For better or worse (Clover Sinclair)

The woman had accepted his help without any real hesitation, something that he could respect. It was either foolishness, or perhaps she truly believed that she could go through with her plans for the future. Shortsighted might was not what she sought, but something that the woman noble in a sense, something any person could look favorably upon. With a soft smirk, he accepted the hand extended towards him and gave it a firm shake. They had formed their own alliance, yet he did not expect trust right away, especially when she knew almost nothing about him. Still, seeing that a willingness to take risks was involved managed to make things all the more interesting.

”I’ll be sure to be a bit more forthcoming, don’t need to worry about that. Just….wanted to be sure my pitch wasn’t thrown back in my face before then.” Something told him he needed to offer her something, though giving too much information might have been something that would cause more harm than good. ”I’ll start with my name, since I haven’t even given that out yet. Michael Atterrius, at your service.” he said, withdrawing his hand and letting it rest on the table, wondering if she would draw the connections. Sure, she may not draw that Zell Atterrius was his father, but she would glean that they had some relationship.

”I’m sure we’ll get to know each other better through our little alliance. Since i’m the one that came here to you however, I was hoping there was something I could do for you...to further cement our alliance. Maybe there’s a thorn in your side that needs plucking, or a pesky insect that needs...a good squashing.” He mentioned, arching an eyebrow as if waiting for some kind of answer.

Clover arched a brow upon hearing Michael’s last name. It certainly rang several bells, but she could not put a face to the name. She had most definitely seen or heard it somewhere before. Clover felt that there was a reason her new acquaintance had withheld his last name till now, almost as though he thought the reveal would ruin any chance he had at striking the partnership with Clover. Regardless, Clover soon shook the thoughts from her head when Michael proposed a new question.

It was a rather straightforward question but the young girl couldn’t help but slip into silence as she thought about it. There was always the case of the tyrant Atlantean king, but with Bliss and Madeline’s help, Clover had seen to it, that Karth wouldn’t see the light of day for a very long time. The young girl shuddered at the thought of what the king had put Bliss and herself through.

Clover’s gaze drifted away from Michael, as she continued to ruminate on his proposition. There was no immediate threat to her goals, but she didn’t exactly want to turn down the offer. She felt that it would be rude or in some way offend her mysterious partner, but in the end she had to make up her mind.

“You may find this hard to believe, but I don’t have many enemies….At least not yet anyway.” She said with a slight chuckle. She then somewhat laughed to herself as the thought of having Michael take on Madeline, just for the sheer hell of it came to her. She shook that thought from her mind almost as fast as she had thought it up, thinking about the actual problems that could pose.

Her eyes trailed back up before giving the man a shrug of her shoulders. “I hate to say it but I legitimately can’t think of a single soul that deserves to be obliterated at this moment in time sadly.” In fairness even if there was someone that was deserving of Clover’s aggression, she would have most likely declined Michael’s offer anyway. Clover would have just elected to deal with the issue herself.

Clover appeared to ruminate on something, as if his question had actually required some thought. All powerful people had their foes, people that they would have been glad to get rid of, so he was hoping that she would have one of those people. ”Wow, no enemies at all? I can’t tell if you’re efficient, a liar or just that likable.” His tone suggested that he was mostly jesting with her, emphasized even further with a playful wink. ”Well that is unfortunate, for me anyway. Was hoping I could prove myself, but that can always wait. Patience is a virtue afterall, and i’m sure I can think of some way to do that later.”

With a shift of position Michael would stand up, stretching as if he were uncomfortable with sitting. ”Now if you’ll excuse me, I have...other matters I need to attend to.” Michael flicked his wrist, seemingly producing a small white card from nowhere. Printed in black, curling letters was a strong of numbers, likely denoting some manner of phone number. Michael would let this flutter to the table before her, landing silently as his eyes, an odd silver with flecks of green meeting with hers.

”Here’s my number. Feel free to contact me, day or night. If you need me for anything, i’m likely sure I can accommodate you.” Speaking formally, well that was something he did not need too much practice in doing. ”I have a feeling we’ll meet again soon, and that time i’ll have more to offer you than my name. Take care Miss Sinclair.” With that he would make his leave, not from the party but more towards a prior target; The Host.

They were talking among a few people, mostly annoying, idiot people going about their lives. This required he snatching two more lasses of champagne, his intentions slightly different than with Clover. This required a slight shift within personality, him turning clutzy enough to bump into him and spill the liquid all over himself.

”Sorry! Talk about clumsy...now i’m all...covered in Champagne.”

Clover gave a faint chuckle at Michael’s compliment. “You’d be surprised how easy it is to get on people’s good sides.” she remarked, as she rose up almost in sync with the man. The young girl’s emerald eyes trailed away from Michael as he produced a small white card with what appeared to be a number to contact him at. The card fluttered to the table as Michael confirmed that it was indeed his number and explained to Clover that if she ever needed to reach him, that, that was the number to do so with.

Clover gave her companion an elegant bow as they bid farewell to one another. “It’s been an interesting meeting Mr. Atterrius. I look forward to working with you in the future.” she said before giving him one more polite handshake before he walked away.

The second Michael was out of sight, Winston approached Clover with a drink in hand. After handing the drink over, Winston adjusted his glasses as he watched Michael trail off. “Miss Sinclair, do you think it was wise to divulge so much information to a man you know nothing about? Something tells me that man is hiding something.”

Clover laughed at Winston’s concern before taking a sip of the drink he brought her. She looked over her shoulder taking note of the man’s attempt to be clumsy. One thing was for certain, he knew how to play at people. Clover took another sip before letting a small grin appear on her face. “Aren’t we all?” she said in a sly manner, hinting that she herself may have been withholding some information herself.

Clover finished the rest of her drink while keeping an eye on Michael, before finally turning to her massive butler and motioning to him that it was time to go home.

(End)