MARI informed him that Aishe was on her way to see him. Christian paused in his reports and clicked through the camera views leading to the office. Meridian was riddled with the cameras and he sometimes doubted the White House was more secure. That seemed reasonable to him, they house a man in who would be in office for eight years at the most who probably won his position by dubious means. Meridian housed a wealth of knowledge both past and future. One of the most unique efforts at bettering life for both species that the world has ever known. And from time to time it held not only their immortal leaders but others as well. He briefly wondered what impact the fall of Evenhet would have on the vampiric and human world but decided it did not bear thinking about.
She was punctual and dressed reasonably that was to her favor.
"Enter"
He smiled at her when she came in.
"Coffee?"
He gestured towards his own chrome traveling mug by way of unnecessary example. Standing up, he walked to the door and waited for her answer. Christian directed her towards one of the hunter green leather seats in his office. She wouldn't find them comfortable. He had the specially made not to be comfortable for just about anyone who sat on them. They were higher than most women would like and too shallow for most men causing them to sit on the edge of their seats and being leather they were likely to make a sound which seemed far more loud that it actually was in the quiet office when they adjusted their position.
A Knock at the Door (attn: Christian)
Aishe gave herself once last critical look in the floor-length mirror behind the bedroom door. Having no idea what kind of assistance she would be giving that night, she'd gone shopping and done her best to combine classy with sensible.
The result had been a full-length split skirt in deep green with flowing legs that allowed for a great deal of freedom of movement, coupled with a mock-turtleneck sweater in black. She couldn't bring herself to buy anything but sensible shoes, and stuck with a pair of low black boots with a very small heel, and of course, practical sturdy soles and ankle support. Last thing she needed was to twist an ankle on her first day.
She bound her hair in a french braid, twining the thick silky black length loosely so a few strands escaped and framed her face. She wanted to look professional, but this wasn't exactly her environment... Aishe was so much more used to digging around in the dust and mud, but hopefully she would do.
The last touch was a silver pendant, a birthday present. She looked at it for a long time; it was an exact match for the silver ankh Kem wore. She hadn't put it on since arriving in Nachton. Although she prided herself on her common sense, a little superstitious part of her had thought she might jinx herself by openly displaying the little symbol of affection.
She realized that was wrong now, and looped it around her neck to shimmer brightly against the black of her sweater. It wasn't a bad luck charm, but the opposite. She should have been wearing it all along. Her chat with Christian had clarified things for the little human somewhat, and she touched the ankh briefly with a smile before heading out the door.
Aishe found herself in Meridian's lobby at precisely 4:50 pm. She politely inquired of MARI where she might find Mr. Bern's office, and was directed by the light panels on the floor to an hall that led behind the lobby. She supposed it made sense. If Christian was the Head of Security, he'd want to be closest to Meridian's main entrance.
She found herself standing in front of an unassuming door in a tasteful but equally unassuming hall. Looking around, she saw no one else in the hall. That didn't mean anything, however.
Aishe slowly reached up and knocked firmly, three times, on the door.
((ooc: Permission to have MARI light the way))
Christian Bern
18 years ago
Aishe
18 years ago
Aishe entered the office, trying not to look too curious or stare too hard at any one thing. Christian offered her coffee; she declined with a polite, "No thank you." She wasn't a big caffeine junkie.
She sat in the chair as indicated, and as she did, an odd expression crossed her face. It passed quickly as she schooled her features into something more normal, but her mind was working quickly.
If she was going to be working for Security, no matter the capacity, she ought to think like them. Or try to. So... why on earth would anyone design a chair this way? She sat up perfectly straight, but she had naturally good posture... still, the chair was obviously not meant for slouching. And... horrors... her feet dangled. Even on the edge of the chair, they dangled, toes skimming the ground. That was... embarrassing. She shifted - trying very hard to ignore the resulting obnoxious squeak.
However, not being able to get comfortable in a chair meant she would be ready to get up and move instantly. No being lulled into complacency by a comfy chair. Aishe would have thought, though, that Christian might want these chairs to be comfy, if that was the purpose.
She looked at him expectantly, her lips quirking up just a bit, green eyes twinkling.
Maybe Christian just had really bad taste. Vampire he may be, but he was still a man.
She sat in the chair as indicated, and as she did, an odd expression crossed her face. It passed quickly as she schooled her features into something more normal, but her mind was working quickly.
If she was going to be working for Security, no matter the capacity, she ought to think like them. Or try to. So... why on earth would anyone design a chair this way? She sat up perfectly straight, but she had naturally good posture... still, the chair was obviously not meant for slouching. And... horrors... her feet dangled. Even on the edge of the chair, they dangled, toes skimming the ground. That was... embarrassing. She shifted - trying very hard to ignore the resulting obnoxious squeak.
However, not being able to get comfortable in a chair meant she would be ready to get up and move instantly. No being lulled into complacency by a comfy chair. Aishe would have thought, though, that Christian might want these chairs to be comfy, if that was the purpose.
She looked at him expectantly, her lips quirking up just a bit, green eyes twinkling.
Maybe Christian just had really bad taste. Vampire he may be, but he was still a man.
Christian Bern
18 years ago
Christian nodded at the decline for coffee. He could have offered something else but that would take time and she did not seem to be overly interested. Moving to the closed mahogany hutch, he pulled out a handled brown paper bag.
Taking his seat again, he set this down beside him on the floor. After pulling up a file on his laptop, he looked at her and smiled.
"So how do you feel about some field work? And do you think you could act a small part?"
She didn't have to win any awards and it wasn't very complicated but if she was the nervous type then this would not work. Hopefully she at least played the part of the christmas tree in the 5th grade school play or something of that nature.
The thought that Alfarinn would probably disapprove came briefly to mind but since the man was not here Christian was free to make his on executive decisions on the matter.
((OOC: My sincere hope is that his posts will lengthen out once he finally gets the point here. ))
Taking his seat again, he set this down beside him on the floor. After pulling up a file on his laptop, he looked at her and smiled.
"So how do you feel about some field work? And do you think you could act a small part?"
She didn't have to win any awards and it wasn't very complicated but if she was the nervous type then this would not work. Hopefully she at least played the part of the christmas tree in the 5th grade school play or something of that nature.
The thought that Alfarinn would probably disapprove came briefly to mind but since the man was not here Christian was free to make his on executive decisions on the matter.
((OOC: My sincere hope is that his posts will lengthen out once he finally gets the point here. ))
Aishe
18 years ago
"I specialize in fieldwork," Aishe said in response. "Although, usually I get handed a trowel, a screen, and a few brushes. Regardless, I think I'm up to acting a role."
She certainly had been getting better and better at being vague and hiding facts since coming to Nachton. Not to her clanmates of course, but to everyone else she'd run across.
"Whatever you need me to help with, I'm up for."
Aishe could see the reason in having her be the 'actress' in this. She didn't think anyone would affiliate her with Meridian Security - even if they knew her. And Evenhet Security? Right out. She was far too new to the clan for it. Curiosity, by this point, had downright killed off the cat population and was working on the next closest species.
((ooc: /bonk. /bonk, /bonk, /bonk.))
She certainly had been getting better and better at being vague and hiding facts since coming to Nachton. Not to her clanmates of course, but to everyone else she'd run across.
"Whatever you need me to help with, I'm up for."
Aishe could see the reason in having her be the 'actress' in this. She didn't think anyone would affiliate her with Meridian Security - even if they knew her. And Evenhet Security? Right out. She was far too new to the clan for it. Curiosity, by this point, had downright killed off the cat population and was working on the next closest species.
((ooc: /bonk. /bonk, /bonk, /bonk.))
Christian Bern
18 years ago
Christian nodded but shook his head at her idea at field work. It did still mean that she was used to travel, random surprises (because such things never go exactly as planned) and getting dirty... all very good things when dealing with a possible agent.
He smiled slightly when she said she thought she was up for the job. The colours around her suggested that she was reasonably comfortable with the request though curiosity remained the foremost emotion based on the pale yellow that was dominant in her aura.
"Well that is good to hear. Here is the situation and I assure you that it is not dangerous."
Or at least as non dangerous as he could possibly make it.
"There is an apartment that I would like you to check out. We have reports that one of our people has been seen going into the building fairly often. He has not shown up here at the Towers for quite a while nor has he checked in with us. I have checked the apartment maintenance schedules and they are due for insect repellant treatments. You will take the place of the specialist coming to do that job."
With that said, he picked up the bag and handed it to her. The inside contained a uniform, canister, clipboard with several forms and an ID with her picture.
"We have a van downstairs in the underground parking garage with the proper logo. There will be no real specialist coming that is not something you have to worry about."
Opening a drawer he pulled out a tiny camera and tiny earpiece both smaller than those normally seen by the public. Christian placed both of them on the desk and slid them over to her.
"The ear piece has an adhesive back and this tiny flesh coloured clip so that you don't lose it down your ear canal."
He demonstrated how to place it on and turned his head sideways and leaned closer so that,now knowing what she was looking for, she could see that he was wearing one. It was totally hidden within the ear from the front and only a very close inspection from the side would spot it. Someone with long hair would make it impossible to detect.
"All you need to do is go in and do the job. Spray the corners of the rooms, mark the apartments done off the list and hand the landlord this bill. We will hopefully be able to tell which room our wayward friend has been staying in by the footage your camera collects of the apartments. Keep your eyes open and if you see anything of interest, or that you even might think would be of interest then I'd like to hear about it."
He stopped and waited to see how she was going to handle this assignment. If her confidence level dropped then he'd probably have to let someone else do the job. There was however, greater risk of the suspect knowing someone who worked for Meridian Security .
((OOC: Better? Permission had been granted to sense Aishe))
He smiled slightly when she said she thought she was up for the job. The colours around her suggested that she was reasonably comfortable with the request though curiosity remained the foremost emotion based on the pale yellow that was dominant in her aura.
"Well that is good to hear. Here is the situation and I assure you that it is not dangerous."
Or at least as non dangerous as he could possibly make it.
"There is an apartment that I would like you to check out. We have reports that one of our people has been seen going into the building fairly often. He has not shown up here at the Towers for quite a while nor has he checked in with us. I have checked the apartment maintenance schedules and they are due for insect repellant treatments. You will take the place of the specialist coming to do that job."
With that said, he picked up the bag and handed it to her. The inside contained a uniform, canister, clipboard with several forms and an ID with her picture.
"We have a van downstairs in the underground parking garage with the proper logo. There will be no real specialist coming that is not something you have to worry about."
Opening a drawer he pulled out a tiny camera and tiny earpiece both smaller than those normally seen by the public. Christian placed both of them on the desk and slid them over to her.
"The ear piece has an adhesive back and this tiny flesh coloured clip so that you don't lose it down your ear canal."
He demonstrated how to place it on and turned his head sideways and leaned closer so that,now knowing what she was looking for, she could see that he was wearing one. It was totally hidden within the ear from the front and only a very close inspection from the side would spot it. Someone with long hair would make it impossible to detect.
"All you need to do is go in and do the job. Spray the corners of the rooms, mark the apartments done off the list and hand the landlord this bill. We will hopefully be able to tell which room our wayward friend has been staying in by the footage your camera collects of the apartments. Keep your eyes open and if you see anything of interest, or that you even might think would be of interest then I'd like to hear about it."
He stopped and waited to see how she was going to handle this assignment. If her confidence level dropped then he'd probably have to let someone else do the job. There was however, greater risk of the suspect knowing someone who worked for Meridian Security .
((OOC: Better? Permission had been granted to sense Aishe))
Aishe
18 years ago
So, Aishe thought, as she listened to Christian, Bond. Aishe Bond. There was nothing he was asking her to do that she was incapable of. In fact, as she surveyed the contents of the bag she recognized the little sprayer as a handheld mister. She'd used those on digs before; for her own purposes they were full of water, not chemicals, so if the soil she was digging in was too sandy or too dry, she could mist it and have an easier time. No problem there.
It seemed all that was really required of her was to be observant, something she generally did well in any setting.
One question did spring to mind, however.
"Did you intend this to be done during the day?" As any human-based company would be doing, most likely. "If so, is your wanderer bound to be in his or her room?"
In other words, if Christian was looking for a vampire, the person would most likely be asleep at the time Aishe was there, assuming they'd actually been living there and not just visiting... often.
"And do you have a picture, or would you prefer I not know?"
It would be helpful to know who she was looking for, just in case she passed the person while in the apartments. She didn't doubt her ability to do this, however. It would take a while, depending on how many rooms were in the building, but looking at the size of the canister it couldn't be all that many... unless they had refills.
It seemed her guess about not being recognized was at least partly accurate. If she was looking for one of Christian's employees then it made sense that no regular employee could do this particular job. That made Aishe very useful indeed, and she was glad to have something to do. She nodded to Christian and gave her usual bright smile.
"I can do this," she said. "Just say when and where."
It seemed all that was really required of her was to be observant, something she generally did well in any setting.
One question did spring to mind, however.
"Did you intend this to be done during the day?" As any human-based company would be doing, most likely. "If so, is your wanderer bound to be in his or her room?"
In other words, if Christian was looking for a vampire, the person would most likely be asleep at the time Aishe was there, assuming they'd actually been living there and not just visiting... often.
"And do you have a picture, or would you prefer I not know?"
It would be helpful to know who she was looking for, just in case she passed the person while in the apartments. She didn't doubt her ability to do this, however. It would take a while, depending on how many rooms were in the building, but looking at the size of the canister it couldn't be all that many... unless they had refills.
It seemed her guess about not being recognized was at least partly accurate. If she was looking for one of Christian's employees then it made sense that no regular employee could do this particular job. That made Aishe very useful indeed, and she was glad to have something to do. She nodded to Christian and gave her usual bright smile.
"I can do this," she said. "Just say when and where."
Christian Bern
18 years ago
Christian shook his head to the negative.
No, It would seem this is merely a meeting place between two of our kind. They seem to gather here and consider it safe."Â?
He gave a slight shrug; obviously it was less secure than the two vampires believed but Christian would give them credit for trying to cover their tracks. They were just dealing with people far better at the game.
What we are hoping for is more clues about what they are doing together. If the place appears to be established and not a temporary meeting place then we can direct you in the placement of some surveillance devices which we have located on the underside of the canister."Â?
He reached over and picked up the spray canister and turned it upside down. On the underside were small flat disks that were audio/visual gadgets designed by their technology department.
Christian shook his head to the negative.
"
No, It would seem this is merely a meeting place between two of our kind. They seem to gather here and consider it safe."Â?
He gave a slight shrug; obviously it was less secure than the two vampires believed but Christian would give them credit for trying to cover their tracks. They were just dealing with people far better at the game.
"
What we are hoping for is more clues about what they are doing together. If the place appears to be established and not a temporary meeting place then we can direct you in the placement of some surveillance devices which we have located on the underside of the canister."Â?
He reached over and picked up the spray canister and turned it upside down. On the underside were small flat disks that were audio/visual gadgets designed by their technology department.
"
I am confident that you will have no troubles and thank you for your help. It will be tomorrow around 9 am."Â?
Aishe
18 years ago
To Aishe, it sounded like a simple task. Go in, survey each room, try to figure out which one the vampires in question were visiting. She shouldn't be running into anyone or anything dangerous; she hadn't expected that any task Christian assigned to her would be. She trusted him... she could do no less, and it wasn't in her nature to be suspicious anyhow. Curious, maybe, but not suspicious.
So she glanced at the clock; just a bit after 5 pm. She would have plenty of time to get ready, and take a quick nap before leaving in the morning. Aishe wanted to be well-rested, just in case.
She regarded the surveillance gadgets with interest; she'd never seen anything like them but that wasn't surprising. Espionage wasn't exactly her field. As long as there was someone on the other end of her little earpiece who could direct her in their placement and activation, she wasn't worried.
"9 am it is," she said to Christian. She wondered if he'd be there as well, but it was unlikely at that hour. "Downstairs in the garage, then? Who should I look for?"
She waved away his thanks with a smile. "I'm just glad to be able to help," she said honestly. "You've all done so much for me, you ought to be getting some return on it!"
So she glanced at the clock; just a bit after 5 pm. She would have plenty of time to get ready, and take a quick nap before leaving in the morning. Aishe wanted to be well-rested, just in case.
She regarded the surveillance gadgets with interest; she'd never seen anything like them but that wasn't surprising. Espionage wasn't exactly her field. As long as there was someone on the other end of her little earpiece who could direct her in their placement and activation, she wasn't worried.
"9 am it is," she said to Christian. She wondered if he'd be there as well, but it was unlikely at that hour. "Downstairs in the garage, then? Who should I look for?"
She waved away his thanks with a smile. "I'm just glad to be able to help," she said honestly. "You've all done so much for me, you ought to be getting some return on it!"
Christian Bern
18 years ago
"Yes, I'll be there with the team to meet you in the morning."Â?
Christian stood up and walked around the desk. He watched her a moment before asking.
"Is there any other questions you have? If not I suggest relaxing before tomorrow."Â?
It wasn't that he felt the situation were stressful but perhaps she would change her mind given time to think about it. He would like her to be very certain she wanted to do this.
((OOC: Out unless Aishe actually has questions ))
Christian stood up and walked around the desk. He watched her a moment before asking.
"Is there any other questions you have? If not I suggest relaxing before tomorrow."Â?
It wasn't that he felt the situation were stressful but perhaps she would change her mind given time to think about it. He would like her to be very certain she wanted to do this.
((OOC: Out unless Aishe actually has questions ))
Aishe
18 years ago
Aishe stood, ignoring (or trying to ignore) the obnoxious noise the chair made. She stood as Christian came around his desk, and smiled at him.
"I don't have any more questions. It sounds simple enough, and I trust you."
She headed to the door, then turned and nodded at Christian.
"I will be there at 9."
((ooc: Aishe out))
"I don't have any more questions. It sounds simple enough, and I trust you."
She headed to the door, then turned and nodded at Christian.
"I will be there at 9."
((ooc: Aishe out))