Ink

Chapter 2

My interview with Thomas Burke was anything but normal. Instead of asking me questions pertaining to my future, or what my skills were, he asked me what my favorite color was, and if I was better suited in Gold or Silver. After the first question had been asked I glanced over at Klaus, who was sitting on the couch on the other side of he room on his phone, before involuntarily answering green.

"Interesting."Mr. Burke took a few notes down on his paper."What shade?"

What a peculiar question. I thought. Better yet, what a peculiar man.

Mr. Burke had a burgundy suit on with a black undershirt and a burgundy bow tie to match. His black square glasses framed his violet eyes, and from under the table I could hear his black dress shoes click together at he heels. For being an older immortal, Mr. Burke certainly knew how to dress to impress, and I had to hand it to him that he had a way with color.

"Ms. Nixon."My focus is back on the situation at hand."Do you need me to repeat the question?" His eyes glint with amusement and he smiles genuinely.

"No Mr. Burke." Okay, so maybe I needed a moment more to figure out what shade of green I liked more.

We both turn our heads when Klaus coughs loudly.

"Don't mind me. I have something caught in my throat." He waves us off and returns to his phone.

I don't believe it for a second.

"Anyway, where were we Alliana?"

"My favorite shade of green, Mr. Burke, is forest green, or any darker shade really."

"Oh no Alliana, you don't mean that." His head turns to the side.

"I'm not sure what you mean Mr. Burke." I say suddenly nervous. Had I said something wrong?

"Any darker shade of green could range from emerald to kelly, and that's simply too much variation for a favorite color."

"I've never thought of it like that Mr. Burke."

"Most don't, so I won't check the box here that says that you're indecisive. But for future reference, give a strong answer, be specific about your likes and dislikes, if you're vague about what you like, then how is anyone to know you won't be vague about your dislikes as well?"

The smile that reaches my face is full of appreciation.

He laughs and then closes his notebook."Oh child I already adore you! I'm sure you'll ensure the success of our majesty's international finances, and if what your file says is true, if you can't, I'm not sure who else would be able to."

"Are you saying-"

"That you've passed the test."Interrupts Klaus. "Yes."

"Precisely." Says Mr. Burke as he stands to shake my hand."It was a pleasure talking to you."

"It's not often that I meet someone with as amazing of a fashion sense as you Mr. Burke."

"Oh child!"Mr. Burke hurries around his large semi-circle desk and wraps his smaller frame around me, he smells of expensive cologne and fabric softener. "You've just made your first ally."

Ally? I wonder as he releases me and hands Klaus the paperwork he's just filled out.

"Take care, I'm sure I'll see you soon."

"Come Alliana." Klaus says and places a hand on my back."We have lunch scheduled for ten." A shiver runs down my spine and I'm suddenly confronted with all the same emotions I felt in the car. I step forward to remove his touch, and clear my head of his thoughts and to my surprise I'm already outside of Mr. Burke's office.