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 Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:18 pm
Elite agents were few and far between in the Kodo faction of Team Rocket. A fact that was both a blessing and a curse. Right now Seth was happy for it since that left the hallways of the elite floor usually empty, and surely on any other floor in the base he would have been a spectacle that would have started up the rumor mill.
Seth strode down the hall, expertly straightening the blue silk tie that was around his neck. The elite clad not in uniform, but in a rather impressive and expensive looking charcoal gray suit. It was wool, Italian made, and double breasted. Its original function was as a business suit, but if he did say so himself, he looked rather sharp in it. Shoes polished, and hair neatly combed, he looked the part of a professional businessman... or a guy going out on a hot date. And considering where they were going, it was appropriate attire. He'd been sure to warn Nadja through email ahead of time. He was taking her to a classy restaurant in Camphoreon. It certainly had been awhile, nobody was bound to remember him.
Eventually Seth stopped at a door that was not too far down from his own. While the floor had many rooms, few were actually inhabited. He raised his hand to rap his knuckles against the door, then waited.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:13 pm
Days off were a rare commodity, to be hoarded like gems and spent just as cautiously. Nadja spent hers on personal projects and her own wellbeing - arguably synonymous terms - enjoying the space of time that belonged to her, not Team Rocket. That she had offered a handful of hours to someone else said something - what, exactly, was kept to herself.
She had yet to see if this would be a sacrifice.
There was a pause between Seth's knock and the lock clicking back, and then the door opened. The redhead had chosen a dress in deep marine blue silk, shirred and ruched into a slim, draped silhouette with a sweetheart neckline. It was elegant and professional, modest enough for a business reception - or an evening out with a man who had yet to warrant anything more daring. Silver-set pearls touched her ears and strung around her wrist. The elite was as polished as she was in-office, but this was an entirely different sort of uniform.
Nadja took in Seth's appearance, then met his gaze. Her mouth curved in a pleased smile. "Very nice."
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:49 am
Seth had similar sentiments about his own off time. Granted he'd had to change his schedule around to make room for this particular evening. It had caused a few raised eyebrows when the normally work-a-holic elite had cleared space for an entire evening with no explanation. Not that anybody really minded... it was just unusual. And nobody was about to ask either.
Whether the trouble would be worth it, was yet to be seen.
When the door was opened, Seth tilted his gaze down to look at the woman on the other side. Just as she took in his appearance, he did the same. There was pause as memories from a time long ago flashed through his mind, but were quickly set aside. She was stunning.
A smirk graced his features at Nadja's compliment. "The same goes for you," he replied before offering his arm to her. "Shall we?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:42 pm
Nadja arched a slim brow at the gesture as she stepped out and pulled her door to, glancing up at Seth's expression. Then she made an amused "H'm," and took hold of his arm, giving him a wry, knowing smile as her hand curled around his upper sleeve. This close to, she issued quiet notes of bergamot and sandalwood. "I believe we shall."
So he could behave himself.
"So," the redhead began as they walked down the corridor. The sharp, straightforward edge her voice carried during the day had been laid to rest, leaving the underlying melodic murmur. "How's your head?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:08 pm
When he wanted to.
Seth's smirk remained as she took his arm, allowing him to get a whiff of the perfume she was wearing. He too had the underlying hints of cologne and aftershave that produced a musky scent with traces of sage and cedar.
He then led Nadja down the hall and to the elevator, pressing the call button as she spoke. He grunted slightly at the question. "Tolerable, for now." She was naturally referring to the headaches that had been plaguing him for the last few days, after the successful link with his legendary.
The elevator then chimed as the doors opened and he stepped inside with her. The button was pushed for the garage level and the car soon took them downwards.
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:07 pm
"Mm," Nadja acknowledged. A corner of her mouth twitched back thoughtfully. "The trials subsided within a week," she mused, tilting her head to study him as she kept pace. It wasn't much of a benchmark to go on, but thanks to Seth's choice the project team was pretty much flying blind.
In the garage it was cooler, and sodium lights outlined the gleaming curves of a fleet of vehicles, mostly black. The quiet tapping of Nadja's silver heeled sandals echoed off the concrete pillars, and the pair cast dim shadows.
"Let me know if it gets worse," she told him as they approached a car. "Or if you're still feeling this way in a week."
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
A week, well, that was comforting at least. That gave him hope that the headaches could leave him in a few days time. "I shall," he acknowledged while removing a set of keys from his pocket. Anything worse that what he already had experienced would be debilitating and that's not something he would keep his mouth shut about. Still, the thought made his smirk broaden a little more.
Leading her to one of the sleek black vehicles, that was unmarked, Seth clicked a button on the remote. One of the cars beeped, its headlights flashing once as the alarm unarmed. Taking her to the passenger's side, there was a thunk as the automatic locks also released.
Reaching out, the tall elite opened the door and allowed Nadja to get inside before closing it and moving around to the driver's side. Once he was in, the car was promptly started. They had to stop by the evening checkpoint before being allowed to exit the base. But once they had, they were on the road to Camphoreon.
"I had no idea you were that concerned for my well being," Seth then remarked as soon as they were on their way. Whether he was surprised or just being sarcastic, he didn't let on. His tone remaining as it had.
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:59 pm
This was behavior was.. different.
But his manners, apart from that ingrained smirk, were flawless, and Nadja accepted the opened door with a slight smile and graceful inclination of her head, by all appearances pleased. Her demure behavior was tempered by the calculating quirk in her smile and the way she watched him through half-lidded eyes as she arranged herself in the seat, hands folded in her lap and legs crossed at the ankles.
A gentleman, though not a gentle man, at least in training.
A wry smile curled across the redhead's lips; her bracelet slid down her arm when she turned her hand palm-up in an expressive gesture, fingers artfully fanned. "It's an ambitious project, and its success has far-reaching implications. The department and I have a lot invested in you."
The last tips of sunlight lingered on the horizon, bleeding dusky amber and rose into deep, cool blue. It would be cold by nightfall; heat didn't linger long after the light died, and the desert life was making the most of the time between scorching noon and freezing night. Nadja's attention shifted away as a far-off Hippowdon surfaced in a spray of sand, a hand going to the armrest of the door as she turned to the window.
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 8:14 pm
That smirk never left him, and in fact became amused and bordered on a grin. "Heh," was his initial reply, as if expecting the words that came out of Nadja's mouth.
His hands remained on the steering wheel and his eyes fixed on the road, but aside from that his attention was totally on the woman sitting next to him.
"Indeed," was his eventual verbal reply. "A scientist through and through. I expected as much." Although his tone implied that he knew she was using that as an excuse.
The car ride would be a long one as Camphoreon was the closest city but not really all that near. Still, Seth knew the quickest way to get there and within an hour they were arriving at their destination. The place he had taken her was well known as one of the best eating establishments in the city. There was the option of valet parking but it was dismissed and Seth parked the vehicle himself. Once again, he came to her door to open it and allowed Nadja to exit.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:27 am
There; a flash of umber on its back. A male, then. She would take Zvey to find them; the dragon could use a challenge and the desert wind would be good for her hide.
Curiosity satisfied, Nadja settled back and returned attention to her companion, a faint grin briefly shadowing his response. "Did you? I'm not." She seemed amused as much by his assumption as the conclusion he'd drawn from her reply. "I'm a trainer who manages scientists. I've just picked up some of their habits." The redhead seemed to find some private joke in this statement.
Camphoreon at night glowed like a shoal of Lumineon, a fiery jeweled tangle radiating from a natural bay. The city's activity didn't dwindle after business hours, only shifted; mothers out shopping and accountants on lunch breaks were replaced by gaggles of brightly-clad partygoers and couples on dates. Far off in the harbor, a ship's horn sounded.
Wind ruffled Nadja's hair and set the hem of her dress fluttering as she stepped out of the car, raising a hand to brush it back into place. Her gaze strayed past him to the building, a place popular enough not to have many - indeed, any - reservable tables on short notice. When he shut the door and faced her again, the elite would find the redhead considering him with an amused smirk.
"Well," she murmured, taking his arm again. "You're full of surprises."
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:15 am
The rest of the drive had given Seth time to mull over Nadja's words, but as she stepped out of the car, those thoughts were put aside. Allowing her to take hold of his arm again, he shut the door behind her before leading his date into the restaurant. The sign on the front and etched in golden lettering on their windows indicated the name of the place was 'The Golden Krabby'. Since Camphoreon was a port town, seafood was the most common and popular thing.
I was indeed difficult to get reservations here, especially on short notice. But Seth had his ways and made sure they would have a table. Thus Nadja's comment drew that amused smirk once again. "You have no idea."
As they entered through the door, a waiter was there to greet them. "Reservation for Volkov," Seth told him. And yes, he had put the reservation under her last name instead of his. "Ah yes, of course, this way." The waiter gestured for them to follow him, taking them to table seated for two in a cozy corner of the establishment.
There were many people there and the air had a low pleasant buzz of voices in conversation. There was also a flat screen TV on the far wall where businessmen could check their stocks or watch the news.
Pulling out Nadja's chair for her, Seth made sure she was seated before seating himself as well.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:11 pm
"I'm sure." A little smile played on the redhead's lips; she looked up at him, coyly glancing sideways with a tilt of her head. "But then I haven't known you that long." Her hold shifted slightly, telling her two things - one, his suit was high-quality wool, and two, he was flexing slightly.
Considerable personal finances. Impeccable manners when he chooses.
The faint smile faded, replaced by briefly arched brows when Seth spoke with the waiter. Now that was interesting - and the second time she'd seen such behavior - but she made no comment, nor planned to.
Won't give his last name.
Seth's chivalry was rewarded with a smile as she sat. The light here was rich and warm; it tinged the redhead's pearls and accentuated her skin's glowing, rosy cast, bringing out golden highlights in her hair. "I didn't expect you to choose the project option you did," Nadja commented once the waiter had left, picking up the menu before her. She met his gaze over the top. "It's risky - even for you." The redhead's eyes were invitingly half-lidded, but behind the menu her mouth was a shrewd curve.
I bet I can figure you out.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:33 pm
With the waiter leaving them to look over the menu, Seth picked it up at as well. His blue eyes lifting to look at her as she commented about his... unusual choice. Even though her mouth was hidden behind her own menu, Nadja's eyes spoke well enough.
"I have my reasons," he told her cryptically, though not without the continued hint of amusement. True it was not the most wise decision he had ever made and was rather unorthodox, but it was just as he had said.
"What do you mean you don't have our reservation! I booked it three weeks ago!" The raised voice of a young man came from the front. "I'm sorry sir, you're not in our records." The waiter then replied calmly. "This is ridiculous, we're leaving." And the young man and his own date stormed out.
Seth just smirked in a rather smug manner.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 7:53 pm
"Of course you do," Nadja replied, in a tone that implied this was obvious. "You're an intelligent man, Seth. Self-asserting and impulsive to a fault, mind you-" Having decided, apparently, she set her menu down to look at him directly. "-but not senseless."
The commotion near the entrance drew the redhead's attention; she didn't turn in her seat, but glanced askance at the raised voices. The waiter's response turned idle curiosity to reserved calculation. As the other couple left, she smirked at Seth. "And you're terrible," she told him with dry amusement.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:10 pm
Seth chuckled lightly, "You flatter me." The man looked most pleased with himself despite his "terrible" deed, but did not seem to be the least bit remorseful. But he didn't see Nadja complaining either.
The waiter then returned and cleared his throat. "May I take your order, sir?"
Seth glanced up at the man who had to deal with the irate couple just a few moments before. "Hn... I'll have the Corphish tail with your Condrieu Viognier."
The waiter nodded and wrote it down. "Very good. And you madam?" The man's attention then turned to Nadja.
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