Behind the impassive expression her countenance bore, and the dark lenses of her glasses- and further yet, behind the sightless orbs of her eyes- Sen warily observed events unfolding around her, carefully weighing up everything said and done. She did not care for the amusement Julien's expression- and likewise the activity in his aura- suggested. It was not, by any measure, a healthy or benevolent amusement. It was the kind that a dangerous maniac might harbour... or possibly, the kind a cat might express by toying with it's prey. That kind of amusement, backed by an intelligent and- from what Sen could discern- deadly mind, did not bode well at all. However, her dislike for the amusement coursing through him, and her concern over his adjusting the rubix cube after she had finished speaking, paled next to his own pronouncement when he next spoke.<br/><br/>"Senxiang Song, you are a remarkable creature," Julien opened up his hands in a presenting manner, the 2/3rd solved cube hanging precariously open on one of the finger tips of his hands.<br/><br/>Sen kept her neutral expression fixed, whilst inwardly her mind started racing. She knew Julien Summerfield's name because she'd heard Beau pronounce it just moments earlier. But she had never met this individual, never spoken to him, never passed him in the street- or indeed been on the same train with him- before now. So how... her thought was given voice by Beau.<br/><br/>"Wait..." Beau stepped in front of Sen defiantly. More to be protective than anything else "how do you know her name?"<br/><br/>Though she said nothing as Beau acted, she read the intention behind his action clear as day... and, deep down, had to admit to herself- having someone other than her parents be so protective of her was no bad thing. Or rather, the act was noble and well-appreciated on her part, but unlike herself, Beau couldn't see Julien's aura and the unnatural power it implied. He evidently had- had to have- an idea as to the unusual nature of the individual before them, but he couldn't see what Sen saw. She adjusted her sunglasses, pressing the tip of one index finger to the bridge of them where it arched over her nose and lightly pushing. She was spared answering Beau's next question by Julien's assertion- that they didn't know each other. But he knew<span style="font-style: italic">of</span>her? When and how had he come to know that? Did his influence extend to St. Anthony's University? Did he command power and influence there, somehow subtly directing the course of events, so that this chance meeting of herself and Beau was, in truth no chance at all? Was it simply the appearence of chance, the illusion of coincidence, orchestrated by Julien? Perhaps that was stretching things too far, but Sen was not prepared to rule the possibility out. Julien had been involved in Beau's landing an internship after all. As though on cue, in time with her thoughts, the very subject was brought up.<br/><br/>"Enough already!" Beau said defiantly "I don't have to listen to this any longer. Oh and that job you offered me? I'm giving in my notice now. The thought of coming into work for some people I can't trust, especially yourself, isn't worth any experience, credibility or pay your company can offer me."<br/><br/>The scene almost wilted to slow motion as those words were spoken. The rubix cube profectile having hit terminal velocity, before gravity took effect and it landed with a thump within Julien's palm.<br/><br/>"You forget, dear youth..." Julien turned to his inner shirt pocket and unravelled a scroll like document.<br/><br/>The document, though rudimentary looking thanks to its wear, caused Beau's eyes to widen like shot-gun barrels.<br/>"a contract signed is binding."<br/><br/>Sen's sightless eyes widened reflexively behind her glasses. Like Beau, she perceived the print on the document glare a glowing red colour. Unfortunately, whilst Beau could put it down to a bad day getting worse, Sen knew that if she saw it, it was<span style="font-style: italic">real</span>. Thinking back over Julien's last comment, Sen spoke in her soft voice, as a point Julien had neglected to mention occurred to her.<br/><br/>"A contract signed is binding," Sen began, affirming Julien's statement, "but only for so long as both parties agree to abide by the terms of it. Which means- if there are rules for him Mr. Summerfield- then there are rules for<span style="font-style: italic">you</span>too. Further, whilst that may mean that<span style="font-style: italic">you</span>can bring the full force of the conditions listed in the contract against<span style="font-style: italic">him</span>if he violates them... maybe if he violates even a single one of them... the reverse is also true. If<span style="font-style: italic">you</span>violate the contract,<span style="font-style: italic">you</span>are subject to the consequences of doing so, and you<span style="font-style: italic">can</span>be held accountable. On the other hand..," Sen concluded with quiet but firm resolve, "you and I have no contract, or any fixed agreement between us Mr. Summerfield. As far as we go, we are each to the other, a far more precarious proposition. Between us Mr. Summerfield, there are no rules and all bets are off. If I would do well to bear that in mind regarding you, I humbly suggest that you would do well to remember the same of me.<span style="font-style: italic">'Where there is no law, there is no transgression',</span>Mr. Summerfield".<br/><br/>Having said her piece, Sen lapsed into silence again, waiting to see what response her words would bring about this time.