I Can't Fix This

     “That you certainly are not. Are you done for the evening?”

“My shift just ended but it doesn’t feel like my night is over just yet. Am I lucky enough that you’re in the same predicament?“

      “You’ve made it to the end, congratulations.”

   That actually got a laugh from her - light but genuine - “Well, I can certainly understand being famished.” The fae smiled, “I suppose this is a very good way for us to actually get to know one another given that we are both members of the same alliance.”

“I have to confess that I’m a little embarrassed. I can’t say I remember exactly when you joined?” Vincent asked making small talk. “I just remember noticing your presence more and more often.“

“You can start early, I’ll have one of my members be waiting for you at 8 am this Thursday?”

“I’ll put you down for 8 am and get my men on it.“

“When am I not?”

“You do understand that he’s not hesitant to eat you and parade around in your skin for a few months?“

“That you guys seem wary of getting close to anyone in this alliance.”

“I wouldn’t say just that. The human shifters in this alliance have healthy relationships with themselves and more than a few selective members. Trying to push for more interactions would have to be on both parts. Mostly your adolescence animal shifters. We are older adults of different species, Jo, it’s normal that we wouldn’t have much in common.“

    “No, it wouldn’t.” 

    She smiled a bit, “It is somewhat unexpected.” There were so few in her alliance that she was close to, having long since grown tired of being the one to remain when another’s time had run out.  But she was willing to give it a  try once more. “Thank you for the invitation.”

“No. I don’t ask my clients out for lunch using a late meeting as a cover. But I am famished.“ He smiled. “You’re welcome, Keira.“

Clara scanned him skeptically and nodded. “When will you be available to begin?”

“We can start...“ Vincent smirked noticing the look on her face. He opened a scheduling book and skimmed through a few pages before continuing, “Thursdays. I have morning and afternoons available. We just need someone over the age of 18 to be there and let us in. If they have knowledge of what’s getting done, that would be even better.“

“Patch already sent me to you.”

“You were pushing his buttons weren’t you?“

   “That is perfect. I will take a few and give you guys a call once I have more questions or get a better idea of what I wanna do to see if it’s plausible.”

“We aim to please. It’s nice doing business with you.“

@iamtheshift

    She so often would be on her own that even accepting an invitation to have lunch with another in her alliance was odd. She and Vincent had not interacted much beyond the occasional hello and nod of seeing each other at various gatherings. The walk from his business to the dinner would not be a long one, and yet she couldn’t help the comment that made its way from her mind.   

    She gave a soft hum, “No. That should be it.”

“I’ll send my guys about as soon as possible and get you a fair priced estimate.“ Vincent eyebrows pitched looking down at his watch. “I kept you here longer then intended. Allow me to buy you lunch, there’s a diner across the way, it’s the least I can do for not meeting out guarantee.“

   “Well, I suppose I need to rethink what I need to do to the room and get back to you guys.”

“Take your time and take a few of our business cards. I have a new home design team that can help you with some ideas and answer any questions about combining two or more constructed processes together.“

“Give me some hope, and maybe I will.”

“How about I hand you’re case over to Patch?“