Dirk had hoped to never see Madeline again. She’d ripped his heart out, after all. Even if it had allowed him to finally see her for the monster she really was, it had still hurt like hell. Seeing her here of all places brought that pain swiftly back.
“Well, Dirk, I certainly didn’t expect to see you here,” Madeline said, taking a sip at the martini held delicately within slim fingers. “Decided to give the elites a chance, after all?”
Dirk was almost sick at the thought, but he couldn’t exactly say he was here to topple the elite society altogether, could he?
“Oh, you know,” he said, “came across a few elite tokens here and there, decided to make my way up and see what it’s all about. I figured I’d try and sell some of these guys on commercial LED lighting for businesses since renewable energy is making a bit of a comeback.”
Madeline raised a brow. “Is it now? Strange, given we live in a place with no light or wind. How are they producing this renewable energy?”
Dirk swallowed, trying to think of a way he could wriggle out of this conversation. “Beats me,” he said, “but it’s legit. They’re even thinking about bringing a government solar rebate back.”
“Oh, why don’t you tell me more about that, Dirk?” Madeline said, clutching his shoulder with her sharp claws. “Come, let’s walk and talk. The air outside is stale, given we’re in a giant cavern, but we can pretend it’s fresh for old times’ sake.”
For old times’ sake? They hadn’t ever stood together in the fresh air, given they had only gotten together after the Collapse. Something odd was going on here. It couldn’t just be a coincidence that she was here. Sure, he wouldn’t put it past her to weave her way into elite society, given her taste for the finer things, but more than chance had led to this encounter, he was sure of it.
Although he wanted nothing more than to be away from her, curiosity lured him in. “Alright Madeline, lead the way.”