Ma Belle Peche [Arlette, Alastair]

"Don't worry about it."

For the first time in the conversation, Arlette had to actually consider the question being asked of her. Not necessarily because of the fact that it was difficult to answer. It was actually incredibly simple, but now she had to contemplate to what degree she would lie to him, if at all.

"I get things done because they have to get done. If it keeps things going, that's what I do. I don't spend time on things if they aren't going to benefit anyone, and I don't see a point in wasting my time antagonizing people. If someone has to die, they die. If they don't, there's no point just letting it happen."

Admittedly, she framed it in a way that made her seem at least marginally more compassionate than she actually was. After all, she didn't really care for anyone or anything. That included her employer, her sister, even the man in front of her. It was a plain life, one of tasks checked off neatly and efficiently, which contrasted quite starkly with Eliane's life of emotional extremes.

In a way, she almost envied the way she went through life so gleefully. Almost.

"I guess I just believe in whatever keeps things going smoothly."

"I am. But isn't everyone? That's just life. Things happen, and we address them. People, tasks, moral issues, they come our way and we handle them however we think is appropriate. Even if I decide to ignore something, that's just how I chose to address it."

If she were a more expressive woman, she might have shrugged, but she simply said it all evenly and with the same purpose she said everything. Arlette noted his getting up to throw away the empty can, and while she thought about offering to do it for him, he'd made it fairly clear that he didn't want to rely on other people. So she watched him, clearly ready to assist if he found himself falling, but not getting up just yet.

"I've been told I'm too pragmatic. Considering I hear it from Eliane, I'm not worried about it."

"That's true. But they still choose how to handle things, even if their choice is colored by their circumstance. I don't claim everyone is free to choose whatever makes them happiest. If they were, the world would be different. I'd say it would probably be better."

The last bit almost didn't leave her mouth, but she decided that it seemed appropriate. And, on some level at least, she agreed. Not necessarily because of any moral reason, but because she didn't agree with the methods of people like Claudia and Eliane. It was asinine, overbearing. People worked better when you didn't put a collar around their necks.

"She's smart, good at what she does. That just makes it worse what a cretin she is."

"If people are free to make their choices, they'll make the ones that are best for them. What's best for them is what's best for the people around them, and society works out in turn."

Arlette watched Alastair with some faint degree of interest, if only because she found it almost curious that he stood so much taller than her. It probably changed the dynamic of the two speaking, but frankly, she didn't care enough to change it.

"I could write a few books with all her needless hostility."

And a few more about all the depravity, but that would definitely be bad for business.

How...forward. That was really the extent of Arlette's assessment on that. Most people wouldn't think to simply ask her, one of the personal bodyguards and liaisons for Claudia Duvalier, to be a "partner." He certainly misunderstood her worldview, Arlette was absolutely certain of that. But, if nothing else, she respected his confidence.

"Sure."

She wasn't the sort to care much for formal contracts, so the thought of any legal paperwork wasn't one that crossed her mind for more than a few seconds. Instead, she simply held out her hand for a shake. To her, that meant far more.

"Partners, then."