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Problem?

[He turns around so fast he ends up dropping a coin on the floor, which he quickly scoops up before turning to the owner of the voice which startled him so.]

No.

[Ok, so it's not so easy to act casual after muttering in a corner to yourself.]

Just... ah... Budgeting problems.

Been there.

[Alexa sits at a table, and motions to an empty seat at her table.]

My friend who was joining me for lunch cancelled at the last minute, and I really hate to eat alone. Would you be my guest?

[There's hesitation. The feel of tiny coins scraping against each other in his fist.]

[Finally:] Alright.

[He sits, though his eyes dart around, scanning for threats, for exists, for the risk of sunlight, but eventually returning to her.]

I'm Alejo.

[The waitress brings water and menus, and leaves.]

I'm Alexa. Are you new to the area?

[She sees him look around, and recognizes the wariness. Living so many years with Immortals and a soldier for hire, she knew the signs of a person who had to be careful.]

You don't need to worry. [She nodded out the window, where Archy stood guard.] My driver is very good at preventing problems. [The waitress returns.] I believe I will have the roast chicken, and a bottle of the Spanish red that you were telling me about. What would you like, Alejo?

Edited 2020-11-10 23:48 (UTC)

Those don’t have much copper in them.

[His gaze lingers on her a moment, but he casts one more glance around before settling into his seat.]

I am. I take it you are not, señorita?

[He lifts a hand and shakes his head.] Nothing for me. Gracias.

[He closes his hand at the unexpected comment. It takes him a second to decide she's not a problem, and then to smile, shrugging slightly.]

They would still be worth more melted down and turned into wire.

I moved here from Spain about five years ago, after my divorce.

[Alexa gives the waitress a slight shake of her head and two finger gesture. The waitress nods and leaves, returning with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She pours them both a glass and leaves.]

When I first got here, I was shocked by how expensive everything is. [Takes a sip.] Are you working? Not trying to pry, but I do know of businesses hiring around here...including my own, if you are looking for work.

It’s still not likely to get you much, unless one is a collector item.

Five years. You are a native compared to me.

[There's a moment where he nearly protests his glass being filled, but it's too late, so he sits back into his seat again.]

I am... called to a vocation. A... not particularly profitable one, but one that takes up much of my time. And you? You have a business? What kind?

I work with a family that has been here for decades, so they still see me as a newcomer.

[Takes another sip of wine, and smiles.] I have a few buildings I own, and a nightclub. I primarily work doing import and export of hard to find items.

[The waitress returns with two plates filled with roast chicken, rice pilaf and vegetables. She sets one in front of each of them, then leaves.]

A vocation? Sounds almost religious. Are you looking for work, now? Reason I ask is I have a building near here, and my employee who kept an eye on it...retired. I have been looking for someone, but no one seems to like the apartment in the building...part of the job...they complain it is too dark.

My luck would not allow me such a luxury. Still, it is all I have.

[He hazards a smile. With closed lips, of course.] Something is supposed to be better than nothing, so I suppose I should be glad.

A successful newcomer, that is.

[The plate that ends up in front of him is watched closely, his jaw tense.]

Religious, sí. Complete with fasting.

[He finally tears his gaze away from the chicken to look back at her. The smile he gives is warm enough, though he keeps his mouth carefully closed.]

I am very busy. My responsibilities would not give me time enough to look over a building, calming though it may be.

[Softly]

I mean no offense. I just seem to have a radar for people who are...different? Plus, I do hate to eat alone. [Alexa couldn't tell if it was pride, or actual fasting. She decided to leave that ball...or chicken...in his court. Cutting a piece of meat, she ate it, and then dabbed her lips with a napkin.]

It is basically just having someone there. These days warehouses are often broken into, by druggies or homeless, and while I am compassionate by nature, my warehouses hold very expensive items. You could come and go as you please. It would pay a small salary, plus free rent, cell phone and computer. Place is furnished, if you need one.

[softer] Whatever it is that you do...or...are...you don't need to worry. Nothing shocks me, anymore, in this world. I have seen everything there is to see.

That’s all you have? What do you need?

More than a handful of coins will give me. Some tools would be essential, and... some livestock. Goats or cows. I will have to start saving.

Are you starting over or something? I can help with some of that... I mean. I can try.

Then you will not be shocked that I do not confess to strangers.

[He sighs, looking at the glass of nice wine, the beautifully cooked meal and then at the woman offering him a job and home out of the blue.]

Lo siento. I am sure you mean well, and you are trying to be charitable, but your efforts are wasted on me. I have a place to live, a purpose, a job even if I have no money. But I will warn you against employing strangers. Not everyone is worth so much trust.

Something like that.

[He shifts on the spot, caught between suspicious and hopeful.] You can?

Sure, I’ve started over lots. I can- yeah I can help with tools but I don’t have a farm. Or animals.

Not shocked at all.

[Alexa leaned forward, with a smile.] My ex is a two thousand year old Immortal Roman, my previous ex is even older. My business partners are vampires. I am not a charitable woman, Alejo. I go out of my way to hire those...living off the normal grid. I've been in some bad positions, myself, and I built my business by hard work. I find that those who are...shall we say...different? Tend to be very good employees, because we understand each other. I protect them from outside authorities and they provide me with loyalty, as well as their unique talents, which come in handy in my line of work.

[She sipped her wine, watching to see how he would react to her revelations. The weak usually ran, thinking she was mad.]

And, well, my security makes sure that misplaced trust is never a problem. So, you could run screaming from the rich, eccentric lady...or we could figure out a way to cure your money issues, even if you are not seeking any full time work. I do often have work that is short term and pays very well.

[At first intrigued, Alejo's expression drains of pleasantness the longer she talks. Once she's done, he allows himself a moment of disbelief and then he smiles, resisting the wry chuckle that he stops in his throat.]

[He shakes his head.] Oh no. No, no. I've done my time being bound in servitude. At the mercy of the whims of someone with leverage over me. [His chair screeches as he pushes out from the table and he stops in rising only briefly to assure her,] Never again.

Tools are a good start. I can find a way to get animals later...

I'm Alejo.

You mistake my intent. I already have a four year old at home who doesn't listen to me, not to mention her father out in the big wide world, who acts like a four year old with a bad vodka addiction. I have ZERO interest in binding anyone in any servitude. It adds to my already too large Christmas bonus list.

So, you can run if you like. But in my experience? One can never have too many friends in this world.

[Hands him a business card out of her purse.] Especially friends who have powerful friends, and money.