opportunitycosts | [ empatheias ] message box

[Given how many messages Red has sent him lately, he initially assumed it was from him. But seeing his rarely used nickname made him pause, with the message itself had him stare at it for a few moments. It's still not easy for him to adjust to Presa actually being here and , but he doesn't hesitate much longer.

So she'll receive a reply...but not with the bird. Instead she'll feel a small nudge, a little buzz at the back of her mind that may even feel like it's him as he opens up that telepathic connection between them. He's doing a pretty good job and presenting his usual self, anyway.]

You know, it would have been cuter if you had just left it with wanting to meet me.

[Yeeep. There it is.]

[ How typical of him to respond in such a manner. The way he has done it did scare her a little because she didn't see that coming but it made her curious as to how he is doing it. Seems she has another question to ask him when she has the chance. ]

I don't go for cute, remember? It isn't my style.

[ If he is going to be cheeky, he'll get a bit of a snarky response in return. ]

So, are you willing to meet up with me?

Hmm, you may be right, but I don't think you want me to say what style I think you have. [Well he's doing a pretty good job with the "keeping it cool and normal" thing, and the banter is not unwelcome.]

And let me check my schedule... I'm a very busy man, you know. [Not. Which is clear in his voice and the subsequent reply—] But looks like I'm pretty free right now. When do you wanna meet and where?

Such comments would be best to keep to yourself unless you want a punishment of sort. [ Thankfully it is easy for her to return to her old ways, most likely because she did not have time to adjust to a life without Alvin being around.

If he's able to tell, she's just rolled her eyes at him. There is little chance of her ever believing that.]

As soon as possible and I'm happy come to where you are.

Sounds, kinky coming from you. [Presa, why do you even tolerate this man.]

But I'm at the restaurant right now. It's the off hours so it's not too busy.

And it sounds like someone wants to lose a body piece. [ This is a question she no longer has an answer for. ]

Perfect. I'll be sure to swing by there in that case.

[Presa. He knows that was supposed to be (jokingly) threatening, but. ...He somehow. SOMEHOW. Managed to make it dirty in his mind. Fortunately he's being a "gentleman" and not only keeping those thoughts out but not "saying" them either. She'll probably sense the smirk that formed, though.]

Should I go ahead and prepare a meal and some wine, milady? [Joking.]

[ It might be safer if he kept it to himself. Who knows what her limits with him are today because it is always changing depending on her mood. ]

Oh, a free meal and drink? You won't see my say no. [ She'll play along with him, at least until she meets up with Alvin. ]

Now I didn't say it would be free... [But there's a light chuckle.]

I'll meet you out front. You know how to get there, right?

Oh, of course not. You will just be the one paying for it. [ So sweet. ]

I have a vague idea. I'll be there soon enough so don't worry.

[Hah. He'll just laugh.]

See you soon, then.

[AND THEN. He shall wait. There won't be a meal waiting for her unless she actually wants to try something, but he may have some of their usual drinks on hand in case she feels like it.]

[ She is nice enough to not make him wait too long as Presa headed straight to the restaurant. The outside she has seen a few times, but never once has she actually stepped into it.

Presa cleared her throat as she made her way over to him. ]

... It isn't too bad.

[While he hadn't been deliberately watching for her (it may have been off hours, but still operating after all), he had kept an eye out. So he'll approach and greet her with a grin.]

It's actually been renovated, but it works. Blends in yet still has a unique atmosphere to it.

[That may be a little pride in his voice.]

Want a tour?

Just like someone I know.

[ She'll give him 'that' look when she says that because she is talking about him. There are other people Presa knows that are like that but at this moment, it was only him that's around ]

Sure. I don't see the harm in it.

[Oh he got the look, and he returns it with a somewhat wry one of his own. But he then grins and raises a hand, ushering her in.]

Then please, follow me. [And in they go.] Although it might be better if we stay out of the kitchen for now. Our head chef tends to get annoyed when I just wander in and loiter around.

[Given the parties involved...yeah not surprising (and he does it anyway).]

[ Time to play follow the leader. Sort of. ]

I wouldn't blame them. I mean, they are trying to work while you just come in to do nothing. I bet you would be causing some sort of disturbance too.

[ Because that wouldn't surprise her. ]

Hey, it's only natural for the co-owner to make sure his fellow employees are doing their jobs, right? Plus all that paperwork and number crunching can be a pain. Just the smell of that good cooking can help soothe this poor, hardworking soul.

[And there he goes, being his usual, somewhat "dramatic" self.]

Sure, if you don't have faith in their abilities. It isn't too bad to do it once in a while, but enough to get into some trouble isn't a very good sign.

[ She's just to just internally roll her eyes at him. ]

Oh poor you, having to do so much work. It must be such a burden for you to do in that case.

I have faith. I just like to have some fun, too. And—[A grin toward her.] When you put it like that, maybe having a cute secretary to help wouldn't be a bad idea.

Mixing pleasure with business, how like you. [ She'll return with a smirk. ] How tempting. Someone needs to be able to make sure you're doing your job right after all and keep you under control.

Hey, I'm not that bad. In fact you'd be surprised how professional I can be.

In that case, I am sure you won't mind if I hover around you when you're doing work to see it for myself.

You know what people say, you have to see it to believe it.

...Hm, maybe I should rethink the situation. You make it sound like I'll actually have to stay in the office instead of being able to dump the boring stuff on you and then ditching.

[Yeah, sounds like him.]

[ Alvin, please. ]

And to think that you're co-owning a place like this.

Hey, I'm joking. [They're nearing the back where the bar is and the doors to the back area like the kitchen, restrooms, and the stairs leading to the upper levels are.] Mostly.

I do take my work seriously, but while we make good business, we're also not the most happening joint. Slow days for me happen a lot. [If there was a mini basketball hoop, he'd totally have one over the trashcan.] Granted I also travel a fair bit around the city and out, so guess it works out.

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