( there are so many ways that rowena wants to play this, from the surprise that she'd first felt on seeing the video pop up to denying she remembered him. but something about this little heart is endearing in a strange way, especially at this moment.
she keeps her side of it just an audio call, not especially used to video calls, though she does at least watch him )
I recall a man who learned how to behave. You're not as familiar.
( though there's a hint of teasing in her tone. blame the mask, wade )
[ The animated gestures seem to still for a moment, he shuffles his feet, and fidgets. Hesitantly, he reaches for the back of his mask to open it and pull it off his face. ]
Hey. [ It's nothing she hasn't seen. She's seen way more. ] This, heh — ringing any bells?
[ He waves a gloved hand vaguely at his own face. He's feeling a little shy all of the sudden, what the fuck. ]
They sent the suit to the motel, so you didn't see me in it before. Or in much of anything, I'm sure you noticed.
Oh, yeah! [ He laughs down at the tactical suit, putting a hand on his breastplate. He'd be blushing if he didn't have such scarring — he's just that weak to praise, but he looks pleased. ] It's red so bad guys can't see me bleed!
[ It rolls off the tongue too easily not to be practiced. He squints at the feed and tips his head at an angle. ]
Can you Facetime with this thing? I feel like I'm talking into one of those Ring cameras.
( sir, what's a ring camera. but she does know facetime, leaving a lengthy pause before turning the video on. at least how she'd been holding the device to watch him puts her at a decent angle even if it's certainly less practiced than him. (never practiced, she doesn’t video call)
but it lets him notice a few things: her curls are looser that day, half-pinned back away from her face, a green blouse worn, and neutral (but still as dramatic) eyeshadow. with her sat somewhere in her living room )
Well, I hope that's not all you'll own. Even if I was fond of what you wore before.
[ Wade straightens up when he sees her, almost like he wants to make a good impression, huh? ]
There you are. Might want to get yourself a lil ring light, really give yourself — [ He closes his eyes and gives his head a shake, he's babbling. ] You, you look nice.
[ A pause. He has to think about it for a moment. ]
[ JESUS CHRIST. As usual, she seems to read him like a bodice-ripper novel. Complete with more nudity than he intended and a fuckton of 'questioning his inadequacies'.
And somehow she makes it sound sexy. Wade swallows, his throat clicking. ]
Oh, nonono. [ It's not why he was calling. She's right. ] I think you mentioned something about networking for bodyguard detail. That, that something you're still looking for?
[ Listen, he's not a fan of conditions in the Down, not that he's not used to slumming it, but the difficulty getting around sucks a cock. Stealing isn't much of an issue, but he can't buy shit without help from a Dominant. So... that means it's time to flex his network. ]
I think I can find time on my dance card. [ The corner of his mouth tugs in an involuntary smile. ] Am I gonna need a pass or something? I've heard security's pretty tight on the Up.
[ As if he hasn't been sneaking into the Up to visit various friends in the middle of the night. ]
( bollocks. she didn't think about that. if she still had access to her magic she'd teleport to him and bring him back with her but currently-- )
I'll meet you at the checkpoint.
( since that was still in effect. she sounds a little pressed about it but that's the state of the city rather than him. at least it would make her leave her apartment for the day even if just to pick him up there )
( oh wade. there's a very good reason but she doesn’t want to talk about it. which is why rowena chooses to double down rather than try to lie about it )
The checkpoint.
( a slightly sharper look, almost daring him to ask again. if he wants a job )
[ Okay, then! He knows when to blink. He just doesn't always know when to zip it. ]
Be there in 15 minutes.
[ And he's there in 10. Dressed head to toe in the tactical suit, replete with all of his weapons. Two katanas on his back, two desert eagles at his hips. Mask on, because no one can deny the intimidation factor. He scans the crowd at the checkpoint, hunting for a familiar redhead. He doesn't have a reason to wonder if she's telling the truth, but he has a sort of nose for danger, he knows something is off. It's nothing like Spidey sense, just the way he knew that someone was creeping in on him and Vanessa moments before they broke into their apartment.
This is no time to dwell on that. He gives his head a little shake, fucking focus. ]
( even though rowena has less distance to travel she's there at the fifteen minute mark (closer to seventeen), careful look through those crossing the checkpoint for... his suit, slower steps on her final approach and (mentally) taking a deep breath. though rowena's always played a careful game, having spent centuries building herself into the woman she wants to be perceived as, she feels an extra level of caution without her magic. make everything seem normal.
which is why her blouse had long sleeves to hide the cuffs, and her attitude is easily pressed out, the mutual disdain for the guards even more present in her.
it's certainly why once she's there, after giving the guards a hard look, she rests her hand on his arm, as if intending to lead him away, a dominant collecting her submissive )
[ By the time she finds him, he's been whiling away the minutes by sitting on a fence, kicking his legs like he's four. He hops down the moment he sets those vacant, lifeless white eyes on her. Something, however, feels a little off. He can't quite place it. ]
I'll say. [ Laughter bubbles out of him briefly, but he takes one look at the expression she's wearing and he asks a question once they're out of earshot of the guards. ]
What's going on, mamacita? If you're worried about being seen out with me in this thing —
[ Wade, god, it's not always about you and your looks! ]
Instead of parading you around like a naked puppy?
( though the tease is there, that friendlier nature spawned from their first meeting, the lightness lacks a little, and wade's right to think that something's wrong with her.
but she shrugs it off, or at least tries to, slowly leading him back in the direction of the apartments )
[ That answer seems to satisfy Wade's curiosity, so he doesn't press the matter further. Instead, he's happily chirping away at another topic, a little bounce in his step. ]
Pet play! Never done that one before!
[ It's actually terrifying to think of. But also some part of him is a little excited about the fact that thought came to her so easily. ]
Can I suggest we dip our collective toes in that kink with a limited audience? I'm feeling shy.
( she'll amend it herself because whilst she does and will easily engage in kink she doesn't need most of it public. especially if she's going to fuck him. she likes fun not humiliation.
there's a light squeeze at his elbow, maybe intended at being reassuring )
I prefer keeping it to my bedroom... the apartment.
( because really she's not picky about where inside that space )
[ Hypersexualized to hell and back again, Wade might want to be a little more careful about how often he twists things sexual. This city has a habit of taking that very literally. ]
That's civilized of you!
[ He giggles as he feels the gentle squeeze on his arm and he puts a gloved hand over her hand with a friendly flourish. ]
So where does the bodyguard schtick play in? Or was that just way of luring me in? Not for nothing, but you seem like you can handle yourself pretty well on your ownsies.
Not a lure, and whilst magic can do many things there are still some areas that... I'm not skilled.
( such as if something happens when she's without her magic. or if someone manages to restrain her in some way. it's hard to cast a spell when you can't cast it.
also, as intimidating as she can be in the right circumstances it's always helpful to have other options on that. let them underestimate her, see the muscle, and then realise they should have been terrified of her when she steps in. her favourite )
It could be a little of all three, depending on the day and what I'd need you to do. I might not need your services every day... or I might.
( maybe some days she'd get him as a nice little escort, keep her company as she does errands over the city even if she doesn't need a bodyguard. by the end of that first night she was more fond of his mouth than at the start )
[ She's sharp, but of course when you've lived as long and storied a life as Rowena has, you pick up on a boatload of survival skills and no shortage of trauma, no doubt. It's smart of her to keep others guessing, distracted, or otherwise unaware of what she's really capable of. Wade doesn't know, but he's had enough of a taste to know she's pretty formidable.
It's hot as fuck. ]
Sounds like you're looking for something a little more... long-term than a day trip. Are we negotiating?
[ This is one of those rare moments Wade goes quiet. He's not comfortable with the idea of a contract, after some of the stories he's heard at the Abyss. When submissives get a little too deep in their cups and start describing the exploitative lifestyles of the rich and dominant. One bone-chilling requirement written into one was to remain nude at all times. Not all stories were bad, of course, but selling yourself for partial rights and stuff is still pretty fucked up, even when you're Deadpool. ]
So this is — what, an interview? A test drive?
[ He keeps his tone light, but there are plenty of things he needs and he's really only felt the pinch when he's not asking for help, and lately he feels like that's all he's been doing. ]
A conversation. Though I can ask you as I did before if you prefer.
( a truer smile forms on her now. he had enjoyed it, and though rowena had considered some nudity when she'd gotten him to hers she'd thought of something else. sometimes a girl just wanted to get fucked, and his mouth had been wonderful before )
I'm... offering a job. You'd be able to do other work when I didn't need you.
( there's more to it but those aren't rowena's stipulations: having to live with her was a mandate by the city, and she wasn't certain how she felt about that )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
she keeps her side of it just an audio call, not especially used to video calls, though she does at least watch him )
I recall a man who learned how to behave. You're not as familiar.
( though there's a hint of teasing in her tone. blame the mask, wade )
no subject
Hey. [ It's nothing she hasn't seen. She's seen way more. ] This, heh — ringing any bells?
[ He waves a gloved hand vaguely at his own face. He's feeling a little shy all of the sudden, what the fuck. ]
They sent the suit to the motel, so you didn't see me in it before. Or in much of anything, I'm sure you noticed.
no subject
( a pleasant coo falls into her tone as if she's praising him just for taking off his mask.
and she remembers everything about their meeting. and how much she'd enjoyed his nudity )
I assume this is the suit you wear as a mercenary? It's very blunt about it.
no subject
[ It rolls off the tongue too easily not to be practiced. He squints at the feed and tips his head at an angle. ]
Can you Facetime with this thing? I feel like I'm talking into one of those Ring cameras.
no subject
but it lets him notice a few things: her curls are looser that day, half-pinned back away from her face, a green blouse worn, and neutral (but still as dramatic) eyeshadow. with her sat somewhere in her living room )
Well, I hope that's not all you'll own. Even if I was fond of what you wore before.
( the absolute nothing )
no subject
There you are. Might want to get yourself a lil ring light, really give yourself — [ He closes his eyes and gives his head a shake, he's babbling. ] You, you look nice.
[ A pause. He has to think about it for a moment. ]
I wasn't wearing anything before.
no subject
I remember. ( and she'd still said that she was fond of it ) After all, we did have a long night together.
( she slows the last three words, letting them hang in the air, that soft sound following as if she was excited )
You didn't call just to show me this I hope.
no subject
And somehow she makes it sound sexy. Wade swallows, his throat clicking. ]
Oh, nonono. [ It's not why he was calling. She's right. ] I think you mentioned something about networking for bodyguard detail. That, that something you're still looking for?
no subject
I could discuss terms. In person.
( and she certainly has ideas about how that would go )
If you're free, anyway.
no subject
I think I can find time on my dance card. [ The corner of his mouth tugs in an involuntary smile. ] Am I gonna need a pass or something? I've heard security's pretty tight on the Up.
[ As if he hasn't been sneaking into the Up to visit various friends in the middle of the night. ]
no subject
I'll meet you at the checkpoint.
( since that was still in effect. she sounds a little pressed about it but that's the state of the city rather than him. at least it would make her leave her apartment for the day even if just to pick him up there )
If I know when you'll be there.
no subject
Checkpoint, okay. Uh, any reason you can't just zip-zap me like you did before?
Maybe put one of those spells on me that let me teleport directly or something?
no subject
The checkpoint.
( a slightly sharper look, almost daring him to ask again. if he wants a job )
video to action
Be there in 15 minutes.
[ And he's there in 10. Dressed head to toe in the tactical suit, replete with all of his weapons. Two katanas on his back, two desert eagles at his hips. Mask on, because no one can deny the intimidation factor. He scans the crowd at the checkpoint, hunting for a familiar redhead. He doesn't have a reason to wonder if she's telling the truth, but he has a sort of nose for danger, he knows something is off. It's nothing like Spidey sense, just the way he knew that someone was creeping in on him and Vanessa moments before they broke into their apartment.
This is no time to dwell on that. He gives his head a little shake, fucking focus. ]
no subject
which is why her blouse had long sleeves to hide the cuffs, and her attitude is easily pressed out, the mutual disdain for the guards even more present in her.
it's certainly why once she's there, after giving the guards a hard look, she rests her hand on his arm, as if intending to lead him away, a dominant collecting her submissive )
We have a lot to talk about.
no subject
I'll say. [ Laughter bubbles out of him briefly, but he takes one look at the expression she's wearing and he asks a question once they're out of earshot of the guards. ]
What's going on, mamacita? If you're worried about being seen out with me in this thing —
[ Wade, god, it's not always about you and your looks! ]
no subject
( though the tease is there, that friendlier nature spawned from their first meeting, the lightness lacks a little, and wade's right to think that something's wrong with her.
but she shrugs it off, or at least tries to, slowly leading him back in the direction of the apartments )
I have no fondness for the guards.
( as if they're just an inconvenience )
no subject
Pet play! Never done that one before!
[ It's actually terrifying to think of. But also some part of him is a little excited about the fact that thought came to her so easily. ]
Can I suggest we dip our collective toes in that kink with a limited audience? I'm feeling shy.
no subject
( she'll amend it herself because whilst she does and will easily engage in kink she doesn't need most of it public. especially if she's going to fuck him. she likes fun not humiliation.
there's a light squeeze at his elbow, maybe intended at being reassuring )
I prefer keeping it to my bedroom... the apartment.
( because really she's not picky about where inside that space )
no subject
That's civilized of you!
[ He giggles as he feels the gentle squeeze on his arm and he puts a gloved hand over her hand with a friendly flourish. ]
So where does the bodyguard schtick play in? Or was that just way of luring me in? Not for nothing, but you seem like you can handle yourself pretty well on your ownsies.
What am I? Lookout? Deterrent? Agent of chaos?
no subject
( such as if something happens when she's without her magic. or if someone manages to restrain her in some way. it's hard to cast a spell when you can't cast it.
also, as intimidating as she can be in the right circumstances it's always helpful to have other options on that. let them underestimate her, see the muscle, and then realise they should have been terrified of her when she steps in. her favourite )
It could be a little of all three, depending on the day and what I'd need you to do. I might not need your services every day... or I might.
( maybe some days she'd get him as a nice little escort, keep her company as she does errands over the city even if she doesn't need a bodyguard. by the end of that first night she was more fond of his mouth than at the start )
no subject
Oooh, exciting.
[ She's sharp, but of course when you've lived as long and storied a life as Rowena has, you pick up on a boatload of survival skills and no shortage of trauma, no doubt. It's smart of her to keep others guessing, distracted, or otherwise unaware of what she's really capable of. Wade doesn't know, but he's had enough of a taste to know she's pretty formidable.
It's hot as fuck. ]
Sounds like you're looking for something a little more... long-term than a day trip. Are we negotiating?
no subject
( a little hum of confirmation and she leads them around a corner onto the street where the apartments are )
Something more long-term would make it simpler... to retain your skills and give you options.
( and even if she didn't contract him she'd certainly contact him whenever she required him. and if she did... she'd do the same when it ran out )
no subject
So this is — what, an interview? A test drive?
[ He keeps his tone light, but there are plenty of things he needs and he's really only felt the pinch when he's not asking for help, and lately he feels like that's all he's been doing. ]
no subject
( a truer smile forms on her now. he had enjoyed it, and though rowena had considered some nudity when she'd gotten him to hers she'd thought of something else. sometimes a girl just wanted to get fucked, and his mouth had been wonderful before )
I'm... offering a job. You'd be able to do other work when I didn't need you.
( there's more to it but those aren't rowena's stipulations: having to live with her was a mandate by the city, and she wasn't certain how she felt about that )
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)