Lev had reciprocated Lorelei's hug as well as they could.

[b]"Congratulations, congratulations. And your new friends already seem less churlish."[/b]

It was a strange handshake, that was for sure. When Barbatos reached out for a handshake, Lev had replied by clasping his hands with their own. Though, it was difficult to tell how much was legitimate flirtation and how much was the innate action of someone who had worked in this industry. In any case, Lev's fingers were thin and cold. Uncomfortably so.

Of course, Dezzie's reaction to the swinger comment made Lev have a soft, airy chuckle.

[b]"Sorry."[/b] They said. Though it felt like she said an incomplete thought--as if they refrained from calling Ms. Smirnova some cute pet name like [i]dearie[/i] or [i]hon[/i].

When Lorelei spoke of their past, Lev had to playfully add in. [b]"It was a brief experience, but one I'll never forget. My breath was taken away as she carried me in her arms."[/b]

It was always fun to play in ambiguity. Lev made a career out of it, after all.

[b]"So I take that it's work and not play,"[/b] the words came after a brief pause, [b]"how unfortunate."[/b]

They took a brief moment to think about the question that Lorelei asked.

[b]"I would assume this is about the massacre last night. News here travels quite fast--most people are trying to keep it quiet as to not disturb business, but anyone working here knows."[/b]

Their finger tapped the table in an uneven pattern.

[b]"A few groups were looking to push them out. Unionists are probably the closest, but they lack the members for any sort of territorial conflict outside current borders. And besides--killing people like that isn't how any of those groups operate. They'd prefer to flood the streets and fight in the daylight."[/b]

A pensive look came across Lev's face.

[b]"But honestly, it was a long time coming. Saniwa's been getting up to some [i]dangerous[/i] things with the wrong people."[/b]

Lev took another brief pause and glanced to her side. After, they leaned in and placed their hand upright beside their mouth.

[b]"I've heard rumours of them having a service where you could do [i]anything[/i] to someone. But none of the working men and women have gone missing."[/b]