<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=82164.msg3646259#msg3646259">Quote from: writersmelody on 17-09-2010, 21:58:52</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a business card and offered it to him. "If you are having trouble getting settled in or finding work, I can point you in the right direction.  Don't hesitate to call if you need something," she said. "And no thanks is necessary. Just, how do they say, pay it forward." <br/><br/>They arrived at the train station. One of the members of her security team stepped out to give Henry space to exit as well as open the door for him. His other hand hovered near his holster, just in case. "Take care of yourself, Henry," she said.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Elsworth took the card hesitantly, his fingers hovering just over the embossed surface for a few tense seconds before gently plucking it from her grasp.  "Truly we are all fortunate for your impeccable senses, Miss D'Arque," he said, giving the card the once over before slipping it into his coat.  "I may not have any destination in mind, but I dislike being held up by the authorities as much as the next bystander."<br/><br/>He seemed pensive for the remainder of the trip, but there was a new glimmer of focus in his eyes, a candle flaring in the murky darkness.  His slender hands kept touching at the pocket in which he had placed the card, an unconscious and contemplative gesture.  This was another small distraction from the pain in his gut, but it was also something far more important, more practical.  D'Arque was an influential individual, and though he did not often foster relationships with others during his travels, she was a powerful acquaintance to make.  It deserved some thought, when he was of a mind to give the matter proper attention.<br/><br/>As he slid from his seat he paused, no doubt causing the guard at his side to become immensely agitated in the process.  "I will certainly have to get back to you, Miss D'Arque," Elsworth said slowly, smiling that mysterious and tired smile of his.  "I cannot offer much, but should you ever have a mess that needs<em>cleaning up</em>, do not hesitate to put the word out.  I'm sure our paths will cross again, perhaps even under better circumstances than these.  Good day."<br/><br/>Bateman bowed his head, slipping off onto the sidewalk and quickly disappearing into the busy mid-day crowd.  All around him were whispers of the attack on the Fairview Shopping Center, but he paid little mind to it.  It did however confirm that he had<em>not</em>been SPECTRE's target, and that it was still safe for him to remain in Seattle, at least for the time being.<br/><br/>He would take the train and further distance himself from the scene of the raid, then begin his search for an inconspicuous dining venue.  An abandoned apartment building, or perhaps some sort of construction site.  The marvelous thing about cities was that buildings were always going up and old ones were always crumbling down, and there were plenty of blind spots in which a person of his unusual tastes could satisfy himself largely undisturbed.  But only at night:  for now he would have to content himself with a bag of chips and a can of cola from one of the vending machines by the ticket dispensers.<br/><br/>Edging his way into the blindspot of the cameras, Elsworth stuffed the entire bag of crisps into his mouth without bothering to open them, swallowing the mixture of melted plastic and salty snacks with relish.  The can he made sure to drink completely first, then bit into as easily as one would a loaf of bread.  He'd developed a particular fondness for metals, though tin would not have been his first choice.