Wen folded her arms across her chest. She began taping the nails of her right hand against the upper portion of her left arm, while scowling at the much shorter Mel. Who was ignoring her now completely with a smug expression tattooed upon his face.

With an exasperated huff she threw her arms apart dramatically scowling harder.

“Drama queen” Mel half whispered to her with a sneer while looking at her sidelong with an air of confidence and superiority that she had never seen in the dwarf.

“I’LL…” Wen’s hands shot forward reaching toward the dwarf’s throat menacingly. Then stopped short seeing he wasn’t budging, while still eyeing her sidelong. She couldn’t fathom where he was getting his bravo from.

“Fine! We’ll play it your way.” Wen huffed. “But when things go sideways and the company comes for us, I’m throwing you to the wolves claiming brainwashing.”

Mel turned to look at her move straight on. “Well then.” He began looking once again at his marred nail. “When things work out, I’m taking all the credit!” He finished looking up to her from his nail with a massive smile.

The two stood deadlocked staring at each other one in contempt the other in arrogant confidence.

“Ahem.” A voice whispered to the pair from the jarred open door.

The two turned to face Kelly who looked between the pair, her face openly displaying curiosity about the pairs obvious tiff.

Both Mel and Wen turned instantly to professional smiles, large enough to scare a toddler into sobs.

“Ah! Sorry, sorry my dear!” Mel started.

Kelly looked to him while he spoke. Her face still showing the question she wanted to know the answer to. But would not get.

“Are you two lovely ladies finished then?” Mel asked beaming brightly his voice raising an octave near the end.

Kelly took a quick glace at Wen’s smile as it shifted to a more nature one. Whether forced or not Kelly couldn’t tell. Then looked back to the short man before her, her head still hanging out the partially open door.

“Yes, we are.”

“Wonderful. Lovely even!” Mel reached for the door opening it exposing Kelly fully. “Come then lass, lets see about you getting your dream home then.” He gestured ahead for her to lead the way back.

As the two walked back toward his desk Mel turned and short Wen a smug wink before the door could close blocking her fully from sight.

He moved around to his cheap plastic chair, sitting just after Kelly took her seat.

“Now then let’s take a look at our new prospects shall we.” He hummed to himself quietly pulling the papers in and starting to go over them.

Kelly looked at Trish with a small side glance.

Trish, knowing the look was coming, gave a small shrug and kept smiling softly at the short man before her.

*

The door opened letting a cool mountain gust blow in from the outside briefly. They could all hear Wen cross the room to seat herself again behind her desk.

Wen watched John answer his questionnaire with concise speed. It was as if he had done this a hundred times. His handwriting, well, printing really, was blocky and architecturally perfect. It was as if a machine was preforming the task, not the human before her.

Once again Wen began to worry. This man was too inexplicable. He gave Wen the shivers. He was obviously human. With her years of experience working with the company she could ‘feel’ it. Yet he was such an anomaly. Too perfect in action yet so imperfect as a personality.

A cold sweat began to form at the base of her spine. He was company! He had to be. Human or not. She needed to get him away from whatever foolery Mal had in store.

“Excuse me John.” Wen almost pleaded, her voice starting with a crack and too high in tone at first.

Wen cleared her throat with a small cough and smiled at John with practiced ease.

“Sorry, John.” Wen began again. “I was wondering if you would like more privacy and maybe the two of us could walk over to the coffee shop.”

John stopped. Looked up at Wen. Her smile seeming natural as could be. But there it was. He saw the tinniest little tick in the corner of her left eye. He looked around taking in the room completely.

Nothing stood out.

Once his gaze had fallen upon the now close to sweating Wen. “Is there something the matter?”

“Ah… no.” Then she picked up speed forcing herself to calm down. Even if he was company, AND that little rat over there was going to “Screw the pooch” as they said here, none of his hairbrained scheme was her fault. “I was just wondering if you needed more privacy is all. Some clients find it more comforting to talk about more personal things in a private setting.” Wen finished feeling better about the whole thing, feeling more calmed and natural. Letting her years of sales experience come to the front.

John continued to look at her for a second before shrugging. The first normal thing she had seen him do yet!

“I’m fine here.” He said simply and went back to filling out his paperwork.

*

Mel was mumbling as her went through the two girls’ questionnaires, smiling increasingly as he went along. Nodding here and there.

Kelly and Trish simply sat back trying to make the chairs as comfortable as possible. Each trying to ignore Wen and John. Hoping to give them privacy and hoping for the same in return.

“Wonderful!” Mel clapped his hands together with glee.

The two girls jumped slightly, each brought back from their own introspections.

“Oh dear! I’m so sorry ladies.” Mel blushed a bit. “Here, I will make it up to you! For being so rude as to make the two nicest lasses this side of the Rockies jump in fright I promise, No I swear I shall break my back getting you everything you desire!” Mal wiggled a bit in his chair as he said this.

“One thing though.” Mel leaned forward smile fading slowly. “I don’t see any income here just yet. I was wondering how you two intended to finance such an endeavor?”

“Finally.” Kelly breathed softly, getting a light punch from Trish. Mel’s eyes going between the two wondering.

“Ah haha.” Trish waved her hands in a shooing motion toward Mel. “Its nothing. Kelly is just impatient to move forward. That’s all. Right Kel?” Trish turned to her friend, Mel’s eyes following along.

Kelly blushed a bit feeling all eyes on her. “Right sorry. Just me being me.” Kelly smile thinly.

“Anyway!” Trish bounced in her chair a bit fully facing Mel getting his attention immediately. “Our parents,” Trish made a motion with her thumb between her and Kelly. “Are helping us out. They will pay the down payment and finance all costs until we can purchase the house from them ourselves once we get on our feet properly.” Trish drew in a breath and continued. “You see Kelly here as you, I am sure read, is going to be a vet. Which is why the country house with land. She is specializing in large animals. And” She paused briefly. “We intend to own a few of our own animals.” Trish finished with a bright smile at Kelly. Pride for her friend showing through.

Kelly’s blush grew back redder at the attention Trish was laying on.

“Lovely!” Mel let out, almost too loudly, leaning back in his chair. “Right then. Going over your information, you miss Collins, are to be a lawyer? Any specialty fields?”

“Criminal law.” Trish answered without pause her smile never fading.

“ Ranger or druid and a…” Mel’s whisper too himself faded off noticing the girls’ intense looks trying to catch what he was saying.

“Ahh, sorry.” He recovered with a grin, which was for the first time, looking more corporate salesman and less happy go lucky.

Which was not lost on either girl it seemed as they both tightened up just a bit.

Catching his mistake Mel’s smile flowed into a more natural caring smile so fast it was like the girls had dreamed the change. Still, Kelly shivered a bit, like someone was walking on her grave.

“So, I see here you wish for a lovely country style home, or even log cabin style. With at least 1,800 square feet. Large kitchen.” Mae nodded as if this was obvious, drawing weak smiles from the two girls. “Hmm…” Mal leaned back in his chair. His weight shifting as to cause the front legs to leave the floor slightly, facing the ceiling.

Kelly and Trish looked to one another. Both shrugged not knowing what to make of the odd man. He seemed nice, but there was just this… well, feeling like they needed to be careful.

“I’ve got it!” Mel’s chair clacked into the floor. Once again causing the two girls who seemed to be in telepathic communication to jump again.

Red as a beat Mel sputtered apologies again. Even going as far as to lightly slap himself.

“Sorry lasses. I’m just so excited! I know just the place! And the best part?” He leaned forward pulling the two closer as if her were a gravitational force, his voice lowering to a whisper, as if it they were conspiring. “It just so happens to be near the foot of the mountain.” Mel leaned back. The girls pulled forward as if more information would be forthcoming before being released to sit back upright. Both stared off, seeming to be lost in a vision of their own.

Mae grinned and waited for the two to come back to their senses. He felt a bit bad. Then he looked down at his nail and huffed. Healthcare! He mentally intoned.

The two girls came back to themselves at the same time. Mel was a bit surprised. He expected them to be daydreaming a bit longer yet.

“We’d love to see it!” They chimed together, both jumping slightly, looking at each other and grinning. “Owe me a Beer!” they again chimed as one punching each other.

Mel chuckled lightly. These two held promise. Strong wills, caring hearts, and full of life.

“Course ye can lasses.” Mel’s accent slipping in as he relaxed a bit too much. Suddenly hoping he sounded ‘European’ to the girls.

Trish looked to Kelly. Then without words. They turned to Mel.

“When can we see the house?” Kelly asked. As if they had discussed who would be the voice.

“When you wish to see the house, I would be happy to hire us a car to take us there. It will be about a four-hour ride there and back. As it’s outside this realm.” Mel smiled folding his hands together atop the desk smiling.

“Realm?” Kelly asked head tilting to one side slightly.

“Course lass. It is, after all, near the foot of the mountain.” Mel said simply. Keeping eye contact face calm and pleasant.

“Oh, you mean outside the city?” Trish entered into the conversation with her question.

“Oh yes, it is outside of the city. That is my meaning.” Mel lit up with a very honest smile even devils would be charmed by.

Kelly nodded slightly. Eyes slightly down thinking to herself.

Mel seeing her introspection cut in fast.

“Just let me know when you two lovely ladies wish to see your future home! I would be more than happy to show you your new property.” Then a thought struck him. “After all, with your parents as backers, this house will easily be within your means.”

He watched Kelly. She seemed to come out of her funk again once he brought up the money issue. He understood instantly. His not talking about money issues seemed to be setting something off in the girl. While Trish nodded more trusting. He needed to be more careful.

One took his pitch as a matter of course, thinking that the money issue was being pushed aside to make the deal easier. Trusting him. The other seemed stuck on the fact he was being too loose about the money issue. Wondering what the catch was.

That one would keep them honest he thought looking to Kelly.

“Ok,” Mel straightened up. “I will draw up the papers. Then we will need to do a financial check.” Mel seeing Kelly more engaged now went on. “I will send you home with all the paperwork you need to get the ball rolling. Once it is filled out and we have the banks pre-approval.” He stopped here holding his hands up in a small calming motion. “Not that I am unwilling to show you two the property ahead of time mind you. It’s just that I know you will fall in love with it at first sight. It is move in ready, and if all works out, wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to spend the night there. Instead of going home and having to wait longer. This may seem a bit unusual. But, life is for living not dreaming. I would love to see you two lasses living out your dream instead of waiting for it. Call it a surprise from me to you. I know you will love it!” He finished his pitch leaning forward slightly smiling warmly hands folded on the desk again seeming more like a caring friend than a salesman.

Kelly and Trish had stars in their eyes by the time Mel finished his speech. Damn he was crappy with words. But he was damn good with glamours. Small charm spells were one of his specialties. And if mastered, never left traceable magic.

Mel just sat back grinning inside like an imp playing with its favorite torture device.

Both girls nodded as one.

Weird how they synchronized up every time just after he used his charms.

Mel Finished up getting the pertinent forms ready. Finance applications, and legal documents drawn up. Trish asked for a copy so she could go over them at home. Mel readily agreed and sent the two hopeful and bouncing young woman on their way with a smile and a promise to set up a showing the minute everything cleared.

Once he was done, Mel looked over to Wen. John was gone a while already.

“He decided to go elsewhere?” Mel asked Wen.

“Huh?” Wen looked up from the papers she had in front of her.

“That fellow you were with. He wasn’t here too long. Did you send him away? Was he with the company?” Mal inquired.

“No…” Wen looked down again at the paperwork. “It was odd.”

Mel sat down across from her at her desk.

“He was looking for something rural, did not care about price as much as location. Hell, he did not even ask about cost.” Wen looked up at Mel speaking to him like she just noticed him. “I swear he knew what we were.” Wen hesitated. “Yet I feel it in my bones that he is not company.” She leaned back exasperated. “He was strange you know. He felt like what they call around here an old soul. Not personable, yet neat and precise. He knew exactly what he wanted and did not care about cost.” Wen shook her head. “But if he knew what we were, he sure didn’t let on.” Wen trailed off eyes looking far away in thought.

“Hey!” Mel snaped his fingers causing Wen to start.

“He is fucking creepy. I will be glad when he is gone.” Wen shivered.

“So, what did you tell him about us?”

“Nothing yet. I did not get that far yet. I told him I would have a few properties for him to view in the next few days while I check his financials.” Wen shrugged. “After all it’s not like you let me in on your big plan.”

“Well, it’s simple really.” Mel leaned back into the chair.

“I told them it was not in this realm, and they were ok with it.”

“What? They were ok with moving to another world just like that?” Wen seemed surprised.

“Well not exactly. I said it was not in this realm they assumed that meant town because of my European heritage. And who am I to argue with a client.” Mel grinned.

Wen’s jaw slacked a bit as she stared at Mel, John completely forgotten now.

“You know that is not going to fly with management!” Wen almost seethed.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Mel smiled at her. “I explained they accepted. It may seem like a loophole, and I did look through the manual!” Mel put up a hand to forestall her questions. “As long as I let them know they are going to a different realm and they are ok with that, there is not small or defining print saying I have to push understanding. In fact, I wonder if that was left open on purpose for us to use on the dafter individuals.” Mel smiled and shrugged.

“They didn’t seem too daft Mel.” Wen asked with a hard voice.

“No, they were quite smart really. The one was even a bit hesitant.” Mel shrugged again. “Still.” He put his arms behind his head and leaned back as if basking in glory. “Win for me! And let’s be honest. We can use some smart ones out there.”

Wen blew a hair out of her eyes. “I don’t like it.” She eyed him again then sighed. “Yet we need closures.” Mel grinned at Wen at her seeming acquiescence. “But!” She butted in before he could get too full of himself. “If this comes back to bite us in the ass, I will feed you feet first to an acid slime!”

Mel waved her worries away and smiling went back to his desk.

Healthcare would once again be his!

Mel then got up and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Wen asked him.

“To get my nails done of course! I smell a raise coming!”

With that Mel bounced out the door leaving Wen to shake her head. She laid it down in her arms on the table praying Mel did not just screw up again.