632/Recruiting Alexander Aaron

Recruiting Alexander Aaron
Date of Scene:	19 March 2020
Location:	Washington Square Park
Synopsis:	Tessa approaches Alexander with an invitation on behalf of The Hellfire Club. He accepts.
Cast of Characters:	Alexander Aaron, Tessa

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Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Orientation had been fun. The gathering of people, the wandering around the school, the talking at length about this or that. In the crowd of prospective students, Alexander Aaron certainly didn't stand out. Or at least, not terribly so. He had the usual manner of a youth of his age. Relaxed, at ease. His clothes were loose on him perhaps a size or two too large and his hair definitely could use a combing. But there was definitely something about his eyes that drew attention. Hazel they were, but pale blue slipping to a jade green, alost eerie in their depths.
    Though at a glance he comes across... well-meaning, gregarious, getting along with the other students and offering words now and again in casual manner as the crowd moves across the campus. Only for the gathering to end at a small outdoor picnic event. It's informal seeming, meant to just be a place where the students get to know each other.
    But Alexander, he wanders around the food, taking up a slider here or there and eating. But chances are high he'll likely wander off soon since they're no longer required to be there. Across that courtyard quad and its trees and grassland. He strolls along still munching the slider but now off and away from the crowd.

Tessa has posed:
    Tessa is a very... goal oriented person. She has a task, and she's going to carry it out as if the world depended on it, no matter how minor it may seem. And right now her task is Alexander Aaron.
    She doesn't carry a picture of him. She's seen a picture of him. She's looking at it right now in her mind's eye with perfect memory, as her hazel eyes scan through crowds of people, dismissing each one of them at a glance to the point where they may as well have become invisible.
    And then she sees him.
    Barely making a sound until she is right next to him, a dark haired woman with her hair tied back in an attractive bun, wearing a navy blue business jacket and short skirt over a white dress shirt, black tie, and black boots that come up to just above her ankle, a pair of dark narrow-rimmed glasses perched on her nose just sort of... apparates, seemingly. Tessa suddenly speaks, her voice soft, but pointed. "Alexander Aaron?" She doesn't have to ask, but people tend to respond better if she doesn't simply... call them out.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Standing next to her, Alexander pauses in mid slider bite as he tilts his head to the side and meets her gaze. For a moment he gauges her, a quick glance from feet to head, curious as it might not be quite the way she's used to others looking at her. He continues to walk a little more, a few paces, but then turns and pauses as he chews. Swallows.
    His lip twists up a little, and when he sees her eyes he smiles a little to himself, something about her gaze pleasing him as he lifts his voice, "Yes, ma'am?" Polite. And oh nooooo she's a 'ma'am'.
    A glance to the side and she'll likely be strong enough of a a read that he just casually moved enough in a seemingly lazy lackadaisical way as to get a vibe for the cardinal directions, who is around them, and then focuses entirely on her. "Can I help you with something?"

Tessa has posed:
    The 'ma'am' garners nothing. Tessa's face betrays nothing. She's a brick wall. The more one looks at it, the more it seems a little eerie.
    Pretty hot, though, from an average teenager's perspective. So that gets her places.
    Speaking only just loud enough for him to hear, with ideally a few people able to overhear as possible, Tessa extends her arm offering to shake his hand. "My name is Tessa Fox, and I represent Shaw Industries. I'm hoping to take a moment of your time, if I may." She tilts her head very slightly. "In private."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    If she's a good read of people she can likely see that he may not be reacting quite the same as a teenager. Oh there is an appreciation for beauty, but it's only a slight tilt of his head, a micro-gesture in the way his eyebrow lifts slightly. But the rest is more just wary, controlled.
    "Certainly." He uncurls a hand in an open gestures, "Please lead on."
    Definitely not the same way he was interacting with the NYU people. He digs his hands into the pockets of his jeans and sets off with her, his overly jovial t-shirt showing an angry Pikachu hanging from a cliff for some reason as a larger shadow creature looks high above him.

Tessa has posed:
    Tessa picks up everything. She can't help it. It all goes into a file, to be sorted, if relevant, and remembered regardless.
    She eyes his shirt for a moment.
    Her nose twitches slightly.
    There is an odd picture at work with this person, but... she's accustomed to duplicity.
    "Very good, Mr. Aaron. Please follow me." She replies, and begins to lead him to a nearby bench by the fountain. Relatively isolated, and the fountain's white noise makes it inconveniant for others to listen in. Tessa takes a seat, smoothing out her blazer briefly before gesturing towards the empty portion of the bench for him to sit. "Do you know why I'm here?" She says. That might save some time, but she suspects not. More than anything she wants to see if he answers honestly.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There's an ease to him, and honesty comes along just so. He shakes his head and murmurs, "I do not, ma'am." He still watches her, settling in on the seat beside her but turned to the left so he can rest his arm on the back of the bench seat and lifts a knee to take up the spot directly in front of him.
    Those hazel eyes meet hers and she might well see him trying to gaze deeper into them as if they struck him as curious, and when she speaks his eyes follow her lips, though there's no note in his file that he may be deaf. Whatever the reason he looks her over, closer now. Checking for callouses on her knuckles, the subtle weight of a firearm under that blazer. All security minded things. Except for the eyes.

Tessa has posed:
    "I see." Tessa says evenly, satisfied with his honestly. Her expression gives away almost nothing, as if the only motor functions it has access to are the ones that keep a focused expression, and the ones needed to speak. But to the trained eye one can tell the telltale hints of a small firearm in her inner vest pocket. Her hands, however, are smooth and soft by all appearances, not occustomed to physical labor or harsh training, for the most part.
    That or she's *very* serious about moisturizing; which, given the rest of her, she may be.
    Tessa folds her hands in her lap, but inclines her body towards Alexander, noting his casual demeanor. "I'm here to an extend an invitation, Mr. Aaron. My employer, Mr. Shaw, has influence within a certain group. A co-operative gathering of men of power, influence..." Tessa tilts her head just slightly forward, looking at Alexander just over the rim of her glasses, "... and potential."
    Tessa straightens up and gently pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "... By virtue of your parentage, you are a member of this Club by default. Given your potential, they wish for you to know that they welcome your presence at any time, and extend an invitation to arrange a meeting to..." she pauses, "... network. Among other things. At your earliest conveniance."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A slow blink is given as he watches her, noting the firearm but not shifting his bearing, nor adjusting his posture. He follows along as she speaks and nods at certain points, while also raising his eyebrow at the mention of an invitation. The name Shaw does not seem to kindle any positive nor negative feeling in him, though there's the hint of curiousity that lights in those curious hazel eyes.
    She leans forward and his smile comes to life, easily offered and her uttering of the world 'potential' has him nod again.
    "Ah, my father." That he reacts to, eyes subtly narrowing slightly, a hint of wariness flickering into being.
    "That is... curious, Ms. Fox." He rests a hand upon his shin, pulling the leg closer to himself as he straightens up.
    "Does the club have a name? And a umm, general purpose?"

Tessa has posed:
    Tessa was not oblivious to Alexander's scanning gaze. She strongly suspects he knows she's armed. Not much she can do about that. He's probably smart enough not to do anything that would make her use it, and smart enough to know she wouldn't bring it to bear unless absolutely necessary.
    This is, after all... a perfectly friendly meeting.
    "The purpose can be as broad or as narrow as you like, Mister Aaron. If you desire opportunities to network... if you seek co-operation with the powerful..." she tilts her head slightly, "... or if you simply desire a place of luxury to forget your troubles, we are glad to accomidate you."
    Her eyes take on a subtle mysterious glint, "And should you be more ambitious, and seek greater influence to benefit this world, and your standing... that, too, can be achieved, from a position of trust."
    Tessa reaches into her vest pocket, then, her intense gaze unwavering from Alexanders's face, even as her voice remains soft and businesslike. "I expect the Club hopes to hold you in such a position, given their interest in you." She says, and pulls out... a slip of paper with relevant contact information, and an address if appropriate. She does not hand it to him, but rather sets it on the bench inches from his leg. "Please understand that this invitation is not freely offered to anyone. Their attention is a privilege, and we expect a degree of discretion on your part, whether or not you choose to pursue it."
    Tessa stands, smoothing out her outfit once more, and turning to face Alexander. "We are The Hellfire Club, Mr. Aaron. We hope we can count you among our number."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    It's when he sees that first light in her eyes. That first subtle hint of emotion. That is the moment she can read when he takes her with a measure of sincerity, when he listens to her that much a little more closely. His own eyes narrow slightly, as he draws in the corner of his mouth between his teeth, worrying at it as he listens. Less so as a sign of concern, more like an animal holding back a growl. But there is no anger there, just an edge in those eyes.
    The card is set down and he looks down with just his eyes, then back up to her. "I understand." He says. And for a time he does not reach out nor touch that card, as if not truly accepting it at all.
    But then his gaze meets hers and he says calmly, precisely. "If I go and meet with the others." The other Hellfire people? Most likely. "Will you be there?"
    A curious question as he asks it, head tilted slightly to the side. So few micro-tells now, perhaps a conscious effort.

Tessa has posed:
    What a curious question. Its many varied implications are not lost on her, but she'll need more information to settle on one.
    Without visible reaction, Tessa says, "I am where Mr. Shaw requires me to be, Mr. Aaron. If it suits him to have me in a meeting, I will be. I can often be found around the facilities." There is a subtle pause. She considers specificing: 'Working.' But the goal is to draw him in, not be standoffish.
    That said, it is with a subtle inclination that she says, "But Mr. Shaw is generous, and would surely take it into consideration, if my presence would be a... comfort to you." She straightens up, "Or to keep me away, if it is not." This is said matter-of-factly, as if neither possibility troubles her in the slightest.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    No insight. It must be infuriating. No extra indication at all whether he considers one way... or the other. Just a steady gaze as he watches her and then nods in agreement that yes indeed her words are true. And then he takes up the card, as if her answer held some kind of significance to it. Maddening child that he is. It's placed in his pocket as he extends one leg out to make it easier to get it in place without overly damaging it.
    "So my father. Do you know if he was an /active/ member of this club? Or did he have any history there?" He asks that now, the calm visage returned to normal as he takes a deep breath, "Or, do you think he would object to my presence there?"
    Now that, might be a curious question. And he asks it so openly that her answer may carry some weight.

Tessa has posed:
    Tessa's brow furrows just slightly, a microexpression of vexation. She is used to people being relatively open books. Not having a clear picture of someone's feelings - even if not neccessarily their ultimate direction - is a rare thing for her. Albeit, people around the club tend to be more guarded than others.
    He may fit right in.
    Tessa considers his questions for a silent moment and then evenly says, "Your father's history with the club is how you came to our attention, Mr. Aaron. As to his activities, and his potential feelings..." Tessa adjusts her glasses without expression, "... I am not at liberty to say."
    In the interest of sweetening the bait and drawing him in, she says, "Perhaps you and the Inner Circle may have a discussion about the matter, if the Club suits you."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    When she speaks she can see him again, following along with her words, eyes upon her lips. He frowns a little to himself and grinds his teeth slightly, but somehow it might seem like it's not from anything she's saying in particular. But from something else. His jaw extends a little and then he nods slowly.
    "I would like that," To meet the Inner Circle, to ask about his father.
    "I'll visit at a suitable time." The times mentioned on the card most likely. He then leans forward slightly as his hazel eyes find hers and he murmurs, "You may inform Mr. Shaw you were successful. And that I will attend." The way he says that, some formality to it, precision, as if he were offering an oath.
    Then he lifts his chin, "Is there anything else you would have of me, Ms. Fox?"

Tessa has posed:
    Alexander's response is curious. *That* she can interpret. It's a comfort, in a way, though you wouldn't know it to look at her. On Alexander's confirmation, Tessa gives a subtle respectful bow, lowering her head, the long bangs framing her face dangling for a moment. "Very good, Mr. Aaron." She says softly.
    Hearing his question, she shakes her head. "Nothing else, sir." She says, now subtly affecting words of subordination now that he may be one of her patrons. "We look forward to seeing you. Please enjoy the rest of the festivities," she says, glancing at the picnic they had moved away from, "and congratulations on your enrollment."
    Tessa gives another short bow of her head, and turns around to take her leave.