Nighthawks

[Naga]

"Money has an unnatural grip on people. It's influence and status, a sign of success, a sense of security." She eyed the folded bill curiously. Was that supposed to be a flower or something? "That make it a useful tool."

Those eyes shift back up to Winter's face. "One of the old guard, are you? Seen better school boards over the years?"

[Winter]

He revels in the Warlock's words. Unnatural? And then they call him a liar.
He pushes the flower toward her with the tip of his finger. "Kids these days mostly need to manage themselves. Stay long enough, and you'll see what I'm talking about"

Mental Shield: [pot 1]

[Naga]

Kids. He probably meant Pixel. No one would consider Campanella a kid. The rest were debatable.

"I'm not planning on going anywhere," she commented, glancing at the slipshod origami again. Was it meant be resemble some sort of dead insect? "You were a member of that board yourself, or are we glazing over that fact?"

[Winter]

It's a slight surprise to see how quickly the regime of her last few words had changed. "Who, me? Fell upon it, really. I happened to be the only person who met the criteria at the time. And that was it", he casts a forlorn look at his bastard craft. Thankfully, the FED was pumping more money in the system. "If you can judge an element from its parts, then my participation was an indictment of where the whole board stood"

Mental Shield: [pot 1]

[Naga]

Naga took the poor $20 and started to unfold and flatten it back out. Perhaps it was a Mastigos habit, wanting everything to be immaculate and presentable. Or perhaps she just couldn't look at Winter's paper abomination any longer.

"I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member," she quoted with a smirk, "Something along those lines?"

[Winter]

"You are a Lawyer", he smirks in return, "you might empathize", his hands hastily claw for the menu.
"So, I'm going to grab a burger or two", it was an invite left hanging.

Mental Shield: [pot 1]

[Naga]

"How about we make it my treat? A little something to remember me by before you're subsisting on bread and water for several months?" She didn't look at the menu, the same one she'd examined the coffees with, for more then a moment. The Warlock wasn't that hungry and had quickly chosen. She relayed her choice to the intrepid waitress, when she came around the table again.

"Hi. The small salad, please? Thank you," she flashed the charming smile and beguiling eyes.

[Winter]

He shakes his head. "I always pay my due. Tonight it's on me", he motion to the waitress, urging her to take the woman and his orders. Two burgers another round of tea and coffee to boot. 5 numbers in total.
"So, how are your colleagues?"

Mental Shield: [pot 1]

[Naga]

She gave a slight shrug, not minding that Winter wanted to pay for the meal. Let him have his pride. It didn't matter.

The Théarch waited until the Waitress of Questionable Memory had departed before she answered the question.

Which colleagues would those be? There were no other Ladders here, and only one other Mastigos. The Guardian knew all that. "I have my own small practice. No big law firm for me right now."

[Winter]

"Is it true what they say of BigLaw? That they're meat grinders?", he nods absent-mindedly.
Deciding that a small display of trust would carry him to great lengths, he decides to undo the silo surrounding his pattern.
Crimson shatters, coming undone in a shower of red petals. "Most impressive indeed. To be this young and run an established practice. You must be one of those whizzkids then", and a lil bit of Mind magic. Of course.

Spells: Undone