Sometime on Boukun...

[amandanoon]

Noon stood still as the teleport beam coalesced around her, she looked around the room and nodded. Scans had been correct, there was no-one here, she let her hearing increase and listened she could hear the soft sounds of someone sleeping and in the distance what sounded like someone sorting dishes. Did that man never sleep? Checking with Thing

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[civ_barbarian]

While Hsu recognized that sign of rising temper from Noon, Andy did not, and his feathers got ruffled just as readily. “The fact is, that I was still bypassed with gaps in my knowledge about what I thought, should be, my own security system, and frankly, I don’t appreciate not being aware of absolutely everything that is going on. As for Alfred, as superhuman as he seems sometimes, the man is not always around, plus if there was an emergency in any of the quarters, particularly the Emperor’s, then it is Security who should be notified first, and then taken care of, including notifying Alfred.” And seeing all this communication could take place in less than a second anyway, it would not delay anything.

“And if my quarters were flooding, I think I would likely be the first to notice anyway.” Hsu said with dry humour, in an attempt to smooth over this disagreement. It was odd to be playing the peacemaker. “Not introducing you to MacDonald was, perhaps, an oversight.” Of course, he would never completely admit to any shortcoming himself, but it was time to cool both their tempers. “But that is what happened, and the both of you need to work together…” He raised an eyebrow at both of them. “To move forward. Noon, as long as MacDonald has worked for me, security systems of all kinds have been his responsibility, so discovering portions of it have been a surprise to him is, unsurprising, a hit to his professional pride. And MacDonald, Noon is a very trusted friend and ally, while I might not always agree with her methods.” Another raised eyebrow directed straight at her. “ I do know she meant no harm, nor disrespect for her monitoring and tweaking of the systems.”

As they moved the conversation, Hsu cleared his throat. “There is always the chance that I won’t be sleeping, but doing something else. A little notice would be appreciated, but as long as you don’t appear in either of my bedrooms, I suppose I can tolerate these surprise visits.”

“Sir…” Andy went to speak, but Hsu cut him off.

“He always disliked Xiao for his unannounced visits as well. Just think of it as Noon carrying on a tradition.”

Andy nodded, not looking entirely happy, but he would never question his boss and knew he’d just have to accept these visits. He considered Noon’s question, and although he’d had his pride dented a little, he was always keen to learn new ways to improve his knowledge and therefore Hsu’s security. “Okay, we can go over these tweaks, I want to see them, and see how, if at all, they can be more streamlined or customized to what I need.” With his gruff voice it was about as conciliatory as he was going to get. “Dessert? You mean what you just had wasn’t enough?”

“Enough is never enough when it comes to Noon and food.” Hsu smirked and rang for Alfred to bring in the sweets.

[amandanoon]

As Andy finished talking, oblivious to the rising anger in Noon’s eyes, and the tension building in her body she suddenly let rip with an almighty snarl. Even as she did she regretted it instantly and rubbed at her temple, revealing to Hsu at least how close Andy had stepped into danger. She said no more but stared at Andy, a low growl still rumbling in her chest.

Then Hsu spoke and Noon listened and let herself be calmed. One last deep growl and she had shaken off the worst of it, but she still eyed Andy warily. People didn't always have to die, they could disappear she thought to herself and a small smile twitched across her mouth, not dissimilar to when Hsu would almost smile.

Noon shook her head “I always scan your quarters before I make an appearance, if it’s not just you and Alfred I wait or go see Daniel. I have no desire to…” she grinned “Some things just should never happen, agreed?”

Noon was now back to her playful self and patted Andy’s arm “We did try to you warn you at the beginning of lunch. Increased appetite comes with benefits but somedays I get fed up having to eat so much. So dessert and then you and I go compare notes? At least if I'm well fed you don’t have to worry that you could be on the menu.”

[civ_barbarian]

There was not a lot anymore that could startle Andy. After all, once upon a time, he had never heard of Immortals, or believed in vampires, fae, or entire pantheons of gods. All of which he had come to know were very real indeed. However, at that animalistic roar, he jumped backwards, nearly knocking his chair over but catching himself just in time and even then edged to put some extra distance between him and her. "What the fuck!?"

Hsu was glad that seemed to be all from Noon's temper as he saw her reaction to the potential violence. He let her growls rumble away. It really wouldn't do for his friend to kill a man he found so incredible useful and loyal that he'd gone to the effort to regenerate him. Hsu wasn't a mind reader, but he recognized that almost smile; he should, he'd employed it plenty of times himself, and guessed her train of thought. "MacDonald isn't going anywhere, and it would make my life more pleasant if you both could find a way of getting along."

Andy cast a wary eye over to Noon. "Okay, so what is she, sir? Some kind of Wereanimal?" He was clearly trying not to let any nervousness show and not altogether succeeding, which he hated. How the hell did an ordinary bloke from Merseyside ever thought he'd have to tangle with any kind of other beings?

"Not exactly." Hsu answered without much help. He knew, but it was up to Noon if she wanted to share. "I'll leave that for Noon to explain, if she chooses to when you two go over the security systems." Significantly, he also omitted to mention Noon's limiter that kept her from killing anyone. He wasn't adverse to letting MacDonald sweat a little. As for his quarters, Hsu was relieved. "I think we agreed on that a long time ago, and I have no plans to change that agreement."

"Yeah, I guess you did." He looked down at her hand patting him. "Okay, dessert it is, then."

[amandanoon]

Noon let out a softer growl and then nodded at Hsu “As you wish.” Was all she said and went back to eating.

Noon ignored Andy, as she used the exercise of shovelling in calories to help her calm her temper. Not that she didn't file away his wereanimal comment for some later date. Oh he’d definitely pay for that at some point, she almost choked on a mouthful of potato salad as she chuckled to herself.

Noon looked round waiting to see what delights Alfred had drummed up from the kitchen, she was hoping for something stodgy like Sticky Toffee pudding or a nice Spotted Dick. With custard of course.