In his mind, James thought that they were all holding their breath in anticipation, hard focusing on the woman that maintained a bright smile even when the plucked strand of blonde hair sizzled and curled in her grasp, turning to ash. Only those were were paying attention would see the shift in frost blue eyes, where they glazed over instead of continued to shimmer. The only sign of her annoyance showing through before she dropped her hand into the bread basket and thrust another end of bread in her mouth as she considered those who sat at the table.<br/><br/><br/>Fiora only perked back up when the tall man, his hand resting on the small of Nora’s back, cast a wary look around the table before scraping two chairs back, leaving one open for the dark haired woman and seating himself in the other. As far from Fiora as he could get. Unlike Remy, who sat by her side, stone faced but tense, the newest arrival showed his disdain openly. “Oh, this had better be good,” he drawled sarcastically, leaning forward and pulling a piece of bread and throwing in his mouth at the same time he shifted backwards with his long legs stretching out beneath the table. “Very good, Fiora.”<br/><br/><br/>Oh. So they were all at least acquaintances except for, perhaps, the two other women at the table. James spoke up next, a wry twist to his mouth, but he also remained rigidly straight, green eyes hard wired on the smiling bitch in the midst. Underneath the table, his hand crept, until his fingers brushed over Lane’s, giving them a squeeze. “Hi, Pace, Nora. I didn’t know you two knew each other,” James said glibly, causing Fiora’s attention to bounce from face to face, her smile ever growing.<br/><br/><br/>Finally, she clapped her hands together and sprung up so that she sat straighter in her chair. “I’m glad everyone could make it,” she declared, beaming, one of her hands falling down to rest on Remy’s thigh. He visibly tensed, something that Fiora didn’t take note of. “Because I already know about what you think is going to be an ideal arrangement for all of us. Before we order, I wanted to tell you that none of it is going to work for me. So instead, I’m going to tell you all what I want, and we’re going to do that instead.”<br/><br/><br/>There was no question there. Despite the woman’s bubbly facade, there was no compromise in the tone of her voice. Ambivalent, her smile only broadened as her gaze bounced over each of their faces again. “OK? OK. You,” her head bounced at Pace, who had half a breadstick sticking out of his face. Quicksilver eyes lifted, skeptical, when she addressed him. “Are going to take the girl. No one else.” Before he could protest, though, her eyes slid over to Nora. “I like you, so I think your current arrangement with the guard dog is working well. I think we should make things a little more official, though, don’t you think? You’re going to stay with him in the In Between. Occasionally, I have the odd job that the beastie takes care of for me, so now you’re going to take care of them for me.”<br/><br/><br/>Another smile. Another lack of a pause. And her eyes burned right into Lane’s green ones. “You -- I also like. You’re going to come with me, just for a night, to my home. Without him,” and so her eyes stopped on James himself.<br/><br/><br/>He straightened up in his chair, jaw clenched, mouth already open like he might protest. Only she held up one finger, winking as a rime of frost sealed the words inside his mouth. “...Because he is going somewhere else. I’m sure if he puts his mind to it, he’ll figure out what I have in mind for him. I’ll give you all a choice, though, to take these opportunities or not. You can talk amongst yourself, we can order -- lunch is on me, of course -- but I’ll need your final say so by the time I get the check, all right?”<br/><br/><br/>She frowned, as if remembering something important. Right -- what they got in return for her demands.<br/><br/><br/>“You can negotiate your prices with Remy here.”<br/><br/><br/>James gasped once he could breathe properly again then slammed his palms on the table, coming to a half stand as he glared at the queen, who only blinked up at him, guileless. “What the fuck do you hope to gain from all of this, Fiora?”