Graceful Descent

[Victor Steiner]

His smile grew wider for a moment, before settling back to it's normal length. Now here was a woman with a razor sharp mind and a tongue to announce it. While he was sure that not every move of hers held an intent or hidden motive, any move could. Perhaps she felt comfortable in his company, which would surprise him only a little. He had sat across the room from the Queen, Dagon, Henrich, Belen, Selim, Loyola and now her. Not to mention the dozens of others who had it out for him. While it was an impressive list, none were harder to read than her. She knew how to charm and flatter to fight and hide to lie and deceive. Perhaps that is why he was attracted to her, perhaps he preferred to see her let her hair down, if only for a moment. There was something about her he couldn't quite explain away as a simple 'quirk', maybe it was the truth that below all the stories about her, sitting here in front of him, she was....human.

As I told you yesterday my dear. He said cocking his head slightly to the side still holding his smile. I'm full of surprises. As I am sure, so are you. Let us go and find out what surprises we have with a little merriment in us, shall we?

He did enjoy learning about people, so often there was no time to talk and intelligence reports of mission briefings offer nothing in the way of a personal touch. Exploring someone through conversation, regardless of who they were was something he loved. Now, she of all people asked him if she wished to share a drink with her. How could he say anything other than 'Yes'?