Twenty-Second Negotiations; Dictated

[succubitch]

It seems strange, thinking I've been here for a year now. I'll give this place credit where it's due though, things are never boring here. [In some ways she wishes it had been. Between Wesley choosing the Texas twig and everything that's happened with Damon, she can't say it's really been a great year for her. Not that she'd ever admit as much out loud.]

Once again I can't help but this it's rather convenient that time doesn't pass at home while we're stuck here. If I had really been gone for a year, the Senior Partners would be ready to take my head. [It sounds like she's joking here. She's not.] They've never been fans of unexpected vacations.

[She pauses and debates saying anything else, and then decides against it. Instead she closes up the book and heads to the Lux for a drink.]

Comments

[heloise]

For what do the Senior Partners hold you accountable?

[succubitch]

I work for them.

[heloise]

[ Work? Here's assuming you're a courtesan, Lilah. ]

You must be a woman of great--skill then, for them to need you so.

[succubitch]

[A courtesan would be much more honorable that her actual profession. There's no honor in being a lawyer. Not that she cares.]

You have no idea. I'm one of the best they have.

[heloise]

I have no doubt.

My mother is most illustrious in Rome, but the trade must have changed in five centuries.

[succubitch]

...I think, perhaps, we are talking about different professions.

[heloise]

Are we? [ Does that mean Lilah is a nun? ]

What is it do you do?

[succubitch]

[Oh. She is so far from being a nun it's not funny.]

I'm a lawyer.

[heloise]

A lawyer? [ Sounding so surprised. ]

A woman can become a lawyer, in your time?

[succubitch]

They can. [An amused chuckle.] What did you think I was?

[heloise]

[ Awkward pause. ] A cortigiana, or a nun.

[succubitch]

A nun? That's a new one. [Don't worry, she's more amused than anything else.]

[heloise]

I did not mean to offend. A woman could only be so many things, in my time, and I made my assumptions.

[alias_savant]

[is down in the Lux, eating the lunch he fixed for himself, sitting at the bar with a glass of wine. He has the journal open next to him, and he sees the entry, and is contemplating responding, but when he sees her come in, he responds to her face instead, in his best announcer voice.]

Congratulations. You've survived one year in a dangerous, sentient castle. What are you going to do now?

[succubitch]

[She laughs softly before sitting down next to him, ordering herself a glass of wine.]

That's a good question. I haven't quite decided yet.

[alias_savant]

[grins a bit as well]

I'm sure you'll be able to find something. This place really isn't wont for things to do.

[succubitch]

It really isn't. I'm sure I'll manage to figure out something.

[alias_savant]

[nods a bit, before looking down at his Parmesan crusted halibut]

Would you like some? I made extra.

[succubitch]

Sure. [She looks down at the meal, impressed.] You made this?

[alias_savant]

[nods as he gets up to head to the kitchen]

It's one of my many talents.

[succubitch]

Is it now? And what are some of your other talents?

[alias_savant]

[innocent face as he smirks]

What fun would it be if I gave them all away?

[succubitch]

[She laughs a little, offering a smirk of her own in return.] None, I'd imagine.

[alias_savant]

[he disappears into the kitchen for a moment, before serving up a plate of the halibut, with sauteed green beans, and a fresh glass of wine.

He brings it back into the bar, and places it down in front of her]

Bon Appetit.

[succubitch]

[She smiles as it's placed in front of her. She then picks up her fork to try a bite of it.]

It's delicious.