As soon as Cain opened his eyes, he could feel the puke crawling up his throat. It wasn't just the smell of rotting dog that caused it, or the amount of alcohol he had consumed on an empty stomach, or the blinding sunlight that added another cord of pain to the jackhammer symphony in his skull. What really made him feel sick was the young scrawny girl lying next them in his bed, as stark naked as him.

What the hell was he thinking? He knew this was a bad idea, that the forceful flirting, the intimate talk which completely out of place for how briefly they had known each other, and this repetition of how they first met all originated from a strange, discomforting attraction he felt to her. And now that he had had his wish, he wanted nothing more than to undo it. Any pleasure he remembered seemed tainted, in a way. He was old enough to be her father, at least, and yet that wasn't the only thing that made it feel wrong. Maybe it was a mistake to offer tutoring her to begin with. The conditions and orders he gave her weren't just meant to protect her, he had also given them with the ulterior motive of keeping her close. Yes, perhaps she needed somebody to watch out for her and guide her, but who said that he could just go ahead and decide that he was the right person to do it? There were enough other people he had to worry about right now and Valorie had no idea how innocent she was compared to him. If she did, there was no way she would have stayed a minute longer.

And yet... he couldn't help but look at the girl as her side rose and fell, still asleep for all he knew, and he felt lust stir in his loins again, the same thoughts he had just called out for what they were returning in force and testing his resolve.

With an angry sigh, he made himself look away and direct his thoughts back to the pounding headache. He had barely touched his temple in the hopes of easing the pain when he heard a loud 'vrrrrrr' from the coffee table.

[color=lightblue]"Fuck"[/color], he muttered. His cellphone. Cain wasn't exactly feeling very talkative this morning but the only thing he wanted to do less than speak to somebody was to wake the girl he had spent the night with.

He rose and, as quickly and quietly as he could, walked to the couch, finding Sammy sitting right on the pile that was his shirt and Valorie's sweater, looking rather happy with the state of things.

Ignoring the zomdog - or was it a dogbie? Perhaps ghouldog... doghoul... - for now, frowning as he saw the caller ID and walking into the kitchen to muffle his voice a bit.

[color=lightblue]"Francis Cain?"[/color]

"Mister Cain, good afternoon!" said a clipped, accentless voice filled with cheerful professionalism, "This is Kurtz, of Barrow and White. I hope this is a good time?"

[color=lightblue]"Good enough."[/color] Cain tried not to sound annoyed but between the pain and his thoughts, he couldn't help but being a little curt; not that it phased Kurtz any.

"Wonderful to hear. I'm calling, Mr. Cain, because I was hoping you might be able to make a recommendation to me," Kurtz paused for a moment, "I require the services of a bloodmage or a necromancer or spiritualist, perhaps, but I would very much like to use someone who does not- shall we say- run in the usual circles. Now I [i]know[/i] that you, my good man, are in the employ of the illustrious Ms. Bloodbloom- I even hear you've had a run in with our friends the Nyctari recently!- but I would rather not hire any of their usual retainers. Certain associations are bad for a business that runs on its reputation, you understand, so your assistance and... [i]discretion[/i] in this matter would be very well compensated, I assure you. [i]Protect your brother's privacy for what he knows of you[/i], as the Arabs say."

Another frown darkened Cain's expression. Of course Kurtz knew everything. Barrow and White were always well informed- despite being a relatively small player in this city, they commanded some resources that even the gangs and families could only dream of. Apparently, it paid for itself to be international.

[color=lightblue]"First of all, you know that any business with the Syndicate and the Nyctari is only a temporary, purely professional arrangement with no strings attached. I'm a freelance entrepreneur, and I think I've shown in our past collaborations that I harbor no loyalties to any of the factions in Santa Somabra."[/color]

"Of course", the voice on the other end responded and Cain thought he could hear him smile, "I didn't mean to imply that you were unreliable. The Firm holds you in the highest esteem. Hence my inquiry." 

Francis nodded. Kurtz' words were sugarcoated and he didn't like that. Conversations like this had turned the city into what it was; the thugs on the street were just window dressing. His reservations didn't mean he wasn't also contemplating Kurtz' request, though. Could he really throw Valorie to the wolves? Maybe she wasn't ready; if she failed while working for Barrow and White, it could not only harm any future reputation she might earn and Cain's own clout with the Firm, but it could put her in very real danger. Then again, Cain tried to convince himself that it would be good for her to see that he trusted her skills, even when she didn't. And Kurtz [i]always[/i] paid well...

[color=lightblue]"... I know somebody. She is about as low-profile of a necromancer as I can think of; I've taken her under my wing recently and she is more than capable, but still a little inexperienced in our line of work.[/color]

"What a fortuitous coincidence!" Kurtz said, "You having [i]just[/i] what I need. If I were rather more devout I might attribute it to Someone watching out for us. I must say, though, I am rather surprised. I did not take you for apprentice-taking type, my good man. She must really be [i]something[/i]."

[color=lightblue]"I will not inquire as to what you need her for but I trust you to guarantee her integrity."[/color]

"Goes without saying. You know my address. The compensation will be a cut above the usual rate for hired magic, I dare say." 

[color=lightblue]"Then I will send her to your office later today."[/color]

"Excellent", Cain felt the unseen smile across the line become even bigger, "And if there's ever any service the Firm can provide you, Mister Cain..."

[color=lightblue]"There might be, sooner than you think"[/color], Cain said simply.

"I'll be waiting." 

The call ended. The old detective wasn't sure what to make of this. Had he just helped Valorie or made her life a lot harder? Had he steered her away from danger or sent her right into it? Barrow and White were fiercely protective of their assets and if Valorie left a good impression, nobody could touch her without fearing their wrath. 

And that... gave Cain an idea. He had promised to speak to Kennedy, right? Well, maybe all he needed to make him back off was a bluff...

[collab w/ [@JulienJaden]]