Thread: The chill of Frost (3-21 atn:any)

The limo rolled through the heights on the way back from his latest meeting with the cities kindred. Seeing Lisette walking alone through the snow covered streets Tino thought it only polite to stop and offer the siren a ride. He instructed his driver to pull to the curb. The door opens as she is still a good twenty feet behind the car and Constantino steps out. He waits for her song to cease, enjoying the melody.

"Ms. Frost, you'll catch your death out here. May I offer you a ride?" Constantino grinned at her wondering whether she would find his ironic humor to her taste.

Lisette looked up at Tino and smiled, "I believe I have more worry about my death catching me out here sir, but it would be lovely to join you for a short time, but I do get my best ideas out in the snow and frost," winking she chuckled, "And I kind of got used to not many of the city keeping me company for any span of time."

Constantino chuckles. "Well if you get your best idea's walking through the snow and frost then I would hate to impead them. Perhaps you would permit me to join you." Constantino closes the door to the car and makes his way to the side walk offering an arm to her.

"It truly is a pity, that so few in the city recognize your talents. Or wish to be in your company for any period of time. After what you and Cocteau did this past week I would think they would be beating down your door to gain the favor of a rising star."

Lisette laughed, and a colder breeze blew through her, "I do not think that anyone will be beating down my door, though I welcome any who might call upon me and not expect a service," her boot crunched ice lightly, "And as for the matter with Cocteau, I doubt many have actually heard tell of the tale," she looked at Tino, "So what brings you out into the cold tonight? Company, business or perhaps thoughts hounding at your mind?"

A look of surprise crossed her face, "I apologize for that last, I haven't felt exactly myself since that night."

"No need to apologize, I think what you have felt has been quite common. As for why I'm walking with you, I would be lying if I said my intentions were entirely social. But your company alone would get me by should you not want to spend the evening talking business."

Constantino watches as the snow falls through the illumination of street lamp.

"I'll leave it entirely up to you."

Lisette quirked a brow and smiled, "Well then, we'll get business out of the way. Socially I am fine, though nobody wishes to do business with me often," she chuckled, "Apparently I lie."

"So do tell what you could possibly think little old me could do for someone as outstanding as yourself," the last held good humored sarcasm with a smile.

Tino chuckles again. "Very well, business first. When I first drove by you were looking up at the Opera House. My family has a box reserved, but sadly I rarely have reason to attend. So I got to thinking, after your performance with Cocteau last Saturday, the two of you would be a huge draw at the window."

Constantino walks on casually, glancing over occasionally to catch her reactions if any.

"I'm in the process of setting up a charity. This charity will serve two purposes. One gain me and my associates some pull among the citizens, and two pay for the education of some of the less fortunate of our fair city. I'm offering you and Mr. Cocteau the opportunity to be my associates, if you would perform the occasional benefit concert for the charity. The way I see it, it would not only gain the two of you more pull in that world, put would give you more prestige among our kind in the ruling circle of this city."

Constantino finishes his pitch and again looks over to Lisette with a questioning, but polite smile.

Lisette shook her head, smiling, "I was looking at the opera house because I am currently speaking with Laz to procure it, though I do suppose that singing here may be of some use," she felt the music swell in her mind, waiting to break free and demanding her ear, "And though I do not care for making many friends in the higher ranking people in this city, I think a charity is always a good thing, as long as everything you have said is the complete truth," she looked at him, not bothering to hide the questioning look in her eyes.

Constantino looked to the ground a moment and then back up. His eyes widened and his face completely serious. "I can see my reputation may have preceded me. But I assure you my intentions are pure."

Tino folds his hands in front of him and tilts his head slightly to the side.

"As you may know, I recently took a trip. A journey to search my soul, and to lend a hand to..." he pauses and looks around to make sure no one is near "...those who have passed from this life. I wanted to bring them, and their families peace, and at the same time, remember what it meant to be human. I wanted to remember what is was to feel the pain of loss, the joys of love, the fury of betrayal."

The look in his eyes is very genuine, and the astute person would note that he looks much more humane than he did even two short months ago.

"On my travels I came across a child who had been killed in a drive by shooting. His mother, who is still alive, resides in the Marshal-Pitt housing project. Her name is Tenisha. I had the chance to observe her, and could tell she was thinking of taking her own life. She could barely pay the bills, her home was a tiny, broken down whole in the wall, and the only thing which pushed her on had been taken from her needlessly. Her sorrow touched me. Her son's ghost was plotting revenge, he was raising the ire of the gang that killed him, sending them into a trap which would have killed them all, and destroyed the boys psyche. I promised to get his mother out of the pit and into school and a decent job, if he would forgo his vengence."

Constantino smiles genuinely, clearing thinking of the boy.

"He agreed, thankfully. And his mother, Tenisha, is the first on my list to help with my new charity."