Raven is right in front of you (illbeanyone) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-08-12 23:51:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, j'onn j'onzz (martian manhunter), raven darkholme (mystique) |
Is there any way I could help?
Who: Raven and John
What: A lunch meeting and ignored flirting
When: Today!
Where: A cafe
Status: complete
Rating: PG-13
John sat at the table he had chosen, with a clear view of the door, having arrived a half-hour early to meet this mysterious Raven. He wanted to greet her and hope she was not too weirded out by the OC. And she seemed to be doing okay so far.
He settled back, sipping his beer, and having ordered an appetizer sampler to be delivered.
Raven stepped inside. She was wearing a low cut blouse, tight jeans, and expensive looking designer sunglasses. Her hair was the color of copper, and it fell down her shoulders. She looked around.
John waved a hand as he saw her, and rose, standing as he was wont to do. “Evening, Raven.” She looked a little like her icons, though those damn things were so small.
“What can I get you to eat, or drink? I have an appetizer platter coming.”
“Just some water, hon. I try not to drink around strangers.” She gave him a flirty wink.
John smiled to her, no flirtation there, and raised a hand to order her an ice water.
“Whatever makes you happy.” He stuck out his hand to her. “I’m Jonathan Jones. Everyone just calls me John though.”
“Raven,” she replied, shaking his hand with a grip just firm enough to be strong, but not so firm as to be too strong. Some men disliked aggressive women, after all. “It’s a real pleasure, Mr. Jones.”
Shaking her hand, he nodded and he smiled. “As it is for me. How are you this evening? And how do you like the OC so far? Enjoying our weirdness?”
“I thrive on weirdness,” she said. There was the faintest trace in her voice that hinted at her birthplace in Bosnia.
“Not a bad attitude to take. Especially around here.” He saluted her with his beer, his smile warm. “What do you do when not meeting new friends?”
“Meeting new friends. I’m an information consultant so I have to meet all kinds of people.” She smiled cheerfully.
John grinned. “Sounds like an interesting job. I work as an agent for a philanthropic organization, most of the time, when not stuck in a female body.”
“That sounds pretty interesting too.” Her interest was piqued, and she eyed John over. At least it was an attractive body. “tell me about it?”
“Sure. Red Planet International is an organization that is some hundred and fifty years old. It’s full of people dedicated to helping others and backed by some powerful people who want to give what they can, and are willing to let RPI control where the money and aid goes. I’m an agent, meaning I go investigate those in need, make sure it isn’t a fraud, and then submit a report with my reccomendation. “ He nodded.
She leaned forward, listening intently. “That sounds like some good work. What kind of claims do you support?”
JOhn smiled and nodded, speaking on. “For example, there was a young woman who had been sacrificing her own good, her own life to work two jobs, eat little, and take care of her father, putting aside her own dreams to do so. We stepped in, provided care for the father on our dime, and gave her a scholarship to start following her dreams. It’s not just helping people, but rewarding them for being better, or trying to be.”
“And what makes her more deserving than another,” Raven asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Not more deserving than another, just deserving. We help a lot of people, across ten states. We look for people in need who are not being helped by the system, and sometimes for people who need more help than the systems in place will provide.” John nodded. He worked to make sure he made a difference helping people, not just handing out money.
“Is there any way I could help?” Raven asked, tilting her head and sounding sincere.
John raised his eyebrows. “If you liked, you could interview for a position there, and help research cases, and even graduate to agent status, if you pass the qualifiers.” He nodded. He gave people chances. That was a thing.
“I’m pretty good with financials, and with... well squeezing money out of people. It might be nice to give it to a good cause.” She winked.
John nodded and handed over a card to her. “Then give us a call on Monday next, and we can schedule you in to talk to the interviewer, and me, and if that goes well, we can see how you do working on a few trial cases, with training, and pay, of course.” John was willing to see where this went.
“That sounds fine,” She replied, smiling. That would give her time to get her ducks in a row.
And the appetizer sampler arrived then. “Good.” He nodded, as he nabbed a hot wing. “Dig in, if you like.” He smiled as he sipped his beer. A new contact made, a possible coworker created? This was a good night!
“I don’t mind at all.” She picked up one in her elegant fingers, and took a bite, trying to catch John’s eyes while she sucked on the food.
John was oblivious as he nommed down on a mozzarella stick. And thinking of his wife and her snuggles at home. He glanced up at her and smiled warmly. “Finding the food to your liking?” Despite his dream memories, John was a real old fashioned kind of guy in many ways, and not exactly one to really catch on to such techniques.
Raven was catching on to that. Perhaps he was gay (or really a woman pretending to be swapped), she really should recruit a man for situations like this. “It’s delicious.”
“Good. Hopefully Orange County will treat you well, and bring you some joy in it while you’re at it.” He hoped she would enjoy this place, anyway.
“Oh, I assure you I will find joy in it.” Her eyes gleamed.
“Good. Everyone deserves joy. And pleasure. I hope you find both.” John smiled. When he wasn’t oblivious, he was just nice. “Do you know many people here?”
“I’ve made a few friends,” she replied, nodding her head but not offering too much detail.
“Good. I’ve always found a balance necessary, for life. Some work, some fun.” He raised an eyebrow to her. “Don’t you think so?”
“Without balance, we’re just running around like headless chickens. Of course, I have fun doing work. Is that balance?”
“Very much so, as long as you don’t let it make you work too hard.” He nodded to her, warmly. “I believe you will do well here, one way or another with that sort of attitude..”
“Thank you. I like to believe I will, too.” She finished her bite, and washed it down with a drink. Oh, she’d do very well her. The people she ripped off, though? Not so well.
He raised his glass to her. “To finding our own ways.and making our own joys.”
She knocked back her drink. “That’s the best kind of joy.”