Lets Get This Done | (Stevie/Open)

[Richard Stock]

OOC: Assuming that in "What's Over Here?" that they already exchanged numbers due to their interest in possible cooperation. Please let me know if I need to change anything!

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Stubborn? Strong? Resilient? Reckless?

Richard didn't say many things as he was still coming to an opinion. Stevie had done well enough against the Student Captain, but a part of him wanted to see her pressed to her endurance. How it would've been easy to force her into another fight, see how well she performed against dirty tactics, the usage of the gym. The collected dust thrown in her face, the broom used to keep her afar, the jacket (as he had proved with his fighting style before) used to cover her eyes or counter her blows. Richard was drastically weaker and slower than Stevie... but what if he had been an aggressive individual who had just waltzed in on the open doors?

Both Captains were more than capable, but his thoughts went to his blokes back in London. How they fought, how opportunistic they were... how in full-on gang fights, everything was free game. He was concerned. These two... need to get stronger.

He gave her a sidelong glance, mentally shaking his own head, reminding himself. He was still just a small fry here, a newer face than just about everyone. There was a pecking order that was silently respected which if breached would easily tear down the friendships and relationships that he had been working very hard to build in these past few weeks.

He'd nod at her confirmation on his opinions.

"Sorry, just worried," even if he didn't sound worried.

Richard decided to change the subject to something more relevant. With Emily and Stevie talking in the ring as they were...

"About the cafe...
"I need Emily and you
"To agree, protect," he'd finally reveal in full---mostly. It didn't have to be Emily, but someone from the Student Hierarchy, though Richard would prefer if both parties were completely on board. It was for the exact reason that he didn't know the actual relationship between the two that he only mentioned only the ones he was talking to. With Stevie, after all, she had been compliant and willing from the get-go, which was a huge relief. Emily's initial ultimatum had him scared, but if today was any reflection on the possible friendship or cooperation between the two organizations, he'd be one step closer for his ambitions for the school.

"Those were Asiv's words,
"For higher security.
"I believe you two.

He'd get up again, first to grab the broom and dustpan to put them over to where he was sitting, but then to get the satchel and the list of notes that he had acquired from both Mr. Asiv and the Student Hierarchy. He hadn't had a chance when they were infiltrating PHS #260 due to the restrictions and lack of satchel that Richard had, so he hoped to clear out any questions now.

[Stevie-Rae]

Worried? He was worried about me? Well, I guess someone has to. I sure as hell didn't, I didn't have the time to. With so much going on, I wasn't sure I'd really be able to. I needed more people on my side. I was about to ask him what his answer was when he changed the subject. I took another sip of the tea, stopping mid sip. My eyes narrowed slightly as I turned my head to him.

"Emily and I aren't exactly the closest of people. She isn't really what I would call a friend either. If you want her help or the help of her people, ask them. The only one I like is Violet, but that's just because her and I are pretty similar in personality."

I paused unsure if I wanted to say what was on my mind. Deciding I didn't I'd look back over to Richard as he went to get something from his satchel. I took another sip. This tea was really growing on me. He came back with a few sheets of paper. Seemed he did want Emily and myself working together on this one. I sighed , I really didn't want to be forced to be nice to someone I didn't already trust. I wouldn't read them unless asked to. It wasn't polite, and Momma would have beat my hind end for it.

[Richard Stock]

Richard realized his blunder quickly at Stevie's response---but had it been a blunder? He was going to have to reveal it to both of them sooner or later, and it would've hurt their trust with him severely if it was only revealed at the end that the two captains would need to work together. The young Englishman really didn't like the thought of deceiving Stevie as she was very kind and very straightforward as well as with Emily with whom trust was a huge issue with. He'd twist his lips, frowning at himself.

"...No," he'd reluctantly press, "...either both say
"yes, or the cafe doesn't
"exist. That is Asiv's task," he wouldn't back down. The cafe---the neutral zone. Even for both the Student Hierarchy and the S.H.C.P.---his task seemed all the more important. The two forces wouldn't have to completely get along... just agree, set rules... communicate. Making an agreement on the cafe would be a first step that Richard was motivated to help them with.

He'd note that she really seemed to drink a lot of tea. Thankfully he had more and would quickly fetch the thermos again (the fact that she seemed quite taken with it really pleased the young Englishman), raising a brow to her before pouring more into her cup if she requested or nodding at her refusal if she didn't and sitting himself back down next to her. Then he'd take a look at her and her attention to the papers---

"Oh! If you would, please," he'd say, poking the papers.

"You won't regret it," not quite smiling... but playfully shifting around his eyebrows at her. 'Waggling' them, if you will.

[Emily Suddenfield]

OOC: If acceptable, posting here. If not, PM me, will remove post.

Emily's foot was planted against the wall, knee bent, her eyes straight ahead. She was looking down at her watch, before looking back up through the front windows of the dojo. It had been what, five minutes since she left? She was the only person with a reason to be there, yet after she was gone they stayed. She had no idea what was being said, but she could see them talking- about something particularly serious, it would seem. Their posture, their care with words. How their eyes and body language radiated outward. Not threatening but....not flirtatious. No laughter, no intimate phrasing. It was like....business.

She didn't care if they talked. Her problem was this business. 

She would have preferred it had they flirted. Had they made advances on one another or perhaps embraced. Had a laugh, started a fight. Something friends with no ulterior motive would do. Just hang out. Instead, they were...conversing. She watched Richard- his overall attitude and how he seemed to perceive the one he was talking to. Mel seemed boorish. Straightforward. She'd find it cumbersome or stupid to be suspicious of other students. She just didn't live in the same world Emily did. Richard....she didn't know him. He intrigued her, but just like everyone else he continued to give her cause for suspicion. Wanting a date with her, talking up the SHCP Captain and...handing her something. Papers.

"Tch."

Pulling down the hat, Emily would turn and walk away with the crowd, melting away into the randomness of humanity.

/exit thread

[Stevie-Rae]

I watched him speak as he refilled my cup. There wasn't much to refill as I was just sipping at it, but I nodded at the gesture none the less. Giving him a small smile I'd say a quiet thank you before taking another sip. I thought I would finish the cup and then hand it back to him, but he gave me more. So, I would finish this one and then hand it back.

So, either we both did something, or nothing was done. So, why didn't he talk to her? Why didn't he ask her? I didn't really like her much, so I didn't really like the thought of asking her myself. It felt... out of place. Like I was asking another girl to go to the prom with a friend. Not my place. Not my business, literally. I slowly shook my head.

"Are you asking me to ask her for you? In that case, I will have to decline. It is not my place to ask her for you. Sorry. I will work with her, but I won't ask her to work with me."

I knew it may have sounded slightly childish, but I stood firm. I would not beg her to work with me. I would not. I smiled again as he handed me a couple of papers. Placing the cup down beside me as to not get them wet, I'd take the papers and look over them. I wasn't sure about the manicures and hair cuts. The risk was higher with student's having actual weapons. Looking at the other paper, I gave a slight smile as I handed them back to Richard.

"I am worried about the manicures, pedicures, and hair cuts. I don't like the idea of students having weapons and also being so close to other students. It is like asking for trouble. Having said that, do you mind if I give some advice?"

If he said sure, I would give the advice of: "I would have the prices for the patrolling members and/or hierarchy members discounted prices. It may seem like it is cold hearted, but it will help more to charge everyone and not give out free stuff."

[Richard Stock]

"Are you asking me to ask her for you? In that case, I will have to decline. It is not my place to ask her for you. Sorry. I will work with her, but I won't ask her to work with me."

Richard raised a brow, turning to stare at Stevie, but calmly shook his head after a moment. There was a misunderstanding here, but that was alright. But she had answered him sufficiently

"No, that's all done with," he said, dismissing her concern.
"But you answered me just now,
"Jolly to know that, then," to re-affirm Stevie's words. She said that she would work with her, after all, which was all that he required outside of the S.H.C.P.'s basic functions and Richard had already asked Emily, which already satisfy Stevie's requirements of Richard.

He wasn't quite certain where the misunderstanding grew from, but it wasn't an issue at all.

The issue here was Emily and how he was going to convince her down from her current "Student Hierachy or Bust" mentality, but that wasn't something he needed to trouble Stevie over.

Adjusting his arms, he would stare off quietly at the gym to allow Stevie as much time as she needed to look over his papers, much as he had done with the Student Hierarchy. He wouldn't look over until she handed them back to him---

"I am worried about the manicures, pedicures, and hair cuts. I don't like the idea of students having weapons and also being so close to other students. It is like asking for trouble. Having said that, do you mind if I give some advice?"

She smiled, but with concern, and reasonably so. Richard nodded, acknowledging her points... because they were fair and very real concerns with which they as a school had...

"Understood, you're right...
"...We need to do background checks.
"Among other things---"---he said not quite having given up on the idea of still putting scissors in the hands of students.

On one hand there was the risk of emotionally unstable or mentally disturbed or even just outright violent people taking advantage of the situation... exes, gangsters, psychos, sociopaths... But that also meant that generally, they just had to scrutinize and prevent situations like that from occurring in the first place. PHS #259 was a place where those with notable mental issues usually had been transferred in and would have a definitive documentation on their state of mind---in other words, a disqualifying trait for Grade A students who were the creme of the crop of 259 who would even be allowed to work in the Cafe at all. Then there was the issues of exes, boyfriends, girlfriends, and gangsters...

...And this is where they as students, would have to use their networking and interviewing to determine the intent of someone. Anyone with a boyfriend or girlfriend would have to be cut out---that was that. There wouldn't be any official statement on it, they would just have to cycle through those who did, did not, and their past relationship history. Second... for gangsters.... weekly performance reviews would help alleviate and root through certain employees, inspecting what they did in their spare time, etc.

Invasive methods, but again, the cafe had a lot to prove and a lot to lose. If they were to gain prestige at all, let alone even trying to improve the school's standing, they had to be prepared and scrutinized under the most watchful of eyes. They had no room for failure and weakness here.

Richard mostly mused on all this defensively because he did not want to take away this opportunity from students who genuinely wanted to pursue these spa-work as a career and contribute to society in that way with their services. Giving those students a headstart now would prove to be an invaluable experience, Richard was sure.

This Cafe was for the students' futures, after all.

But he cut himself off and paused, nodding for Stevie to suggest what she had on her mind.

"I would have the prices for the patrolling members and/or hierarchy members discounted prices. It may seem like it is cold hearted, but it will help more to charge everyone and not give out free stuff."

Richard would nod graciously and shake his head again. No, Stevie's thought wasn't cold-hearted at all.

"Mm, very well then.
"I'm not opposed to either.
"Discounts it is, then!"

Richard would collect the papers and jot down appropriate notes. Honestly, he was grateful he caught Stevie now when he did---she had been much more insightful and thoughtful than the Student Hierarchy, where he had (for the time being) been stonewalled. Melanie and Violet had some good points, but this had been the input he had been desiring.

...And discounts versus free stuff was beneficial to the cafe overall anyhow.

Richard would calmly reach further into his satchel and pull out his flip phone, pressing a few buttons to enter contact information before handing it to Stevie.

"If you could, your number,
"I'll call when Asiv's ready.
"Thank you very much!"

He'd wait for Stevie's reaction at least.

[Stevie-Rae]

I smiled back at him as I picked up the cup and downed the rest of the tea. HOT HOT HOT! I grimaced before looking back at him and smiling. I was only trying to get the cup back to him. HOOOT... I blinked a few times and grinned.

"It's hot. Yeah sure. I can give you my number." I put in the details and handed him back his phone. "Hey, I have been wondering. Have you had a chance to think about my offer to join the SHCP?"

I really did want him in my force.