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AND

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[hr][center][h3]P A R T  1[/h3][/center][hr]
[color=C8C7CB][b]Time:[/b][/color] Noon
[color=C8C7CB][b]Location:[/b][/color] Alexei's

Alexander took note of Elias. He was either some conspiracy theorist or a problem to be dealt with. However, there was little worry due to the absence of an immediate threat to him and his lesson today. For now he would follow Vivian's lead, as well as study her in order to gauge her suitability as... There were many things that came to mind, but Alexander would keep that solely to himself.

[Color=gold]"Let's"[/color] Alexander gave her a nod before trailing behind her. In stride, he removed a sleek black pool cue with gold accents along it. He set the case down on a nearby stool and assembled the cue with a serious expression. But once his eyes met Vivian's again, he smiled. [Color=gold]"Don't be intimidated. Money can't buy skill... Well not directly anyway."[/color] Alexander removed a fat envelope from his back pocket and set it down on the edge of the pool table.

Vivian watched as Alexander swiftly assembled his pool cue without wasted movement, as if it came naturally to him. Not to mention how expensive the cue looked itself, with a sleek shine and gold accents, it looked like he could've been a seasoned player.  It definitely didn’t scream ‘beginner’, at the very least. Vivian found it amusing how serious his facial expression was as he assembled it, not noticing that she had been staring until Alexander’s eyes met hers. She flinched reactively, out of embarrassment for getting caught for her lingering gaze.

[color=C8C7CB]“I wasn’t-”[/color] Vivian almost rolled her eyes when Alexander assumed she would be intimidated in that moment. Where the hell did he get his confidence from, for a self-proclaimed beginner at that? 

That’s when Alexander placed a thick envelope on the edge of the pool table by where he stood. Vivian’s eyes gazed upon with intensity, a smile forming on her lips as she pondered on its contents. Even if it was an envelope of one dollar bills, it looked thick enough to cover her rent. 

[color=C8C7CB]“That’s an interesting pocket of [i]something[/i] you have there.”[/color]

[Color=gold]"I'm glad it has your attention. You don't seem like you would teach a man like myself for free. Or am I wrong?"[/color] Alexander maintained his warm smile and laid his cue gently on the table. He knew in his unbeating heart he was right.

Vivian’s lips pulled into a sly smile. [color=C8C7CB]“You’re right.”[/color] She decided she would reply with the same level of self-confidence as Alexander had shown. [color=C8C7CB]“My time and presence are very valuable. Pool expertise even more so. Eventually, I predict you'll agree.”[/color]

She made Alexander genuinely chuckle. Despite her status as a human, he did not find her unsettling. She was quite amusing so far as a matter of fact. [Color=gold]"And if I do end up agreeing... How much am I paying? How much do you deserve, Vivian?"[/color] His hand tapped the envelope twice before it rested on top of it. 

Alexander’s question came at a slight surprise. Vivian expected he would have already decided on a price he was willing to pay, but in hindsight, it made more sense for the provider of a service to set the cost. [color=C8C7CB]“Ideally, I’d accept whatever you’re willing to spend but let’s see...industry-wise, pros can cost over $100 per lesson or hour. I’ll admit it is my first time teaching, so I’ll go for a modest $100 an hour.”[/color] She tilted her head to the side. [color=C8C7CB]“How does that sound?”[/color]

[Color=gold]"Sounds..."[/color] Alexander paused with a neutral expression, gazing into Vivian's eyes with his own. He never stopped analyzing those he came into contact with. Never. [Color=gold]"...honest."[/color] He smiled. [Color=gold]"And that's exactly the type of quality I search for in a teacher."[/color] Alexander held up the envelope and removed five one-hundred-dollar bills with one hand and tilted the envelope revealing a thick piece of cardboard with his other.

Vivian’s eyes widened as he took several bills out of the envelope. One, two, three...five hundred in total, from what she could see. The summed amount was more than she predicted or asked for, and her skin began to tingle at the greedy thought of what she could spend it on. She almost had to stop herself from reaching her hand towards the bills, so fixated on them that she hardly noticed the cardboard left in the envelope. The cardboard didn’t matter to her.

Her eyes glanced back and forth between Alexander and his hand holding the money as she replied with a sheepish smile. [color=C8C7CB]“With payment decided then, shall we begin?”[/color]

[Color=gold]"Absolutely. I know the basics I think. Shoot the balls into the holes using the stick."[/color] Alexander oversimplified.

Vivian chuckled. [color=C8C7CB]“Yeah, that’s the gist of it.” [/color]