Still at the Bar

(This is something that should have been posted ages ago.)


Sipping his drink DB watches Bunny.

"You say that if I sell this, my world crashes down around me. So that is the Con selling the coin. You are also insinuating that keeping the coin will give me some sort of precog abilities. My question is what are you getting out of this? Will I have you around all the time? We have quite a history and perhaps the fact that I put a bullet in your former bodies brain-pan, may have you playing some sort of long con on me. What guaranties do I have that you aren’t playing me for some long con?”

"Maybe that's the problem, there is no con." She looked down. "Maybe I get the satisfaction of doing some good in the world. Take my advice." She shrugged. "Don't take my advice. In the end it's all on you."

"Yea, about the spirit." She flicks you a card. "Good luck with that." She gets up and leaves.

You watch her go and realize she's stopping and talking to Lara Croft.

DB leans against the bar and switches his view of the world. The bar was busy, lots of bleed over of emotions, but from the two women talking he picked up resentment. Not sure which one of them. Both of them are magically active. Great, just his luck. He switched his view back to normal and watched Lara approach in the mirror.

She was wearing a Little Black Dress TM from the Armonty collection. The matching clutch was armored as well. She had well defined muscles that spoke of someone working out often.

Lara sat at the empty spot and ordered a drink. She turned to him and said, “The table will be ready in 15 minutes.”

"Gotta love these fancy restaurants, when they schedule you for a specific time, they are precise." DB answered.

"Precision is good."

He noticed Lara was looking anywhere but at him.

"Look, we may be counterparts but that doesn't mean we can't be civil to each other." DB said.

"I am being civil. We're having drinks, we're making small talk. What more do you want?"

DB suppressed a sigh. She was going to be tough. He quickly did a media search on her and started a datafile. Lara Croft, professional bodyguard. Employed for the past three years by the Countess. Working on her PHD in ancient history. Proficient with the Gladius. Youngest of four children, three older brothers. Mother died when she was six. Confirmed Physical Adept. Joined the military at 17.

“So how is it working for a countess? Being in our line of work it must be nice to have a steady employer.” He asked.

She looks at you with a raised eyebrow. "She's pretty easy. Lots of travel."

"Travel is a nice perk."

"Yes, it's nice. Do you travel often?"

"Not nearly as often as I would like." He paused for a sip. "The biggest issue is that I never get to enjoy the location when I get there. It tends to be get in and then get out quickly, type of trip.”

She laughs. Goes back to searching the mirror and says, "Seen one museum. You've seen them all."

DB watched her for a second and realized she was searching the mirror for signs of danger. He doubted she would find anything.

"Same with Cathedrals. Although there is something to said, about a leisurely stroll through a museum just to take in the sights and expand ones knowledge of the world".

"They tend to blur together after a while. Working currently?" Lara asked.

“Being self-employed means you are almost always working.” He answered easily.

A couple of times, she opens her mouth to say something but stops.

"Although I am off the clock for the next, glances at time 10 minutes.” He said, leaning into her space. She didn’t move.

"What are you offering me for 10 minutes of my time?"

"Just to sit, relax and chat. Some time away from business." He replied.

"Isn't that what we're doing now?"

"Exactly. So when you aren't traveling to exotic locations and acquiring relics for the Contessa what do you like to do?"

"I read books. Old ones." She said, taking another sip. "What do you do for fun?"

"Well, to be honest, it is kind of embarrassing. I like to go out and perform street magic for donations. Don't really need the Yen it brings in but I enjoy doing it.” He said. "I've never really been much of a reader, what have your books taught you?"

"I've learned in the past 300 years, the world has really changed. If you go back even further, 400 years ago. Those people can't even begin to marvel at the world today. Deep down, we're all the same, just trying to get by until tomorrow. So tell me Mr. Benedict, do you believe in time travel?"

"Do I believe in time travel? A month ago, I would have said 'no it is not possible'. Due to some recent events I'm not so sure." He paused. "Have you ever had an experience with Deja Vu and were able to change an outcome?"

She shook her head. “Events? Like what?” Lara tilted her head quizzically.

"Lets just say I've had some pretty serious moments of Deja Vu recently." He replied.

“How many would you say? One? Two?” She asked, turning towards him.

“Two or three.”

“That many?” She looks up and to the left. "Any headaches?"

"None that I've noticed."

"Any dreams that seemed real? But you woke up in bed?"

"Never woke up in bed after a dream like that. Dozed off once though."

"Do you have it with you?" She asked.

Before he can answer, she looks up and to the left. "Your table is ready. They're waiting for you."

DB smiled. "I hope I don't look that stupid.”

She looked him in the eyes. "It means there is hope for you."

She looks at the doorway.

"Perhaps we should schedule another dinner or coffee for just the 2 of us and continue this conversation?"

She keeps her eyes on the doorway, but nods. She flicks you her commlink number.

DB finishes his drink, stands and heads through the door.