Lara Croft had been sitting in the same bar, in the same seat, for the past hour. She simply couldn't stand being in her apartment for another day after being in in for a stretch of three days. For such a young and attractive woman, she was a recluse. The drone of muttering, the occasional shouts from those angry at the Football game, the thick accent of the Irish bartender were metaphorical music to her ears. She hadn't ordered anything to drink yet, though a few men had already sent her drinks, they were sitting stagnant. She pursed her lips, her mind clouded with thoughts even she herself couldn't understand. Her amber eyes scanned the crowd, she knew no one nor wanted to know anyone. Still, sitting alone in this bar, made her feel a little bit useless because she wasn't working. She bit her lip, a nasty habit of hers, which had caused her to bite her lip raw. It was a nervous tick of hers. She ran a hand through her deep brown hair, the slight tangles caught the slim digits of her graceful fingers. When she was a few years younger, her and her friend Sam would go to many of the bars and clubs in London. Even though she was only a few years older, her mind had seemed to grow ten. There wasn't anyone here for her and she noticed a group of women, a bridesmaid's party, she stood up from her booth, forfeiting her seat for them. She pulled up a stool near the corner of the bar. She began tapping her nails on the glossy wooden surface. She looked up at the clock, she should be getting back now, but only a few more minutes.

"Sofia!" Lara said with wide amber eyes, "I never thought you'd be the one to come to London," She said all of this before Sofia mentioned Jacob. The mention of him made her go quiet, she looked down at her combat boots, lip raised in a snarl. She had hated herself for letting him die, she had realized that she had fallen in love. Lara didn't understand the harsh feelings from Sofia, she had saved her tribe. It made the pit of Lara's stomach boil with rage. She let out a huff of air before confronting Sofia about what she had said. "I wouldn't appreciate starting a fight in this bar," She stopped and gave a nod towards the bartender and he slid her a glass of scotch. Lara took a long sip of it, feeling the burning alcohol flowing down her throat. She seemed to slam the glass back down on the table, making an obviously loud noise. She gave an icy stare back to Sofia. "London is a large city, we can both go our separate ways," Her voice was tipped with venom, an obvious coldness in her tone. She clenched her left fist slowly. "Just be careful, you're not as welcome as you think, no one is,"

Dorian laughed a little at the young woman's comment.  "I've trained myself to not get drunk.  I've drank more than Andre the Giant without getting drunk!  Took years, but when you have all the time I do it makes sense to fill it with such trivial things like that.  I've seen what a toll intoxication has on people, almost cost me a million dollars,"  Dorian started to laugh, but continued,  "I believe that was on the Fenn Treasure exploration that one of my men got drunk on the job. That idiot of a man caused the death of everyone else in the expedition, except me, of course, I got away.  Ey, I got all of it though, the treasure, that is.  Wasn't the first time that happened however-"  Dorian stopped himself, a little embarrassed.  "I'm rambling.  Sorry about that, I tend-"  He stopped his speech when sharp pains went up his knee.  "Damn knee, a wonder that I can walk on it though.  My age?  My height?  What I've gone through?  God, its a wonder that I'm alive."  He looked over to the girl, and to his perspective, she was not listening.  You buy a girl 132 dollars of drinks, the least she can do is listen.  Then an idea came into Dorian's head.  He could tell she noticed the coin when he showed it off to that oaf behind the counter, possibly she would like some.  He shuffled around a bit to get to his stash.  "Dorian Richards, at your service, I was so rude not to introduce myself earlier.  I noticed that you saw my coin, but by the look on you're face I'd say you think its fake.  I can assure you that it is real, I believe I found this coin in Tillya Tepe with 20,000 other gold ornaments.  Or perhaps when I was digging in Maharaja of the state of Patiala, no, I found diamonds there.  Oh, where was this from?"  He thought a bit, making a spectacle of himself.   "Ah yes, I got it while I was diving in Israel.  Sorry, when you have gone on as many expeditions as I have they all bundle together."  He leaned towards her, and smirked.  "I'll let you have it if you'd just give me a name.  Such a beautiful face must have a name."  Dorian then turned to see a mortified bar worker.  "If I only knew it was that simple!"  Dorian smiled a fake response, then turned back to the mystery maiden.      

Dorian was somewhat surprised at Lara's actions.  He stumbled back a bit, but soon regained his senses.  This girl has spunk.  She's strong and stubborn as a mule, yet was interested with my treasures perhaps-   Dorian's rather big mouth kicked in before he could finish a complete thought.  That was always a problem of his, talking before thinking.  However, seeing his physical power, talking is the best way out of, or into, conflict.  Dorian was, infant, a genius, however, a talkative genius, but one none the less. Because of his ego, Dorian would never let someone questions his choices; everything he does he does for a reason, like carrying a bag of gold with him, and he is always on the lookout to defend his actions.  "Lara.  Lara, Lara, Lara," every time he said the name, Dorian's voice grew in intensity, "Of corse I have more of this at home.  I carry this much around to wow people like who I thought you would be, and that meathead behind the counter-" The bar worker heard what the old man said, "-and I'd know how to defend myself if held in a stick up, I've killed before.  But you.  You. Interest.  Me.  Never have I met someone, even a man, with as much, how should I put this, power as you have.  The way you studied my coin tells me you are familiar with them, and you physic tells me that you are no, if not no ordinary, historian.  I was thinking about coming out of retirement, adventure once more.  Going on a self-funded expedition,"  Dorian slowed down on "self-funded", yet still sounding as serious as ever.  "I was hopping, strong as you are, you would like to come with me?  50%.  I'll let you sleep on that."  Dorian then checked his watch.  "I hope you'll get back to me, but I have to run, or limp, I've got a flight to catch in an hour.  I would have visited every country after tomorrow, funny I haven't gone to Australia sooner.  Until then, goodbye.  Oh, and keep the hundred pounds, God knows I don't need more money."  Dorian laughed, and began to walk out.  He then turned to Lara's corner.  "Don't get too 'shit-faced', as you said."  With that, Dorian backed out the door, flipping one of his coins to Lara.  Engraved on it, his number.  Everything was falling into place.