[A bit high-end, but between the two of them, they've surely got the money for lunch. He hopes feelings aren't terribly awkward between them given the big thing that is York looming over them. A little early, hates being late for anything; he'll wait if she isn't there.]
[ Carolina is precisely on time, crossing through the pseudo-Italian establishment's doors at 2:30 precisely. She speaks briefly with one of the waiters, who bustles off to set up a table, before moving towards the bar.
She's dressed exceptionally smartly, hair neatly pinned up and back and wearing a black business dress-suit. Only the thin, long cut across her left cheekbone and recently scraped knuckles are incongruous with her appearance, but the serious expression on her face does flicker briefly into a faint smile when she spots Malcolm.
One would not think they'd all had a bad night. ]
I hear the pizza here is some of the most Terra-like in the city.
[Malcolm looks tired himself, and his smart clothes are back home while he's only using what was thrown in his overnight bag. He'll go home, sure. Today, even. But he wasn't going to make a special trip just to get a nicer shirt and fancier trousers.
Carolina looks much better, and, in some ways, worse. He's not sure if he should broach any subject that has anything to do with the night, wounds included, so he doesn't bring it up, not yet.]
As long as it looks like food, smells like food, and tastes like food, I can't say I mind what it is.
[ Though only to a point - they both might regret that train of thought once that date with Kilo is rescheduled. But until then, the redhead contents herself with leaning on the bar until the wait staff indicate their table is ready.
That Malcolm looks tired is not a surprise, for all that Carolina is unaware that he went for his own walk and didn't go home.. She herself has never been good at getting the sleep she needed on a normal night, never mind a day like yesterday, but she's awake enough that a closer look would show the cuts as new - within the past few hours or so.
Not that dressing up nicely for lunch isn't a pleasant distraction, but this isn't a date, and she did mention an interview, after all.. ]
Delta won't be joining us, but I've made arrangements to have breakfast with him tomorrow.
[Translation: not District Four. Thinking to reassure Delta would go a long way to maintain a good relationship with the AI-turned-Human, however.
The smile remains at his 'question', though Carolina doesn't answer right away - their table is ready, and she motions for Mal to follow her as the waiter leads them over. Water to start while reviewing the menu, she waits for the man to leave with their drinks order before replying to his observation.]
The interview. [It's said flatly, with an equally deadpan look.] It looks like that interview involved you beating up several people. Most would be happy with some questions and qualifications.
[But if she's getting a job. If she's happy with how everything's going. He doesn't say that the evening's debacle must have helped, all those emotions to take out on whoever is the best target. Malcolm's hardly a stranger to punch therapy.]
Certain jobs require a certain level of appearance. [Hence her clothes] I did my homework prior to attending. I think I annoyed one of my testers, given they weren't supposed to use live weapons-- [hence the cut on her face] --but I suspect that worked out more in my favour.
[that doesn't explain the knuckles, however, but. well. punch therapy is excellent therapy.]
It's a little early to celebrate, but. [a shrug] Does food in the company of a friend work?
You never do anything halfway, do you. I suppose whatever works for the job, but a little caution wouldn't be amiss, too.
[He only says it out of worry. But with that said, it dissolves into a mild smile.] Food in the company of a friend always works. Perhaps we should do this more often. [And not when terrible, emotional things happen.]
Never. [there's a faintly bitter tinge to her smile] Cutting corners never works out, from my experience. [the edge disappears] I didn't have much to go on for their testing process, but actual contract jobs should be a different animal all together.
[emotional events will just have to equal more alcohol. or punchings. or both from now on.] I wouldn't object. Of course, whether or not this place passes muster for next time remains to be seen. Seen anything on the menu you like yet?
It'll get you an actual job. Better than gun running and information brokering, at least as a day job.
[Right, no talking about that. It didn't happen. Everything is normal. He's always lived with Nat what are you talking about they are fine] The better question is if I see something I don't like. We may run up quite the bill, especially given your appetite.
Not that those don't have their time and place as well. Bills still need to be paid. [she smiles slightly] Which is why I have a line on one of the courier jobs, too. Potential for travel and getting familiar with the workings of the city seems too good an opportunity to pass up.
[ Sure, receiving a vehicle means initial pay checks have a chunk cut out, but that could be made up quickly enough. ]
I'm not sure I like what you're implying. I'm hardly going to eat everything. [stated dryly, no offense taken, as the redhead opens her menu] 'Specially not with these price tags.
Legitimate jobs means the price tags are going to look somewhat more reasonable than now in a few months. [With a squint at some of those numbers.] Although not by much. Still. York does fine with his...dealings. I'm not sure if Delta's discussed any plans or if York would be comfortable with the idea yet. [He says it all casually enough. Only talking about jobs, after all. Not...anything else.] And small-time information brokering doesn't pay the bills as much as I'd like, quell surprise.
Not unless one of us hits the big time, anyway. [her brows knits slightly as she eyes the second page, before she folds the menu shut. She knows what she's having now, at least.] I know Delta would like to. He's very intelligent, but not necessarily wise to the dangers here as a human rather than his old self.
[what York wants, well. Less said about that the better. Her fingers drum the table top a moment] Maybe consider branching out beyond the information pool you're working on. Gambling. Gossip.
[Right, shouldn't bring him up at all, his bad.] Well, ah...I have an option to consider. It's a bit--well. Let's say when that as much as we can joke about me being a model, it isn't necessarily a bad idea.
I've gotten more than one contract offer. That tells me it's not necessarily a bad idea. It's good money. And I imagine there is a lot of gossip and potential information that gets overheard and passed back and forth. And depending where it goes, I could have access to even more.
[He ducks farther into the menu even though he knows what he's getting. It's a little bit of an embarrassment to bring it up. And then there's the thing that he'll have to warn York. He'll have to. Given...everything. But he won't say that.]
[ More than one offer. Her water is sipped idly, green gaze unmoving. Yet she can see the fact he's embarassed in spite of the opportunities being presented. ]
It is good money. And the doors it could open could very much come in handy. [because no one would look at your face then. jus' sayin'.] ..Though you'd lose some anonymity with your face everywhere. Unless you plan on modeling swimwear.
[[ Then the waiter returns, and she's quick to request garlic bread for a starter, and canneloni for her main meal, along with a glass of the house wine.]
[Thanks for saying that, Carolina, that won't add to any silly feelings at all. He's just as quick to order up his shrimp scampi and only water.]
Depend on how...popular I'd get, I'd have to be more careful about what I say on the network with my name attached to it. Even adopt some kind of harmless persona. But it's increasingly harder to say no. I just have to let certain people know. [And that includes York. But that can wait.]
[ A litte humour about the situation goes a long way, Malcolm. Never mind that she'd said it all relatively deadpan anyway. ]
If the offers are as good as you say, and you can make use of it in a practical manner, I say accept them. Thinking of how to deal with the network now is wise, too. You may want to employ multiple public faces, depending on what you focus on.
[ A separate personal entirely to act as decoy or front for information brokering wouldn't likely go amiss either. ]
You think you might have problems with others over this?
I could try to hook up a couple of sets of glasses, try to go the Lingormr route for my current activities and at least one other for my more pleasant and chipper self. [Ha ha.]
And as far as problems...no. No, I don't believe problems will be encountered. But better to let certain parties know all the same.
...Well, I don't think I'd get that popular, but if so...I suppose I could always find somewhere else to live. [He'd rather not. Home is...home.] Use sneakier means of going to and from. Disguises if need be. I wouldn't want to inconvenience Delta. [Delta specifically because even saying 'the boys' still includes that party he should not mention.]
[ She merely nods, before waiting for the server to leave once he drops off her wine. She can appreciate wishing to remain at home - even if 'home' wasn't something she'd found in a long time. ]
Start looking into disguises now. The sooner you do, the sooner you can adapt to whatever persona goes with the new appearance you set. Never taking the exact same routes home may also help. [her smile is thin] Delta is more resilient than he seems.
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[Backdated!] Day 109 (Midday); Text;
[text -> action]
[A bit high-end, but between the two of them, they've surely got the money for lunch. He hopes feelings aren't terribly awkward between them given the big thing that is York looming over them. A little early, hates being late for anything; he'll wait if she isn't there.]
[Action]
She's dressed exceptionally smartly, hair neatly pinned up and back and wearing a black business dress-suit. Only the thin, long cut across her left cheekbone and recently scraped knuckles are incongruous with her appearance, but the serious expression on her face does flicker briefly into a faint smile when she spots Malcolm.
One would not think they'd all had a bad night. ]
I hear the pizza here is some of the most Terra-like in the city.
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Carolina looks much better, and, in some ways, worse. He's not sure if he should broach any subject that has anything to do with the night, wounds included, so he doesn't bring it up, not yet.]
As long as it looks like food, smells like food, and tastes like food, I can't say I mind what it is.
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[ Though only to a point - they both might regret that train of thought once that date with Kilo is rescheduled. But until then, the redhead contents herself with leaning on the bar until the wait staff indicate their table is ready.
That Malcolm looks tired is not a surprise, for all that Carolina is unaware that he went for his own walk and didn't go home.. She herself has never been good at getting the sleep she needed on a normal night, never mind a day like yesterday, but she's awake enough that a closer look would show the cuts as new - within the past few hours or so.
Not that dressing up nicely for lunch isn't a pleasant distraction, but this isn't a date, and she did mention an interview, after all.. ]
Delta won't be joining us, but I've made arrangements to have breakfast with him tomorrow.
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[And he will want to go home to say hello to Delta. Reassure him that, yes, he did go out to get air, no, he didn't do anything regrettable.]
Looks like you've had an interesting day. [He'll leave that there for her to elaborate or leave.]
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[Translation: not District Four. Thinking to reassure Delta would go a long way to maintain a good relationship with the AI-turned-Human, however.
The smile remains at his 'question', though Carolina doesn't answer right away - their table is ready, and she motions for Mal to follow her as the waiter leads them over. Water to start while reviewing the menu, she waits for the man to leave with their drinks order before replying to his observation.]
The interview went quite well, I think.
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[But if she's getting a job. If she's happy with how everything's going. He doesn't say that the evening's debacle must have helped, all those emotions to take out on whoever is the best target. Malcolm's hardly a stranger to punch therapy.]
So is this a celebratory outing?
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[that doesn't explain the knuckles, however, but. well. punch therapy is excellent therapy.]
It's a little early to celebrate, but. [a shrug] Does food in the company of a friend work?
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[He only says it out of worry. But with that said, it dissolves into a mild smile.] Food in the company of a friend always works. Perhaps we should do this more often. [And not when terrible, emotional things happen.]
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[emotional events will just have to equal more alcohol. or punchings. or both from now on.] I wouldn't object. Of course, whether or not this place passes muster for next time remains to be seen. Seen anything on the menu you like yet?
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[Right, no talking about that. It didn't happen. Everything is normal. He's always lived with Nat what are you talking about they are fine] The better question is if I see something I don't like. We may run up quite the bill, especially given your appetite.
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[ Sure, receiving a vehicle means initial pay checks have a chunk cut out, but that could be made up quickly enough. ]
I'm not sure I like what you're implying. I'm hardly going to eat everything. [stated dryly, no offense taken, as the redhead opens her menu] 'Specially not with these price tags.
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[what York wants, well. Less said about that the better. Her fingers drum the table top a moment] Maybe consider branching out beyond the information pool you're working on. Gambling. Gossip.
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[Her glass of water pauses, both brows arching as eyes flick up to him.] Modeling. [blink] You're actually actively considering it?
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[He ducks farther into the menu even though he knows what he's getting. It's a little bit of an embarrassment to bring it up. And then there's the thing that he'll have to warn York. He'll have to. Given...everything. But he won't say that.]
It's a possibility.
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It is good money. And the doors it could open could very much come in handy. [because no one would look at your face then. jus' sayin'.] ..Though you'd lose some anonymity with your face everywhere. Unless you plan on modeling swimwear.
[[ Then the waiter returns, and she's quick to request garlic bread for a starter, and canneloni for her main meal, along with a glass of the house wine.]
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Depend on how...popular I'd get, I'd have to be more careful about what I say on the network with my name attached to it. Even adopt some kind of harmless persona. But it's increasingly harder to say no. I just have to let certain people know. [And that includes York. But that can wait.]
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If the offers are as good as you say, and you can make use of it in a practical manner, I say accept them. Thinking of how to deal with the network now is wise, too. You may want to employ multiple public faces, depending on what you focus on.
[ A separate personal entirely to act as decoy or front for information brokering wouldn't likely go amiss either. ]
You think you might have problems with others over this?
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And as far as problems...no. No, I don't believe problems will be encountered. But better to let certain parties know all the same.
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[Other parties....ah.] Ah. Well. If you think that's for the best.
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Start looking into disguises now. The sooner you do, the sooner you can adapt to whatever persona goes with the new appearance you set. Never taking the exact same routes home may also help. [her smile is thin] Delta is more resilient than he seems.
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