you sigh; you flicker like a candle

[fingerbang]

WHO: Stacheleer (liverletdie) and Teethleer (insineration)
WHERE: SOME RANDOMASS STREET and then SOME RANDOMASS RESTAURANT
WHEN: early Friday evening!
WARNINGS: EXTREME PASSIVE-AGGRESSION HOME EDITION AND ABSOLUTELY NO SEXUAL CONTENT AT ALL
SUMMARY: Someone asked a genocidal murderer out to dinner when she was noble-minded and self-deprecating, and someone accepted that invitation, slated for a date well past the expiration date of her niceness. Now they're fucking stuck with each other.
FORMAT: quicklog to start, then whatever! whoa I actually used legit lyrics in this thing

[Lust knows he's going to come after her, and she knows just as well that she'll see the entire farce through. It would compromise her, show her weakness, and after those three days of relative politeness and speechifying about the greater good she's had more than enough weakness to last her a lifetime. Instead of staying in the relatively unhackable comfort of the Knivescave (which she's personally long since ceased thinking of as his place and started considering hers), therefore, she's walking down a far-removed City street. Her customary stiletto boots have been switched out for equally high heels, and underneath the long jacket she's actually very well-dressed, but that's for no one to know but her. Her communicator is on and muted, nestled in her coat pocket, and her pace is relentless.

She reasons it'll be harder, if only by a little, for Mr. Stark to track a moving target, though she can't expect anything too unrealistic when it comes to his inconvenience. If she's really lucky, maybe he won't show up in the suit.]

Comments

[liverletdie]

[ He'd honestly expected her to cancel. When the signs showed up that the changes had been extremely temporary. When she didn't, Tony had entertained the idea of standing her up, but he was not the kind of man who would step back from a challenge. Especially when it was Lust, and that was enough to get him out of the office and into a fresh suit, and out in the car.

Picking her up in the suit? Hardly. He was better than that.

He'd promised that he'd find her, and it was simple to do. He pulled the ID number, and narrowed it down to a location, driving while he pulled directions into his brain. Finally, he slowed, driving along the edge of the curve. ]

Evening, beautiful.

[fingerbang]

[HEY, MAYBE SHE DIGS THE GOLD BODY CONDOM, DON'T JUDGE.

She noted the car, responding only by slowing her own gait to a more leisurely walk; when he spoke, however, she turned her head to acknowledge him in the open (???) window, her eyebrows rising.]

Hello yourself.

[A cool smile tugged at the corners of her lips.]

You move fast, Mr. Stark.

[liverletdie]

[ He grins through the open, (yes, open!) window, and catches the side of his sunglasses with one finger, sliding it down to flash her the 'stark patented baby blues'. ]

Only in some things. [ The car slows down a bit more, before coming to a complete stop. The door already unlocked. ]

[fingerbang]

Right.

[Oh my god, is he really wearing--yes, he is. She steps off the curb and around the front of the car, fast enough that there's just a whirl of dark hair and general... her... around the front before she's opening the door and ducking inside. She casts an eye around the interior, and her gaze lingers for a moment on his face, but she's apparently keeping whatever conclusion she may have reached to herself.]

Don't expect too much of me. [She tugs lightly at the collar of her jacket, then moves to undo the top few buttons.] After all, it's been such a long week.

[liverletdie]

[ He only grins as he focuses back onto the road for just a moment, physically checking traffic, making a show of it even, before he pulls out into the street. ]

Oh I'd say so. You've been quite busy, haven't you? Saving shop keepers, playing the hero. [ When he emphasizes it, he looks right at her, knowing. He doesn't even pay attention to the road, but it's obvious they aren't going to crash. ]

[fingerbang]

You don't know the half of it.

[BUT THAT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR YOU, IS IT MR. STARK no she's reserving that level of bitchiness for the dessert course. Lust's face is smooth, smiling, but she doesn't break eye contact with him, and the slit pupils are more visible than ever. If he wants to look at, you know, the road, that's his prerogative!]

Of course, playing isn't quite the word to use--I can hardly imagine doing that for a week, let alone a lifetime. Heroism must get easier with practice.

[liverletdie]

[ He just grins. ]

No, it's more like, you start out playing, until you get your feet wet enough to know what you're doing.

[fingerbang]

So you make a fool of yourself, with good intentions. [Lust runs a hand through her hair.] Do you know why I took you up on your generous offer, Tony Stark?

[It's a deliberate choice to refer to herself and the woman who'd responded to him on Monday as one and the same--one, she trusts he'll note, that she didn't employ the last time they spoke. She'd been squeamish, eager to distance herself from her own actions and her pride as a homunculus. Pathetic. It's also the first time she's used his first name, but man who gives a fuck about that.]

[liverletdie]

Because I'm intriguing. [ He shrugs, and flicks his eyes momentarily to the road, and then back to her. ]

Either that, or you're really just that bored.

[fingerbang]

I wanted your advice on how to proceed working for the greater good, regardless of one's reputation. [She raises her eyebrows. THE AIRQUOTES WERE AUDIBLE.] Not that it's served your own so well, hmm? But you are experienced.

[liverletdie]

[ His eyebrows quirk up, but he schools his face regardless, and looks back to the road. FINE BE LIKE THAT. ]

Well, that's hardly something you should need advice on, Lust. It's easy. Do what's necessary, and save the consequences for later.

[fingerbang]

Oh?

[A smile.]

You clearly don't know me that well, then--even brainwashed. Perhaps that was all the more reason for us to get acquainted. [She shrugs.] I'm afraid those motivations are a bit of a mystery to me, now that it's over.

[liverletdie]

Indeed. You never know when knowing you may come in handy.

[ At least he's...somewhat honest about it. Kind of. He at least admits he's willing to take advantage of someone if he needs to. He shrugs at Lust, and turns down another street. ]

Well then, I suppose I should be thankful you saved me from the embarrassment of being stood up. I don't know if my pride could handle it.

[fingerbang]

Bruised egos make any man intolerable. And a man like you... [She lets the sentence dangle, dissipate, while she gazes out the window.] At any rate, I couldn't have backed out now.

[liverletdie]

Oh, thank you for thinking of my bruised ego. I'm touched, really. [ The sarcasm, it's not dripping, it's the elephant in the back seat. After a few moments, he slows to a stop in front of a valet ]

[fingerbang]

[She grins sharply and unsnaps her seatbelt!]

Mm? All I'm saying is that you don't seem like the type who's so accustomed to not getting what he wants.

[liverletdie]

[ He only laughs, and gets out. Seatbelts? What is that? ]

Hardly, my dear. I just know how to make sure the end result is in my favor. [ He tosses the keys to a boy waiting by the car, but doesn't say anything cool, as they finally near him, he slips him hundred dollar bill. Don't say Tony doesn't tip well. ]

[fingerbang]

[She was kind of expecting him to say something along those lines! He is, after all, super well-versed in rolling with the numerous punches, but it's also better if he thinks Lust underestimates him.]

Then I'll try not to be considerate.

[LALALALALA WALKING IN STEP WITH TONY STARK
NOT PHYSICALLY TOUCHING HIM IN ANY WAY LULULULULULU]

[liverletdie]

[ He just laughs, and even opens the door for her. Like a polite date should. Such a gentlemen. ]

Watch out, if you go out of your way to make my life miserable, I might even think you like me.

[fingerbang]

We can't have that. [She flashes another smile his way, then steps on in and looks around the restaurant. It's classy and probably incredibly expensive. Shocking.]

[liverletdie]

[ Like he could pick anything else. ] Indeed not. I might have to pursue you then. I do have a thing for femme fatales. [ The waiter knows him, of course, and they're pretty much led to a table, wherein Tony does the good date thing again, and pulls out her chair for her.

He's so polite. ]

[fingerbang]

[Dang, Tony, that sure is polite! Or patronizing! Or both. I GUESS SHE AT SOME POINT GAVE HER COAT TO SOMEONE, which means that he can see what she's wearing except that Leah's too lazy to actually look up dresses and she always will be. Let's just say it's deep blue and strappy, cut less low at the top than, you know, the thing she usually wears, although the skirt's higher to compensate! She's abandoned her propensity for long sleeves and cowl necks, apparently, and somehow has managed to apply cover-up to her ouroboros in a way that doesn't look ridiculous and obvious. Let's also say no1curr.

Either way, she takes her seat, crossing her legs at the knee.]

Such a gentleman.

[liverletdie]

[ After he scoots her in, and and rounds to the other side, he just grins, a hand pressing to his stomach to hold his tie from the table as he does so. ]

I do try. You look beautiful, by the way.

[fingerbang]

[say "i know" say "i know" say "i know" NO SHE'S NOT THAT AWFUL, although it is tempting.]

Why, thank you.

[She's looking at him again as he sits down--not quite as scrutinizing as before, but evaluating. It's both more blatant and more, uh, appreciative than any of the previous once-overs she's given him, and once she fixes on his eyes, Lust smiles.]

Returning the compliment would be too easy.

[liverletdie]

[ His eyebrows lift slightly, and he shifts enough to lean back in his seat, resting both of his hands on the table. ]

Indeed it would be. There's no need to let my ego get so big it crushes everyone in the room, now is there?

[ Like he said, he really appreciated self-depreciating humor. ]

[fingerbang]

It's not high on my priority list, I'll admit.

[She shifts in her chair and tips her head just slightly to the side, regarding him with a sort of neutral interest.]

But I am curious. Do you go here often, or is your face just that memorable? It could very well be both.

[liverletdie]

Oh, from time to time I suppose. I've had a few meetings here, but nothing quite so special.

[ He leans forward, and his hands come up onto the table. He doesn't look at the menu though. Been here enough for that. ]

Hopefully you're not too disappointed.

[fingerbang]

[Well she is going to look at the menu, thank you very much, but then her eyes flick back up to his for a moment!]

Oh, not quite. Give it some time.

[AND BACK TO SCANNING THE ENTREES]

[liverletdie]

I'll give you all the time you need.

[ Really, he's just goading her now, and when the waiter comes by for drinks, he gestures them toward Lust first. ]

[fingerbang]

I'm not surprised; you're a terribly generous man.

[She orders!! A glass of some... red... wine, you cannot seriously expect me to look up an expensive merlot just so I can have her order it outside of brackets.]

Water for you, Mr. Stark?

[OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH]

[liverletdie]

Good guess. Yes, just a water, please. [ He says the second part to the waiter, grinning all the while. He's so unflappable about it, but there's a nervous tap of his thumb against the table. Ugh, even now. ]

And please, whatever appetizers are on special tonight, as long as that's alright with you?

[fingerbang]

[She shrugs, raising one splayed hand as if to say "if he insists, because he's paying for this shit anyway."]

No objections here.

[liverletdie]

[ He orders, and then turns back to Lust. ]

So tell me, how has the experiment in the heroic lifestyle been?

[fingerbang]

I saved a priest's life.

[She says it with some humor, but it's mostly flat, because UH.]

[liverletdie]

Really now? I'm sure he must be eternally grateful to still have it. [ A slightly awkward pause. ] His life.

[fingerbang]

[SOMEONE PROBABLY POURED SOME WATER RIGHT because if so she's sipping it while looking at his face!]

Oh, no. He was quite disappointed.

[liverletdie]

Oh? Now how could you possibly be disappointing?

[ He's not even going to touch that water yet. Geeze he's good at this, devoting all of his supposed attention on her. ]

[fingerbang]

[Cupping her cheek with one hand:]

I couldn't begin to guess why. You're the genius, right?

[liverletdie]

[ He smiles innocently. ]

Of course, but I do have my areas where I am rarely disappointed. Lovely women like you being one of them.

[fingerbang]

Mm.

[She looks edgewise for a moment at the other tables, as if bored, then back to him.]

Do you expect to be disappointed tonight, Mr. Stark?

[liverletdie]

Oh no, not at all. Hopefully you won't be as well.

[ He pauses when a waiter passes. ]

But I'd rather not talk about expectations. Why don't you tell me something about yourself?

[fingerbang]

Any particulars? [8)]

[liverletdie]

[ A wry grin ]

Well, gorgeous, that's up to you. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable.

[fingerbang]

Perish the thought.

[She brings the hand that was on her cheek down, resting it on the crook of her other arm's elbow.]

I hate to lose. We have that in common, right?

[liverletdie]

Well, I'd say so. I am partial to at least ending out not having lost anything, if not winning outright.

[ He taps his thumb against the table, not even losing a bit of that smile. ]

[fingerbang]

So much the better. Having things made easy for you is only satisfying for so long.