Payback

[Lovely]

Aug 4, 2009
4:10 pm


Kain called the first time just after four, thinking perhaps she'd be hungry at the least and willing to talk with him if he dangled food for her. He wondered how long could she keep it up and endure the lack of food or money. He'd let her consider the offer a few days first while he gathered supplies and chalked out a few ideas to start with but his concern that she'd faded into the shadows better than he could was weighing on him. He listened to the ringing, expecting she wouldn't answer at all.

Calder was caught in a state somewhere between pouting and being pissed and she'd been that way for a couple of days and part of her still wanted to claw the eyes out of the man responsible. When her phone started to ring she was staring into her nearly empty fridge, growling softly at the lack of food in it. She didn't recognise the number on the caller ID as she picked the phone up off the counter, she almost didn't answer it, but then thought that maybe if she was a total b*tch to whoever it was, she might feel better. "What?" She asnwered in a clipped tone, immediately showing the person on the other end that she was annoyed.

"Petulance is so charming on you," he chuckled, turning the phone to the other hand and ear so he could curl up comfortably in his chair. His tone was less sharp than their first meeting. He wasn't drained and didn't need to chase her down the block now... yet. "Have you thought about it? If not, come think about it over dinner. Don't try lying. We haven't trained you to do that right, yet."

"Ohhh it's my stalker. So glad you called. I was just thinking about having your eyes for dinner.. they'll go nicely with the cheese in my fridge." She slammed the door of the fridge at that moment and let a soft growl out. "How did you get this number? Oh wait.. my sister probably gave it to you. Thought about what? The fact that you, stalked me, tricked me, and stole from me.. ohh yeah I've been thinking about it alot actually.. no lie." She was hungry and that tended to make her cranky, plus there was a pair of boots she'd been dying for and planned to get with the money she was supposed to make off the disk he stole. "I'm not hungry." She hung up the phone and looked up at the ceiling with her hands clenched in fists. "I'm starving!" She snapped at the air, she didn't want to see him again, anyway.. did she?

He expected as much and let the phone rest a few moments, letting her gather her breath and next line of defense. He puffed absently on a cigarette and sipped at the vodka that was running low as if he had all the time of the world there in his dark realm as the line began to ring again.

She was toying with the cheese that she didn't really want to eat, laying on her bed and mostly pouting now, the phone started to ring again and she looked a the ID. It was him again, Calder bit her lip and scolded herself for playing into it as she clicked the line. "Hello." She asnwered as if she had no clue it was him and she wasn't as upset as she really was.

"I'll buy. You're right. I owe you and we still need to talk," he flowed out, not expecting apologies and not giving her time to yell yet.

"You remember that day you followed me and took my disk?" She asked in a sweet voice, knowing he remembered it as well as she did. "There was.. a to die for pair of boots in a shop window, that I passed. Black leather, knee high, heels to there.. Faded blue cloth awning at the entrance. mmmmm... Dinner and those boots and I'll think about talking to you."

"Then you'd better come over," he suggested, trying not to let the smile taint the stern tone of his voice. He knew the shop she mentioned. "Sadly, I think I know the boots you mean. They must have been sold already since there's a new display."

"I f*cking hate you." She snapped, showing how much she wanted those particular boots with her angry exclaimation. "You'll probably totally cheap out on dinner anyway!" Calder huffed and flopped herself back to her pillows. "What.. were you thinking about for dinner?" She asked in a calmer voice which conveyed the pouting disappointment over the coveted footwear.

[Lovely]

He laughed. "Cheap out? I think you might be surprised, pet. Just come over and we'll discuss it. I'll tell you where when you get here."

"Fine.. but I'm coming over as is.. I'm not getting fixed up for you." As if it mattered, but to her it was a way of trying to insult him. "Don't call me pet." She glanced at her night stand, his key seemed to gleam and taunt her as if saying 'I told you so'. Calder hung up the phone, resisting the urge to throw it across the room as she looked over at the key that had been sitting there since she got home that night from their first meeting. She sighed and hated herself for grabbing her jacket and slipping on her shoes to go meet him. True to her word, she didn't change or fuss with her hair, leaving it in the ponytail of waves and the few pieces hanging around her face. He wasn't there to hear it but she slammed her door as she left, yet a small smile found her face as she walked down the hall. Her pace picked up a little and she laughed at her own excitement at the thought of seeing him, after all the fuss her hand was in her pocket stroking over the key to his place.

She knew the way up and in. He wasn't worried about her stumbling her way through the door as he finished putting a few things together. A lamp he rarely used was moved to the area near the door to give some semblance of normal life for those who needed light. He craned it down so it shown mostly on itself then he checked the closet and the papers on the table he stacked and squared, satisfied everything was ready... except reservations. He wasn't intending anything near 'cheaping out' as she'd put it. His phone was back to his ear as he made a few more calls and waited for her to arrive.

She remembered the way and had the key, which she toyed with the entire trip to his place, Calder didn't bother to knock as she used the key to let herself in. "Honey... I'm hoome." She called out in a surgary voice, wandering into his shadowed rooms, noticing he'd gently lit the area up a little more.

Kain finished the last call as she came in. The doorway was too brightly lit for him to slither behind her, so he took a more direct approach... staying put in the chair for now. If she was armed, he would fold himself into the dark crevasses, but hopefully their meeting would be peaceful. In fostering that very peace, he gestured with the phone in his hand for her to come closer into the room. "You won't pay me to bite you, so you can safely come closer," he chuckled. He glanced at the phone and put it away. "Hope you like the sort of meals that come in courses and not boxes. Not to worry on the dress code. We have a private room, but if you change your mind on dressing up for me, the washroom's through there. Oh, and there's something of yours in there, too," he mentioned off hand, pointing toward the bedroom and down the hall.

She came in, looking at him with an expression that clearly said she was annoyed and didn't find his attempts at a joke very amusing. "I won't pay you to do anything to me.. so there you go." She glanced around and then in the direction he gestured but she didn't move in that direction. "I didn't bring any change of clothes so there will be no getting anything or going anywhere I'd need to.. Hope it won't cost you too much to cancel."

"Even for real food by real chefs? Hm, I apparently overestimated your ability to be civilized. So I suppose if you're not hungry you can leave without any food, without any money... and without the boots you so cherish. I'm sure I can find a bidder for them if you don't want them," he said, watching her fume and glare.

"I told you.. I wasn't getting dressed up for you!" She snapped at him, her hands clenching again as she glared at him. "It's not my fault you made arrangements to go somewhere fancy. Or maybe you did it on purpose to try to embarass me.. well I'm not going to be embarrassed for your amusement." She took the key out of her pocket and stepped over to set it on the small table. "I am hungry, but not hungry enough to degrade myself for you. I shouldn't have come.. " She shook her head, more upset now than she'd been when he called, he might even see the shimmer of tears in her eyes that she angrily fought back. Calder set the key down and turned to head back out the door, she'd taken the chance to come and he was just being cruel.. probably his plan the whole time.

"Crocodile tears just might work," he said softly, almost apologetically. "But, there's no reason to leave the key behind. I told you, what's through there is already yours and unless you're embarrassed now, there's no need to worry about me embarrassing you. The private room is here and the food is being delivered. Now... ask yourself. What will you do when you've gone out that door... besides hate me some more, hm? That's not likely to change, so why not stay and eat at least. Please?"

Her jaw clenched as he brought up the tears, which were genuine but that she hadn't wanted him to see. She blinked as she stopped walking and kept her back to him until she was sure none of the tears would fall. "Why do you enjoy antagonising me?" She asked as she slowly turned back, the pout set deeply and her gaze settling near him but not directly on him.

[Lovely]

He stood and grabbed the key, slipping into the lines and shadows to appear behind her shoulder, reaching around her with the key. "Because you allow it and your pout when you're upset is too desirable to forget," he whispered.

She tried not to look over her shoulder at him as he appeared and reached around her with the key. "Because you're so good at being a jerk.. but don't you think it might be better not to constantly upset me.. especially if you want me to be around?" She glanced back at him and then let her focus rest on the key though she didn't take it back from him yet.

"If I were too gentle, you'd have no interest whatsoever. It's not who you are," he smirked, though he nodded a truce. "And it's because of who I am that I'm not sure I won't constantly upset you, but it's honestly not meant to be personal. I have my observations and I share them. I was hoping the boots might bridge that unpleasantness until you're accustomed to it."

"So.. you're using the boots to bribe me into liking you long enough that you'll grow on me and I'll actually like you?" She chuckled softly and shook her head, reaching to snatch the key from his fingers. "You could have simply said you ordered in..." She sighed and partly turned to look at him. "You're right.. about the gentle part.. I have my moments but if you were too passive, I wouldn't be interested.."

"No. I'm using the boots to bribe you into wearing them so I can see you in them. Whether you like me or not for that is irrelevant. They're your legs looking astonishing in them whether or not you give me the time of day. Of course... those are just a start," he hinted, moving out of hiding now. "For... "those moments", of course."

"What do you mean by those are just a start and do I still get them if I don't wear them.. around you?" She asked, her eyes following his every move as he came out of hiding. Her teeth played with her lower lip as she tried not to assume anything since he seemed to like to contradict her or twist it to use against her.

"What did it sound like? A present followed by others if it suits my mood to suit your softer moods? Of course you still get them. But then there's surely the outfit to match at some point, hm? You could wait for my generosity, or, perhaps there's another way, considering your ongoing insistence for independence.."

"Or I could take the boots and be on my way after dinner.. Why do you want to give me presents of any kind? Or.. maybe I should ask why it would suit your mood to do that?" She played with the key in her hand and looked at him with one eyebrow arched up before turning to head into the bedroom to find the boots he claimed were there.

"I rest my case," he chuckled a little as her independent streak shone brightly and she slunk away to find the tissue-stuffed bag with the box inside it sporting the name of the blue-awning shop. Atop the box was an envelope. He followed and waited at the doorway at a safe distance should she decide throwing them was more to her liking. "My mood tumbles like river stones. When it's agreeable, I like to share. Is that so horrible a reason?"

"No.. since when it's not so agreeable you still like to share." She flashed him a sarcastic grin with the teasing comment as she hesitated by the bag. That he'd put in the effort to present it like a real gift had her wondering more and not knowing what to think. It seemed so sincere and as abrasive as he'd shown himself, it was almost unsettling. She glanced to where he stood in the doorway, the key slid back into her pocket and she reached for the envelope. It may have surprised him that she took the time to open it rather than rip into the box for the coveted pair of boots she'd made such a fuss over.

[Lovely]

Inside the envelope awaited the disc he'd 'borrowed' along with a banker's slip showing an account with her name and a generous credit that would likely make up for the theft plus a commission for her trouble. He folded his arms and leaned, gauging carefully as she seemed to take her time, perhaps to test his patience, or perhaps due to something else. "You are assuming that you've ever seen me when I am not agreeable. I'm sure you'll be able to see there's quite a difference, given time."

"You are assuming I'll spend enough time with you to be able to see that." She spoke the words but there wasn't as much bite in her voice as she stared at the slip in her hand. Confused was begining to seem like an understatement, she brought her gaze back to him and lifted the envelope a little. "I don't understand... why are you doing all this?" She asked, gesturing slightly toward the boots and then out around her to mean this whole set up with dinner and the disk.

"Because I want you to stay, and I want you to work with me, not against me," he explained slowly, pushing off the doorframe with his shoulder though he kept himself knotted and guarded a little. He came closer without resorting to slipping in shadows, staying where he was visible. "It's an offer... and I suppose a paycheck if you're interested in hearing more. That's yours whether you say yes or no. Yes, you can waltz out the door with it and the boots. But I'm hoping you won't."

Calder chewed at her lower lip, her eyes dark and her gaze alternating between him and the items in her hands. She spoke as he brought himself closer to where she stood. "You want me to.. stay?" Her voice came out soft and she reached up to her throat as if surprised by that. "This... offer.. is more than a business arrangement.. isn't it?"

"Yes, but the boots are from me to you, nothing to do with the business arrangement, though. I don't expect a hasty decision on either, but I do expect careful consideration. You are very right that there was an eager buyer for your information and hopefully that covers what you expected to bring in and more. You're not linked to the transaction other than what is in your hand, either. You did the work, you earned it and you walk away unscathed. You can earn more, if you'd be willing to accept that pittance," he grinned, knowing the amount was far from small.

She folded the slip and slid it back into the envelope, putting that into her purse before looking at Kain again. She sighed softly and kind of nodded her head, as if to her own thoughts more than his words. "Okay.. if I am understanding you at all.. you have two.. offers for me. One is business and the other isn't.. I think I can sort of figure out the one that's not, with the boots and wanting me to stay. You'll have to fill in the specifics, but I get the idea.. So that leaves business which.. I have to ask.. can it work mixing the two? .. and what exactly do you need me to do?"

"Exactly what you already do," he shrugged. He smiled, knowing it was vague, but he could only tell her so much to start with. He came over to sit beside her. "Beat the competition, exist in the shadows... well, not as much as some of us, but that's not my point. You're already the information gatherer, the go-between. You're being offered a steady ticket to continue doing so, but with back-up and appreciation you don't currently have. Well, that's only part true. Are you going to try them on or not?"

She listened and was irritated at how vague he was but tried to be understanding about that, her teeth catching her lower lip as she thought it over. She glanced down at how she was dressed and sort of shrugged, she could work with it but would prefer a different outfit to go with the boots. She hooked the top of her shirt and pulled it out a little glancing down again, this time to check out what she had on underneath. "Where did you say the bathroom is?" She asked him as she let go of her shirt and reached for the bag with the boots. "What did you get me for dinner?"

"Right through there," he chuckled, nodding to the door not far from her. "Please tell me you like steak. Real steak, not steak-shaped soy shit. Barring that, I took the liberty for fish and a few other things," he said, indicating more and more that he'd be their chef as well.

"Do you really have steak?" She asked, her eyes lighting up and the carnivorous nature of her inner feline perking up. She licked her lips, her eyes running over him as she leaned with her hand on the bag and hovered close to him.

[Lovely]

"I will. Probably before you're done in there," he nodded, tempted by the flare in her expression. "You are an exceptionally dangerous creature, aren't you," he whispered.

Her eyebrow arched up at his comments and she giggled quietly before she leaned to kiss him softly, in thanks for his hospitality. "If it suits my mood to be." She whispered his own words back at him, with a twitch of a smile and the sparks still lighting her eyes.

He smiled brighter than she'd seen, a hint of a genuine person beneath the shadows who was sincere in his appreciation of her company. "You'd better hurry or I might forget to let the courier up with your dinner," he suggested with a mirrored arch of his own brow.

"If you forget.. I won't be able to thank you or appreciate the dinner... I know you won't forget.." She backed slowly away from him with a slightly wicked and tempting grin. "..no matter how long I take.."

He leaned after her, following as she backed away, but let her escape as he stood to head to the other room. His deep breath hissed past the smile as he shook his head. Even if she said 'no', he was pleased for this small bit of play. His mind churned ideas. "Hm.. make me something special and I'll return the favor," he suggested of her planned alteration of appearance and his plans for dinner.

She almost blew him a kiss as she slipped into the bathroom but instead just licked her lips and closed the door to him. When she emerged several minutes later, she looked more dangerous than ever. She'd fixed her hair, applied some make up, cut about three inches off the length of her skirt, making it dangerously short but it looked fantastic with the boots covering the lower part of her legs. Her jacket was off, her sleeves were folded up and a few more buttons were undone on her shirt, making glimpses of what she wore beneath it possible when she moved. She set her jacket, purse and the bag from the boots down inside and to the right of the door to the bedroom and then wandered off toward the front of the apartment to find him.

The courier had arrived on time within a few minutes of when he'd arranged, dropping off the contraband items that were already aromatically sneaking their way out of the small kitchen. A contraption to absorb most of the aromas hummed beside the stove but there was still no mistaking the scents of very fresh herbs and sizzling meats. As she crossed through the room, stepping into the shadows, to him it was like hearing the bell on a cat feeling the tremor through his element. He turned as she approached, sliding the knife in his hand to the counter he almost missed in his distraction. The outfit was breathtaking and the boots exquisitely adorned her petite frame, now not-so-petite as the heels raised her so much higher. "Color me stunned... far better than I imagined. You like them then?"

She was pleased by his reaction, far better than she'd imagined. "I liked them before you got them for me.." His previous comments made her believe he like how she looked. Calder moved toward him, nearly slinking up around him with a pout and sliding her hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders. "I like them even more on me rather than in the store display." She gave a little and a bit of a smile twitched at her lips.

"I agree. I like them better on you than in the showroom. Though they're only frosting. I prefer the cake," he admitted as she warmed up to him and let the smile tug ever so slightly at her lips, teasing him like the rest of her did against him. "I might still forget dinner."

"I don't need my meat cooked.. I rather like it raw anyway.." The wicked grin curled her lips up in a delightful way as her fingers flexed and gripped against his shoulders. She leaned in just a little, testing and tempting at once as her eyes watched his face and her other senses gauged his reactions carefully.

She knew how to read people. This much she'd made clear the night he'd introduced himself. The slight dialation in his eyes, the way his breath caught almost imperceptably as she kneaded his shoulders, the way he shifted just a little for balance as he reached around her waist... all were genuinely pleased and impossible to hide completely however he tried to deny it. He appeared to make no attempt to hide nor deny his reactions to her temptations. "Absolutely... dangerous. Tartare and sushi, then, however you wish to have it."

"Fed to me from your fingertips." She inched closer, whispering to him as she continued to knead his shoulders. "You know.. I think I might really like you.. when you're not antagonising me." She chuckled softly, realizing how much she'd relaxed in the short time since they'd stopped snipping at each other.