[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=orangered]Caesar[/color] y [color=b8860b]Keystone[/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[img][/img][hr][b] [color=orangered]Location:[/color][/b] Valentino's Italian Restaurant (Diamond District) [hr][hr][/center]

	The table was near the back of the restaurant, adorned with white tablecloth and (contrary to Keystone's narrative for information) a smallish, centrally located basket of bias sliced bread. There were no other tables seated nearby in the dim light of the dining floor, offering them a fair amount of privacy. Hopefully decent service, as well. Caesar took a seat first, positioned as to see the front of the room. Taking this as a cue, Keystone sat diagonally from him at the table. From his vantage, the kitchen doors and bathrooms could clearly be seen. Under ordinary circumstances, this looked like paranoia. This day in Justice, California? It was vital to continued survival. Both men seemed to treat this city as hostile territory, and for good reason. 

	Caesar motioned for Cecily to take a seat. Manners might have dictated the older man showing her to an appropriate chair and pulling it out for her, but the griefstricken Mexican's mind wasn't fixated on what Emily Post would have to say about the situation. On the other side, it was very possible that Keystone didn't possess manners to begin with. Only time and reflection would add more light to the discussion as to whether that made his lack of chivalry more or less forgivable, if it was even an issue to begin with. 

	[color=b8860b]"Well then,"[/color] began Keystone. [color=b8860b]"Bread's already 'ere. I guess one o' you two's late with storytime, yeah?"[/color] He raised a hand for a waitress, apparently oblivious to the possibility of either of them actually wanted to answer right that second. The approach of the lady temporarily halted conversation from the two men; apparently it was considered very gauche to discuss sensitive personal or business matters around strangers when people were dropping like flies all over town. Keystone ordered wine service, having his bottle plus another delivered to the table immediately. He waved away the initial pour, confident in his abilities to put wine into vessels designed for the purpose of holding that selfsame liquid until it could be consumed. Preferably with a decent Penne Bolognese or their house made Ravioli. The two bottles held different varietals of grape; Keystone himself had already taken a glass from the Merlot, a pleasant neutral red that went well with many things, the unopened one held a Lambrusco, suitable for heavy sauce, spice, and meat based sauces. [color=b8860b]"Sorry, already ordered the aperitif, I did, thinkin' on what I was gonna order. If'n you lot're plannin' fish or white sauce, I can get a Pinot Bloody Gris straightaway."[/color]

	His lack of social grace matched up oddly with his knowledge of epicure. Almost unsettlingly so.  

	Caesar spoke up, detailing the bare bones of the day. He kept his tone low and even, trying summarize everything that had happened, including the fact that Cecily was presently sitting at the table with a fresh bullet wound. [color=orangered]"We're leaving town tomorrow, early. Alicia's body had been released, and the Familia Gonzalez is already gathering back home. We shouldn't be more than a couple of days. I'm talking to some of my people about easing your workload, but until then, you're taking over the account here in Justice fully. [i]Just manage the account.[/i] Unless something massive happens that you can handle, or information falls in your lap, just stick to the routine. We'll reevaluate this after more of our people are in place."[/color] 

	The waitress picked that moment to come by and ask if they were ready to order. Caesar shook his head to indicate they needed another couple of minutes. Keystone had opened his mouth to order for himself, but instead settled into an annoyed look that he aimed at Caesar. [color=b8860b]"I got a couple bounders an' East Enders what's coming in from London town, next couple of days. Folks we can trust, got nothin' to do with this country or anyone in it. Might have to school 'em up on driving the wrong side of the road, though... And you says you got some techies comin' in from Seattle, replace the ones we got 'ere?"[/color] 

	[color=orangered]"A few of them. Still need someone to manage that department. People we can trust are coming up short with those qualifications. No one is as good as M'hija."[/color] The truth was, he knew someone. One person. But there was no way in hell he was going to ask. Not after the last couple of weeks. 

	[color=b8860b]"Right. Glad that's all settled."[/color] Not that anything was settled, really. But from there on out, it was very possible that their discussion could plod along and sound very much like a company staffing issue, rather than a counter-plot against an unknown, evil entity. [color=b8860b]"Now, can we get some eats, [i]prettyfongin'please[/i]? And howsabout your pretty young partner here, eh? She's been awful quiet. You ain't 'bout to replace me off the mallet, are ya Boss?"[/color] The last two sentences were delivered with an element of airy mirth. He could just imagine the comparatively tiny but strikingly professional looking girl taking over for him beating down miscreants, whipping the security staff into shape, and bodyguarding corporate executives. 

	Caesar's tone was serious, even if his words weren't. [color=orangered]"Don't know yet, Keystone. Better stay on your toes."[/color]

	[color=b8860b]"Well, it's a special girl what gets shot in the mornin' and is good for cocktails come evenin'."[/color] He addressed her directly, [color=b8860b]"So what of ya, little lady? How're you fittin' into all this?"[/color] He refilled his glass of merlot, motioning as to offer some to Cecily.