She laughed slightly. "Yeah, I think that will be good." *** He groaned slightly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Well, I could tell he fancied you by his first sentence." *** She grinned. "Thank you, Ben." *** He looked a little intimidated, looking over at her. "I'm just walking."
He rolled his eyes before straightening up. "Good luck with your research," he said easily, straightening up. * * * She almost laughed. As it was, she gave him a hint of a smile, turning to look at him and leaning back against the counter as she dried her mug. "Is that so? It must have been my scathing expression or my evident disdain for him." * * * "Don't go getting a big head. I know we just met, but I can already tell you have a huge ego." * * * She folded her hands behind her. "You look like you're going to kill someone," she said conversationally.
She nodded, sitting down. "Thank you." *** He laughed slightly. "Apparently." *** She rolled her eyes. "You're the one who suggested your own name." *** He frowned, pulling down his hood. "Do I? That's.. not good. You look kind of scary, too."
He headed back down the hall, turning the corner and leaving. *** She set down her mug with the rest of the ones that lined the counter and she offered a hand for his empty cup, raising an eyebrow. * * * "I didn't choose it; my parents did. I'm commending them for their choice." * * * She laughed slightly, tipping her head back to look at the sky. "That's also not good. What's scary about me?"
She watched him go before getting to work. *** He gave it to her with a nod of thanks. *** She nodded. "They did make a good choice." *** He looked over at her. "You're a hero right..? Your outfit just caught me off guard."
(Zoop?) * * * She turned back to the sink to wash it, her head bowed slightly. "So..." she began slowly, focusing on her task. "What's your story?" * * * He gave her a dimpled grin, returning his focus to the painting. * * * She looked down at it slightly and clicked her tongue in distaste. "Ah. Yes. My designer is... trying some things out."
(Yoop!) *** He frowned slightly, tilting his head. "What do you mean?" *** She went quiet, watching him paint thoughtfully. *** He tilted his head. "Wow," he said. "I don't think I've met a pro hero before."
She finished cleaning the mug and dried it, tucking her white hair behind her ear and setting the mug on the counter. Her hands were dainty on the marble countertops, and she dragged her fingers across the surface slowly, turning to look at him again. "You know. Your story. How did you end up here?" * * * Slowly and then all at once, the scene in front of them began to form, blurry strokes that shaped the buildings around them. * * * She tilted her head slightly, looking like she was considering him under her mask. "A pro hero? I don't know if I would call myself that."
He shrugged slightly. "I graduated with a business major, and I guess I've just been working here since I got the job." *** "Well, I mean you have a designer and everything."
She considered him thoughtfully, her arms crossed and her hand tugging on her bangs. "And now you're a leader?" she asked, tilting her head. * * * She shrugged slightly, the movement fluid. "I have a friend who designs."
The door slammed as Veronica left the house with a few bags late at night. She sniffled, wiping away the tears as she quickly went to her car. *** "After a few promotions, yes," he told her. "What about you?" *** He nodded, stopping in front of an apartment complex. "Here's my apartment.."
Gideon was walking through the streets, the collar of his coat turned up against the cold as he headed home. His black shoes shone dimly in the light, and his breath came out in clouds of steam. * * * She paused for a moment, considering him, a strange light of curiosity entering her eyes. Something that might have almost been a smile crossed her lips, exposing pearly white teeth that contrasted with the deep red lipstick she wore. "How did I come to be receptionist?" she asked, sarcasm swirling in her voice. "Mr. Audra, you just hired me." * * * She looked up before nodding, stepping back from him. "If you say so," she replied easily. "Have a good night."
Veronica parked in front of a motel, her brows were furrowed as she got out opening up her trunk and taking out her things. *** He raised an eyebrow. "Well, yes, but.. That's not what I really meant." *** He gave a small wave, taking out his keys and heading in.
Gideon was walking past the motel when he noticed Veronica. He squinted at her before ducking his head, trying to remain unseen. * * * She considered him for a moment before moving past him to dry her hands. "What did you mean, then?" she asked smoothly, folding the cloth primly. Her perfume smelled delicate and almost honeylike. "I am an assistant. Your assistant. I handle every need you have, whether for business or for catering to your more... personal requests, I suppose you could call them." She slipped her ring back on her finger, adjusting it as she turned to look at him. "Is that what you meant?" * * * She watched him go before heading down the street. She was supposed to be meeting her brother.
She didn't notice him, pausing to wipe her eyes again as she grabbed her last bag, shutting the trunk. *** He raised an eyebrow at her with interest. "No," he said easily, leaning against the counter. "I mostly meant what prompted you to choose this job."
He frowned, noticing the tears. He hesitated, trying to figure out if he should approach. * * * Her eyes lightened with understanding and she paused again, thinking about her answer before speaking. "It paid well," she said thoughtfully. "It paid well, and I like the idea of long-term connection and focus on one person. I enjoy that level of intensity." She straightened up and stretched, a strangely languid movement coming from her. She paused before her gaze flickered to him once more and a smile, a real one this time, crossed her mouth. "Besides all of that, I also like pursuing careers where I'm good at what I do." The small black watch around her wrist beeped and she glanced down before looking back up at him. "Break's over for me. Are you staying here?"
She didn't notice, starting to her room with her items. She set her bags down by the door, getting her room card. Someone in a dark coat turned the corner, eyeing her. They didn't see Gideon as he looked around, slowly approaching and pressing a knife to her throat. She let out a choked gasp, freezing. *** He shook his head. "I ought to get back to work as well."
He watched and squinted before groaning slightly. "God. First, she spills coffee all over me, now..." He sighed before he starting moving over to them, transforming. He grew hair first, copper hair that crossed his body. His eyes darkened and his tongue grew longer. His clothes ripped as he grew larger, standing above six feet tall. He fell to his four legs now and sprinted at them, hackles raised and teeth bared, a gigantic wolf that pounced on the man. * * * She nodded slowly, gesturing for him to lead the way.
Veronica gasped, letting out a small yelp as the man was attacked. She pressed herself against the door, evidently terrified. The man tried to fight back with his knife, his eyes wide. *** He headed back to his office, going inside.
The Wolf made quick work of the man, silencing his attacks. After a few moment, he then turned to her, his hackles raised and his teeth bared, a low growl in his throat. * * * She sat back down in her chair. A man stormed up to her desk, and Levanin would be able to hear him yelling vaguely through the door. Beck blinked once before tilting her head slightly, her mouth moving as she spoke to him. The man paused, looking dazed before a slow smile crossed his lips and he began nodding. She gestured to the seats behind him and he went over, sitting obediently.
