Post by Roxanne Lexington on Nov 14, 2015 3:54:20 GMT
This was probably the most fun turn of events Roxanne could think of when it came to her co-workers in the last... what... ever? It took every fiber of her being to just grin instead of outright beam in triumph now that she'd literally engineered a way for Albel to not have to do a bit of the paperwork he needed to do in exchange for going and getting a drink with her. At least for a day or so. That meant he was officially off duty for the day, as was she. All it had taken was pulling a few strings here and there.
The redhead spun around, walking backwards as they exited the building. Her captain was probably confused how she'd managed to arrange things, and she'd coyly refused to give him any sort of straight answer. In truth she'd just acted on rumors she'd heard and had promised not to tell people about said rumors in exchange for a few key people's cooperation. It was nothing too bad; nothing worthy of getting in trouble as a Templar, but certainly embarrassing.
She had requipped to a much more casual set of clothes than she normally wore - a red hoodie with black short shorts and sneakers. "It's about time you got out of that place. I swear you seem like a robot sometimes with all the work you do." She was determined to get to know the captain a bit better after their near-death experience, if only out of a sense of curiosity and a desire to make a few more work friends. "Well, all the work you show up for. I swear you just shuffle the papers around to the other side of the desk for the next time I come in." she chuckled, rolling her eyes and spinning back around. "Whatever, time to go relax. I promise I don't bite that often. And yes I can say that because right now we're only Templars if it's an emergency."
She was feeling chatty today. Even Roxanne wasn't really sure why. Maybe it was that sense of victory she felt for putting the captain into a place he couldn't bring himself to refuse her.
Post by Albel Lockhart on Nov 14, 2015 4:39:24 GMT
For the first time Roxy had met him, Albel wasn't in his uniform. Maybe the armor had been too bulky, or maybe it too clearly spoke of his rank, because a pair of normal clothes certainly made him look a lot more normal. His shirt was a bit too big for him, he didn't quite remember how that had happened, hopefully it was because he was losing weight and not that he'd washed it incorrectly. He preferred not being recognized while he was out, but it also felt wrong to hide... so it was pointless to do something like wear a hood. Without the uniform, people were much more likely to second guess themselves about his identity anyway. His lieutenant had been oddly firm that he spend casual time with Roxy. Having the day off was great. And it wasn't like he disliked her, though they had only ever worked on a professional level. His lieutenant seemed to think Roxy needed more friends. Albel probably wasn't the right person for that, but he could at least help her get some social practice until she found people she enjoyed hanging out with more. And hey, a day off from paperwork was great too. Although he probably should have invited Silver too, but it was too late to arrange that now.
He met Roxy outside the Templar HQ, having changed inside before coming out to meet her. "Contrary to popular belief, I actually dislike all the paperwork. I only shuffle it to the other side if I know it's not important." He was actually joking, even if his intonation sounded serious. "So where are we going, or were you still thinking of places? I'm guessing you've seen most of Grand City by now." There were a few places he could think of to either walk around or relax, though knowing Roxy, she probably had something in mind already.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Nov 14, 2015 4:55:42 GMT
"Of course I have something in mind," Roxanne was bragging as much as admitting. "I thought about going to a bar, but then I decided that would be annoying because you'd still try and be the captain in public." She pushed some hair from her face as she walked. "So, long story short, I found a place, it's rented for the day, and I'm going to try and get you to relax a little." Besides, who knew, maybe he'd be less uptight with her if she showed him how to relax in a way that wasn't just ignoring paperwork. What kind of fun was that?
They passed people who paid them no mind, which was almost refreshing. Both of them were kind of well-known in different circles. "By the way, I'm not an expert on guy's shirts, but that one actually seems kind of big on you, which is weird since you look so much bigger in your armor." She shrugged, dismissing it.
After a few minutes of walking, Roxanne stopped in front of a bar, which she motioned for him to follow her into. The bartender recognized her pretty quickly. "Miss Lexington! Your private room is just back there. Don't worry, no one will bother you unless you request anything."
Roxanne, nodded, thanking him before walking through the doors in the back and sitting down on a stool inside at the open bar, spinning around and leaning on said bar. "So here we are." she crossed one leg over the other, looking rather relaxed for being out with her boss. "Away from prying eyes so you can relax for once. You do remember how, right?"
Post by Albel Lockhart on Nov 15, 2015 6:16:48 GMT
Albel wasn't quite certain if he should be worried or not. He was already avoiding his uniform and had no plans on 'being the Captain' today. Their relationship while on a job and anything off duty were pretty much unrelated. "Er." He wasn't sure why she needed to have a private room to relax, either. Okay, he decided he'd settle on the 'worried' part. Roxy's comment about his clothes had him far from feeling comfortable. "Fashion's not exactly my strong point. My wardrobe is a bit sparse, which generally isn't a problem when you wear the same uniform each day," he felt inclined to comment back about her note. It was a little embarrassing to be caught on such a mistake.
He kept close to Roxy as she lead the way, until they reached the private room. He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he felt a little more ease to see that it was just a private bar. Wait, what? "You rented out this place just for today?" He wasn't sure whether to be impressed, grateful, or worried. Again. Maybe something in all of the above. "Ah right..." He almost added you're rich to the end, but had enough thought not to complete the thought out loud. Something like this probably wasn't much to someone of the Lexington family. He glanced around the room while Roxy took a seat, admittedly not quite looking relaxed. Actually looking kind of awkward and not sure where to go yet. "It's been a while, so I have a feeling I won't be as good at it as you. Admittedly I didn't expect something like this." After some thought, he took a seat next to Roxy at the bar. Hopefully she wasn't planning to karaoke, because he had no talent when it came to singing, even fake singing. Just talking and getting to know each other over a drink would probably be okay though.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Nov 15, 2015 6:29:42 GMT
"Ah, right?" Roxanne hadn't even bothered commenting on the fashion thing. She wasn't exactly traditional in her fashion; she wore what she thought made her look good. Of course, with her tastes and education, she was usually right, even if the clothes themselves were sometimes a bit odd. "What, I'm rich? If you were talking about my parents, sure. Any money I had I lost access to when I left them, and I lost even more when I signed up with the Templars. Nah, I just have contacts and people who know people. It's surprising how few people actually care which side of the law their 'friends' come from."
She shifted a bit before deciding to hop up and find herself a drink, as well as something for the captain. "I'm pretty good at having fun," she half bragged, half agreed. She shrugged at it though. "Actually I used to have the most fun thinking I was being bad, though I haven't drank that much in the last couple of weeks, which is a bit of a contrast from, you know, getting blackout drunk every night." She winked at him playfully. "You might say this is sorta new territory for the both of us, I just figured a semi-public place and a bit of a drink might be good for helping you loosen up a bit."
Post by Albel Lockhart on Nov 16, 2015 5:08:02 GMT
Albel hadn't continued with the 'you're rich' thought because he wanted to avoid offending her. But she jumped onto his suggestion quick enough, and didn't seem particularly offended. Actually, it was more to correct him. He had always assumed that Roxy had taken at least some money with her. Even if her family disapproved of her dark wizard life, it would have been hard for Roxy to start completely from scratch. "Hmm. You didn't need to go to such lengths, then." It was kind of silly that she'd be using her Templar salary money on him, considering how he'd more or less forced her into it. Even if she was staying by choice now.
He knew little about her, actually, outside of her file case after they'd connected her to the Lexington family. He folded his hands under his chin, watching Roxy as she prepared two drinks. "Sure, I'm game," he agreed when she offered. It wasn't like he refused to drink, even if this wasn't what he'd been expecting. Some of his closer circle friends actually did take him out from time to time. "I just hope this doesn't rekindle your record of starting bar fights. Especially considering I'd probably be the first one to get punched." He was joking, of course. Although he seriously didn't want to get punched by her. "We don't really know much about each other, after all, except for the basics. And speaking of your family earlier - I've been meaning to tell you." Now was as good a time as any. "We never did alert your family to your whereabouts. It was pretty clear they'd been searching for you, but what with the circumstances, we decided to wait. It would probably make the most sense for you to tell them yourself. Or not ever, depending on your choice."
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Nov 16, 2015 5:26:38 GMT
Roxanne finished pouring and mixing the drinks. She hadn't bothered mixing them in awhile. It was actually kind of fun, seeing as how she was mostly drinking for them to loosen up and not to get plastered as per usual. It was a miracle she wasn't some sort of alcoholic. She'd honestly figured she probably was one, though she hadn't had a real urge do drink in a few weeks, so she supposed maybe not. She really should look into that. There were obvious reasons she hadn't wanted to before.
The redhead picked up a drink and slid it down the bar towards Albel with expert grace, before moving over and leaning on the bar over her own drink, close enough to not quite be uncomfortable, but certainly to be personal. You know, unless Albel had one of those extra big personal bubbles. If so, oh well. "I'll have you know the only bar fights I started were when I was plastered and some guy wanted to take advantage of that." It was another correction; not quite a serious one, but certainly truthful. She looked kind of unconcerned.
"As for my family, if you can call them that-" she sighed, her head tilting more onto her left palm as she physically deflated slightly. Her expression became one of annoyance. "I know you haven't told them - they'd have been at my door in no time flat if you had. Especially considering they don't live that far from Era." She opened her eyes again, searching his face. "They care, but not in a way that's any good for me. People can change, but they get their jollies laughing about how they never do. And I'm the black sheep they'd probably like to keep under wraps just so they could feel more secure on their pedestal."
She pushed herself up, standing a bit straighter, though still putting a good amount of her body weight on her hands, which were on the bar. "Now, you said yourself we don't know each other. I'm not Roxanne Lexington. Whatever your papers tell you about me barely applies anymore. That's my name and everything, but I left her behind when I left home. I'm just me, whatever that means." She shrugged to herself. "What about you? Were you always Mr. Perfect Leader? The one that likes to think the ladies are swooning over him?"
Post by Albel Lockhart on Nov 18, 2015 4:06:56 GMT
Albel couldn't help but smirk briefly at Roxy's correction. He could just see some poor drunken fool trying something to her, and then getting beat up just as quickly. Somehow he doubted many men would be able to keep up with her drinking, so he wasn't entirely sure he could blame them, considering how Roxy seemed to enjoy flirting. Even if she didn't really mean it, or meant it to the extent to get a reaction. Still, even with her explanation, he wouldn't put it past her to throw a punch or two. Eventually. He probably deserved it to some extent; he was pretty sure he'd come off as a manipulative jerk in their first meeting.
Albel caught the sliding drink, though Roxy's power was pretty much spot-on for the distance. He took a sip, mainly to test how strong it was. The bite wasn't extreme, so it was probably safe. He'd honestly been slightly worried that she might try to booze him up to a level beyond his comfort zone. Just mentioning her family seemed to make Roxy stiffen... he wasn't about to try and tell her to reconcile with them. Considering most of his family had stuck with Shadow Heart, Albel didn't exactly keep a friendly relationship with anyone except his father... who was dead thanks to other family. "I seriously doubt your family would try to do that now, considering your past and current connections. But whatever the case is, they won't find out about you from me."
He smiled faintly as she told him he didn't know anything about her based on papers. Yeah, it wasn't like he could really understand anything from just that alone, just some vague ideas that weren't enough to make any kind of opinion - just the hope that she could become a Templar. His smile turned wry as she teased him a bit. "I don't think I was ever Mr. Perfect Leader," he laughed faintly, not truly offended. Actually, the comment about ladies caught him more off guard. And maybe slightly annoyed, but only because it was a little bit true. He tried so hard to remain professional, even if he liked girls a lot. Maybe even Roxy, in the way that she did look pretty hot especially when wearing a skirt but still had a sort of edge yet would be one of those girls that no sane man would ever want to marry. Sigh.
"You probably heard Nephilim mention it, or maybe didn't put two and two together at the time. But when I started out as a wizard, I was part of a dark guild," he shrugged, seeing no reason to hide it from her. If anything, maybe it could be something of an inspiration. "Their methods didn't really sit well with me, and I joined the Magic Council. So no, I was probably pretty far from the perfection candidate for Templar Captain position. It was my time in the dark guild that has kept my mind open to the possibility that some dark wizards could turn over a new leaf. But until I met you, I didn't really think anyone else was up for it."
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Nov 18, 2015 5:02:50 GMT
"Ah, so you've got that bad boy edge. No wonder~" Roxan couldn't help but chuckle before easily tossing back the mixed drink almost like it were water - or at least not alcohol. The Templar Captain came from the same sort of background as her - someone who thought that the idealism of criminals was worth more than that of the establishment, but both of their minds had been changed. Was she insulted or proud that she'd been as dumb as him? She still hadn't decided if she regretted being a criminal, truth be told. She'd been a rather idealistic one despite how far she'd gone.
Roxanne walked over and grabbed a bar stool. She sat down on Albel's left side. She'd brought the bottles with her just so she wouldn't have to get up again too soon. She wasn't lazy, but hey, working too hard for relaxation had to be some sort of crime, and she'd worked plenty hard today just to get this guy away from the office. "I don't know if 'up for it' is the right word. To be honest I'd just wanted to stay out of jail, maybe put a knife in the back of the guy I'd been partnered with while I was at it." She checked to make sure Albel's drink was properly filled. She didn't ask; he might decline if she did. "Blame Silver. When I helped her with that murder case something snapped and I couldn't stand the idea of letting the people I'd once run with destroy other people's lives. I've always been one for freedom, but never at the cost of the freedom of others."
There was a slight pause before Roxanne shifted to the less serious part of their conversation, her own grin returning. "So the ladies' man thing was true then? Hah. I knew there was a reason you were campaigning so hard for the new uniform. At least you've got a good grasp of sex appeal." she shrugged. "Silver told me not to compliment you about it. Consider this revenge for making me wrestle her dog for a room at her bar."
Post by Albel Lockhart on Nov 18, 2015 5:30:51 GMT
Leave it to Roxy to take his explanation of the past and turn it into something flirtatious. He was probably as far as he could be from the 'bad boy' persona as possible. His work didn't give him much leeway time to be anything beyond his job. Albel took a deep breath and sighed, perhaps the alcohol had loosened him up, because it was a lot more audible than previous times. He'd been trying to give her a genuine compliment, but somehow she'd turned the attention back on him.
Albel didn't really blink when Roxy came and sat closer to him. Until he heard a few clanks. He turned his head, realizing just how many she'd brought with her. "What- There's no way I'm going to drink that much," he wasn't sure if he was surprised or not yet. "Or are YOU planning to down all that?" Despite that he didn't refuse when she refilled his half-empty glass, but he definitely wasn't going to drink any more past that.
"Well, I'm glad you saw the Templar thing as more than just an option for survival..." He answered when she tried to play it off humbly. Strange how she could be both humble and overconfident at the same time. He only scowled a bit as she picked up on the fact that he didn't deny her second claim. Theoretically it was such a ridiculous claim, that he shouldn't have to answer it, even if it was a little true. But either she had picked up on his avoidance or was just using it as an opportunity to fire some shots. "I'm just a normal man. What would you end up doing if one day I responded to your ridiculous comments? You made it pretty clear your first day you didn't like men, so I can only assume you're doing it to make it seem like you have more power than what you really have." It sounded a lot more sad than he'd intended. Like maybe there'd have been something but he'd already given up, except he'd never thought the first part to begin with. He was still frowning. "Don't answer that." He hadn't actually meant for her to answer the last question. "And I won't ask why you were wrestling with Silver's dog."
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Nov 18, 2015 5:42:14 GMT
"Relax, I'm not downing this much. I'm more of a lightweight than you'd expect, I'm just also good at functioning up until I hit that limit at this point." Roxanne didn't say whether he was supposed to drink the bottle or not. She didn't really plan for him to, but whatever. Fun was fun, at least until it made you sick.
"What ridiculous comments?" Roxanne played dumb when he actually responded to her teasing about him being a ladies' man. "I call it like I see it, you know." And sometimes how she wanted to see it for fun. "This little meeting isn't about power, I'm simply intrigued. I know you were caught off guard, but I could see the stubbornness and the way you never stopped thinking. Calm even while literally being stabbed in the back."
She refilled his glass again, not even waiting for it to get a fourth empty this time. She was literally drinking about a fourth what he was, but was making it hard to tell based on the differences in the amount of liquid in their glasses. "Whoops, I guess I answered that, didn't I?" Well, okay she hadn't answered it in the way he'd meant. "I suppose you could say I'm not a fan of the kinds of guys I've known since going out on my own. People like you seem a lot less insufferable." She took another sip, refilling her own glass to the halfway point. "As for the dog, lightweight championship training."
Post by Albel Lockhart on Nov 21, 2015 4:56:27 GMT
Albel was probably more concerned about himself than Roxy's drinking. More like he wouldn't be able to keep up. He wasn't sure if he completely believed her lightweight comment... it was hard to imagine her having a low tolerance. One hand brushed a strand of hair away, biting his lip lightly. It would probably be best for him to slow down drinking just a bit; he was having trouble knowing how much he'd had since his glass was always refilled immediately. He was probably still okay though, probably.
At first he wasn't going to answer her continued teasings, but then once again she turned oddly serious about the compliments. It was possibly worse than being completely one or the other, because he couldn't figure out how serious she was about this stuff. Just always skirting that line he could comfortably ignore. So he tried to logic through it and not overthink. He'd settle that he 'wasn't insufferable' by her standards. "You had me fooled with the rest of them, at first. I didn't think you were a bad person, just... if it came down to your or me, that you'd pick yourself." It sort of felt like both a compliment and insult, so maybe he should stop this train of thought with her. "Anyway, thanks. You ended up doing even more than what was needed."
"But words are cheap. Is there anything you need? We rushed your Templar arrangements quite a bit, so if you want a proper apartment instead of living on top of a bar - I could probably do that." Somehow the normal bonuses and promotions didn't seem like things Roxy would be interested in, so maybe he could at least make her arrangements a little more comfortable.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Nov 21, 2015 5:25:22 GMT
"Maybe I'm just not as selfish as I want to be," Roxanne mused to herself, blowing some of her hair out of her face as if it were almost diappointing. "And with all the training I've had in making bad decisions with my life, too..." She took a swig of her drink, staring into the distance as if she were rethinking the decision in her head. She shrugged after a moment. "But hey, when I make a decision I don't do things halfheartedly. The world's most irresponsible perfectionist." She took one more swig.
"Anyway, thanks for the offer but I'm kind of enjoying the arrangements. Living over a bar is like, a drunkard's dream come true. Not that I've drank that much since then, but hey I like my options being open to me." The redhead leaned to where she had a better view of the captain, refilling her own drink and that of Albel's as well while she was at it. "So what about you?" She changed the subject back, unwilling to let go of her social momentum. "I'm curious now. What would you do if you gave in to my ridiculous comments, hm?"
