It's simply good business

[truewhitequeen]

Lara ventures back into the Nexus, this time on purpose, judging by the fact that she has a stylish bag with her that contains (among other things) the day's paperwork to go over, and a bottle of of her current favourite white wine. And the fact that a pleased smile spreads over her face as she takes in the sight of the place

Comments

[campjesus]

...so in contrast to that, Brody is wearing a black t-shirt with the word CUMDUMPSTER, looking like he got lost on his way to the Siouxsie Sioux concert, as he does. He's bleeding, not that it's obvious since his arms are covered and it just smells like he's wearing a rose-scented perfume. "That's vague, and you're going to get a lot of 'it depends' answers."

[truewhitequeen]

The scent of perfume (and something more) reaches Lara first, and she finishes scribbling a note on the page before she looks up again. "I prefer vague questions," she says simply, looking the young man up and down with little expression besides a faint smile.

"It makes for more interesting answers, and tells me more about the person answering."

[campjesus]

"Uh huh." He doesn't look convinced.

[truewhitequeen]

Lara's smile remains faintly amused as she watches Brody. His response has already told her much: generic belligerent teen, and, judging by the scent of blood that was growing stronger by the second, one of those who styled themselves Tragically Misunderstood and Gothic. A dime a dozen.

There was, though, the chance that it was a facade, a ruse to cover something more interesting beneath the copious eyeshadow. "For example, your first response is confrontational, as if you wish me to know just how intelligent and above the mundane you are. Your second response makes me believe that the first is a ruse, that there is little beneath the false intelligence, since you retreat to inarticulate skepticism."

Her smile remains faint, despite the words deliberately chosen to provoke a response. "So am I correct, or is there somebody worth conversing with underneath?"

[sable_mind]

"In the spirit of avoiding an answer that begins with 'that depends'..." Because J hates getting those responses. "By letting nothing else get between me and what I want."

[truewhitequeen]

Her smile grows a fraction at the answer. An answer that acknowledges but avoids the obvious, which meant the individual behind the answer was likely thoughtful, intelligent, or a smartass. Any combination of the three could make for an interesting conversation. Plant the seeds for a longer game.

"So you are one of those men who try to take what they want through their own power?" she asks, tapping the pen she is writing with against her lips.

[sable_mind]

He helps himself to a nearby seat and leans back. "I'm one of those men who do take what they want through their own power, using other people's power... Sometimes using no power at all. But if you get it, what's the problem?"

[truewhitequeen]

Lara is becoming more intrigued by the second. "I don't see any problem at all," she answers, the smile a fraction warmer. Her eyes rake over the man with interest before speaking again. "But I rarely find someone so willing to be frank about what they want."

The pen is set on the pile of papers on her lap, business temporarily forgotten. "In my experience, most people prefer to pretend they only want the things they can have easily. But lying to oneself doesn't make desire go away, does it?"

[boyking]

"Figure out how I can get it." Ug, she looks extremely official and adult-like and busy, all of which are normally things Ryan stays very far away from. But he's seen this person before, and she didn't attack him or do anything too bad, so he'll approach with caution.

[truewhitequeen]

Lara's eyes light up with recognition at the approach of the boy. "No skateboard today?" she asks with a friendly smile.

She pauses, thinks about his answer. The young were suggestible, malleable, two qualities she enjoyed immensely. "But what happens if you can't get it? What if it belongs to somebody else?"

[boyking]

He shrugs, absently looking down at his bare feet. "I'm not really that good at it."

This takes a moment of thought, then he shrugs. "I don't want stuff I don't need. If I need it, I'll try and get it."

[truewhitequeen]

She appears to give his answer a great deal of thought. "What if you needed something, say a coat, and there are two? One is in the store and costs more money than you have, and the other is hanging on a clothesline that nobody's watching?"

Lara gestures to the seat next to her. "I've been rude, haven't I? Won't you have a seat?"

[whiteish_hat]

Empty night, why did he have to come to the Nexus TODAY of all days?

Thomas stops a few feet away, frowning slightly before he puts on an almost bored look. Sure, Lara's one of the few who knows he's not nearly as vapid as he puts on, but why ruin his track record?

"Oh, you know. A little luck and the right connections and it tends to just fall into my lap."

[truewhitequeen]

Thomas' expression makes Lara laugh with amusement. "You are a consummate charmer, brother-mine," she agrees, rising from the couch with liquid grace. "It probably helps that you want for so little, doesn't it?"

She approaches Thomas with an air of long familiarity, but stops just out of arms reach. Lara feigns hesitance, hurt at his caution. "Doesn't your big sister get a hug, Tommy?"

[whiteish_hat]

Yeah, he knows she's faking. Just like she knows he's faking. It's a dance and they're both damned good at it.

"It's a good idea, I think, not to exceed your grasp. And if you can get it to come to you, so much the better, right?" He smiled without warmth and offered her his hand. "You know you have only to ask, Lara."

[truewhitequeen]

The attempted jibe only makes Lara smile; she gets to play the hurt sister trying to make nice to anyone watching, and Thomas gets to think he'd won a round. Instead of taking Thomas' hand, she reaches up and brushes her lips against his cheek in a quick, familial kiss, her arm sliding around his shoulder in the briefest hug.

She lets the note of hurt linger in her voice as she steps back. Let him wonder where the game ended and where Lara began. "Sit and have a glass of wine with me?" she asks, gesturing to the couch. "I've been going over a few reports Justine left for me, and I could use a break."

[waswilliam]

Spike's leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, a smile playing out across his lips. He's not much of a philosopher -- and it shows in his answer.

"You take it, love."

[truewhitequeen]

"A man after my own heart," Lara responds smoothly, arching an eyebrow at Billy Idol the bleach blond who spoke.

She waved to the empty couches, offering a seat. "Though I find it more satisfying when you can just convince them to give it to you as if it were all their idea."

[waswilliam]

He walks over, dropping carelessly on to the couch.

"Not quite my style."

[truewhitequeen]

A man of few words. She'd known her share of them. A few of them even managed to not level things on the family grounds. There was something to be said for them, especially when they weren't terrified of Lara.

"Then what is your style? Smashing in windows?"