Far From Home and Thieving (open)

[Dark Strider]

Leon laughed, taking his seat again now that they were back at the table. "Which one? I've got several jobs that I can talk freely about. And some that I can't." Leon said, not really giving any insight as to where he was going. "To people who don't know me very well... I'm a prominent businessman. I give financial advice to big corporations, mega conglomerates, the whole nine yards. I get paid for my advice, which promptly goes into a bank account. Other then that, I'm viewed as an extreamly rich individual. I host parties, dances, the occasional ball or two. I mingle, talk and converse with people that I both know and don't." Leon began, placing his hands behind his heads and leaning back in his chair.

"That's a job on its own. I'm a scientist, researcher, author, ex-Marine, veteran, designer and producer, and a few other nothing special jobs." Leon continued, reaching forward and taking his cigarette back from the ash tray and placing it between his lips. He took a small drag from it and watched the smoke filter out of his mouth. "Then, there's the dark side of me... things that only a few select people know about. I'm a marksman. I sword fight, I enter fighting tournaments, I street race. I gamble, I lie, cheat, steal, when the situation calls for it. And... above all of those, I'm a mercenary. I'm a hired gun, an dealer of death, an assassin." Leon said, a sinister grin coming to his lips. He kept his eyes looking upwards, following the trail of smoke.

"Not a lot of people know that... you're probably the only person, other then a few others now that I think of it... I've told about my occupation. Like I said before, though, there are those that I can freely talk about. I've just listed them to you." Leon said, with a small sparkle in his eye. "Now then... how's about we get back to dinner?" Leon said, standing up and moving to the oven. He pulled out the two plates and set them back on the table. Leon turned and closed the oven door and turned off the heat. Wiping his hand on a towel, Leon returned to his seat and smiled. "Please... after you." He offered, gesturing to the food.

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[ulrica]

<sup>The dragoness didn't doubt Leon's richness. Simply looking around his house and at the level of electronics he possessed, she knew his funds probably rivaled her own. Just think about the amount of money he'll have in another decade... She mused while absently listening to the long list of the human's jobs. Her violet eyes followed the smoke as it spiraled from his mouth, doing lazy circles above his head until disappearing. The smell hurt her nose, but she would bear it seeing as how he had just made her a meal. The dragoness's attention was really snagged when he mentioned the more, back alley sort of jobs. Particularly his job as a mercenary. Her eyes trailed to the wicked grin that spread over his face and she fought to keep the smirk off her own visage or from rolling her eyes. Well fledgling... If you only knew half the deaths I've delivered, I doubt you would be so relaxed... "Well, I will consider myself lucky to have received such confidential information." Misea said quietly, more to herself than anything as Leon began speaking directly after. "Now then... how's about we get back to dinner?" He proposed, standing and going to the oven.

As the human was retrieving their dinner from the oven, the goddess-like woman fiddled with her hair. It was still slightly wet, but soft and silky as if it was already dry. She jumped slightly when the plate was suddenly set in front of her, violet eyes darting over to see from which direction the object had come. A muscled arm obstructed her vision, however, and Misae scowled at her own foolishness while the limb was being pulled away. Get your head out of the clouds girl. You don't know when he'll try something... Returning to his own seat, Leon smiled not unkindly. "Please... after you." He said, motioning for her to eat. A low hiss came from the dragoness's throat and she glared daggers at her plate. He would only ask you to eat first if he knows the food is poisoned... A voice cautioned in her head. Turning her burning violet gaze to Leon, the seemingly young woman quirked a brow. "And what can I expect to be poisoned by with this meal?" She questioned suspiciously, diamond hard fangs pushing against her bottom lip as she peered at the human male distrustfully.</sup>

[Dark Strider]

The retort from her made Leon laugh. "Now now... I said it before and I'll say it again, I'm off the job. I'm not going to be holding a vendetta against you. I've done nothing to the food, you watched me cook it even. I promise you that there's nothing wrong with your food." Leon said, raising his hands and smiling, trying to show his honesty. "Here... I'll even prove it." Leon said, picking up his knife and cutting a piece off of her steak and spearing it with the end of the blade. Pulling his arm back, Leon quickly ate the piece of meat and set his knife back down.

"See? Nothing wrong. I haven't taken anything that will counter-measure anything, and I have no immunities to poisons. I'm just a semi-normal human. Now... please... can we eat? I'm getting rather hungry, and I'm sure you are as well. Healing from a bullet wound is rather tiring and it helps to have something in your stomach to keep you going." Leon said, taking his knife again as well as his fork in his hand. From there, Leon began working on his own meal, beginning with the steak. He worked on it for a time, eating slowly and enjoying it. He grabbed a slice of bread and ate it slowly. Then, he moved to the salad, seasoning the food with the oil and vinegar. He quickly finished the salad, taking a pause to drink a bit of his wine.

Shortly after, Leon finished the steak and pushed his plate forward. He sighed and smiled a full smile. "That... was relaxing." Leon said, more to himself then to the shifter. He closed his eyes and sighed again. Opening his eyes, Leon brought his attention the the shifter. "So... do I have a bit of your trust now?" Leon asked, his brow raised slightly.

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[ulrica]

<sup>Misae's eyes narrowed slightly when Leon raised his hands and she scanned each one carefully in case he had a weapon in either. Realizing it was merely a gesture of innocence she relaxed a bit, but said nothing that he could take as her believing him. "Here... I'll even prove it." He then proceeded to cut off a bit of her steak and eat it. When no foam came out of his mouth, and when his body didn't begin to convulse uncontrollably, she was resigned to believe him. At least on the steak. He had proven the purity of one portion of her meal, the rest she would just leave to luck and hope he was telling the truth. Her brow furrowed and she turned her gaze down to the plate before her. The dragoness knew Leon was frustrated with her. She had barged into his home in search of vengeance, then used his resources and was now eating a wonderful meal prepared by him in the middle of the night. Hell, who wouldn't be frustrated...

Tentatively picking up her fork, Misae sheepishly poked at her food with the sharp prongs. "Sorry..." She muttered under her breath, low enough that a normal human probably wouldn't have been able to hear. But he already made it clear he is anything but a normal human. He's a murderer and a scientist. He would kill to get a chance to take you apart and see what makes you tick. Don't let your guard down. A voice reminded in her head, sounding oddly reminiscent to that of an old friend's. Since the steak had already been proven poison-free, the woman started on that first. Misae blinked at the initial flavor of the meat, at once reminding her of the meals she had enjoyed while still under the banner of her foster father, but it quickly revealed itself as more than just plain old roasted meat. The way he had seasoned it made a small smile come across her face. It's different and the same all at once.... She thought, never having tasted such meat before. Needless to say it was quickly gone. She tried a piece of the bread, and though she ate it, she found the portion somewhat bland in comparison to the sweet loaves served constantly at her father's estate. All of this was well and good for her, and over all the meal was quite delicious. But then there was a salad. Her brow furrowed and she looked down at the leaves in their dish with something like disdain. Well, you're the one who wanted to commit to this. Eat it. The voice in her head commanded, almost sounding more than a little amused.

She was at a loss. Salads weren't something she enjoyed, nor were they something she was accustomed to. Misae didn't know how to eat this part of the meal without gagging, but she was also lax to risk the wrath of her gracious host. Oh well.... Here it goes... Following Leon's lead and sprinkling some oil and vinegar over the leafy serving, the unsure woman speared a bite onto her fork and stuck it in her mouth. She had to fight from cringing. Instead of simply being able to swallow the bite and in doing so escape some of the bitter taste, she actually had to chew the food before she could swallow. A slight shudder ran through her body as the mouthful of "tree leaves" went down her throat. Gross.... Even so, she forced herself through a couple more bites before the vile taste overcame her.

"So... do I have a bit of your trust now?" Misae blinked, looking up at Leon in surprise. When had he started talking? Oh well, seeing as how the salad couldn't glare back at her, she might as well make conversation. "Well, you at least have some of my respect. Trust will come..." Later, she had been about to say. But there might not be a later. How long would the dragoness stay in this town? How long would this human put up with her presence? His current expression sent a small pain through her chest as she gazed at him. The small quirk of his brow so alike to that of Assyrian when he was teasing her. Stop, he deals with the humans, you deal with the monsters. This is no town for him. It would ruin his hope for humanity. "Trust will come with more difficulty." The shapeshifter finished her previous statement, violet eyes watching the man intently for his reply. Meanwhile, she absently sipped at the glass of wine she had plucked from the table in front of her plate.</sup>

[Dark Strider]

Leon shrugged. "I suppose that's a good enough start for now. I don't know about you, but I believe that I might need to re-adjust my cooking styles to fit more along the lines for your pallet. I believe that I've put two and two together, m'dear." Leon said, placing his hands together thoughtfully and resting his head on his under tucked thumbs. "A dragoness is a rare sight around here. Judging from your reaction to the salad, and the in the face of the draconian wings and the ability to shift into a different form. Plus the enchantment to my water heater. I've got ways of monitoring things in and around this house, not just visually, but mechanically and in other fashions." Leon said, waving a hand in the general direction of the flat touch screen at his right side.

"I've got nothing against you, m'dear. Nothing at all, and I'm being as sincere as I can be." Leon said, shrugging. "It's just I have a curious notion about me, and I like knowing what's going on that generally and directly relates to me. Personal safety, you understand." Leon said, pushing himself up out of his chair. "Now, I don't know about you, but after that, I could use a bit of rest." Leon said, changing the topic quickly. "The room I brought you too earlier is yours to use if you wish. If you want to leave, then I won't stop you. The choice is up to you, m'dear, and either way you choose, I'm sure things are going to be interesting from now on." Leon said, reaching for the plates. ~ If she allowed him to, Leon would take his guests plates and place them in the sink.~ He did a quick clean up and put away the cleaned plates and utensils.

Leon stretched and returned to the table. He corked the wine bottle and returned it to the liquor cabinet. With a nod to his guest, Leon walked out of the kitchen and up the grand staircase to his room. The door slid silently open and Leon entered the room. Instantly, dim light filled the room, as soft jazz began to play over the speakers in the corners of Leon's room. Walking into the room, Leon passed his bed, reaching into the covers and pulling his pet fox, which had two tails on it, out from under the blankets and tossed him into his own bed. Leon walked quietly up the spiral staircase up to the second floor of his room. He walked past the library sized area of books and walked to the small bar he had in his room. Reaching into the cabinet, Leon pulled two Advil's out, popped them into his mouth, and swallowed them with a glass of water. With a sigh, Leon looked over the metal rail that surrounded the second floor. He hopped over it and landed back near his bed, on the first floor, a good twenty feet below. Leon took off his sunglasses and flopped into bed, staring up at the crimson colored ceiling. The lights slowly disappeared and soon, Leon was asleep in his bed, the door to his room locked tight, as were all the other doors, aside from the front door and his guests door. Silently, HARVY, the computer AI that Leon created, sat there, monitoring everything that went on in Leon's house, even his finances.

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