Claire Carrier: IC: She answers the phone sounding a little groggy as if she was woken up. "Yeah?" she says into the phone.

Troy Lawrence: "Miss Carrier." His voice is calm and even a bit warm. "Good evening...it has been some time. How are you?"

Claire Carrier: She's quiet for a few moments. "Oh....ask me in a few hours. Woke me up."

Troy Lawrence: "Fair enough. My apologies for being absent...my life has been somewhat hectic, at work and at home. I was wondering, perhaps, if you are not too busy tonight, or perhaps some time soon if tonight is bad for you."

Claire Carrier: "I guess not," she sounds still groggy and apathetic. "What time....where?"

Troy Lawrence: "I was thinking perhaps a dinner engagement...just an opportunity to get together and catch up. Say, the Japanese Restaraunt where we met, some time around...would eight be too soon?"

Claire Carrier: "Alright. I think I can get going in two hours. See you then. Bye." and clicks off the phone.

Troy Lawrence: He raises an eyebrow and sighs, putting the phone away, and is there at the front desk waiting at a quarter till eight. He's dressed a bit more informally...a black turtleneck and khakhis replacing the usual power suit. Hair is well in-place, as always, and he stands there after speaking with the host, waiting for her.

Claire Carrier: She comes in at 8 on the dot, wearing a school girl outfit, complete with the white stockings rolled up to the knees, hair pulled into a ponytail and a large upside down cross as her only jewelry. She asks for Troy's table.

Troy Lawrence: He looks when she's led along by the host, a brow raising slightly at her look. It's down quickly, though, and he nods, giving her a smile and hoping there's no cameras around. "Miss Carrier. A pleasure to see you again. How are you?"

Claire Carrier: "I'm fine," no smile from her, just that same apathetic voice from earlier on the phone.

Troy Lawrence: He nods a little bit and gestures to the seat. "Please, by all mean...make yourself comfortable." He nods to the host, who hands out the menus and then leaves. Troy's chosen a table with actual chairs, for her comfort, and he pulls one out for Claire.

Claire Carrier: She sits down when the chair is offered and then looks at her menu. As she crosses her legs high, the skirt rides up and she doesn't appear to be concerned about it in the least. If he looks into her face, especially her eyes, he might be able to tell she's a bit high or something.

Troy Lawrence: He pushes her chair in a little bit, perhaps a subtle attempt to spare her some dignity, and settles in the seat opposite her. He places a hand on the menu but doesn't pick it up, watching her for a moment. "My dear..." He pauses a moment, and then holds off for this moment. Too early. "Perhaps an appetizer before the main course? If you are so inclined..."

Claire Carrier: "I'm not that hungry. But by all means....help yourself." She doesn't notice what he is trying to do or even that he might have been about to say something else.

Troy Lawrence: "Miss Carrier...Claire." He frowns a little bit. "Pardon me for asking...but you seem unwell. Is there anything I may do to help? Perhaps a quieter setting may be better?"

Claire Carrier: "I'm fine. I just don't eat much. Just when I have to."

Troy Lawrence: He nods a little, sighing, and picks up the menu, looking through. "As you wish. How have you been?"

Claire Carrier: "Having the time of my life," she smirks.

Troy Lawrence: "I can see that." He nods, expression even as he watches her. "You certainly seem to be enjoying yourself." ((Troy Lawrence [PB 4]: d10: Per+Emp: 4,2,4,2,8,))

Claire Carrier: She certainly isn't happy, but it doesn't appear to be an indication of her being with Troy that has her feeling that way.

Claire Carrier: "How's the law firm?" she asks, changing topics.

Troy Lawrence: "The office is doing well. Busy as always, of course...when you are prosecuting the guilty and those who prey on society, there is always much to keep one busy." He looks over the menu at her. "If you like, I am still very open to the idea of you obtaining an intern spot there. I remember that you had expressed an interest in family law, and this would be an excellent place to start."

Claire Carrier: "Once upon a time...but now...." she taps the menu a little. "Things just aren't the same."

Troy Lawrence: He nods. "I have noticed." He's quiet for a moment. "I owe you an apology, Claire. I spoke to you of another's responsibility to you, and became indignant about it. And yet, I failed to notice when you, perhaps, may have needed me."

Claire Carrier: "What?" she blinks, trying to focus on his face as her eyes catch his for a second. "I didn't follow what you just said."

Troy Lawrence: He meets her gaze calmly. "I said that I am sorry for not paying attention when you may have needed my help."

Claire Carrier: "You have your own life, your own mate, a baby coming along. You don't need to apologize to me for anything."

Troy Lawrence: He nods, certainly not denying the first part of her statement. "And still, you are my family. I offered you my aid when you needed it, and I was not there to give it."

Claire Carrier: "I've given up an anyone really caring. They have their own lives. I found a new one that's not so bad. Most of the time I forget the shit."

Troy Lawrence: "Do not give up on such, Claire. Do not let the actions of one waste of our people turn you away from what you wanted. There are still those out there, among us, who care, and care for you. I count myself among them."

Claire Carrier: "I am already mated. It doesn't matter. I got what I wanted," her hand does clench a bit around the crucifix necklace at hinting at Gavriil.

Troy Lawrence: He's quiet for a moment, then nods. "So I have learned. Tell me about him."

Claire Carrier: "He's a photographer. Made me feel like I was very special to him. Still.....nevermind.....he's from Spain. And when he comes back, he's taking me with him."

Troy Lawrence: His brow quirks. "Back to Spain?"

Claire Carrier: "Yeah. I don't know what he's doing over there, but he'll be coming back for me. And taking me there."

Troy Lawrence: "I see. And do you wish to go to Spain?"

Claire Carrier: "It doesn't matter what I wish to do. I'll cross the bridge when it happens."

Troy Lawrence: "With all due respect, Claire...that is not what I asked." The menu's been set down now, and he watches her. ((Troy Lawrence [PB 4]: d10: Per+Emp-WP: 8,4,7,9,6,))

Claire Carrier: She's extremely depressed at where the questions are going. Agitated as well. She doesn't want to go to Spain. But she doesn't even know what she wants right now. He can get a feeling at how her emotions run such a wide gambit it's hard to pinpoint much more except to feel extremes with her.

Claire Carrier: "I told you.....it doesn't fucking matter. I'll be right back," she gets up before he can object, heading to the women's restrooms.

Troy Lawrence: He nods a little, sighing as she heads off. He knows very well what she's going to do, and everything within him says to stop her. That's his job. But Craven's words ring to him, and instead, he just gives her a little time. If she doesn't come out after several minutes, he will go to check.

Claire Carrier: And she is probably doing exactly what he suspects, though she isn't aware that he is aware. She comes out within a reasonable amount of time and takes her seat again.

Troy Lawrence: He smiles faintly when she comes back out, hands in his lap, and nods to her. "My apologies for the questioning on that particular line, Miss Carrier. I did not mean to upset you."

Claire Carrier: She waves her head at him dismissively. "It's no matter now."

Claire Carrier: (head=hand)

Troy Lawrence: "Perhaps," he says with a shrug. "You are enjoying yourself now, though?"

Claire Carrier: "I'm doing quite well now," she nods, giving a smile.

Troy Lawrence: "Indeed. What exactly have you been up to?"

Claire Carrier: "I...." she stops. "I go out and have fun."

Troy Lawrence: A slight raise of a brow, curious and interested. "Oh?"

Claire Carrier: "I go to parties."

Troy Lawrence: "I see." He nods, a little smile coming...a touch of courtroom charm setting forth perhaps, through his usual reserved demeanor. "There's nothing wrong with cutting loose a little, from time to time, for some."

Claire Carrier: "I might as well enjoy it now while I still can."

Troy Lawrence: He pauses a moment, looking to his sleeve and raising the other hand to brush a spec of something off. "There is nothing that says you cannot continue to enjoy it, beyond what time you believe you have, Claire. The future is not written in stone."

Claire Carrier: "Perhaps yours is not.....mine on the other hand....." she starts getting a little antsy again. "Why don't you order something to eat?"

Troy Lawrence: He watches her for just a moment and then nods. "An excellent idea." He waves the waitress over and a plate of Yakitori skewers, looking to Claire for her own order.

Claire Carrier: She considers for a moment and goes with an appetizer that is sweet.

Troy Lawrence: The wiatress nods and takes their menus, slipping away. Troy looks after her a moment, and then looks back to Claire. "How is your family doing?" He watches her calmly after asking, trying to find some safe ground to make inroads in.

Claire Carrier: "Don't know. Haven't seen daddy dearest since asshole and him talked and went off with my new mate."

Troy Lawrence: A little sigh, and he shakes his head, frowning. "I'm...sorry to hear that. Not that you haven't seen your father...I would rather imagine that a blessing to you. But the circumstances surrounding your last sight of him."

Claire Carrier: "I don't really care now," she does sound a bit mellower now at least.

Troy Lawrence: He nods. "You said that your mate is a photographer?"

Claire Carrier: "Yes. A good one."

Troy Lawrence: "Excellent." He nods. "Has he done anything I may have seen?"

Claire Carrier: "I doubt it. He does a lot of photography of girls."

Troy Lawrence: That gives him a moment to pause. "Ahh. I see."

Claire Carrier: "Yes.....I have posed nude," she says blasely.

Troy Lawrence: He nods a little, having guessed as much from what Fiona had said about the photographer, plus what Claire had said about making her feel special. So it doesn't seem shocking to him. "Do you expect that this bothers me?"

Claire Carrier: "Yes. Even if you try to hide it from me. You are a lawyer after all."

Troy Lawrence: "I do not understand what being a lawyer and being bothered by you posing nude have to do with each other. You are over 18, Claire. Legally, nothing wrong has happened."

Claire Carrier: She rolls her eyes at him and mouths Fang at him.

Troy Lawrence: "So are you," he counters. "And, I imagine, your photographer."

Claire Carrier: "I know...that's what I meant....." she sighs. "Propriety and all that fucking shit," starting to get agitated again.

Troy Lawrence: He frowns a little bit, but nods. "I will confess, that it does concern me. It does not offend me as you may think, Claire. Your choices are yours...I merely was not aware that such a path was where your ambitions lay." He tilts his head to watch her reaction. ((Troy Lawrence [PB 4]: d10: Per+Emp: 5,3,3,8,10,))

Claire Carrier: ((Again, but much stronger, her emotions seem to be see-sawing between happy and very depressed, right now more depressed. And his words certainly sting her with a hint of anger at him and others. Disappointment with the world around her.)) "And where the fuck do you get off .....you know what? Just forget it...." she stands up.

Troy Lawrence: "I am not trying to offend you, Claire." he says with a furrow of his brow, looking up to her. "If I did, I very sincerely apologize. I am sorry. I am merely trying to understand."

Claire Carrier: "How hard is it to understand that I fucked up my life? That fucking Gavriil fucked it up as well...oh, because he couldn't love me. Bullshit...he just wanted to fuck around with me and his other lovers....but if he took me as his mate then it would be harder to do so. Fuck! I'm not stupid! But apparently I'm not good enough. Maybe if I fucked around beforehand he'd wanted me more. Well, it's too damned late now. So I fuck around, find my fun and do as I please while I can!" her voice continuing to raise slowly.

Troy Lawrence: ((Troy Lawrence [PB 4]: d10: Persuasion: 10,3,8,3,8,8, Also spending a Gnosis per Numen to gain a +2 to Charisma)) His jaw sets when she mentions Gavriil, and he slowly rises to his feet. Any anger he feels is certainly not directed at her. "Claire. You have done nothing wrong. You must understand that Gavriil...is a disgrace to us. It was as true then as it is now. He shall be dealt with...but the truth of the matter is that he did not deserve you. Winning you does not mean that he earned you. It is not that you were not good enough for him...rather, you were too good for him. And no amount of debasing yourself, enjoyable or not, will bring you down to his level." He shrugs. "Your future is not set...it is not ordained. There are those that still care, and will not allow you to be dragged off against your will. No matter what they will have to do for it. All I ask, as difficult as that may be, is a little faith in me. And, perhaps more difficult, in yourself. ((Roll coming.))

Troy Lawrence: ((Troy Lawrence [PB 4]: d10: Cha+Exp vs. five-WP: 3,8,9,6,2,6,7,1,))

Claire Carrier: She blinks at him, maybe not all of the words getting through to her drugged mind, but enough to at least make her not run away from him and stand there and listen. Maybe just hearing that he planned to deal with Gavriil being just what she wanted to hear. Hard to tell for sure, but he did get through to her for the moment. She doesn't say a word.

Troy Lawrence: "There are a great many things to set right, Claire." He watches her with that same calm, his voice carrying that same smooth, calm tone of his voice. "You have had much done to you that deserves a reckoning. From Kazimir, from your father, from Navarro. If you give me a chance, I will set these right. And if I may be perfectly honest, my dear...what have you to lose? If I fail you as others have...the end result is the same as if I had not tried. But if I succeed..." He spreads his hands.

Claire Carrier: "What makes you think you will?" she finally asks. He can see her anger instantly in her eyes at the mention of Gavriil's name again.

Troy Lawrence: "Quite simply, Claire? Because I will not be denied, nor will I stop, until the wrongs inflicted upon you are righted, and those who wronged you find a reckoning."

Claire Carrier: "I won't believe it until I see it. And even if you make it right....where would I go then? I have no where to go.....I would rather stay with the candy man. At least he treats me okay."

Troy Lawrence: "I will take you under my protection, until such time as you find yourself somewhere you would rather be. Somewhere you truly wish to go, rather then somewhere you are settling with, because of an 'At least.'"

Claire Carrier: She considers his words, though her eyes are having a hard time focusing on him for long. Then she runs to the restroom again.

Troy Lawrence: He watches her run that way, sighing inwardly, and waits there patiently. Again, if she's not back out in a few minutes, he will go to check on her.

Claire Carrier: This time she stays there much longer and doesn't come out.

Troy Lawrence: He frowns and makes his way to the restroom, flagging a waitress on the way to ask them if they will check on his acquaintance, who has run into the restroom and may not be feeling well.

Claire Carrier: The waitress nods to him and goes into check. There is some yelling, and quickly the waitress comes back out. Describing Claire, she tells him that the girl is leaning up against a wall and was very angry at her.

Troy Lawrence: The thanks the waitress calmly, and asks her to make their food to go. Claire has not overdosed, choked on vomit, or done specific and permanent harm to herself, so he merely returns to their table and waits.

Claire Carrier: The waitress shakes her head a little bit, not too happy about being yelled at, but she goes back to her station. Claire, for her part comes back out, stumbling a little and holding onto any furniture she can on the way back to the table. "I'm going to the candy man...." she says calmly to Troy.

Troy Lawrence: He frowns deeply at that, watching her. "And is there nothing I may do to change your mind?"

Claire Carrier: "Like what?"

Troy Lawrence: "I do not know, Claire. I gave you my proposal, and it was not enough for you. What do you want?"

Claire Carrier: "I just want to stop feeling the hurt......"

Troy Lawrence: He nods a little. "And what will do that for you? I very much doubt that the Spaniard will."

Claire Carrier: "I don't fucking know!" she gets angry again.

Troy Lawrence: "Allow me to try and find out, then."

Claire Carrier: She watches him as best she can. "Go ahead. I'm going to go now."

Troy Lawrence: "Good evening, then." He nods. "We will speak again, Claire. This is not yet over."

Claire Carrier: She turns, using the chairs to help her get out of there. Leaning against the wall outside against the building she calls up her 'candy man' (because I forgot the name of the guy) to come get her.

Troy Lawrence: He sighs and waits for the food to be delivered, and then pays for it and heads out. If she's still out there by the time he comes out, he moves to her, holding out the appetizer box.

Claire Carrier: She is waiting for the cab and it takes her a moment to realize it's Troy. She doesn't take the box, shaking her head.

Troy Lawrence: He sighs a bit and retracts the box. "Thank you for the evening. Whether you may believe it or not, I am glad we had it."

Claire Carrier: "You're too nice to me Troy."

Troy Lawrence: A small smile finds it's way onto his face. "I like to think that am merely nice enough, Claire. And someday, that you realize that this the case. You deserve better then you have. Have a good evening."

Claire Carrier: "Good night."

Claire Carrier: A car pulls up for her about that time, and she gets into the back seat of it. It is a rather nice car, a black jaguar.

Troy Lawrence: He looks up to the car, watching it until it pulls away, and then heads for his own car. Much to do.