opportunitycosts | [ empatheias ] message box

Yeah, overwhelming, right? [A small laugh.] I was the same way for a little while until Yurgen offered to be business partners. [Hard to just "start a new life" when for most of it all you did was focus on one thing.

But the thought of Yurgen giving him that hand makes him pause a little before he decides to follow his friend's example.]

I know we were kind of joking before, but you could work here until you figured out what you wanted to do.

Having someone help you is good and I think it would make it a lot easier. [ At least compared to trying to figure everything by yourself. ]

If you want. It will give me a stable living for the moment and I won't need to worry about money then. Would the others be okay with that?

[Good question. Some people might question his quick willingness to believe a former enemy and a person who has every reason to kill him with her own hands like this. Some might think he's allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment and giving in too easily. However, he honestly doesn't care if they're right. Even if there was some ridiculous plot like that, he'd allow it. He'd believe he deserved it.

But he knows Presa well enough that that isn't how she plays.]

I'll handle it, don't worry about it. But it's less about what I want and what you feel all right doing.

[This may still be a mistake for other reasons, but he's just going to continue to follow whatever decisions she makes. If she's actually okay being around him like this, while he'll still a wonder about it, he won't question it. Not aloud, anyway.]

[ If Presa wanted to do anything to Alvin, she would have done it already. He has given her a few chances to do so. In all honestly, even back home there was a time she had the perfect moment to. But she didn't take it. She knows he has matured and changed, after all in the past he did completely ignore what happened between them and suggested picking up where the left off.

But here if hasn't done that which is a sign that it won't hurt to give him another chance. When it comes down to it, she would be a fool to refuse this offer. The task board could offer her jobs, sure, but she needed something better than that. ]

It's fine with me. So then, [ Getting up from her chair, Presa walked to the desk and rested both her hands on it as she leaned forward. ] Will you be having me as a secretary, as you joked about, or something else?

[—And there's that sexy lady he knows. Honestly, this is what he prefers to see from her instead of the vulnerable and uncertainties that plague the two of them. He never did like it even when they were together, if only because it opened doors that needed to stay closed. So this is a welcome change and seems to disperse the thick air around them. At the very least he doesn't have to think or feel heavy things he wants to deal with. Just shove it behind teasing and friendly banter.

So there's a slight arch of the brow, but he only grins, not backing down.]

Depends. It's that or trying on the uniform to bring in and serve diners. [He actually props his elbow against the side of his desk, head canting slightly as his chin rests against the knuckles of his hand.] Or I could start you at dishwashing and sweeping floors.

[There's a bit of a devious smirk there. Still not full force since there are still remnants of the prior discussion, but it's a pretty good break away. Plus, he is going to be her boss, and the more comfortable he gets around her again, well. She knows how he can be.]

[ A girl needs to have her fun and this will be a good change of pace. Getting worried and having such serious talks could get tiring to deal with, especially for Presa because she isn't exactly the type of person to talk about her own emotions. And, just because they had a rough past, it wasn't going to stop her teasing with Alvin.

This is a fresh start for them, a second chance. ]

I'm sure I can bring in a lot of people in with my body, but I wouldn't want them to come in just to see me and not for the food. [ Wow, rude Alvin. ] I'm happy to do dirty work -- but not that kind of dirty work.

Oh I don't know. If we get you in a maid uniform... You'd look pretty good.

[~~thanks Lloyd~~]

Hey, Al, how about we see how you look wearing a maid outfit and do those jobs?

If you do it good enough, I might even get you a reward!

I'm flattered, but I will happily concede defeat and admit that you would look much better in it than me.

I think I might look better than you in anything. [ Snipe. ] That isn't the point though, the point is that you need to know what it feels like.

What, to clean?

Both.

[ Because both is good. ]

Already have. [Sadly. That's actually not quite a lie. Different, but in the same context. But the way he says it could be taken as just a meaningless quip in response. He knows what she's playing at.] But fine, fine.

In all seriousness, having someone to help with keeping things organized around here would help. Could also use a friendly, pretty face at the front to help greet customers.

[He starts mature, and then backslides. Like usual.]

Oh? [ She raises a brow. ]

I'll do my best in that case and I can also make sure you stay on top of all your work, too. [ At least he isn't putting his foot in his mouth ... yet. ] Don't think I'm going to start calling you boss or anything like that though.

Awww, but where's the fun in that?

The fun is knowing you won't have a tail in your face.

[ By that she means hitting him with it, but it can easily be taken another way. ]

[He gets the message, but—]

Somehow, every little threat you make just sounds kinky in my mind. I wonder why.

[Yeah, he definitely has that smirking grin of his. Leave it to him to take everything in different directions.]

It's probably because you have needs that I refuse to give you.

[ She went there. ]

[It's cool, he can ride it.

Just raises a hand in mock surrender.]

You caught me. Guess I'll just use my imagination instead.

[The nice thing about this is it doesn't matter what they say because there are no false preconceptions or expectations. It's what makes it fun and effortless.]

[ Such a good boy. ]

Wonderful. Well then, I suppose that is business done and I believe most of my questions have been answered. I shouldn't keep you away from your work much longer.

Already getting a head start on your job, I see.

[There's that grin, but then it softens into something more genuine as he holds out a hand to her.]

Looking forward to working with you, Presa.

[It's such a normal, common phrase, and there's no particular change in his voice. Yet each word carries the heartfelt truth behind their meaning. Good or bad, this will be their first official start at a second chance. Neither are the same as they first met or departed. Who knows how this will go, but hopefully for the better.]

Edited 2016-01-12 11:57 (UTC)

You should know that it is easy for me to slip into my role.

[ She didn't just charm her way into schools and peoples lives. For a second Presa stares at his hand but she stands up and then slips hers into his, giving a small shake. ]

Try not to overwork me. Otherwise, I look forward to this.

[ It actually feels good to be able to have a fresh start. Maybe this time her life will go the way she wants it. All she can do is wait and see. Presa waved a hand as she walked towards the door to leave.

And if he has nothing else to say that will keep her around, she disappears down the hallway. ]

Edited (idk how to read) 2016-01-12 12:22 (UTC)

[That was one eternal second, but there's actual relief when she takes it. He follows her wave with one of his own and watches her leave.

When she's gone, it's then that whatever lingering emotional weight in the air completely collapses as he leans back into his chair, head tilting up to the ceiling. It feels like a surge if cool air just washes over him as he thinks about everything that happened. From their conversation to the end result—he can hardly believe it.

But it's happening and while he has no idea how it'll go, he can only hope that he doesn't screw it up.

Because he really, really doesn't want to.]

[ empatheias ] message box

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject