Only a job, like any other. [RP with gradyforhire]

[aesthetic_mojo]

The old man could be heard salivating when Charlotte called to tell him she would take the job. He’d raised the offer so many times without her accepting, he didn’t believe it when she first said yes. He believed her when she told him the price. At fifty thousand more than his last offer, it was still a pittance compared to the value of the collection. She would give the last bump to her bodyguard. Not bad for three days work, she hoped.

She told Richard Crevecoeur that she would arrive in the morning, take a cursory look at the collection, but that her real work would not begin until her associate arrived. It was clearly understood that by associate she meant muscle. She didn’t talk him up; instead she underplayed her desire to have someone there. Just a formality, due to the value of the collection.

The collection gave her the shivers. More of it was familiar to her than she’d imagined would be. Parts of it called to her, making it difficult to repackage the items in their archival boxes and put them away. She had to give Richard credit, he treated them correctly. Every piece would be at its maximum value because the condition was so good. Most interested buyers would overlook the binding materials.

The estate’s main house was half again bigger than the one she grew up in, but the grounds had shrunk over the years, encroached upon by urban sprawl. From the balcony in her assigned bedroom she could see the nearest village. Close enough to run to if the need arose, which was a comfort. Small comfort, but a comfort none the less. She had no idea what, if anything, lived on the grounds.

After changing into less professional clothes, Charlotte took a walk through the public areas of the house—the library, the sitting and dining rooms, and more. It was all so familiar. She could feel the wards on some doors, sense the magic in items mixed in with the normal decorative items any house amassed over the years. None of it helped clear her uneasiness, so she risked going outside.

She would take a turn close around the house before heading upstairs to lie down.

Comments

[aesthetic_mojo]

"You say that now." She grabbed at his tail, risking pulling it a little. "The eavesdroppers won't be tasty, but they'll probably be easy to catch. The ones like me?" She looked down at him. "Not so nice."

[gradyforhire.livejournal.com]

He growled his amusement at her pulling his tail. Sarcasm, my love. Sarcasm. He flicked his tail free, then turned and sat in front of her, looking up at her and waiting for her to touch him. When she did, he licked her hand. I do have an advantage, though. I can appear on top of them.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She knelt in front of him, still petting him lightly. "There's that. And no one will suspect I have a bodyguard who can do more than look pretty." She chuckled bitterly. "I don't think their opinion of me is very high and I'm afraid they might be right."

[gradyforhire.livejournal.com]

He licked her face and purred softly. I am more than a pretty face, you know. How much are we making on this job, anyway, besides my fee of good sex?

[aesthetic_mojo]

She leaned forward and rubbed her face against his fur. "Yes. You're a brat, too." She sat back some, giving a little more distance for discussing business. "The fee is three hundred thousand, US, for the appraisal. Is fifty sufficient for your portion?"

[gradyforhire.livejournal.com]

Not content to let her move away, he leaned after her and licked her face again. I don't usually work for so little. But I also don't usually get laid on the job. He licked her again, then stood and went trotting off ahead of her again.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She sat back on her heels, eyes closing. In all honesty, she'd willingly give him the whole fee if she achieved what she wanted. The money was completely unimportant to her except as a statement to her client.

When she caught up to him, she touched his shoulder. "How much do you usually get?"

[gradyforhire.livejournal.com]

Do you really want to know, honey? Really? He glanced up at her, giving her a wide cat smile.

[aesthetic_mojo]

"I consider myself fairly successful, but all my money is above board and for legal....mostly legal activities. It cuts my earning potential somewhat." She shrugged. "Sure. I want to know."

[gradyforhire.livejournal.com]

He stopped walk and looked up at her, leaning against her for a moment. I charge at least one million, US, for a hit.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She whistled low, impressed by the number while not being completely surprised by it. Still, it put her puny offer in its place. "I feel like I've insulted you with this job." She laughed. "Unless you think the sex is worth that much."

[gradyforhire.livejournal.com]

Rolling his eyes, he shook his head and changed back into his human form. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "You know, honey, I would, honestly, do this for free. It's something different and no one is shooting at me right now."

[aesthetic_mojo]

Seeing him change was disconcerting, but not unpleasant. Particularly when he ended up kissing her hand. She stepped close, tilting her head slightly to encourage a different kiss. "I'll do my best to make it interesting for you, then. Maybe by the time we're done, I'll have something more spectacular than a back rub to show you."

[gradyforhire.livejournal.com]

He bowed his head and kissed her deeply, pulling her against his chest. Only then did he respond to her. "Darling, that is my hope. That you get something good out of it. Me, I'm getting a vacation."

[aesthetic_mojo]

"In that case we could forget about that fee..." She bumped her hips into him to heighten the tease. He should take something away, even if it was a pittance. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she licked her lips. "We could go introduce you to our host, show you where I'll be working, and let me get started."