She came in quietly, looking up from her notes. She paused as she saw it was him, feeling her heart skip a beat. She hesitated, looking back down at her notes. "Hello.. Mr. Lackluster." *** (Yoop!) *** She shrugged slightly. "Not yet, but I'm saving up for one." *** He took it, going over to the register and swiping it, giving it back. "Eh. I think they're alright."
He saw it was her and squinted for a moment before tilting his head curiously. He set down the file before crossing his arms across his chest. "Didn't you spill coffee on me this morning?" * * * Levanin was normally greeted by people waiting at his door when he returned from lunch break, so when he returned, it might be surprising to hear a silence in the area in front of his office. As he turned the corner, he would see three people sitting in the chairs, all three of them eyeing the receptionist's desk apprehensively. Beck sat alone at the desk, typing into the computer quickly, her nails clicking against the keys. She barely glanced up when he came in, still focused on whatever she was writing. "Welcome back, Mr. Audra," she said, her voice still holding that lovely smoothness. * * * He seemed genuinely delighted by this prospect for her, his hands on his hips. "Really? Would it be a macaw?" * * * She hesitated, shaking her head. "I don't mean to insult you," she hastened to say. "I just... your skills are valuable."
She let her arms drop, looking down momentarily. "Yes.. That was an accident." *** He looked over at her, his head tilting. He gave a nod. "Thank you, Beck." *** She nodded. "A blue or scarlet one." *** He shrugged. "I'm not insulted. I'm doing fine as is, though."
He raised an eyebrow thoughtfully before straightening up, returning to his desk. "No matter. What can I help you with, Miss...?" * * * She said nothing more, but one of the people on the bench, a taller businessman, stood up quickly. "That's Mr. Audra?" he asked, sounding impatient. "I need to speak-" Beck's head turned so quickly towards the man that if one blinked, they would miss it. She looked over her glasses at him, that one brow raised critically. The man faltered and slowly lowered himself back into his seat. Beck's gaze didn't leave the man, but she offered a vague hand gesture towards the table, where three sweating glasses of water waited on coasters. "Please, help yourself to a drink," she said quietly. "Mr. Audra will be with you shortly." She turned her head toward Levanin, her expression smoothing itself out. "When you're settled," she said, her voice soft, "you have a few messages." * * * "Ooh, scarlet, I think. I mean, you didn't ask, but I think you should get a red one," he said thoughtfully. * * * She hesitated before nodding, looking embarrassed. "Yes, of... of course. Thank you."
She brightened again, as if remember why she came. "Sova. Veronica Sova. I'm here to ask your permission to conduct some surveys here in the workplace for a research project I'm doing." *** He looked at her gratefully. "Thank you, Beck. Please forward them to me, if you can." He looked up at the man. "I'll call you in when I'm ready." With that, he went into his office, organizing his things. *** She grinned. "That's what I was thinking too." *** He looked over at her apologetically. "I'm sorry if what I said was ignorant. I do appreciate it."
His brow furrowed, but he didn't seem angry. Judging by the slight leaning forward of his shoulders, he was interested. "A survey? What of?" * * * His desk was as he left it, except there was a steaming mug of coffee on his desk, a coaster placed under it. He would get a small notification on his computer; Beck had forwarded him the messages. * * * "Better yet," he mused, turning to look at her, "you should just get two of them. One of each." * * * She laughed again, shaking her head. "You're not the rude one here; don't fret."
She tilted her head slightly. "I'm just gathering information for a census.. Just general questions about the workplace. I'm doing it with a few companies." *** He checked the messages as he put a few papers away, before standing up and going to the door. "I'll see you now." *** Her grin widened. "That would be amazing. They're expensive, though." *** He gave her a small smile. "Then neither of us are rude. You're free to go. I hope it ends up well."
He nodded slightly, pulling out a small pad of paper. "I think that should be just fine, Ms. Sova. Is this just for today?" he asked, writing some information down. * * * The man stood up and hastily headed over to the door, his face unusually placated. He did seem a little dazed though, sitting down abruptly. * * * "How much?" he asked, returning over to his easel. * * * She groaned slightly, but gave him a sheepish smile. "Yeah. Me too."
She looked thoughtful. "Maybe a day or two. It shouldn't take any longer." *** He frowned sitting at his desk "Is everything alright, Mr..?" *** She ran a hand through her hair. "Around $1000 each." *** He gave her a small smile, sitting down at the counter again. "Have a good day."
He nodded, clicking the pen when he had finished writing and standing up. "Yes, I think that should be fine. I can show you to a desk." * * * "Mason," he mumbled, his gaze snapping to Levanin. "Bertram Mason. Who..." He turned in his seat to look back at Beck, his eyes wide. "Who... what is her name?" * * * "1000?!" His eyes widened incredulously as he picked up a palette, folding some paints onto the surface. "That's insane." * * * She gave him a small wave, leaving the flower shop behind her.
She stood aside, looking grateful. "Thank. I really appreciate it." *** Levy raised an eyebrow at the man. "That's my receptionist, Beck." *** She was watching him with interest, nodding. "Yeah. I've almost saved up for one." *** He waved one last time, going back to his work.
He nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Of course. All I ask is that you don’t spill anymore coffee on anyone.” *** “Beck,” he murmured, her name like a prayer in his mouth. “Do you think... is she seeing anyone?” *** He began gently pressing the paints against the canvas, drawing color into the scene. “Do you have a name picked out?” *** (Zoop?)
She laughed in embarrassment. "Yeah.. I'm sorry about that." *** Levy frowned, staring him down sharply. "I implore you not to ask me the relationship status of my receptionist again, Mr. Mason. Now, what business did you want?" *** "Not yet.. Any suggestions?" *** (Yoop!)
“I figured you were at the time. And now I imagine you’re even more mortified. Don’t worry about it.” *** He visibly refocused, turning back to Levanin. “Right, right...” (Zoop?) *** “I don’t know,” he said thoughtfully. “What about Ben? I’ve always liked that name.” *** The Scorpion stalked through the shadows, her mask covering her face as she slipped around the corner.
He sighed. "I'm glad that's obvious." *** (Yoop!) *** She nodded slowly, looking thoughtful. "That's a cute name. What's your name?" *** Adonis walked through the dark streets, wearing a black hoodie with his hands in his pocket.
He smirked, sticking his hand in his pockets as they approached a desk towards the window. "Here you are. Does this work?" * * * Beck leaned back against the counter in the break room, sipping from a mug of tea. Her eyes stared straight ahead and her demeanor was relaxed, her legs crossed at the ankles. * * * He looked over his shoulder at her cheekily. "Ben." * * * She noticed him, following him from a distance.
She nodded, setting down her things. "Yes, thank you. If there's anything I can do to help you, please let me know." *** Levy came into the break room, holding his mug. "Thank you for the coffee," he said easily. "And everything else." *** She flushed glaring at him. "Wow." *** He didn't seem to notice, looking around thoughtfully.
He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head. "You don't need to help; I'm not hiring you." * * * Her gaze flickered over to him and she lowered her mug from her mouth, her lipstick on the rim. "Of course," she said smoothly. "It's my job." * * * He laughed out loud, turning back to his painting. "You fell right into my trap." * * * There was a silence before she spoke. "What are you doing?"
She waved her hands, something he would notice is common for her. "No, I know. But I feel like I owe you something." *** He shrugged smoothly. "Still. I appreciate it." *** She huffed stubbornly. "Yeah, I figured. I'm Marielle." *** He jumped, looking back. "You frightened me.. I'm just walking."
"A new shirt?" he suggested, gesturing to the chair. "A gift card to get coffee?" * * * She inclined her head for a moment, standing up straight. "Of course," she said again, going over to the sink and washing her cup. "How was the first meeting?" Humor, the first he would have heard from her, crept into her voice. "He seemed... nice." * * * "Marielle, huh? That actually is a nice name." * * * She joined him from the darkness. Her suit was completely black, without any skin exposed. She had a lacy mask covering her face, obscuring her features. "Where to?"
