Private Finished Gods Among Men

Asteria had prepared for this meeting to the best of her ability.

She had rented a private suite at one of the nicer hotels in Manta Carlos, complete with a nice bar and fancy dinner service upon request. She was dressed appropriately for the meeting, wearing a black pencil skirt with leggings and a nice dark green top. Her hair was done up in a professional looking bun, and her monocle was shiny and pristine. Waiting for a man she knew nothing about was a slightly nerve-wracking endeavor, but he knew next to nothing about her, either. Asteria had given him a time, date, and location on where to meet, and had given the receptionist down below a description of Basilio Genovese as well instructions on how to find the suite. A complimentary fifty dollar tip had also made sure that the woman's lips were sealed.

She had a feeling upon meeting Basilio the first time that he was a man not to be trifled with. He had an aura that she had felt only a few times in her long lifetime, but it was one that she understood very clearly: this is a person of power, one that can change history with a few waves of his hand. All he needed was to be set up in the right position. Having a large amount of capital to throw around to help such a man establish his roots, Asteria was confident that she could help build this man to a position he belonged in. She had been a kingmaker a lifetime ago, so it would be interesting to see if she could do it once more.

@Kada

Asteria gave a proper curtsy to Basilio as he greeted her, keeping a small distance between herself and him just in case. She watched his body movement carefully, barely noticing the glance he had given to the area upon his entry. Apparently he thought like she did, always trying to plan three moves ahead in case business goes sour. Definitely not a simpleton when it came to the art of business negotiation. The witch could already see two outcomes for this meeting: either they got along swimmingly or one of them was going out the window. She preferred the first option, in all honesty.

"Greetings, Mister Genovese. A pleasure to finally be able to sit down one on one and chat. As for my week, it has been rather busy. Between classes, grading, researching, and a few side projects plus raising a teenager, I have had work cut out for me." She grinned, walking towards the bar with a walk that exuded poise and professionalism. "However, I enjoy the busy life. 'Idle hands are the devil's plaything', and all that. But what about you? How have you been settling on the island? I know it's probably quite different from your dimension but I hope you're settling in. Our Earth has many beautiful things but I've yet to find a paradise quite like Manta Carlos."

She chuckled, shaking her head as she pulled two glasses from a nearby counter top and set it next to the shelf of various liquors. "Would you like a drink, Mr. Genovese? Or do you not partake?"

"Cognac it is, then."

Asteria smiled, putting the previous two glasses down and pulling out a pair of ornate tulip glasses. After gently setting them on the counter, she poured them each an appropriate portion of the amber-brown liquid before sauntering up and offering him one of the glasses. "So you're used to being invited to a woman's suite, are you? Quite the charmer you must be, Mr. Genovese. But business is always a fine discussion to have. It's how the world goes round, you know?"

She'd step back once he'd taken the glass, looking down at the alcohol. Although she had been incapable of becoming intoxicated for thousands of years, there was something about drinking expensive liquor that was so pleasant. Each alcohol had its own story of where it was from, how old it was... each one was a unique experience to enjoy. She glanced up. "Oh yes, about the smoking. Feel free to do so. Between my name and my credit card, we could honestly run an owlbear fighting ring in here and they'd be happy to clean it up."

"As for the main topic of discussion, I know you offhandedly mentioned re-opening your Italian restaurant back at the community center from your dimension. Is that something you're seriously interested in or did you have another plan to restart your business enterprises?"

"Very true. Although I prefer charm over intimidation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not above doing anything to get what I need, but I prefer to have another potential source of opportunity versus a confirmed defeat." Asteria grinned, taking a sip of the cognac before setting her glass on the counter. "But I will admit, there is something wonderful about taking someone down a few pegs when you get disrespected."

Stepping closer to Basilio, she leaned against one of the finer chairs that had been placed in the suite. "Mr. Genovese, have you found a location for your restaurant yet? Do you plan on moving into an old restaurant building or would you rather have the building designed to your specifications and built from the ground up? Because I can assist either way; I'm here to offer a hand if you wish it. Persuade me enough, and I might even offer you both hands."

She couldn't help but give a genuine smile at that, partially laughing at her own joke and partially because she had never helped build a restaurant from the ground up and was hoping for the opportunity to do so.

"Mr. Genovese, please. You assume so much yet so little of me. I have been living on this world for a very long time. Some say centuries, others believe millennia, and others still think even longer. Who knows who is right? It's another mystery that surrounds me. But," Asteria paused, taking another sip of her cognac, "I simply do it because I can. I am already wealthy due to many business ventures and investments, and your restaurant would simply be that: another investment. Sure, the perks are lovely. A new restaurant is always a plus, and I do enjoy Italian food."

She paused again, setting her glass down as well. "But I'm sure that answer doesn't satisfy you in the slightest. You look into deeper meaning to my words, wonder if I'm stringing you along or telling some sort of half-truth like a Fae would. May I tell you a little story, Mr. Genovese?"