Isabella was on an actual day off. She wasn't home in Gotham so it wasn't like she could spend like she would want to, being her true self, relaxing in Robinson Park in her own little Paradise. Part of her considered taking a bus or train to Gotham for the day, but what use would that be? It was early still as these thoughts filled her mind. She had been spending the hour applying a special makeup to cover up her tattoos. She never should have gotten those tattoos when she was younger, then she wouldn't have to go through this annoying task ever day. "Maybe i should ask Maximus for something to make this easier to hide," she said to herself, finally getting the last of the make up on.

Running a hand through her red hair to fix it up, she headed away from the bathroom to go feed her babies, the precious plants that littered her little penthouse suit. Some were fed mice, others small drops of her blood. And then there were the normal ones that just got plant food and water. She sang to them as she fed them, making sure all the blinds were wide open for the plants to get plenty of light before she left for the day. "Good bye, my babies. Mommy won't stay away too long," she cooed before heading out.

Izzy had her glasses on, a pda in her hand to just double check that she had absolutely nothing she had to do today. It was always a good filler activity as she made the trip down to the bottom floor. She was sure if Max needed her, he could simply call her or send her a message. She was always ready for him, at his beck and call. It was almost pathetic, even she knew that, but she needed him. And he needed her, or she liked to think he did. 'Doesn't matter,' she thought to herself as she found her way to the streets.

The direct sunlight on her skin felt good. It felt relaxing to her and she soaked it right up. It made her skin tingle and warm where it was exposed, despite the more frigid temperatures. She hadn't much a clue where she was heading from here, simply enjoying the sunlight. Maybe she would just walk around, maybe she would find something she needed. But for now, walking seemed like a good idea. 'Just relax, today is all about me.'

((Now i know this post is a sucky starter. I'm sorry. But it leaves it very open for literally anything to happen! So hopefully this will give someone a bit of freedom to have some fun with Isabella.))

"So where to first Izzy?"

Maximus asked, leaning against the wall right by where she'd come out. Isabella having a day off sounded like a great idea and Maximus knew that vacations and relaxation were mandatory for anyone trying to stay sane. Even his father would take time off on occasion to relax and reflect. However he himself actually hated being alone. He'd spent his childhood alone and wasn't about to spend his adult life alone. SO he would take time off and spend it with his best friend. Well really his only friend. Sure he was close to the rest of the Gang but often times he saw them as more employees than anything. But Izzy was actually a friend, someone he trusted more than anything. Plus she was easy on the eyes so that was a definite plus.

He was dressed in a black Metropolis Meteors hoody, white T-shirt and some tattered khaki shorts. He finished the whole thing off with some red Chucks and had just painted his nails. He hated dressing like a bum but people loved it. The little guy, founder and principle owner of one of the biggest companies. His hair was a mess, as was usually the case even when he was more dressed up. The last touch was the grills that covered his adamantium fangs. Awkward at first but eventually he got used to it. He knew where she was going, primarily because he always knew where she was. The idea of losing her was too risky so he always kept tabs on her. So he'd had his driver drop him off nearby and decided to wait. Soon enough she came out and then there she was, his green goddess.

"I know a great coffee place around the corner. Organic and everything."

Issy had to admit, she had been a bit surprised to see Max there as she started making her way down the street. His voice almost made her jump. Dammit, he could have warned her that he was going to stop by on her day off- wait... had he been waiting for her this entire time? She wondered how long he had been standing out here. She had stopped walking to look at him, slipping her PDA into the pocket of her jean pockets. A slight chill raced through her, but she would live. It wasn't like the temperature was that much of a bother to her, so long as she was able to get some of that sweet sunlight into her pores and stay hydrated. Yes, she would be just fine. She always was. The smallest of smiles were pulling at the corners of lush, red lips. While it was something of a shock, yes, she was also oh so pleased to know that she wouldn't be alone on this day. There was usually no one better to spend her days with than Max. Well, at least not when she was in New York. In Gotham, however, she much preferred being alone with her plants or spending the evenings with the only other real friend she had: Melody Talent, the unknowing daughter of her dear 'Aunt' Harleen.

"Well good morning Mister Regem. This is such a surprise," she mused. It was kind of weird for her, seeing him just waiting. But she figured even big bad wolves like him got lonely, too. She wasn't about to complain, though. She could use the company after all. "I wasn't headed anywhere in particular, really. I just needed a bit of sun to help keep me feeling alive." She turned her face up towards the clouds a moment as if to enunciate her point. Oh, the sun really did feel oh so good on her skin. Almost as good as the water from her shower earlier that morning. She could still feel the tingling from that right under her skin, down to her very bones.

He made mention of am organic coffee shoppe and her interests were piqued. She had a preference for organic foods and drinks, none of that poisoned and processed slime that most of these feeble humans seemed to eat. "Oh, you had me at Organic. Would you please mind leading the way? I must assess this little coffee shoppe myself. Especially if it claims to be organic." Despite the fact that their relationship, by all means, should have been strictly business based, there was no denying their closeness. She offered him her arm with a smile and gestured for him to lead the way. "And before I forget, what on Earth are you doing out here, anyway?"

He enjoyed seeing the look of conservative surprise. Sure most who didn't know her likely wouldn't pick up on that. However, he knew Izzy like the back of his hand. He was intimate with her every mannerism. While not as intimate as he might like to be, truly only time would tell. He smiled and nodded his head. He was glad she enjoyed his idea of the coffee shop. Of course he knew her weaknesses. That was primarily where all the organic food and strange ancient plant samples came from.

"This is anything but official Izzy, no need to that whole Mr. Regem nonsense. You know I prefer Max."

Which was mostly true. Sure, he'd occasionally answer to Mr. Romuluson, but he preferred Maximus. of course her calling him Maximus would lead to all kinds of strange accusations and other random rumors. So he'd settle for Max and he'd settle for calling her Izzy. Sure he could be professional, but today wasn't about that, it was about having fun.

"Well its claims seem backed up."

He said taking her arm in his and walking down the sidewalk with her. It was such a simple move and would mean nothing to most. However to them it was pretty much as close as they allowed themselves to be. He was well trained to maintain his emotions and leave himself a blank slate and leave others wondering. However when he was near her in this sort of scenario he felt the slight hint of a smile always under the surface. All it would take is the right word or movement and he'd be smiling like a fool and he couldn't have that.

"I've been looking into them as a potential local advertiser."

Such a simple statement that to most would be nothing more than business. Of course to him, and hopefully to her it spoke volumes. It said he would never risk exposing her to anything non-organic. He, well maybe not loved, truly cared for her. He knew what non-organic did to her and would never risk it. He let out a light, polite chuckle as she asked why he was there.

"Well your mention of a day off sparked an idea in me. I realized I've never really had a day off in some weeks. I mean sure, maybe an hour or so myself. But going like that can't be good for me. I'd hate to see you helping a bed ridden CEO. Unless you were wearing a skimpy nurse's uniform. In which case I have been feeling sick lately."

He said with a laugh and playful nudge. Of course he would never get sick. One explosion and he was over. Not to mention if he WAS sick, he'd refuse to let it show. As they walked he opened the door for a little coffee shop for her. It had a very 'Indie' vibe and seemed to enjoy the hue of blue.

"Not bad, although I'm partial to green myself."

He said with a wink as he walked and stood in line. When they got up to the counter he smiled his usual polite photogenic smile.

"Tall dark chocolate turtle mocha for me, and my lovely companion will have..."

He said, setting it up for her to order.

There is no such thing as justice

"Yes, I know you prefer Max. I suppose I'm just far to used to being formal about it all. Especially when day in and day out, i'm calling you Mister Regem." She paused for a moment to watch him, examine him. She certainly knew that it wasn't formal, by the way he was dressed alone. Nothing about that said 'formal'. But did that really matter? For eight years, they've been friends. The best of friends in fact. Should she really be this surprised by him stopping by on her rare days off? The only time they really spent real time apart was when she was in Gotham, and that was because she wasn't necessarily his Issy while she was there. No, she was a very different Isabella, or so she liked to think that she was. "Anyone can say that they're claims are backed up, doesn't mean they aren't paying some bums to say that they're stuff is as great as they think it is."

Sometimes when she made gestures like this, she wondered, worried even, that some camera might seemingly find them and, well, she couldn't have pictures like that floating around. Because, personally, she would then just want to force some pretty little ivies and vines down their gullets until flowers start to grow out of their skin. But that probably wouldn't be the right thing to do. Still, this was always nice, it was the only person, aside from maybe Melody, that she was close with. And even then, Max came before her. "Oh, I get it. This was more of a work call than a 'I just wanted to hang out with you' call, isn't it?" she teased. Not that she really minded it that much. No, it gave her something to actually do today, after all. She really couldn't be that upset by it in the end.

She wished that she could hold back the laugh that escaped her as he said that. "Me in a skimpy nurse's outfit, huh?" she asked with a chuckle. "I don't know, I think that would actually cost you a little. Like a date or two. Oh, and what would the board think if they thought that you and me were... roleplaying?" She winked at him, though. "Besides, I wouldn't let you get sick, even if you started trying to work yourself half to death." Though she isn't quite sure that he could honestly do that. No, she's pretty sure that he probably couldn't actually get sick. Though she could be wrong. She's not too sure how she would feel about being a glorified nurse, though.

She stepped into the shop before him as he held the door for her. The scent was pretty delightful, actually. The whole vibe of the place, she loved. The whole indie thing was weird to some, but honestly, she embraced it entirely. "They really could use a bit more green, but the blue isn't too bad, I don't think," she said, glancing around. She was almost oblivious to the wink, because honestly, she was more focused on the delightful scents that swirled around the shop. She heard his order and almost said she would have the same thing before deciding that she'd just steal a sip from his. Whether he allowed her to or not, that was another story entirely. I'll just try a pumpkin spice latte. I know it's no longer the holidays, but it sounds just so very delicious right now."

580	@maximus
x3

All the best that we can hope for is revenge

✿

While he did prefer being called Mr. Regem, it wasn't his desired name. He'd rather she could call him Maximus or even Mister Romuluson. However that simply wasn't the case, yet. Sure she called him Maximus all the time when they were alone, but that was when they were alone. He sometimes regretted needing to hide his true self. He was a villain, an evil mastermind and an heir to a dynasty of shadows and manipulation. But for now the world would need to see him as Maxwell Regem, CEO and founder of FriendLink. Not a terrible legacy. Of course eventually an accident would befall Maxwell, a terrible motor accident of some sort. Massive tragedy and then he could go on and eventually take his place as Maximus, The Lupine King.

"Yes, of course Izzy. Which is why I felt it best to check it out on my own."

He said with a laugh. Then she made a comment that actually wounded him. Of course he didn't show it. He knew better than to show any sort of emotion. It was dangerous and could be exploited by the wrong people.

"Of course not Izzy. I had business to attend to and I knew you were in the area. And anytime I get to spend time with my best friend and an incredibly beautiful woman is just fine with me. Plus we rarely spend anytime together outside of the office."

Well not exactly the truth, it wasn't far from it either. Usually they were working together in the office or as King and Queen of Hearts. It wasn't often they got to just be Maximus and Isabella, two people enjoying the day. As she retorted to his comment about the uniform he laughed. it was an honest laugh and the sort of response he'd have expected from her.

"Well if the uniform is the issue then you don't need to wear it. Besides, most of the board already assumes we're sleeping together. Of course we haven't exactly done anything to dissuade that sort of talk. Then again people assuming I'm sleeping with someone like you isn't the worst rumor for me. However should it annoy you, just say the word."

While the rest went unspoken it didn't need to be. What he was basically saying was that if she wanted him to, and they annoyed her, he'd kill them with absolutely no regard for the fall out. Replacing board members would take no time. Stock was rising and everyone was on FriendLink. Plus if anyone ever made Izzy uncomfortable he'd be fine killing them. They were reprehensible yes men anyways that provided nothing. Of course he did also assume that she would indeed prevent him from doing anything too severe. She looked out for him, which despite what he says, is something he may actually need.

He paid for their drinks and moved over to wait for them with her. He continued to take everything in, using his senses. They seemed to know what they were doing. He didn't smell any severe chemicals. Of course that might just mean they were less extreme. The rules for 'organic' and 'green' seemed to get more and more lax as time went on. He hated that, it took away from the nature of it.

"Should I be surprised you wanted pumpkin?"

He asked with a laugh. Of course it was a reference to the fact that she always went for plant based items in anything. Something that always confused him actually. But he'd never question it, primarily because the answer would likely be confusing. As their drinks were finished he grabbed them both and led her to a small table near the window.

"So what do ya think so far?"