A Latte Good on a Sunday [open]

[Kyrie Blaze]

. o O ( If anyone wants to RP with me, hit me up. Chances are 99.9% likely it'll be off of school grounds as this is just a civilian character. )

The smell of coffee and a small selection of baked goods wafted in the air within the coffee shop. Large windows, glorious hardwood floors, and champagne walls lent the café a welcoming warmth that the urban city no longer had. There was conversation, people sitting in chairs and on a couch, and from the back corner came a child's laughter.

Kyrie grinned and lightly flicked some of the foam onto her daughter's nose, who was the continued culprit of the giggles. The girl sat in the very corner, her mother between her and the windows. The wonderful and large windows that let the sun in and warmed the place up, completely. A biscotti sat perched on a plate, halfway finished, and there was another half of a muffin on the table in front of the soon to be four year old. A latte for the blonde, and no doubt some yummy hot chocolate for the little girl. A small figurine and papers and crayons were spread out on the table, and nothing filled Kyrie's heart more than seeing Aurelia happy and safe and content.

It was, all in all, a lovely way to spend an hour or so on a Sunday.

[David B.]

    David sat.

    He wore his usual suit, though he had removed the jacket of it and hung it on the backing he leaned against. His cuffs were undone and being rolled up, his eyes on Kiyr as a little smile crossed his lips.

    "It's been a while. I see you're feeling better since you were stabbed?"

    Of course, technically, it was his men that did it but he wouldn't bring it up. In fact, he didn't truly feel one of his men did anything. None of the people that David investigated and hired would have done this. Someone must have snuck into his ranks. Of course, that was small comfort to the girl with a scar on her side. He too could feel the stitches poking against the bandage that was over his ribcage.

    The nurse brought him hot chocolate, which he took gratefully with a small smile and a nod. "Thank you." he said. He was glad to have Kiyr alone- he had something he wanted to talk to her about.

[Kyrie Blaze]

A new song faded in...

If he'd surprised her, she did a fairly decent job of concealing it--though it was most likely that she'd seen him coming. Aurelia squeaked out a rather chipper "Hello!" and proceeded to break another piece off her muffin and nibble on it, her eyes on David, watching him with unguarded curiosity.

Kyrie, meanwhile, tucked a stray lock of hair that escaped the confines of her twist behind her ear, and looked at the sitting man with a blink.

"Much, thank you. I trust you are healing well?"

It bothered her, somewhat, still, but figured about as much as David did. Unless their screening process missed something about that particular agent. The blonde blinked a little at the nurse that brought David his drink. A personal nurse to tote around? Well, that shouldn't have surprised her.

She reached up, plucking the remainder of the biscotti to take a small bite and follow it with a sip of her latte, rather than have the last few sips of her drinks awash with soggy pieces of the accompaniment.

"To what do I owe the pleasure..?"

She shifted, crossing a leg over the other. This certainly couldn't be called a coincidental meeting. It was likely August was still watching over her, or one of his other agents. Unseen, as she'd asked.

[David B.]

    He had insisted on leaving the hospital early- hence, August had forced him to hire a nurse/bodyguard mix, despite his fighting for otherwise. So, yep, nurse brought him chocolate. He gave her a little nod and waved at the girl. "Hello there." was his response. He would bring his eyes back up to Kiyr. She offered a perfectly reasonable question, so he'd reached down into his satchel and withdraw an envelope as well as a manila folder.

    "Actually, I have a job offer for you."

    Withdrawing the acceptance letter, he would present it to her. It was one as a teacher of PHS #259. Music, to be exactly. He'd slide the envelope across the table, which was full of money, and fold his hands on top of the table.

    "I'm not offering the money as a bribe- it's to pay for your expenses to move again, if you'd like, closer to the school. I know it's...somewhat rude and unreasonable to present a job offer like this, but I'm more than a little desperate, and I think you'll find with good reason."

    He cleared his throat and took a drink, waiting for her response.

[Kyrie Blaze]

A job offer..?

Kyrie's expression smoothed over to neutrality and it took her a few moments to actually look down and read the proposal—no, acceptance letter to a school? To two-five-nine? The only thing that stopped her immediate and flat refusal was that David was speaking, and she wasn't about to be rude in turn. However, her posture had tensed in resistance.

Naturally.

"Are these reasons written somewhere or will you explain? I will hear you out but I do not promise anything over that."

She blinked at the tugging on her shirt sleeve and looked at the child at her side.

"Mama, are you going to be a teacher~?"

Oh, those big blue eyes. Kyrie's eyes softened and she lightly stroked her daughter's hair. The girl didn't know the school system - she was only in Kindergarten - let alone the implications of that school.

"I do not think so, sweetheart."

She turned her eyes back to David and they cooled. No, she didn't think so, but she would do him the courtesy of hearing him out. A man like him didn't toss around words like "desperate" for nothing.

[David B.]

    David watched her, not phased by her stating she wasn't interested. David had been told plenty of times before that something wasn't going happen that he ended up making happen. That was the joy of his business. But...though he was confident, he was haunted by that weird, dreamy feeling that always happened around her or Damien nowadays. Like he knew her from somewhere else. He...felt the need to be honest, rather than to try and think up a reason.

    "I don't really know how to put this....but 259 is not what I remembered. The students live in constant fear, either from those outside coming in, or from those inside throwing blows at the drop of a hat. There was a recent incident in which the current School Captain was...put out of commission. Of everyone present there were no teachers who actually cared about the students."

    He cocked an eyebrow.

    "That sort of lack of involvement or even...care on the side of the administrator has me worried. I want someone there who will care for the kids and whom I can trust. I don't have anyone but you. This school also desperately needs more arts involvement, and a music teacher would go nicely I think. You won't have to leave your current career path, and can have as much time off as you need for practice or events."

    He watched her expectantly.

[Kyrie Blaze]

She didn't speak as he did, simply listening and quietly shushing her daughter when she tried to get their attention or speak, and then passed her some of the wax crayons. Her hands folded themselves on her lap and she remained quiet a few more moments.

And then spoke.

"There are obstacles over and above the time commitment necessary to effectively teach in that school. My coming in would not alleviate that fear of outsiders and may further incite rebellion or simply more violence, even though I would be a music teacher, not to mention potential difficulties with other faculty members. It is not my chosen career path, though it is in a similar field. My daughter has never seen the inside of a daycare, David. I have been fortunate that the LASO has been accommodating and enables me to have her at the facility. She may spend the occasional day or a few hours with family or - worst case - a babysitter, but she has always been able to be at my side. If I were to accept, that would no longer be the case, as I could not abide by jeprodising her safety, when chancing my own is unappealing enough."

She could understand his concern for the students, but she had a little person that depended on her coming home every night and being there for her.

[David B.]

He nodded.

"I have considered all those possibilities. To the issue of your involvement in the school- so far, no current hostility toward any faculty new or otherwise has been seen or heard of. Again, all issues regarding time, preparation or If you need, training would be accommodated. As for your daughter- she would not need to see the inside of a daycare at all. Youichi is proficient at home schooling, as she did it for a family friend several years ago and does have a degree in teaching. August would also be there both for added security and to take care of day to day issues. That would be directly out of your home if you're up for it."

There was nothing he wanted to or could say about her chosen career path. There was a reason he was offering so much time and energy. He scratched his chin.

"At the same time, the school has close ties to the Correctional Facility, which I believe has links to my brothers disappearance. I'd just like some eyes there- you don't have to get directly involved if you're uncomfortable with it."

[Kyrie Blaze]

"It is not so much a matter of where she could go, but that I could not have her near me."

She shook her head slightly, with a sigh. A soft sigh, not an explosive or irate one. Her jaw worked slightly, a sign of her continued resistance, though she wanted to make sure Damien was okay and find out where he was...if it was, indeed, true he didn't just flee like many of her former attempts at cultivating a relationship with others.

"If it does have these connections, do you not agree that there would be certain Intel there that would wind up compromising my safety if what you suspect is true?"

"Mama, I—"

"Not right now Aurelia. David and I are in a conversation." Kyrie admonished, gently but firmly. A mother's tone that booked no room for argument.

[David B.]

    He nodded, not pleased but also not going to try and sell the idea of safety.

    "Probably. Even without that information it will be dangerous. It's a school system built on the pillarship theory, so violence is about. I'll be talking to the administrator about a history teacher job as well though, for myself so I will be able to protect you. I'll be there when my duties allow. And that is why I offered the money. It seems a home directly across the street from the school was recently sold to a wealthy benefactor. I thought you might like to head over and take a look."

    He met her gaze. He wasn't worried about how this came off- he wanted his brother back. He'd pay or fight or do whatever he had to in order to make that happen.

    "That would put your home an approximate one minute forty second walk from the school. Trust me. I timed it."

    He cave a casual, charming smile without teeth. Almost like he was....tired.

[Kyrie Blaze]

He'd also sacrifice people along the way, she felt. She wasn't innocent by any means, so it wasn't like she was the metaphorical lamb being lead to slaughter. They understood one another on what family meant and what they would do to ensure their safety. She wasn't sure she would do what David was doing, now...but then, she couldn't say. Her family was safe and well.

So she studied him without bothering to hide the fact she was doing so.

He was tired. So was she, in her own way. Ego said she could show him a thing or two about being tired–but she recognized that they each had their separate and taxing demands in life. Hers was a little person full of energy, her career, and the niggling intuition that things weren't over with Robert despite the fact she was watched. His were his company and his brother's welfare and perhaps more.

"Right next to the nest, then."

Yes, it was difficult to please her. Could he blame her? Maybe, if her objections frustrated him enough. Did she want to make sure Damien was alright? Yes, but not at Aurelia's expense. If Kyrie was without her daughter it could be a different story. She might have been willing to make the adjustments to fit her career alongside this.

"I have already been considering new living arrangements," It was likely something he already knew, hence his offer, "So perhaps I could look at this house."

[David B.]

    David would stand with a little groan, holding his side. The nurse came over and let him take her arm as David would gestured for the door, where a black car had pulled up with August behind the wheel. It may or may not have been across the street. David had a few beads of sweat on his forehead.

    "I can take you, if you'd like. Or, we can meet at the school."

    Either way was fine by him.

[Kyrie Blaze]

It probably had been.

Kyrie sighed and nudged her daughter. "Are you finished with your hot chocolate? We are going to look at a house."

She kept her eyes purposefully averted from David, and had the remaining bite or two of the biscotti before washing it down with the latte before setting the cup on the table as her daughter posed the all-important question: "But momma, I thought you didn't want a house anymore..?"

"That is true, little one, but we can have some fun and go look, right?"

"Uhhhhhhhhh—okay!"

That was that. Kyrie cleaned the toys, papers, and crayons and tucked them into a bag before standing to put on her jacket, and Aurelia's. That done and on their way out to the car, she pointed at the driver. With a squeal of delight, the girl darted to go and attempt smooshing her face against the door's window, if it was closed, happily greeting August by name with her mother close behind.

[David B.]

David's brow twitched. She had been moving from house to house- he hadn't considered she would want something else. He leaned into her as they started out.

"You no longer wish for a home?"

He glanced at Youichi, who walked out of the bookstore next door, gesturing for her to come over. This could be an unforseen problem. Thankfully, he had money set aside for such things.

[Kyrie Blaze]

"I find a house to be impractical at this time, to be honest. Perhaps in a few years I will look into them again."

Well, they were impractical for many reasons, but she left them unsaid.

"Come on, Aurelia, let's get in the car and you can chat with August."

The girl chittered and bounce-hopped towards the open door, all smiles and excitement.