hell on heels ``devil's deal`` coming for you [c]

[GEMENI AMORETTE FOUCAULT]

It had been nearly a week since her encounter in the abandoned factory and she'd been able to hide it from her father, having chalked it up to Lady getting off of her leash and spending all those hours looking for her, it sure explained the crying mess she'd been when she'd gotten home so late. She'd been posting fliers for her baby endlessly since that day, Lady had been hers since she was a pup for close to four years. She had been a gift from her father for her sweet sixteen and not to have her with her everywhere she was it was literally taking sleep from the girl. Gem had even been convinced that someone had stolen her dog from her, who wouldn't have wanted Lady? She was well trained, gorgeous beyond words, and sweeter than a sugar cube when there was no to guard.

She'd even searched around the area she'd been running in, of course in daylight and with Drake but nothing had come up and even though Drake had hated Lady he had been kind enough to see how distraught Gem had been and promised that they'd find her.... That was of course after his promise of finding her a husky that looked exactly like Lady or ten that kinda sorta did failed. He'd tried to pass it off as a joke but it had only sent Gem into a whole new fit of tears and she'd practically jumped out of his car, and after that Drake learned the meaning of the word sensitive.

That had been pretty much every day for this past week and though the promise of a reward had been on the fliers no one had called and even her parents were starting to lose their faith, say what you will but Lady had been a member of this family and without her it wasn't just Gem that felt out of sync, though she certainly was the one that let it show the most. She hadn't been dancing, even in class she'd merely mope in the back of the room complaining about stomachaches while she sat there with her phone practically glued to her hand hoping somebody would call her with news on her baby. No animal shelter, no dog pound, no one had found Lady it was as though she'd been up and snatched by the wind because Gem refused to think of some wild animal getting close to her, it only sent the girl into an entirely whole new fit of tears.

It had pretty much been what her week had consisted of, floating from one thing to the other, crying herself to sleep, blaming herself for losing Lady. What had happened to Gem even paled in comparison to the loss of her companion, Lady was her best friend and what was she going to do without her? All that had changed last night though, when she'd gotten a call at about nine in the evening from a man who'd found her puppy. Apparently he'd been away on business and that's why he hadn't been able to contact her sooner. That had been about as far as he'd been able to get because before he'd even given her his name Gem was asking him when was the soonest they'd be able to meet because she wasn't even past leaving the house right that hour, how she was dressed just to see her baby again but that idea had been shot down quick when the man had told her that there were some other things he needed to finish taking care of, so Gem sullenly agreed to meeting the man the next day at the local coffee shop, leaving him with her name and where she'd be waiting.

Now here she was, waiting for this stranger at noon, fighting the urge to call him and make him bring her back Lady before she went stir crazy. Gem had practically woken up the entire block when she'd run into her parents room to tell them the news, it had been the closest she'd been to either parent than any one cared to admit and even Bianca had gotten in on the crazy late night bed jumping. Her father had left in the morning, actually planting a kiss on Gem's head and playfully scolding her about her actions, something that hadn't happened since she'd been a girl and Gem knew right then exactly how much it was that Lady meant to the entire family.

After getting dressed and fixing herself up for the first time since Lady had gone missing. Her hair was down, a bow resting neatly on the relaxed tresses, her make up simple and a pair of simple black and champagne satin peep toe pumps that she'd recently bought but had only worn until now. When her mother saw her walking down the stairs the woman couldn't help but tease her daughter, telling her that she wasn't sure if she was dressing up because she was happy or because she was trying to marry the man that had found Lady. The comment elicited a chuckle and slight blush from Gem who glared playfully with her mother, sitting down with the woman all the while waiting in an antsy jittery way, looking at the watch while trying to play nice with her mother though the woman seemed to be able to see right through her (as always) and sent Gem along her merry way, and before her mother could even get out her goodbye Gem had been in her car and on her way to the coffee shop she'd agreed to meet with the stranger for her dog.

She told him she'd be waiting for him outside and had even gone so far as to order him a coffee and a breakfast croissant which she'd asked her waitress to hold off on ordering until her guest had joined her. Gem sat there though, with her Cafe au lait, picking at the crumbs of her coffee crumb cupcake, one leg crossed neatly over the other shaking anxiously as she kept looking for any signs of her dog seeing as she hadn't even thought to ask the man for his name and the last time they'd talked less than ten minutes ago he'd assured her he was on his way, though she had to say she felt somewhat offended to hear that there had been some amusement in his tone. She couldn't say she blamed him though, she was acting as though he'd found the holy grail, but to Gem that's exactly what Lady was and all she wanted to do was see her, to make sure she was fine, to make sure she'd been eating. Let alone worrying about visiting the vet and putting her dog through a set of vaccines just to make sure there were no diseases running rampant in her baby.

Gem saw the mid morning traffic though as she waited outside at a table for two, mothers with their babies and business men in suits, a suitcase glued to one and and a cell phone to the other paying no passing mind to the world around them. Her mind flashed to her father and Drake, the actions that mimicked one another and the same dry sense of humor that bored Gem to tears at each and every business dinner and ball. Her legs stopped their nervous twitching for a moment as she paused for a moment to stop and think about two of the most important men in her life. Her father had taken the time out of his schedule, however busy and however important to make sure she was fine, each and every night since Lady had been gone. Even when he should have been furious with her for having gone out running so late in the day when her mother had told her not to, he had seen her heartbreak and had felt it in his heart not to make her feel worse.

Drake though... It had taken hey boyfriend the better part of a four hour conversation to actually understand her attachment to her pet, how utterly distraught losing Lady had made Gem and he hadn't even tried to hide the fact that he was angry at her for having gone to the bad side of town for a quick spin as he liked to call it. Gem knew they were different in many ways but what Gem had been banking on and hoping for she supposed was the kind heart that she knew her father had, that he'd hidden his for some time now, seeing as kindness was not a word synonymous with mogul. Drake had shown himself to be kind, patient, and caring on countless occasions, whenever she felt her world was ready to crumble in on her, he was there. When her father was pushing her into what she didn't want, he was there, but when he knew what Lady meant, when he knew how much dancing meant, when Gem just wanted to be able to be silly and display affection.. He closed her out..

How could it have been? He was there when it mattered but blocked her out when there was no crisis? Gem knew it was more than most men did nowadays but... That wasn't what she'd been expecting from a life with him to mean. The ring hidden beneath her shirt that rested on a silver chain, it looked right but somehow Gem didn't think that the heavy stone felt right when it was pressed coldly against her chest...

The familiar bark of her dear friend was enough to snap Gem out of her self depreciating thoughts and her eyes couldn't help but to light up at the sight of her precious Husky running as though her life depended on it straight for Gem, no worries as to the other people on the sidewalk and the girl didn't think twice in kneeling down to the sidewalk out stretching her arms and tightly wrapping her arms around her dogs neck, her eyes welling instantly with tears that spilled over into her dogs surprisingly well maintained coat as the dog eagerly cried and licked at her owner, tail thumping loudly against the sidewalk.

"Oh Lady." Gem whispered shakily into the dog's fluffy neck as the dog made a loud showy scene of whining her mistress' affection back at her. She'd noticed that the dog was wearing a leash but saw no one, not that she had noticed from what direction Lady had come from but still, Gem didn't think the man would just dump Lady off and go.. After all there was still that reward.

Tagged For: Abbadon

[ABBADON RENNER CAPULET]

Abbadon couldn't say he wasn't showing up late on purpose - because he kind of was. He couldn't help himself sometimes. When he'd by chance found the wondering Husky that he'd almost instantly recognized - or rather that Aether had- as Lady, companion to one Amorette, it seemed only like fate that he'd seen the reward posters last night when he'd gotten back into town - since he had no real way to get in touch with the petite, fiery brunette. There was no way he could help the fact that he'd had to travel out of town for some unofficial hunter business with a friend (everything he did was "unofficial" so no news there...since he had never been taken for real training) and he had no way of knowing that his unintentional trip would take as long as it had. It was literally the morning he'd planned to go - when he'd taken Aether out for a run when they'd happen to come across the wondering little Lady, still wearing a leash but with no owner holding the other end.

He'd treated her like he would have his own dog, and probably better, even going as far as to wash and groom her the night before - no sense in having the strong headed girl think he hadn't taken precious care. Aether to say the least had been in doggy heaven all week long to have the extra company - if not a little distracted - not on his best game, which would account for the slight limp, in both master and pet. They'd been with Manric out of town hunting some "bigger game" and he hadn't been so careless as to let Lady go with them during those times, but his friends sister had been more then happy to watch the well behaved dog. Now the real reason he was dragging out "Amorette's" suffering was when he'd called to talk, it had become obvious that during their first meeting she'd given him a false name. Well perhaps not a false name, but it was obvious now that it hadn't been her first name. Abbadon should have been at least a little pissed, what did she think he was? Some creepy stalker? Sure he womanized...but make no delusion, if a woman wasn't interested in wasn't going to sit outside her window and watch her undress. But no, he was nothing but mildly amused.

He had no problems getting women - and as cute as she was he wasn't going to work hard for her affection - he didn't think he had to. Oh of course any man would have to put in some kind of effort, but he didn't like her presumptuous attitude on the matter. He wasn't a villain that was about to rape her of her well afforded virtue or something. Well he supposed they had one thing in common...confidence because it would be sort of like the pot calling the kettle black. Giving the train of thought a shake from his head he headed out after once again getting off the phone with Amorette...no, Gemeni - and a Foucault at that - he knew the girl had screamed money for a reason, but he'd stalled for as long as he dared. Knowing his luck she would probably try to trace his number and give it to the police if she thought he was going to dog nap her friend. With both Aether and Lady on their leashes they finally headed out, deciding a walk would be best to drag things out.

He knew exactly the place she wanted to meet him so getting there wasn't exactly a problem - it was just the speed of getting there that was. But even with the battle wounds the best thing for either him and Aether was exercise - nothing strenuous, but a slow walk, since they'd been laid up in bed for a few days now. There was a stiffness in his back from favoring his arm and even though he'd dropped the sling, his arm was wrapped from elbow to shoulder noticeable under his short sleeved shirt - even his own husky stayed compliant at his side not begrudging the easy pace - Lady right by the male version of her.

Abbadon thought it was cute the way she kept turning her head to sniff the other dog or lick the side of his face and neck in encouragement. It wasn't until they were at the end of the block that he stopped, his bright blue eyes squinting behind his sunglasses, sharply picking up on the form sitting primly at one of the tables. With a grin he leaned down to lady and patted head, "there's Gemeni, Lady...go on." He said softly and with an excitable undertone to her, but it seemed that the dog didn't need the fact pointed out because she was stock still and looking in the direction, but still seemed to hesitate. Laughing softly he gestured once more as he dropped the leash, "go on we'll be right there."

It was all she seemed to need because in the next instant she was running full speed ahead weaving in and out of people on the side walk to get to her owner as quickly as possibly. Abbadon watched for a few seconds before ambling forward - wanting to give the two some time to reunite. He tried to put on casual airs as he approached, but the fact that putting his hand in his pocket jostled his injured arm, sending a spasm of pain through him he grimaced and instead let it remain at his side until he finally got to the table. Combined with the fact he hadn't moved much in a few days, the heat, and his injury, he was suddenly not so energetic or optimistic how the day would go. "Sorry for taking so long to get here, we were slow going," looking at Gemeni then around to the table that was set up for two, including a hot cup of fresh coffee and croissant, he gestured with his good hand - the one with the leash. "Mind if we sit?"

Even hiding behind his sunglasses there was telling paling of his skin and a slight sweat on his forehead. He shouldn't have been this exhausted, but like always he was pushing himself - which made him wonder about Aether who hadn't even waited and was already eased down to lay with his wrapped up back leg - the dog had been sullen for days now despite Abbadon's attempts to cheer him up. It was an almost scarily human like intellect in the animal he hadn't seen in any of his other pets. He wouldn't be removing his shades because he knew his eyes held dark rings under them. Knowing the dog wasn't going to go anywhere he dropped the leash and helped himself down. He ran a critical eye down the girl in front of him for a split second as he did, and he immediately picked up on the nice discoloration around her neck which made his expression pinch.

Giving short shake of his head, he told himself it wasn't his business. And after they were through here he was sure neither would willingly run into each other again. But who was he to make the call - perhaps today wouldn't go that bad.

Famous last words...er...thoughts.

[GEMENI AMORETTE FOUCAULT]

Gemeni hadn't thought that there would be anything that could bring down her moments with Lady, it had been torture this past week without her and the husky's soft whining and licking at her bruised neck only seemed to show the girl that the feeling was mutual.

"Don't you ever do that to momma again do you hear me Lady?" Gem chastised her dog in such a loving tone that the only thing the dog seemed to do was bark and whine some more practically jumping up on Gem as if telling her the same thing but all those loving actions came to a standstill the instant both heard the sound of a voice she finally managed to recognize and while she went bone stiff, willing herself not to look like she'd been caught in a lie that technically wasn't a lie. So she'd given Abbadon her middle name, it wasn't like she was prone to giving off her real name to guys that just oozed cocky self righteousness.

Lady on the other hand was in bliss apparently seeing as she instantly detached herself from Gem (something that wounded the girl's ego deeply) to go lay with Aether on Abbadon's side of the small table but on second thought, it gave Gem the second she needed to gain composure in this situation. It all made sense now, the fact that it took so long for someone to see her baby, the fact that the "stranger" had sounded so amused, Gem could have kicked herself for being such an idiot. Gem shut her eyes from a moment before lifting herself up in a cool, collective manner you know, exactly what she wasn't feeling one bit. Gem watched Abbadon move slowly, caught the bandaged arm even and though her curiosity was peaked it was the fact that she could still feel his gaze from behind the dark aviators he was wearing that made Gem swallow thickly. She really hated the way this man made her feel, no one kept her on her toes as much as him and this was only their second run in so Gem knew there was just no way in hell she'd be running into him again given another chance. She'd just simply have to start running at a completely different time... Gem wasn't against waking up at dawn....

She watched Abbadon sit from her standing position and though the woman found it slightly rude that he'd sit before her (years of etiquette who would have though?) she didn't fail to notice that lack of... arrogance to him, so early on at least. Her eyes wandered down to Aether and Lady's attentive care of the copper colored husky as she lay with him and her eyes focused on that injured leg of his and though it wasn't her business Gem felt something she could only describe as the flicker of a flame start up in her. She had to control herself though, it wasn't her business, Lady was fine and if he wanted to kill his animal with some sort of fool hearty "business trip" that was probably just his way of making her suffer while he did some sort of reckless thing or the other, well that was just fine by her.

Running a hand over her outfit, smoothing out the material... And her emotions the woman ran a rand through her hair before finally taking her own seat, her hand at her neck, remembering her own reckless trip and reminding herself that well.. it was her fault that this had even happened in the beginning, though if the man sitting across from her could have just been slightly less...him well then none of this would have ever happened. Letting out a sigh, Gem did her best not to fidget when she felt his gaze on her again and as hard as she wanted to look away or down Gem met his gaze, though that dark barrier between them was far more unnerving than she cared to admit. She couldn't see a smirk and she couldn't tell if he was upset about how they'd met up once again or if he was just plain checking out the waitress walking around.

She had run across men like Abbadon, one too many times in her life, they thought they were God's gift to women that they could have a girl weak at the knees and in their bed with a few well placed words and Gemeni had known well enough from day one that those were the kind of men she stayed away from like the plague.

"I hope she wasn't any trouble.." Was Gem's first comment, her eyes finally breaking away from what she assumed was Abbadon's gaze and instead looking down at the large stout mug of Cafe au lait, with the foam design and picked up her spoon to dip it into the piping hot coffee infused milk, though honestly she wasn't exactly in the mood to really take a drink and instead simply swirled away the elaborate foam designs, mixing it into her coffee and breaking her muffin in half yet not really taking a sip or a bite of either. "Your business trip must have been one hell of a trip." Was the girl's next comment as she looked up at the man through her lashes, focusing on his injured shoulder and the dogs at his feet. Gem really couldn't help but feel betrayed yet again by her damn dog and narrowed her eyes at the dog slightly, though the tell tale sign of a smirk flickered on her face at the way she seemed just far too attached to the poor injured husky.

"Even Aether seems to have gotten some business in, it's enough to make a girl wonder just what kind of business you have to get done." Gem said in a way that suggested that in no way did she believe he'd been on business if not some sort of pleasure trip, he did seem to be the type that would enjoy diving off a cliff if it meant there was a pretty skirt at the other end that would reward him for his risk.

Lifting up a piece of her sweet morning treat to her lips, Gem took a small bite of the coffee crumb muffin and watched that Abbadon hadn't even touched anything of his. "If you'd like order something else that's fine, I just wanted to make sure that you wouldn't think I was a complete slob by not offering you even a cup of coffee." Gem said as she willed herself to relax, leaning back into her chair and taking a deep breath. Abbadon was no one special, he was just a man with a disarming personality a horrible ego and an unnerving stare, so long as she could get over all of that, then the girl was just looking at some person that she owed a great thanks to for returning her dog.

Once again crossing one leg smoothly over the other under the table, Gem was surprised to feel something furry brush against her legs and force a fluffy head into her lap, her face relaxed instantly when she looked down into the sweet mocha brown eyes of Aether looking at her, sitting next to her, his tail thumping softly on the sidewalk as he looked up at her with an expression that could simply be described as a 'Love Me' face, Gem knew that face all too well, though her Lady was still, simply far too focused on the husky whining for her attention to bother with her owner now that she saw the raven haired woman was back in her sights.

Leaning down, Gem placed a kissed on top of the husky's head and scratched behind his ears.

"Just what does he have you doing hm?" The girl questioned the dog playfully and if dogs could speak Gem could swear that Aether was getting ready to blame everything on Abbadon given the mournful look on his face that Gem couldn't help but smirk at before finally looking up at her company, though her smile did falter at the sight he made. "So like the poster said, there is a reward, why don't you tell me how much you'd like." Gem said, no malice in her voice, she'd made an offer and she was going to see it through, after all she didn't think there was any way this man would have kept Lady from her just to hold the dog for a million dollar ransom... Then again...

Rolling her eyes softly to herself, Gem let out a small laugh, her attention more so on the tan husky then his owner. Giving it a loving kiss here and there, glad to see it somewhat happier then the pup that had plopped itself down when they arrived, she just didn't understand, if pets were supposed to mimic their owners... How was it that Abbadon had gotten such a downright lovable pet? And the thought had Gem laughing to herself again as she let herself continue to play with the dog resting his head on her lap still.

[ABBADON RENNER CAPULET]

Abbadon didn't mind the fact that Aether had gone straight to Gemeni for some love and attention, because it wasn't like he was feeling up to dishing it out. Don't get it wrong, he wasn't angry, but he'd be glad when Lady was back with her rightful owner. For a few days now, the two of them had made pitiful sights laid up, and not moving - Manric kind enough to house them until he just couldn't stand the thought of laying around one more day, but he hadn't been able to go home like he was either. If his mother saw him...the thought made him physically shake his head. Even though his father had officially been a hunter - and Rosie knew the dangers behind the job - the fact still stood that Abbadon wasn't a licensed anything. He was a wild card...a gun to hire - and everything he did was illegal. In the eyes of the government, anyways.

He had the gift for it even though it was thought that whatever gene made plain old humans just a little bit better usually never showed up in the off spring of a hunter - normally it skipped generations; but it had been kept under firm lock and key for as long as Renner could. It was the death of his brother that had broken him however. He forgot careful discretion and went out in to the business of killing the creepy crawlies with...well...guns a blazin'. He had a personal agenda, with a handful of skills and plenty of anger to make it happen. Abbadon thought the only good werewolf out there, was a dead one. Oh sure, they were just like anyone else 99 percent of the time (yeah right), but all it took, was that one time, that one percent, when the moon was full...what then? It became perfectly acceptable to run around and kill defenseless people?

Yes, that was excusable just because the werewolf "forgot". Yeah right. There was a point when you had to be held accountable for the things you'd done - good and bad. Abbadon wasn't some high rolling moral braggart - he'd done things in his life that were questionable, sure - but he wasn't trying to put his short comings off on someone else. He accepted what he was, what he wasn't, and he knew he'd have to answer for the things he'd done when the time came. And he was prepared for that. Could others say the same? Perhaps, but with him doing his job, he made sure their time came quicker then they would have liked. He'd be the judge, jury and executioner, and not flinch when it came time to pull the trigger.

This past week had been a wake up call. The lycan they'd been chasing time, had been a little stronger then the initial Intel had led them to believe - he thought...some random rogue with a nasty pension for picking up hookers, doing the dirty, killing them then dropping them off behind dumpsters...no problem. Well, apparently it hadn't been known that he was just a brand of straight up crazy that even Abbadon hadn't been prepared for. Since the sick little puppy hadn't been strong enough to do a partial shift, he'd fabricated these weapons, no kidding, that looked like a prop straight Freddy Krueger's freak collection. The only difference was that it seemed to be more like a claw would be, shorter blades that formed over each finger, sort of curving...easier to dig in and flay the skin with. There was a phantom twinge that ran over the wound on his arm to confirm the theory, reminiscently close to the old set of scars he already sported on his shoulder.

They'd be reminders everyday that these things weren't just mostly humans, they were dangerous, and they needed to be taken care of. He would also remember, that he needed to watch his own back a little more carefully. Abbadon trusted Aether, and the dog was smart as a whip - had a singular focus and a drive to do his job, but this was the second time it had happened, both times there had always been something "off" about their frame of mind to work together as a team. But he had to take most of the blame because Aether was only the pet and Abbadon was the master...

He'd mulled over the events of the past week so hard he almost forgot they were in mixed company until he heard Aether's whining to Gemeni, and he cooing back at him in return. He almost didn't catch what she had to say, or the fact he'd just been staring. Letting his shaded gaze swing down, his chin ducked a little and managed to swallow the grimace the slight action caused. To be honest the cup of coffee and breakfast like treat looked delicious, but he didn't want to fumble around to try to eat it, so he left it to cool. With a shake of his head he looked back up, lifting his good hand to remove the sun glasses from his washed out face and squinted a little into the intrusive glow of the surrounding day before laying them down on the table. For the first time since arriving he seemed to allow a little bit of that charm he liked to think he was so famous for come through - although even that felt a little forced, "oh please..." he said with a good natured chuckle, "having the well behaved little Lady around was enough reward."

It was the most polite way he could think of to say he didn't want any money, or some form of reward. He made his own money, and did pretty well off. It was pretty evident though, that Aether had a permanent companion in Lady. The two just got along so well, "Only...I know how much this will probably pain you...but I can't have a depressed dog on my hands, and if I leave today without even so much as a promise that the two of them," he nodded with a slight motion of his head to the dogs currently pushing at each other for a space in her lap, "can't play together again...well." He shook his head like he just couldn't think of anything else to add and the slight spread of his hand to mimic a shrug was enough to explain what he meant.

[GEMENI AMORETTE FOUCAULT]

Gem couldn't say she was surprised that Abbadon refused to take her money, his pride was definitely shining through, it had practically blinded her the first day they'd met but it was nice to see that he'd toned it down, if only for a moment. The girl couldn't help but to smirk slightly at the way he spoke of Lady, she was sure there was an underlying tone of sarcasm in there somewhere but Gem could also see that by the way she seemed to enjoy Aether and Abbadon's company that he'd probably treated her as nothing less than royalty while she'd been with him, even if her Lady could be quite the diva.

"Then this surely can't be my Lady." The girl joked, when she noticed the way Aether had fallen asleep with his head in her lap Gem couldn't help but to laugh in bright amusement especially when it didn't seem to bother Aether one bit and Gem not having the heart to remove the tan husky from his spot simply continued scratching at his face and ears lovingly while Lady, after fighting a losing battle with her male counterpart over Gemeni's affection laid at Abbadon's feet and the woman couldn't help but to laugh. "It seems to me like my Lady had quite the time with you and Aether, is there a bandage I should be looking for on her?" The girl managed to joke before she found herself mulling over the question seriously.

There was honestly no way Gem would be able to spend any set amount of time with Abbadon, even if it was for Lady and as much as she loved the big giant ball of fluff snoring on her lap and as different as he was from his owner and as completely different as Abbadon was acting from their first encounter she just didn't know how smart of her it would be to agree to meet with him... But she owed him, he'd kept her Lady safe, he'd kept her happy and apparently he'd spoiled her rotten given the fact that she was laying with Abbadon looking up at Gem as if begging her not to take her away.

Biting her bottom lip pensively Gem didn't speak or look up, it wasn't as though it was brain science, yes or no it was simple as that, actually it was even simpler. He didn't want a reward just the chance for "Lady and Aether" to meet again, if you asked her it just sounded like a giant corny pick up line. Then again that would be implying that he was interested in her and that she'd give him the chance, which Gem could only find herself thinking that Abbadon was the kind of man that preferred women that weren't so easy to manipulate and Gem liked to think herself smarter than the average airhead.

Before she could answer though a familiar ringtone burst out and startled Aether who's head shot up from her lap giving her the chance to stand.

"I'll just be a second." The dark haired girl said as she grabbed her smartphone to find her boyfri-fiancee calling her, though the song had been enough of a giveaway. It had been the only song he'd liked enough that apparently got his emotions across and meant something, Gem didn't see much to it though since he thought her dancing was in all actuality a joke. Either way, she knew he was calling to check on her and she couldn't help but to find it sweet. Stepping away from the table, the girl slid open the lock as she walked towards the street end, leaning slightly on one of the parking meters as she answered.

"Darling, how are you doing today?" In her excitement the woman hadn't called Drake to tell her the news and was actually surprised her father hadn't made mention of it to him yet, considering the man was an open book to Drake with family matter, especially those that concerned Gem. For some reason as of late her father had been asking Drake if he knew of any men that would catch Gem's eye but help her frow up, she didn't exactly appreciate the fact that he was trying to set her up but her fiancee had promised her that he'd been making sure to put all of their associates in a bad light, and it had been working, Gem just didn't know how she felt about the fact that her father was trying to basically marry her off, was she really that much of a burden? These thoughts were really dampening her mood so before Drake could think she'd forgotten how to speak she plastered on her customary giant grin, the kind she used regularly to keep from letting people think anything was wrong, it rarely worked but hey it was a work in progress for the young Foucault.

"You would never believe who found her way." Gem could hear the sigh of relief that Drake took and though she knew it was more so because it meant he wouldn't have to walk on pins and needles around her anymore and that she'd probably finally agree to go out with him later on in the week, Gem couldn't help but to be amused.

"You're kidding where was she hiding?"

"Well the man that found her had been out of town on business but he has a husky too and Lady really seems to love that dog." Gem wasn't sure if it had been a good idea to mention Abbadon's having found her because she could almost feel the sudden drop in mood from the person on the other line.

"And are you on your way home?" Swallowing thickly, Gem knew immediately that if she didn't get off the phone this probably wouldn't end well for them, "No, actually I asked the man who found her to have breakfast with me and we're just going over the reward-" "-I know what kind of reward he's looking for." It took a lot of restraint for Gem not to hang up her phone on her immature and at the moment annoying significant other, but she kept her poise, though it was easy to tell her shoulders had now tensed and the once wide grin had been dropped into something of a slight frown.

"That almost sounds like an insult to me Drake."

"Gemeni why must you take it all so personal, honestly sometimes it's hard to believe your almost 20 you act as though you were still 14 years old."

"You know what Drake I'm going to go finish my coffee and finish my business, call me back when you've got a handle on yours." And before he could say anything else to her, the woman promptly ended their conversation and silenced the phone before running a hand through her hair looking to calm herself down before facing a completely different type of challenge of it's own. As much as she had wanted to date a mature man with a good head on his shoulders and as good as Drake was Gem just didn't like his no room for play policy, she couldn't even bring herself to spend a night with him and yet they were "engaged" it all felt rushed, it all felt pushed but who else was Gem going to settle for? Men like her friends who practically salivated at the chance of seeing her in her dance gear or better yet men like the one that was sitting at the table behind her, didn't take anything seriously, cocky as a rooster and arrogant to boot. A man who for whatever reason thought he had Gem pegged down to a 'T' from one meeting to the next and almost felt the need to knock her down a notch or ten.

None of this mattered, none of this was what today was about and if Drake wanted to act childish, well then she'd just have to give him a good enough reason to be so scared wouldn't she? After ignoring his second call back Gem took a deep breath and though she wasn't exactly smiling the frown had disappeared from her face and she sat down at the table once again, leaving the phone in her lap watching with a smile that her Lady had finally decided to recall who was her actual owner and in a move that mimicked Aether's earlier actions, Gem felt the giant furry head fall in her lap as if trying to console her and the girl couldn't help but to feel her sudden dark mood diminish.

"How could I ever keep her away from Aether." The girl said quite easily, her eyes locked on Lady's as she scratched both ears, "Are you sure you can handle seeing me on such a constant basis though?" The girl teased, knowing that neither was exactly the other's favorite person but if it meant shutting Drake up Gem wasn't past asking Abbadon if he'd like to work out with her in the mornings.