Culler liked all the way she reacted. It was like she was a menu, but with treats placed on it already. Always delicious, and always offering something. She did not object to his reminder of her new dresscode, and that was good. It would be rather hopeless if even that would elicit some waning protest. He really didn't mean to hold her hand through these new conditions, since their nature was that he get some insight into her own thoughts. She'd come to vilify him, sure, but he wanted to see it from her angle, what things she might offer.<br/><br/>In the end she seemed content with what he'd given her to work with - in some twisted way it was still her job, even if other internal instances might object - so he thought it was appropriate that she put forth the effort, and at least recognized that he had demands. With his wishlist stated, she understood that there wasn't much use anymore for her presence. She said her last agreeing sounds and went away, and Culler was left to his screen and the images he'd stored away in his head, and on his devices.<br/><br/>Kingston saw that she was fidgeting somehow upon meeting him. Beautiful girl in a new workspace, he almost felt bad about asking her along, especially given his position over her, but he had already decided that we wanted to get to know her. After some attention to her skirt he did get her audience, and she was as much of a wind of fresh air as she'd been this morning. Her energy was contagious, even though it was nervous, and he supposed that was part of why he wanted to socialize with her.<br/><br/>He was engaged when she moved her hair back. It did seem like that brunette fall had seen quite the first day at work, and he thought it was very becoming. He didn't know why it made him think of flashes of her in compromising angles, but he quickly thought of other things. It was a bad habit for any man, and he needed to let her know he was trustworthy, so she could have the best possible experience here. He wouldn't be doing his job otherwise.<br/><br/>By what he was hearing, the artist wasn't running her too hard, at least. Perhaps, despite his playboy exterior, Culler was being respectful and understanding to that Talia was just starting out, also. "Well, then it doesn't seem too bad. I have heard horror stories from some of the assistants here. It's hard work, I know, but it can be made more pleasant if the artist is agreeable. Which Mr. Clements seems to be." He smiled politely into their conversation. Small talk, but it was true.<br/><br/>He nodded, eyes bright with understanding when she'd rather take it easy. Disappointed, surely, but the function of any invitation is that you can both accept and decline. She did it well too. He had to assume she was used to navigate people who'd like her company. After all, if she'd not been this attractive, had he really been so keen on helping her outside of the workplace? He was far from nefarious, but he was still a man vying for the time of a beautiful young lady.<br/><br/>"I totally get it. Just thought I'd ask." he assured her. It wasn't like there wouldn't be other people at the bar. If nothing else, she might have felt excluded eventually, if he kept going to meet other coworkers there. Early and then consistent invitations, so she'd always have an in if she wanted it. "But a bath sounds good for your first day. In fact, I should encourage it. Late nights might be a little much when you're just starting out. Maybe when you've become as seasoned as me." he laughed at himself and was ready to move on.<br/><br/>He was surprised to hear what she said next, but he'd be lying if he ever denied that his heart didn't beat a little faster. She had that innocent charm about her, that still somehow always made him think predatory thoughts, which was rare. Usually he'd only encounter one or the other. He wondered how she conjured both sides so effortlessly, with her bitten lips and putting her hair behind her ear. He nodded quickly so she wouldn't change her mind again.<br/><br/>The bar he took her to was just seeing the buss of the working people trickling in, and he was fast to take two stools for them at the bar. His shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, and his tie was in his jacket pocket, which he'd hung over the small back of his seat. Kingston fit well into the good lighting of this bar. The establishment was upscale, and thirsty for exactly the kind of credit card he had. "So, you have to call me James, okay? I'm not your working buddy after hours. I'm just a buddy." he explained with a grin before greeting the bartender.<br/><br/>The man on the other side was tall, too, perhaps only a few inches shorter than what she'd learn Culler to be, and smiled as he leaned closer to take her hand while James introduced her. "Oh, new blood. I hope you tip as good as you look." he said with laughter in his throat. James slapped his shoulder.<br/><br/>"That was cheap." he commented and shook his head. "For that you give her one on the house." he suggested. The bartender, Frank by the tag on his vest, shrugged and looked her over.<br/><br/>"Alright. What'll it be?"<br/><br/>And while they were being so merry, another man, much more beastly than any of the males converging on the watering hole, was finishing up and shrugging into a jacket. He'd be slipping through the doors for libations too, soon.