Job Hunting(open)

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick noticed her blush, but when she introduced herself, he was the one who blushed. He had totally forgotten to introduce himself and he felt embarrassed and ashamed. He decided it was because they had dove right into conversation and getting to know each other. Nick collected himself and if she let him, he would bow a little, take her hand and kiss it.

"Nicolas Constantine, c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer, madame."

He looked up and smiled his signature smile, eyes shinning in the reflecting sunlight.

"Alright, let's get going."

He started off towards a cafe he knew of, hoping he remembered the way, looking back to see if Leanne was following.

[Leanne]

Leanne's cold blue eyes glanced away slightly as her blush deepened albeit. She didn't know why she had allowed him to bow and even take her hand to kiss it. Sure it wasn't the first time someone had done it but the only other person who had done that and that she allowed was Devoc and Karel. Then again she had viewed them as her close family members so it wasn't a big deal yet with this guy just randomly introducing himself and with such pleasantries speaking in her own tongue was just a little overwhelming.

"It's a pleasure for myself as well." Leanne said before they continue their way down the street in search for the coffee or tea house Nicolas had in mind.

Little did Leanne know but the fake front she put forth to people was more like her true personality than anything else. However, she was always the dense one and stubborn to accept her feelings like her subconscious feelings for others would never be accepted unless she had ulterior motives. What a weird one.

[Nicolas Constantine]

They twisted and turned through the narrow streets of San Fransisco, looking for the cafe that Nick was thinking of. They eventually arrived there, but not after him taking two wrong turns, thankfully not throwing them to off course and hoping that Leanne didn't notice.

"Here we are." Nick said, presenting the little coffee shop.

The place he had chosen was oddly named in his perspective, but it was an excellent place to converse and meet someone new. The sign above the entrance read "Simple Pleasures" and Nick had been there once before. The name was definitely fitting for what he wanted right now; a cup of hot tea.

They went inside and sat down, waiting for the hostess to ask them what they wanted to drink.

"So, Leanne. Tell me about yourself."

[Leanne]

They made their way around several different ways and Leanne was darn sure that Nicolas was lost but he proved her wrong by arriving at the right destination. Even though the journey was silent and full of confusion as to where they were headed, they completed it with content and satisfaction and well "Simple pleasures". It was an ironic name for the establishment but Leanne wasn't complaining it would be nice to have a hot cup of tea or coffee.

The two stepped inside welcomed by the warm jingle of the doorbell and a few gentle smiles from the waiter and waitresses along with the baristas. It seemed like a friendly environment, and it was quiet enough for a conversation with hushed voices yet loud enough so that they didn't have to whisper like mice.

The waitress came and asked for what they wanted and Leanne ordered a caramel latte. Leanne like her milky coffee and with a sweet alluring taste of caramel? It was to die for.

"So, Leanne. Tell me about yourself."

"Myself? Ah well. I'm sixteen born in France then taken to America while I was still young, and I recently transferred from Highschool 552 since I wanted to get away from all the violence and everything back there you know?" Leanne said not wanting to share too much of her life, after all she had her deep secrets which hid under the locks of blonde hair that shielded the scar on the jawline.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Hm. Nick thought it was a but strange that the only information she gave about herself was pretty generic. Perhaps she had something to hide, but to each his own, and Nick didn't mind if there was something she didn't want to tell him. She didn't know he was a very forgiving person, as they had only known each other for about 30 minutes.

When the waitress came he ordered a cup of English Breakfast tea with cream and sugar. Lots of cream and sugar.

"Yeah, but the school we go to is bloody violent. I myself have only been in a few fights, but I can actually defend myself compared to some other people I know."

Nick wanted to know more about her, he knew about school already.

"Can you fight?"

[Leanne]

Fighting?

She almost wanted to ask if having the skill to throw projectiles and such counted as fighting. Ah, well in ways she knew it was but it wasn't realistic in terms of being able to defend herself, especially at a school like Moral Crest. Then again the level of violence was just about the same as 552, besides the riots, riots were always bloody and Leanne just about had enough of those. Leanne looked at the table solemnly as she recalled several memories and she felt at a lost again.

During the Valentine's Day dance she hosted as her first event under her 'rule' Cain had protected her and prevented her from fighting and obtaining injuries. Jay had pretty much served as her bodyguard throughout the several months they were living together as roomies until they actually got into a relationship and then he'd been there after she was attacked. Really, Leanne wasn't much of a fighter, she had always been protected, yet in the same aspects she had been capable of defending herself enough. She knew she had high stamina, endurance and pain tolerance and just about enough skill to predict moves to counter but after being in the hospital for that long and being all traumatized? No more fighting for Leanne!

"Not really...at least, not anymore." Leanne would start. "I got too many injuries from 552, I suppose you can say I got a lot weaker and I wasn't much of a fighter to start off with anyways! Why do you ask?"

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick looked at her with a serious solemn face.

"You really need to be able to at least defend yourself in a school like that, if not fight back." he sighed, "I just wouldn't want to see a girl like you getting hurt over the most ridiculous reason. I don't like seeing anyone get hurt for that matter."

Nick now sounded like he had known Leanne forever and felt a need to protect her with if not his warnings, with his own skill. He smiled lightly at her.

"You are one odd duck. Parentless, Jobless, Defenseless. No offense. Yet you live in an expensive city and go to a violent school. Why?"

Now Nick was trying to get a little more out of her. He was intrigued and wanted to know a lot about her.

[Leanne]

Leanne rested her her hand on her hand that was propped up by her elbow onthe table. He was right, she needed to know how to defend herself at least, especially when the school was so violent. She couldn't get away with just merely talking her way out of it all the time. She sighed along with him. Leanne really didn't want to fight anymore even though there was the need to. It brought back unwanted memories but then again vice versa those bad things just might happen again if she doesn't know how to fight. It was how it all occured anyways. She was just caught up in a bad situation unable to defend herself and voila! Epic trauma.

"You are one odd duck. Parentless, Jobless, Defenseless. No offense. Yet you live in an expensive city and go to a violent school. Why?"

Leanne arched one of her elegant brows at him in question as if challenging him to say anymore. Though she knew he hadn't meant it in a negative way. She knew it herself, she was those things he mentioned.

"I don't know why I'm here to be honest. I just want a new beginning I guess. And I don't suppose you have some brilliant idea?" Leanne said sarcastically with a small smile.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick looked away and started to think about her question. She was in a tight situation if he had ever seen one and he would love it if he could think of a way to make at least some of her problems become less problematic. She needed to pay rent to her place, apparently using two or more jobs. If she had a place to stay where the rent was cheaper, she would be able to focus more on school and training. Then the answer hit him and he smirked.

"Oui pourquoi je le fais, ange. What if I said that I had an extra room in my townhouse that you could stay in. Its close to school and you'd only have to pay a little bit of money from one job instead of trying to balance three."

Nick then thought it might be good to tell her the only "downside" he could think of.

"The only thing that might not be suitable would be lack of privacy, if you mind..."

Nick knew some girls didn't mind to share their personal space, and he surely didn't mind.

[Leanne]

Leanne chuckled at Nicolas' response it was kind of cheeky! The whole, "why, yes I do!" kind of tone really was a bit amusing. But the whole notion of living at his place was a bit farfetched. However, if she thought about it logically it would benefit her and she wouldn't really mind living with another family.

It was just how she lived most of her life which was with a family she didn't know. Then again Leanne felt that she would be a bother and some kind of wedge in his family, plus he was right about the privacy thing. Well it wasn't that bad, it wasn't as if he would come barging into her room or something. At least, Leanne hoped he wouldn't.

"Are you sure? I mean, I wouldn't want to extend into your own privact you know." Leanne asked hesitant about the topic at hand.

Moreover can she trust him? Yet, Leanne knew she wouldn't be able to handle a few jobs at a time along with school continuously. Her body already shows signs of fatigue.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick smirked.

"Come on, Leanne. Do I look like the kind of person who needs privacy? Plus, you're the girl, you'd be the one gambling with invading my privacy." he joked, even though it was true.

Nick became serious again, looking directly at her.

"My father is the only person I live with, and he's at work most of the time. It would only be basically me and you. I promise, you wouldn't be invading or intruding or anything."

He looked up and thought for a second before returning his gaze onto Leanne.

"I'd actually really enjoy having your company." he smiled lightly.

[Leanne]

Leanne had her privacy issues yes, but not in the physical manner. There were certain borders of course, but due to her experiences in 552 her sensitivity to certain things were mellowed out. However, it was more of the emotional portion of things. If she did stay with him she wouldn't allow herself to get too used to it, by it she meant his company. She didn't want to become emotionally attached to something again and only have to lose it. False hope really sucks, and even though everyone experienced it Leanne wanted to take her precautions!

"I'd actually really enjoy having your company."

"Do you?" Leanne asked before the waitress came with their drinks placing them infront of the respective owners. Leanne stired her drink before she continued.

"I suppose... I'll take up that offer, at least, I'll see if it works out for me. I know this sounds selfish! But I really...do appreciate it, its just that it just might not be for me."

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick thought he would be a lot more excited about this than he was right now. He took hold of his tea and sipped it, letting the liquid warm his entire body. He sighed with the warmth, but he also did because he was upset at her response. But on the other hand, if she were to live with him, he'd like to get the reason was so reluctant.

"It's not selfish, I understand. But is there something that you'd like to tell me? You seem to be debating something in that pretty head of yours."

He looked at her with a friendly face and a light smile.

"I guarantee you'll enjoy it."

[Leanne]

Enjoy it?

That was what Leanne was afraid of. She didn't want attachments. She didn't want want to have to deal with loss, at least not again. It was something she could not escape or elude. More of more of these thoughts were making Leanne start to regret her decision right after making it. Then again she'd have to remind herself the logical and positive aspects of it such as paying less rent, possible homework help, and save the bus fees since its pretty close to the school, or so Nico claims.

"It's not selfish, I understand. But is there something that you'd like to tell me? You seem to be debating something in that pretty head of yours."

Ack. Caught red handed.

"What in my head, stays in my head!" Leanne said playfully before she took a sip of her coffee.

[Nicolas Constantine]

He chuckled.

"Okay, okay! Jeez, I'm sorry. If you want to tell me, you'll tell me, got it..."

Nick took another sip of his tea. The perfect amount of cream and sugar to settle his mind.

"I swear I won't judge you. If its something I can help with, I'd really like to."

He looked up at her from his tea with his deep blue eyes in a puppy-dog stare, hoping it might persuade her to tell him what was on her mind. Nick was pretty persistent because he knew most girls would rather speak their mind if asked.