“It’s getting cold…” mumbled Baron as he looked down at the wet cement below his feet, sandal clad toes resting on the wettening ground as he blankly stared at the ground beneath his feet. The rain pounded against him, cold, wet, bothersome, lonely, all of these things tied together at once for what felt like the perfect rainy day. Today was one of those days he’d light a fire for his family and they would all gather to watch TV or spend time together, after he would put the livestock away of course~ But sadly today he wouldn’t get to do that, today he was on his own sitting on a park bench feeling the cooling water rush over him.

Sitting nonchalantly on a bench on a rainy, stormy afternoon seemed relaxing to him, not more relaxing than the embrace of his loved ones, but it certainly helped him clear his mind despite the risks of getting sick. The scent of water filled the air, nothing else was present, it forced his cloak cling to him as it ran down his exposed face and chest. So long as it felt cool he would sit here regardless of how wet he was getting.

A deep growl came from the sky, lightning cracked against the dingy grey clouds, the park was dead in activity not a soul present but he. The park usually vibrant and lovely died this afternoon: there were no sounds of children laughing and playing, no one enjoying the now turned off fountain, nor a dog nor bird singing their songs and there was not a hint of joy in sight as the rain continued to pour. That was all that was here, rain, grey, and lonesomeness. Without a place to live Baron was stranded in this plane of sadness, sure he could rent a hotel room, but where was the fun in that? He sought out adventure and now he made himself pay for it by sitting in the rain homeless and directionless dressed unaccordingly for such conditions.

All in all his attire wasn’t fit for this particular day as his burlap sack of clothes sat next to him, getting just as wet as he was. He wore no shirt, black sweat pants and sandals something typical of him, over that a black tattered cloak hid his form for the most part his chest exposed but the rest of him hidden for the most part. Yes, he certainly wasn’t prepared for the rain, but truthfully he didn’t think it would rain today, seems he was wrong. He’d lean back against the bench and look to the sky above, golden pools looking up at the rain clouds as they returned a hard glance in the form of precipitation.

“If ma saw me she’d freak…” he chuckled as he rubbed water off of his face, whipping his hand to the side to dispose of it knowing full well he would only get wet again, “Shit, I need a place to stay.”

"It's not very smart, to sit in the rain like that. You might catch a cold." a high pitched female voice rang through the air which was filled with rain and rumbling with the thunder that was coming. There was a high contrast between the female that spoke to the man who sat in the bench getting soaked. Her mask let her talk to people in a concern but she didn't care if this person catched a cold.

It was quite a contrast to compare Lacie to the man at the bench. She was dressed in a dark red coloured dress, a trenchcoat to protect her from the rain as well as a white umbrella that held bows and lace on it and made her look very girly. Which was typically what she was. She wore peeptoes, in a creamy colour the same as the trenchcoat, only they were a bit covered in mud and that made her grumpy. "Are you perhaps lost?" she asked, she didn't believe this would bring her any closer to her sister but it was just someone she sort of bumped in. She was on her way back to the hotel and it was annoying, the weather that is. Because she was now the only one in this park, it might be better to talk, in case he would talk to her or someone would watch her. She had to play nice until a complete plan was formed in her mind.

She didn't exactly what she needed to do, she hoped he would just say that he liked getting soaked in the rain and that she could just leave him alone. It didn't happen often that Lacie was lost for words in a situation. It was also quite clear for the first time in a while that she was annoyed.

Soon a voice would disrupt his wet peace, one between sweet silk and razor blades being scraped against a chalk board. His focus shifted from the crying sky to the being with the gall to disrupt him while he spaced out. At first glance this woman was… Soft? She looked like the complete opposite of him, petite, slender, and almost child like, while he was rough, bulky, and in a sense grotesque why she would approach him.

From what he could read she was just passing by, given that she was a stranger it made little sense as to why she would stop and speak to him, he had nothing on him so if she was expecting to mug him she’d be sadly disappointed when she emptied his pockets. “Catch a cold?” he repeated as he looked up at her for a brief moment repeating what she had already sadly in a low tone of voice akin to a mumble. It was true, he could have easily caught a cold in this weather dressed like this, but there wasn’t much choice as he would get wet regardless of where he went. Oddly though, when she asked if he was lost he didn’t make up an excuse as to why he would be in the rain he was completely honest, “Yes, I’m new to… This country and I have nowhere to go.” he sniffled, hood pulled over his head.

He didn’t say much else other than that, he was beginning to feel the effects of the weather now, he was getting cold, he began to shake, he’d likely freeze to death rather than catch the flu. “I’m sorry If…” he sniffled once again, “I’m blocking your path or something.” he wrapped his arms around himself and stood, “I just have nowhere to go… So I have to wait out the storm somehow.”

She was more annoyed by this person by the second. What kind of man was this slow in understand what she meant? It was cold, even with her woollen dress and the trenchcoat, the wind was too cold, the rain made her legs muddy and her shoes and it was annoying, and irritating and everthing at once. However most of all Lacie was annoyed by her own charity feelings, or her charity behaviour, which was more ridiculous than anything at all.

She had to resist to facepalm her face because of him repeating the idea of catching a cold. She looked at the sky in front of them, without removing her umbrella, "It's icy rain, sure this would turn your body into ice and besides that the thunder is getting closer." Stop caring about people, which wasn't really the issue, she really couldn't care less but she had an image that she had worked on more than five years and it was so difficult to let go even though everything was destroyed and everyone had dropped her. Her family, her mother, her father, her sister, the Divine of everyone! She clenched her hand strongly around the umbrella handle, that her knuckles turned white while she turned to look back at the stranger to ask if he was lost.

Her mouth fell open when the man told her he had no where to go, "Do you even have jewels to go to an inn or anything? What about food and the like." She couldn't imagine that the Divine.. oops, there she went wrong. The divine did things like that, she pouted and stared at the man, which was almost like eyelevel for her, thank god she was wearing heels. What should she do, "Maybe everyone says that, maybe you are a thief, or a killer." she said out loud, "A crazy person, trying to make use of lovely ladies like myself." She nodded while she said that to put extra power behind her words because she didn't believe this man at the moment nor wanted to spend any jewels on him. She wasn't good anymore, not like six months ago where she donated chocolate to the poor. The world had lost a good soul four weeks ago.

Hers.

He didn’t have a clue who she was, nor did he all too much care. Sure, normally he would be all for a lovely lady helping him in his time of need. Nothing was better than a heroine coming to save a down trodden wanderer from certain doom, but in this case he was beginning to grow uncomfortable with this small woman who seemed perplex by his sitting in the rain. There was no understanding why she was here, just as she was confused by him he was confused by her as she looked over him with no care, yet she stayed.

“Well, I would think so.” he shrugged and leaned into the wood of the bench resuming his basking in the terrible weather. Her intentions were unknown, she was a stranger in a foreign place, maybe she was a good person or maybe she was a hostile trying to get over him, he was far too weak to debate what he thought of her right now thus he would merely offer her a blank gaze and repetitive answers. Normally in a situation like this the roles would be reversed, he would be the one looking at someone down on their luck and attempted to help him, but alas she was the one above him this time around, though she seemed more in the mood for annoying quips and talking than doing anything, not that he needed or wanted her help.

“Like I said, I have nothing, no jewels, no food, nothing.” he droned once again with half lidded eyes, “Maybe everyone does say that, but you’re the one who came up to me while I was just sitting here so if either of us is likely to be a killer, crazy person, or thief it’d likely be you lady.” he scoffed at her words and sat up in his seat, “I’m not gonna be judged by you, I don’t even know you so buzz off. If you don’t have anything productive to say, why don’t you leave?”

This man annoyed her because he said he answered her questions but he didn't answer the details she asked now and yet he was annoyed, what was he for kind of person that she would perhaps give help but now act like a snob. Who was the one drenched because of the rain, not her she obviously had an umbrella. She simply couldn't understand this man what made her annoyed and she only raised an eyebrow and asked him a further question because she needed to be sure he would answer it correctly. But instead of answering he got angry and ushered her to get away.

She took a deep breath not to shout, "Fine, I'll leave. But here I was planning to offer you some jewels to at least get a decent amount of food, because that would keep the cold away but alright if you don't want it, I will walk on. I'm not giving you any after you talked to me like that. Maybe if you apologize but you seriously look a gifted horse in the mouth," She simply turned her heel a little and walked slowly away in the rain, holding on to her umbrella, she was not entirely sure if the man would call her back but she would feel rather satisfied if he did. A slow plan was forming in her mind. Who knew.

A scowl was on his face, who did she think she was? Was she a nun? Was he supposed to get on his knees and beg her to help him? She was barking up the wrong tree if she thought he was going to be groveling like a child for her help. For all he cared she could move on and never look back, he didn’t know her and he sure as hell wasn’t going to asks for her help after she so rudely came up to him and asked him questions not the other way around. He lowered his hood and watched her walk off. She had mentioned giving him jewels and food a very tempting offer that he wouldn’t give up easily, but he had far too much pride to call after her.

The nameless woman slowly walked away from him, leaving him in her wake. He had a decision to make starve further or break himself down further than he already was and asks for her assistance. A deep growl erupted from his gut as he rubbed it, he needed food badly. There was a dull pain in belly, he had to eat soon given he hadn’t had a good meal in months. It seemed he had to play into her generosity, even if it meant dealing with her attitude. “Wait… miss…” he called after her as he stood up and followed, “I apologize for my rudeness and I would be glad to take you up on the offer of food.” the words hurt to say, he didn’t want to follow her but he had no choice. She held all of the cards and he relinquished his will to her for now for nothing more than a hot meal.

Drip, drip, drop. Tick, tick, tick. Her heels against the gravel of the park road, the dripping of the rain on her umbrella. Slowly, very slowly, as if she didn't care, but she was waiting. Her expression hidden by the umbrella and mainly by the dark clouds of the rain. Drip, drip, drop. Tick, tick, tick. The time was ticking for this guy, her offer might be gone in a second if she would round the corner, she would be out of sight.

Drip, drip, drop. Drip, drip.. oh, she heard a voice and thus she stopped. A sinister smile appearing on her lips. Wonderful, this was exactly going as planned. She had to find enough people that would befriend her, she wasn't entirely sure if she could influence this man, manipulate him enough so he would do what she asked but she could try, at the moment she knew what he needed. She wasn't a rich girl but she had enough jewels to live freely. Besides she paid for a large hotelroom at the moment. She heard the footsteps, he was walking towards her and thus she let her smile disappear and look innocent. Big eyes and surprised, she turned her heel in the disgusting mud, "Oh that's wonderful. I'm sorry for my rudeness as well, I must say I have a rather harsh day but I shouldn't take it out on you. I'm very sorry." which she wasn't at all, but she had played her cards wrong in the first attempt, which was her mistake indeed but she was making amends, this was her first time trying, how would she know.

"Well let's go quickly, it would be better for you to be out of the rain." she said as if she was concerned, it would be disgusting if he got a cold and would start to sneeze so it was with good intention. Good intention for herself that is. She waited for the guy to catch up with herself and decided to show her manners now, "Oh where are my manners," or well like that because acting an innocent young lady, which she was still closer to than the criminal mastermind that she wanted to be. "My name is Lacie, again my apologies."

This woman was up to something, she obviously wasn’t the type to just give someone down on their luck help or at least she didn’t seem like it. There was something up with her, there had to be, but if she wanted to hide something up her sleeve Baron would play along. In fact he’d begin his own little game with the angelic red head before him. Maybe she was being sincere, or maybe she was walking him into a trap, either way she was about to be tested.

The splashes were all that echoed in his silent trip behind her, he was going to be keeping a close eye on her for the moment. Almost too close as it would shift down a tad bit past the realm of polite staring. The trench coat blocked the view but his imagination was mighty helpful in helping him figure out what was under there. If only he could have peeled off that coat and took a peek at what she was hiding. Oh what a fun affair that would be. He’d probably get punched, but it would be well worth it. “Your rudeness was warranted hot stuff.” he complimented her with a smile as he continued to follow her. The test would begin as they walked, “So, do you have a husband? Boyfriend? Wife?” he’d lean over her shoulder to asks.

“Oh, my name is Baron, Baron Corbin, it’s a pleasure to meet you milady.”

Lacie continued, drip drip drop, one step after the other. Left, right, left again. But she was still entraling into a conversation that she didn't like. But she would see how far she would go. She was new to this side of the coin and still there was a lot to do and take care off. She had to keep the mask on and she would have to act out this very well. Which was not a problem, it was what she had done for the last couple of years but yet, the dice had shifted and so the game was changing.

She was a bit surprised by how close the individual got and she couldn't help but gasp in surprise when he leaned over her shoulder, she was surprised how he didn't bump into her umbrella, but fine, she could play this game. Hot stuff? Well I would call it very rude. I don't think I can apologize enough. And about your second question, I am very single." Why did people always ask that, it was ridiculous and it showed that there were no manners but she didn't say anything. She made sure that when she stopped Baron wouldn't be able to bump into her, "What a nice name." Which she meant but that's not why she stopped, "Do you mind a bar? They serve quite good food." she pointed out one once they got out of the park. She would have to make this game play a bit better because in a few minutes as they would enter the Ugly Duckling, they would sit opposite each other.

For the first time during her plan, she noticed how hungry she was herself. Her damned body was doing so difficult over this. She shut her umbrella before they entered and now that they were guided to a table, she shrugged off the trenchcoat. Showing a dark wine coloured red dress that reached just below her hips and was made of a thick woollen sort of fabric.

Before the fool could realize it he had trapped himself in an agreement that he likely couldn’t get out of because of his dreadfully empty stomach. How could he have been so foolish as to be tempted with food? Now he was little more than puddy in her hands, no choice but to follow along and do what she commanded until she gave him what he wanted which sounded a heck of a lot dirtier than it should have. Sure, he was a simple man, when a pretty woman normally offered him food he would jump on her fasted than a june bug’d hop on his mama’s apple pie in the middle of spring, if that made any sense, but no. This woman was evil! She was teasing his stomach, the only part of himself that he didn’t like to be teased.

How did he get under her umbrella with so little issue anyway? He was playing a game with her, but he didn’t even seem to notice the thing until he realized it stopped raining on him. He was well over her, he could hear the gasp, he was likely winning and winning big as it seemed she was too stunned to slap him across the face for getting so close. Though if she wasn’t careful she’d be getting something else poked at her that wasn’t his tall frame. He didn’t have too many manners, else he would have said sorry for getting so close, but the closer he got the better she smelled. Kinda like a sweet sometin’ to him. She was tiny, but had a strong scent, one that he wanted something fierce. Odd change, before this he was irritated, after that he was intrigued and now he wanted little more than to see what else she was hiding under that trench coat.

Sadly for him she would make sure they sat at opposite ends of the table, he would have to play a bit harder as it seemed she had caught onto his plan of flirting and tricking. When she finally took off the coat his jaw would have dropped out of the socket hadn’t they been so well connected. What a dress she was wearing, at first he thought she was just a splendidly little stick of a woman but good god did she had a figure. Now he was getting nervous, “U-uh… Thank you for uh, helping me.” he spoke through a blush as he looked down at his legs… Shit she was a lot better on the eyes than he thought.

She had to be careful. It was not a new idea to her mind but working it out was not something she could practice and she was afraid that thanks to her horrible mood that she had wronged the whole construction of this plan, however this man was hungry and offering food was something easy to do. She noticed his eyes on her and blushed. For god's sake she was not used to this and most people ignored her or threated her. But she made sure to sit opposite him and brush the hair off her shoulder. Maybe instead of only offering food, she should flirt as well. Would that not be an easier way to get what she planned and wanted?

She took a menu and with one long last look of her brown eyes lingering on Baron, she turned to look at the menu, wondering what she should decide to eat. She also wanted to continue the conversation and thought at what to say while not looking at Baron. Her smile was hidden by the menu but she made sure her face looked open and interested at the man once she looked up at him again and lowered the menu. "Are you in a relationship?" Because he had asked her and though the question had proved of him having no manners, she could use it to get to know him better which was exactly what she was going to do now. She felt it vulgar or disgusting to ask but again; she had dramatically changed her path. She left the illumin behind and was working on another plan to get what she wanted. Obviously she was still afraid of the devil and convinced that he had something to do with Alice but perhaps she could get something out of it as well.

She looked at the menu again and decided what she wanted to eat. So she closed the menu card and turned her chocolate brown eyes back at Baron. She would ask if he was ready to order something. If he was not, she would wait and if he was she would beckonen for a waiter to come closer so they could order. She ordered a pasta salad and a red wine.

He had caught himself staring at her for longer than he would have liked. His opinion of her changed quite a bit since they spent more and more time together. She made him feel like there were butterflies in his belly, almost like he was nervous to talk to her. Well, that was in the middle of their little walk, he was nervous at first but now he was infatuated with her in more ways than one. She was small, that was for certain, her body wasn’t the most telling, her curves were there, her legs seemed nice, but everything else was freckled, not that he minded. Her skin was like peppered ivory, so imperfect but delightful. He’d sink his teeth into her flesh any day of the week if allowed. He could see it now, his mind becoming dark as he thought on about what he could do to someone so tiny.

For starters he could certainly ruin her day with little effort or energy. Her blush didn’t go unnoticed, maybe she was faking it, but it was hard to fake such an adorable look wasn’t it? Oh no, she was being 100% real with him, he was certain. Though that would be her biggest mistake, it was one thing for the ginger hare to play the lone wolf’s game, but it was another for the hair to fall for his charms. Baron, admittedly was not the most handsome man, at least he didn’t think so. With a body clad in tattoos, and narrow eyes that had a certain hunger in them he was likely the kind of person most would avoid, especially pampered types or those who cared for the company they kept. He was an unsightly gentleman plainly put, but he did have a way with words when he wanted to, thus when the chance came he would play with her again, and again and again and- Wait, did she asks if he was in a relationship? What a bold question off the bat, maybe she was playing along with him more than he expected. “No, i’m not, but who knows maybe I just haven’t found the right person, or the right person just dropped into my lap.” he smirked as his right hand walked across the table and with a flick of his wrist he made a poking gesture at her nose with a “boop”

He nodded, he knew what he wanted, but what she didn’t expect most likely was for him to have a very special order. “Yes i’ll take the soup and um, your strongest bottle of liquor and an extra bottle of tequila.” he looked at his companion with golden hues, “And a bottle of hot sauce while you’re at it.” he winked at her.

Lacie had obviously not been aware about the thoughts Baron had after she had shrugged off her trenchcoat. She simply did not like to think abouth er looks after seeing Alice. She didn't believe that she was ugly, nah she thought far too highly about herself for that but she had to form a plan in her pretty little mind about how to get to this point. She simply had looked at looks when she had approached Baron, in a wrong way of course but she was not very up to date to the ways of acting in this new state of her life. She would get there, she had to be more brave and bold and work from there. She had seen him stare and it had made her blush, before she had quickly looked away.

She had made the stupid comment and she had instantly regretted in with the boop on her nose but that look on her face was gone in a second, if you had not seen it or if you did, you could imagine that you were wrong. She made a fake laugh and smiled at him, "Unfortunately for you, no one is sitting in your lap." she said and she was happy to say that, so the smile turned into a honest one. It was a good comment if she said so herself.

She ordered a salad and a red wine and stared at Baron for ordening only soup, "I thought you were hungry?" she said trying not to show how surprised she was by keeping her voice even. "We would like some bread next to it. Just plain with some tapas and the like and garlic bread. Because he needs to eat." she turned her face from the waiter while she ordered to Baron saying he should eat more. Especially if he ordered so much alcohol! Goodbye jewels.

His mind was a loop as he went from thinking about the food, to the booze, and then back to her. Who was she? He didn’t have a clue, yet here he was treading the blurred line between acquaintance and stranger as he continued to play with her. She seemed to have an agenda going behind the scenes, Baron couldn’t guess what she was up to given they had just met but considering how rude she was to him when they first met she likely wasn’t doing this out of the good of her heart. Maybe she was being nice to him out of pity, who could guess? If only he could read minds at a time  like this. He had seen her blush twice now, but the second time he couldn’t tell if it was a blush or disgust either way he was beginning to appreciate this woman a bit more than he should have.

“Well you never know how the night might turn out, after a few drinks I could end up in your lap of all things.” he cupped his chin, this was a rather difficult game to play with, she was in his head and it seemed he had yet to even graze the outer reaches of her mind. What was she up to… Well luckily for the two of them alcohol made everyone honest so maybe he could loosen those supple lips a tad easier than he thought.

She seemed surprised that he wasn’t eating much, “Well you were nice enough to get me out of the rain, it wouldn’t be right to eat you out of your jewels.” he shrugged, “Plus the more I eat the more I’ll probably owe you so-” just before he could finish she took charge and ordered quite a few appetizers catching him off guard completely. His expression showed his surprise as his eyes widened and his mouth partially formed an ‘o’. Why would she insist on feeding him? Seemed like she was trying to play his mother for a time… Or his wife? “You don’t have to do that, I owe you enough already… What do you want for this anyway? I can pay you back if you want when i get jewels?”

Okay maybe she wasn't very good at it. Too nice perhaps? She wasn't entirely sure if she knew what the entire word meant. She had always thought that she was a nice person but considering what she had done in the past, she had been blinded for everything that she thought was alright to do and now she knew better, but now she wanted worse. She didn't want to be the nice and ugly sister, she wanted to be the only one of the two of them alive. Her eyes shined brightly while she made herself angry considering the fact that she thought about Alice. Something that always made her angry. So she quickly have to think about something else, the whole reason why she was here.

Because let's be fair, what would a small and fragile looking girl like her do opposite a guy covered in tattoos if you looked at stereotypical things. She also did not have a hidden talent, her magic didn't work and apart from that was made for healing. Not something she could use in case of defending herself and her pet had walked away from her. It was all very nice, she had lost Scarlett the day she bumped into.. no not think about that. She would be angry again, which distracted her from thinking about the plan and focusing on Baron because she certainly needed to watch her step and his every move to not make another mistake again this evening.

She didn't know exactly what to say after his retord about sitting on her lap, as if she would allow. Her broken body couldn't even handle that at the moment but she simply laughed it off for now. Made it easier than really answering and telling him how that would never happen. The drinks were brought sooner than the food, eventhough she had just ordered, apparently it was easily ready considering two bottles and one glass of wine. She took an immediate sip before looking up at Baron who spoke to her about jewels and that he didn't want to eat too much considering she was paying and she couldn't help but giggle, "I bet the food is cheaper than the bottles of alcohol you ordered. Besides I don't mind. I have a good and loving sister that pays a lot for me." She leaned on her elbow and took another sip of her wine while her chocolate brown eyes stared at him. "We will cross that bridge when we come to it." she replied to the question that he could pay her back when he had the jewels, "Are you a mage? Do you belong to a guild? There are a lot of jobs people do that are mages or wielders of weapons and those jobs are very dull to do alone. Who knows maybe I would like to see you as a partner for those jobs. If you don't mind that of course."

It would take him a minute to process all that was happening, it couldn’t been out of her good heart that she was helping him, there had to be something she wanted. She could have been a murderer trying to make him her next victim, or a crazed woman looking for a man to trap in her basement to show off to her friends like some sort of prized pooch. He could see it now, he’d be a stuck as a stay at home dad to children he didn’t wish to favor but did anyway to save himself, he also bought her a puppy because well women tend to want those and she would obviously have threatened him for it. Oh and they would have a nice house on the beach with a nice view of the water but not too close in case of a storm. They’d probably give their children foolish names like Baron Jr., Alicia, Cee cee oh and their relationship? Pfft, as if they would be happy together raising all three children well….

Baron leaned over and rested his chin on his hand as he sized contently, they could even do shit with other couples and have a big beach wedding. His fantasies seemed to be straying a tad bit far from the gravity of their current meeting as he still barely really knew her and he was blissfully unaware of her true intent for him. EIther way it was nice to think about things like municipal life from time to time even if the woman he was daydreaming about was fairly rude and from what he could tell had very little interest in him as a person. No matter he would eat all she allowed tonight though he did have a question for her, one that didn’t meet those she was planning to ask much at all. “Would you ever want children?” he asked in an airy voice, his mind obviously still wandering as he accidently let the question slip past his lips.

He would only stare at her for a moment before answering her. She wasn’t so bad on the eyes, she was a bit skinny and in terms of womanly features she was well above average, but the thing that stood out the most to Baron was her dazzling, ebony eyes. He could stare into them for days, but sadly they didn’t have that sort of time. “No, I’m not a mage but I know my way around a weapon more or less. No, no guild and sure we can do some jobs in town together… But if I help you, we call this a date!” he smirked, “Oh and uh… I don’t have anywhere to live so can I stay at your place while we work?”

She had asked him a question but apparently he was daydreaming and she shrugged it off for it wasn't that important. She wasn't entirely sure what she should do while he seemed to be unreachable to ask anything else. Waiting was the only option, she noticed when he returned to this humble bar and returned at Earth. She stared at him with a raised eyebrow and was merely surprised by the question he asked. What was that for random question, "Children?" she repeated because she couldn't understand why a stranger (because that's what they basically were), would ask her that question. She opened her mouth to answer but closed it quickly for she wasn't sure why she would even answer the question as she barely knew him. She stared at the table with a sad face, considering everything, there was only one answer; "I don't think I'm capable." So she quickly changed the subject after that. She did not want to talk about it, her body wouldn't be strong enough to even get pregnant, she was sure and she clenched her fist, because this reminded her that Alice had everything again.

The subject was brought to the food and the alcohol and how she asked him to do jobs with her. So he was a guy that handled weapons, good, he was probably stronger than her, obviously considered health, and she needed a good partner to be able to lean on and do jobs. She had to play this evening right. She frowned when he told her that he had no place to stay, she narrowed her eyes in the process of thinking. She did not want to share her bedroom, but maybe she could get some sort of annex in the hotel that she was staying. Some hotels had some sort of appartment with a shared livingroom but separate bedrooms, "I bet we can arrange something. It would be a shame if you have to stay outside, especially with this weather." she said with a little sour smile but that was not because of him, it was because she was thinking off solutions and she wasn't very good at that.

It seemed she didn’t want to talk about children much, which made Baron more curious than anything about her now. She didn’t think she was capable? Well that was a defeated answer, he didn’t mind the answer but he wanted to pry a bit further. It wasn’t his place to asks but he wanted to know just why she felt like she couldn’t have children? Children were such a positive thing though that may have just been his years with his family speaking to him but for a woman so beautiful sound so defeated when it came to them… She was cute, seemed nice enough, and she could probably be motherly if she wanted to but that was just Corbin’s opinion thus far he still didn’t know her that well but the more they spoke the more he began to feel… Connected to her? He owed her for the food and all but he liked her quite a bit. “Hey, what’s with that look? You don’t have to be uh capable to adopt right? Or…”

He cleared his throat, “Plus… We could always try to make one?” he spoke trying to lighten the mood, she seemed to be off as she tried to think of an answer to his situation. “Can we share a bed?” he smiled this should lighten her up, “It does get pretty cold out here…”

Lacie casually tried to work her way around the subject of children. It still bothered her as she stared at the table, it reminded her of Alice and her future and that her own future wasn't going so well as she was still coughing up blood, though surprisingly she had not done that the whole evening. She took a big gulp of wine to get distracted about all this and to forget her worries about finding the perfect body that wouldn't look like her sister anymore and would be much healthier. She couldn't help but stare at Baron with an ice cold look in her eyes when he mentioned that she didn't have to be capable to adopt, ugh men. They never would understand how it worked. However she answered with the same ice cold stare and a smile that was the same degree cold: "Of course, that would always be an option." but she tried to not sound too sarcastic, which was difficult and she shook her head, "Sorry, that was rude again." which it wasn't considering she tried to avoid the topic all together and he just went on. She bit her lip to shut her mouth when the waiter brought the little pieces of bread with some spreads (or whatever you call it) and the garlic bread. The salad and soup were almost ready and would come later.

She turned to face him because as soon as the waiter was gone she couldn't believe her ears. What.. what he.. how did, what did he say? He couldn't.. She opened her mouth, ready to scream and shout at him but all she felt like that she was incapable to say anything because it was no use talking to a person like this. The cold version of her returned even though she had just apologized for it, "Are you mad? The answer is no. I don't know you, you don't know me. By far do I want to share a bed with a stranger. I can offer you a second room in the hotel that is an annex of the part I would stay but.." she kept on rambling, "Besides it is very unacceptable to ask a woman to make babies like that, especially if she told you she can't have them. Put another knife into the wound will you." She spoke far too loud but if people were already looking at them, she wouldn't notice. She stood up, gulped up the last wine and wanted to walk away, he had a few seconds to save the conversation and Lacie from walking out.

It seemed she wasn’t having any of what he was saying, meaning she wasn’t quite as prepared to be his partner as he thought. By the cold stare alone he realized that she was beginning to get fed up with him, so this whole thing must have been an act after all. Though given that the question had already made her uncomfortable maybe she was hiding more about her self than she wasn’t “capable” maybe she was sick or hated children, who could guess? Well, Baron would take a stab at it. She seemed to be struggling to keep her cool and that would only make him wonder what she was thinking. She was probably angry at him and rightfully so he did go a tad bit far in his questioning digging into her personal life he did in fact no know her therefore e had little to no right to asks her anything but what job she wanted to take first.

Soon, she would seem to give him quite a scolding, the once cool “nice” demeanor melted into one of latent heat as she chewed him out a bit. Just before he could speak she got up and was leaving the place! Ok, maybe his joke had gone a bit too far, just a teeny bit, it wasn’t like he asked her to flat out do it on the bar counter! ‘I really am a sleeze ball’ he rubbed his chin and watched her go. There were a few options on the table as she neared the door, he could eat the appetizers and let her go on her way, tell management she went to get her purse and risks having Lacie banned from the establishment for not paying, leave the appetizers and run out the back door before anyone can catch on, sit there dumbfounded for the rest of the night, or get up and go after her to apologize. He weighed his options heavily, he was in between eating and leaving honestly.

“Ehh?!” he looked down at the garlic bread, and then back at the leaving woman, and then the bread, and then the woman, and then the bread again! He repeated this for a few seconds until he got up and followed her. Ugh, this was the second time tonight he chased after her! “Hey, wait!” he called out to her, dashing forward to place a hand on her shoulder, “Ok, ok, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean that I was just messing around to see how much I could say to you. Please, let’s just uh, start over.” if he wanted to eat and not feel guilty about her leaving he had to suck up his pride. “I have a place I can go to, I won’t have to stay with you let’s just talk about the terms of this partnership.”

Fine, this wasn't going to work and she should djust give up and leave, she wasn't meant to be manipulative about other people and she should just stick to the things that she knew she could do. She stood up, gave him a few seconds but in the end turned to the door, she should pay, he couldn't pay. She had invited him here because she believed she could get something out of it, how could se be so stupid! She definitely.. no she wasn't going to admit that she had this coming. She felt someone grab her shoulder and turned around to look at Baron. She noticed now that people were staring at her and she couldn't help but look away, ashamed off herself and the drama she had caused. She should just shut up and pay for the food and be done with it. "I'm sorry but it's just kind of a sensitive topic in my family at the moment. If you really would want to know I could tell you." the whole arrogance was gone, she lookedl ike a child that didn't get a gift for christmas or the like, she seemed to be alone and lonely and childish. She turned back to the table with some coaching from Baron, "You can still stay, I just have to make an arrangement with the hotel, so there is another bed. No problem." but she still looked a bit forlorn, not entirely sure what she should do, she simply ripped a piece of the bread and put it in her mouth to have something to do and not look at Baron, when she finished munching on it, "Give me a tequila shot."

It would have been easy to let her walk away, he didn’t know her, but as much as he shouldn’t have he cared a great deal for the stranger’s feelings. It was his fault she got into a fuss, and it was his fault that she seemed to sadden so he would try to make it up to her one of these days, though he did have somewhere to go tonight, he had his tent the only reason he wasn’t in it when they met was because he was afraid it had gotten water logged since it started raining not long after he entered town. It was a terrible day to be him and as much as he didn’t want to he had to admit defeat and suck up to this woman. Sure, she wasn’t as cold as he thought, it was in between really. She seemed deeply saddened by the baby thing… Maybe that could be how he paid her back, not giving her one but instead finding a way for her to fix whatever problem she had, it was the least he could do.

“It’s fine, I shouldn't have kept bringing it up.” he apologized, picking up the tequila bottle pouring it into a shot glass for himself, he was just about to down it before she mentioned she wanted some. “Oh?” he slid the shot over to her, before pouring himself another in the second given glass. He pour both of their shots fairly high, maybe if he got her drunk she’d open up more…. One way to find out.

Lacie had only eaten the piece of garlic bread and normally she drank one or two glasses of wine, she had never been drunk before. She took the shot of tequila and quickly downed it. She actually didn't like the taste that much and closed her eyes firmly shut because of the burning sensation in her throat as well as the flavour itself and she opened one eye and then two to blink rapidly, "That is disgusting." she said before slowly holding up the shot glass to him again, "But pour me another one will ya." which was not exactly how she wanted to say it but she didn't really notice. The salad was brought as well as the soup, which was a good thing. She was asked if she wanted another wine but she declined, she would drink the shitty drink that Baron had ordered, it was exactly how she felt, maybe that's why she wanted more of it.

"So, tell me about yourself, I mean I'm going to share a hotelroom with you, I would like to know more. In return I will tell you about me." She was far more talkactive than before and she stared at the shot glass, nah it wasn't that, it was just that she wanted to get rid of these stupid feelings and asking people things would work in that way. Who knows if people were honest she would perhaps find other enemies for Alice and that would be more fun for her. She had to remind herself that Selena wouldn't like that but who cared about her cousin! She bailed her out, she was sure that her cousin simply wanted something from her.

Baron felt like she was having a bit of conflict between her mind and body, she obviously didn’t enjoy his company. There was no getting around that, he generally tried to make new friends out of strangers, even those who seemed to dislike him but this woman was different. He couldn’t help but give in to the fact that there was truly no getting to her. The game they played was lopsided at this point, she couldn’t keep up like he thought, but he did his best not to show himself saddened by that fact. It was only normal that someone like her, someone normal, wouldn’t understand someone as rampant and peculiar as him. Maybe he was backing down too much, or she was taking her sweet time in showing him this “nice” side of her. Then again he didn’t even know her so as far as he knew she could have just been a nice woman with rude traits, forgivable but strange. Breaking his thought he poured her another shot and downed one himself.

“You wanna know about me?” he poured them both more alcohol, “Name’s Baron, I’m from Bosco, grew up on a farm and I have like ten siblings. I’m here in Fiore looking for adventure.” he kept it some what short, “But how about you beautiful? Why don’t you tell me something about yourself? Someone so stiff can’t be looking for a good time in Hargeon.” he took another shot and sighed. Soon his soup would come and he’d empty the container of hot sauce into it.

“Oh look a wine glass.” he took her glass and poured more liquor into it, “Sip up princess.” he slid it over to her.