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[luthored]

[Ezio Auditore]

So, I was thinking... This may sound ridiculous.

[ Shut up she isn't flustered ahem ahem. ]

We got to know each other so well in Paris, but I didn't really get you anything for Christmas, and I feel like I should have, considering nobody would have gotten their presents if not for you.

So why don't I make you some lunch sometime? Any day is fine, since I work evenings. If you like, we can go horseback riding and have a picnic. There's a large tree not too far out that's...surprisingly warm.

[/Ezio Auditore]

[Lilah Morgan]

How's the house hunt going?

[ If all's been according to plan, then terribly. But Lana can't be controlling everything so she has to check and see. It's a casual enough question, right? Especially when the person asking was supposed to be the one 'recommending' you... ]

[/Lilah Morgan]

[Tess Mercer]

I'd like to meet, and talk. Something I wish I had done more the last time you were here. What day are you free?

[ No she isn't asking if Tess wants to talk. That isn't even an option, honey. ]

[/Tess Mercer]

[Ray Stantz & Jet]

I wanted to thank the both of you properly for helping me back at Libet. I know I wasn't really aware of what was going on when I eventually woke up, so...

Thank you. And if there's anything I can do to pay you back, let me know.

[/Ray Stantz & Jet]

[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce]

I got a new toy.

[/Wesley Wyndam-Pryce]

I'll be honest and say that Friday really lived up to its reputation, didn't it? I heard a lot of people got creeped out, but I didn't hear about anything serious happening. At least I hope that's right.

It would help if people checked in and let me know they're okay.

Comments

action? }

[howruthless]

[and Tuesday evening, as promised, Tess treks her way through the snow and to Lana's front door, knocking politely, even though she knows she's expected]

action } omg plz forgive the forever late

[luthored]

[ Lana's rather prompt about answering the door, too, stepping back so she can enter immediately. It's pretty frickin' cold out there.

When Tess enters, the layout is probably somewhat familiar to her. ]

Hi, come on in. I hope the ice didn't give you any trouble.

it's totally okay. /will backtag to oblivion

[howruthless]

[smiles as she comes in, looking around at the layout with a nod]

Not at all. I've trekked through worse.

[luthored]

Well, Smallville's definitely gotten it's share of snow storms.

[ Rather than lead Tess to the office space, Lana instead turns to head up the stairs to the loft area, motioning for her to follow. ]

It's always easier with a jeep, though, don't you think?

[howruthless]

[a bit of a chuckle]

It usually is, but I think taking a Jeep for that small distance between the castle and here is a bit wasteful. I don't mind walking.

[luthored]

I don't think Paradisa has any, anyway.

[ Lana would disagree in this instance, though. She isn't opposed to walking any amount of distance if she has to, but she probably would visit the castle more in the winter if she had better transportation. ]

Would you like anything to drink? Coffee? Tea?

[howruthless]

Tea would be lovely, thank you.

[she starts to shed her coat as she looks around]

Where would you like me to leave this? I don't want to get snow all over your floors.

[luthored]

You can just drape it over a chair, don't worry about it.

[ And she will go about making that tea. ]

[howruthless]

[nods as she does so, before settling into the chair herself]

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by the invitation.

[luthored]

Why is that?

[howruthless]

Given the discrepancy in our respective timelines, I wasn't sure you were inclined to trust me. You are from before we met, after all.

i am sooo sorry for how late this is it's ridiculous

[luthored]

That's true. But I know about how you were burned by Lex. What little Oliver told me, anyway... And last time you were here, you offered your help.

<33 it's okay, really.

[howruthless]

Then how can I be of help?

[luthored]

Lex isn't here right now... But he's been here before, and that's something we should always be prepared for. Most people here wouldn't take him seriously because he doesn't have special abilities.

[ Pouring the hot water into a couple of mugs... ]

And, of course, there are countless other problems always getting by the radar. The sort of thing Watchtower is meant to help with, but... Paradisa often gets in the way of group efforts. Something's always happening.

[howruthless]

So I see.

[crosses her legs in front of her]

Would you like me to help keep an eye on things?

[luthored]

[ She sets the mug down in front of her. ]

I'm sure you have even without my asking. What matters is if you're willing to share what you find when it counts.

I try not to rely on the castle, and I haven't been spending my time here twiddling my thumbs. I have resources in the city, if you ever need help.

[howruthless]

[nods as she reaches for the mug, cradling it in her hands]

I appreciate the offer. Thank you.

[she hasn't weighed in on whether or not she'll share yet, however]

[luthored]

We're on the same side, aren't we?

[ Lana shrugs as she sits down across from Tess with her own mug. ]

At least, that's what I'd like to say... But to be honest, I know that things aren't as black and white as Clark wishes they would be, especially when the Luthor family is involved. I don't really know you, and I don't even know how our relationship is in the future. I assume amiable, going off Oliver's cliff-notes, but that doesn't mean you necessarily trust me, or that I trust you. That's something that's supposed to be earned, and neither of us have really had the chance to do that here.

So I think for both of our sakes it would be best to treat this as a fresh start. What do you think?

[howruthless]

[Tess rarely ever gives anyone a fresh start, and to an extent, Lana, you don't really want her to. A clean slate with Tess comes with automatic distrust, but she can paste on the smile and play pretend.]

I agree. I think that would be best for both of us.