Colin's posts

"Some help would be great." Hal responded.

"Shouldn't be too much, little odds and ends here and there, but 2 people can cover more ground a lot easier than 1." he reasoned.

And so they did. It took them a little over an hour, but they managed to find everything that was personal for Hal, and they placed it in a small box. It REALLY wasn't a lot.

"All right." Hal said.

"All that's left is cleaning, and for them to make it their own." he told her.

"We can worry about the transaction and red tape in good time. What's important is that they're free to come and live here whenever they want."

Hal just crossed his arms over his chest.

"Watch your privilege there, missy." he told her.

He then sighed and raised a hand up, bringing his fingers together, and snapping them.

And nothing seemed to happen.

However, instantly, Hollie felt a pulse of mana reverberate throughout the entire building.

"And done." Hal said.

"All that's left is for me to erase my presence from this place. Any evidence of my being here in the past."

Hal just shrugged.

"While normally I detest choosing the easy way, especially when one is capable of doing it more... normally... less lazily... this may be an exception. For two reasons." he responded.

"The first is that, I do NOT want something to be overlooked." he told her. "If there's one thing I've learned throughout my life, it's that even the small things, if overlooked or missed, have the capability to become much bigger problems." he said. "And seeing as this is supposed to become someone's new permanent home, I think making sure using a method that guarantees all repairs done right, and without anything missed is reasonable." he said further.

"...the second reason is because it's you." he then revealed in a blunt statement.

"You're one of the few people that actually ASK me about that... well, among the ones that know who I am." he admitted. "And you'd be amazed how far that goes in loosening my guidelines." he chuckled.

"Also, payment through Csilla is completely fair, and acceptable." he added at the end.

Hal nodded.

"Fair enough on the cleaning." he said.

"And yes, the repairs should be priority." he agreed.

"I'll make sure any of my personal belongings that may be here are gone, too." he went on.

"Essentially, make the "ME" gone from this place." he chuckled.

"Let it truly be THEIR home."

Hal shook his head.

"No preference." he said.

"Whatever's the most convenient for you." he told her.

"And the framework seems sturdy as ever." he then assured her. "When I left, I checked all the key support areas, and a few other points as well, no signs of stress or anything." he continued.

"So, aside from minor repairs, and... major cleaning... this place is practically ready for them to live in." he finished.

"And we both know those can be fixed in a snap of the fingers." he laughed.

Hal paused for a moment.

"Well... every little bit helps." he said.

"But it's still a venture that will require... considerable resources." he commented.

"...and as for how much for the place..." he then went on, looking around. "Give me a second." he told her. He then disappeared, and was out of the room for about 45 seconds, before appearing where he'd been standing again.

"Right place needs some repairs and upgrades, but it's still structurally sound." he confirmed.

He then made his way over towards her, and gave her a conservative estimate for an asking price.

Ryker sighed.

"All the time?" he muttered.

"No, but seriously, yeah." he said.

"That gut instinct that somethin' ain't right." he said further.

"Yeah, I get that from time to time." he confirmed.

"And it's wise to listen to it."

Hal smiled when Hollie told him she reciprocated the feeling.

He then nodded, as they both stood up.

"Of course." he replied.

"You know the magic phrase." he chuckled.

---

They appeared in the den of a (very) dusty home, that... while still furnished, looked like it'd been abandoned for years.

Which wasn't technically right, but at the same time, wasn't wrong.

"...right." Hal mumbled.

"This place needs DESPERATE cleaning." he muttered.

"But, walk to the large bay window and check to see if this area will suit their needs." he told Hollie.

Hal smirked.

"Tolerate?" he asked.

"Please." he said.

"You are some of the best company I have." he told her.

"The Triad considers me their best liaison yet, mostly because all previous ones hated being here." he went on.

"I love it here." he continued.

"...more specifically, I love your company." he clarified.

Hal nodded in response.

"Of course." he replied.

With that, they continued with their work, drinking the tea, and making conversation. Overall, it took them close to 5 hours, but they managed to get through all of it... and make SOME headway on the lycan case.

"I'll bring the info back to the Triad." he told her.

"Hopefully your solution is acceptable."

Hal shook his head.

"Jason didn't have all the info." he said.

"Or he did and misrepresented my visit a bit to give you some more free time." he went on. "He IS good like that at times." he reminded her.

"But the papers are nothing urgent." he assured her.

"If I come back with them, then that's all the better, but the deadline is my visit next month." he shrugged.

"So we can go whenever is convenient for you."

"We'll decide THAT when we see it." Hal replied.

"I haven't been there in a while. Depending on how much work it needs, the price will be slashed." he told her.

"We can head there ASAP." he went on.

"When's your next free time?" he asked.

"We can head there then." he offered.

"Heh, I even remember exactly where it is." he chuckled.

Hal was silent for a moment, tapping his chin for a bit.

"Hmmmmmmmm..." he mumbled.

"Actually..." he said quietly, the gears in his mind turning.

"I may have a solution." he told her.

"Oh?" Hollie asked.

"I own a property in France." he said. "One of a few I own around the world, just for emergencies. Or... well, the used to be, but since my life has become a bit more stable with the Triad being reinstated and such, I mostly stick to one place. I hardly EVER go to the one in France... haven't been there for... decades? Maybe?" he muttered further.

"If you have time later today, we can venture there and you can see if it might suit their needs?" he offered.

Hal just smiled in response.

"Well, you're one of the nicest people to ME, if not THE outright nicest." he told her.

"And a place for a pair of necromancers?" he asked.

"...that's a bit of an odd answer." he admitted, before thinking about it.

"Any specific details?" he asked.

"Why are you personally involved in this? And whereabouts are you looking to have this residence?" he inquired further.