Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was a couple of days before his manservant came to him with a file on Mitsu. In those days, Nathaniel deliberately did not send any further gifts or send for Mitsu. He sat in the rose garden, sipping wine, and reading through the file. Of course if wasn't too complete, there was information a detective simply couldn't get without getting too close, but there was certainly enough to work on. He read it slowly at his leisure, smiling now and then. So, the lovely little warlock was interested in fashion - he'd guessed that anyway, it was fairly obvious - and liked making clothes and he had two pet cheetahs. There was a picture of the cheetahs. Ah, now that would make a far more person gift. He went to his art studio, put on a leather artists apron, selected a canvas and colour palate and set to work. It took some hours but eventually he had a lovely painting of the two creatures. He selected a frame he thought suited and once it was dry he framed it and then arranged for it's delivery to Mitsu.

Nathaniel heard Mitsu's arrival and he strolled into the foyer with a lazy stride and wry half smile. "By he I take it you mean myself, my exquisite tumult" he said in his soft voice. "How pleasant to see you so unexpectedly. I'm about to have some tea and pastries on the patio. Will you join me?" Of course it was not unexpected at all, he'd been waiting on Mitsu's arrival. And he guessed he was probably pretty infuriated, too.

Nathaniel still stayed perfectly calm and poised, he never seemed fazed. He gave a small soft smile. "Oh, Mitsu, do you really think I would be so...tacky? Unoriginal?" he replied. "Firstly, I did not stalk you. I merely told my valet to find out all he could about you. There was no stalking, no spying, no hidden cameras or threats. You're from a very renowned family, don't forget, it was very easy to find out information about you. I will confess I did for one moment consider a PI but that was totally unnecessary. My valet just spoke to a journalist, they are very good researchers. Everything I discovered was general public knowledge obtained from Internet searches, archives and newspaper and magazine articles. Be mad at me if you wish, but I always research those I am employing or associating myself with. Call it paranoia if you wish. I call it self-preservation." He strolled across the foyer as he spoke, to put the rose he was carrying into a vase on a sideboard. He turned to the servant who was hovering nearby uncertain if she should stay or leave. "Serve tea and pastries for one, on the patio" he told her. "Master Mitsu will not be partaking on this occasion." He turned his focus to Mitsu again. "I have never drugged anyone, why would I need to? You drop your pants for me willingly enough so why would I need to drug, bribe or threaten? And I have no intention of approaching your family. Though, knowing who you are does leave me with some puzzling questions. Now, as I said, I am about to have tea on the patio so please excuse me." He gave a polite nod, accompanied with a soft smile, turned and walked away.

Nathaniel stopped and half turned to look back at Mitsu. He sighed. "Mitsu... Yes, actually, even whores are always checked-out by wealthier clients. That is standard, you must know that? A politician, for example, must make sure that the whore he takes to his bed hasn't been sent to either spy on him or set him up for public rebuke. I am not a politician or a public figure, no, but I am incredibly wealthy and I, too, have my secrets." he replied. He put his hands in his pockets and leaned casually against the wall. "You already stated very clearly that it is none of my business so why bother asking questions I will not be given the answers to?" he replied. "Though, the answers would determine whether or not I continue to pay you for pleasant carnal visits."


((Called in to work, back in a couple of hours at most, got an accident to go to))

Nathaniel sighed and raked a hand through his dark hair. "My tea will be getting cold. If you insist on knowing my questions then follow, we shall walk and talk" he replied, straightening up then heading for the door to the patio. "My questions may well upset you but remember you have insisted upon their asking. You are a whore but you do not need the money. You have a comfortable home, a supportive family, you do not go without. You do not need to do this. But yet, you do. Which leaves me wondering why. I can think of only two possible reasons. Either it is simple teenage rebelliousness and promiscuity for it's own sake, a thrill, some fun. Or... you are punishing yourself somehow, something has happened that makes your self esteem so low you actually believe you are not worth more than this. If it is the former then I would rather my money went to someone who genuinely needs it. In the past my visitors have been those who really have no other choice - no home, no family, no money, no qualifications to get a real job. Those people I pay very generously to help them to a better way of life. However, if it is the latter then I wish to continue hiring you."

"With your background, your education, you could easily come by a position that would support you in some comfort" Nathaniel replied. He sat down at the patio table, picked up a cup of tea and sipped at it. "So... you say you are paid very well for a few hours of your time and you need the money. What, then, would you say to the offer of one million dollars to spend one week with me?" He didn't look at Mitsu as he spoke but surveyed the delicious spread of savoury and sweet pastries and sandwiches laid out for him. He took a small almond roll and nibbled at it.