[Paragon Group] Cold Calling

[Legione Sumus]

EPHRAIM HAART

Ephraim was on the sofa in his office when the knock came, the last fingerwidth of scotch circling the glass in his grip. The rest of the bottle and a set of expensive glasses rested on the square coffee table, alongside a more usual arrangement of water in a decanted bottle. He glanced up as the door opened, greeted first by the apologetic look his receptionist shot him. Eph only smiled and waved away the screens he’d been perusing. Data such as the exact number of seconds it had taken for Sage Parker’s withdrawal to make itself known. Aside from hacking his way onto the wifi, he had actually done nothing of note since he’d been here. It was almost disappointing. But then, Ephraim didn’t exactly want him to test his capabilities on Paragon.

“Ephraim,” Luther said as he crossed the threshold first. Ah. That was the reason for the apology then. The man smiled, and it was far too self-satisfied for Ephraim’s liking. He knew Audaire’s opinions. And they disagreed, at least on this one.

“You brought Mr. Parker personally. How unexpected,” Eph said. He leaned to slide his glass on the table and stood. There wasn’t anything telling in his expression, which was almost always as relaxed and carefree as the golden curls on his head. But they both knew Luther was making a point by being here.

“We had an interesting chat. I’ll leave you to it.” Luther tipped his head, still smirking. Then he told Sage Parker ‘good luck’, and let the harried receptionist see him out.

Unruffled, Eph extended his hand for Parker to shake, and gestured that he take a seat. There was an impressive desk, but he nearly always chose to entertain these kinds of meetings in the stuffed chairs overlooking the impressive view from his office window. Not that he thought Parker would notice. “Mr. Parker, welcome. Can I call you Sage? Please, take a seat.”

He reclaimed his own comfortable seat as he spoke, and his glass too.