~ Post 002 - The Search Begins! (open)

[ladycroft]

[Lara doesn't want to be here anymore than anyone else -- except, perhaps, for those who are dead where they originated from -- but it is apparent that she needs to get a few things sorted out. She can't stay at the Welcome Centre forever and certainly doesn't want to take up space someone new might need.

In this video, she's smiling, because the alternative is highly unlikely to encourage anyone to assist her. Besides, she's just spent some time pretending to be a pirate. That was fun!]





This seemed like the most prudent way to reach people, so.

My name is Lara Croft and I'm looking for a room or a flat to share while I continue to get my bearings. Also, I gather I need employment. I work as a photo journalist, though I doubt there's much need for that here. Aside from the lack of camera equipment.


[Lara sighs, but presses on.]


Archaeology is a... hobby.


[A quirk of her lips here. Hobby, indeed.]


I also know quite a few languages, if anyone needs something translated, and have fighting skills that could be applied to work in security or some such.


[She laughs a little.]


I don't think I'd be suitable as a domestic, as my priorities don't include dusting and my cooking skills are mostly related to wilderness survival, also known as 'minimal'.


If anyone has any suggestions or openings, do let me know. Ta.


[That last line could be misinterpreted, but it wasn't intended...]

Comments

private video

[nooniensingh]

I think we can make our interests dovetail quite nicely, my dear.

I would prefer not to broadcast my address...our address over the network. There are some unscrupulous types who can crack the encryptions used. May I meet you at our usual spot? The fountain?

private video

[ladycroft]

Really?

[She lets the bit about the 'unscrupulous' people go, for now.]

Our usual spot? You make it sound like we meet there frequently, when there was only that first time.

private video

[nooniensingh]

We could make it our usual spot. We'll just have to be wary of those falling from a height into it.

private video

[ladycroft]

A good reason to choose another spot, perhaps, such as the cafe where we had chai.

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[nooniensingh]

I bow to your judgment.

I'll see you there in fifteen minutes.

action?

[ladycroft]

[Lara doubts that John bows to anyone, but still, waiting for him at the cafe is more comfortable than waiting at the fountain. For a start, she can sit outside and order some tea, the equivalent of Earl Grey this time. She is dressed as she arrived -- black shorts, top, boots, backpack -- even with her guns strapped on, because one could never be too careful. Her hair was in a ponytail this time, instead of a plait. If John is already at the cafe, he hasn't approached her yet. He is the cautious type.]

oh yes :>

[nooniensingh]

[She did indeed beat him there, and he spots her immediately. There's no attempt to intimidate or frighten her, though. She doesn't need it. He's already started to see her as something of an equal, even if she's not an Augment.]

Good afternoon, Lara.

Fan-tastic!

[ladycroft]

[Such tactics wouldn't be well received, so it is just as well that he doesn't feel the need to implement them.]

Good afternoon, John. Tea?

[She lifts her cup and her eyebrows, wondering if he wants to stop and have a cup.]

these two are amazing seriously

[nooniensingh]

I would love a cup. Would you like me to refresh yours while I'm at it? My treat, of course.

like, for sure... :)

[ladycroft]

Thank you, John. That would be appreciated.

[Ah, the British. Nothing like a cup of tea to fix everything.]

[nooniensingh]

[Tea fixes everything, damn it. Keep calm and Earl Grey on.]

I'll be right back, my dear.

[And he takes her hand in his and kisses her knuckles gently. Oh lawd.]

[ladycroft]

[When he kisses her hand, she doesn't lower her eyes demurely. Lara Croft isn't demure unless it suits her. Instead, she meets his eyes and does her best to discern his intentions without seeming to do so.]

Thank you, John.

[nooniensingh]

Of course.

[Her face, her eyes, she's so exquisite. She gets a rare smile out of him, as he ducks inside the cafe. Seven minutes later, he returns with two teas. One chai, one Earl Grey. And he takes his seat across from her.]

I hope you were not waiting too long.

[ladycroft]

[So, he can smile. Good. It is a nice smile, too, on a handsome face. She doesn't 'freshen up' while he's gone, because that isn't her thing. She's still quite intrigued with this place and is taking mental notes of everything she sees, hears, smells. John gets a big smile when he returns.]

Thank you, John, and no, not at all.

[nooniensingh]

[Not only can he smile, but he's actually quite charming when he does. And he slides into his seat, across from her, all too glad to be here with her.]

Good. I hope my invitation to cohabitate isn't taken amiss. Because I don't extend this sort of thing to just anybody.

[ladycroft]

I didn't think you did. I'm... honoured you find me... suitable.

[Yes, that sounded right.]

I look forward to seeing the room you have available.

[nooniensingh]

Oh, you are more than just "suitable" my dear.

[He reaches across the small table, hand up, waiting for her to take it in turn.]

I hope you find me suitable in return, of course.

[ladycroft]

[Well, that's good to know. She looks at his hand then back to his face before she lets her fingers rest against his palm. There is an undercurrent of... something here, but it is very subtle and Lara isn't sure what it is yet.]

Would I be here if I didn't?

[nooniensingh]

No, I truly don't think you would.

[Yes, this is undercurrent city over here. He has a human side after all, go figure.]

I will give you full use of my bedroom. I honestly only need four hours sleep every night, and I'm perfectly comfortable on my sofa. So you may have your privacy.

[ladycroft]

[That is unexpected. She blinks, but continues to smile and remain relaxed.]

You don't have a second bedroom? John, I don't want to throw you out of your own bed like that...

[nooniensingh]

[He just smiles back, aware of what it seems like.]

I had already planned on getting a larger flat. This simply moves my timetable up a bit. I don't want you without a roof over your head.

[ladycroft]

[She smiles, continues to let him hold her hand, has obviously taken no offense in his protective nature. Its rare that she lets someone 'take care of her', as it were, but its also rare ro find gerself in a completely foreign territory, with no back-up to call upon. Lara knows how to make things work on herbown, but if she doesn't have to think about something as basic as a roof over her head...]

I appreciate that, John, but I can find another place to live. I'm not completely helpless. Perhaps once you have your new flat...?

[nooniensingh]

[There's a beat, and he cocks an eyebrow at her. Ah, alas. But, oddly enough, he's also enough of a gentleman to respect her decision. Even world-smashing despots can be gracious.]

If that's how you wish it to be, then I won't push. I am concerned what you will do in the meantime. I understand there are bears in the forest, and I wouldn't recommend you tangle with one.

Bears are endangered, after all.

[ladycroft]

[That's fortunate.]

I don't intend to camp in the woods at this point. However, if you truly wish to find a larger flat, then perhaps we could do so together? It would be nice to have the company.

[She isn't going to call him a 'roommate' because that is not the right word, at all.

[nooniensingh]

[And he smiles, a real genuine smile.]

Then that is what we'll do. My flat was picked in haste, so now we can take our time and find something suitable.