Telephone Call
Characters
 |
 |
| Kieran Collins | Brooke Bishop |
Kieran has had time to mull over the invoice, business card and note he received Monday evening at Eclairant. The restuarant was closed, but he had work to do, and finding the envelope addressed to him had been a mild curiosity. He didn't really think about what it was until after he'd opened it and read the attached note 'Call me if you need a PR person.' It wasn't a complete surprise. A very frisky and surprisingly drunk Serafine - a masterful feat for a vampire, though not an impossible one - had been more than willing to talk about her lengthy conversation with Brooke. His Child was always talkative and playful when drunk, and so long as Kieran made up for detouring her from her original destination (which he suspects was a certain sorcerer), she was more than willing to spend the time with him.
Now he sits at his desk, twirling Brooke's business card in his fingers, before finally picking up the office telephone and dialing the number on the card.
**
"A Touch of Magic, Brooke speaking."
It's her business number, so she doesn't bother paying the extra for call display. If people are looking for a different business, she gladly goes through the phone book to find it for them. If they're looking for her, well then they've reached the right number. Wednesday is generally one of her slow days, so she figures it's just a client looking for an update on something she ran through for them this morning.
"How can I help you?"
**
"Miss Bishop. Kieran Collins." He's soft spoken and polite, professional. "I was calling to thank you for you assistance in that little matter at Flanaghan's. I know that it was requested by a mutual acquaintance and I appreciate the aid in keeping things below the radar."
Beat.
"You left a follow up note that I should call you if I was interested in discussing the hiring of a PR person?"
**
"Mr. Collins," Brooke replies, trying not to let her voice catch in her throat. Allowing herself a sip of tea, she clears her throat. "It was definitely not a problem. Our mutual acquaintance really should look into a PR person of his own." For the Priory.
"Are you looking for a PR Manager for your establishments? Or perhaps you are looking for help in locating one?"
**
"I suppose that is something that you should take up with him." Kieran certainly isn't going to tell Bryn how to run the Priory, no more than he would expect the sorcerer to try and run his affairs.
"I was thinking that perhaps it would not be such a terrible idea to find a PR manager for my establishments. It would seem that my business manager is stretched a bit thin."
**
"What type of PR Manager are you looking for?" Brooke's heart is beating a little more rapidly now as she pulls up a new client file on her system. "I could offer my services, or find you something suitable if you prefer, Mr. Collins…"
Beat.
"I do hope things are going well beyond the incident at Flanaghan's?"
**
The sensitivity of vampire hearing is a funny thing. Kieran can hear how her breathing changes, though she struggles to stay calm. He can even hear the increase in her heartbeat. Still, he keeps the polite professionalism in place. Tapping the card on the desktop. Sliding it through his fingers, flipping it over and tapping it again. Repeat.
"To be completely honest, Miss Bishop, it's not something I've given a great deal of thought to. My businesses seem to flourish via word of mouth, and each have their own niche and clientel. Perhaps you could tell me what sort of services you could provide or what you think might be most useful to me?"
Beat.
"Yes, things are going quite well aside from that minor hiccup."
**
"That entirely depends. Your three businesses are very unique from one another, and they do actually flourish quite well. I can suggest events to hold at each of the venues, set up promotional media for them via the differing social media networks, and provide a service that keeps any scandals that happen on your properties out of the media."
Brooke allows herself a sip of the tea and tries to do her damnedest to calm herself down.
"I do recall a certain conversation," she says quietly.
**
"It sounds as though you offer rather in-depth services. Perhaps it isn't something that should be glossed over on the telephone? This sort of discussion would be more amendable to an in person meeting, perhaps? If you were agreeable, we could meet at Eclairant one evening? It's a nice public venue and would allow you to experience the ambiance of the restuarant."
Beat.
"Should I be glad to hear that, or not?"
**
"Are you inviting me for dinner, Mr. Collins?" Brooke actually does smile at that, because it seems like a lot of work to go through just to ask her to dinner. "If so, I would be more than willing to discuss this with you in person. I will have to check my schedule, but you would be a rather large client and I would be willing to clear it for whatever night works best for you."
Beat.
"I apologize for my behavior. Had I recalled the entire conversation earlier…" She takes a deep breath and exhales it slowly. "I hope I didn't hurt you too badly."
**
"I'm inviting you to a business dinner to discuss your offer," Kieran says quietly. Without knowing where Brooke stands with the Coven, and without knowing whether or not Regina will be gunning for him, he's proceeding cautiously. "We wouldn't want any outside parties getting the wrong idea about our meeting, would we?"
Beat.
"Or would you prefer a more social engagement?" Yes, he is putting her on the spot and leaving it entirely up to her. That will color how he approaches things going forward.
"It's quite all right. I heal rather quickly."
**
"I gathered," she replies just as quietly. It's not as though the Coven has her phone tapped or bugged. Brooke smiles, and then rolls her desk chair back toward the couch. Hopping off it, she walks around straightening things as she talks. More out of nervousness than anything else.
"Yes," Brooke whispers softly.
Beat.
"Though perhaps after the official business dinner?"
**
Kieran smiles softly on the other end of the line. "I believe that would be best. To handle the official business matters first."
Tapping the card against the desk one last time, Kieran pulls up his calendar. "I'm free Thursday evening, if you are, Miss Bishop."
**
Brooke has no way of telling what he's feeling, but she swears that she can almost hear that smile in his voice. It causes her heart to leap a little, and she tells herself that she needs to stop doing that. Even if Serafine pointed out that he's not a demon bent on destroying her soul.
"Thursday…"
Moving back toward the desk, she pulls up her agenda on her phone. There are a few things she needs to take care of on Thursday, but she can push them forward or back by an hour or two.
"… definitely works, Mr. Collins. I do look forward to seeing you to discuss what you need in a PR Manager."
**
Kieran is many things, but he truly isn't hell bent on destroying Brooke's soul. He does take pleasure in human companionship, particularly the ones that compliment his needs and Brooke falls into that category.
He's fond of her and charmed by her, and though he won't admit it, her rejection stung.
The vampire isn't willing to assume that they can pick up where they left off, nor does he think that Regina is blissfully unaware of things. He honestly doesn't put it past Regina to think that she can feign ignorance in the hope that Brooke will bring her something damning and incriminating about the vampires.
Kieran doesn't think Brooke is that manipulative, but the Coven could pull her strings. He's heard stories; it wouldn't be the first time it's happened.
"I look forward to seeing you on Thursday as well, Miss Bishop."
Beat.
"After our meeting, perhaps we can discuss matters of a more personal nature?"
**
No, they likely won't be able to pick up where they left off but it should be a good thing that Brooke is… willing to try.
She's not really manipulative, and she will tell him the options Regina gave her, once they've got a bit of privacy.
"I would like that very much, Mr. Collins, but do feel free to call me Brooke? After all, if we're looking at doing business together it seems silly that you continue to call me Miss Bishop."
**
"In that case, I'll have to insist that you call me Kieran, Brooke."
Beat.
"Thank you. For giving me the opportunity to show you that I might not be what you what you think I am."
**
"As you wish, Kieran." Brooke's voice is a lot more breathy than she meant it to be, and she has to bite her lip before saying anything else at the moment. Inhaling a shuddery breath, she exhales it slowly.
"You're welcome. It's the least I could do after treating you unfairly the other day. I apologize for that. I panicked and I shouldn't have."
**
Kieran smiles at the sound of the breath taken. He's quiet for a moment, before saying, "It's understandable. I know that there are certain … misconceptions and prejudices in place that would cause you to react as you did."
Beat.
"I thank you for not opting to try a more permanent solution."
**
"There are, but I promise I will not react that way again." Brooke really wants him to know that he's safe at their business dinner. She would love to see him before Thursday, but for now she's not going to say as much.
"I'm thankful I didn't opt for that either."
**
"I would say that I'm the happier of the two of us, but had it gone the other way, I wouldn't be around to be happy," Kieran chuckles. "I believe that my friends, and by that I mean Sera, would say that they're thankful."
There's a thought Kieran hasn't considered before now; what would his Child have done? Deserving or not, he's seen Serafine in the heat of anger and passion, and for the first time there's a spark of worry that she might launch her vengeful nature if anything should ever happen to him.
It's something to discuss with her later because he doesn't want her following him to a quick demise should anything befall him.
"What time will work for you, Brooke?"
**
"I think…"
Beat.
"… a late dinner would work much better for me, if that is alright with you? I know you have your businesses to run during the day. Would eight thirty be too early for you? If so we can make it nine, and I'll just grab a muffin after I meet with my previous client."
**
"Eight-thirty will work perfectly for me, luv."
Beat.
"I look forward to seeing you, Brooke."
