defies_reason | ⚔ i thought we might have a little chat.

I didn't want to buy one in better condition. To me, the fun of owning one is entirely in the work put into it.

[A tiny smile.]

... and the opportunity to drive too fast, of course.

A dangerous pastime.

[He doesn't sound the least bit disapproving.]

[A truly dangerous pastime is letting one of your severely drugged up coworkers drive your car too fast for you, but that particular adventure probably shouldn't be brought up here.]

Some of the more enjoyable pastimes are the dangerous ones, I've found.

I'm not inclined to disagree.

[Nor to elaborate, but he's pleased to let you use your imagination, Meyer.]

But you needed a break from your break, hmm?

Apparently so. With so many people telling me to relax, I'm starting to think they have a point.

[Well, he'll never truly relax, but a drink or two can never hurt.]

It's worth trying once, a least.

It seems to be going remarkably well so far. I should be careful, or I'll make a habit of it.

Dangerous habits can be quite enjoyable, [Isaak reminds, sipping his drink.]

I'm almost certain you know that from personal experience.

Anyone who claims he doesn't leads a dull life.

[Though really, danger is difficult to measure objectively. This-- being in this place-- would have been dangerous at home, but he finds it no less enjoyable here for the lack of controversy.]

But, I'm pleased you've chosen my bar to try it in.

Pleased for business reasons, personal reasons, or both?

[Is it flirtation? It's always hard to tell with this one.]

[He tilts his head a bit. There is (as there often is) something flirtatious in his gaze; perhaps it's only the openness of the way he meets others' eyes.]

Confiding what a selfish business this is, there's little difference.

I suppose that's true. It's the same with my business in the casino.

[Meeting other peoples' gazes is something he does exceedingly well, and even if he detects flirtation in Isaak, he's unlikely to be embarrassed by it unless it's overt.]

[A great many people can't; Isaak respects the ability.]

Not concerned about being seen?

[It's almost offhanded, light enough in tone not to carry any accusations. But here they are, in a certain sort of bar. After certain sorts of conversations. It begs some notice.]

My experience in the City has been that very few people seem particularly concerned about what one chooses to do for relaxation.

[At home, he wouldn't come within a hundred feet of a place like this, unless he had necessary business there. Here, he's started to accept that things are slightly different.]

Furthermore, I'm of the impression that, thanks to a recent curse, there are already assumptions being made about me.

[Isaak smiles, but then, he often does. All of that carries a tacit sort of admission, doesn't it? Not wholly necessary-- the elder man has pegged him as curious, at least, since their first conversation (as adults, at any rate)-- but it's noteworthy.]

The City does abhor a secret.

Maybe it's for the best, then, that the City is also remarkably comfortable with most secrets.

[Not all secrets. There are things about himself that he hopes the City never finds out. With curses the way they are, though, it's almost impossible to protect things as well as one might like to.]

With a great many, at least.

[Isaak has his share of things he does not speak about. The men he's killed. The life he's led. Viktor; although more than the rest, Viktor has come up, here and there. It could not be otherwise.]

Perhaps, then, I should be flattered you've come to visit.

Maybe you should be.

[He takes a drag on his cigarette and blows out a lazy smoke ring, simply for the sake of doing so.]

I don't necessarily intend to make a habit of visiting, but there's something to be said for expanding one's horizons.

I'd like to think making it a habit would hinge upon how much you enjoyed your visit.

[He leans in a bit, with the casual ease of one who has no respect for the concept of personal space.]

I'm enjoying it fairly well so far.

[He himself has a rather large personal space bubble, but he's been fully expecting Isaak to intrude into it, so he doesn't lean away.]

Perhaps not enough to make a habit of it, though.

[That may be a challenge, or at least an invitation to see just how flirtatious Isaak really is.]

I'd hate to be thought of as a poor host.

I wouldn't worry about that -- you've been very solicitous so far.

[He only smiles at that, and after a moment he leans back in his seat. It's purposeful, without being avoidant.]

Well.

[He drains his drink and sets the glass down, adjusts his jacket as he stands. He sets a hand briefly on Meyer's shoulder, a gesture which might be innocent but somehow, decidedly, isn't. Perhaps it's only conversation that makes it thus. Perhaps he lingers a moment too long.]

Should you find yourself wanting for anything, my office is down that hall.

[Any plainer invitation would only be a cheap bid to make Meyer blush.]

[He's fairly close to blushing, anyway, but in the time that he's been here, he's learned, slowly, to find less and less embarrassing. You have to, in a place like this. That's why he's able to keep any sign of embarrassment off his face, although it's a concerted effort.]

I wouldn't mind seeing your office. I imagine it puts the office at the casino to shame.

[Because his office really is terrible, and he has the feeling that Isaak likes nice things. And because it's as good an excuse as any, isn't it, to pretend that he's only interested in the business aspects of Isaak.]

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