((Courtesy of RP with Edward Batten))

The Playboy's offices, at the top floor of the Batten Industries office building, located at a southerly point just away from the marketplace, was a rather interesting affair. Large enough to be comfortable, not so huge as to be intimidating or cavernous. The view, along the wall to his back, was rather nice - wall-to-wall, a one-piece window which overlooked the river and the Temple district to the south. As for the Playboy himself, he sat with his back to the door, his tie flung over the back of his chair, taking in this view for himself. The suit's coat and the top couple buttons of his shirt were left open as he relaxed for a moment, waiting for the AI to let him know his last appointment had arrived.

Unavoidable circumstances had made it impossible for her to keep the originally scheduled appointment but thankfully Diana was able to reschedule it quickly. She believed even the AI could sense the urgency in her request to see Ed as soon as possible and had made arrangements for her to meet him at his office this very evening. Her mind had been racing since she had begun to wonder just how deep Jacob's connection to her ran. She needed answers, and she was headed to the only person she felt might be able to help. She had only had time to throw on a pair of jeans and a black tank before heading over to his office, she was bound and determined to keep this appointment. The wrap on the door to his office was heavy and loud considering it came from one who's frame didn't suggest such strength.

He didn't need the knock - the AI's cool , feminine voice announced her precence before she got to the door. But it relayed to him the woman's desperation, her haste. Now what could make the unflappable, unfazeable Julianna so vexed? It piqued his curiousity. He called towards the door as he swiveled around behind the desk to face it.

"C'mon in, Julianna."

He was ready for her and knew Diana had probably informed him of her arrival before she had reached the door but this was technically her boss and he deserved the old fashioned respect of a knock. She opened the massive door with ease, slipping through the opening before turning and shutting it tightly closed behind her. She stood there for a moment, wondering just how to approach the conversation she needed to have with him. The man made sure to have eyes and ears everywhere but she was not one to divulge a lot about who...or rather what she was. However, she had resigned herself to the fact that in order to confirm what she needed, she would have to reveal some things.

There was a sigh laced with the frustration at this knowledge before she turned to face him, "Good Evening Ed." she knew she should probably call him Mr. Batten, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She was sure he would correct her if at some point he felt the need but so far he never had. "Thank you for agreeing to see me."

He looked Julianna over as she entered, noting her actions and containing a faint smirk as he motioned her to a seat. She was one of the few employees he had who called him Ed, rather than 'Mr. Batten' by reflex. He rather liked it about her, truth be told. Having a pretty good idea of what brought her here tonight, he decided to skip over the usual pleasantries as he sat forward, putting his elbows on the desk.

"So, petite, spit it out. "What's dis dat got y'comin' t'me dis late on a Sunday evenin'?"

Right to the point. Something she rather like about him. It was typically her way of doing things as well so this awkward feeling of how to start was new to her and she didn't like it. It made her uncomfortable but not nearly as much so as her recent belief on just how Jacob was spying on her. She made her way over to one of the comfortable chairs accross from Ed and walked right past them. At the side of his desk, she took a half lean, half sit right there as she turned those ice greens on him.

"Well, you know how we women can be. When we want something we don't care what the hour." Her lips curled into her signature smirk before they parted to get on with the business at hand. "I know how you men can be with all of your gadgets and toys and you seem to be the one person with the resources to have quite the collection. I find myself in need of your unique collection of such things to help me confirm a suspicion I have."

She did not move those eyes that were leveled on his as she let him digest the first part of her request. She was still working out just how to explain the why and she was taking those few moments to gather her thoughts.

That was all she really needed to say - it confirmed his suspicions rather neatly, in fact. On a number of things, and not just what he'd known about her since the first time she'd set foot on any of his properties. Still, he'll let her come out with it - it would go over better if she felt like telling him.

"Well, y'know what dey say 'bout bouy'n'deir toys. What is it ya need, pr'cisely?"

Her eyes narrowed a bit at the Playboy for two reasons. One, because she saw the faintest hint of satisfaction in his gaze and two, because knowing she had seen something hinting that he knew more than he was letting on, she was trying to decide whether or not she would just come out with it. All of it. She decided to test the waters.

"Well Ed, it would seem as though I'm being watched. Not in your typical stalker way but...by some other means."

There were certain benefits to the 'upgrade' he'd given himself. Among them was to be able to discern such things as vocal cues, stress tones hidden in patterns of speech that almost no one realized were there, save perhaps instinctually. And then only those with the sharpest hearing could pick it up. She had certainly seen it in his features - he had a decent poker face, but it was nothing to Leo's, so long as the man didn't speak. Still, he keeps the game going.

"Ah'm 'fraid yer gon' hafta be more...specific, chere."

Those lips slid into a deeper smirk. She liked Ed. Annoying sometimes with his know everything ways but she knew he could help her so she might as well just give into her fear of letting anyone in. She needed his technology so he deserved to know. She slid off of his desk and turned towards the chairs accross from it, stopping at the closest one, resting a hand along the top of the high back, her back to him and her gaze focused on a painting hanging on the wall, "You might have gathered that I'm not like most women. A woman still, of course, but a bit different." She looked over her shoulder at Ed before bringing her gaze back to look at the painting without actually seeing it, carefully planning her words as she spoke.

"The body you see before you was not of God's choosing. Or rather, it was in it's original form but man, one in particular....", the tone of her voice laced with a hint of resentment towards the man she was referring to, "..felt a need to duplicate it. Several times from what I have been told. You see before you the tenth installment." She made a slow turn to face him, those ice greens leveling on him once more, "I am a clone of a woman I have never met. While I carry her name, I have been told I am referred to by my creator as Julianna X."

Her first look at him revealed no surprise. He's known many, many women indeed, and though she looked mostly ordinary, he'd seen her do things that indicated she was anything but. She turned away to tell him the second part, and so she missed the more genuine look of surprise on his face. Well, would have missed it, but that it's still there on his features when she looks at him again. That, he hadn't known at all. He clears his throat as he recovers himself, frowning slightly as he watches her. There's a reach towards a dark, wooden box, which he flips open and dips into, to come out with a rather expensive-looking cigar. He raises his eyebrows at her in question, motioning with his fingers towards the open box.

The only satisfaction upon discovering that he had not at least know that was only in those eyes, and it was brief. When he gestured towards the cigars, a scultped dark eyebrow rose before there was a slight shrug to her shoulder in a 'why not' kind of fashion. The hard part was over, he knew what she was. There needed to be some kind of post knowledge cigarette but a cigar would do. Besides, this was the first person she had ever told and whether he knew it or not, that was saying something. She needed something from him, true, but it spoke volumes to the trust she had in him. That knowlege itself was surprising even to her.

He pulled a pair of matches from the box before he flipped it closed, along with a cigar cutter that looked like it might be silver, which he uses to trim the end before tossing it to Julianna. The weight would peg it as what it appeared to be when she caught it. A match is popped alight with his thumb and brought to the end of the cigar, which he draws on before shaking it out. The other match is set on the edge of the desk. Clearing his throat softly, he finally speaks.

"So...yer worried, Ah take it, 'bout people tryin' t'see t'ings from yer perspective?"

She slides into one of the armchairs accross from the desk finally after catching the cigar between her thumb and pointer finger, rolling it around a bit appreciating his taste. She leaned forward and slid the match the rest of the way off of the desk, leaning down to strike it along the side of her black combat boot before bringing it up to the end of the cigar, moving the hot white fire along the cut end until a full circle of glowing red could be seen as she took the first couple of pulls from it. The sickeningly sweet smell curling up from the end as it burned. She leaned back comfortably in the chair, crossing her legs as she did so. She gazed down at the arms of the luxurious chair she was sitting in, rubbing both palms along the lush material for a moment before looking back at Ed.

"Why do I have a feeling you already knew that? But to keep up the pretense that you are allowing me to control the conversation, yes. I believe along with the enhancements that were given to me, I believe that my creator has....ensured he can keep an eye on his creation. I have a feeling he is using my own eyes against me and it's not something I want to continue allowing him to do." The cigar is lifted for another draw off of it. Those full lips parting to allow the sweet smoke to lazily curl out from between them, slightly blowing to move it along. "That's where I have a feeling you can be of some assistance."

She leaned forward, propping her elbows on her knees, the tight black tanktop she wore straining against the weight of her full chest as she spoke, the ample display not something she guarded against and she didn't even notice had occured considering she was fully intent on the conversation. He nods, though it's a noncommittal gesture. As she leaned forward, he allowed his gaze to roam just the slightest bit. He is human, despite certain additions to his physiology. Still, he remains professional. This is work, after all. Reaching the opposite way of his cigar box, he flips open a compartment that has a more solid, metallic look to its construction, removing from it a smaller container that he places on the desk with a slight smile.

"Ah was wonderin' how long it'd take ya t'ask."

She looked down at the box then back up to Ed. Her eyes locking on Ed's for what seemed like several moments as she mulled over what his seeming preparedess meant, "What is that?"

Leaning forward, he placed his fingers on either side and squeezed, popping the container open. Inside lay a blue pill, which the Playboy motioned to as he sat back.

"Dat'll cut de signal yer puttin' out off...essentially, it's a jammin' d'vice dat ya don't hafta take off." There's a hint of a smile that twitches at his lips. "Jus' t'warn ya, de process is a bit...discomfitin'. Not painful, but it ain't gon' make ya wanna get up an' dance, eit'er."

She held his gaze and didn't even bother to look down at the pill he had just described. Her eyes widened slightly as the reality of what he just said to her hit. That was the only hint of the change in her mood, she leaned back slowly in the chair, crossing her legs once more. "Well that's rather handy. Your quite prepared. Just how long have you known if I may ask?"

He doesn't look embarassed in the least, simply looks at her with his blue-grey eyes, his manner one of simple honesty. "Since the first time you set foot on my property. And before you get all reighteously angry at me, I wasn't sure if you knew about it or not, or if you were a plant of some kind - you came to me looking for work, after all." There's a faint grin on his features. "Ah came to de conclusion dat ya weren't some kinda spy a while back, or at least not of yer knowin'."

The adrenaline that had been pumping through her as her anger began to rise at the realization that he had known for this long and hadn't bothered to tell her got somewhat deflated at the explanation of the reasoning behind it. Those eyes narrowed a bit as she considered everything he said, a smile slightly curving her lips. Apparently she wasn't the only one who kept secrets. Someone in his position would undoubtly be wary of someone getting on the inside of his company workings considering the contracts she knew he held. He didn't know her at all but had taken a chance on her and given her a position on his security staff.

"Well, that I can understand. However, through whatever means or events that brought you to the conclusion that I wasn't a spy...mind telling me why you continuted to allow it to happen?"

The adrenaline rising up again a bit at the thought that had he chosen to tell her after he realized he could trust her, she could have shut Jacob out so much sooner and the fear that he had seen too much of her plans for his father, Magnus. There's another tick of his lips upward as he shrugs.

"Wasn' my business, t'be honest. Ah don' have de slightes' clue what it is yer up to, an' it didn' occur t'me dat anyone else was watchin. Hell, 'til recently Ah didn' know ya'd made any headway int' findin' out who ya are...yer business is yer business, right?" He chuckled, leaning back in his chair again. "Women...dey get mad when yer pokin' in deir busines...den get mad when ya don' take notice. Ah'll nev'r get dat."

The stoic expression on her face didn't falter as she continued to look at him, "Now Ed, I have never counted you as a stupid man by any stretch of the imagination so I do find it hard to believe you would just dismiss the fact that I have been some transmitting antenna and once you found out it wasn't there to do harm to you or your company that you would simply, allow it to continue as if it didn't exist. That you wouldn't attempt to access it yourself."

The cigar was lifted for another draw as she eyed him suspiciously. She had a feeling that he couldn't just gain knowledge of something like that without attempting to tap into it himself. He could pronounce all he wanted that he kept out of everyone elses business but if that was so, why the need for the entire town to be bugged in some sense or another by him. Yes, she knew about it.

He takes a draw off his own cigar as he eyes her through the smoke. The filtration systems in the office cleared the air just enough that the cloud wasn't terribly thick, just enough to remind them they were smoking indoors. After a second, he looks at the desk, speaking to it. "Di, 'splain to de lady how de system works." In an instant, the golden, petitely-shaped female hologram pops up, perhaps a foot tall, on his desk, speaking in her cool, feminine voice.

"You are indeed correct. The frequency can and has been monitored and recorded. However, I have been painstakingly programmed to allow access into files only those which meet specific protocols, in particular that it must be something which has a direct effect on Mr. Batten or Batten Industries, or one of its employees. Thus far, there has been nothing in any of the transmissions from you that I have detected which meets or exceeds those protocols."

She had been looking at the mini Diana throughout her speech but upon its conclusion her eyes snap back up to Ed, "You have recordings? But you haven't seen any of them?" She had heard the AI clearly enough but she needed confirmation that he hadn't known what she had been up to or what she was planning.

He nods his confirmation, taking another draw from the cigar and puffing out a neat circle of smoke. "Whatever yer doin' ain't got t'do wit' me, so Ah don' need t'know 'bout it." He eyes her with a lopsided grin. "Do Ah?" Before she can answer he waves it away, the motion making whirling, eddying patterns in the hanging smoke. "Ya don' need t'answer dat. Ah ain't worried 'bout trustin' ya. Which brings me to somet'in' Ah wanted t'ask ya."

For the first time she looked down at the pill, long forgotten on the desk as she had interrogated him. As much as it aggravated her that he had known and allowed this link to continue, she was thankful the man at least had a solution. That was all that mattered. She wasn't about to tell anyone what her current plans were as she hadn't quite worked them all out herself, but as he said, that was her business. "I think I've revealed enough for one evening don't you think?" Another draw taken from the cigar, "Thank you for the pill." She leaned forward, flipping the lid shut before sliding it off the desk and setting it in her lap. She had been about to inquire as to what he wanted to ask when she remembered something he had said earlier, "You did mention side affects...after taking the pill that is. What exactly are we talking about here?" She was ready to swallow that thing on the spot but not before she fully understood what taking it would do.

There's a grin as he watches her through the smoke, chuckling softly. "Well, it ain't much. Fever, head an' body aches, nausea, muscle cramps, de urge t'punch me in de face. Should go 'way after a couple hours." There's another, briefer chuckle before he turns slightly more serious. "As fer m'own question...how would ya feel 'bout joinin' a secret government initiative as part of a peacekeepin' force fer Rhy'din?"

She shrugged at the list of side effects given to her and even gave a small, deep chuckle of her own, "That's not too bad. The urge to punch you in the face isn't something just the pill could produce. So basically how I'd feel after a night of drinking a whole bottle of whiskey? Got it."
She followed that up with another curve of her lips into a smirk. She was teasing with only a bit of laced truth in the words.

"A secret government initiative? Hmmm.."

She thought about that for a moment. She knew there had been a dark cloud moving over Rhy'din for some time and had even been caught up in some of the chaos that was breaking out over the city, one of those occurences not but a couple of days ago. She despised seeing innocents harmed and nothing insensed her more than justice not getting served.

"Well if anyone can keep a secret...why don't you walk a lady home and we can talk about it?"

It was more of a statement than a question as she rose from her position in the chair, taking another draw off of the cigar, grabbing the box with the pill in the other hand as she turned and headed to the door. Turning once she reached it and looking at him with an expectant expression. She wanted to hear more but wanted to take the pill as soon as possible and she wanted to be home when she did it.

He chuckled yet angain and nodded, nodding to the golden hologram, which winks out of sight at the gesture. Standing, he pushes his chair before moving to step around the desk, heading towards the door. Pushing it open with one hand, he offers the other arm to her.

"It's like ya read m'mind, chere."

She took the offered arm with a single huff of a laugh, "Nice to know gentlman still exist, but if we run into any rough crowds? I get my fair share alright?"

He laughed as he walked out with her, nodding. "Ah'll give ya a five-body head start, how's dat be?"

Yep, she definitley liked Ed. It was somewhat of a relief to finally have someone who knew what she was, and someone with the resources to help her as he was doing. "That's all I ask." A wink followed those words as they walked out of the office and headed out into the night.

Ed had confirmed it. The suspicion she had of just how Jacob had seemed to know what she was doing at all times. He had been spying on her using her own eyes as his personal reality show of her every move. Thanks to Ed, that signal had been disrupted with the magic pill he had given to her a couple of days ago. The night she had taken it had been hell and she had woken up with the cold tile of the bathroom floor chilling the parts of her exposed skin that touched it. She had a massive headache but it had subsided quickly enough for her to get some exercise and practice rounds at the dueling rings that same evening.

Thanks to a certain very athletic, very strong, and very?.disciplined Jedi she liked to spar with, the exercise had continued throughout the night and into the morning, just more of a pleasurable sort. The obstacle course she had designed that spanned her entire living quarters inside her apartment proved quite useful. Something that would give her a delicious smirk as she was up after only a couple of hours of sleep to put herself through her daily routine using the same course, certain areas reminding her that only hours before, they had been traversed by two twisting and sweaty bodies. She was thankful for the skillful distraction the Jedi had offered and it had definitely help to clear her head and prepare her mind for what was ahead.

She could see her next moves clearer now. For the past several weeks she had been consumed with her plans to infiltrate Crisp Enterprises, the anticipation of facing Magnus had all but left her on edge, short with her words and tense. The discovery and confirmation of Jacob?s creative stalking ways hadn?t helped.

With her now relaxed body and focused mind, she was ready. Tomorrow night was the night. She would adorn her body from head to toe in middle-eastern garb which would conceal all but those ice green eyes. She would cast those eyes down as was the submissive nature of the women of that region since according to his ?pimp?, was his preferred choice in whores. His own security guards would allow her access into his private office, as they had let so many before her and just when he was comfortable and expecting to receive a pleasant evening in the company of a woman he had to pay for, she?d do him one better. She?d give him a night with a woman he helped create and somehow she didn?t think he?d be getting the happy ending he had grown accustomed to after this particular night.