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randomplaces2015-08-20 08:52 pm
ssjmihoshi) wrote in randomplaces2015-08-20 08:52 pm
Entry tags:
Anothergotham. Docks. Place the Coins Upon My Eyes
Continued from Part 2: Please, Please Don't Insist
hRecon: *driving through Gotham toward the docks* WOW. You would not believe how much chatter is on the police band.
Rachel: Really? *distracted by the fact that she's currently sitting inside a robot*
hRecon: *makes a staticky tsk noise* I sound strange. Are you sure I couldn't have used my original vocal patterns?
Rachel: *wondering how many of her internal organs Recon is monitoring and getting squicked out by the thought* Hm?
hRecon: *practices turning her head* Are you paying attention?
Rachel: *annoyed* Of course I am. Watch the road!
Recon: *swerves nimbly down an old service tunnel under the docks, avoiding debris and large puddles*
hRecon: *still looking at Rachel* I am.
Rachel: *grimaces* -As if this couldn't get any creepier...-
tunnel: *surprisingly dry, and non smelly. Also inhabited. By a golden 1967 Mustang fastback, and a leanly muscular man with skin that looks even paler in contrast to the shadows of the tunnel and his own black hair*
Recon: *shuts the headlights down as she approaches, so as not to be rude, and pulls over with enough room for Rachel to hide behind just in case*
man: *watches as he leans on the car, his attitude and expression cold and closed*
Rachel: *looks to the man, takes a deep breath, pops the collar on her leather jacket, and exits*
hRecon: Ack! You're supposed to wait for me!
Rachel: *stops, mortified* -How long was that, 5 seconds?- Shut up! Just... get out and look intimidating. *composes herself before turning to face the man*
man: *studies her with eyes that hold no emotion, and then pulls out a coin and dances it over and through his fingers*
Rachel: You like coins? -Oh dang sweet echo in here.- *walks around the front of Recon, the echoing noise of her footsteps making her feel more important* *voice hardens with the confidence, more fitting of the Iron Queen* So do I. I like to put two-headed ones on the graves of my favorite lieutenants.
man: *slight smirk* What do you think of gold?
Rachel: *smiles in turn at the correct code phrase* I like to drive it.
hRecon: *opens the door* What am I, chopped liver?
Rachel: *snaps* I drive the gold, YOU drive s***! Shut your mouth or so help me!
hRecon: *meeps!*
guy: *glances over hRecon like she's nothing* *neutrally* Trouble?
Rachel: -Please behave, please behave...- *sighs* New hire. Business isn't what it used to be, unfortunately. Don't let it get to you.
hRecon: *closes the driver's door very gently, wondering about this complete 180 personality change*
guy: She stays here.
Rachel: That's fine by me. *swaggers toward him*
man: *lifts his brows* You expect me to give you a ride?
Rachel: BAH! *laugh echoes down the tunnel* I expect you to scoot over, Little Man. I drive the gold, remember?
Recon: *getting nervous. Leaving wasn't part of the plan, and she's not sure she can tail them*
man: *snerks* You think you're good enough to drive me?
Rachel: Oh, honey... *reaches out to cup his cheek* I know I am. *smiles toothily and lets the new fake nails scrape him lightly as she lets go*
man: *slight amusement as he walks around the Mustang and enters the front passenger seat. His walk is like that of a hunting cat*
Rachel: -S*** was that too insulting is he gonna punch me or worse smack my butt I might punch him if he smacks my butt...- *struts around to the driver's side before he can make a move*
Recon: *watches them drive off, noting the hesitancy around the turns* Oh, this is bad...
voice: *female, soft and silken. So quiet that a human would miss it* The walls have eyes. Watch what you say.
Recon: *tenses and puts all sensors on maximum*
voice: *still that silky softness* Batwoman's slipping, to send two amateurs here. *and nope... nothing on sensors*
Recon: *grumbles to herself*
hRecon: *gets in the driver's seat, in case someone is watching, and stealthily drives after the golden car*
Fastback: *has picked up speed, but isn't hitting any corners*
Rachel: Woooo! *playing at being reckless, swerving around willy-nilly* *is currently freaking out about crashing in the tight tunnels*
guy: You drive like an old lady. *is leaning back comfortably*
Rachel: *glares ahead.... and floors the accelerator*
Fastback: *SHOOTS forward!*
Rachel: *trying to remember what a teammate taught her about drifting*
steering wheel: *turns where she forgot to turn it*
Rachel: *glad she has her seatbelt on! Pumps the brake and then the accelerator again*
Fastback: *hyper responsive turns to log waggon, and the car keeps going. Around the turn and straight on*
guy: *cellphone to ear and laconically lets someone know they're coming*
Rachel: Wow, it's like this thing is psychic... *eyes flick to the man* So why can't I phase him?
guy: You might want to slow down.
Rachel: -Finally, an angle.- *corners of her mouth twitch upward as her rebellious nature kicks in* Why? I'm having fun. *decides to turn a random corner*
Fastback: *no turn!*
guy: *quietly* Because if you drive through my Mastretta, our business relationship will end tragically. *so much coldness in that quiet voice*
Rachel: *growls and opens her mouth, but thinks better of it* Fine. *takes foot entirely off the pedals* Since your car seems bent on making a fool out of me, and I need the money, you win. -What is it with d*** robot cars today?- But one day I will find out what this thing is.
guy: *gives her a weird look as the Fastback coasts out into what looks like the courtyard of a fancy brick mansion*
Rachel: *exits the car with all the impatience and distain of a spoiled debutantte* *checks her fancy watch and waits for him to lead the way*
guy: *leaves the vintage car slowly and walks over to run a hand over the fast looking little orange number that's sitting closer to the house. Doesn't look like he's in any hurry to reach their destination*
Rachel: *smirks* I wondered what that "Mastretta" is you mentioned. *admires the Mexican sports car* You're right, I'd hate to ruin this.
guy: *still cold as he smirks back at her incredulously* You never heard of the Mastretta?
Rachel: *cherishes even that small smirk* Surprisingly, no. We didn't get out much in my previous line of work.
guy: *snorts* You must live under a rock. *says the guy living down under a city*
Rachel: No, all my favorite toys are European. *gives a playful look before strutting to the door* We gonna meet your boss or what?
guy: Europe's overrated. *pulls out a fuzzy cloth and wipes the Mastretta's closest mirror* And you're talking to my boss.
Rachel: *about to chide him for insulting her "parents" until he drops that bomb* Wha-really? I thought you were a middleman! *composes herself* Doing your own meet-n-greets... You've got balls. I like that.
guy: Middlemen lower profits. *puts the cloth away and then walks over to examine the Fastback's front bumper* This car was in a movie.
Rachel: -Please don't let it be dinged!- You must know a guy then? Trying to impress me?
guy: *snorts* Warning you. *satisfied with his examination, he straightens and gives Rachel that cold hunter's look* Jason Todd.
Rachel: -*long string of expletives*- Erin Amos. People call me "Khantun."
Todd: I know. They call me "Sir". *finally turns to walk toward that wide double door*
Rachel: *nervous energy is coming out in sarcasm* I've heard worse names. *follows obediently*
Todd: *without looking at her or acknowledging her* Have you ever tried Edge?
Rachel: *scoffs softly* I'm not that stupid. First rule of dealing is "Never indulge in the product."
Todd: *opens the door and leads the way across an echoing foyer decorated with priceless objects... some of which are recorded as missing*
Rachel: *though she hates the way her heels pinch, she does so much enjoy the way they clack on the floor* My my my! You have done well for yourself, haven't you?
Todd: *shrugs* I'm nowhere near where I'm headed. *past those possessions without a glance, and then shoving open the doors to the corridor beyond, which is in proportion to the foyer*
Rachel: *trying to spy out hidden passages as they walk by* Then count me excited.
Todd: *replies with silence. Is plainly a self sufficient and cold-natured man*
Rachel: *playfully* Someday you might even trust me enough to tell me your plan.
Todd: *flatly* I thought you were smarter than that.
Rachel: *giggles* I am, but it's still fun to try!
Todd: *silence. His pace and attitude changes not at all*
Rachel: -Well, I've certainly given him plenty of reason to think he can control me. I just hope I didn't overdo it.- *follows the rest of the way in silence*
Todd: *after walking past many doors, he steps through the set of double ones at the end of the corridor and then stops to watch the group of people who are sitting at a table at the far side of what is plainly a ballroom. The people-seven men who look to be much the same sort as himself-don't seem to notice him as they converse quietly and eat what is plainly, even at a distance, to be a meal fit for the President*
Rachel: *enters, staying behind Jason, and waiting for everyone to notice them*
Todd: *watches for a moment more. But then his eyes flick as a slender woman appears at a door a couple yards to the right of the diners* *doesn't glance at the men again as he walks toward that door*
Rachel: *moves to the center of the room, stopping a respectable distance between him and the dining guests. She can feel more than see them looking at her* -Yesssss, look at me, I'm important, suckers!- *smiles, pleased with herself, and observes the goings on*
Todd: *reaches the door and then looks back to see where she went, a slight frown appearing on his face*
Rachel: *surprised* Oh, that's not a secret talk? I'm invited then?
Todd: *still frowning* Tanis was letting me know that dinner's ready. But if you'd rather eat with them instead of continuing our deal... *shrug*
Rachel: *look of dignified disgust* Ew, no... *quickly follows Jason, forming and nixing a million snide remarks* -Sorry, Sir, I thought she was your lover, not your PDA.- -Sorry, boys! You'll just have to imagine me with wine stains on my cleavage.- -If we're not dining with the rif-raff, you should put them up with the servants.- -Yeaaah... Pretty much all of those would get me stabbed on sight.-
Todd: *turns and leads her through the door and out onto a richly appointed balcony, which holds a square table of respectable but easily transported size. A robot servant stands behind each of the two chairs, and the song of exotic and rare birds comes up from the aviary in the centre of the formal knot garden down below*
Rachel: *eyes go wide and she crosses to the balcony rail to linger* Ah, breathtaking! *breathes in the wafting smells of flowers* -Dang, this guy has everything!-
Todd: *walks slowly over to look down indifferently* It'll do for now.
Rachel: *turns with a mischievous smile* You are a mystery, Mr. Todd. But I think I have finally worked out why you're showing me all this.
Todd: *shrugs and turns back to the table* Hope you eat meat. *tone says she's up the creek if she doesn't*
Rachel: *ignores the comment and takes her seat. The robot deftly moves the chair as she sits* You are trying to drill into my head that you only accept the best. It's quite effective, this whole... *gestures in a wide arc* -Cherade?- ...set up. *picks up the napkin* And I get the message.
Todd: *doesn't deign to reply. Instead he lifts a cover to reveal two steaks covered in what can only be sliced black truffles and garnished with quail eggs and caviar. Helps himself to one of the steaks as though he's dishing out pancakes from mix*
Rachel: *internally curses and wonders how many government paychecks it would take to afford this meal. Then she carefully serves herself the other steak, relishing the truffle smell while being careful to look disinterested* And so, after all this talking, I'm going to finally shut up and let you tell me how your best drug dealers do business.
Todd: *frowns at the steak* I wanted black hen, not this crap.
Tanis: *smoothly* There were none on the market, sir.
Todd: *snorts and starts cutting*
Tanis: But I was able to find fresh Kobe beef that had never been frozen.
Rachel: *is carefully cutting her meal into bite-sized pieces before eating and waiting for Jason to speak. She knows that for some men food comes first, so is fine with the silence if it comes to that*
Todd: Whatever. Do we have any more of the bress chickens?
Tanis: *surprised* I fed them to the men.
Todd: *shrugs and eats, then pauses to pour from a bottle into his cup*
Rachel: *holds her glass within reach for him to pour into*
Todd: *pours and then sets the bottle back into the ice*
Rachel: *nods her thanks (being serious about the whole shutting up thing) and takes a drink of the wine after smelling it appreciatively* -Hoo boy I hope I don't get too drunk!-
Todd: *downs his food in a business-like way, interspersed with drinks of the wine*
Tanis: *enters carrying a covered tray, and gives it to the robot who had been attending Rachel. Removes the covers* Mixed baby greens with raspberry vinaigrette and moose cheese.
Rachel: -YES vegetables!- *almost speaks, but manages to only nod graciously and move the steak plate so the woman has space to set the salad down. Then digs into it immediately*
salad: *strong flavoured and delicious*
Rachel: -I am SO bragging about this to Wallace when I get home.- *somehow only now remembers Bob is listening* -Ah... so hey, if you're listening, things are going well. I mean, he hasn't laid down any points yet, but he's not assaulting me so I count that as a win.-
Todd: *pushes away the steak plate empty and the salad plate picked over* Dessert.
Tanis: Of course, sir.
Rachel: *has eaten about 1/4th of her steak and half the salad* -This guy eats like a vaccumn!-
Todd: *notices his table mate* When she's ready.
Tanis: Very well. *steps back to wait*
Rachel: *takes her time for another 5 minutes or so, ending up with a quarter of where she started before carefully placing the embroidered napkin onto her plate*
Tanis: *replaces it with a plate containing a slender slice of cheesecake and a goblet containing a golden elderflower drink*
Rachel: -Hooo, this is gonna be good. Gotta do extra jogging runs tomorrow.- *delicately slices off a piece of the cake and tastes it, chasing it with the beautiful floral drink*
Todd: *receiving his own slice of the pear flavoured ricotta cake and examining it critically* Those red French pears?
Tanis: Of course.
Todd: *snorts and eats*
Rachel: *wonders idly why his servant seems to be doing everything wrong tonight. She keeps eating, determined to wait him out*
Todd: *nibbles at the cake, making it last until her own piece is gone. Then he sits back and sips at his glass as he studies her disinterestedly*
Rachel: *realizes that fancy people probably check their makeup after eating, and takes out her handbag to do so. After reapplying lipstick she snaps closed the pocket mirror found the other day at Goodwill and shined up with baking soda, replaces the bag, and smiles at her host expectantly*
Todd: I can't say I'm impressed.
Rachel: *raises an eyebrow and waits*
Todd: You're too busy showing off. I need steady people.
Rachel: *thinks for a moment, and decides now would be an appropriate time for talking* That's because this is the only way I can impress you right now. Give me a task and I will accomplish it. *sips more elderflower drink* Or a question, even.
Todd: *flatly* Nothing impresses me. If I hadn't seen your record and heard your reputation I would never have let you in here.
Rachel: Of course nothing impresses you. This *gestures again to their opulent surroundings* isn't your real goal. It's as plain as the apathy on your face. But I didn't come to you because I was interested in your real goals. I came to you to get rich. Again... *says this last bit with distain, glancing off into the distance for a moment before returning her attention to her host*
Todd: *again that indifferent scrutiny*
Tanis: *phone to ear*
Todd: *glances at her*
Tanis: *nods*
Todd: *to Rachel* Same door you came in through.
Rachel: *indignant look* But I wasn't- *thinks better of that, giving a little pout before controlling herself* Alright. *folds her napkin and places it on the table* Thank you for the lovely evening, and for your trust in me.
Todd: *doesn't seem to have heard anything*
Rachel: *stands and speaks pointedly* Call me when I can be of service to you. *finally turns, nodding to Tanis and leaving the way she came in*
((Written byrandom_xtras and ssjmihoshi.))
Continued in Part 4
hRecon: *driving through Gotham toward the docks* WOW. You would not believe how much chatter is on the police band.
Rachel: Really? *distracted by the fact that she's currently sitting inside a robot*
hRecon: *makes a staticky tsk noise* I sound strange. Are you sure I couldn't have used my original vocal patterns?
Rachel: *wondering how many of her internal organs Recon is monitoring and getting squicked out by the thought* Hm?
hRecon: *practices turning her head* Are you paying attention?
Rachel: *annoyed* Of course I am. Watch the road!
Recon: *swerves nimbly down an old service tunnel under the docks, avoiding debris and large puddles*
hRecon: *still looking at Rachel* I am.
Rachel: *grimaces* -As if this couldn't get any creepier...-
tunnel: *surprisingly dry, and non smelly. Also inhabited. By a golden 1967 Mustang fastback, and a leanly muscular man with skin that looks even paler in contrast to the shadows of the tunnel and his own black hair*
Recon: *shuts the headlights down as she approaches, so as not to be rude, and pulls over with enough room for Rachel to hide behind just in case*
man: *watches as he leans on the car, his attitude and expression cold and closed*
Rachel: *looks to the man, takes a deep breath, pops the collar on her leather jacket, and exits*
hRecon: Ack! You're supposed to wait for me!
Rachel: *stops, mortified* -How long was that, 5 seconds?- Shut up! Just... get out and look intimidating. *composes herself before turning to face the man*
man: *studies her with eyes that hold no emotion, and then pulls out a coin and dances it over and through his fingers*
Rachel: You like coins? -Oh dang sweet echo in here.- *walks around the front of Recon, the echoing noise of her footsteps making her feel more important* *voice hardens with the confidence, more fitting of the Iron Queen* So do I. I like to put two-headed ones on the graves of my favorite lieutenants.
man: *slight smirk* What do you think of gold?
Rachel: *smiles in turn at the correct code phrase* I like to drive it.
hRecon: *opens the door* What am I, chopped liver?
Rachel: *snaps* I drive the gold, YOU drive s***! Shut your mouth or so help me!
hRecon: *meeps!*
guy: *glances over hRecon like she's nothing* *neutrally* Trouble?
Rachel: -Please behave, please behave...- *sighs* New hire. Business isn't what it used to be, unfortunately. Don't let it get to you.
hRecon: *closes the driver's door very gently, wondering about this complete 180 personality change*
guy: She stays here.
Rachel: That's fine by me. *swaggers toward him*
man: *lifts his brows* You expect me to give you a ride?
Rachel: BAH! *laugh echoes down the tunnel* I expect you to scoot over, Little Man. I drive the gold, remember?
Recon: *getting nervous. Leaving wasn't part of the plan, and she's not sure she can tail them*
man: *snerks* You think you're good enough to drive me?
Rachel: Oh, honey... *reaches out to cup his cheek* I know I am. *smiles toothily and lets the new fake nails scrape him lightly as she lets go*
man: *slight amusement as he walks around the Mustang and enters the front passenger seat. His walk is like that of a hunting cat*
Rachel: -S*** was that too insulting is he gonna punch me or worse smack my butt I might punch him if he smacks my butt...- *struts around to the driver's side before he can make a move*
Recon: *watches them drive off, noting the hesitancy around the turns* Oh, this is bad...
voice: *female, soft and silken. So quiet that a human would miss it* The walls have eyes. Watch what you say.
Recon: *tenses and puts all sensors on maximum*
voice: *still that silky softness* Batwoman's slipping, to send two amateurs here. *and nope... nothing on sensors*
Recon: *grumbles to herself*
hRecon: *gets in the driver's seat, in case someone is watching, and stealthily drives after the golden car*
Fastback: *has picked up speed, but isn't hitting any corners*
Rachel: Woooo! *playing at being reckless, swerving around willy-nilly* *is currently freaking out about crashing in the tight tunnels*
guy: You drive like an old lady. *is leaning back comfortably*
Rachel: *glares ahead.... and floors the accelerator*
Fastback: *SHOOTS forward!*
Rachel: *trying to remember what a teammate taught her about drifting*
steering wheel: *turns where she forgot to turn it*
Rachel: *glad she has her seatbelt on! Pumps the brake and then the accelerator again*
Fastback: *hyper responsive turns to log waggon, and the car keeps going. Around the turn and straight on*
guy: *cellphone to ear and laconically lets someone know they're coming*
Rachel: Wow, it's like this thing is psychic... *eyes flick to the man* So why can't I phase him?
guy: You might want to slow down.
Rachel: -Finally, an angle.- *corners of her mouth twitch upward as her rebellious nature kicks in* Why? I'm having fun. *decides to turn a random corner*
Fastback: *no turn!*
guy: *quietly* Because if you drive through my Mastretta, our business relationship will end tragically. *so much coldness in that quiet voice*
Rachel: *growls and opens her mouth, but thinks better of it* Fine. *takes foot entirely off the pedals* Since your car seems bent on making a fool out of me, and I need the money, you win. -What is it with d*** robot cars today?- But one day I will find out what this thing is.
guy: *gives her a weird look as the Fastback coasts out into what looks like the courtyard of a fancy brick mansion*
Rachel: *exits the car with all the impatience and distain of a spoiled debutantte* *checks her fancy watch and waits for him to lead the way*
guy: *leaves the vintage car slowly and walks over to run a hand over the fast looking little orange number that's sitting closer to the house. Doesn't look like he's in any hurry to reach their destination*
Rachel: *smirks* I wondered what that "Mastretta" is you mentioned. *admires the Mexican sports car* You're right, I'd hate to ruin this.
guy: *still cold as he smirks back at her incredulously* You never heard of the Mastretta?
Rachel: *cherishes even that small smirk* Surprisingly, no. We didn't get out much in my previous line of work.
guy: *snorts* You must live under a rock. *says the guy living down under a city*
Rachel: No, all my favorite toys are European. *gives a playful look before strutting to the door* We gonna meet your boss or what?
guy: Europe's overrated. *pulls out a fuzzy cloth and wipes the Mastretta's closest mirror* And you're talking to my boss.
Rachel: *about to chide him for insulting her "parents" until he drops that bomb* Wha-really? I thought you were a middleman! *composes herself* Doing your own meet-n-greets... You've got balls. I like that.
guy: Middlemen lower profits. *puts the cloth away and then walks over to examine the Fastback's front bumper* This car was in a movie.
Rachel: -Please don't let it be dinged!- You must know a guy then? Trying to impress me?
guy: *snorts* Warning you. *satisfied with his examination, he straightens and gives Rachel that cold hunter's look* Jason Todd.
Rachel: -*long string of expletives*- Erin Amos. People call me "Khantun."
Todd: I know. They call me "Sir". *finally turns to walk toward that wide double door*
Rachel: *nervous energy is coming out in sarcasm* I've heard worse names. *follows obediently*
Todd: *without looking at her or acknowledging her* Have you ever tried Edge?
Rachel: *scoffs softly* I'm not that stupid. First rule of dealing is "Never indulge in the product."
Todd: *opens the door and leads the way across an echoing foyer decorated with priceless objects... some of which are recorded as missing*
Rachel: *though she hates the way her heels pinch, she does so much enjoy the way they clack on the floor* My my my! You have done well for yourself, haven't you?
Todd: *shrugs* I'm nowhere near where I'm headed. *past those possessions without a glance, and then shoving open the doors to the corridor beyond, which is in proportion to the foyer*
Rachel: *trying to spy out hidden passages as they walk by* Then count me excited.
Todd: *replies with silence. Is plainly a self sufficient and cold-natured man*
Rachel: *playfully* Someday you might even trust me enough to tell me your plan.
Todd: *flatly* I thought you were smarter than that.
Rachel: *giggles* I am, but it's still fun to try!
Todd: *silence. His pace and attitude changes not at all*
Rachel: -Well, I've certainly given him plenty of reason to think he can control me. I just hope I didn't overdo it.- *follows the rest of the way in silence*
Todd: *after walking past many doors, he steps through the set of double ones at the end of the corridor and then stops to watch the group of people who are sitting at a table at the far side of what is plainly a ballroom. The people-seven men who look to be much the same sort as himself-don't seem to notice him as they converse quietly and eat what is plainly, even at a distance, to be a meal fit for the President*
Rachel: *enters, staying behind Jason, and waiting for everyone to notice them*
Todd: *watches for a moment more. But then his eyes flick as a slender woman appears at a door a couple yards to the right of the diners* *doesn't glance at the men again as he walks toward that door*
Rachel: *moves to the center of the room, stopping a respectable distance between him and the dining guests. She can feel more than see them looking at her* -Yesssss, look at me, I'm important, suckers!- *smiles, pleased with herself, and observes the goings on*
Todd: *reaches the door and then looks back to see where she went, a slight frown appearing on his face*
Rachel: *surprised* Oh, that's not a secret talk? I'm invited then?
Todd: *still frowning* Tanis was letting me know that dinner's ready. But if you'd rather eat with them instead of continuing our deal... *shrug*
Rachel: *look of dignified disgust* Ew, no... *quickly follows Jason, forming and nixing a million snide remarks* -Sorry, Sir, I thought she was your lover, not your PDA.- -Sorry, boys! You'll just have to imagine me with wine stains on my cleavage.- -If we're not dining with the rif-raff, you should put them up with the servants.- -Yeaaah... Pretty much all of those would get me stabbed on sight.-
Todd: *turns and leads her through the door and out onto a richly appointed balcony, which holds a square table of respectable but easily transported size. A robot servant stands behind each of the two chairs, and the song of exotic and rare birds comes up from the aviary in the centre of the formal knot garden down below*
Rachel: *eyes go wide and she crosses to the balcony rail to linger* Ah, breathtaking! *breathes in the wafting smells of flowers* -Dang, this guy has everything!-
Todd: *walks slowly over to look down indifferently* It'll do for now.
Rachel: *turns with a mischievous smile* You are a mystery, Mr. Todd. But I think I have finally worked out why you're showing me all this.
Todd: *shrugs and turns back to the table* Hope you eat meat. *tone says she's up the creek if she doesn't*
Rachel: *ignores the comment and takes her seat. The robot deftly moves the chair as she sits* You are trying to drill into my head that you only accept the best. It's quite effective, this whole... *gestures in a wide arc* -Cherade?- ...set up. *picks up the napkin* And I get the message.
Todd: *doesn't deign to reply. Instead he lifts a cover to reveal two steaks covered in what can only be sliced black truffles and garnished with quail eggs and caviar. Helps himself to one of the steaks as though he's dishing out pancakes from mix*
Rachel: *internally curses and wonders how many government paychecks it would take to afford this meal. Then she carefully serves herself the other steak, relishing the truffle smell while being careful to look disinterested* And so, after all this talking, I'm going to finally shut up and let you tell me how your best drug dealers do business.
Todd: *frowns at the steak* I wanted black hen, not this crap.
Tanis: *smoothly* There were none on the market, sir.
Todd: *snorts and starts cutting*
Tanis: But I was able to find fresh Kobe beef that had never been frozen.
Rachel: *is carefully cutting her meal into bite-sized pieces before eating and waiting for Jason to speak. She knows that for some men food comes first, so is fine with the silence if it comes to that*
Todd: Whatever. Do we have any more of the bress chickens?
Tanis: *surprised* I fed them to the men.
Todd: *shrugs and eats, then pauses to pour from a bottle into his cup*
Rachel: *holds her glass within reach for him to pour into*
Todd: *pours and then sets the bottle back into the ice*
Rachel: *nods her thanks (being serious about the whole shutting up thing) and takes a drink of the wine after smelling it appreciatively* -Hoo boy I hope I don't get too drunk!-
Todd: *downs his food in a business-like way, interspersed with drinks of the wine*
Tanis: *enters carrying a covered tray, and gives it to the robot who had been attending Rachel. Removes the covers* Mixed baby greens with raspberry vinaigrette and moose cheese.
Rachel: -YES vegetables!- *almost speaks, but manages to only nod graciously and move the steak plate so the woman has space to set the salad down. Then digs into it immediately*
salad: *strong flavoured and delicious*
Rachel: -I am SO bragging about this to Wallace when I get home.- *somehow only now remembers Bob is listening* -Ah... so hey, if you're listening, things are going well. I mean, he hasn't laid down any points yet, but he's not assaulting me so I count that as a win.-
Todd: *pushes away the steak plate empty and the salad plate picked over* Dessert.
Tanis: Of course, sir.
Rachel: *has eaten about 1/4th of her steak and half the salad* -This guy eats like a vaccumn!-
Todd: *notices his table mate* When she's ready.
Tanis: Very well. *steps back to wait*
Rachel: *takes her time for another 5 minutes or so, ending up with a quarter of where she started before carefully placing the embroidered napkin onto her plate*
Tanis: *replaces it with a plate containing a slender slice of cheesecake and a goblet containing a golden elderflower drink*
Rachel: -Hooo, this is gonna be good. Gotta do extra jogging runs tomorrow.- *delicately slices off a piece of the cake and tastes it, chasing it with the beautiful floral drink*
Todd: *receiving his own slice of the pear flavoured ricotta cake and examining it critically* Those red French pears?
Tanis: Of course.
Todd: *snorts and eats*
Rachel: *wonders idly why his servant seems to be doing everything wrong tonight. She keeps eating, determined to wait him out*
Todd: *nibbles at the cake, making it last until her own piece is gone. Then he sits back and sips at his glass as he studies her disinterestedly*
Rachel: *realizes that fancy people probably check their makeup after eating, and takes out her handbag to do so. After reapplying lipstick she snaps closed the pocket mirror found the other day at Goodwill and shined up with baking soda, replaces the bag, and smiles at her host expectantly*
Todd: I can't say I'm impressed.
Rachel: *raises an eyebrow and waits*
Todd: You're too busy showing off. I need steady people.
Rachel: *thinks for a moment, and decides now would be an appropriate time for talking* That's because this is the only way I can impress you right now. Give me a task and I will accomplish it. *sips more elderflower drink* Or a question, even.
Todd: *flatly* Nothing impresses me. If I hadn't seen your record and heard your reputation I would never have let you in here.
Rachel: Of course nothing impresses you. This *gestures again to their opulent surroundings* isn't your real goal. It's as plain as the apathy on your face. But I didn't come to you because I was interested in your real goals. I came to you to get rich. Again... *says this last bit with distain, glancing off into the distance for a moment before returning her attention to her host*
Todd: *again that indifferent scrutiny*
Tanis: *phone to ear*
Todd: *glances at her*
Tanis: *nods*
Todd: *to Rachel* Same door you came in through.
Rachel: *indignant look* But I wasn't- *thinks better of that, giving a little pout before controlling herself* Alright. *folds her napkin and places it on the table* Thank you for the lovely evening, and for your trust in me.
Todd: *doesn't seem to have heard anything*
Rachel: *stands and speaks pointedly* Call me when I can be of service to you. *finally turns, nodding to Tanis and leaving the way she came in*
((Written by
random_xtras and ssjmihoshi.))Continued in Part 4