Topic: Mr Howe's Visitor.

Erinalle Dunbridge

Date: 2006-10-09 02:57 EST
The walk was a long one in her condition, but she wanted to get to business. Erin had decided on a cane to help her make it, the clickclick of it was pleasant on the cobblestones, though it also made her frown. She hated the idea of needing *help* to walk. However, she continued the clicking and limping, and stopping to rest all the way from the Inn to their offices in the West end. DCH was her destination, and it didn't take her *that* long to get there.

She had opted on her power suit, the same one she used to buy her house. Grey angular lines and a sharp collar made her delicate frame seem a little more bulky, a little more commanding. Despite her walking problems, she insisted on wearing those pointy shoes that business women loved. They made her seem taller, more slender, and almost model like...if the model were five foot four in heels. Her hair was parted on the side, and she actually was wearing makeup, light pink lip-gloss matching a pink motifed eye-shadow pallet.

Once she arrived she was lead to Mr. Howe's office by a very nice secretary. The cane and heels making a very different sound on the tiles of the firm. More of a clink than a click. She was still very self conscious about the noise and the spectacle of it. Makeup hiding most of the bruising on her face, she looked much better than the day before while lounging 'bout the inn.

A delicate hand reached out to knock gently on his door. Shifting her weight from foot to foot, she waited patiently for the man to answer his office door. She had her reservations...the firm's reputation, his apparent infatuation with her, but she had questions and she needed them answered as soon as possible. Cane leaned on as she awaited his answer at the door.

((Edited because the end got cut off))

Mr. Howe

Date: 2006-10-19 15:28 EST
The offices of DCH are located on the NorthSide of Rhy"Din near the Marketplace. The firm had chosen the locale with great intention; wanting to impress by the more civilized address. The NorthSide of Rhy"Din is mostly commerce and caters to a wealthier patronage than any other areas of the city. Of course, DCH would only offer the best and present it from the most legitimate location. They are, after all, superb at what it is they do.

Howe is indeed infatuated with Erin, however he's no fool. In a realm where the most handsome and beautiful are plentiful, he knows he's no catch. Perhaps when he'd first inhabited this vessel, the body he currently resides in, he could have been a rival for her affections, or at very least, incited lust. But his penchant for overindulgence and natural aging has taken their toll.

It is true he could steal another vessel; one more likely to incite licentious ideas, but the amount of energy such a trick requires demands more than he currently has at his disposal. Not to mention he'd need a body.

Hm, that Sebastian character, the one he'd seen in the inn with Taneth, comes to mind. Nice, firm body, handsome face, everything one would want for a potential housing. Yet Howe would still need a solid source of energy. Hence DCH's desire to tame the Nexus; a power plant that would grant them all the energy they could ever desire. Alas, their attempts at harnessing the Nexus have failed, unlike those of the Bloods. Whatever trick Lankyn has up his sleeves has so far evaded DCH.

Howe is currently stuck with the body he has and the most he dare hope for is Erin's continued companionship. The mild flirtation is nice, she is indeed a tasty morsel and worthy of any man's fantasy, but to expect anything beyond such pleasantries would be imprudent.

Howe is above all things sensible and practical. It would be unwise of him to expect more than he knows he's worth.

Yet, Erin's attention caters to his ego; he will do what he can to keep her interest, even if it is one of platonic friendship.

Howe had promised Erin an assistant, someone who can supervise the rebuilding of her house in WestEnd while she is recuperating from the gun shot wound. But Howe is also concerned for Erin's well being. Hence he wants someone able to care for the lady's business and the lady. What he needs is someone strong-edged enough to deal with the business side of things but also motherly and trustworthy. Erin has presented herself as being rather strong-willed and fiercely determined to retain her independence, (or so Howe has read of the lady so far). The person he assigns to her must be able to win Erin over so that she will allow herself to be taken care of. What he needs, he's not finding in one person.

A frustrating situation to say the least as Howe is used to getting what he wants.

Having gone through the many personnel files he's narrowed his search down to five potentials. Yet none of them have all the qualities that he believes will enable them to accomplish what he wants done. So he's decided on a new avenue; he'll assign two people to Erin: One to deal with the work on her new home, the other to take care of the lady herself. It seems to him the most logical answer to his situation.

He's not sure if the Lady Erin will agree to his solution but he will press her with the rationality of the idea nevertheless.

His first choice for dealing with Erin's business needs is Etta Drake, a woman of age and wisdom with a backbone of pure steel. Ms. Drake has been with DCH for many years and has a head for business. She's well versed in building code regulations and knows how to *inspire* people towards their best efforts. She's not very social, her tongue is sharp and her attitude sharper, but she is the perfect choice to oversee Erin's business dealings. Ms. Drake will make sure Erin gets the best service, quickly and reasonably priced.

Ms. Drake is not a pretty woman; her hair is graying and kept back in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She's stick thin and wiry. She prefers to dress in clothing most suited for the Victorian Era, high collars, long sleeves, full and lengthy skirts with no skin showing. She's a prudish woman with little interest outside of her work. Most would deem her unfriendly at best, yet when it comes to business she's quick minded and stubborn. Drake can be counted on to get the job done to the highest quality in the shortest possible time.

But Drake is not motherly in the least.

Howe's second pick is Ms. Abigail "Just call me Abby, dear" Hazeltine. As round and full figured as she is good humored, Abby, as she prefers to be called, reminds most of Mrs. Claus; both in appearance as well as attitude. Abby appears to be in her late fifties with a ruddy complexion, an easy smile and a heart of gold. Why she came to be an employee of DCH remains somewhat of a mystery even to the attorneys themselves; however she's proven herself to be an invaluable asset.

Not an unattractive lady, if a little on the hefty side, Abbey nevertheless remained a spinster; somewhat of an "old-fashioned" feminist she doesn't believe a woman needs a man to qualify her. Born into wealth she's spent much of her life in charitable pursuits and has earned many humanitarian awards for her endeavors. She's extremely motherly and enjoys taking in strays of all kinds; from abandoned pets to orphaned children, Abby is renown for generosity.

Abby became a charge of DCH when she was orphaned at the tender age of thirteen. It was at that time that her father drowned in a tragic boating accident. Her mother had died years earlier in the influence pandemic of 1918, when Abby was barely a year old. With no family to step up and care for the child, DCH was given custodianship. They were her father's attorneys and had served him for many years, tending to his wealth and keeping his legal matters well in hand. It was naturally assumed they would continue serving Abby as they had her father.

Over the years, DCH has come to rely on Abby when they have 'strays" they feel need "nurturing". In all cases, this agreement between them has met with substantial success. Howe feels that Abby is the perfect choice to fit Erin's current needs.

The drawback is that neither of the ladies resides in Rhy"Din and has had to be sent for. Howe is awaiting their arrival when he receives the psionic message that Erin has arrived, seeking council with him. He instructs the secretary to bring her to his personal office where he will greet her.

Barking a few last orders to his staff on what to do when the ladies arrive, he quickly moves down the interior hallway to his office to await her knock. When it comes, he waits for several seconds before answering it, not wanting her to think him too desperate.

"Why, My Lady Dunbridge, it is a pleasure to see you?" Words trailing away as beady eyes take in the condition of the girl. "Please, dear lady, tell me you didn't walk all the way from the inn"!" Sincere concern etches deep lines in his aging face as he frowns, he appears genuinely upset. Gently Howe takes her by the arm and steers her towards a comfortable chair. "Sit, my dear, you look a bit worse for wear, I fear. Perhaps you'd care for some tea, or coffee, or would a cool drink be more your preference??

Erinalle Dunbridge

Date: 2006-11-05 14:05 EST
"Tea would be lovely..." She smiled faintly as she let him lead her into his office. She wouldn't answer his other question, she knew it was stupid to walk from the Inn, but she was in quite the rush. She lowered herself into the comfortable chair, leaning her cane against the arm. It was a slow and careful operation to cross her legs, but she thought it best. Bruises and scrapes were not attractive, but to behave as a cripple would hurt her bargaining position.

Erin bowed her head a bit as he came into the room with her. "I hope this isn't a bad time....I don't mean to be a pest. But, you said to visit." She gave him a dazzling smile, charm oozing. Erin had an idea he liked her...but it was no secret that he was much too old for her. She had always been taught to use her sexuality to get what she wanted, and that was the plan. A well placed smile and lay of one hand could do more than years of negotiation.

"I've come to talk business, in fact, Mr. Howe. I need some help with my house....Not just managing its construction, but cleaning its finances. You see, the funds I used to buy it.....well, they weren't exactly mine. " Hair fell in her face as her head tilted towards him. She wasn't one to wait for anything, business discussion included. Pleasantries could wait until he proved he was worth her time.