Oliver Burton

Abigail seemed to declare almost too happily that he wouldn't remember who she was, quick to explain that was alright! What an odd woman and yet, he couldn't seem to shake that familiarity. It wasn't like he knew many people outside of his work, he kept his social circles small, he chose it to be that way. He preferred that bittersweet comfort of solitude, to relish in silence and listen to what others mostly tuned out and ignored. He watched vigilantly as she pulled out one of the containers that held the contents that gave off that delicious aroma, how it teased his senses. Perhaps it was the scents that made him forget himself for a moment, or maybe it was just how terribly disarming she was.

How excited she seemed by this very notion that someone did his food shopping bidding. It was hardly surprising but more a convenience and perhaps even a necessity for the man's strenuous schedule. How did she do it? How could she remain so chipper and excited at life itself, even the smallest of things seemed to keep her eager and filled with joy. "Yes, I pay someone to go for me and prepare some dinners during the week." Matter of fact, plain and simple. In fact, he rarely saw this person who did his mundane chores in his city home, she was a retired woman who loved to food shop and cook.. She hardly saw her and he preferred it that way, not that he disliked the woman, he just wanted peace and quiet when he returned to his home. She simply dropped off the food, storing it in the fridge and cupboards without a trace of being there with the exception of his kitchen being full. The idea of giving someone a key left him entirely uneasy, he didn't like the idea of someone being able to rummage through his apartment when there was an ever growing pressure from the man that wanted his family obliterated off the face of the planet. She mentioned a food shopping buddy. He then considered the notion of such a person. He never considered such a thing before, he was content to rarely go at all. "Hmm, perhaps you can. Besides, isn't that what friends do? To go to places with?" His words were asked more in question, he didn't really have experience with the notion of friendship and closeness. The concept of it seemed so foreign he had never entertained the idea. On the other hand, she probably had no problem with making friends, especially, with that bubbly attitude towards life.

Some of that frowning harshness laced with certain skepticism faded from his eyes at realization just who she was. Only a soulless bastard could maintain that expression. Yes, she was the very one who chased all the fish away so that even with his powers, he couldn't seem to catch even one. "Yes! You might have not intended to ambush me.. but you ambushed every single remaining fish into hiding. I think they heard you coming for miles." He shook his head back and forth in disbelief, eyeballing that succulent looking fish, his senses entirely distracted by that food before him. His inner bear could hardly help wondering what it tasted like even if it wasn't raw, it was simply taunted by the hunger that overtook him.

How could her animal even survive if she was either tumbling out of trees or chasing any kind of food away? It was a good thing she was not just a panda, he came to that conclusion decidedly. Or the animal kingdom would have chewed her up and spat her bones out a long time ago. The thought in itself felt upsetting to her.

Then with impossibly large eyes that seemed to glitter, nudging that food towards him whilst declaring that she made it better. This was supposed to be an apology. A reluctant sigh escaped him, it would be an impossible feat to be angry at this strange creature. "Yes, I suppose you did." He couldn't suppress a diminutive hint of a smile. "But you ought to know how to actually catch one. One day, even with a fishing rod." He nodded firmly. She needed some kind of survival instincts, even just a few to keep in her back pocket, it just might keep her alive one of these days. It were those instincts he had drilled into him from such a young age it was natural.

He noted the longing way she peered out the tinted large window behind him, as if she longed to be outside. That was when she poised her question to venture outside to eat this meal. For a moment he considered the top of the building, he had built an oasis of sorts when he needed a moment away from the office. But that hardly felt away enough for him now, his limbs ached to be used, his mind needed a complete change of scenery. After that frustrating telephone conversation and too many looming threats hovering over his head, actually getting out of the office seemed like a necessity. It seemed to bring a certain vigor of approval as the woman's features lit up like sunlight incarnate. She said it would be fun, but he wasn't entirely convinced how fun as his inner bear often had a mind of his own, maybe with a full stomach he would be in a much better mood. It was certainly a much needed distraction from these confining four walls. Oliver huffed, claiming she was unbelievable. The comment was more something he thought, but it slipped from his lips regardless. She seemed to perk up at the comment with such outrage that it caught him off guard. Surprise flashed upon his face for a moment, she was really getting riled at that comment that was an idle remark of disbelief.

He was still firmly set in his belief that she was unbelievable. Somehow, this woman had carftily hunted him down in his human form, brought a bag of lunch and managed to make him abandoned all his pressing obligations. This was absolute sorcery. The dark haired man debated of explaining himself or not. He leaned back into his plushy office chair, decided on a vagueness. "I can't believe a panda bear I met in the woods was able to track me down here, to bring me food to apologize.. Just to ask a question... It must be a really big question." The smooth lilt of his accent rang clear, his expression pensive but unwavering. How she reminded him of his sister when she had her mind fixated on something. No matter how crazy the idea or implications of her actions.

Oliver rose from his desk, relieving the sweet ache from his muscles and joints, ready to leave for the park so they could indulge in that food she brought. His inner bear all but protested. He wanted to eat NOW. He didn't want to wait, to walk to that fancy park to gorge himself. It was the woman's words that garnered his attention once more, Abby admitted she hadn't been to this part of town. He wasn't entirely surprised considering she said she didn't like all the people. It was surprising he was here either, but honestly so high up in the sky, he was near untouchable. Not a single soul dared to bother him... well until today. He glanced at the time nonchalantly, it was well past normal lunch hours. "It shouldn't be too busy this time of day, so I think we are safe from too many people. But I assure you, there is not too much to see down here, besides the park.. unless you care for shopping." He uttered rather easily, nonchalantly.
Questions, yes, he had a few of his own. Like one that stuck in the forefront of his mind. "Yes I have a few.. like how you found me?" Was it all on her own? He had hired people who weren't even that skilled. Maybe she had a little help? Surely she couldn't have just sniffed him out in this city, over the gasoline of cars, pollution, and cocktail of scents it would have been near impossible. "I want to hear about it while we walk." He declared, knowing there had to be a story to tell, he stretched his aching limbs, feeling them crack and settle.

He intended to leave that forsaken office behind with no intentions of returning, at least until the following day, he even left his briefcase behind. He had enough for today and well, he was the boss, he could do whatever he pleased. "I'll take those.." he reached out for the bag containing their food, then placed his free guiding hand upon the small of her back gently. Perhaps there was a protective way he did so, to shield her from the two secretaries that watched their interactions with an intentness of a predator. That was the whole benefit of being the boss was it not? He could do whatever he damn well pleased. Not that he really indulged in that perk all that often.

He ignored the look on the secretaries faces and their full on gawking. They were strained in their forced politeness, wishing them a good lunch. He would never understand their motives, at least they were competent at their jobs. That was all he cared about. He guided the auburn haired woman toward the elevators and avoid the ridicule of those woman that almost reminded him of a vulture circling. Once the elevator dinged, he walked on, holding the door for her, waiting for her before pressing the button that would take them to the main floor and to freedom. Within the elevator he leaned up against a ledge clad in glass, crossing his arms. "Now tell me how you sleuthing abilities found me, I'm not an easy person to find." He raised a brow.. Sleuthing, stalking? He wasn't sure, but either way he couldn't say he minded all that much.