Colin's posts

"Well, at the Unit, we look out for each other." Hal responded.

"We take care of our own, and we make sure they're cared for and happy." he said.

"Oftentimes, my employees are those with nowhere else to go. Shunned by the world. Shunned by other." he told her.

"But you'll discover that on your own." he said further, as they reached the front door, and Hal used his special access key to get inside.

"Welcome back, boss." Jake said from behind the paper.

"Hey, Jake." Hal replied.

"Who's the girl?" Jake then asked, Roxie hearing faint 'sst' sounds.

Hal nodded in response.

"I can see why that would be an issue for you." he told her.

"However, as I said before, our R&D department is second to none." he said proudly.

"I'm sure they can give you something to help you forcefully keep your abilities and powers in check, and release them only when you want to." he explained.

"If that's something you're comfortable with, that is." he then added.

Hal just chuckled.

"Yeah, mess with Hollie's loved ones, and you're pretty much asking for death. Or worse." he agreed.

"And when I was freed, my eyes were opened to many things, and I've had a long time to learn, and try to improve on my shortcomings." he explained.

"I'm still not perfect, or even anywhere relatively in the general viewing vicinity of it, but I've been getting better." he went on.

"And you'll be the first succubus." he then told her.

"Generally speaking, succubi are out for themselves and ONLY themselves." he sighed. "Means they don't work well as part of a team."

Hal sighed again.

"...yeah..." he mumbled. "We djinn tend to be... vengeful and ill-tempered." he admitted.

"I kind of am, but... I've learned to mellow out some." he went on, as they started to walk.

"But you're very talented." he told her. "Your skills with getting people under your influence are subtle, but effective." he complimented her.

"And it seems you're capable of a good, strong hold." he went on.

"I'm sure you'll prove useful to the Unit."

Hal just chuckled.

"Maybe." he said.

"And we can talk over dinner." he told her.

-A few hours later-

Hal pulled into the parking garage of the Unit building, and looked at Roxie as he turned off the car.

"All right." he said.

"Let's get you settled in and officially working here." he told her.

"After all, you deserve at least a job, a place to stay, and food."

Hal just shrugged.

"I guess I was just the right guy for her." he said.

"But seriously. I... don't know." he admitted.

"I came forth with how I felt, talked to her, and... it... worked." he went on.

"Guess she was just waiting for someone that fit into her life, I suppose." he said further, with a small shrug.

"Really, I could guess, pontificate on, and speculate until the heat death of the universe, and I'd be no closer to the real truth." he then admitted to her.

"And it'd be pointless anyway. I'm just grateful for who and what I have. Including her." he then finished.

"We'll get all that done back at the Unit." Sharp told her.

"But it'll be formality more than anything." he admitted.

"Frankly, I've learned all that really matters in this little meeting, alone." he then said further.

"Oh, and I'll make sure to keep this incident on the secret side." he went on with a small smirk.

"I doubt my girlfriend would like hearing of it." he reasoned.

"And Hollie Remmington is NOT one to anger." he chuckled.

Hal just sighed in response.

"I try my best to fix any misunderstandings." he told her.

"I know not to make snap judgements." he said.

"But your abilities could be very useful in interrogations." he went on.

"Some influence and sweet talk, and suspects could confess what we need to know, or give out vital information." he explained further.

"And you can stay on site, we have dorms." he continued.

"Plus... well, the R&D department might be able to help you reign in your powers when you don't want them to be active." he finished.

Hal just smiled.

"Excellent." he replied.

"And... well... how can I help? I am in a position of authority at an organization that can make constructive use of your unique abilities." he told her.

"You've heard of Special Unit 3?" he asked.

"I'm the head of it all."

Hal was silent for a moment, before sighing.

"A number of things." he told her.

"One. I'm still willing to foot the bill for dinner, so you can have a GOOD meal. Not just a decent meal, but a GOOD meal." he said, addressing her first point.

"Two. That is why I want to try and help you. To get you out of this situation. You seem far too nice and sensible for this to be the situation you're in." he went on.

"And three. Nobody owns me." he said further. "I'm free." he told her.

"Besides, I wasn't talking about using my magic to help you." he then added.

"So, I ask again, will you join me for dinner?" he asked her.

"See, I had planned to." Hal responded honestly.

"But then you released your hold, so to speak. That made me start to reconsider." he told her.

"And after hearing all this, I have no intention of bringing you trouble." he went on.

"As a matter of fact, I still want to help you." he told her further, as the server returned with their drinks.

"If you'll still join me for something to eat, of course." he then added.

Hal just sighed.

"I know." he replied.

"Many of your kind in the past have tried with me." he told her.

"I'm never what they expect." he went on.

He then looked around and made sure nobody was looking... before lowering his sunglasses... and allowing her to see the blue glow his eyes had.

"And they always regret it." he smirked.

"Intuition, I suppose." Hal responded.

"I can just tell you have a story." he said.

"I mean, we all do, but I'll bet your's is particularly interesting." he went on.

"You seem different from the others." he told her.

"You seem to have a... moral compass."

A few seconds later, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Wait." Hal said.

"Stay." he told her.

"Please. I wish to talk to you." he said.

"I feel we have some things to discuss." he went on. "Or... rather, I feel that you have some things that you would like to talk about, and I am willing to listen." he clarified.

"And I still might be able to help." he then said further.

"If you'll give me the chance to, that is."

As he spoke, Roxie could hear the sincerity in his tone. He was no longer under her influence or control, but it seemed he didn't hold a grudge towards her. It seemed like he genuinely wished to hear her out, and potentially help her.