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Tweak says, "But I'm the Doctor!"

Cara Clark (armani_maneater) wrote in light_of_may,
@ 2009-07-09 20:20:00

Entry tags:

2009-06-08, ava

Sell Yourself
Who: Cara and Ava
Where: An Elevator in Cherryblossom Place
When: 10 PM

The elevator doors closed to begin their descent. Cara wore her flip-flops, a black skirt, a green baby-doll t-shirt, and, beneath the t-shirt, a darker green tank top. In the past two years, Cara had become unaccustomed to casual outfits but in the privacy of her own home -- and those outfits were typically her pajamas. It was a little strange -- and Cara hoped she wouldn't have to become too used to it.

Cara had come to a startling realization: there was no food in her apartment. There were a few miscellaneous cans and boxes, but nothing ready to eat. She had, in fact, become so dependent on take-out that she was afraid she could never live without it... Besides, tonight she needed comfort food -- like one of those personal pan pizzas, loaded with extra cheese. Hopefully, the order would be ready when she got there.

The little numbers on the elevator dinged, and, much to Cara's surprise, stopped on the next floor. The doors slid open with a smooth whoosh to reveal Scarlet Oaks most adorable actress: Ava.

Such irony...and such opportunity.

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littlestangel
2009-07-10 02:07 am UTC (link)

Ava was looking particularly adorable that night, to her acute frustration. Rarely did she find anything that lent her anything resembling an air of sophistication, though thankfully she had personality enough to handle herself. She was heading out for a bit of a walk and a small meal at Heme; she had some planning to do regarding Alejandro and had dressed for the weather, in a little flowered and checked sundress, hair gathered in a loose, off-center chignon just under and behind her right ear and decorated with a silk flower clip, small white flats on her feet.

She stepped into the elevator when it arrived with a small nod for the other occupant. Human, from what she could tell, or close enough to it that it didn't matter. The woman looked vaguely familiar, but Ava doubted they'd spoken; she didn't make a habit of conversing with her neighbors. She valued her privacy far too much to invite unwanted friendships.

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armani_maneater
2009-07-10 02:15 am UTC (link)

"You're Ava Carlisle." It wasn't a question -- it was too difficult to mistake the child actress. More, certain other gears were clicking into place. Ava must be the child vampire Spence had met -- how many others could there be?

It was a little difficult overriding the instinct to squeal over how adorable the girl was. ...But she was a vampire. She probably hadn't been an eight-year-old for sometime. So, Cara squashed those urges and held out a polite hand.

"I don't believe we've met." Cara spoke smoothly and confidently, knowing that this might be her only opportunity to make an impression. "My name is Cara Clark. I've worked for Sebastian Van Cleve for the past two years."

If there were time, Cara might be able to introduce herself slowly -- but, right now, she needed to get the vampire's attention -- and Sebastian was the best way to get anybody's attention.

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littlestangel
2009-07-10 02:43 am UTC (link)

Ava didn't bother responding to her first words; it wasn't a question, and the girl had obviously recognized her. And while she could turn on the charm at any time, she'd just come from a string of utterly pointless meetings in Hollywood and was rather sick of playing the good girl.

The woman's manners were a point in her favor, much the way any squealing over her appearance would have been a nail in the coffin. Not literally, of course - Sebastian Van Cleve's assistant was much too well-known in mutual circles to go missing in Sebastian's own apartment complex. Plus, Ava was fairly certain the elevator was under building surveillance.

"And what does the inestimable Mr. Van Cleve want this time?" she asked coolly as she shook Cara's hand. Her sarcasm was so dry as to be nearly nonexistent. "If it's regarding the latest junket, please advise him that it's certainly not my fault I give a better interview. He just needs to work on his charisma a little." If there was one thing she couldn't resist (besides the sweet drag of a knife through flesh, of course), it was needling a Sapphira vampire. Particularly her upstairs neighbor.

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armani_maneater
2009-07-10 03:04 am UTC (link)

Cara's smile was immediate. It was a professional smile, charming and lovely, but there was a certain glint of amusement in Cara's eyes as she silently added a quip to herself about how Sebastian might interview better if he weren't so distracted by -- well, actually, anything feminine.

Apparently, she had moved on from depression to anger. Good for her.

"Actually," she returned smoothly, "I am no longer working for Mr. Van Cleve. And I'm hoping you might have a position available for an assistant with two years of experience tailored to your unique needs."

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littlestangel
2009-07-11 06:22 pm UTC (link)

Ava raised a considering eyebrow, giving Cara a once-over examination. "I think that two years of experience with Mr. Van Cleve may have prepared you for a different set of 'needs,'" she remarked dryly. "What skills do you possess that make you an asset? I do have my own business managers in various locations." She was hardly the type of celebrity to require a bevy of assistance so she could lead a life of leisure, but having an assistant on hand might not be a poor decision. It would free up a little of her time to devote to other projects.

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armani_maneater
2009-07-11 07:32 pm UTC (link)

Cara frowned at her, wholly unamused by her assumption.

...Besides, she had acquired those skills long before meeting Sebastian. But, once hired, she had never practiced those skills even once.

And, wasn't that the point of this? So she wouldn't have to go back to that particular skill-set?

"You would be amazed how much simpler life is when someone else is organizing all the small things -- keeping appointments, handling the mail, filing the paperwork." She had done it all. "You tell me to do it, and it's done. I have contacts in everything from fashion design to the law. And, I'm fae-blooded." That was a bigger asset, she imagined, before the Light of May. Now, vampires didn't need to pretend to be mortal -- the press conferences were arranged around their needs.

This is what Sebastian had bred her to do, and she believed it was what she was meant to do. She loved the hectic life of a celebrity's personal assistant...anything else would just be dull.

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littlestangel
2009-07-12 02:08 am UTC (link)

Ava responded to Cara's frown with an angelic little smile of her own. She knew how it made her look and used it to good advantage. "My life is fairly simple as it is," she said. "I have few needs; all the same, I am willing to hire you on as a trial basis." It was more than a little amusing to entertain the idea of taking Sebastian's assistant right out from under him - quite literally, in this case - even if she wasn't having to do much enticing.

"I value punctuality and efficency," she said briskly as the elevator dropped. "What you do with your private life is your own, as long as you do nothing that will reflect poorly on me or land you in the tabloids. Your previous employer may have enjoyed any publicity he could get, but I enjoy a somewhat quieter existence."

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armani_maneater
2009-07-12 02:41 am UTC (link)

"Agreed," Cara replied immediately and not without a breath of relief. While she wanted very much to jump up and down against a backdrop of confetti and balloons, her smile simply widened and she nodded. However, she wasn't without gratitude. "Thank you."

And Cara would do absolutely anything to make sure she wouldn't regret it.

"When would you like me to begin?"

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	littlestangel 2009-07-12 04:14 am UTC (link)
	"Tomorrow will do," Ava said, stepping out as the elevator reached the ground floor. "We will discuss the terms of your employment then. You may come to my apartment in the evening, nine pm, number three." She assumed Cara knew the floor, as she'd been on the elevator when Ava entered. If not, then it wasn't meant to be. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	armani_maneater 2009-07-12 04:28 am UTC (link)
	"I'll see you tomorrow, then," Cara said with a polite nod, "Ms. Carlisle." The last had been added on as a show of respect -- and, of course, so that Cara would get used to the name rolling off her tongue. She could do this -- without a doubt. She knew that. And it was going to be even better than working for Sebastian. "And thank you again." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	littlestangel 2009-07-12 04:43 am UTC (link)
	"Thank me when you've secured the job on a permanent basis, Miss Clark," Ava said crisply on her way out. "Until then, I will see you tomorrow evening. Good night." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

armani_maneater
2009-07-12 04:49 am UTC (link)

"Yes, ma'am," Cara responded immediately in the moment before the elevator doors closed. For a moment, she had forgotten the elevator entirely -- but once the doors were closed, she was glad that she hadn't followed the vampire out.

The woman slumped against the back of the elevator a moment, then squeezed her hands into fists and released a soft squeal of excited glee.

She had a job! Sort of...

But Ava had said "when" instead of "if" -- and Cara, all confidence and good cheer -- was taking that to be a good sign.

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