Dana fidgeted nervously as the car drove her to the address Bao had given her. Her skirt, a well tailored black pinstripe that fell to just above her knees, just wasn't laying right. In actuality it was, but her nerves and inability to leave things be, meant she pulled and smoothed the cloth over and over.
Before long the car stopped in front of a high rise building in the heart of Downtown. A sigh fluttered in her chest as she took her driver's hand and stood. Her feet felt wobbly in the three inch ruby red pumps she wore. As she stepped into the building, she sighed again and straightened the lapels of her jacket, adjusted the lay of the collar of the filmy white blouse.
The elevator carried her to the twenty-third floor, letting her out on a plush carpeted hallway. A quick walk took her to the correct suite and through the frosted glass doors with a quiet whoosh.
"May I help you?"
Her eyes fell to a woman, late 30's or early 40's, and very average. Average hair, eyes, weight, build, Bao picked well in her opinion. "Yes, I'm Dana ó Ceallaigh. I've an appointment with Mr. Hoang."
The woman smiled and stood. "Yes, he's expecting you. This way please."
She led Dana through a wood door, holding it open for her. "Mr. Hoang? Ms. ó Ceallaigh is here for you."
"Thank you Julie, you may go now. Have a pleasant evening."
"Thank you sir." She gestured Dana inside and made her exit. Dana approved of the woman, she'd even pronounced her name correctly.
With a smile, displaying confidence she didn't feel, she crossed the room, dropping the dark leather attache on her shoulder into a chair.
"Hello, Bao. It's good to see you again." She extended her hand to him, her smile curling up just a little bit more.
Gainful Employment (ATTN: Dana)
Bao had been a bit impetuous in his offer of employment to Dana. He had technically had a full office staff, which was to say he had a receptionist and two paralegals who kept normal business hours and let him appear to do so. None of his staff was at all aware of his nature. He was considering taking one of the paralegals as a familiar but wasn't ready to take that step just yet.
It was that idea that made him think he could offer Dana a practical job. It wouldn't be glamorous but a number of his clients were part of the clan and a great deal, if not all, of their paper work and documents had to be handled by Bao personally. Something that could be very time consuming, especially if one of them was in the middle of changing an identity or transferring a business from one 'life' to another. She had seemed intelligent and capable. If she was discreet as well, this could work.
But he wouldn't make any judgments before speaking to her. Bao glanced up at the clock on his desk. She wasn't late, he was running a bit early. He decided there was time to go over the dean's contract and try to find a loophole in it and get at the woman's private research.
His office was very sleek, modern with some traditional touches that seemed to be expected of a lawyer. A large mahogany desk with clean lines dominated the room. On the visitor side were two comfortable leather chairs with more old world lines, even to having nail head trim. A bookcase dominated one wall, it was filled with legal texts, encyclopedias and so forth, and he wasted none of that space on personal bric-a-brac. The office was on the twenty-third floor and there was a large window with a very expensive view behind the desk. The other wall had three floating shelves on it. Two of the shelves held sculpture, one bronze one marble, and the third held a traditional Japanese flower arrangement. The wall in front of his desk had the door and also a large watercolor imitation of Van Gogh's Starry Starry night. He found it a very good place to work.
Dana
14 years ago
Bao
14 years ago
That sly she wolf, for Bao had decided Nikhila was a wolf, granted he had no confirmation of that but it was what he had decided. He couldn’t bring himself to think of a human as –this- sneaky. The contract was airtight and she didn’t have to give them anything she didn’t want to. Well there were still ways to get what he wanted.
Bao pushed his irritation aside as Julie let Dana in. He stood to greet Dana, but waited until his receptionist was gone before smiling at the young looking woman. It was a bit of a surprise, but he was genuinely pleased to see her again. He accepted her hand with a firm, but not over powering grip of his own.
“I’m quite glad you made it. Please sit down make yourself comfortable. I hope you didn’t have any trouble find the place.”
He noted her attire with approval, a far cry from what she’d had on in the garden and imminently suitable to an office situation. He had on a more modern suit than when they’d first met a brown wool two button Versace, and because he was at work, rather than keeping his maker fed, he did have the jacket on. Like the well-polished gentleman he was he buttoned it when he stood, and unbuttoned it when he was seated. Bao didn’t even think about the movements, they just happened.
Resettling himself he efficiently re-filed Dr. Gounder’s contract before giving Dana his full attention.
“I’m pleased you made it.”
Bao pushed his irritation aside as Julie let Dana in. He stood to greet Dana, but waited until his receptionist was gone before smiling at the young looking woman. It was a bit of a surprise, but he was genuinely pleased to see her again. He accepted her hand with a firm, but not over powering grip of his own.
“I’m quite glad you made it. Please sit down make yourself comfortable. I hope you didn’t have any trouble find the place.”
He noted her attire with approval, a far cry from what she’d had on in the garden and imminently suitable to an office situation. He had on a more modern suit than when they’d first met a brown wool two button Versace, and because he was at work, rather than keeping his maker fed, he did have the jacket on. Like the well-polished gentleman he was he buttoned it when he stood, and unbuttoned it when he was seated. Bao didn’t even think about the movements, they just happened.
Resettling himself he efficiently re-filed Dr. Gounder’s contract before giving Dana his full attention.
“I’m pleased you made it.”
Dana
14 years ago
Dana gave as firm a grip as she was given, no more; no less, as was customary. She sat in the chair with her attache, placing the case on her lap.
"I had no trouble at all, the driver I was given knows the city well." She grinned and since Bao was a man that didn't seem to waste time, she pulled a file folder from her case.
Placing the case on the floor, she put the file on Bao's desk.
"I wrote a resume, I was told that is generally customary when seeking employment. I hope it will help us find a suitable place for me. Would you like to take some time to look it over?"
"I had no trouble at all, the driver I was given knows the city well." She grinned and since Bao was a man that didn't seem to waste time, she pulled a file folder from her case.
Placing the case on the floor, she put the file on Bao's desk.
"I wrote a resume, I was told that is generally customary when seeking employment. I hope it will help us find a suitable place for me. Would you like to take some time to look it over?"
Bao
14 years ago
He slid the file across the desk and gave it a cursory glance he was pleased she’d thought of that. It showed she was taking this seriously and not taking it as a given. Not that Bao was above nepotism, but at least she wasn’t assuming it.
“Yes thank you.”
With a discerning eye he ticked off education, experience, and anything else that might be useful to him.
“Yes thank you.”
With a discerning eye he ticked off education, experience, and anything else that might be useful to him.
Dana
14 years ago
As Bao examined the papers she'd given him, she took the time to look around his office. It was perfectly appointed, containing all the things a huge corporate lawyer should have. Bao, like she, had done his homework. It was a must for one of their kind to blend seamlessly, something out of place made humans ask questions.
The view behind him, caught her attention, she'd never seen such a thing. She was not a fan of heights, and rarely put herself in a place to look upon a city from the sky. It was stunning, and took all she had to remain in her seat when all she wanted to do was cross the room to be closer to the scene.
The view behind him, caught her attention, she'd never seen such a thing. She was not a fan of heights, and rarely put herself in a place to look upon a city from the sky. It was stunning, and took all she had to remain in her seat when all she wanted to do was cross the room to be closer to the scene.
Bao
14 years ago
The statistics were good, he could have preferred some accounting background but at least she could handle numbers. That was promising. The computer work was basic but at least she had some knowledge. Her language knowledge was what pleased him most. He did, after all, deal with clan from all over the world and while French and Spanish weren’t hard to come by Russian was. He was grateful she’d touched on her abilities and couldn’t help thinking that she’d potentially be a good spy.
Looking up he noticed she seemed fascinated by the view. It seemed like a good chance to judge her language use for himself. Bao slid into flawlessly accented Russian.
“It is an excellent view of the city is it not? Please take a closer look, I find it very relaxing.”
((OOC… red is Russian))
Looking up he noticed she seemed fascinated by the view. It seemed like a good chance to judge her language use for himself. Bao slid into flawlessly accented Russian.
“It is an excellent view of the city is it not? Please take a closer look, I find it very relaxing.”
((OOC… red is Russian))
Dana
14 years ago
Dana was only slightly startled at his use of Russian, she'd been expecting that it was one of her skills Lady Erin had used with out compunction in many different arenas. She smiled at Bao.
"Thank you, Bao." She rose from the chair and moved to the window. Being careful not to look straight down, she took in the panorama of the city.
"I've never seen anything quite like this. I had no idea the city had so many lights."
Her Russian was flawless, but slightly lilted with her accent. It seemed no matter how hard she tried, the Irish always won. It was something she constantly worked at when time allowed. Lady Erin had suggested diction lessons, but Dana would not admit that she could not accomplish something, and had refused. She was wishing now that she'd taken the lessons, perhaps she would now that she had reason to put her pride aside.
"Thank you, Bao." She rose from the chair and moved to the window. Being careful not to look straight down, she took in the panorama of the city.
"I've never seen anything quite like this. I had no idea the city had so many lights."
Her Russian was flawless, but slightly lilted with her accent. It seemed no matter how hard she tried, the Irish always won. It was something she constantly worked at when time allowed. Lady Erin had suggested diction lessons, but Dana would not admit that she could not accomplish something, and had refused. She was wishing now that she'd taken the lessons, perhaps she would now that she had reason to put her pride aside.
Bao
14 years ago
Good, very good she hadn't exaggerated. The transition had been effortless and she was immediately conversational. Bao was please. Although the accent was a bit off. It was an un-charming effect, such a soft accent for what could be a hard language he couldn't help but smile slightly at the nonsequator.
He switched back to English.
"I'm told there is a better view from the Meridian Towers but I've not had the time to see for myself."Â?
There was no need to force her back to the desk, this was an informal process after all. Rather he rose to stand next to her.
"Perhaps you'd be willing to put your language sills to use for me? There are a number of transactions that I cannot hand over to my regular office staff, I'm sure you understand why."Â?
He switched back to English.
"I'm told there is a better view from the Meridian Towers but I've not had the time to see for myself."Â?
There was no need to force her back to the desk, this was an informal process after all. Rather he rose to stand next to her.
"Perhaps you'd be willing to put your language sills to use for me? There are a number of transactions that I cannot hand over to my regular office staff, I'm sure you understand why."Â?
Dana
14 years ago
"It is my guess that this is a high up as I'll be going any time soon."
She grinned at him and returned her gaze to the the lights. It was a fascinating thing to see and she hoped she'd have time to look out at it often.
She'd not expected him to ask her to use that particular skill. It would be good for her, might actually help with her accent in some areas. Her lips curled into a pleased smile.
"I would be happy to, Bao. I can assure you discretion will be foremost in my actions."
Reluctantly she turned from the window, her hands coming together in anticipation. "When do I start?"
She grinned at him and returned her gaze to the the lights. It was a fascinating thing to see and she hoped she'd have time to look out at it often.
She'd not expected him to ask her to use that particular skill. It would be good for her, might actually help with her accent in some areas. Her lips curled into a pleased smile.
"I would be happy to, Bao. I can assure you discretion will be foremost in my actions."
Reluctantly she turned from the window, her hands coming together in anticipation. "When do I start?"
Bao
14 years ago
Not everyone was for heights, that was understandable. Bao, however, had no such issues with them and enjoyed looking down on the world He had been considering sky diving or learning to fly for the past few decades but hadn't gotten around to it yet. There was time.
Good. she was interested. Bao motioned her to sit back down. This time he would follow her to that side of the desk and they could sit together rather than having his island of a desk between them. It would be less formal.
"Tomorrow if you wish. I do warn you it will be dull. Some of it will simply be translations, there will be phone calls and lots and lots of filing and paper work. Not all of which goes through entirely official channels."Â?
He'd already considered where she would work, he simply didn't have enough office space to give her an office of her own. But he did have a plan.
"I'm also afraid your work station will have to be a bit mobile. All of the files are in locked rolling cabinets I keep in one of the closets and I have a laptop for you but the only place I have for you to actually sit and work is one of the small conference rooms, which of course we need during the day. It does, however, have a view."Â?
Good. she was interested. Bao motioned her to sit back down. This time he would follow her to that side of the desk and they could sit together rather than having his island of a desk between them. It would be less formal.
"Tomorrow if you wish. I do warn you it will be dull. Some of it will simply be translations, there will be phone calls and lots and lots of filing and paper work. Not all of which goes through entirely official channels."Â?
He'd already considered where she would work, he simply didn't have enough office space to give her an office of her own. But he did have a plan.
"I'm also afraid your work station will have to be a bit mobile. All of the files are in locked rolling cabinets I keep in one of the closets and I have a laptop for you but the only place I have for you to actually sit and work is one of the small conference rooms, which of course we need during the day. It does, however, have a view."Â?
Dana
14 years ago
"Tomorrow will do well. I can't imagine it will be that dull, Bao. It's all new to me, well for now."
She smiled at him, things might get dull at some point, but learning was exciting for her.
Mobility might suit her more than a large office. She wasn't sure she was made for office life.
"I'm sure it will be fine. It will allow me to take my work where it is needed. As for the laptop, would you mind if I purchased one myself and gave you remote access?"
Her reasoning behind the request, was more for her own piece of mind than any thing else. She just didn't want to be responsible for someone else's equipment. This way if she dropped the thing in a water fountain it was her own loss and not Bao's.
She smiled at him, things might get dull at some point, but learning was exciting for her.
Mobility might suit her more than a large office. She wasn't sure she was made for office life.
"I'm sure it will be fine. It will allow me to take my work where it is needed. As for the laptop, would you mind if I purchased one myself and gave you remote access?"
Her reasoning behind the request, was more for her own piece of mind than any thing else. She just didn't want to be responsible for someone else's equipment. This way if she dropped the thing in a water fountain it was her own loss and not Bao's.
Bao
14 years ago
“Then we shall endevor to keep it that way.”
If she worked out Bao would gradually give her more and more to do. As it was there was more than he could keep up with in the business of identity.
He frowned a bit at the idea of letting a laptop that didn’t belong to the firm carry such confidential data. It was not ideal at all. Not that he didn’t trust Dana but if it were to be stolen. After a few seconds of thinking, he decided they could compromise.
“If you wish, but I would like one of my security experts to encrypt it properly and should you decide that this isn’t the right fit for you I’d need him to go over it again to ensure things were properly removed and not recoverable. If that is agreeable I think, we have an arangment. I’ll have Julie call the manor with the specifications your machine would need in the morning.”
If she worked out Bao would gradually give her more and more to do. As it was there was more than he could keep up with in the business of identity.
He frowned a bit at the idea of letting a laptop that didn’t belong to the firm carry such confidential data. It was not ideal at all. Not that he didn’t trust Dana but if it were to be stolen. After a few seconds of thinking, he decided they could compromise.
“If you wish, but I would like one of my security experts to encrypt it properly and should you decide that this isn’t the right fit for you I’d need him to go over it again to ensure things were properly removed and not recoverable. If that is agreeable I think, we have an arangment. I’ll have Julie call the manor with the specifications your machine would need in the morning.”
Dana
14 years ago
Ah yes, security. That was very important in this age. She'd had someone do the same for all of Lady Erin's computers, and her own. She'd left her computer in Ireland, knowing the information on it was more important there.
"That is more than agreeable. It's right for security to be utmost in your thoughts for my work."
She smiled at him. It was turning into a wonderful thing for him to have happened upon her in the wildflower garden of Heolfor. Dana was ready to begin this new path in life and the purchase of a computer would be just the thing to fill the time between now and then. As would shopping for more business attire, the suit she wore had been the only concession she'd made to Bao's address. That would need to be rectified as soon as possible.
Other things were of more import at the moment. "What time would you like me here tomorrow? Also how many days per week would you have me work and for what hours?"
She'd done a lot of homework on job interviews, gaining and retaining employment and life in corporate America. She knew these were usual expectations of an employee. Dana did not want to disappoint Bao in anyway simply because she had not asked these questions.
"That is more than agreeable. It's right for security to be utmost in your thoughts for my work."
She smiled at him. It was turning into a wonderful thing for him to have happened upon her in the wildflower garden of Heolfor. Dana was ready to begin this new path in life and the purchase of a computer would be just the thing to fill the time between now and then. As would shopping for more business attire, the suit she wore had been the only concession she'd made to Bao's address. That would need to be rectified as soon as possible.
Other things were of more import at the moment. "What time would you like me here tomorrow? Also how many days per week would you have me work and for what hours?"
She'd done a lot of homework on job interviews, gaining and retaining employment and life in corporate America. She knew these were usual expectations of an employee. Dana did not want to disappoint Bao in anyway simply because she had not asked these questions.
Bao
14 years ago
Pleased she was amenable to his terms Bao made a mental note to have his security expert aware he might call him in tomorrow night. He didn’t like the idea of holding Dana up because the computer wasn’t ready. Although he suspected most of tomorrow would be showing her he needed, lists of contacts etc. Becoming an expert in identity manipulation took years, but you did have to start some where.
“Shall we start with three days a week? Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday if we find we suit each other we can of course expand. As to hours, most of my human staff leaves by seven, unless we have a big case or I have a need for them. As to hours, I shall leave that to you the sun is still setting a bit on the late side and you of course still need time to hunt an enjoy yourself.”
While Bao absolutely meant what he said, letting her set her own hours would also let him gage her interest and dedication.
A small smile crossed his lips. She hadn’t mentioned what was often foremost on a human candidates mind. He wasn’t sure if it was delicacy or shyness. Given what he knew of her, Bao guess it was delicacy, possibly even disinterest often vampire didn’t need the money.
“As to the matter of compensation. I’ve never had any one perform these functions before. What would you consider fair?”
“Shall we start with three days a week? Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday if we find we suit each other we can of course expand. As to hours, most of my human staff leaves by seven, unless we have a big case or I have a need for them. As to hours, I shall leave that to you the sun is still setting a bit on the late side and you of course still need time to hunt an enjoy yourself.”
While Bao absolutely meant what he said, letting her set her own hours would also let him gage her interest and dedication.
A small smile crossed his lips. She hadn’t mentioned what was often foremost on a human candidates mind. He wasn’t sure if it was delicacy or shyness. Given what he knew of her, Bao guess it was delicacy, possibly even disinterest often vampire didn’t need the money.
“As to the matter of compensation. I’ve never had any one perform these functions before. What would you consider fair?”
Dana
14 years ago
His terms were fair in her mind. It would not be her full time concern, but would take some of his burden from him. She nodded with a smile. "That works for me, I think I'll begin tomorrow at ten and go from there."
Compensation? The thought had never crossed her mind, she'd not intended for Bao to pay her to find herself. It was slightly absurd.
"I've no need for compensation, Bao. I did not research what a person functioning as a quasi-paralegal would earn. May I get back to you with that, or you would you simply like choose something you deem fair?"
Compensation? The thought had never crossed her mind, she'd not intended for Bao to pay her to find herself. It was slightly absurd.
"I've no need for compensation, Bao. I did not research what a person functioning as a quasi-paralegal would earn. May I get back to you with that, or you would you simply like choose something you deem fair?"
Bao
14 years ago
Now –that- truly pleased Bao. It was the first little bit of evidence he had had that she was truly interested in the welfare of the clan rather than herself; was more worried about the family than her own advancement. It could all be a show, but it was a small step in the right direction. He might mention her to Amir next time the covered business.
“You may of course get back to me. But if you feel hampered by more mundane, more human” he half sneered the word “considerations add to your calculations that I would be happy to arrange for something other than money perhaps lesson, travel, education or contacts.”
He smiled slightly and teased her just a little.
“I wouldn’t not press the issue but a contract is not a contract without considerations on both sides. Ergo I cannot let you provide your services for nothing no matter how much I appreciate the offer.”
“You may of course get back to me. But if you feel hampered by more mundane, more human” he half sneered the word “considerations add to your calculations that I would be happy to arrange for something other than money perhaps lesson, travel, education or contacts.”
He smiled slightly and teased her just a little.
“I wouldn’t not press the issue but a contract is not a contract without considerations on both sides. Ergo I cannot let you provide your services for nothing no matter how much I appreciate the offer.”
Dana
14 years ago
He was correct, compensation did not have to be monetary. She would think largely upon this and come up with something that would be mutually beneficial. She had no need for money. It was something that one simply had, and she noticed that no matter how much of it you spend, when you live as long as they do it simply accumulates.
"I'm sure I can find something that will please us both."
She could think of nothing else they might need to speak of, and so she gathered her attache case and rose.
"If there is nothing else Bao, then I shall take my leave."
Dana offered her hand. "I very much look forward to working with you Bao."
"I'm sure I can find something that will please us both."
She could think of nothing else they might need to speak of, and so she gathered her attache case and rose.
"If there is nothing else Bao, then I shall take my leave."
Dana offered her hand. "I very much look forward to working with you Bao."
Bao
14 years ago
“I leave it to you. You can of course always contact Julie or myself if you have questions about possible compensation. Obviously, however, Julie will be some what limited what she can tell you.”
Anything that might appeal to Dana’s vampiric interest his receptionist wouldn’t have information on. Accepting the offered hand, he then casually and wordlessly offered to escort Dana to the lobby and the door. He picked up one of his own cards of Julie’s desk and quickly wrote his personal, unlisted cell on the back.
“I think we have covered everything. Julie will be in touch with the manor tomorrow morning and then I will see you tomorrow night.”
He smiled again, it was hard not to feel somewhat paternal toward her, she simply appeared younger than he did.
“And I look forward to having you. Thank you for your interest in this position.”
And in your clan. He added silently to himself.
((OOC… out pending response))
Anything that might appeal to Dana’s vampiric interest his receptionist wouldn’t have information on. Accepting the offered hand, he then casually and wordlessly offered to escort Dana to the lobby and the door. He picked up one of his own cards of Julie’s desk and quickly wrote his personal, unlisted cell on the back.
“I think we have covered everything. Julie will be in touch with the manor tomorrow morning and then I will see you tomorrow night.”
He smiled again, it was hard not to feel somewhat paternal toward her, she simply appeared younger than he did.
“And I look forward to having you. Thank you for your interest in this position.”
And in your clan. He added silently to himself.
((OOC… out pending response))
Dana
14 years ago
Dana couldn't help but smile, as ideas began to percolate in her head. He'd said lessons and she had a few different areas of improvement in her life that would require lessons. It was an intriguing idea.
She stowed his card in the inner pocket of her suit jacket, as he spoke.
Once in the lobby of the building she smiled at him again. "It is a pleasure, I can assure you Bao."
She walked through the door he held for her, onto the side walk and through the open door of the car awaiting her on the street.
"Nachton Mall please."
Pulling the little silver phone the driver had given her from her pocket, she dialed what was becoming an all too familiar number and spoke quickly and quietly. She had shopping to do and there was only one person she knew of that could help.
((ooc Dana out!))
She stowed his card in the inner pocket of her suit jacket, as he spoke.
Once in the lobby of the building she smiled at him again. "It is a pleasure, I can assure you Bao."
She walked through the door he held for her, onto the side walk and through the open door of the car awaiting her on the street.
"Nachton Mall please."
Pulling the little silver phone the driver had given her from her pocket, she dialed what was becoming an all too familiar number and spoke quickly and quietly. She had shopping to do and there was only one person she knew of that could help.
((ooc Dana out!))