Mina leaned back against the wall of the break room; while she most certainly did enjoy her work, today was proving to be a long day indeed. The first day of hostess service at the Summer Blossom had drawn in quite the crowd, both of regulars – the source of whose income Mina did not care to speculate upon – and newcomers alike, and her popularity as a waitress, which had always served her well previously, head led to her spending a great deal of time sitting with customers rather than serving them. This too was fine, she supposed, as the fee that the manager had placed on such indulgences – half of which would be hers – was as exorbitant as the prices of the food, particularly when pitiably desperate gentlemen with far more money than sense would bid for the attention of her and her fellow waitresses. Still, there was a limit to how many times one could listen to this or that poor fool stutter out "You're really pretty," before it lost it's appeal, and right now, Mina Carfax was grateful to have her break.

"Hell of a day, eh?" Clara sighed as she came in for her break as well, "Days like this… you just gotta keep your eyes on the paycheck…"

Mina nodded, "I suppose that I was not as ready for this as I thought…"

"Amen to that…" Clara wiped her brow, "One day we're throwin' a birthday party, and the next," she gestured vaguely to the door leading back to the dining area, "This…"

Mina smiled, "And it was such a nice party yesterday too…"

Clara smirked, "She like my gift? I mean really? I know she said thanks, but…." Clara was of course speaking of the Summer Blossom maid outfit that she'd had tailored to Blake's size 'just in case' she ever felt like working there again.

"She sours somewhat when I bring up the possibility of working here again," Mina shrugged, "But she didn't say 'no…;"

"Atta girl," Clara took a sip from a bottle of water she had stored in her locker, "And anyway, I bet it beats the string bikini that blonde friend of yours tried to give her,"

"Mmmm…" Mina thought aloud, "She, at least, will never wear that…"

"She?"

"She may have asked me to model it for her later yesterday evening…"

"Must've been a little tight…"

"Unless I am very much mistaken, that may very well have been the point~" Mina teased, throwing breadcrumbs to her friend's ravenous appetite for gossip.

"Oh really? And she always seems so nice and polite…" Clara seemed to mull it over for a bit, "I guess it really is always the quiet ones…" but her contemplation was short-lived as a devious smile reasserted itself on her face once more, "So I take it those 'romance novels' you got her weere only part one of your gift…"

Mina chuckled with a shrug, "I still only have your word that they indeed are romance novels, but in answer to your question, yes; last night was rather… enjoyable for the both of us…"

"Oh come on! You've gotta give me more than that!"

"I don't know, it is not very polite to kiss and tell~"

"And since when do you care?" Clara scoffed, "Come on! What you let her get away with for her birthday?"

"Well…" Mina pretended to think it over, "There was a great deal of ribbon involved…"

"No…" Clara's jaw dropped, "Is that why you've been wearing that ribbon in your hair?"

Mina chuckled, brushing the little red ribbon fondly, "No….this isn't nearly strong enough…"

"Oh… My… God! You let her tie you up!" Clara gaped, "Damn…"

"That may have transpired…" Mina shrugged with a teasing smirk.

"I am so jealous…" Clara fumed, eliciting a raised eyebrow in return from Mina.

"Really? I would not have thought that you were partial to that sort of thing-,"

"No, no, not that," Clara shook her head, "Well, not that specifically… It's just… how much… attention to you get?"

"Every other week," Mina admitted, "And occasionally we will have… unscheduled rendezvouses…"

"You see? That's what I'm getting at! You'd think Robert's some kind of monk! You know what I had to do to get some attention last time? I had to strip on his piano! I mean, he's a warm-blooded male, isn't he? It should not be that hard to get some freaking action!"

Mina was dumbfounded – something that did not happen often, "I am… sorry to hear that…"

But Clara just sighed, "Sometimes I worry that he's gay…"

"Is there something wrong with that?" Mina's smirk returned.

"There is when he's my boyfriend! Clara Schumann is nobody's beard, dammit!"

Mina couldn't help but laugh, "Clara, I do think that you might be overreacting…"

"You're right, you're right…" Clara began to calm down, "I mean, when he finishes composing a suite he's always really nice and good about rewarding my patience… it's just… do you have any idea how long it takes for him to finish one of those?"

"Too long, I suppose," Mina concurred, "Perhaps you need to be more… aggressive…"

"What's more aggressive than sitting on his piano naked and waiting for him to get home?"

"Hmmm…"

Before Mina could finish mulling that particularly interesting question over though, the two were interrupted as one of their co-workers – Elizabeth Borden, better known as Lizzie – joined them in the break room. She did not look to be enjoying her day's work, but then, she never did. Lizzie's 'shtick' was verbally abusing the customers, and it resulted in surprisingly high tips, but in Mina's observation, there was only one problem with that: it wasn't an act. Lizzie did, and as long as Mina had worked at the café, always had hated this job, and only stuck around to put herself through college. The patrons loved her, but that just made it worse as far as she was concerned – "They're all creeps" – was her usual line, which was not in itself a rare or unique sentiment among Mina's co-workers – Clara herself would say it from time to time – but as far as Mina could tell, Lizzie was the only one who actually meant it, so to speak. It was a pity really; she should really consider finding a different job if she hated this one so much…

"Hey Mina," Lizzie called over, noticing Mina as she entered, "We've got some guy requesting you by name out in the dining room for hostess service. I've never seen him before, but he's a lot better dressed than most of the other mouth-breathers, so you might wanna get out there; he looks like the type with money to burn,"

Mina raised an eyebrow, "Thank you Miss Borden, I shall see to our esteemed patron forthwith," She righted herself from where she was leaning against the wall, "I suppose we'll have to resume this discussion later Clara; I do apologize,"

"Alright, but I want all the saucy detail~"

Concluding the conversation officially with a little smile, Mina made for the door out of the break room and back into the dining area, and after conferring with her co-workers, she made for table seven, where this mysterious patron was to be waiting for her. She knew her way around the dining room by heart, and thus didn't rely on her Semblance for guidance, and hadn't for a long time. Her ears were more than adequate to warn her of any patrons or co-workers that would lie in her path, and weaving through the café was a simple matter, until she arrived at her admirer's table.

"I trust that you are enjoying your meal, Master?" Mina asked, as was the script, "I am told that you requested me? I am flattered…"

"Been a while Blue Eyes; have a seat and stay a while,"

Mina instantly activated her Semblance at the sound of Roman Torchwick's voice. He sat alone, and all the other forms in the restaurant were either waitresses or regulars – the man had actually come alone. Still, Mina tensed as she sat down opposite Roman Torchwick, if only slightly, and not so much as to be noticed by most other occupants of the building. Roman Torchwick, however, was not most other occupants of the building.

"Easy there Blue Eyes, I didn't come here to fight," He assured in a tone that suggested something somewhere between confidence and condescension, but not quite either, "I even left my cane on the coat rack by the door,"

Mina focused the awareness that the semblance provided by the entrance, and found that it was indeed so, and her somewhat reduced smile broadened once more, "So you did…" She paused, before adding in her sweetest voice, "if I may ask, master, why then do I merit the attention of such a handsome gentleman as yourself?"

"Does a man need a reason to undress a hot chick with his eyes?" Torchwick remarked dryly.

"Not if he can pay for the privilege," Mina shot back, smile unwavering, "But I doubt that one such as you really needs me specifically for such an indulgence,"

"They told me you were a clever girl," Torchwick nodded in acknowledgement, "and that you didn't ask too many questions – it's why they kept you around in spite of those nasty little teeth-,"

"Master, I think that it might be preferable for all concerned to speak in generalities were such sensitive subjects are involved…" Mina cut in; her particular needs were a matter she shared with few – Clara didn't even know that much, "We need not cause a fuss…"

"Hmmm… Alright…" Torchwick agreed, which came as a pleasant surprise, "But my point is, you had a good thing going…"

"You cannot sway me to return, Mr. Torchwick, ]" Mina stated flatly, dropping the pretense of hostess and patron; she could get away with it, as today was busy, and no one had time or attention to spare to listen in on them.

"Now who's getting unnecessarily specific?" Torchwick raised an eyebrow, but was smiling all the same at the prospect of talking to someone who knew how to play this game, "Either way though, I didn't come here on business; this is actually a social call…"

"Are our… mutual acquaintances no longer interested in… taking me home?"

The crime lord laughed, "Nah, that Adam still wants to string you up by those wires of yours-,"

"Then was it not you yourself who advised against mixing business with pleasure?" Mina interrupted, still smiling, albeit somewhat more sardonically now.

"Still a smart-ass like before, I see…" Torchwick rolled his eye, "But I'm willing to overlook that…"

"How charitable…"

"Funny…" Torchwick did not sound particularly amused, "But tell me, how are your ears doing? No hard feelings?"

"My ears are just fine now, thank you, and I am not one to hold a grudge," Mina answered calmly, "And you are not one to waste your time, so do not bother trying to anger me," She paused for consideration, "But if this is to be a social call, you must indulge me; why is it that I have earned the personal interest of such an unsavory character as yourself?"

"Unsavory?" Torchwick balked, "Now, I may have misappropriated a great many valuables in my time, but I have nothing on you, Blue eyes," He counted off on his fingers, "Arson, hijacking, sabotage, kidnapping, bombing – and that's just what I 'need to know.' What's a little Grand Larceny next to that pile of bodies?"

Mina was unmoved, "I have made my share of indiscretions, it is true, but that does not change the fact that you are not what many would call 'polite company.'

"You know, that really hurts," Torchwick briefly feigned indignation, but continued nonetheless, "But as for why I give a damn about you, well… I suppose you could say that I don't get you, and that bugs me…"

"Well I am afraid that you cannot have me," Mina remarked in jest, "As I have told you some time ago, I am taken,"

"Cut the crap Blue Eyes, and read the writing on the wall; I know where to find you, that means a lot of our mutual acquaintances could know too, if I decide to spill the beans,"

"I am well aware,"

Roman nodded, "Good; it's always best to deal with people who're playing with a full deck," He took a sip of the coffee that he'd ordered before Mina had sat down, "I figured you'd face facts; you're smart, Blue Eyes, whatever else you might be,"

"I'm flattered…" Mina muttered dryly.

Ignoring the remark, Torchwick continued, "People like you and me, we're reasonable individuals eh? We want something for our troubles; I'm in this 'cause I want to get rich, and you… well I can only speculate about what the kitty-cat does to make it worth your while, but the point is, we both have our priorities straight looking out for number one…"

"I will not disagree," Mina shrugged, "I for one am very comfortable where I am, but why do you care? Why not simply reveal my whereabouts to your masters and earn your pat on the back?"

"Because a pat on the back is all I'll get, and they'll spit in their palm first," he replied, "Idiots with ideals… they think fighting for their glorious cause is its own reward… Well, not to me…"

"Mmmm… I never did understand how suffering was meant to be a rewarding experience," Mina allowed, "Unfortunate side-effects of a means to an end, more like,"

"Thank you," Torchwick nodded, as though meeting someone who spoke his language for the first time, "It's good to talk to someone who understands a healthy level of self-interest for once,"

Silence.

Roman sighed, "Look Blue Eyes, I ain't met a lot of Faunus who can see past that whole 'demanding respect' cliché, and fewer still people in general willing to straight-up admit they're out for themselves; I like that about you – it means you're someone I can do business with secure in the knowledge that you're not gonna stab me in the back or screw me over unless it benefits you; sometimes I wonder if your former associates truly appreciate how valuable I can be to them…"

"You have a proposition then?" Mina leaned in, deliberately conveying her interest – as well as possibly showing a bit more cleavage; Torchwick was a smart man, but still a man after all, "I am listening,"

"Maybe," The man wasn't falling for it so easily, "First, I gotta know something. You're relationship with the Kitty-Cat…. It doesn't fit. Skills like yours, you could reach out and take just about anything you wanted, especially with my help, but yet, you're staying on the straight and narrow now with her… Why? There are plenty of other fish in the sea – or more to the point, cats in the alley…"

"Not for me," Mina leaned back.

"And that, Blue Eyes, is the one thing about you that I don't get," Another sip from his coffee, "Even if you have to have her, why bother with the primrose path when you clearly don't give a damn?"

"It's quite simple really, Mr. Torchwick; as you said, I have no objection to simply taking that which I want – it is why I was very good at my former career when others had doubts – the trouble is, I cannot take what I want, Mr. Torchwick; it must needs be either earned or freely given."

"I don't believe it," he laughed, "You genuinely want her to love you?"

"That, Mr. Torchwick, is all I want, and I would not jeopardize My Dearest's affections for any other manner of gain,"

There was a long silence. Mina sat, polite but stern behind the cheerful mask of a hostess whilst the Crime lord mulled over her words, twisting an unlit cigar between his fingers. All around them the café bustled, the whole occupancy unaware that table seven hosted the reunion of a terrorist and one of Vales most wanted criminals – The Summer Blossom Café was not a place where people came to be questioned, or ask questions for that matter.

"What then of your proposition?" Mina asked, breaking the minutes' long dead air.

"Your old buddies have been up to some big stuff since you've been gone," Torchwick finally spoke again, "And I'm not sure I like all of it,"

"Are you saying you want out?" Mina raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift in the tone of the conversation; now she had some leverage on Torchwick, it seemed.

"Don't kid yourself Blue Eyes, I ain't that desperate," the man scoffed, "But… working with as many damned ideologues as I do… One should always have a back-up plan,"

"But of course,"

"For now though, this stays between you and me," Torchwick concluded, "If I start to see things go south though… we might have another chat…"

"Naturally," Mina's smile was a little more genuine now, "But before you take your leave, I have a question for you,"

"Yeah? Shoot,"

"I imagine that you learned that I worked here by chancing across an old issue of the Vale Inquirer, correct?"

"You really are a sharp one, aren't you?" he nodded, "What of it?"

"I would thence assume that others in your little cabal have seen the same magazine…"

"Ah…" He grinned, "You're wondering why nobody's come after you here yet, am I right?"

"The question had crossed my mind,"

"Well, most of the dumb animals – no offense?"

"None taken,"

"Most of them are too busy being offended at the 'objectification and exploitation of Faunus' to see the forest for the trees. That, and nobody who matters in our little 'cabal' actually reads the Inquirer – "a worthless gossip rag" they call it. Hah, shows what they know. Gossip magazines are a gold mine – as long as you know what you're looking for,"

"I see," Mina responded, "So no one simply cares to look,"

"Nobody anybody gives a damn about," Torchwick affirmed, "Now if you'll excuse me-,"

"There is one small matter left to discuss," Mina interrupted.

"What?"

"Your tab," She smiled broadly, "Twenty Lien for the coffee, and seventy for the pleasure of my company,"

Author's Note: And there goes another one! I got to seeing Roman seeming to he locked out of the loop so to speak in the trailer for volume 2, and so was born this chapter, and convenient jumping-off point for a future arc! Although what precisely that arc will entail is as yet undetermined (I'm waiting on volume 2 to actually get going first). Hopefully having set the start of this story a time after the Vytal festival was enough to prevent getting into too much of a canon-tangle, but we'll see… For now though, the next chapter will be either Mina's birthday, Blake fretting over Mina's impending birthday, or both; I still haven't decided. Either way, I do hope that you have enjoyed this chapter, and do feel free to review/comment.