@communistofzaun:
[ previously ]
It had been long ago now that Viktor had given Valentina permission to come and go as she pleased, but that certainly did not mean that it never caught him off guard-
A slight murmur came from the masked cyborg as the tool he had been handling made a slight fritz sound causing Viktor to very quickly withdraw it from the augment he was working on before the little over-powering of the tool caused any damage.
The tool was promptly turned off and set aside. Valentina’s presence brought awareness to Viktor that he more than likely could do with a cup of coffee. The last cup he had now sat long discarded, pushed far against the back of his desk with nothing but a few drips left in it.
“For a short while, perhaps. Come, I’ll make us some coffee Valentina.” Rising from his spot Viktor unclasped the mask from his face and sat it along side the rest of his work.
Leading Valentina to the kitchen, the Herald already moved to untuck a chair form the small dinning table so that the Escort may sit down as he went to work making the two of them some coffee. “Were you in the area, or did you simply crave seeing me?” A jest by all means, though difficult to tell with the monotonous nature of the Herald’s voice. Between them however it was likely easily noted by the young woman.
Valentina often frequented Viktor’s quarters whenever the feeling of loneliness arose. It was not something she was proud of - feeling lonely, that was - but it was not something she could help either. And as a woman whose time and body were worth thousands... it was hard for her to reach out for company from someone sincere. Harder still was convincing herself that it was even worth it to reach out at all.
But Viktor had always welcomed Valentina in, or rather, he had trouble keeping her out. He cared for her to some degree - to which, she had no idea - and it was enough to draw her back time and again. Even now, when home was begging her to stay, what with her warm bed and large bath, and wine and mead all lined up in cabinets ready for her to drink until morning...
Following the Herald into the kitchen, Valentina took to letting her gaze wander about. The itch to cook something was ever present, if only to keep herself busy and less likely to think about that ache in her chest. But she didn’t move from her spot. Perhaps coffee would be the better answer. And so she sat at the seat pulled out for her and waited.
At Viktor’s prompting, Valentina chewed on her lip. It wasn’t often that the Queen of Whores felt so raw and without control. “A craving, I suppose you could say,” she answered. Her voice was small, fingers tapping at the table as she craned her neck to look where the coffee pot was. The redheaded woman forced a smile. “I have been feeling somewhat restless.”
