Colin's posts

As soon as she let them fade, she noticed something.

Hal's own internal mana was strong... and it had already been working to free him from her 'grasp'. Which meant that as soon as she tendrils fade some, they were broken almost instantly.

Which was when Hal seemed to snap out of it.

"......" he was silent for a moment, before looking right at Roxie.

"...I see..." he said.

"Normally ones such as yourself don't weaken your hold so willingly." he commented.

"Oh?" Hal asked.

"Maybe I can help." he said.

"I know some employers looking for positions filled." he told her.

"What are you looking for?" he asked.

"And what kind of skillset do you have?" he asked further.

"I'll be back with your drinks." the server then said, before leaving to get them.

Hal then looked at Roxie, and smiled.

"So." he said.

"Do you live here?" he asked.

"Just passing through? What?" he asked further.

And Roxie could tell he seemed to be smitten with her. Which wasn't surprising.

He couldn't stop looking at her. He was entranced by her.

"Indeed it is." Hal replied.

"Come on, then." he said, as they stepped inside.

Once there, they were seated, and given menus.

"Care for a drink?" the server asked.

"Go ahead. Money's no object." Hal told Roxie, before looking at the server.

"Long Island Iced Tea." he told them. "And a ginger ale as well." he finished, before looking at the menu.

"And for you?" the server asked Roxie.

"Ah." the man replied.

"Yes, I haven't introduced myself." he said.

"Hal." he then said further. "Hal Sharp." he introduced himself.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." he went on with a smile.

"And what shall I call you in return?" he then asked her.

"Hm." the man mumbled.

"I... I see." he said.

"Well... tell you what..." he then mumbled further, pausing for a moment.

"Why don't I show you just how good their food is?" he asked.

"That way you'll know it's worth it, so the price point doesn't seem so steep." he reasoned.

That's when she knew.

She'd snagged him.

Just as she approached, and asked her question, she felt her hold extending.

And when the man turned around, she felt it grow stronger.

"...yeah." he replied. "I have." he told her.

"Food here's pretty damn good." he said.

"And the price is just right." he then added.

"Why? You thinking of giving them your business?" he asked her, as she felt her influence take a good solid hold.

As she was scanning, she saw a target. One that looked prime.

He looked like a male in his mid-30's, brown skin, bald head, dark sunglasses, and he was dressed in quite nice business attire... though it was more business-casual.

He also looked to be easy-going, and alone.

Which was to say, like he didn't have anyone with him.

He then stopped at a restaurant that had their menu posted beside their door, and seemed to be studying it, looking for something in specific.

Like he was considering eating there.

Illias was silent and stiff when she said all that.

"Ah... I, uh... r-right." he muttered.

"N-no, there's nothing else." he told her.

"I'll just... get myself settled in." he said further, shaking his head some.

"See you later." he told her further.

"Like, in the lab, and... stuff." he finished.

"Really?" Illias asked, accepting the key.

He then put the key to the lock, and sure enough, it did as she said it would.

"...woah." he muttered

"That is amazing." he commented.

"A wonder of mana and technology." he said further, before biting his lip slightly.

"Hey." he said.

"Sorry." he apologized.

"You're not Rowena. I shouldn't act like you are."

"A demon?" Illias asked.

"I mean, sure." he said.

"That can work." he told her.

He then thought for a moment, and nodded.

"Yeah, it works." he said.

With that, they started to walk, and Illias seemed to be thinking about something.

"So IS the lab open 24/7?" he asked.

Illias nodded in response.

"I've been paying attention." he said.

"I have a good handle on things now, as far as layout goes." he told her.

"And... what kind of neighbour...?" he asked, thinking about it.

"Uh.... hm." he mumbled.

"Well, is noise a factor?" he asked.

"Or... actually, nevermind. Is the lab open 24/7?" he then asked her. "I'm the sort that can get restless, and I'll go and work on calculations and formulae and such if I get bored. Even in the middle of the night." he told her.

"So... I guess any neighbour, as long as they don't mind living next to someone with the capabilities of turning them into a statue."

Illias just nodded.

"All right." he replied.

"I'm good." he said.

"The papers have been filled out, so... yeah, that's all, right?" he asked.

There was still fear and hesitation in his tone, but Kiah could feel something else. Shame? Guilt? Sadness? There was something else to him now.

"It so, let's be off."

"Well, then consider this a favour." Sharp responded.

He then proceeded to give her simple directions to the dorms, before sighing.

"Trust me, I have my reasons." he said.

"Just... that's all you need to know." he told her.

"After that, I want to see you in my office." he then finished.