Formalities

[Dorian Humbert]

Dorian and Aleksandra appeared in a hidden fireplace at the Avalon hotel, just off the staff offices. The hotel catered to both muggles and magic folk alike, so appearing in a flash of green light and soot in the middle of the lobby was simply out of the question. Dorian dusted his jacket clear of any remnants of their journey and smoothed his hair. 

"The lift is this way," he said to Lex as they crossed the lobby full of people. Still trying to appear hospitable, he tried his hand at small talk as they rode up to the penthouse level. "Have you ever stayed at the Avalon before?"

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

"It's a little high profile for my father, but when my mother was alive it's the only place she'd stay. We didn't really frequent big cities growing up." Lex answered honestly. It was hard to conceal a wolf pack, let alone one the size of her father's or rather her brother's now.

When they had stayed at the Avalon her mother also insisted upon a suite so she knew the way, but she allowed Dorian to lead her in the direction of the suite elevators.

"You?"

[Dorian Humbert]

"No, I grew up around here, so there was no need to stay at a hotel. I hadn't even been inside until this case." He omitted the fact that he'd stayed the night here with Christine. "My condolences about your mother. My mother has passed as well." He looked over at her as the elevator slowed. When the doors opened, Dorian gestured for Lex to go first.

They stepped out into the penthouse hallway and crossed to Christine's door. Dorian rapped his knuckles on the door. "Miss Mickaelson, it's agents Humbert and Eiriksen" he called through the door, noting how strange it felt to simultaneously present as more laid back than he normally was while also feign to be more formal than he had been with Christine since their reunion.

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

Lex followed behind Dorian and nodded solemnly when he gave his condolences. When he talked about his own mother Lex felt a stiffness go through her. Dorian's biological mother had been a point of controversy for as long as Lex could remember.

"I'm sorry too, about your mum." she said in response.

Lex entered the hallway and waited for the door to open after Dorian knocked.

[Christine Montgomery]

"Just a minute." Christine called from the other side of the door. As she had the other day she gripped her wand in her hand and cast a spell to see who was on the other side.

She used another spell to open the door, "Come in."

She felt an odd shift go through her as she looked over Dorian's "partner"; were all "partners" blonde bombshells?

But there was another feeling as well, something she couldn't place until it hit her in the face. The girl was part Veela.

It wasn't something recognizable by any means, but Christine had lived with a group of Veelas during one of her uncle's more adventurous crusades, and Sam was part veela, it was in their actions, in their eyes, they were seductive by nature.

[Dorian Humbert]

The door unlocked and opened, allowing the aurors to come into the front room of the suite. Once inside, Dorian locked the door behind them and turned to introduce the two women. Christine looked off. Perhaps she was feeling the same strangeness he was with the pretense that their relationship was strictly professional.

"Miss Mickaelson, this is Aleksandra Eiriksen. She'll be on your security detail."

[Christine Montgomery]

"Pleasure to meet you...sorry it's under these circumstances." she said recovering from her distracting thoughts.

Christine wasn't accustomed to Dorian's formality, neither had he warned her that she'd be meeting his partner yet, so she was still only dressed in a silk robe, but she could adapt.

"Please, call me Christine."

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

Lex reached out to shake Christine's hand, "Lex." she replied, then took a deep breath and glanced around taking in her surroundings.

'Cushy Digs' she thought again. Her eyes said as much as she looked at Dorian who seemed to be rather intently observant of the witness.

[Dorian Humbert]

Dorian should have expected that she'd be only half dressed. He'd given her no warning that they were coming, and he was likely only expecting to see him. Based on their last two days together, Christine was dressed exactly how she had wanted him to see her. But he had brought Lex. "My apologies for the unexpected visit," he sad sincerely. Dorian had considered sending an owl, but thought better of it. There were whisperings of a mole in the Auror Department and the birds could be easily intercepted. Dorian wanted to ensure that as few people as possible knew where Christine was.

He spoke to Christine, still maintaining his professionalism as he explained the details of her security team. "Lex and I will take shifts...keeping you company. If you need to leave the hotel for any reason, we will accompany you. You'll need to inform us of your destination ahead of time, so that we can ensure it is safe. But I would like to advise you to stay in the hotel whenever possible." He wanted to touch her, to hold her hand as he explained all of this. But Lex's presence made that impossible.

[Christine Montgomery]

Christine itched to touch him as well. She crossed her arms to stop herself. His formality was even more prominent in front of Lex, but Christine understood the need for secrecy. She was technically his "job" and she'd hate to get him in trouble, or worse pulled off of security detail for being too close to her.

Christine actually had a lot of family in the ministry, and she sent a quick thanks heavenward that none of them had been assigned to watch over her. Then again they were all pretty seasoned, it wasn't exactly a high priority case, and they already had one seasoned Auror watching over her. The one she most preferred in any case.

"Alright. That all sounds...just fine." she said trying for pleasant.

"Can I get you guys anything to drink? Eat?" she looked around the hotel suite then down at her toes, " Are you staying? I should change." she gave Dorian a look, the only "slip" in her appearance, but it was gone just as quickly.

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

The longer Lex stood there watching Dorian explain and introduce her presence, the more things about Christine became clear. The girl had an excellent poker face, but Lex was not only a professional dedicated to tearing down "appearances", she was also inherently observant.

Christine seemed young, very young to be staying in such a suite by herself. She also noticed a runner when she saw one, something about kindred spirits. Christine wasn't the type to stay indoors or in a "prison" it would irk the girl and that meant that they could have trouble later on. Lex had been raised in a gilded cage herself, so she understood the feeling.

But the most interesting cue was the look Christine gave Dorian. It wasn't overt by any means; in fact it was very subtle, but the expression was so familiar to Lex she'd notice the look from anyone. Approval. Lex had seen it from her brother too many times as he faced their father. Christine was asking approval from Dorian. It was intimate. They already had a bond, some type of hidden language that could be deciphered from pointed looks toward one another. Just how well had Dorian and Christine know each other?

Before she could linger on the thought she answered, "Tea. Would be excellent...if we're staying." she said the latter while looking at Dorian, essentially using her own pointed look to inquire if they would be staying with the witness or not.

[Dorian Humbert]

This was incredibly uncomfortable, but he would persevere. He couldn't risk Lex finding out that he had a prior...current relationship with Christine. And leaving without the proper introductory period would be suspicious. He could tell Lex was an observant girl, her eyes flexed whenever she thought she saw something. Like the look Christine had given him. His jaw tensed.

"Tea would be lovely," he answered. "We have a bit of time before I must leave you ladies." He looked from Christine to Lex. He trusted Angelique, so if she thought Lex would be a good fit for this detail, then he would have to trust that Lex could handle the job. But leaving them alone for the first time was nerve wracking.

[Christine Montgomery]

Nerve wracking for several reasons. Christine was already tense because of what she had seen, what she had done, and what she wanted to do. Dorian had a special way of distracting Christine that Lex would not be able to simulate, which would leave Christine to her less than pleasant thoughts. There was also the chance that she'd let something slip about Dorian and herself, looking at him now she averted her eyes and moved toward the bedroom.

"Great it's just about time for it, I'll let guest services know you'll be joining me, and change and be out in a flash." she said closing the doors behind her.

She closed her eyes and exhaled leaning against the door.

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

Lex turned her attention toward Dorian, "Well she's lovely." she said waiting for his response to give her any further clues as to their relationship.

[Dorian Humbert]

Dorian purposefully looked to Lex as Christine walked away from them. "Yes, I suppose she is." He would give her nothing to be suspicious of. It was as if his entire being was focusing on everything but Christine, afraid that if he looked too long at her his heart would burst out of his chest and confess his feelings for her.

Dorian moved closer to Lex and spoke in a quiet voice. "I suspect she'll be terribly lonely cooped up in this room," he knew as much since she told him flat out just the other night. "I trust you can be friendly and professional at the same time?" He didn't want Lex to let her guard down, but he knew Christine would enjoy some company.

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

He was trying too hard now and Lex had to resist raising an eyebrow at his behavior.

"I understand." she said levelly careful to keep her suspicions to herself.

"Don't you worry about us girls." she smiled.

[Christine Montgomery]

Christine dressed in a simple black shirt and designer jeans after calling guest services to change her tea order to include her guests and to be sent up immediately. She took a few more calming breaths before opening the door and joining them in the main room.

"Worry? There's worrying now?" she asked with forced carefree interest.

[Dorian Humbert]

Dorian was about to thank Lex for her understanding, when Christine reentered the room. "No, no worrying. I was simply expressing to Aleksandra how I hoped you two would get on." He hoped she had not heard him warning Lex about maintaining the professional line. He didn't want Christine to worry that she was being left with someone incapable of protecting her. Although he was fairly certain Christine felt she needed no protection at all. She was a foolishly brave girl, at times.

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

" And I was just telling him that we shall get along famously, isn't that so?" she declared rather than asked.

Lex was certainly more laid back than Dorian, a broom handle had bend in it than he did, but she was also fierce. You had to be growing up with a wolf pack. She also had a temper that was downright terrifying, and if she wasn't mistaken - and she rarely was when it concerned her brother - Alek was always watching over her. If someone should try to harm Christine they'd have to go through Lex first, and if someone should try to harm Lex, Alek would in all likelihood rip their arms off.

[Christine Montgomery]

The corner of Christine's mouth quirked upward. She liked Lex instantly. Lex had a certain charm and friendly pushiness that was endearing. Christine had plenty of practice in dealing with such a person, being one herself.

"Oh yes, we'll be painting each other's toes in no time. Don't worry." she said carrying on.

While she had felt safe with Dorian, and circled through a half a dozen other emotions since seeing him again, this was the first time she appeared almost carefree.