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It was late. Too late really. Dark and cold and at a time when one was putting their life in danger to be out right now. But the young woman sitting on the park bench knew all of that. She knew it but couldn’t find it in herself to move. All she could do was look down at the gift card in her hand. A 50 dollar gift card and a bruised arm. That was all she got for the last few hours. She had spent money she couldn’t really afford to get to the medical clinic. She had used her time to give platelets. All in an effort to make just enough to actually save her, but all she received was the gift card and some juice. Even the cookies that were passed to her were from a kind older man. Yes, the gift card was helpful. It could help her buy groceries, it wasn’t exactly easy surviving on rice and beans, but it wouldn’t help her pay her rent.
She was short. So very short. And yet it was more money than she could make in just a few days. Dawn just sat there, too far lost in her own thoughts to even realize the passage of time as her mind spiraled and tried to think of a way, any way, to make enough to cover her rent for the month. No matter how many part time jobs she took, no matter how little sleep she got, there was just not enough time in a day, or in the rest of the month really, to make it. She would have to skip her classes and she couldn’t do that. She was so close to graduating and if she missed any more days she would fail at least one of her classes if not more of them.
God, why had her teacher required those textbooks? Why was she required to pay out of pocket for the practicals? Her scholarship was already tight on funds but paying for the unexpected absolutely gutted her budget. There wasn’t anything left. Nothing. And she couldn’t ask her family for help, they weren’t exactly happy about her choices nor did they really have the means to cover her mistakes either. With thoughts sinking deeper and darker it wasn’t all that surprising when tears welled up in the deep blue eyes, nor when they slid down her cheeks. The sob that echoed in the dark was quickly muffled with her hands as she started to cry like her very heart was breaking… her dreams. Her future.
She was short. So very short. And yet it was more money than she could make in just a few days. Dawn just sat there, too far lost in her own thoughts to even realize the passage of time as her mind spiraled and tried to think of a way, any way, to make enough to cover her rent for the month. No matter how many part time jobs she took, no matter how little sleep she got, there was just not enough time in a day, or in the rest of the month really, to make it. She would have to skip her classes and she couldn’t do that. She was so close to graduating and if she missed any more days she would fail at least one of her classes if not more of them.
God, why had her teacher required those textbooks? Why was she required to pay out of pocket for the practicals? Her scholarship was already tight on funds but paying for the unexpected absolutely gutted her budget. There wasn’t anything left. Nothing. And she couldn’t ask her family for help, they weren’t exactly happy about her choices nor did they really have the means to cover her mistakes either. With thoughts sinking deeper and darker it wasn’t all that surprising when tears welled up in the deep blue eyes, nor when they slid down her cheeks. The sob that echoed in the dark was quickly muffled with her hands as she started to cry like her very heart was breaking… her dreams. Her future.
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He’d covered his energy gathering quota, it wasn’t even that hard, but Rene had been busy with business and so he’d decided to do a bit more gathering and have the other turn it in. It wasn’t something which bothered him, not in the slightest, his finance wasn’t much for the fighting but he was useful to both himself and the Negaverse in many other ways. So the general was out a bit longer than he’d planned on being out, roaming and grabbing what energy he could here and there, it wasn’t the best night as the weather still wasn’t all that nice; but he’d make do.
The crying however caught his attention, it was loud and soul crushing in nature, someone was having a breakdown and while he really should keep his distance he didn’t. There was nothing he could do like this, he might even make things worse, this wasn’t his place nor his business and yet he soon found the person sitting on the bench. Removing his cape, and his coat, he sent them both to subspace in an attempt to stand out less and not seem as odd as he was. He should look as much like a normal civilian as he could right now, to look anything less would do him and this person no good.
“Someone hurt you?” If someone had…he couldn’t, and would, handle that. He didn’t think that was the case though, something told him that wasn’t the issue, though he could be wrong. He didn’t understand women and their emotions over men and drama with friends.
The crying however caught his attention, it was loud and soul crushing in nature, someone was having a breakdown and while he really should keep his distance he didn’t. There was nothing he could do like this, he might even make things worse, this wasn’t his place nor his business and yet he soon found the person sitting on the bench. Removing his cape, and his coat, he sent them both to subspace in an attempt to stand out less and not seem as odd as he was. He should look as much like a normal civilian as he could right now, to look anything less would do him and this person no good.
“Someone hurt you?” If someone had…he couldn’t, and would, handle that. He didn’t think that was the case though, something told him that wasn’t the issue, though he could be wrong. He didn’t understand women and their emotions over men and drama with friends.
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“Life?” She choked out as she tried to get her emotions under control, scrubbing at her face and looking over where the voice came from. It was hard to see in the dim light, and the young man’s clothing choice of dark shades didn’t help anything, but from behind watery eyes there wasn’t anything particular that grabbed her attention. But Dawn still seemed to latch on to the presence, at least enough for her to articulate what was whipping through her brain. “Inflation, the cost of living, the cost of school, and a particular teacher who required a 500 dollar text book that we have barely used.” Dawn had found that last one to be particularly egregious. “I have to keep my GPA or I lose my scholarship and I am in my last semester so I can’t fail but I have no money so I have to work. But I can’t work if I have to be in class. All of the money I had saved over the winter break was just blown on a stupid text book that I can’t even sell back.”
The redhead was starting to get heated as she vocalized every indignity she was currently dealing with, but it didn’t stop the fall of tears, even as she wiped them away. “Oh don’t get me wrong,” She would be accurate even when smad… so sad she was mad, “The campus bookstore will buy the book back… for ten dollars. That isn’t even enough to cover a meal! It’s a rip off. Add on an unexpected practical I had to pay for, an unexpected medical bill, and I am broke! Well, except for the gift card,” She weekly held the little plastic card up.
Logicically it wasn’t smart to wave ‘money’ around at any time let alone late at night in a nearly deserted park but Dawn was just done. She was done with it all. “I spent the last four hours at a clinic, spent bus fare I couldn’t afford, to sell platelets because I thought I would be able to make rent. Or at least get closer to it. But no… No. I got a gift card and some juice.” The anger that had her lashing out was rapidly fading, her voice dropping and she started to hunch back in on herself. “I’m so tired. No matter what I do I can’t make rent, I will be kicked out, loose what jobs I have,” She had several but none of them really paid much or were stable enough to use as some kind of guarantee for the future, “fail my classes, loose my scholarships, never graduate even though I am so close. I don’t even have enough to go back to my parents and hear ‘I told you so’.” But she didn’t want that to happen. She DIDN’T.
But she also didn’t see any other way.
The redhead was starting to get heated as she vocalized every indignity she was currently dealing with, but it didn’t stop the fall of tears, even as she wiped them away. “Oh don’t get me wrong,” She would be accurate even when smad… so sad she was mad, “The campus bookstore will buy the book back… for ten dollars. That isn’t even enough to cover a meal! It’s a rip off. Add on an unexpected practical I had to pay for, an unexpected medical bill, and I am broke! Well, except for the gift card,” She weekly held the little plastic card up.
Logicically it wasn’t smart to wave ‘money’ around at any time let alone late at night in a nearly deserted park but Dawn was just done. She was done with it all. “I spent the last four hours at a clinic, spent bus fare I couldn’t afford, to sell platelets because I thought I would be able to make rent. Or at least get closer to it. But no… No. I got a gift card and some juice.” The anger that had her lashing out was rapidly fading, her voice dropping and she started to hunch back in on herself. “I’m so tired. No matter what I do I can’t make rent, I will be kicked out, loose what jobs I have,” She had several but none of them really paid much or were stable enough to use as some kind of guarantee for the future, “fail my classes, loose my scholarships, never graduate even though I am so close. I don’t even have enough to go back to my parents and hear ‘I told you so’.” But she didn’t want that to happen. She DIDN’T.
But she also didn’t see any other way.
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Causing, stopping in his approach, the blond could understand the issue as he;d gone to college himself. He didn’t have money issues, he would never have money issues, but he knew the prices of text books and he knew how impossible some were to sell back. He’d thrown his hands up and kept most of his, the money didn’t matter to him and the price being offered to him for the books was so little it was a waste, but he knew how it was for other people. He didn’t have friends who were financially struggling but he’d heard it from classmates plenty, some loudly complained before and after classes and in the hallways. He understood it as best he could. Her whole struggle was not one he knew personally, and he was glad for it, but he’d heard from other people of such struggles…why people would talk about such things aloud where anyone could hear he’d never know. But he found himself nodding his head as he resumed his approach and then he was sitting next to her.
“A med student….what program?” Oh this could be useful - she could be useful. He had a doctor on his team but if he could bring her over, in time, he could have himself another talented team member. It might even ease the burden for Lorcan, though he suspected his cousin might just take offence to such an idea, it wouldn’t be bad to have another on his team with medical knowledge…as if Arsenopyrite and his cousin weren’t enough. The war wasn’t what it once was, and they weren’t likely to ever have need of so many medically trained members all at once, but he still felt it was a worthwhile idea…to recruit her slowly.
“And if I could help you? Would you take it? I am more than capable of funding what you’d need. The school, the rent, food - I can cover it for you. You focus on passing, on passing everything, and I’ll handle the rest. I’ll keep an eye on your grades, of course, but someone so dedicated to their chosen field shouldn’t have it ripped away from them - not when they are struggling to keep going.” When they were pushing so hard, harder than others would, he would help her and maybe in time introduce her to his cousin or Arsenopyrite; maybe both.
“A med student….what program?” Oh this could be useful - she could be useful. He had a doctor on his team but if he could bring her over, in time, he could have himself another talented team member. It might even ease the burden for Lorcan, though he suspected his cousin might just take offence to such an idea, it wouldn’t be bad to have another on his team with medical knowledge…as if Arsenopyrite and his cousin weren’t enough. The war wasn’t what it once was, and they weren’t likely to ever have need of so many medically trained members all at once, but he still felt it was a worthwhile idea…to recruit her slowly.
“And if I could help you? Would you take it? I am more than capable of funding what you’d need. The school, the rent, food - I can cover it for you. You focus on passing, on passing everything, and I’ll handle the rest. I’ll keep an eye on your grades, of course, but someone so dedicated to their chosen field shouldn’t have it ripped away from them - not when they are struggling to keep going.” When they were pushing so hard, harder than others would, he would help her and maybe in time introduce her to his cousin or Arsenopyrite; maybe both.
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Dawn sniffed and wiped her nose with a bandana that she pulled from a pocket. “Social work,” She explained, “I’ll need to get my masters and maybe doctorate but I won’t be able to do either of those if I can’t get my BA first.” She had actually done her research, and had planned on getting a job first with her degree before working towards the masters, especially if it was a government job since they did tend to pay for extended education as long as it fit the job. She had been banking on that. “I just had to think that minoring in psychology was a smart idea. It was those classes that had cost so much.” So ultimately it really had been her fault. If she hadn’t tried to do more than just the major. If she had just tried harder. If she worked more. Ate less…. Maybe she wouldn’t be looking at homelessness.
“What?” Her head snapped up and looked at the person who was now sharing her bench with her. His offer was too good to be true… Sapphire blue eyes, if red from crying, studied the blonde. He seemed somewhat familiar but she met many people every day. His dark clothing gave her pause, as did the strange little scarf thing wrapped around his neck. She had thought it was part of his vest but it wasn’t. Overall his outfit was odd, but not exactly anything that screamed danger, at least it wasn’t as intricate as any of the chaos people she had met. Honestly the strangest part of it all was that he wasn’t wearing a jacket. And he hadn’t attacked so he couldn’t be bad, right?
And yet she still shook her head, “No. I can’t do that. I can’t rely on a stranger that way, not like this.” It was different with a scholarship, those were earned. Hard to get, although there were a few that weren’t that hard to be a recipient of, and absolutely above board. There were checks and balances, and taxes on everything. This…. This wasn’t any of that. “This is what they call a Sugar Baby situation right?” Dawn sincerely asked, eyeing her companion wearily. She was misinformed about what that was exactly, just understanding it as someone with money sponsoring someone without for vague reasons. No one had really told her what it typically entailed, no one really had the heart to. “I can’t do that. Something like that, with no strings attached, just isn’t realistic.” That was laughable coming from her considering she almost always saw the good in people. But she was also practical and knew that nothing in life was free. “I appreciate it, I really do but unless you have wings I can’t see,” Dawn smiled weakly, “you aren't exactly a fairy godfather. Someone to just wave a wand and make everything better.” She could see him clearer, and with the petite figure, the long hair, and very delicate features it was entirely possible she was mistaken on her companion’s gender, but it was his gaze. His blue eyes gave her pause. They were so very familiar. Why? Why were they so familiar to her?
“What?” Her head snapped up and looked at the person who was now sharing her bench with her. His offer was too good to be true… Sapphire blue eyes, if red from crying, studied the blonde. He seemed somewhat familiar but she met many people every day. His dark clothing gave her pause, as did the strange little scarf thing wrapped around his neck. She had thought it was part of his vest but it wasn’t. Overall his outfit was odd, but not exactly anything that screamed danger, at least it wasn’t as intricate as any of the chaos people she had met. Honestly the strangest part of it all was that he wasn’t wearing a jacket. And he hadn’t attacked so he couldn’t be bad, right?
And yet she still shook her head, “No. I can’t do that. I can’t rely on a stranger that way, not like this.” It was different with a scholarship, those were earned. Hard to get, although there were a few that weren’t that hard to be a recipient of, and absolutely above board. There were checks and balances, and taxes on everything. This…. This wasn’t any of that. “This is what they call a Sugar Baby situation right?” Dawn sincerely asked, eyeing her companion wearily. She was misinformed about what that was exactly, just understanding it as someone with money sponsoring someone without for vague reasons. No one had really told her what it typically entailed, no one really had the heart to. “I can’t do that. Something like that, with no strings attached, just isn’t realistic.” That was laughable coming from her considering she almost always saw the good in people. But she was also practical and knew that nothing in life was free. “I appreciate it, I really do but unless you have wings I can’t see,” Dawn smiled weakly, “you aren't exactly a fairy godfather. Someone to just wave a wand and make everything better.” She could see him clearer, and with the petite figure, the long hair, and very delicate features it was entirely possible she was mistaken on her companion’s gender, but it was his gaze. His blue eyes gave her pause. They were so very familiar. Why? Why were they so familiar to her?
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Social work…not a doctor, at least not like the two he’d been thinking about, but still it was medical and could prove useful somehow. This was a war after all, and people saw things and went through things, they could always use someone to talk to - someone who wouldn’t think they were insane. Considering only some months ago they’d all faced the possible end of the world, and had in some cases wound up somewhere between life and death, he was certain someone to talk to would be useful to all; but especially his team. She’d be someone he kept a secret from all but his team, let her be available to them. She could get plenty of practice on them, perhaps even himself.
“You can because I say you can - because it’s an offer you can’t refuse.” She couldn’t afford to and, unknown to her, he was exceptionally stubborn especially when he was set on something.”Sugar baby? Hardly. There is no dating or anything else involved in the offer.” Turning to face her more fully, to stare at her, he held out a hand. “You can call me Benitoite, and you should take my offer.” He wasn’t about to give his civilian name, he couldn’t, and this was how she’d know him for as long as this lasted…because at the end of the tonight an agreement would be struck between them.
“No, I’m not some fairy but I am someone with means and I can be rather magnanimous when I want to.” Which was rare, he enjoyed stressing out and pushing buttons with retail workers who deserved it. “You said you donated platelets…you could, in return for full financial support, make a small donation to me instead. You’ll find it less painful and the sleep afterwards to be far better.’
“You can because I say you can - because it’s an offer you can’t refuse.” She couldn’t afford to and, unknown to her, he was exceptionally stubborn especially when he was set on something.”Sugar baby? Hardly. There is no dating or anything else involved in the offer.” Turning to face her more fully, to stare at her, he held out a hand. “You can call me Benitoite, and you should take my offer.” He wasn’t about to give his civilian name, he couldn’t, and this was how she’d know him for as long as this lasted…because at the end of the tonight an agreement would be struck between them.
“No, I’m not some fairy but I am someone with means and I can be rather magnanimous when I want to.” Which was rare, he enjoyed stressing out and pushing buttons with retail workers who deserved it. “You said you donated platelets…you could, in return for full financial support, make a small donation to me instead. You’ll find it less painful and the sleep afterwards to be far better.’
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A chill crawled down her spine at the ‘offer you can’t refuse’, but she mentally shrugged it off. One, it was cold out so it was likely just the weather; two, that was a line from a movie so he was probably just trying to be cool; and third, it was just so cliche that it had to be a joke. There wasn’t a thing that couldn’t be turned down. Except maybe death…. And taxes. ‘They’ always say Death and Taxes were inevitable so…. Her mental tangent ended in a mental shrug even as her companion continued to talk.
The strawberry blonde absently started to extend her hand in greeting as the young, ?, man introduced himself only to freeze like a deer in headlights. She didn’t recognize the name, or even really his face. But his eyes. Those eyes. Those she recognized and it hit her like a truck. Cold. Calculating… deadly. The last time she had seen those particular eyes they, he, had tried to kill her. With a spear! He hadn’t even hesitated, he had just attacked. But it was wrong. All wrong. His outfit was wrong. His demeanor was wrong. And where was his spear? Why wasn’t he hostile?
Much like the first ‘truck’ the second one was at least a bit faster. She wasn’t Botein right then… she was just a civilian named Dawn. Not a risk. Not a danger…. But in danger. Yes. Very much so. She knew she couldn’t, or rather shouldn’t, shake hands with him but even her hesitation, her momentary freeze, was a possible giveaway. So, trying to act as calm and composed as possible, she shook his hand briefly before quickly tucking her arms around herself, like trying to keep warm or something. “Dawn,” She replied, knowing she was walking a very dangerous line, “And I really can’t.” The young woman looked away and shook her head, “It wouldn’t be fair to you. I’m a thousand dollars short of rent and if even platelets are only worth fifty I’ve got nothing worth it for you.” It was all true. She was rather painfully truthful, since she saw no real reason to lie. She just didn’t reveal everything, and right then she didn’t even think her life would have been worth the cost of her rent.
The strawberry blonde absently started to extend her hand in greeting as the young, ?, man introduced himself only to freeze like a deer in headlights. She didn’t recognize the name, or even really his face. But his eyes. Those eyes. Those she recognized and it hit her like a truck. Cold. Calculating… deadly. The last time she had seen those particular eyes they, he, had tried to kill her. With a spear! He hadn’t even hesitated, he had just attacked. But it was wrong. All wrong. His outfit was wrong. His demeanor was wrong. And where was his spear? Why wasn’t he hostile?
Much like the first ‘truck’ the second one was at least a bit faster. She wasn’t Botein right then… she was just a civilian named Dawn. Not a risk. Not a danger…. But in danger. Yes. Very much so. She knew she couldn’t, or rather shouldn’t, shake hands with him but even her hesitation, her momentary freeze, was a possible giveaway. So, trying to act as calm and composed as possible, she shook his hand briefly before quickly tucking her arms around herself, like trying to keep warm or something. “Dawn,” She replied, knowing she was walking a very dangerous line, “And I really can’t.” The young woman looked away and shook her head, “It wouldn’t be fair to you. I’m a thousand dollars short of rent and if even platelets are only worth fifty I’ve got nothing worth it for you.” It was all true. She was rather painfully truthful, since she saw no real reason to lie. She just didn’t reveal everything, and right then she didn’t even think her life would have been worth the cost of her rent.
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Leaning back, casual and all too comfortable, the blond kept his pale eyes focused on the young female. “If I told you that you could pay me back, that I’d make it nice and easy for you, would you take it? It may seem like very little to you, the cost, but I can assure you that it’s worth everything I’ll give you.” Because it would make getting Rene’s quota met so much easier. Not to mention he might just be able to tempt her into things - onto his team. He could give her a lot then.
“If I told you I could drain a bit of energy from you, that I need to gather some from people here and there, would you allow me that? In return I’ll handle your rent and food. We can even set up a meeting time, a schedule, and I’ll continue to handle your bills and keep you living easier. You won’t need to worry about bills, just school grades.” Which given her determination, he was sure she’d have no trouble with. “You will find sleep easily at night, it’ll be a good sleep.”
“If I told you I could drain a bit of energy from you, that I need to gather some from people here and there, would you allow me that? In return I’ll handle your rent and food. We can even set up a meeting time, a schedule, and I’ll continue to handle your bills and keep you living easier. You won’t need to worry about bills, just school grades.” Which given her determination, he was sure she’d have no trouble with. “You will find sleep easily at night, it’ll be a good sleep.”
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“I–” She trailed off because wanted to deny it, but couldn’t. She wanted to tell him that she wouldn’t take his deal. She wouldn’t shake hands with this officer who had once turned a blade on her. And yet, she needed the money. She was between a rock and a hard place with no place to go. Yes, he was offering her a way out. Offering her exactly what she needed. And yet it held some kind of trick. It had to. The negaverse was sneaky that way. He wanted something more than just a little bit of energy… and still, it was tempting. Maybe too much so.
Dawn stared into the darkness, her mind twisting and turning, and after a moment scrubbed her face with her hands. Wiping away the last marks of tears before turning to face her companion. She had come to a conclusion. One she wasn’t terribly happy with but she hoped she could live with. “I won't lie, it's a very tempting offer.” To have all her worries just swept away… it really was tempting. “It’s just,” She shrugged and shook her head, “It feels wrong. But,” She hastened to add, “if you're willing, can I suggest something else? Something more equitable?”
The young woman was concerned that a direct denial would force the officer’s, Benitoite’s, hand. Right now, he had the power. She knew he could force the issue. Dawn just silently prayed he wouldn’t. “What if it's a flat fee? Each time,” She hesitated trying to come up with a way to explain it only to give up and slide around the exact wording. “Each time we meet I give you energy and you give me money.” Dawn winced at just how crass that sounded but still powered on, “That way we can both stop at any point. Besides, it would only be until I graduate so it's better for you that way.” It was only a few months. Just a few months. Voluntarily giving energy to the ‘enemy’ for just a few weeks really couldn’t do that much damage right?
“Would that work?” There were still so many things to go wrong. So many issues with the plan. But she needed money and she needed it ‘now’ so she was out of options. Dawn just hoped that the officer sharing her bench wouldn’t take offence to her idea.
Dawn stared into the darkness, her mind twisting and turning, and after a moment scrubbed her face with her hands. Wiping away the last marks of tears before turning to face her companion. She had come to a conclusion. One she wasn’t terribly happy with but she hoped she could live with. “I won't lie, it's a very tempting offer.” To have all her worries just swept away… it really was tempting. “It’s just,” She shrugged and shook her head, “It feels wrong. But,” She hastened to add, “if you're willing, can I suggest something else? Something more equitable?”
The young woman was concerned that a direct denial would force the officer’s, Benitoite’s, hand. Right now, he had the power. She knew he could force the issue. Dawn just silently prayed he wouldn’t. “What if it's a flat fee? Each time,” She hesitated trying to come up with a way to explain it only to give up and slide around the exact wording. “Each time we meet I give you energy and you give me money.” Dawn winced at just how crass that sounded but still powered on, “That way we can both stop at any point. Besides, it would only be until I graduate so it's better for you that way.” It was only a few months. Just a few months. Voluntarily giving energy to the ‘enemy’ for just a few weeks really couldn’t do that much damage right?
“Would that work?” There were still so many things to go wrong. So many issues with the plan. But she needed money and she needed it ‘now’ so she was out of options. Dawn just hoped that the officer sharing her bench wouldn’t take offence to her idea.
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He didn’t need time to consider her counter offer, to think about it, it was fair and made sense. “We can do that after this transaction, since you have a need right now for what I assume will be more money than each transaction will earn you. So once you are up to date on your bills then yes - so the next time. I can, if you want, draw up a contract and bring it, take it home and make adjustments and bring it back on the third meeting for me to sign, if it makes you feel better about this. If terms need changing we can redo things, resign, and no penalty for it. We will need a safe way, for both of us, for me to pay you tonight as I’m not carrying cash.” He would, of course, after this meeting carry cash in subspace so he could pay her nice and easy.
If only energy gathering could always be this simple, a simple documented transaction of goods for pay, it would make gathering energy so much quicker but alas it was not that simple. It always had to have a risk attached to it, the risk of being caught, of a fight, of an operation being caught and ruined, it never could be this easy….but what if it could? A tiny voice in the back of his mind whispered. What if energy gathering could be made into such a simple thing? But it would take a lot to secure something like that, to involve more people, it was a massive risk but it could potentially work. But he already had plans on his desk, things ready to present and launch, but this had potential perhaps.
If only energy gathering could always be this simple, a simple documented transaction of goods for pay, it would make gathering energy so much quicker but alas it was not that simple. It always had to have a risk attached to it, the risk of being caught, of a fight, of an operation being caught and ruined, it never could be this easy….but what if it could? A tiny voice in the back of his mind whispered. What if energy gathering could be made into such a simple thing? But it would take a lot to secure something like that, to involve more people, it was a massive risk but it could potentially work. But he already had plans on his desk, things ready to present and launch, but this had potential perhaps.
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She seemed to deflate, the anxiety and tension left her as Benitoite agreed. He agreed really fast, almost suspiciously fast, but he also added more guardrails to her plan. Ones that made perfect sense. With a sigh of relief and a tired smile, the strawberry blonde stuck her hand out, this time to shake on the deal. “That works for me. A contract is probably for the best and I can always meet you back here tomorrow if it's easier for you. Or at least do several smaller meetings as it were over the next few days since it's not the first quite yet.” Dawn looked down, sheepishly, before adding, “my jobs just don’t pay enough to cover what I’m missing in the couple of days I have to make rent.” She had a bit of time… just not the pay to fill the hours she would be working. Minimum wage really was ‘minimum’, and she was a part-timer at that. It was typically enough to keep her afloat but any unexpected expense just swamped her. Normally she could work around it but not this time.
This time she ended up making a deal she might come to regret.
Then again, maybe she wouldn’t.
This time she ended up making a deal she might come to regret.
Then again, maybe she wouldn’t.
