Rene just looked at her, almost stone-faced.

"Yeah, don't swing that way." he said.

"Much to my chagrin." Gavin commented with a smirk.

Rene just rolled his eyes.

"But you definitely have a silver tongue, young lady." Gavin then said to Kalin.

"Such intellect and charisma will serve you well in the world of law." he told her.

"In fact, I can see you striking out on your own and succeeding wildly." he then said.

"Would you allow my firm the honour of being a stepping stone along the way?" he asked.

"You came highly recommended by Rene." Gavin replied.

"And he's an excellent judge of character." he told her.

"And we want our name attached to such a talent." he admitted.

"Plus, I believe that getting top marks doesn't lie. You'll do well." he continued.

"So. What do you say?" he asked.

"Care to join us?"

"But of course." Gavin replied.

He then produced a card from his pocket and handed it to her.

"Give us a call tomorrow." he told her.

"I'll leave you two to talk." he finished, before excusing himself and heading off.

"Gavin's a character." Rene commented.

"But he knows what he's doing, and to be associated with him will be sure to help you." he told Kalin.

Rene accepted the card and pocketed it.

"We go back." he told her.

"Well... kind of." he mumbled.

"We're somewhere between acquaintances and friends." he said further.

"Also, he does his best not to get offended on behalf of others. He limits fighting battles that aren't his to the courtroom." he then laughed.

"Anyway, you looked great up there." he told her, changing the subject.

"Congrats. You did it, Kalin." he said.

"You survived Harvard."

"He's here because he heard of an upcoming prodigy." Rene told her.

"Also, he's alumni, so... yeah, it's nice for him to be at these things every so often." he added.

"Looks like things are looking up for you as well." he then said.

"Survived, graduated, top of the class, already have an entry into the world of law, plus you're welcome to stay with me until you get a place of your own here, or move back to Canada, whichever comes first." he continued.

"Oh yeah, that girl that was the ringleader of your tormentors?" he then said, leaning in.

"She's a right mess now." he whispered.

Rene just smirked and chuckled lightly.

"Oh yes, indeed." he said.

"At any rate." he then sighed.

"Your evening is your own, now." he told her.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"Stick around here? Head home? Go out for something to eat?" he asked further.

"The world is your oyster!"

Rene just smiled at her.

"You're welcome." he told her.

"Like I said, I wanted to see you succeed." he said, before pausing.

"And I want to continue to see that happen." he went on.

"I... well... hm." he then mumbled.

"I suppose I would do ANYTHING to help you succeed." he admitted further.

Rene paused... and thought for a moment, scratching the back of his head.

"I... well..." he stammered.

"Yeah." he said.

"Yeah, that IS what I'm saying." he admitted... both to her, AND himself.

"I mean, I hold no real love for this city. Or state. Or country." he admitted.

"And I'd be more than willing to help your future cases go more... smoothly." he added.

"Sounds good." Rene responded.

"So whatcha want?" he asked.

"Normally I give options, but you know what, you have ALL the options now." he told her.

"Name is, we'll have it." he said further.

"After all, this is a big day for you, why not finish it off however YOU want to?" he reasoned with a smile.

"So yeah, name it. Price is not a problem, just... whatever tickles your fancy."

"......" Rene was silent for a moment, before smirking.

"Authentic?" he asked.

"HOW authentic?" he asked her.

"Because I know the best place to get ramen, sushi, AND onigiri." he told her.

"It's a bit of a distance away, but... I can get us there in a snap." he went on.

"You up for that?" he asked.