lovely is an overstatement

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan liked this young woman, barely younger than he yet so wise in the world. His brilliant grin flashed across his face again after he pondered her words about time healing all wounds. He would have an eternity to learn about that wouldn't he? Would time really help him forget his loss and hte pain of it? He too hoped it would be so. Duskarie still felt pain and her lover and husband was many years gone. Would ever the feelings pass?

He thought about other things she said, happier. His responsability to travel on his mother's behalf, and how proud she would be. She would be proud, not because he had travelled here to take care of things for he, but because he had become his own man. More importantly that he had found a woman to settle down with. She had never said anythign for his preferences, she had only ever wished for his happiness. He was happy, and his face reflected this happiness.

But her last inquiry, so casual and straight forward almost crushed him. What was he thinking about at that moment? I was wondering if I will ever father a child. I have a mate now, and I think we could be married; I gave her my Gran's Claddaugh ring, but you never know. I know in her past she lost a child, and I wonder if she could ever bear the thought of having another with me. I see Tully and you react and think how desperately I loved my parents...and I want that so deeply. But what if she does not want to go through all the heartache it would cause? What if we cannot have children? He looked up at her, he had spoken while looking down at the table as he voiced his thoughts and concerns. I am sorry, that was very frank and blunt. I did not think before speaking, my deepest apologies.

[ameliae]

In the long pause before Morgan's reply, Hehlo was thinking of her own wounds, most of which had turned to scars, some of which were still openly bleeding. So much had happened to her in her short life-- much more than anyone would ever know. Perhaps if she ever found that special someone who decided to pry apart her closed mollusk shell, perhaps then someone would know. Perhaps when Tully grew older-- No, she'd never burden him with all of the happenings of her life. Ever. There were some things that her son just did not need to know; Two things came to mind quickly: How he came to be and what happened to his mother after he was in the making, and what ended before their arrival to America.

She looked back at her own past, now, prodding those wounds and scars with the hot poker that was her thoughts. Would her parents be proud of her, looking at her today? Or would they pity her? Were they even really dead? She made a mental note to do some search and research to see if they might possibly still be alive. She thought back to the fateful nights when she was beaten, abused, lynched, and used up. She looked back to her lack of fight. Surely, she thought, she'd have been dead today had she have fought back against the military official. She had been so scared and cornered with no way out. Perhaps her lack of fight is what got her out of the situation quick as she did. Although she was unsure exactly of how much time had passed, she knew it had been a long time. Perhaps if she'd have been feisty, the official would have kept her around longer to gain further amusement from her suffering.

How would her parents have reacted if she'd come home and they were alive, worried sick about their only daughter? Would they have proudly held her hand during the birth of her son-- their grandson? Would her mother have taught her how to be more of a woman than an independent girl during her pregnancy? Would her parents smile down on her for taking the recent hardships of her life in stride, or would they frown at her decision to keep her unplanned, and at the time unwanted, bastard child? There had never been a question in Lo's mind when the nurse in the hospital announced her pregnancy to her. Nor had there been any question when she was sent to the orphanage. She'd lost everything-- Her family, her home, her life in the horse, her school friends, her innocence as a girl, everything. There was no way that she would have stop clinging to the last thing she had.

She glanced up finally as Morgan spoke, only now noticing that she was shaking rather desperately. Relief flooded her when his words took her mind off her thoughts. Even after his long speech, she seemed less inclined to engage in deep conversation. There were so many encouraging words she had available to share, but she could only spare one at the time. "Adoption?" she suggested, suddenly seeing how rude she sounded.

"What I mean to say is, if she is uninclined to trying for a biological child, but you truly wish to father one, and she has the same desire, then why not consider adoption? You can adopt a baby before it is born, see it's birth, name it..." she suddenly grew thoughtful. "Perhaps, if this is something quite important for you, you should speak with your lady and gather her views and evaluate them, before becomming too deeply engrossed. Things like children can break relationships," she pointed out with an awkward glance away.

"Pardon me if I, too, come across as you put it-- frank and blunt."

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan had been speaking and so deep in thought he had not paid any attention to how his words affected Hehlo. He saw her face grow suddenly contemplative. He tried on a wide smile, and found it didn't feel natural, he settled his features into his half smirk grin, and his eyes locked with hers. Her softly presented option was a possibility. How could he tell her that adoption would not be the best option for him, for his kind.

How could he raise a child now that was human and care properly for it? He could stay awake in the daylight hours as long as he remained indoors. But as the child grew and needed sunlight and room to play, who would take care of it? Who would walk him or her to school on their first day? Who would attend teacher conferences? Any child he bore would be of his new bloodline, and therefore like him. He would tutor the child himself, and he was certain there would be members of the Coven who would also take joy in teaching a child of Duskarie and his.

He would take the things his new life gave to him and not worry with what he could no longer change. He had no regrets for his choice, and he was content with who he was. If he should have a child he would be happy, but if it was not in his future he would accept that as his fate. His mother had taught him that fate did as it willed, and trying to change fate only caused chaos. He knew to accept what he had and not pine for what could be.

He looked at her and answered her suggestion. That is a good alternative, but I will take only half your advice. I will speak to my Lady about children, but adoption would not work for me. It is not that I could never love another person's child, there is more that I cannot relate to you but suffice it to say that I would want a child of my own.

Morgan glanced back at Tully again, he was certain he could easily love any child; but his own child would be perfect for him. He surreptitiously glanced at his watch, it was important that he keep track of the time. He would have to be back at the penthouse before daybreak, for obvious reasons. He hoped she would not hink him bored, or trying to escape her company. She was pleasant to talk to, and he was enjoying the conversation and company.

[ameliae]

Tully was back at the table from what seemed like nowhere. He was staring up at the two conversating, but silent. Evidentally he'd grown bored of the women behind the counter and was now seeking attention and fun elsewhere. Lo leaned to the side to pick up her messenger bag and pulled out her laptop, which was in hibernation mode. She slid it across the table in front of Tully's stool and smiled at him. "Here. Code up a new webpage," she suggested. At the mention of coding, the boy's eyes opened wide and he climbed back up into his stool, opened the laptop, typed in the password with his little fingers, and went to work at coding up a brand spanking new webpage.

Lo just smirked at him. He was really a brilliant child, and always so interested in whatever his mother did. That being so, she tended to at least try to show him what she was up to and how to do what she was doing so he could have fun and do things himself, keeping himself occupied when she was busy. Being a single mother in the city was hard, but she still tried to include Tully in almost everything she did. Thus far, that had made him quite the quirky, smart one.

She looked back at Morgan and smiled with a shrug. "Surrogant?" She assumed he'd brush that idea off, too. No one was saying that his lady couldn't have kids, but what he was saying was suggesting that it might be close to impossible. Though, it sounded like he'd want the child to be fully biological to he and his... "mate," as he so put it. Who says that? she pondered silently, glancing over at her child who was typing away with considerable speed, considering his age and the size of his tiny hands. "Can I see?" she asked. He quickly saved his progress in a dot-html format and opened the file to show his mother. She smiled kindly at him and nodded with approval. "So far, so good," she said before sliding the laptop back his way.

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan noticed the boy's return before his mother did. He was almost silent on his tiny feet, but he climbed back up onto the stool with a little less effort. He was aptly surprised when the woman, Hehlo, his mind supplied, took out a laptop and offered it to the boy. And even more so when the boy began to type on it with practiced ease.

He had been using watching the boy as an excuse to gather his thoughts. How could he explain without really explaining? So instead he chose to gloss over the subject. Your son is very talented, it is good in this technological age that he has already mastry of computers. Morgan was not a chump when it came to a machine, but to code a website was not a simple feat. He had a couple he dealt with for his mother's Archaeological finds and presentations she had given concerning Archaeology and her work in general; as well as specific digs she had worked. Other's dealt with his father's Archetecture, and the familial history. He didn't hate coding, but if he had someone to do it then he would be happy.

He began to hit on an idea, but how to broach the subject to this woman? Would she be offended if he offered her a job? Did she have a job she enjoyed? Then again, why would she want to work for him in the first place. He pondered these things and forgot to keep his overly expressive and "open book" face controlled. His mouth twisted into a frown and his forehead scrunched with the pace and content of his unspoken questions. Eventually he looked up and remembered she was there.

His face smoothed into a slight grin and his mask clamped firmly back into place. He has such skill on computers, do you work in a technology field? It was a leading question, and he didn't know if she would answer. But depending on her answer he might have others... A small glint of his excitement and relief that could come from this idea of his shone in his eyes as he looked at her.

[ameliae]

Hehlo nodded just slightly at Morgan's compliment toward her son. She leaned back in her stool and glanced lazily over at her son, whom was still madly typing away. Her gaze drifted back to meet Morgan's and she broke a gentle smile. "I am afraid that is due in part to my neglect of him," she said quietly, sighing after she'd spoken. She drew in another breath and raised a hand up, her fingers becomming entagled in her blond mess of hair. "Although, I do suppose that his development of such skills so early in life could only benefit him, no matter the cause of their acquisition."

She nibbled again at her pastery which was by now surely getting a bit stale. She was able to shrug off it's slight imperfection and enjoy it anyway, regardless of it's slightly unpleasant texture. Crumbs clung to her fingers and she subconsciously wiped them on her pants.

Lo watched Morgan for a good minute while he sat in silence. She was still trying to figure him out. To her, he was no threat. Granted, to he, she would appear to equally be of no threat. He'd be wrong, though, and perhaps she was wrong about him. Even the best judges of characters sometimes got things wrong. Just because he wanted to have kids didn't make him harmless. Some of the greatest threats to humankind had bore children before their death, and loved their children and families in general quite deeply.

Regardless, Morgan seemed harmless, so perhaps she could open up a bit to him-- but not too much. Sometimes it was the harmless type that would go running off to warn everyone of the impeding danger.

She watched his face contort but she remained silent, choosing to say nothing of it to him. Rather, she smiled sweetly and shrugged at his question. She'd play it smooth. Keep him guessing. "I suppose you could say that is in my job description," she answered simply, choosing to dance around the subject on an inwardly spiraling path until Morgan decided to get smart and start asking the right questions.

"Got a laptop on you?" she asked, more than willing to showcase her skills. Of course, for the more impressive skills, she'd require two computers-- her own, and the "victim's."

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan grinned again and shook his head. I;m afraind not on me at the moment. He appraised her for a moment, he felt something about her, and his face softened. Do you like your work? Hehlo, I wish to be very straightforward with you. If you are half as talented as your son I could use an internet liasion to work for me. I would pay you very competetively; and you could work from home. I would even set you up with top notch equipment and offer you a bonus to begin.

His eyes lit up and his face was animated, he could keep tabs with this intrigueing woman and he would have a competent person to handle his affairs here in New York. It was a perfect situation for him. If she would only agree to his proposal. He paused; did he sound too eager, too weird, like a stalker. His eyes held hers as he pondered these things. There was so much ruinning through his mind. He needed her to say yes, but he could not answer himself why he needed it so badly. There was something about her, he felt protective and like it was essential that he know her and keep her safe. That he be some protector over Tully.

Forgive me my rashness, but I would be most relieved to know my affairs here in New York were in capable hands. It is most pressing for me to travel here too often, but I would be an active partner and you would be my office manager. If you wanted the job. He gave her his most charming and honest smile. His eyes were honest and bright clear blue.

He watched Tully working away at the computer screen and typing on his laptop keys. He smirked; Better yet, I think I need to hire both of you. Tully can code my website and you can track my affairs. He will have his own income in his own trust account that you oversee. I trust you will track his hours and not let him go over regulation time. He laughed softly as if this was an intimate joke between them. He knew there would be no reigning the boy in once he got started, but it would surely be a relief that he would have his own money wouldn't it? He would want his child to be looked after. That wistful look reappeared in his eyes and he broke eye contact so she wouldn't see.

[ameliae]

Lo gave a short nod of her head, acknowledging that he didn't have his laptop with him at the moment. Presumably he didn't need to see her "work" to know that she was good at what she did, and was suddenly offering her a job, which she really didn't need. Although, a day job would be a nice change of pace in comparison to her all-hours unsteady one, which she truly did sort of enjoy, most of the time. She quirked an eyebrow out of curiosity though and finally voiced her concern. "You don't even know what it is that I do," she said quietly, glancing down with a smug grin on her face. A quiet giggle sounded before she glanced over at Tully, still madly typing away.

She thought for a moment, gnawing at her lip in quiet contemplation. Perhaps she could help him out a bit in her spare time. Maybe it would be good for Tully to have some money put back for him-- not that she wasn't already putting away some for him. But, if he could do what he liked to do for fun and get some money in the bank to put toward school and living later in life, Lo couldn't complain. She gave a quiet nod, accepting the offer, but raised a finger quickly as the introduction to her presentation of conditions.

"I'll need some sort of reliable communication with you. Untraceable communication," she began. "Also, I want each computer loaded with an IP scrambler-- not one of those crap ones that generates existing IPs but one that creates completely new ones with bogus locations-- Locations not even on the map. Hell, I want it to say I'm from fucking Venus." She gave a quiet laugh and continued. "I'm not going to be sitting in my house all day long just to do this. I'll need to be able to work on my own time, love. I've got many a thing to be doing and things just pop up for me."

She was sounding too suspicious. In her line of work, being careful was the difference between life and death. She couldn't afford not to be careful.

[morgandubhbraon]

He looked down at his hands, and then back up at her from under his lashes half a smirking grin on his lips. I know you well enough to know I can trust you; and that you would be a fit for my needs. Tully is probably as great a programmer as any I have met, and I will delight in helping him reach his potential in his future. Whatever technology you require, is yours. Price is not a hindrance; name what you need for a starter fee and I will make it available. You state that I do not know what you do, and you hint at secrecy. For this I need you, and only you.

He pulled out a slip of paper; a business card, and wrote a bank account number on it and a name. Beneath this he wrote another account and name. This is a dummy account I have, sign this name and you will have access to whatever you need. It will be entirely untracable to you, but it will be your source of finances and where I will send your payment. The second account is for Tully, same situation. I understand secrecy and safety. On the front of this card is my name, the best address to reach me, and a secure satellite link phone number. If ever you call it this number will never lead to you or your location. Oh and charge all transactions to this account for your technology needs. First get Tully a new laptop of his own, for his work. I know you can make it safe for him, he's so precocious but you seem to be able to protect him. It;s why I know I can trust you. I would never do anything to jeopardize your and his safety; but it will give me a good pair of assistants too. Your schedule can be as flexible as you need so long as you complete teh tasks I send you in a timely manner. He smiled widely while he waited to see what other requirements or conditions she had in mind.

[ameliae]

Lo gave a short nod after Morgan's little speech and gave a sideways glance to Tully. Although she didn't full on know what she was getting into, she was more than happy to accomodate this man for now. She had skills, and he required use of those skills. If the paycheck he offered her was not sufficient for the work in her eyes, then she'd be just as pleased to tell him, "thank you, but no thank you." It was as simple as that.

"So, I am still unclear of exactly what it is that you're wanting me to do. I understand dealing with finances and business, blah, blah." She waved her hand around casually to express that there were more stipulations to the job. "But, you seem almost as intent on secrecy as I do. So, what are you hiding?" She quirked an eyebrow and a smirk crossed her lips. "You don't have to hide it from me. Who am I going to tell? Really."

She laughed and shrugged, leaning back in her chair. "If you prefer, we can go back to my condo and talk more about this. Although I doubt anyone is really listening in on us. . . It just seems safer. I guarentee no one will be listening in on us there." Another delighted bout of laughter and the mischeivious sparkle in her eye was finally there. It was that kind of sparkle that anyone in their right mind would take as their cue to exit. That little hint that there might be something more to this girl than just being a sweet young mother who came from a bad situation in Russia.

"That is, unless, you want everyone and their brother meddling in your affairs. The city isn't safe. You should know that."

ooc: gah, sorry so short. =//

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan shifted in his seat, not because he was uncomfortable, but because he was anxious and confused. She seemed so terribly nice, and yet he could detect a hint of darkness beneath the polished exterior. She was no glass doll, of that he was certain, yet who was she? He was caught offguard by her offer to go to her condo to further discuss the details of their business relationship. Her direct question as to what he had to hide was replaying in his mind, and he was struggling with how much to reveal. He decided not to let her know any more than she had to. What if she terminated the working agreement because of his nature?

He was very kind, a bit innocent, and a trifle naieve. But he was also strong, and he was immortal. He knew how to fight if it came to it, but could he hurt her? He knew he would not, how could he put that on Tully? So he would have to be diplomatic. Her threat of being overheard was minimal, yet he could not have others aware of his situation and affairs. He grinned and counter offered, [color0000CC]Where is your place? My penthouse is over by Sacks on Fifth Avenue. I don't know which is closer, but I would hate to trouble you in your own home with trivial talk about business.[/color] It was as subtle a way of saying he did not want to know where she lived, in fact he liked to know as little about her as possible. It made for secrecy easier in his mind the less they knew the less they could guess.

He was already pushing the limits and he knew he was taking a risk, but he just knew he could trust her.

[ameliae]

Lo stared at Morgan for a good while. Suspicion was etched all over her face. For whatever reason, he really didn't want to go to her home, but he couldn't deny that she was right to want to be out of audial range of eavesdroppers. He seemed almost resistant to even invite her to his own suite. Her curiosity was growing more and more. She didn't need to know what he was hiding right away. She had her own way of finding things out, and she fully intended to do just that.

After some quiet minutes of careful consideration, her decision had been made. She announced this with a too-loud hand slammed flat. The noise was unintentional. She sighed, nodding in slight agreement. "You're right," she finally said in a rather quiet voice. She turned and reached over, grabbing her bag and throwing it too messily onto the table. "I don't know if yit's that you don't trust me, or if it's something I don't need to know--" she cut off, her voice trailing into a hum while she dug through pockets. "It's in here somewhere. . ." She mumbled, finally grasping what she had been looking for.

On the table, she laid out three open badges. Two were issued by the United States government, one seeming more official and forewarning. She also retrieved a black radio and flipped it on. "They'll kill me if I don't start listening to this thing. . ."

One badge was a New York City policeman's badge. It featured a color photo of Hehlo and was perfectly official. There was no way that anyone would be able to tell that it was a fraud, because it had been the government who printed it. She'd managed to con them well enough to make them believe that she was in fact a member of their forces. "This one's a fake," she said, tapping the badge. "Well, not technically a fake. Legally, yes, but they printed it themselves. They don't know that, though. Hell, I have my own office and don't know at all what I'm doing there. Access to their files helps, I must say."

She tapped the other badge and shrugged lightly. "This one's fake, too. But again, access to files is great." Finally, she came to the last badge. "This one, though," she started, trailing off to admire the seals. "This one's real." The badge read "IUS". "International United Syndicate." Morgan could feel free to ask questions, but she'd give no further explaination otherwise.

Lo reached in her bag on the table and pulled out an identification card with the Soviet seal on it. "This is real, too." It wasn't a Russian military badge, but a Soviet Syndicate badge.

All this laid out in front of him, Lo gave Morgan a minute to think about what he was seeing. "Now, shall we get a room?" she asked. "I'll drive."

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan considered her silence until she slammed her hand on the table like a cannon shot in his sensitive ears. He did his best not to cringe, but he did flinch. That was a human enough reaction, right? He looked at the items in her hands and as she laid them out. Badges, official enough looking things, but her appraisal of them as fake was curious. She knew it but she didn't seem phased about this trivial fact. He smirked. She has secrets and is good at ferreting information, but he had nothig in his files that would give her any clues to his secrets. He was the Lord of Castle Kelly in Donegal Ireland. He had a mother, recently deceased, who was an Archeologist, and a father; also deceased, who had been an archetect and a contractor. He had come into his title before his mother's death at age 21, and her untimly accident had happened a continent away from him, and there was no reason for him to have caused it.

He could think of only the one secret he hid that would not show on his recods, personal files, or anywhere that she could discern or record. So he smiled and waited for her to fish out her keys and lead him. He rose in his graceful swift manner and stood as she gathered her things and got her son attended to. He was ready to see what this meeting would lead to. What he needed was a base for his future. He really needed her because of Tully but he would never tell her that. When she died he would still be here, and he would still need a person to handle his affairs, he hoped that by then he would have become a partner with them and Tully would continue the business. He was not ready to divulge his secrets until they had to be told. But this was his plan for dealing with his finances and business transactions in the interim.

[ameliae]

Lo glanced around the Starbucks as she shoved everything into her bag. Morgan had not seemed phased by what she'd shown him, as he well should have been. Perhaps he'd find out one day exactly what it was that she was capable of. Perhaps he'd never know. As was life-- Full of questions, some that should never be answered. She stood up, halfway listening to her radio. "Heyyyy-loooooo!" a foreign voice whined through the slight static of the radio speaker. Lo rolled her eyes and clicked a button so that the man would hear everything she said, and so that she could get Tully ready to go. "Yeah," she replied, stuffing her laptop away in her bag before offering her hand to Tully. Her keys were in her pocket, which she reached for soon as her bag was over her shoulder. "They've been trying to get you all day," the voice said, shattered through static. "What's up?" was her reply. Her lack of worry made this seem like a normal call.

She stepped out of the door of the Starbucks and headed down the sidewalk, Tully scrambling to keep up. He wouldn't complain, though. He'd never complain. "We've got a problem we need you to take care of, love," the voice began. Lo suddenly got defensive, obviously not wanting to do whatever job it was they had in store for her. "Not now," she said with force. "You find that fucking Czeckers to do it." The man paused, taken off guard. "The Czechoslovakian," she stated. The voice was still quiet until the man behind it seemed to have a moment of recognition. "They want you on this one, Lo." Lo paused, getting to her car. She pressed the button to unlock her doors of her often used silver Audi and helped Tully into his safety seat in the back. A hand patted the seat next to her for Morgan.

"Send me the info," she said affirmatively. "I'll get to it tonight." She put her key in the ignition and started the car, speeding off into the ever-crowded streets of New York. She began taking backroads and alleys that lead to more crowded streets, driving faster than she should. "Lo, you have to get to this tonight. Lo, lo?" The man continued to speak while Lo ignored him, turning the radio down so that she could barely hear him.

Finally she arrived in the parking lot of a high-end hotel. She didn't bother to look at the name, but she could easily tell where she was. A hand waved at the valet and rolled down her window. "Let them know I want my usual. I want my key at the elevator in the garage," she said quietly. They wouldn't be parking her car, but they would be carrying out her orders. The way they acted, Lo was a usual here. She drove into the parking garage and slid her car into a space marked "reserved" before turning off the ignition and reaching into the seat beside her. She pulled out a black 357 and carefully wrapped the pistol in cloth that she'd retrieved from beneath her seat. "On we go," she said quietly, sliding the wrapped pistol beneath her driver's seat.

She got out of the car and pulled Tully from his safety seat, waiting patiently for Morgan before she'd lock her doors.

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan asked only those questions which required asking, and answered only those he could give honest answers to. He was reappraising Hehlo after reading between the lines of her interesting radio call. She appeared to be an assassin, or something similar, a...silencer. He grinned as he slipped into the indicated seat. He could not help but shoot a grin back at Tully as his mother assumed control of the car. He was in her hands tonight; he wondered if she would ever guess how hard he could be to kill.

I realize you and I have only just met, but are you in need of a night setter for Tully? I could go over a few layout ideas with him and get him to bed at a respectable time. It's late enough and I would have hardly a thing to do. He looked at her and paused until he had her eyes to show his truth and sincerity,I can be trusted, I assure you. But you have only to look into my life to see that. I am bisexual, but I would never think of looking at a child in any untoward way, that is disgusting and those people deserve to die a slow and painful death. His words were undertoned with vehemence and hatred for predators.

It would allow her a chance to meet her "superiors" request and he would not have to be alone for the remainder of the evening. Thanks in part to a bit of advice from a fellow vampyre he knew he could return home in the daylight, and he had his travelling cloak with him. She would suspect nothing. He offered her a soft smile and waited for her reply to his unusual suggestion. His primary objective was that she could continue their conversation when she returned and Tully was asleep if she chose.