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Shannon sipped her glass of wine, absently flicking through her phone, as she waited at the bar for her dinner companion. She was there early, which was fine since it gave her a chance to observe the restaurant yet again, this time not from a review point of view but just from a customer side of things. It was still decadent as ever, dark and rich tones with polished wood and brass accents. The tables were covered in cloth and candles flickered across the sparkling silverware. There was some soft music playing, and even in the bar there wasn’t a loud game on, just a light murmur of some kind coming from the TV mounted in an out of the way corner.
She was dressed for the environment, very business professional, with a blazer and everything. A difference between her more polished professional she typically went for. This was a meeting afterall. One with her ‘boss’. Might as well dress the part. Besides, it meant she wouldn’t stick out quite so much since there were quite a few people there who were also sporting the ‘this is a meeting’ vibe. Her pale eyes drifted over the dining room, making educated guesses as to the guests seated there. Who was dressed for business? Who was there for a date? Who was doing both? Who was doing neither? It amused her, and it passed the time while waiting for Alex.
It also kept her from over-thinking her proposal. It wasn’t anything like the ones she had already presented him ages ago. Nothing to do with making money or gathering energy. A completed turn from her normal plans… The question was, would her General be receptive to it? Or was she about to shoot herself in the foot?
She was dressed for the environment, very business professional, with a blazer and everything. A difference between her more polished professional she typically went for. This was a meeting afterall. One with her ‘boss’. Might as well dress the part. Besides, it meant she wouldn’t stick out quite so much since there were quite a few people there who were also sporting the ‘this is a meeting’ vibe. Her pale eyes drifted over the dining room, making educated guesses as to the guests seated there. Who was dressed for business? Who was there for a date? Who was doing both? Who was doing neither? It amused her, and it passed the time while waiting for Alex.
It also kept her from over-thinking her proposal. It wasn’t anything like the ones she had already presented him ages ago. Nothing to do with making money or gathering energy. A completed turn from her normal plans… The question was, would her General be receptive to it? Or was she about to shoot herself in the foot?
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Wanting to be dressed his best, and not stand out as out of place, Alexandre had looked into the place ahead of time. He wasn’t looking to stand out, or make a fool of himself in some manner, so once he’d seen what the place looked like he’d dressed appropriately and asked Rene if he wanted to come. His fiance had declined, which was fine with him, dinner was on the stove for him as Alexandre had managed to make dinner whilst getting himself ready to meet with Shannon to discuss ideas and plans.
A hand was slipped into the pocket of the slacks he wore as he approached the bar, right on time, and came up behind the white haired female. “I see you got here early, that’s good.” Moving to climb into a chair, his feet settling on a run of the chair since they did not reach the floor. He wasn’t going to let his height, or lack of it, bother him tonight as he was focused on business. While this wasn’t business in the usual sense, of an actual office type job, it was still business and this place was still high end thus his own attire which seemed to be what she'd decided on as well. The slacks were black, because of course they were, while he wore a silk button up along with a black tie both of which were worn under the black blazer he wore. The shirt itself was a cornflower blue color, something to bring out his fair coloring, the black stood out against it as well. It was well put together and he wasn’t about to discuss the cost - ever.
“I’ve also come with an idea…or rather something unusual and interesting that can perhaps become an idea, somehow.’ Motioning for someone to come over he asked for water, because he did not drink, and once they were off to do that the blonds attention was on her again.
A hand was slipped into the pocket of the slacks he wore as he approached the bar, right on time, and came up behind the white haired female. “I see you got here early, that’s good.” Moving to climb into a chair, his feet settling on a run of the chair since they did not reach the floor. He wasn’t going to let his height, or lack of it, bother him tonight as he was focused on business. While this wasn’t business in the usual sense, of an actual office type job, it was still business and this place was still high end thus his own attire which seemed to be what she'd decided on as well. The slacks were black, because of course they were, while he wore a silk button up along with a black tie both of which were worn under the black blazer he wore. The shirt itself was a cornflower blue color, something to bring out his fair coloring, the black stood out against it as well. It was well put together and he wasn’t about to discuss the cost - ever.
“I’ve also come with an idea…or rather something unusual and interesting that can perhaps become an idea, somehow.’ Motioning for someone to come over he asked for water, because he did not drink, and once they were off to do that the blonds attention was on her again.
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“Yes,” She turned to watch as Alex joined her at the bar, “I wanted to make sure our table was as private as possible for our meeting. Sadly their extra rental area was already booked.” It also sat 25-50 people without much issue so it would have been quite strange for just the two of them to rent it for their meeting. The rental fee wasn’t something to sneeze at either, but it did come with a slight discount on the final check so overall Shannon had determined it was worth the cost. Just not for this little dinner. The whole team? Sure… but just Alex and her? Nope. A small booth tucked into a corner was good enough. That was also why she went with a pantsuit with a very professional blazer and everything. No way did she want this to be taken by anything other than a meeting by anyone who might walk past. They both had a reputation to keep, although hers was a bit more tarnished than the diminutive blonde next to her. But it wouldn’t do to have any one overhear them, especially when she brought up her idea because there was really no way to frame it in a ‘normal’ way that made sense. At least not location wise. “Ooooo, intriguing! I can’t wait to hear the idea.”
They both sat there for a little bit, just chatting over everyday things like the weather and Alex’s fiancé, and by the time Shannon got a text that their table was ready she had finished off her wine. It was even less time for them to be settled in a tucked away booth with some of those fancy menus and a waiter dropping off a bread basket. “It all sounds fantastic,” Shannon mentioned as she looked over her menu. “The Bistecca alla Fiorentina I mentioned is towards the bottom.” She was waffling between two dishes but was also curious what Alex was going to go for.
They both sat there for a little bit, just chatting over everyday things like the weather and Alex’s fiancé, and by the time Shannon got a text that their table was ready she had finished off her wine. It was even less time for them to be settled in a tucked away booth with some of those fancy menus and a waiter dropping off a bread basket. “It all sounds fantastic,” Shannon mentioned as she looked over her menu. “The Bistecca alla Fiorentina I mentioned is towards the bottom.” She was waffling between two dishes but was also curious what Alex was going to go for.
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It was good to talk about normal, mundane, things at the bar until their booth was ready. When they were made aware of its readiness the blond got one more water before being led to the table for the both of them. Once they had been seated, and a breadbasket sat at the table, Alexandre finally leaned forward as he spoke. He kept his voice low as he spoke, so no one could hear them. “I have a civilian willingly letting me drain her, for cash of course, it seems she has money issues and so long as I can help with those I get energy in return. I’m wondering if there is a way we can….provide for people while unknowingly draining them in return. I’m thinking of a small apartment building, very small, and we can rig something in them to drain energy. I’d offer some plants but people may throw them out or somehow kill them.” How they might kill them he didn't know but it wasn't the most stable method of gathering energy, there had to be better ways to get energy and to collect it.
“I want to make sure children are safe as well though. But it got me thinking. Helping people, somehow, while getting energy in turn. In this case we’d need to not have them know, of course, but it might not be a terribly bad idea.” While he’d been talking he had been glancing over the menu, now he took a sip of water as he waited for his companion to speak, as he finally landed on what he’d be trying tonight - perfect.
“I want to make sure children are safe as well though. But it got me thinking. Helping people, somehow, while getting energy in turn. In this case we’d need to not have them know, of course, but it might not be a terribly bad idea.” While he’d been talking he had been glancing over the menu, now he took a sip of water as he waited for his companion to speak, as he finally landed on what he’d be trying tonight - perfect.
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“You… what?” Shannon gaped at the smaller man, her mind spinning at the implications. Drawing energy from civilians was her standard job but it had never really occurred to her to just offer money to get energy. Typically she was angling for the idea of getting paid and getting energy, hence that whole fiasco a while back. The sleep therapist scheme was a damn good idea if only those little shits hadn’t gotten wise to it as soon as they did. She was still salty about that, even after nearly three years. She didn’t forget about it, she never would and she would only forgive when all Order fighters were no longer an issue. One way or the other. She was about to ask for more details when their waiter drifted past with their drinks, she just stuck with water this time, and took their order.
That delay gave her time to think, to mentally riffle through the ideas she had over the years, only to come up with very little that actually fit his general feel outside of the hotel or AirBnB but those were dependent on people coming and going. Not long stay residents. “I’m not saying it can’t be done but why? Why try to do charity because that's what it ultimately is if you take away the whole energy thing. It's charity. You happened to pick up a stray kitten and now what? You want to be a crazy cat lady… or guy.” She had a few charity ideas that could work, but none of them, outside of a halfway house, was a permanent housing situation. Shannon almost always crafted her ideas on people moving and shifting so no single person would ever really notice. “How did you get a normie to understand what you were going to do anyway? Shouldn’t they have assumed you wanted something else like running drugs or sex or something?” Wasn’t that just normal? Had Alex stumbled upon a civilian who actually wasn’t completely ignorant? And if so, just how much did they know?
That delay gave her time to think, to mentally riffle through the ideas she had over the years, only to come up with very little that actually fit his general feel outside of the hotel or AirBnB but those were dependent on people coming and going. Not long stay residents. “I’m not saying it can’t be done but why? Why try to do charity because that's what it ultimately is if you take away the whole energy thing. It's charity. You happened to pick up a stray kitten and now what? You want to be a crazy cat lady… or guy.” She had a few charity ideas that could work, but none of them, outside of a halfway house, was a permanent housing situation. Shannon almost always crafted her ideas on people moving and shifting so no single person would ever really notice. “How did you get a normie to understand what you were going to do anyway? Shouldn’t they have assumed you wanted something else like running drugs or sex or something?” Wasn’t that just normal? Had Alex stumbled upon a civilian who actually wasn’t completely ignorant? And if so, just how much did they know?
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Laughing as he leaned back in his seat, water glass in hand, he took a slow sip of his water as he let it sink in…he’d just been called a crazy cat guy - how amusing. “No, hardly, but I think it would work. Given the current economy, an apartment building that is low income, but quality apartments, would provide us with people who are less likely to move out.” Not when the price was right, when it was easier to afford than most places. “And we get our pay in money and in energy. We can afford it.” By we he of course meant the Negaverse, that had deep enough pockets considering how expansive their rule was. “We could use light bulbs or something else that would need replacing by staff. Perhaps something else instead.” Since most people were capable of changing their own lightbulbs, at least he would hope so. Though he did wonder about some people, he was convinced that if some people were dolphins they’d be dead as they’d forget to breathe.
“I found them on the brink of a breakdown, money and school plus housing and multiple jobs, they were cracking under the pressure. I can only assume they took my offer not understanding that I meant actual energy, I figure they assumed I was some crazy spiritualist or something similar.” Who was he to question it? If they were order, a senshi or a knight, he’d have been jumped by now for certain. So he was sure he’d just managed to get lucky.
“I remember your ideas about an airbnb and I’d like to try that as well - a package idea to present to the higher ups. We can keep with ideas that are all similar and present them together. We can also add in the halfway house idea I remember you sharing with me. The Negaverse can open various places around the city, diversify, if order finds one thing they’ll likely figure they’ve found the only plot…and miss the others.” It would be beneficial to have several ideas going on at once, incase anything failed or was found out about.
Sipping from his glass he set it down slowly, gently, and shifted in his seat as he leaned forward now. He didn’t have to worry about food arriving anytime soon, not with the orders they’d placed and how busy the place seemed, it meant they had time to talk without worry of someone walking in on them and hearing that which they should not.
“I found them on the brink of a breakdown, money and school plus housing and multiple jobs, they were cracking under the pressure. I can only assume they took my offer not understanding that I meant actual energy, I figure they assumed I was some crazy spiritualist or something similar.” Who was he to question it? If they were order, a senshi or a knight, he’d have been jumped by now for certain. So he was sure he’d just managed to get lucky.
“I remember your ideas about an airbnb and I’d like to try that as well - a package idea to present to the higher ups. We can keep with ideas that are all similar and present them together. We can also add in the halfway house idea I remember you sharing with me. The Negaverse can open various places around the city, diversify, if order finds one thing they’ll likely figure they’ve found the only plot…and miss the others.” It would be beneficial to have several ideas going on at once, incase anything failed or was found out about.
Sipping from his glass he set it down slowly, gently, and shifted in his seat as he leaned forward now. He didn’t have to worry about food arriving anytime soon, not with the orders they’d placed and how busy the place seemed, it meant they had time to talk without worry of someone walking in on them and hearing that which they should not.
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Shannon just stared at Alex, gaping and just boggled before muttering, “I wish I had your dumb luck damn it.” Who else would have stumbled upon a civilian and massively benefited from it. She also couldn’t fault him for his train of thought although she did have a flash of memory from that meeting some time ago with the General King regarding her more ambitious ideas including the whole AirBnb plan. But this was Alex, he knew his limits and he also had several successful plans under his belt. He had the track record while she didn’t so he likely would actually get the green light. So rather than say anything that went against his idea she asked, “does it have to be in the apartments themselves?”
Personal spaces like apartments were too difficult to control, or at least that is why she stuck to more transient locations like hotels in her plans. There was too much of a risk of the residents altering, breaking, or finding whatever was installed to gather the energy. So instead Shannon mentally ran though the points of her own apartment and made a suggestion, “What about doing something in a laundry room or in the entrance by the mail boxes? A communal spot that could be easier to access and isn’t suspicious. You wouldn’t really be able to tailor it to avoid the kids but it would only be a light exposure depending on where.” She was already trying to figure out how it could actually work. Because if there was anything that motivated her more then money it was easy money and this would definitely be easy money. “I can get you the updated files on the plans that follow this same idea so you can look through them and use what you want.”
Shannon paused for a moment, sipping her own water, before asking, “Do we have an Ad Agency or something like that? Because it just occurred to me, if all you wanted to do was gather energy, while paying the poor shmucks who show up, then you could do one of those market research or consumer insights meeting things. Hell, you could also do a medical research gimmick for the same thing. Neither have to be real but they could definitely pull in the energy.” She remembered sitting through one of those market research things once as a teen and while she walked out of that thirty minute meeting twenty bucks richer she was also bored out of her mind. It wasn’t a very big reach to imagine being bored and tired. Add in the medical research and you could easily say the side effects could be fatigue, or if you made it a mental thing just do something massively boring and there you go… sleepiness was easily explained away. There were options. Many options… many, many ideas.
Personal spaces like apartments were too difficult to control, or at least that is why she stuck to more transient locations like hotels in her plans. There was too much of a risk of the residents altering, breaking, or finding whatever was installed to gather the energy. So instead Shannon mentally ran though the points of her own apartment and made a suggestion, “What about doing something in a laundry room or in the entrance by the mail boxes? A communal spot that could be easier to access and isn’t suspicious. You wouldn’t really be able to tailor it to avoid the kids but it would only be a light exposure depending on where.” She was already trying to figure out how it could actually work. Because if there was anything that motivated her more then money it was easy money and this would definitely be easy money. “I can get you the updated files on the plans that follow this same idea so you can look through them and use what you want.”
Shannon paused for a moment, sipping her own water, before asking, “Do we have an Ad Agency or something like that? Because it just occurred to me, if all you wanted to do was gather energy, while paying the poor shmucks who show up, then you could do one of those market research or consumer insights meeting things. Hell, you could also do a medical research gimmick for the same thing. Neither have to be real but they could definitely pull in the energy.” She remembered sitting through one of those market research things once as a teen and while she walked out of that thirty minute meeting twenty bucks richer she was also bored out of her mind. It wasn’t a very big reach to imagine being bored and tired. Add in the medical research and you could easily say the side effects could be fatigue, or if you made it a mental thing just do something massively boring and there you go… sleepiness was easily explained away. There were options. Many options… many, many ideas.
