On the resume Alexandre Lowett had shown the recruitment officers for PAGAN, "reading the room" was not listed. As he all but ignored the almost palpable hostility from the researchers around him he focused solely on the girl he'd just asked a question. For a moment, at least. The loud male voice that suddenly dominated the room and was not his own made his face fall and his left eye twitch with slight aggravation. He raised a finger to her, as if to say "Just a moment" before turning to the source of the noise with a flourish.<br/><br/>By now, it was quite clear that the newcomer was a showman if not a trickster. And the hostility toward him made way for an almost universal confusion. How did someone like him<i>ever</i>get selected for something like this? Regardless, he was here now - that much he'd made abundantly clear - and he was at the questionable mercy of one Jakob Scala. As these two overpowering personalities clashed one could almost see the sparks fly. Peacocks in their own way, proudly showing off their tailfeathers as they measured one another up.<br/><br/>Somehow, it seemed like Alexandre was always looking down towards his conversational partners. Was it not his large stature then surely it was the way his chin was raised proudly. No doubt much to the chagrin of Scala, who saw his authority not only questioned but quite simply dismissed by this man. The smile on his face had returned, though it was colder this time. Nothing like the one he'd shown the girl.<br/><br/>"Glad to be here! Uh..."<br/><br/>His metallic hand described small circles in the air in front of him, as if he was looking for a name he obviously didn't know. Was he doing it to taunt this red-faced researcher? Quite likely. Though it was equally likely that he'd genuinely never heard of him. It was merely a fraction of a second but his smile wavered once again as he saw how the man adressed the girl next to him. Cold scorn washed over him for the moment it was gone. What gives you the right,<i>branleur.<br/>
</i><br/>By the time Scala looked back at Lowett his expression had already been restored. That friendly-but-not quite grin - perhaps mischievous was a better word - meeting him once more. "Ai,<i>monsieur...</i>with the personal questions? Take me to dinner first, eh?" He said with a chortle, one that fell flat when he saw there would be no such amicable response. All work and no play with this man. To the powers that be a prayer went up to not let this man be his superior for the time he'd spend here.<br/><br/>"<i>Pas de probleme, monsieur Scala. </i>I assure you I won't be wasting your time. I'm sure<i>Mademoiselle...</i>Vorona?" A quick glance to the girl next to him, could she have been his new partner? Ah, way to make a first impression Lowett. "...and I will get along just fine."<i>As for you, you sack of... </i><br/><br/>Instead of finishing the internal insult, Lowett sucked his teeth. There weren't many people that managed to annoy him right off the bat, but this man was certainly one of them. As he continued his tone was quite a bit less playful.<br/><br/>"No previous experience to speak of, nothing official at least... plenty of those<i>putes</i>have been sent back to hell with my Midas Touch before I joined PAGAN."<br/><br/>As he spat out the insult directed at the Shades that haunted the world he lived in, he pulled up the sleeve of his right arm revealing the nature of the limb underneath. Sleek metal and brimming power. The imitation muscle fiber flexed as a crackle of yellow energy traveled down into his fingers.<br/><br/>"If that's all you've got for me,<i>docteur. </i>I believe you've got an apology to get to." The metallic limb motioned to the assistant who had nearly been reduced to tears by the rude man. This auburn-haired rookie hadn't been here for 10 minutes and he was already challenging Scala's dominance. The peacocks were more like lions now, baring their fangs as they circled one another.