Truth be told, Corbeau has never quite known what to make of Valerie. Her visit to his office doesn't come as a surprise - everyone is required to make an appointment before showing up, generally speaking, and he'd known she was in the area as well, but it was a rather last minute thing - to him at least. Valerie very well might have been planning it for quite some time, but... the thing about that woman is that she's always been very difficult to read.
Of course, she's still impossible to mistake for anyone else. Her fashion sense and even general aura give off a sense of style that would make anyone stop and look twice, but being instantly recognizable does nothing to stop her from being a figure draped in mystery regardless. But... that's not such a bad thing. In Corbeau's business, things that are unpredictable are dangerous, yet they're also the most interesting by far.
And things that are interesting... can sometimes be fun. He can't deny that Valerie is an intriguing figure, and one who's skills are useful at that - so while he's never taken as much of an interest in her as he does in those living in Lumiose City, while she is here, her presence was never going to escape his attention.
"Ah... you're just on time." he says, coolly, though it's not an unwelcoming tone either. And she came on her own, at that - clearly, she's confident enough to be here without support.
"Well, I've gotta say I wasn't expecting a visit from you of all people today. Philippe only informed me this morning, but... where are my manners? You can take a seat over there."
@apocryphall ( starter for valerie! )