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 Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:33 pm
Ami had received very strange instructions from Lex. There was apparently some sort of life meeting wherein higher up individuals were going to give speeches about their works. Except it was off island (the first strange thing) and she had to dress up (the second strange thing).
Yet Ami was not about to miss an important life meeting. Hell no. The day Ami did that was the day Ami was dead and shriveled up somewhere in the Sahara Desert.
"Dressing up" was a laughable task for Miss Raine, considering every day she dressed as though she was about to attend a wedding. She wasn't any more dressed up than usual, but it was a nice outfit that suited her and fit her (very meager) curves nicely.
When the portal's dizzying effects had faded, she recognized the place she was in. It was a restaurant and it was a very nice one, and most important it was recognizable. As in, it was in New York. Now she was very suspicious. Perhaps Dr. H had excellent tastes in restaurants. It just seemed ... odd.
< I don't feeeeel anyone scary in the area. Maybe H just wanted to treat you guys!!!!! >
Yeah okay, now she was certain it was some kind of trap. Seeing as there were too many witnesses though, she couldn't summon Junpei. Not just yet.
The maitre d stepped forward, offering her a hand. "Miss Raine, I presume? Right on time, right this way." Ami didn't accept his hand, instead adjusting her scarf in that very New York way of silently saying "I'm too good for this situation." Instead, she just narrowly watched where he was leading her, memorizing every detail of the scenario. She needed to record each moment, so as to find herself a loophole out later.
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:47 pm
She was brought to a booth by the window where a man in a pinstripe suit was already lifting a finger as if to order. When he realized it was just the maitre d' bringing along a second guest, he set the wine menu down and stood, smoothing out his coat. "Miss Raine," he greeted, extending a hand to shake. "We meet again."
If Jack had any grievances about being set up for a blind date at all, they were gone now. He had not worked with Ami extensively other than passing shifts here and there at the library and lab (wherever his superiors decided to direct him), but he remembered her enough to know that in a sea of massive idiots in the division, there were still some glimmers of hope. This was a win-win situation to him: he wouldn't have to worry about post poor-excuse-for-a-date complications as he was aware Lex had claimed her given him the stink-eye before, and making a good impression might open more doors for him as far as Life was concerned.
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:00 pm
Ami was relieved to see another lifer sitting at the table. At least she would have back up if this was some sort of backwards entrapment. It was also, maybe, a sign that someone else had shown up for this supposed meeting.
"Mr. Hawthorn," she responded politely, taking her own seat at the table. The fact that it was a two person table was startling and Ami was beginning to have her own suspicions. "Care to explain?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:07 pm
He sighed as he tucked himself back into his seat. "A questionable taste in pranks," Jack replied distastefully. "My associates decided that I am in need of more social time. Their recent campaign is about getting me 'blind dates' which, now that I'm seeing you here, makes me question if they even understand what the concept is." He glanced over Ami's shoulder as if expecting Lex to come in at any moment.
"Might I ask what brought you here?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:14 pm
If it was possible, Ami's eyes narrowed even more into suspicious, angry little slits. Of course Lex would set her on something as stupid as a date to mingle with people.
Her eyes relaxed and she folded her hands politely. "Excellent. I was told this was an off island meeting for the life division. I do believe I shall enjoy the date regardless?" She pulled the menu out from under her arms and began searching it, smile mirthful at the price tags on some of these items. Lucky for him, his debit card was still in her purse from the last time they'd gone grocery shopping, as she'd merely forgotten to switch it over the night before.
"Tell me about yourself, Mr. Hawthorn."
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:11 pm
Judging by her expression, it wasn't of her own volition. So they had that in common. "I suppose you could still call it a meeting of sorts, if that's easier," he said with a half-smile. It would certainly be easier on him, as calling anything a date just gave him horrible flashbacks to his high school years: all shallow pleasantries and idle talk, immediate concerns and complaints.
"I will start by giving you the disclaimer that I will happily take any alcohol that isn't runic beer and am open to recommendations." Jack picked up the menu again to peruse, lightly tilting it against the table in a manner reminiscent of the way open newspapers were treated in movies. "Does enjoying the date require an appetizer? There is a stuffed shrimp option here that looks delicious . . ."
He seemed to miss the point of her line of questioning being about personal information.
"To be honest, there isn't much to say about me, Miss Raine. Though I am the kind who finds it easier to talk about work even when off duty." He remembered his cue cards well.
[ #1: Don't talk about work unless you have a common interest. Be personable! ]
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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:22 pm
Chel rolled her eyes. "Well at least my meeting is with someone who knows how to dress for the occasion." Sooo many hideous people on Deus Ex. Ami could literally nominate at least three quarters of the island for "what not to wear."
She raised an eyebrow at his question about how to enjoy the date. "Perhaps I should clarify. You are free to act openly and accordingly. Pretenses are for those with motive." She certainly hoped Jack didn't expect this to be an actual date. Although to be honest, with how angry she felt with Lex, perhaps this was going to be a romantic endeavor.
"Talk about your work then. I sincerely couldn't care less." Honestly she was just calculating how best to punish Lex. "Your work is probably far more useful to me than whatever hobby you've picked up or whomever you're sleeping with."
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:54 pm
He found it laughable that Ami felt the need to say he was allowed anything, but at least she wasn't the kind to bother needing useless information like jogging or the fact that his dry spell had gone on so long that a Famine horseman could comfortably call his bed a home. Their assigned waitress came and introduced herself, and Jack ordered pinot grigio since it was charged by the glass (and thus he could prevent himself from accidentally taking in too much all at once--who knew wha the long term effects of trying runic beer had done).
"I don't have any official project at the moment," he began, "just pieces here and there. Mostly exotic specimens to compare their chemical structures, see if I could derive something from that. However, I've heard that you've been cooking something up recently?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 9:09 pm
"Disappointing," she tutted. The distaste in her voice was rivaled only by that of Dr. H. Truly she was his prodigy. "Sauvingon blanc," she told the waitress. Once the drink was ordered, the woman went complete ignored once more. You had your uses, and then you didn't.
She casually pulled out her tiny journal and wrote something down as she spoke. "I'm studying the processes behind demonic contracting. Essentially learning if there might be a way to make one creature puppet another creature." Because every mastermind knew the best way to destroy a culture was not to eliminate it yourself (as that created a martyr and an aggressor relationship), but instead manipulate it into culling itself. Marvelous destruction.
Jack was looked at with cunning expectation. "I could, perhaps, allow you to examine the little beasties." Unspoken lifer language tacked on the phrase, for a price.
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 10:51 pm
"Dissapointing", ah, he hadn't heard that one in a while. That must make it, hmm . . . seventeen times he'd heard it since coming to the island. Broke the tie with "average" but was still miles behind ones like "b***h" and "jack a**" which was a real god damn hoot for everyone he was sure.
Jack glanced opposite them, noting that at least whoever of his "fabulous four" had decided to make this had at least the forethought to make sure that their reservation was placed out of civilian earshot, though there was quite a lot of chatter going on as it was; their conversation was easy to mask. Demons, that's right. The project itself wasn't public knowledge even among the division aside from rumors of pendants from an old experiment being brought out. He leaned forward, showing great interest.
"And in return I would . . . ?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 11:48 pm
She noticed Jack's glance and said, "Don't worry. Humans hear what they want to hear. If they hear our conversation, they'll just think we're speaking of a movie or a book." Though they did seem to be relatively far from the action. That was thoughtful of Jack, at least.
"Tsk tsk." Jack should have known better than to ask what he needed to provide. "Beggars can't be choosers." As if she was begging. "What can you provide, Mr. Hawthorn?" Beyond a last name (nearly) shared with one of her favorite authors.
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:06 pm
Interesting: designating humans as separate from hunters. Jack shrugged and said, "You can never be too careful." He remained in his position, not bothering to hide just how interested he was in being a part of her project; there was nothing to gain by hiding it. "It would depend on what you do you're when not working on that project, Miss Raine. I generate new ideas well enough, have done plenty of infirmary time, and have been told I could rival a Sun in strength. I've also come into possession of a few extra specimens for genetic study, and with great timing given that the labs are now getting horsemen to compare."
He added with a cheeky smile, "My legs are also long enough that I can cut the length of time needed to run errands in half at least.
"In all seriousness, though, my strengths lie in focusing on my job and not allowing anyone to compromise it or me to finish it. I also have a small team of dedicated lackeys myself that can be at your disposal." Not that the offer was unique, given that at Ami's position anyone could really be a grunt, but Jack liked to think that people who actually knew his preferences and how to work were a smidgen above the usual complaining cut.
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:28 pm
It was then that Ami- that is, Ami- actually laughed. It was a small chuckle, nothing more than a giggle, but it was present nonetheless.
"You sell yourself as quite the bargain," she complimented, taking a small, calculated sip of her wine, "Very commendable. A useful skill for the life division, no doubt." She set the glass down, her finger still tracing the edge, threatening to knock it over. "Keep your lackeys. I'll let you examine the demons for free."
Apparently Ami was in a good mood, despite her inner fury with Lex. Maybe it was just the fact that for ONCE she was talking to someone with some intelligence. It was a rarity on the island. It had to be savored.
When the waitress came around once more for their food choices, Ami very plainly said, "Your french onion soup, and a small salad on the side." If there was a restaurant in New York that didn't serve french onion soup in some form, Ami would eat her invisible hat. Once again, the waitress returned to being completely invisible. "Do tell me about your lackeys though." There could always be more added to the list.
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:16 pm
"I couldn't sell myself short if I tried," he replied, and privately laughed at his own little height joke. "But that is very generous of you." The waitress waited a beat too long to ask for his order, and Jack caught her distracted glance at his green hair (which admittedly did stick out in what was a rather upscale restaurant). He gave her an amused smile, said, "No, it isn't easy being green. The Chicken Epicurean with the asparagus side, thank you," and handed the now slightly embarassed woman his menu.
Jack still smiled faintly as he recounted them in turn. "I have two regulars and two new ones. The regulars are Chelsea Craft, Sun, and Oliver Keeley, Life. I wouldn't recommend burdening the latter with greater responsibilities unless you happen to have a higher toleration than I do to the extremely skittish type. Craft is more enthusiastic but also more likely to give sass. The new ones are slowly being integrated: Noemi Hurley, a Mist who is also unfortunately timid but a born follower, and Leslie King, also a Mist, who is every stereotype you can imagine of a troubled teenager with a mouth to boot. Nothing that can't be curbed with more time," he said with a verbal shrug and a sip of his wine.
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:41 pm
You could see the gears and tick marks clicking off in Ami's head as he listed his help. Oliver was a no, Ami hated skittish types. Chel could be dealt with, as she did like to use displays of power to quell livelier types. Noemi could be of use, provided that she wasn't on the same level of timidness as Oliver. Leslie sounded deplorable (Ami detested anything remotely "teenage") but also workable. All of this was jotted down into her notebook as a list of names a tiny series of dots or x's.
"Understood," she agreed. "You could certainly do better." Once more the word "disappointing" seemed to linger around. "In exchange, I raise you my own. Evan Roberts, Sun, a good type for work that requires brawn, but incredibly set in his ways. Admirable in that way, really. Stormy Ortega, Mist. A smart girl, hard worker. Somewhat obnoxious. Dakota Rainstar, Moon. Perverted and incredibly dimwitted. The best way I can describe him is as a tool." She would leave Jack to interpret the double meaning there. "Jason Kenneth, Moon," she continued, "Decent, incredibly- no, nearly threateningly willing to help anyone. Katherine Taylor and Victoria Straka- sun and life, respectively, are my esteemed colleagues. Both are good women, strong. Marcus Hasan, Moon, can also help you, though he's very ... well, variable." Which rounded out her list, surprisingly, with, "Otto Graves, death- ah no, I believe he's sun now. Use him, do not abuse him." Her look was very serious at that.
She sat in silence for a moment, and then realized, "Ah, yes. And of course, Alexei Jamil, life. My boyfriend- though at the moment that is very debatable. I can hardly find a compliment. His weapon has more brains than he does, and he charms his way through anything rather than actually doing a scrap of work. He'll do what you ask though." Yes, Ami had just offered up her boyfriend as a lackey. Everyone was a chess piece in this game.
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