The shock of the general standards that long-lived individuals wanted seemed to cause her issues; Cicero couldn't imagine why. Given that there were plenty of ways to earn immortality. What Aesa had wasn't that, just an inkling at most. Chuckling then, as she said she was insulted by one percent, while Gerwulf seemed to relax a little, though that may have been because Cicero didn't push the subject too hard. "Perhaps, but that is open for negotiations. However, you are fine to delay discussions for now. However, it will need to be done prior to you leaving," Cicero said with a nod. When Aesa said she would stay, he parted his hands and clapped them together lightly as if delighted.
Gerwulf just groaned before scooping more food, wishing they were offered alcohol. "I'll prepare one as soon as you get cleaned up, if you would like. Gerwulf can join you. Help you in and out of the bath..." Cicero said softly, as he watched her drink more lemonade. When the questions of lifespan came to being, he nodded. "That is correct, if you don't survive, then it passes on to your kin," Stating it as if it were just a matter of fact, showing how truly odd his line of thought was in comparison to the majority of human society. Then again, some corporations and governments did the same, so it could just be business.
"Though I could utilize the modern systems... just make sure you live long enough to pay off your debt." Then again, in modern systems, it did just as her thoughts suggested. Creating an endless cycle that one couldn't escape from until they paid back what they owed. "I'll be staying, I just need to move my car..." - "No need, I'll contact the local hires to move it and clean up evidence," Cicero responded straight after. Leaning his chin on one hand as he watched both of them as best he could from the center. Wondering if Aesa would see him as heartless or cruel, even though he had told her just that.
Aesa glanced up as Gerwulf mentioned moving his car and Cicero offered to have someone move it. "Could they break in my storage and move my bike somewhere safe too? I'm more worried about it than nay of my clothes. Those are much easier to replace." She had no idea where Gerwulf had to go to get here to this man to be saved. Maybe he had come to them? There was no telling. When he mentioned her debt moving on, she almost laughed. She had no family. Thorin would be dead before her if she was truly going to live for centuries. And if she sacrificed her children to him, then they'd no longer be hers to take the debt. She didn't offer up that information though. It seemed like giving him a bit of leverage she didn't need him to have.
"We can discuss other options for repayment. Just the nudity one that I'd like to put on hold. I'm fine with paying you cash. Can I pay more if or when I have it?" She didn't like the idea of giving him blood or flesh. But blood would be her next choice. "And if I did give you my blood, if I end up being something you're interested of course, what percentage are we looking at there?" If it took off more than a percent or two, she could see herself donating a few pints once or twice a year. She didn't know if if she wanted or could handle donating more than that.
"Is there anything else that you accept for payment? Can I know what Gerwulf does for what he owes you?" She glanced to Gerwulf. "If you're alright with sharing of course. I'd never force you to tell me. I'm just trying to get ideas of things he'd be willing to negotiate for." She would wait until she was alone with him to ask what percentage her child would knock off the deal. She didn't think she could do it, but she was very curious. And if she did have a litter like he hinted at, she could keep all but one. Right?
"Yes, but it will cost you... Gerwulf has an ongoing tab with me, which keeps getting added to each time he needs a favor," Cicero stated, shaking his head as Gerwulf glanced away, not answering or showing what their deal was. Though how Cicero keeps calling Gerwulf a mercenary. It was probably evident that he used him for just that purpose most of the time. There were things being unsaid still, but each person had their secrets. Like how Aesa found a family tied debt to be amusing, and Cicero being able to locate anyone even remotely tied to Aesa through blood.
"Dignity is worth more than one percent. I could go as far as five and ten for the previous offers. As for cash, you don't make enough to make percentage earnings worthwhile," Cicero said, pondering as she brought up blood, Gerwulf moved a hand, but was cut off by Cicero making a stop gesture. "Five to ten for just blood, collected bi-monthly. The percent would be related to how much blood you can provide and for how long," He stated with a lick of his lips, wondering if she even thought about his offer of taking flesh. If she healed, he wouldn't mind carving bits of her off.
"Gerwulf, that is up to you" - Gerwulf grumbled, finally meeting Aesa's gaze. "Mercenary work, capture of dangerous things that are regularly needed, that and other work that requires my body-" Folding his arms, one of his brows raising as if hinting at the things he does. Cicero, on the other hand, just came out with it: "He warms my bed whenever I am bored." The fact that the wolf man was willing to act as basically a gigolo for this man or woman meant many things, though Aesa likely didn't know what those were. Being an alpha with dangerous instincts, bestial ones usually calmed after meeting a force of nature. "Would you like to follow in his footsteps? It would be a high percentage... and quite enjoyable" - "Only if she finds out what you are or your reputation," Gerwulf added before Aesa did something stupid like agreeing right away without modification.
Of course it would cost her. She should have seen that coming. The question was, how much? If it was worth more than her bike cost, she'd just have to save up for a new one. "Of course it would cost me. I'd expect nothing less from you after this much conversation. Maybe this time you can give me a dollar amount?" She rubbed her temple, feeling the stress even if she wasn't feeling pain yet. She looked at Gerwulf for a moment wondering just how big his tab was. She wasn't sure how old he was, but she had a sneaky feeling that it was one he might never see the end too. Her gaze went back to Cicero as he began to talk about blood. That didn't sound too bad. "That doesn't sound... awful. I"ve donated blood before..." She paused. "You do mean needle in my arm and into a bag, yes? Not literally drinking my blood, yes?"
There was no way she'd consider giving him bits of her body. That sounded terrible and painful. "If my job situation changed, could we revisit that one-- wait how do you know how much money I make?" She looked from Gerwulf to him. "I've not told you anything about me." She huffed, feeling insulted once again as she sat back, crossing her arms. She wasn't usually this grumpy, but she also didn't feel insulted left and right either. Her eyes went to Gerwulf giving him the courtesy of listening to him talk. She didn't seem affected by hearing that the two men slept together. "While, I have exactly zero problem with an arrangement like that, I don't know you well enough to know if it's something I'd enjoy. I could do that with Gerwulf because I know just how good sharing a bed is with him." She chuckled. "Or a lakeshore."
She looked between the two men, suddenly wondering if they thought she'd judge them. "Listen. I'm pan and poly. I have exactly zero issues with you two fucking or whatever it is you do on your private time. I'm not going to judge that. Ever." She almost quipped that she might like to watch, but she kept it to herself. This wasn't the time. When Cicero suggested she tried it. "Oh, I'd be fascinated to know what the after market parts add up to. And I have a feeling his reputation isn't a.... kind and loving one." She tapped her fingers on the table. "I do have one condition I'd like met before I officially agree to anything though." She locked eyes with Cicero. "I want time alone with Gerwulf for a private conversation before bed tonight. No eavesdropping in any way shape or form. Then we can finalize some things on my seventy-five percent."
"Not much, just a light favor to be cashed later. Around the same amount of effort as helping a friend move a table," Cicero stated, chuckling when she seemed to begin understanding how pedantic or a stickler for things the strange man was. Tilting his head, then, "Yes, and no. I mean, it will definitely go into a sealed container first." Still filled with amusement in his responses. Then, when she became indignant at the amount of money available to her, he laughed again, finding the response amusing. "Because you didn't have anyone else to call, bodyguards, private healthcare, a mage or two at your beck and call. The types of people who call out for me to work on them are well-known movers and shakers." Answering with as much gusto as he always seemed to provide with a smile.
When it came to warming Cicero's bed, Gerwulf smiled at how Aesa seemed fine with the idea and not judging him for loose sensibilities. Cicero just nodded, not as entertained as she seemed to have fewer qualms with the offer. Well, as a man of his word, he would agree to the deal after further clarifying the markers. "Thanks," Gerwulf said as she told them that she wouldn't judge - "That is refreshing, as most humans are prudish. Then again, it is the same with most of the higher races," Cicero stated as he pondered run-ins with other creatures.
"Fine, though, only because fear is delicious," the thin man jested, before she tapped her finger and asked for alone time with Gerwulf. Quite suddenly, Cicero stood, pushing his chair back as he glanced between the two. "Agreed," with one more look at Gerwulf, which was met with a sigh and nod. The suited man left the room, the door closing, and an odd shimmer covering the walls. "You should have left when you had the chance," was the first thing Gerwulf said, even though it pained him slightly. "Cicero is a man of his word; however, his nature is like that of a predator. He'll take a hand if you don't handle his nature well, and I don't mean that figuratively."
