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Swipe Right
- "In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia."
- - -George Orwell
John O'conner, or 'Ivan LeGrand-Boutin, has let his aide off for a break while he deals with private matters. This has given Ben a chance to give Alena a call, inviting her to a little intimate quiet restaurant on the drive up in the 'expensive' part of town. A fancy little bistro with closed-off privacy booths that serves some weird sort of fusion food.
Ben is already at the place when Alena arrives, the Hostess recognizing Ben's vagueish description of his date approaches and smiles through a touch nervously. "Hi. Follow me." She leads Alena to Ben's private booth and once Alena has settled brings by water and a cup of green tea before they are left.
"Hi. Wow, I'm so sorry it's taken so long to get to you. You'd think Christmas Break would mean an actual break but there's so little actual free time. Uh, sorry. You look great."
Alena slides into the booth, her light pink cashmere sweater tight in all the right places. Knee-high brown leather boots and snug, yet sensible knee-length khaki skirt all come together to paint the perfect picture of the types of girl Ben 'should' be interested in. She settles in across from Ben and gives him a coy smile. "It's perfectly OK," she agrees, thanking the help for the cup of green tea before turning her attention fully back to Ben. She runs her fingers along her set of pearls and comments in that slightly accented English of hers, "I went home for the holidays, myself. It was good to actually see some snow." Her smile brightens at that, and her eyes dance a bit as she lets them drift over Ben. "I hope you had a wonderful holiday season?"
Alena loses one Willpower
Alena rolls Charisma + Subterfuge vs 6 for 2 successes.
1 2 2 3 5 +6 +8 10
Alena rolls Charisma + Subterfuge vs 5 for 5 successes.
1 2 +5 +6 +7 +7 +9 9
"Uh, I mean it wasn't too bad. I didn't really get home to see the family. I was too busy doing downtime errands." He admits. his soft manicured hands folded on the table in front of him. Elbows off the table. He's dressed in a nice dress shirt with a bowtie and simple grey slacks. His hair is perfect. His eyes linger on her fingers as they caress her pearls and he blinks slowly before looking back up at her face and smiles nervously. Ben is not used to being around women on his own. "So Uhm, how about you? Have you had a good holiday? Did you get back to see your family?"
This facility has no menus and the reason why is obvious. This is when there is a knock and Ben invites the server in. The Appetizers are first, Asian-fusion style. Dumplings, Sushi, varies barbequed and fried meats with dipping sauces and of course spring rolls.
Alena shrugs and gives another one of those little smiles to Ben, but settle back as they are interrupted. "This looks amazing," she gushes, "you picked a perfect sport, Ben." She nods a thank you and then busies herself by actually making a plate for Ben, first. "Yes," she says, "I saw my mother and my brother and my babushka. It was nice. It is good to be back in the US, though," she seems to confide. She flashes another grin Ben's way. "It is so nice to be able to get out and do something with a friend," she pouts her mouth just a bit. "The Ambassador often has me so busy, I don't get much time for myself. When I do... Escape," she looks at him from beneath her lashes and gives him an almost naughty smirk, "I have to make sure I really take advantage of it." She slides the plate in front of the man and pours him some more tea if they have left the teapot. "How about you? What does he have you working on that keeps you out of reach?"
Ben flushes instantly, ears, nose, cheeks, and throat. "Thanks." He grins despite the blush and gestures for her to feed herself first politely. Looking surprised by her making a plate /for/ him. Charmed to be sure. "Oh, wow, thank you. I haven't been allowed on any overseas projects yet but I really can't wait for that. Did you have to do any work while you were visiting?" He wonders as he begins to eat. All manners.
The look renews the flush and he lifts a drink to cover his dry throat after she tops him off. "Oh.. just some things for Mr. Oconner."
Alena rolls Charisma + Subterfuge vs 6 for 4 successes.
2 4 5 5 +7 +8 +10 +10
Alena rolls 2 vs 6 for 0 successes.
5 5
"Always!" Alena nods, and sighs. "He always has me working! The offices in Moskva are not nearly as nice as they are here, either," she pouts a bit. "You know it is an election year and..." She tilts her head from side to side and then leans in close as if to share an intimate secret, "we have so much pressure on us, you know? People assume so much. We've been asked to increase our security standards. It's... It's a mess," She lifts her sea-green eyes and meets his. "What kinds of things do you do at the local level, hrm?"
Ben nods, "Oh I understand that all too well. And with the Boss trying to set himself up to get into the House it's just been non-stop from grass-roots to corporate." He speaks between bites at a comfortable pace. He's not rushed or worried, Alena's demeanor putting him at ease and she's someone he can talk to about all this gopher stuff he's forced to do. He smiles again when she looks at him and takes a breath. "My Boss has been working on a project he says it going to make us a boatload of money. Some sort of scientific research. I've been working on getting permits and documents regarding some old abandoned land out in the desert. It wouldn't be so bad if everything out there didn't have records that were written more than fifty years ago."
Alena continues to try and keep Ben set at-ease, sharing largely bogus complaints about how time-consuming, but kinda geeky thrilling her job can be. She nods along with him, seeming to really *listen* when he speaks and she makes sure his plate is always full and his cup runneth over. She smiles at him, clearly satisfied, as the meal continues. "This was... Amazing, Ben." She reaches across to lightly place a hand atop his. "Thank you. I.. honestly don't know how I can repay you for getting me out of that office tonight." She sighs, happily, and then tilts her head. "The House, you say?" She seems to consider it. "That would be good for you, yeah? Maybe I could help? I mean..." She shrugs, leaning in closer and gesturing with her hands, palms-down, "we'd have to keep it quiet. I would have to be /your/ contact... Because otherwise," she rolls her eyes, "Russians having influence in the House, blah blah..." She looks down at her chopsticks and gives him a little smile, "but I might have some access to resources you might not be able to access yet, Clearances and... Research capability." She looks over at Ben, "especially if it would mean getting to see you again?"
Alena rolls Charisma + Subterfuge vs 5 for 2 successes.
1 2 3 4 4 +8 +8 10
Alena rolls Charisma + Subterfuge vs 5 for 6 successes.
3 4 +5 +7 +8 +9 +10 +10
Alena rolls 2 vs 5 for -1 successes.
-1 2
Alena rolls Wits + Subterfuge vs 5 for 6 successes.
3 4 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +8
Ben remains at ease, put at ease by Alena's efforts and demeanor and charmed by her similar stories. He eats, makes sure she eats, and they go through a full course of appetizers, soup, the actual meal with Crab, Rice, several kinds of fish, beef, lamb and even a desert of raindrop cake. He chats with her easily, little details slowly leaking out. Details which, so far as Ben knows, are harmless. That the company that his Boss was working with was supposedly in several areas which is why his Boss was so interested. Military, Space and Genetic Research. Supposedly he'd recently helped them acquire some land out in the desert including one abandoned Copper Mine last year. Thankfully the company seems decreet so they are afforded some level of anonymity but if any major breakthroughs are mare, O'Conners's name will appear on a list of research doners. Essentially assuring him and his team a spot in the Government. In return, O'Conners Platform includes some 'minor' laws and regulations being relaxed.
"Well, you could always see me again. You're really nice and I'll be honest most of the women in the Office are all interested in the legislators and officeholders." The poor man sighs. A victim of his profession.
The offer, however, makes him blink. He looks a little nervous again and looks her up and down a few times while she speaks. "Y--Yeah." He agrees suddenly smiling. "That'd certainly put me in Oconner's radar and if I can do that he might make me his campaign manager." This prospect seems to excite him. "Donald doesn't even know what he's doing. He thinks it's all about image and no risk."
"Anything worth doing involves some amount of risk," Alena shakes her head. Sounds like this 'Donald' is clearly an imbecile, right? "The world itself is evolving and we have to make sure that we're all ready to grow and change alongside it." She rests her chin on the backs of her fingers. "We have to make sure everything that we're passionate about - Our way of life - Remains relevant." She studies Ben a moment with those cool eyes of hers, "I'd be happy to help you," she says. "It's important to support those of like mind, right?"
"Definitely." Ben is smitten. With Alena and her big green eyes, not Donald. He smiles a bit dopey and nods. "Yeah. Too many people want to destroy our way of life. Can't stand for it." he agrees. "I'm glad to work with you. Let's meet a few more times before I take it to O'Conner though. I want to be able to show him we've got a plan."
"Oh, definitely," Alena chuckles and leans in to look at Ben from beneath her lashes, "I look forward to seeing a lot more of you." Is that a well-managed blush on her cheeks.
"I'm not supposed to do this but I guess, uh, this is just as much pleasure as business." Ben laughs and pulls out his personal phone. He exchanges numbers with her excitedly and then looks at the clock provided in their private booth. "I really hate to leave but I should get back. Thank you for a wonderful lunch." He says sincerely. Clearly reluctant to go but he /does/ have some work ethic or he wouldn't be in politics.
Before he goes, Alena takes his phone and, after giving her honey blonde locks a fluff takes a perfect selfie of herself to attach to her number. And then puts his info on her phone. "I'll cook for you next time," she suggests, with a warm smile.
Fin
(TBC...)
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