The Countess and the Bunny

Lia looked over her shoulder at Lukretia, a bit off-put by Lukretia's casual remark about her tension. Am I that obvious? Fuck, out of practice. "Hardly. I'm condensing the whole body of my work into a 15 minute sales pitch to a complete stranger. Show me someone who is at ease doing that and I'll show you someone with an ego bigger than this house." Lukretia wanted her to sit first; she made that clear. Lia obliged. She took a deep breath. A bad start, Lia had gotten defensive already. "People with egos like that go down real fast to people like me." Not exactly a deft turnaround, but hopefully it would keep her steady.

Lia was somewhat curious as to what sort of file Lukretia had pulled together on her, but did not show it. She leaned forward in the chair, crossing her legs, "So, no file, no bullshit, then? What do you have in mind?"

Lukretia took a seat after Llia did. She then reached for the wine, a white wine with some German label on it. She poured each of them a glass and then offered Lia a glass. "I understand." She said as she curled her fingers around the stem of the glass, not lifting it for themoment. "Und zis is vhy I prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. I vant to get to know you." She then lifted her glass and allowed herself a careful sip of the wine. "I am not interested in trying to read between the lines und attempt to try and figure out vat is an attempt to kiss my ass and vat is actually vorth my time."

Lukretia crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. "Circumstances have already filled ze position zat you seek. However, zat does not mean zat a position is unavailable." Lukretia then took another sip of wine, eloquence and superiority in even the littlest sip of wine.

"Und on ze subject of egos." She said looking cooly at Lia. "You must think I am someone vith a similar type of ego?" She was curious of Lia's answer. "I vonder..." She said looking over Lia. "I do agree vith your vords, however."

Lia took the glass of wine, "Thank you." She leaned in and sniffed it softly, her nose shaking from side to side as she did so. "Good. We are of a like mind on that, then."

Lia took a sip of wine, tasting it gently. She never understood the appeal, but there was no turning such things down. She arched an eyebrow at Lukretia's declaration about the position. She eyed Lukretia warily, leaning back, "I'm listening, but the last time I heard that line, someone tried to put me in sales," Lia set the glass down.

Lia clasped her hands together and chuckled softly. She toyed with a lock of hair, looking at Lukretia's fireplace. "Oh, ho, I don't think I said anything of the sort." Lia shrugged, turning back to Lukretia, "Besides, the important part about an ego is the difference between can and think you can." Lia picked up the glass and took another sip, "Did is always the most important one anyway."

Lukretia's lips, perfectly painted with an elegant shade of red lipstick, curled into a smile. "Zis is true. You did say nothing of ze sort." She began. "But I vas merely giving you ze opportunity if you so desired. You vill find zat I am not someone who cannot take criticism. Quite ze contrary. I have learned zat vords are something zat can only be given as much clout as one allows. I vant someone who is unafraid of giving me an opinion. Zose who believe zat telling me vat i vish to hear vill earn zem anything but contempt have a place und it is not by meine side, it is under meine foot." She spoke cruelly, yet cooly. She leaned forward in her chair to stare into Lia's eyes. "If I am to hire someone for a position of trust, one vere meine very life could be at stake, zen Vhy vould I hire lemming whose only desire is to drive me off a cliff because they think zat vill keep me placated. Nein!" She was sharp with her word but it did not seem to alter her demeanor.

Lukretia leaned back in her seat, waving her hand dismissively at her own words. "Nein, nein, nein." She said in a calm tone. "But do not get me wrong. I am not insinuating. But ve must be frank vith one another if ve are to have a relationship. I have three types of people who vork vith me, Ms. Cross." She began to explain. "Zose who I hire, und whose loyalty is to ze mark, to ze coin, if you vill, I do not like zese types of people. Money is a fickle thing and if one does not have enough of it, loyalty becomes an issue, often at rather inconvenient times. Your friend, ze doktor... she is one of zese people. As far as I am concerned, she is too far in ze trees of her own research to see ze forest." Lukretia was not aware that she messed up the idiom, as she often did, and continued on. "Vatever personal reasons she has for being a physician I believe have become lost to even her. She is searching for something zat vill never be found, und zese obsessions make me quite wary. However, as I have said, she is ze best. As long as I am ze highest bidder, she vill be at mein retention. Still, I do not trust her." She said frankly, carefully watching Lia's face for a reaction. "But ze fact zat she vould come to me so plainly vith a request. Zis has me quite intrigued. Perhaps ze doktor is capable of loyalty after all. Und who vould serve as ze source of zis uncharacteristic attachment?" She smiled at Lia. "If not for ze circumstances by vich your name arrived to me, I vould not even entertain ze idea of meeting you, you should be honored. Zough I am quite curious to hear your thoughts."

"Zose who serve me are ze second. Whether it be infatuation, jealousy, idolization." She waved her hand at her words before smirking. "I am a strong und beautiful voman. Setting aside meine ego, I am not ignorant of meine position. It is natural zat some vould gravitate towards me. But not all who come through meine door deserve to stand at meine side. Think of it vat you vill, I believe zat most people have ze potential inside of zem to be vere I am. Zose who are unable, through no fault of zere own, should be treated vith ze utmost care, but zose who refuse to do vatever it takes to get vere I am, und yet desire to have vat I have, I do not suffer zese fools. People like zis, should know zere place. Take ze maid who escorted you in, for instance. If you asked her, she vould undoubtedly say sh vould do anything to be vere you are. Yet, it is not true. She gazes longingly und does not understand vat it takes to reach zis level of success. She is a dreamer but is content vith dusting shelves. She is pathetic und is right vere she belongs. I have given her a roof over her head, three of ze finest meals a day she could possibly eat und probably more money zan she would know in a lifetime othervise. All it requires is her pride, her dignity. Vat makes her a human being. She is content vith trading these things. If she vas not, then she vould be vere you are. Forgive me if I sound cruel but I believe zis is ze truth. I do not bind here here. Ze gate is alvways open if she desires to leave. Ze fact zat she remains only serves to prove meine point."

Lukretia then then took a moment to take a small sip from her glass. Her monologue had dried her throat a bit. When she set her glass down, she looked at Lia again. "Und finally, zose who are loyal to me because zey have been through vat I have. Zey have been forced to claw und scratch zere vay to ze top und have taken life by ze underside.Ve share a deep bond, und yet I am more threatened by zem zen any outside danger. If zey chose, zey could und may decide zey vant to go even higher und use me as a ladder. It... makes meine heart pound just thinking about it." She smiled brightly as she spoke. "Ze thrill of not knowing vat may lay around ze corner. Constantly having to improve yourself, to maintain higher und higher levels... zis is vat vomen like zis provide.Zey are true comrades und kindred spirits.But zere loyalty vas earned, as vas ze mutual respect ve share. I am not expecting zis from you..." She said as she thought about it. "But I feel zat I must be frank. I hope vith meine little speech, you can understand me a little better. If you vould like to continue, perhaps I can tell you more about ze job zat vould be available."

Lia remained silent as Lukretia spoke, maintaining attention and keeping herself from rolling her eyes with considerable effort. What a piece of work. I am totally going to tie Chesna to the bed and leave her sober for putting me through this. She took a longer sip of wine. She needed it.

As Lukretia spoke about Chesna, Lia would meet Lukretia's eyes with a quiet stare, her lips curling into a thin, icy smile. She forced a fake nod of agreement. Ooh, and a presumptive cunt, too. What a surprise...

Lia had seen Lukretia's type before, the oh-so-world weary gang leader... Lukretia was a breed apart, but the same casual arrogance and narcissism applied. Part of Lia's old work was getting inside operations like this and blowing them apart from the inside. Lukretia's speech reminded her of some of the induction speeches from the big bad bosses she would get in that business. This was just as tiresome, but at least it gave her a better insight into what made Lukretia tick.

Lia could not restrain a genuine smile when Lukretia described the servants at her mansion. Clever distinction. Almost everyone can be you. Ergo, almost everyone who isn't you is worthy of scorn just for that. Always nice to see someone cut it so they can sneer at the entire population in good conscience.

When Lukretia finished, Lia took a thoughtful sip of wine and savored it for a few seconds before looking down at the glass. "I actually never really understood the appeal of wine." She shrugged, "Granted, this crap tastes just a bit better than the piss the Japanese pass off as alcohol, but still... Guess it's an acquired taste." She set the glass down. "So, honor among thieves, is it? Or at least that camaraderie of like minds. I can understand THAT at least... Strange thing to take a thrill out of, though, but I guess it's easy when you already have a good bodyguard." Lia chuckled. She had decided at this point that she probably was not going to get a good offer, so felt a bit more relaxed, "The games I used to play, betrayal is the sleep you don't wake up from. The explosion that takes you before you even see it. Hell, it can be five guys, a baseball bat, a cornfield, and an unmarked grave," Lia brushed back a lock of hair, her voice remaining even, "There's no training. No respect. No loyalty in that sort of game. Seems a little silly to glorify it, if you ask me." Lia spoke from her own memories, some painful, some gruesome, some shamefully satisfying.

Lia sat back, crossing her legs. She placed her hands in her pockets, but kept her steady gaze, her brow furrowing just a bit, "I'm a professional. You and I both know I have no interest in joining your Stockholm Syndrome jamboree. I meet my obligations. If you're worried about the hired help and the contractors deserting you, then either your solvency is an issue or your interview process needs work."

With a start, Lia stood up, taking a step aside the chair, "And speaking of which, you told me the position that best matches my skill set is filled and you are giving me the distinct impression that I am here simply so that you can tease out a read on Chesna. If I am mistaken, I would like to hear your actual pitch soon. If I am not, then you have been a gracious host and a monumental waste of time and energy." Lia slid her hands into her pockets and smiled wryly, "And, seriously, that cult you're building? Hardly impressive. Charles Manson pretty much proved even the biggest shmuck can amass a gaggle of dumb kid followers." Lia let out a sigh, You do NOT know how many times I've wanted to say that!

Lukretia sat in her chair, listening to Lia's words. She gave no indication of how she was taking Lia's words until the very end, barely following her as she stood up and began to explain to Lukretia just who she was. Finally, after a long moment of staring at Lia, her lips curled into a smile and she stood up. "Vunderbar!" She exclaimed cheerfully. "Danke, Ms. Cross!" She said and tossed her half empty glass of wine, casually to the ground. "I can barely stand ze taste of it myself. Vine is for children who have no taste und cannot appreciate a real drink." She then sighed. "But ze dumkoppfs I am forced to socialize vith believe zat it is vat refined people should drink so for all meine guests I keep it at ze ready. Excuse me one moment."

Lukretia then strolled to the door and opened it. She peaked her head out the door and called out in German before shutting it again. She stood by the door and smirked at Lia. "Now, Ms. Cross." She said. "Shall ve get to ze crux... of your your vords." She then chuckled softly to herself, amused by her pun.

"You believe zat meine vorldview is distorted..." She said carefully stepping towards Lia. "Und yet... You villingly come to meine haas to inquire about a position, vith someone who you no doubt had preconceptions, und probably fairly accurate ones, zat involved staying very close to her..." Luktretia was now behind Lia. "Very... close..." Lukretia reached up and put her hands on Lia's shoulders gently. "...For ze sake of someone who vill probably be dead in five years of her own accord. In fact... I believe it vas you who sought her out. Vas it a sense of duty zat brought you back? Vas it a sense of duty zat drove you here? I know ze places vere you have lurked un spent time. Vith all of zis, I am curious indeed to understand how I am ze one who is misplaced vith meine issues.

She then stepped away as there was a knock on the door. She only gave Lia enough closeness to get a small scent and the very tingle of a hot breath on her neck.

"Come." She said and the door promptly opened and a small blonde girl rolled in with a cart filled with a few different kinds of beers. She bowed and Lukretia dismissed her and she squeaked, leaving quickly and closing the door."Ahhh... zis is vat a real drink is." She said and reached for a can of some German bier. She cracked it open and tipped it back, nearly unladylike in her demeanor but just holding enough class to keep the atmosphere.

She then sat back down. "Ze position. Forgive me." She began. "I do indeed already have a bodyguard und she is ze best in ze vorld. Although I do not properly know your skkills, I do know hers und I vould be surprised if you could match her. However!" She said the last word sharply. "I am by no means tryingt o undercut your skills. Your resume vas quite impressive und I know zat you vould be more zan adequate for ze position. Vere ve are in ze situation is zis. Even zough she is ze best, I did not decide to make her meine bodyguard. Nein. She has decided for herself to take up ze position. Und I find her to be a disgusting little troll. She vould rival your Doktor in a competition to decide who vas less of a personality. But unlike ze doktor, she carries a gun und knife und I believe could not find her own vomanhood if you pointed it out to her." She sighed. "She makes ze help nervous und even meine dear comrades avoid her most of ze time. She puts a damper on zis othervise friendly household." She smirked at her own words as she looked at Lia. "Not to mention zat sometimes she is gone for long periods of time und other sordid business that I shall not be getting itno vith you."

She took another sip from her beer. "So, Ms. Cross. Ze position you vould be fullfilling is bodyguard. I vould like to have you around, at my side. Your disposition is quite friendly und I am happy to see zat you could tell me exactly how you feel about me. Ze fact zat you haven't left yet despite having contrary opions as me, means you are quite ze serious professional. I admire zis und I believe zat you vould be ze best voman suited for ze job. Along vith keeping ze riff-raff avay from me, you vill also be providing me vith other, perhaps unintended, services. "Vith you around, I am sure zat little troll can be reigned ina bit. Perhaps she vill keep her distance and stick to handling outside threats. Perhaps she vill dislike ze new competition und kill you." It was impossible to tell if Lukretia was joking or serious about the last line. In all reality there was probably both humor and truth to the words. "Und finally, i vill have someone who is close to ze doktor. Zat vill help me keep a better hold on her und prevent her from expiring before I am through vith her." She smirked at Lia. 'Und... viceversa, Frauline, Hase..." She said that last line with a subtlety that underscored her point that Lia would be Lukretia's as long as she was under a contract.

"Zis job is by no means easy but I should hope you are used to such things. If you should accept zen I can assure you ze revards vill be quite vorth it. Vith all your hard vork, don't you deserve to be pampered a little for your efforts?" She said waving her hand at the room and indicating that this would be her new life and that Lukretia would see that it was a good one.

Lia was surprised by Lukretia's sudden, casual reaction to her remark about the wine, but apart from her eyes widening a bit, she did not otherwise react.

Lia remained still as Lukretia circled her, though she followed the German with her eyes. Her scent was... something unique. As revolting as Lia found Lukretia, there was something primal about her. When Lukretia placed her hand on her shoulder, Lia raised her opposite hand, letting it hang in the air for an indecisive second before slapping Lukretia's hand away gently. "My relationship with Doctor... M... Mutakowsky... whatever... is not the topic you should be pursuing if you actually want to engage my services." She grabbed a beer without bothering to read the label and popped it open, taking a small sip of it as she turned to face Lukretia with a and shook her head smiling an insincere smile, "And at least I had the tact not to play armchair Freud with you," Lia arched her head, her ears bobbing askew, "At least not out loud."'

Lia arched a concerned eyebrow as Lukretia described the 'ze best bodyguard in ze vorld.' Lia did not doubt her. In fact, it made perfect sense. Lukretia was one of the biggest nails in Europe, and it would hardly be a surprise for people to be lining up to pound her down. And yet Lukretia did not hide nor were there really a lot of records of attempts on her life. This was a woman with serious backup.

Lia did not even bother asking whether Lia herself would have to be the one to introduce herself to this mysterious bodyguard. She already knew the answer.

Lia shifted in her seat, barely stifling a scoff at the suggestion that this bodyguard had decided to defend Lukretia against her will. Perfect. I don't need this. Lia took another sip of her beer, listening intently to Lukretia's speech. When the German finished, Lia took another sip and set the beer down, leaning against her hand and staring at Lukretia intently. Lia did not like this scenario. She had been used to dealing with difficult, demanding, annoying jackasses, but Lukretia was a very special sort of asshole. And maybe she was right about one thing... working with this bitch just for Chesna's sake was a stupid move. But Chesna wanted it. Deep down, Lia was a bit annoyed that she had gotten offered a 'secondary bodyguard' position. If the position had been a maid or a drink mixer, she could have just told her to shove it and gone back to Chesna with that.

Lia finally spoke, "At least you're up front about how..." She shook her head, at a loss for words, "Unprofessional you are. It just makes me wonder about all the stuff you are leaving unspoken. 'Unintended' services?" Lia took a deep breath. It was time to try to wrest some control from this woman. If she could not do it now, this contract would be an even bigger hell than it was already shaping up to be, "I'm flexible. I can work around my clients, but I think with you, I want definite boundaries. You have spent half this interview talking about the dang doctor." Lia sighed, "The only thing I am offering you is my services as a security consultant; a bodyguard. What you do in your life is only my concern as far as I can keep you safe while you do it. Likewise, my personal life is hardly any of your business anyway. And if you continue to play this like you're just trying to gather pull on me or Chesna or anyone else..." Lia shrugged, "Well, it just shows me you're not serious and aren't prepared to show the proper respect needed for a professional relationship." Lia took another sip of her beer can before setting it down, "Are we going to be able to reach an agreement on this?" Please say no so I can just get the hell out of here.

Lukretia didn't balk when her hand was batted away. Lia was often in a position where most others would begin to kowtow but she remained staunch in keeping her guard up. Staying on point and telling Lukretia when she was getting off subject. the countess was impressed by Lia's skills and decided to reign things in for the moment. At least where things were concerned physically. "Nein." She said and glanced at Lia. "I believe you vere ze one who desired to entire into meine company und serve me. As ze employer of Ms..." Lukretia also paused. "Of meine doktor und ze possible future employer of yourself, ze relationship between ze two of you is actually quite meine concern. on ze job relationship smust be carefully scrutinized. I vould not vant her performance to begin to slacken if you are employed und naturally I vould not vant her to hamper your duties as vell." Lukretia retorted with a casual smile. "Once again, it is meine duty as a business voman to know exactly vat goes on inside meine employee's heads, Frauline Cross."

Lukretia let a slight chuckle escapee her lips as she eyes Lia with an almost sincere smile. "I assure you zat ze things I speak of, or un... speak of, as you have put it, are said only in ze strictest professional sense. If you are to take care of meine vell being zen zere are more esoteric vays of doing your duty aside from keeping zose who vould vish to do me physical harm at bay. Or... do you not believe in preventative measures? Because I assure you if you are merely reactive, I should be satisfied vith meine current situation. I vant someone who is villing to think outside of ze box. You have already proven your quality in your character. Vile it is true zat you are perhaps a bit rough around ze edges, one cannot have everything one desires. und I rather find zat interesting.

Lukretia then stepped up to Lia., looking into her eyes. "I am alvays serious." She said looking Lia over, letting her cool blue eyes scan the bunny girl. I am not asking for your freedom, Ms. Cross. Nora am I concerned vith every last detail of your life. Frankly I do not have zat kind of time. But if you desire a position in meine haas, zere vill be certain things that vill be required of you. I hardly think I am being unreasonable. Unless you are vorried I vill find something zat you do not vant me to? Something like zat, does not exactly put me in a position of trust. I do not believe I have hidden anything from you. So I should expect ze same. Zat is ze terms zat ve are at currently. But... perhaps I am villing to negotiate if you r skills are as good as your credentials."

Lukretia was a peculiar sort. She did not beat around the bush. Direct, straight, to the point. It was a dangerous way to live. No safety in rhetoric or courtesy... Just as Lia expected of her. It was a welcome change from dealing with career officers and bureaucrats. Of course, at least with all but the most soulless among them, you knew where you stood even if their words told you something different. Lukretia was just difficult to read, period. She managed to both fit and shatter Lia's preconceptions. She was certainly quite a woman...

Lia met Lukretia's eyes with her own, not wavering or yielding to the German. "You have a peculiar definition of employer," Lia shrugged, one of her rabbit ears drooping in conciliation, "But, I suppose you do have a point." With a sigh, Lia continued, staring coldly at Lukretia as she spoke, "Chesna and I are friends. Good friends from years back. After I left my previous employment, I came here, to Japan, mostly because I had not seen her in years, but also because the AFW seemed up my alley." Lia took another sip of her beer before continuing, nodding as she spoke, "I will just tell you right now, just looking at the situation as it stands, the day you fire Chesna is the day you get my own two weeks' notice. That said, I will be being paid to protect you. I would have been out of this business long ago if I let my jobs flounder to take care of personal nonsense."

Lia furrowed her brow, adopting an indignant sneer and tone, "Of course I believe in 'preventative measures'. In fact, for this relationship to work, I will need investment from you as well. We shall need to run drills of escape plans. I'll need to see how you work under pressure and make sure we are on the same page should things take a turn for the worst. You will need to involve me with your itinerary, your meetings, the identities of the riskier types you do business with, and a great deal of other data for me to do my job." Lia rubbed the back of her head, "If by 'preventative measures,' you mean something like proactively engaging or eliminating perceived threats before a situation arises, that's beyond the scope of what I am offering." She rattled off the euphemistic language as though it were memorized by rote.

"'Certain zings vill be required'," Lia spat, "If you hire me, You'll get secrecy, tact, professionalism, and a job done well and done right. When I leave, it will be a transition done safely, securely, and professionally. I will not assent to participating in the seedy cathouse half of your little enterprise. If I feel your position over me in my OTHER job is not being held independent of my work here, then I will walk. I am not offering carnal knowledge of myself to you or anyone on staff as part of this job." She took a deep breath. Lukretia continued to grate on her and had gotten her more worked up than she really should be. It was always the hottest girls who were the annoying, vicious, psycho bitches. "My skills are adequate to what you seek, barring this mysterious world's best assassin. I suppose you have got something in mind to test me, though? You would not have brought it up otherwise..." Lia clasped her hands together to prevent herself from instinctively clutching her knife. She did not expect to have to use it, but it never hurt to be prepared when these conversations got this heated.

Lukretia listened to Lia's words and studied them carefully. "Das Gut." She said and nodded. "I am pleased zat you can separate business from pleasure.' She said. "Und I belive you have nothing to vorry about vith ze doktor. Certainly she vould be done vith me before meine uses for her vere to run out. I vish to keep her hear as long as possible. It is far too distant in ze future but I hope zat ve can build a relationship vell enough so zat even if your doktor leaves meine services zat zis may not necessarily be ze end of our relationship." She spoke genuinely enough. If lia was capable then Lukretia would be remiss not to keep her around as long as she could. the two were contentious now but Lukretia believed it was because they were both women of principle in a heated negotiation in which neither wanted to back down.

"I vill have everything necessary laid out to you as long as zis meeting proves a success.' She said. "Of course, I know exactly vat needs to be done. Und nein. I am not asking for you to become some sort of mystic, gazing into ze future for ze sake of meien safety." Lukretia smiled. "Zis is preposterous. "For one I already have someoen who believes she is doingzis und for two, I rather like ze thrill of not knowing everything. Vouoldn't you say not having all ze information ven entering a situation is rather thrilling,Frauline, Hase?" She said as she leaned in closer to Lia, giving her a rather sultry look. Not one of seduction but of knowing the thrill of running into a situation blind with her heart pounding and loving every bit of it.

Lukretia's etyes narrowed ever so slightly at Lia's mockery but then her lips formed a smile. "Oh my." She said in a cheerful tone. "Zis is quite vunderbar. You certainly are a modicum of professionalism, Frauline Cross." She said truthfully. "If you are referring to your business vith ze AFW? I have no interest in meddling zere. Und I do not expect Carnal knowledge of you as a prerequisite for hiring." Lukretia was finished playing around. The deal had been sealed in every way but the handshake as far as she was concerned. If Lia was going to reject her offer, she would have been gone by now and not even have continued to give Lukretia the chance to make her case. "No, Ms. Cross. I assure you," She said as she turned and looked back at the cracking fire. if zere is any carnal knowledge to be shared it vill be between vomen. not between employer und employee." But of course, Lukretia wasn't the kind of woman who asked for it. No. She made others beg her to experience these things. And Lia would be no different.

Lukretia then turned back and looked at Lia. "She held out her arms, stretching them out and then closing her eyes. "Please." She said, about to make a rather unusual request. "I vould like you to hit me as hard as you are able to. Anyvere you desire. Anyvere you believe vould do ze most damage." She kept her smile up. "I need you for your physical prowess. I need to know first hand exactly vat ze people who you vill be dealing vith... vill be dealing vith..." She said as she closed her eyes.