: The idea that he might have been sleeping with Maggie wasn't exactly insulting, but he wasn't interested. He doubted she would be either. There were certain things that were easy to know about people and their types, but the popularity of the suit-and-tie crowd had started to blur the lines. Not that he had ever really been concerned about what people thought of him or what he did behind closed doors. Of course, in the same vein of inappropriate jokes Xavier did in fact have his fingers in many pies, but there was no interest in the sex trade. It was too messy for his tastes. When Maggie laid their connection out for the street kid, Xavier drew in another long hit off the cigarette before snuffing it out. The bottle was once more taken up, and with the same practiced movements another measure of the Auchentoshan was poured out while he watched the pair just waiting for the end of his evening to once more turn into a business meeting.
u pIay with fire: That was totally their relationship, though. Xavier and Maggie were so not each other's types, in the grand scheme of things. Not like that, anyway. "Oh, god, no, no, no. Nothing like that." She had an almost pained look in her eyes -- better take a picture though, because she didn't have that look often past her hard exterior shell -- "Honest, nothing like that. But, that said, I don't really know, either. It'd be worth at least asking about, though, right? If you were interested?" -d-
Some Bum Kid: She found it interesting that Xavier had thus far, only said about two sentences since she'd come in. Though some guys were like that. Maybe he was some kind of gangster or something. Yeah..Scarface Diner. Say hello to my little friend. " Good.. cuz.. that shit sucks." She said quietly, trying to ensure Maggie was the only one who heard it. "Yeah.. I got you." She said, licking her lips before letting out a sigh and setting her cup down, resting her mouth on the knuckles of her fist propped up by an elbow on the counter. " Sure. I mean I can't eat fresh all the time." She teased. She saw the look on Maggie, but didn't know the woman well enough to know how rare it was. Not to mention that she had no idea how to react to it so it just went unmentioned. -d-
Xavier Darnai: One might imagine that the purpose of the sex trade was for some sucking to be involved. Dubious was a fair way to describe the things that Xavier did for a living, obviously at some point narcotics were involved if he and Maggie were working together in any sort of capacity. And the Belyi Plastiny diner's typical clientele wasn't exactly the friendly talk-about-their-feelings sort. Well, perhaps some of them were. Sean had a habit of talking to whomever might listen about things that no one wanted to listen to, but that was his talent. Talk so much about the inane aspects of your life, and nobody assumes you have anything you're not talking about. Brilliant, really. He'd taken the art of not talking to it's polar opposite. Xavier could respect that in a way. As the two talked more about the idea of finding employment, he picked up his tumbler for a quick sip, keeping very keen eyes and ears on the pair.
u pIay with fire: She regarded Bug for a minute, sipping her coffee. By now, it was half-way finished, and she could actually see the grains of sugar in the bottom from where they could no longer absorb into the dark fluid. The nachoes came, and she scooped one up and popped it into her mouth to chew up and swallow. "Damn, they have good cheese here," she murmured. "Well," once she could speak without her mouth full, "lemme go talk to him, alright? Eat up. He might want to talk to you." She turned and spun off the stool, taking another drag from her cigarette and flicking the column of ashes into the tray on the counter before making her way over to him. "Hey, boss. Can I, uh, have a word for a minute?" -d-
Xavier Darnai: And there it was, he gave the chair across from him a slight push with his foot before resting it over his knee again with a thunk. Fingers pulled away from the glass just enough to motion to it.
u pIay with fire: She dropped down into the chair, then leaned forward on her elbows onto the table. Xavier might have been cool and collected, but Maggie was... uncouth, at best. "So, uh... this kid..." she looked over at Bug. "She's a street kid, you know? I was wondering if, maybe, there might be... some kind of, uh, something you could do for her. Not charity. I mean, like... a job or something. I know you got all kinds of business, so maybe something that someone like her could do?" -d-
Some Bum Kid: Yeah... and that was one of the 'finer' points of that industry that revolted her the most. Anyway, she watched as the nachos came and sat up straighter. Smirking a little as Maggie claimed one, only to do much the same herself. Gathering herself up a bit before she watched Maggie go to talk to the boss. That last bit however filled her with a sudden dread that almost had her getting up to run out the door. It wasn't that she was particularly afraid of Xavier specifically, but for some reason the idea of talking to him directly kind of.. terrified her. So .. maybe she was afraid of him? Probably not the most foolish thing one could feel in her situation. Fear kept you alive after all. -d-
Xavier Darnai: Restraint was one of his finer points, and often at very surprising moments. As Maggie explained the kid's pedigree for lack of a better term, he looked from one to the other and back again. The idea of bringing more people into the fold wasn't exactly a foolish one, though he typically sought out recruits with a particular skill or a set of connections that could benefit him. Unfortunately, that also meant that the less critical details could be just as easily overlooked. Massive corporations required janitorial work just as much as they needed an Executive Officer. If the bathrooms weren't clean, the workers wouldn't use them, if the workers didn't use them, they would leave the building, and if they left the building, nothing ever got done. Besides, he had been a street kid when the Old Man took him in. "There's always work available, just a matter of what she's able to handle."
amoral ideals: Fragments of a life once lived floated through Daken's mending mind and every once in a while, when the pieces aligned just right, the fried synapses came to life and he was reborn. With each passing day he felt less like a stranger chasing a ghost and more like a whole person, but full recovery was still some way's away. His razor sharp brown eyes roamed over the facade of a building he knew he'd once seen somewhere. He'd dreamed about it and so far, the piecemeal memories had never let him down. They'd never done him wrong. Plucking what was left of his smoldering cigarette from the corner of his mouth, he carelessly flicked it into onto the sidewalk. It exploded in a shower of embers and ash that he snuffed out with the heel of his boot. The nearly six foot tall, well built half-Japanese man ran his right hand through his long black hair, slicking any stray strands of his conspicuous mohawk back. He was dressed a little more casual than he had in the past. An open black shirt revealed a white wifebeater beneath and a black leather belt with a large ostentatious belt buckle. His black jeans hid most of a pair of motorcycle boots that had seen far better days. After taking a moment to contemplate what he might do if things went sideways, he reached out and pulled the door wide open. Daken rolled up his long sleeves as he stepped inside, revealing that long spiraling black tribal tattoo that wound around his left forearm and laid claim to much of his shoulder. Rather than linger in the doorway looking like a lost dog, he calmly walked to an empty table and slid into a seat like a normal person. (d)
u pIay with fire: She nodded. "She's got slippery fingers, if you know what I mean. Her climbing skills need some work, though, and she's kind of got a mouth on her. I'm gonna be honest, I don't really know her all that well. But... I'm going to do what I can for her. Want me to get her over here so you can talk to her? See what she might be able to handle?" -d-
Some Bum Kid: She tried to pretend she wasn't listening by busying herself with eating. Even if she didn't get a job, she'd be better off if she left the place with a full belly right? She wasn't in any hurry due to the fact that as far as she could tell, she hadn't worn out her welcome just yet so she didn't need to rush right? Though she nearly choked when Maggie said she had 'slippery fingers'. She turned her head away to hide the unintentional grin on her face. It was unfortunately at Maggie's expense as it amused her that the slightly mispoken colloquialism might have given someone the impression that Maggie wasn't quite the wicked woman her appearence might otherwise convince others of. She pat her own chest to keep herself from gagging, least until the door opened and some dude with a mohawk came in. She quirked a brow at that and nibbled at her lip ring for a moment before going back to the nachos. Trying to keep herself from panicing again at the prospect of talking to Xavier. -d-
Xavier Darnai: "Might as well." He did in fact know what she meant, and that sort of skill was a useful one that was much harder to train than climbing or keeping your mouth shut. Nodding, he pushed out another chair at the table before waving over to her with his left, bringing the hand back again for another sip of the Scotch. Though as he was drinking, he paused, raising a brow as he watched the man come in through the door. Sure, he knew better than to assume anyone was dead without being in possession of the body-- he had been responsible for such a subterfuge himself on occasion --but there were times that it was reasonable to believe that at the very least someone had found themselves in a box of one sort or another. Eying the man carefully, he looked for all the telltale signs, the bits of people that he memorized when he thought it was possible that someone might have decided to impersonate them. A trick he had taken to for personal reasons.
u pIay with fire: When Xavier waved Bug over, Maggie turned to glance at her, and give her a beckoning wave of her hand herself. -d-
amoral ideals: Feeling eyes upon him, he casually turned his head just enough to watch the man staring at him in his peripheral vision. There wasn't anyone on the planet stupid enough to impersonate him and even though his brain was all fucked up he knew that much for certain. He subtly sniffed the air and draped his left arm over the back of his chair. (d)
Some Bum Kid: She had casually been maintaining sight of Xavier and Maggie. She knew that, based on the conversation, she would probably be called over sooner or later. When that suspicion was confirmed she nibbled her lip ring again. Shit shit shit. Her thoughts going frantic as her heart skipped a beat. Why the hell was she so afraid of meeting this guy? He was.. just some dude right? When she was waved over, by the both of them, she let out a soft sigh and took up the plate of Nachos in her hands before she made her way over. She looked down at the chair that Xavier had obviously intended for her to sit in, and plopped down in it as she set the nachos down on the table. " Heh.. soo.." She said, " How's the family?" What the fuck? Why would you ask some dumb ass question like that? She chastised herself inwardly as she decided to occupy that notorious mouth of hers with nachos rather than words. -d-
Xavier Darnai: "I wouldn't know."
u pIay with fire: She reached up and rubbed the bridge of her nose when Bug came out with that, first. "Xavier... this is Bug. Bug, this is Xavier," she gestured, then took a nacho back with her to munch on as she finished off her coffee. Hey, at least she didn't drink the small pile of sugar left in the bottom of the cup, right? -d-
Xavier Darnai: Bringing his glass back for another sip, he looked Bug over, noting the nervousness. The slight flinch as she realized she'd asked an utterly ridiculous question, and the way she held herself in the seat. Bug. Well, he'd worked with people that held nicknames and callsigns in various regard, and he wasn't in a position to decry anyone's self identity. Setting the glass down again, and well aware that she was already on edge, he cut to the quick of it. "What's the most expensive thing you've taken from someone. Not that you've found, or was sitting aside somewhere, but that had clear ownership that you'd disregarded."
Some Bum Kid: She was doing her best to ignore that she'd asked that question and probably destroyed any notion that she might be tough in this guy's eyes. Though considering that she was five foot one, and a buck ten soaking wet, tough probably wasn't the first thing to come to most people's minds when they looked at her. " Hey." She said, setting down a nacho rather than eating it when introduced. " What?" She asked. " Uh.. well.. I don't really.. look at the tag when I grab stuff." She admitted. " But uh.. I got a couple bills for this watch once." The sad part was the watch was actually worth a lot more than two hundred, but that was a lot of money to someone in Bug's situation so she'd naively jumped on the offer. Pawn shops... psh. -d-
amoral ideals: He couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation taking a good twenty or thirty feet away. It all seemed vaguely familiar, since he'd been through similar interviews years ago. But he couldn't recall ever bumbling over answers to simple questions that badly. Daken motioned over one of the young waitresses that worked at the joint. "Coffee. Black, no sugar." (d)
u pIay with fire: "...Did you take it right off their wrist?" That would be impressive as hell. -d-
Xavier Darnai: Slang filled in the gaps pretty quickly as he listened to her story. She'd taken a watch from someone, a watch that had gotten her a fair payday for her stature. Watches were funny things, they were either cheap pieces of garbage, moderately pricy for what could be considered the middle class, or they were the sort of thing that someone threw money into to make a showing of it. Their value tended to jump exponentially. If she managed to get a few bills, it hadn't been a cheap piece of garbage. Maggie's question mimicked his own thoughts, so he let the statement spoken wait for an answer as he lift his glass again. It might be worth noting that Xavier didn't wear a watch. His left wrist was covered in bandages instead. Briefly his eyes turned over to look at the request for black coffee. Devil. This would either be a very busy night, or a disaster.
Some Bum Kid: She nibbled her lip ring, a habit she was actually unaware that she had, as she waited for a response. When Maggie's question hit she blinked. How else was she supposed to get it? It didn't seem like an amazing feat to her but then she didn't really have much basis for comparison. " Well... yeah." She said, sounding unsure, as she couldn't really figure out why Maggie would ask such a thing, especially as it had become obvious that Xavier was curious for the answer as well. Seeing as Bug had been on the street since her first teen year, the value of things to her knowledge was vastly skewed. She valued whatever put food in her belly or bought her a shirt or paid for coin laundry once and a while. -d-
u pIay with fire: Maggie cracked her knuckles and leaned back, turning her eyes back to Xavier. "Well, boss?" -d-
Xavier Darnai: Regarding the answer for a moment, he glanced back to Maggie, then to Bug again. He only had one more question. "Have you ever been shot at." Well, the way he said it at least may not have been a question nearly as much as a statement that prompted a response.
u pIay with fire: At that question to Bug, Maggie reached up and surreptitiously rubbed at her own shoulder. -d-
amoral ideals: He waited in silence as the waitress promptly filled his order. When she finally brought him his cup of coffee he accepted the mug from her, lifted it to his nose, and inhaled the aroma. It was clean as far as he could tell. Every now and then someone thought it would be funny to try to poison him. It never ended well for them. Daken set the cup aside for the moment to let its contents cool some. (d)
Some Bum Kid: She blinked at that question. " Er... technically?" She said it as if she were asking him, as if he knew. The short answer was yes, though the shot had been way off. She suspected the guy was just trying to scare her, which sure as hell had worked. " Wait.. why? Are you gonna hire me so you can shoot at me? Cuz.. uh.. that's crazy." -d-
Xavier Darnai: Leading off with that sort of phrasing told him what he needed to know about the situation. Most people knew if they'd been shot at, and it was typically a yes or no answer. A yes without reservation might have put her down a different path of qualifications. "There're a few things that'll be coming along that'll work well for you, I'd imagine." He left the idea of whether or not he was going to be shooting at her unanswered. It was probably better that way. "In the mean time, I imagine that Maggie'll know how to get ahold of you when the time comes." Picking up his glass again, he took another sip, eyes moving between the girls at his table to keep watch on Daken for the moment. If nothing else his time in Schrodinger's Box mellowed the man's presence. That would be helpful.
u pIay with fire: "Thanks, boss," she said, lowering her hand from her own shoulder to take up the tray of nachos. "Let's go, Bug," and, with that, she stood up and moved away from the table. Her boots scuffed on the ground as she walked and ate at the same time, depositing her empty coffee mug on the countertop. "You... don't have a place to go, do you?" as she offered the tray over. -d-
Xavier Darnai: When the girls got up, Xavier lift his glass with just enough of a flourish and a tap against the side of it to get Daken's attention.
Some Bum Kid: She looked obviously shocked at that answer.. or moreover the cryptic nature of the answer that didn't really tell her what she wanted to know. But it seemed it was time to go now. " Um.. r-right.. yeah. " She said, standing up with Maggie whom had not touched her. " What?" She asked as Maggie asked about her place. " Sure I do. I stay at the Ritz." She smirked. If you could call a box in a heap in the alley three blocks from here behind a subway the Ritz anyway. Home sweet home right? " Why?" She asked, suddenly wondering about what Maggie's intentions were. Sure Maggie was trying to help her, but that didn't mean Bug could afford to just blindly trust the first person that seemed to have good intentions for her right away. -d-
amoral ideals: Without saying a single word or even looking in Xavier's direction, he slipped his fingers through the handle of his coffee mug and rose from his seat. When he turned toward him he locked eyes with the man. He knew he'd met him before, somewhere, but he couldn't place it. That initial faint hint of curiosity they possessed when he first entered the place still remained as he strode past the girls toward the Russian's table. "Evening." He set his cup down first, then sat directly across from him. (d)
u pIay with fire: "Yeah, that's what I thought." She took another nacho, then offered the last one to Bug. "It's the middle of February, kid. You need to be someplace that has heat," She paused, then added, "an a shower." She set the empty tray onto the counter once Bug had taken the last nacho, left a ten-sheet on the counter to cover them and the coffee, then turned and started toward the door, pulling the strap of her satchel up onto her shoulder a little higher. "Come on. I can put you up for the night." -d-
Xavier Darnai: Everyone had their trademarks, and Xavier's dual citizenship was among them, albeit hard to explain. The British Russian took another sip of the Scotch as he watched the former associate take a seat. Giving Bug and Maggie another glance and raising a brow at the sight of payment-- hardly out of disappointment, mind --he tilted his head with a slight twist before lowering his glass to the table. "Used to be that keeping tabs on you'd been easy. Granted, I've been underground myself for a few years, but I tend to like to know where the dangerous men I've worked with that'd be willing to take a contract tend to end up." Reaching for his cigarettes again, he pulled out another, bringing it to his lips before watching the flame on his lighter dance intently as he took his first hit. Shaking the lighter out, he exhaled and looked up to Daken again. "But you fell off the bloody planet for a year or two."
amoral ideals: "Yeah. It's been a while, hasn't it?" He cradled his hot cup of coffee in both hands and idly watched as Xavier lit up. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something about him that seemed off. "Sometimes things get too complicated. Too many pieces on the board, too many parts." Too many fucking drugs and lost time. "Figured instead of slaying the beast I created I'd let it run wild on its own and see what happened." Daken finally lifted the cup to his lips and sipped on the steaming hot brew. It scorched his tongue free of its tastebuds. For a moment the wet flesh bubbled and burned, but in about the time it took to blink it was already well along its way to returning to normal. In truth, he had little idea who the man sitting across from him actually was. (d)
Some Bum Kid: There she went doing that funny little nibble on her lip ring again. She was that transparent eh? " Shower? What?" She seemed confused, lifting an arm to sniff herself. She typically washed herself in gas station bathrooms, one might be surprised how effective the hand soap they kept in there could be. Especially since it was free. All she had to do was monitor how often she went to each station and they tended to leave her alone about it. As long as she actually bought something once and a while anyway, which she typically did, soda or something small like that. " Uh.. wait what?" She said, taking the last nacho as Maggie obviously wanted her to. " I.. I guess." She said, unsure for the most part, but it did sound nice to sleep under a roof that wasn't made of cardboard, or some place that wouldn't get her arrested or not so politely woken up by a cop telling her ' you can't sleep here'. Cuz you know.. home of the free and all that. " Is it cool if I go and get my bag first?" -d-
u pIay with fire: "Sure," she pulled open the door, bracing herself against the cold outside, and they headed on out. "Besides, I think that--" and the door closed behind them. -d-
Xavier Darnai: Tilting his head back just a bit, very keen eyes watched Daken's face for a moment, there was something off. He wasn't sure exactly what just yet, but he was keeping something back. Xavier hadn't ever really known the man to be subtle, but with a side glance to the window he checked the direction Maggie and Bug were heading before bringing his full attention back to the mohawked individual in front of him. "Suppose there're worse ways to spend your time, really. Besides, it's amazing what a few years'll do to a man. Here everyone thought I'd drink myself to death, rot out my liver and find an early grave. Funny how wrong a person can be." Stirring the Scotch around once, he brought it up off of the table and took a sip from it again. "What brings you about this way."
amoral ideals: "I gotta admit, I'm surprised to see you're still kicking around." He set his cup of coffee down on the table, crossed one arm over the other, and leaned forward in his seat a little. "Figured you were dead. Then again, I wasn't paying close attention." Tilting his head slightly to one side, he sniffed the air and glanced around the inside of the place. It looked the same as it did in his dreams. "I was in the neighborhood so I thought I'd just stop in for a visit. Tell me something. What'd you hear about me these past few years?" (d)
Xavier Darnai: "Was for a bit. Tends to be a requirement when you're the suspect in a series of killings." Tapping ash off the end of his cigarette, he looked to the tray for a moment as the world sort of relaxed from his perspective. "Truth be told, I didn't hear a bloody thing, and I was paying attention. You just sort've... vanished. There were a few people who'd been mixed in fairly closely to your circle that were filed away, and new leads never came up." Filed away might have been the most pleasant way he could phrase it, but the meaning was hardly kind. "After a while, I assumed you'd bit off more than you could chew, and considering how you used to be it seemed to be a reasonable explanation." The idea of his just being in the neighborhood was an odd one. Xavier was not one to subscribe to the idea of coincidences. But for now he could let that play out and see if it lead anywhere with an explanation.
amoral ideals: "Reasonable and not entirely inaccurate." Daken scratched the side of his face, raking his short fingernails over the beginnings of stubble. He'd been out all night and his five o' clock shadow grew darker and fuller with each passing hour. "So, you got anything for me?" He sat up a little straighter in his seat and eyed the man. "I'm getting bored dealing with the usual shit. Just getting to do what I do best would be a nice change of pace." (d)
Xavier Darnai: A quiet scoff followed, brows raising as he looked down to the table. Nodding once, he brought the cigarette up for another hit, holding it for a moment. "I do." Exhaling again, and following that with a sip from the tumbler, he looked up to Daken and sat back in his chair, letting his arm hang at his side and slowly rotating his wrist to let the amber liquid kick at the sides of the glass. "Things've been a right mess for anyone trying to move anything through the Eastern Bloc right now, so instead a group's looking to try and set up a pipeline for narcotics running through Northern Africa. There's a significantly sized shipment ready for movement that's going to be landing in Sudan in about a week. I have a few people that're going to be arranging for its collection. It'll be very wet, but I get the impression that's what you're hoping for, neh?"
amoral ideals: "That's exactly what I'm hoping for." In fact, that sounded a lot more fun than having to deal with a bunch of Triad shitheels again. Their tenacity was admirable but they posed little challenge, even in his current state. The juggernaut he'd created had seen to it to virtually stamp them out everywhere but China itself. "Which group is it, by the way?" Not that it mattered, he'd take the job regardless of who it was. But he was curious. He picked up his cup of coffee again and took a long drink. (d)
Xavier Darnai: "On which side of things." He knew that there wasn't going to be a reason for the man to say no to the job, Daken worked for where the action was. Xavier had clocked the man's loyalty fairly reasonably, or at least what he could call the closest thing to it, and from his own experiences there wasn't much. The better question was whether or not that would be a problem for the others he had planning on taking on the acquisition, and really that might only be Collins. It was unlikely that anyone else would have any objections.
amoral ideals: "Both sides." He was intensely curious to know who he was going to assist him in stealing drugs from and who was going to be part of the operation. Those kind of details could be important for a variety of reasons. Daken set his coffee down and eyed Xavier. "And what's the product?" (d)
Xavier Darnai: "D-Company is the one looking for the pipeline." India's own brand of terrorist gangsters, looking to move into the big leagues by pushing their own product around the world. "It's going to be a mixed bag. Mostly what I'm after in this case is their opium harvest. There's no company on the side of the collections, I'm not operating above book anymore." After having to go underground, all of his legitimate business ties had been properly handed off. It was safe to say that Xavier was no longer an upstanding citizen of the world.
amoral ideals: "It's largely a waste of tme anyway." Operating above book, that is. He shoved his right hand into his pocket and fished out a couple bucks for the coffee, which he promptly sat on the table next to the cup. "Just let me know when and where I need to be." With that, he stood and offered him a slip of paper with a number on it he could use to contact him on a secure line. "Unfortunately, I have some matters to tend to elsewhere. Otherwise I'd stay and pick your brain." His lips curled into a sinister little smirk that certainly hinted that much of his personality was still intact even if he wasn't all there yet. "Enjoy the rest of your evening." He headed out the way he came in. (d)
Xavier Darnai: "I'll do that." Picking up the paper, he folded it and slid it into the breast pocket of his jacket, taking one last hit off the cigarette as well. As he watched Daken head out, he exhaled and snuffed out the cigarette, shaking his head once silently. It was getting harder to know what the days would bring. |
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