Needle in a Haystack

[Mikhail]

He feigned a look of shocked hurt at her comment. "You don't like Indian food?" He shook his head sadly. "Alright, you need to get out." And then went to the door and opened it dramatically. And the Lady was standing there behind the deliver guy with the bags of food and stuff, a big grin on her face. He laughed and took the food and the kahlua, tipped the guy and shut the door. "Lucky for you..." he said with a grin.

The food came out in paper wrappers which he put on the table. Paper plates too. He tried to keep his place clean just because messes interfered with his enjoyment of life. He couldn't relax if there was a mess. But dishes weren't something he did. Not even a little bit. He wasn't one to ever settle down, of course. And his cupboards and drawers screamed it to the skies. No dishes, bowls, pots or pans. Instead, he had a drawer filled with menus. Sure, you could look it up in your wallet, but he liked to be able to grab a couple and order off of each. Menus. And glasses! Yeah. His one concession. How else would you drink your vodka?

It wasn't like people stayed over much past a single night, anyway. And he liked it that way.

They fell to eating and he had to admit that the American food wasn't as bad as he expected. The corndogs in particular surprised him. Who would'a thought? At least the mustard was real. He opened the kahlua and left it on the table along with the brandy and vodka for her to add as she wanted. He tried brandy with his vanilla shake and it wasn't bad at all. I mean we're talking brandy- awesome- and vanilla ice-cream- awesome. Together? Also awesome.

All through the meal, they joked and chatted about nothing. Boy, let me tell you she must'a not eaten in a while. For little thing, she put away a powerful lot of food. He looked at her, as if searching around her. "What'd you do with all that? Hide it in the coach cushions or something?"

Once done, she looked around and asked him about his work. He smirked. This came up occasionally. He shrugged. "Sort of. All of the families- the Russians, the Japanese, the Chinese. There were some Italians here for a while but they didn't last." No they did not. Before his time, but he knew people. Lots of small reasons that added up to them going up in smoke. "Some police organizations. A few politicians. Men and women in all sorts of businesses." He could have kept going, but she got the idea. "People like to know what's going on, you know? Who to talk to about getting stuff done. Who's palms to grease, what someone is up to, etc. Or to carry messages and such. I keep my eyes and ears open and talk to everyone." He waggled an eyebrow "And everyone talks to me. Not just cuz I'm gorgeous, either. Neutral ground. I'm like a walking Switzerland- at lease as it was back before Ass-endancy decided he wanted to be king of the world."

His tone was flippant but he didn't worry about being overheard. Who was she gonna tell anyway? It wasn't like that show a while back at Kallisti's. His shake was mostly melted now. But he was gonna remember the brandy. He got a couple glasses and ice, speaking as he dropped in the cubes and poured the chilled vodka. A small twist of lemon in each and then he pushed one towards her and then leaned back with his own. "Between all that, I do alright. For now, anyway. Nothing lasts forever. Life is basically a rental. So I enjoy it while it lasts."

He looked at her, taking a long pull on his drink, letting it warm him. She and Tenzin didn't look the same. She was funny and quick-witted with the jokes and teases. Playful. Tenzin was more reserved and sharp. But both of them in the tunnels looking for monsters or whatever. "What about you? You part of a secret club that hits the tunnels to kill shit? I met another chick who did that too. Was all super serious about it, though. All business. Not like you." He smiled innocently. "And I didn't get lost following her nearly as much as I did following you." He winked at her and took another drink.