I could already tell I was in trouble before she had even crossed the room. I had a weakness for dangerous women, and while that tended more to either those who subtly radiated an aura of potential violence or the fully hamtastic 'dark empress' type the professional sort was still in my hitbox enough to matter. Becoming an Infernal Exalted seemed only to have heightened that trait further.

But that alone wasn't what had me worried. I wasn't so immature that I would just fold instantly to a pretty face but Miss Militia was more then that, she was a respectable hero, smart, reasonable, and much more experienced at the interplay of politics between powered individuals then I was. She probably wouldn't try to manipulate me like Lisa did but she could very well batter down my convictions and just outright convince me to sign up.

Armsmaster had almost sold me. I mean the Protectorate was an attractive thing to associate with. Powerful allies, numerous resources, a vast network of contacts and information useful in finding and fighting opponents.

The only problems were that I'd be given marching orders outside of my Patron's with all the potential confliction that implied and that sooner or later I was going to enter Limit Break. A curse like condition that drove me temporarily insane.

And going by the current trend of things, it was probably going to be the Malfeas version of that. Which meant at 'minimum' I'd end up in a berserker rage unable to differentiate friend from foe.

At worst everyone I'd forged a intimate connection to would enter one with me.

Plus you know, they'd be pissed at me for deciding to do little things like attacking Ellisburg or hunting down the Slaughterhouse Nine on my own. Really the entire lot of them were so uptight about things like that.

All that in mind my resolve set before she managed to close the gulf and unleash the basic icebreaker, "Damage release forum?" she guessed.

"Close, public disturbance," I exhaled looking over at her properly, "I'm still not interested in joining."

She nodded at once, "Armsmaster reported that, I'm hoping I can convince you otherwise."

I smirked, "Maybe if you buy me dinner first."

She gave me an amused look at that.

"What?" I asked defensively, "I know I'm a bit of a mess but I figure I'm at least worth a happy meal," Though honestly I wasn't nearly as bad as you'd think after going nearly a week without a bathroom. Yet another perk to being Exalted I suppose.

"I think that can be arranged," she agreed seeming to be in good mood.

"Then my time you have bought," I agreed. "Let me finish this up first though."

"Giving me time to get that happy meal," she responded dryly.

"Convenient how that works out doesn't it?" I questioned. "Doesn't have to be a happy meal by the way. Honestly I'd prefer Burger King or something local but so long as it's edible and at least a decent imitation of food I'll take it."

"Not setting the bar very high are you?" she asks in turn, measuring. She was definitely just playing along with me, but at the same time she was doing a good job at it.

"I've been living on cup noodles since my talk with Armsmaster, what do you think?" I questioned her rolling my eyes. "Feed me and you get my time. You can consider that my standard rate from now on," I offered to her.

She gave me a sly look, "You know if you signed on..." she started then outright left me a gap to interrupt. Measuring my reaction.

Of course I couldn't pass up an opening like that, "Food first," I scolded.

"Extorting a government official, are you sure you want to be a hero?" She questioned me, and I didn't even care that it was obviously dropping bait to see how I'd respond.

"Well it's better then the other options," I defended.

At that point she chose to let me go, "It'd be nice if more people thought that."

Then she turned to go, "I'll let you get back to your paperwork for now, but don't think I'm done yet."

"Of course not," I agreed. When had things ever been that easy?

Ah well, at least this looked like it might end up being fun.