Urian [Apex Advertising]: The outside of the building blends in with the other unnaturally tall skyscrapers. Lined with massive sleek windows in between rows of polished grey. The large glass double doors leading into the main lobby entrance reads "Apex Advertising" in a bold white font. Eye catching, to no surprise.

Urian [Apex Advertising]: Hugo makes the drive in eerie silence, stopping and parking just in front of the building in a spot marked CEO. He steps out and opens Laurel's door for her.

Laurel Hensley: She slips out of the limousine and looks around the place as she apporaches with Hugo. The girl's gotten contacts finally, and the glasses are gone...a simple outfit, a soft blue long-sleeved wrap top and business skirt with professional heels. Her hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, make-up tasteful and highlighting her natural looks. She makes her way inside, coming up to the counter (or wherever Huge leads her).

Urian [Apex Advertising]: (beamer, not a limo. my bad) Hugo closes the door and makes his way up to the lobby entrance. Opening the door for Laurel again. Moving through she can see that most of the people are gone for the evening. From the outside, it looks that most of the lights are out save the ones on the top floor and a few random others. The large man quietly leads Laurel to the elevator and slides a keycard to gain access to the top floor.

Laurel Hensley: Her walk is calm, professional. She's courteous, but reserved as she makes her way along, stepping inside after Hugo and positioning herself against the back of the elevator, waiting with hands folded in front of her lap.

Urian [Apex Advertising]: The ride up is quiet and uneventful. The faint sound of elevator music humming in the background. Finally the door opens at the top floor with a subtle ding, to reveal Urian's massive office. The first thing she'll see is a large desk area just in front of the wide window spread, displaying a gorgeous view of the night city scape. Filing cabinets and the like line that area of the room in a cozy organized fashion. To her left she'll see a quaint dining area, a long table with six chairs. Empty for the time being. To the right, she'll see a makeshift living quarters. Large but simple bed, a dresser and wardrobe for when he doesn't make it back to the house. Urian is seen facing the window, hands cupped thoughtfully behind his back.

Urian [Apex Advertising]: When the elevator door opens, he turns with a charming smile. Making his way over to the elevator. Hugo stays in, not daring to step into the man's office. "Laurel.. Wonderful to see you. I trust Hugo treated you with the respect you deserve." When he gets close enough, he extends his hand to Hugo. The brute reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small manila envelope. Handing it to his boss without question.

Laurel Hensley: She walks into the room, looking around with no small amount of curiosity to see how the other half lives. She looks over at Urian and makes her way directly to him, extending a hand and giving a polite smile. "Good to see you, Urian. Hugo was quite respectful."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: After placing the envelope in his jacket pocket, he cups both hands around Laurel's, giving her an overtly friendly handshake. He nods to Hugo and the brute presses the button. Doors close and he's gone. Urian flashes another charming smile to Laurel. "He's a quiet one.. but a good man. Loyal and hardworking."

Laurel Hensley: "He certainly seems that way." Her free hand joins theirs, and she lets them drop after a moment. "How have you been?"

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He gives a long sigh, letting his own hands drop. "Swamped.. actually. But I needn't trouble you with my own business ventures. Mimi said you needed to speak with me." He moves over toward the table, to one of the cabinets where he'd set out an iced bottle of wine.

Laurel Hensley: "Oh? Tell me if there's anything I can do to help. You've helped us so much lately." She moves to the table and takes a seat, crossing one leg over the other. "I did want to speak with you, actually. There's...a lot that's happened, and I think we need to come to terms with them."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods, pulling out two glasses without asking. Pouring a drink for each of them. "Don't worry about me.. I pay hundreds of salaries per year to help me with my business ventures. Hasn't failed me yet.." He sets a glass of wine in front of Laurel, taking a seat next to the girl. Posture as regal as ever. "So. What was it you needed to discuss."

Laurel Hensley: She takes the wine with a smight smile and sighs. She's quiet for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts. "I...realize, that we got off on the wrong foot. Which is primarily my fault, I know. I reacted...poorly to our first meeting, and it went downhill from there. Went through a lot of changes. Obviously." A weak smile, maybe pained. This obviously isn't easy.

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods slowly to the woman. Bringing his own wine up for a small sip. Tasting more than drinking, really. "Obviously I stepped on your toes, Melioth. Unintentional.. but that doesn't make it sting any less. It pains me that you take my criticism with such bitterness. All I ever wanted to do.. was help you grow as a leader." He absently looks off toward the window. "And I never.. had any intentions of sleeping with Brigitte. For the record."

Laurel Hensley: Blue eyes move quickly down to the surface of the wine at that, wincing some. "No," she says with a nod. "I realize that now. But that wasn't what you implied certain times."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He absently swings one leg over the other. "Did it ever occur to you.. Melioth.. that I was saying those things intentionally? Everything I say to you.. every time we interact.. I go out of my way to make you stronger. In the position you hold.. You'll never know anything for certain.. unless you question every possibility. Even before I came along.. was there any doubt that Brigitte was cheating on you? Tell me no.. and I'll call you a liar to your face. But now.. because of my actions.. and my raising your suspiscions.. you've inadvertedly confronted the problem. Not in the way I would have handled it.. granted.. but it WAS handled.."

Laurel Hensley: "I...always accepted it," she says with a little shrug. She looks up to him and smiles. "When it was open. She didn't hide the fact. What hurt was the idea that she didn't say anything. That meant something more." A brief pause, as she takes a breath, thinking about it. "I guess you have a point. Much as I'd rather not believe that."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He looks over to the woman. Emmersive blue eyes scanning her small frame. "What is it about me.. that you hate Melioth? Honestly, now.."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: d10: per+emp: 3,6,3,4,2,9,

Laurel Hensley -> Urian [Apex Advertising]: ((Right now, she's nervous. Really, sort of scared. She's leaving herself vulnerable, and she fully expects him to rip at her in this state. A fair amount of pride is being shoved down, and there is still suspicion there. And a little, faint glimmer of hope.))

Laurel Hensley: She's quiet for a very long moment, muilling the question over in her head. She looks up at him, her jaw just slightly set. "That you're right, Urian. You're always right."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He sets his glass down. Leaning subtly in her direction. "So long as you don't leak the information to my subordinates.. I'll admit that I'm not ~always~ right.. Just.. most of the time." He sits back up with another charming grin. "It's nothing to get yourself down about, Melioth. I've simply been doing this for longer than you have. I've been leading.. since the beginning of creation. You've been tyrant for.. what.. a number of months?"

Laurel Hensley: "Or, better yet...that you're better then me."

Laurel Hensley: ((Puts that post above yours, 'cause it still fits. *S*))

Urian [Apex Advertising]: "At certain things, maybe. And I'm sure you could show me up in your arena. It just so happens.. that we've been playing in my sandbox. There's no need to envy my castle.. I want to show you how to sculpt your own. Not because I'm arrogant.. or pride myself in the downfall of others.. because I'm experienced.. and I don't like to watch people struggle."

Laurel Hensley: She smiles very faintly at the man's joke, looking down and taking a sip of her wine. "Yeah, well. Things weren't...exactly well-organized up here. I've been doing what I can."

Laurel Hensley: She looks at him at that bit, brow furrowing. Still not sure, she flits her gaze over him, appraising him.

Laurel Hensley: d10: Per+Emp vs. five: 2,9,8,5,1,3,

Urian [Apex Advertising] -> Laurel Hensley: There's a hint of arrogance, something that's hard for the devil to keep under wraps hard as he may try. A sense of approval in laurel's direction. Respect and admiration. She can also tell that he's a pathetically lonely individual.

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He takes up his wine, bringing it up for a small sip. Contemplating his words, it seems. After a quiet moment, he brings his free hand up to rub his temples. Tired from the past week at the office.

Laurel Hensley: She blinks a little bit, watching him. Her expression softens, just a little bit, and she takes a sip off of her wine. "I would...very much appreciate that, Urian." She smiles a little bit. "Thank you."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods, setting his glass back down. "I haven't commended you yet.. for your efforts in a trying situation. It takes a lot.. for someone of your house to step up to the plate.. when one or more of my own have failed to perform their rightful duties."

Laurel Hensley: Her face colors softly, and she looks down to the ground. "Thank you again. I'm not sure I deserve that, but I appreciate it." She looks back up, curling a strand of hair behind her ear. "You look tired."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods, pushing himself up from the tired. "I.. feel tired." He lets a subtle laugh escape, moving back toward his desk. "I sometimes work so hard that I forget about the body I'm in. It catches up to me after a while."

Laurel Hensley: "I can understand that," she says with a faint smile. "Probably not in the same way, but..." She shrugs a little bit. "You should take the time to rest, Urian. Relax from time to time. It's not...good in the long run." Like she's one to talk.

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He cracks a charming smile over his shoulder to the girl. "I'm stronger than I look, considering my age. I'm fine." He takes the envelope Hugo'd given him and tucks it away in his desk for later.

Laurel Hensley: "Mm. I know that fine." She nods a little bit, looking to the envelope. "Business matters?"

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods. "As much as any. Messages. I'll get to them when I'm ready."

Laurel Hensley: She nods, accepting that, and sighs. "So, then." She rubs at her eyes a little bit. "We have a few things we should probably deal with...soon. The group home, I've been talking with Jay about...and that little pesky Eartbound problem."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods, leaning back against his desk. Folding his arms over his chest. "I agree. I suggest we start with the small fish.. and work our way up from there. Unless you have a more efficient plan of action, that is."

Laurel Hensley: "No, that was my thoughts as well." She nods. "We're...not ready to tackle Cernnunos yet. But the group home, we should get out of the way. And it might lead us to something more."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods. "Have you planned an excursion to the group home, yet? Jay mentioned.." He cracks a tiny smile. "Your infultration tactics. Inventive.. I must say. Have you spoken with the girls to learn the protocol of the home? I don't know if a place like that would take well to otusiders entering the grounds. But.. I've never considered breaking into a home for orphaned females."

Laurel Hensley: "I've spoken with them a little." She nods. "Beth has some rather interesting details, but she's...rather uncomfortable talking about it. I'm hoping Maria can give the mundane details...she seems to have made it through more...intact."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods, frowning. "How are they doing?"

Laurel Hensley: "Maria seems to be doing okay." She smiles warmly. "She's handled knowing very well, and Jay's helped with that. Beth...I'm not so sure. Leon scares the hell out of Maria. I'm trying to help them both with that."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods, listening with concerned eyes. "And.. the third?"

Laurel Hensley: "She's..." She flushes, looking down guiltily. A thumb runs along the rim of the glass. "Honestly, I've been so wrapped up in...other things, I don't know. She's...quiet. Stays in her room most of the time."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: His frown deepends, nodding. "Right.."

Laurel Hensley: She nods slightly. "Something to get to post-haste, I know." She raises a hand to rub at her eyes. "I'll...yeah. I know."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He gives a slow nod. "I.. I'm sorry, Melioth." He says quietly. Looking back toward the window.

Laurel Hensley: "For what?"

Urian [Apex Advertising]: "Shoving your faults down your throat." He slips his suit jacket off and lays it across the desk, moving idly away from the thing. "I just can't help but feel that I'm taking the wrong approach with you, sometimes. Most of the time."

Laurel Hensley: She smiles faintly. "Don't be. I'm...I've been rather erratic lately, I'll admit. In a lot of ways, I'm still getting used to Laurel. After so long in Jarod's skin, it's...quite a change." She sighs. "Jarod would have probably handled the whole thing much better then I."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods. "Don't fight it, Melioth. You'll be much more comfortable.. in the long run.. accepting that Jarod is gone rather than trying to cling to something you're not."

Laurel Hensley: She nods a little bit. "Is this...your first Host?"

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He cracks a tiny smile, nodding slowly. "It is. The only knowledge I have on the subject is counseling those in your situation. Back in Chicago."

Laurel Hensley: She nods and runs her hand over her neck, rubbing the muscles there. "It's...incredibly confusing. The feelings I had as Jarod...the memories carrying over. It's...almost like it's more crowded even then before. I can't imagine how someone could handle another Host one more time, much less more then that. It's...almost excruciating."

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods, comforting eyes drifting over the girl. "It must be terribly hard on you, Melioth. Honestly.. if there's anything I can do.. even to take your mind off things for a while. You look like you could use it."

Laurel Hensley: She looks up at him, and smiles appreciatively. "Thank you, Urian. I appreciate that...and be careful. I might take you up on it." She grins a bit, then rises to her feet. "I...should go, though. I have...a lot to prepare for." ((And I gotta sleep))

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He nods. "I'll buzz Hugo and tell him to drive you back to the club. You're welcome here anytime you need to stop by, Melioth." (truuuuuuuuuuuue dat)

Laurel Hensley: "Thank you, Urian..." She gives him a last smile. "For everything. Good night." She moves to him, leaning up to kiss his cheek, before she moves to go. ((Thanks for the scene!))

Urian [Apex Advertising]: He casts a charming smlie and walks her to the elevator. Doing as he said to call Hugo to take her home. (anytime. *zzzzzzzzzzz*)