New Orleans By Night

[Slick]

Butch’s Bar

Hole in the Wall might have been too kind for “Butch’s Bar”, off of Burgundy Street in the French Quarter. It was off the beaten path, past the usual tourist spots and closer to nefarious corners. Most people stumbled into it by accident, drifting down the alley none the wiser. They usually stayed for a drink, usually less. If they tried to pay with card, they were run off for wasting the bartender’s time.

The entrance rested halfway down the alley, a neon OPEN sign casting its blinking beacon just within the alley, and the angle of that narrow pathway, barely large enough for a cab, kept it from being seen from the main drag of Burgundy. The bulb in the alley was busted, casting shadows upon that entryway.

Within was a narrow strip. The door opened out and patrons were funneled in through a foot of sturdy wood, and then opened up with an old-school cigarette machine to the right, and an empty bar stool for security to the left. Booths that say only 2 people lined the wall behind the cigarette machine, and maybe five feet across was the bar lined with stools. Everything was old and wooden; the wall decorations old and faded, rarely anything in the past decade put up to replace it. An old box style TV sat poached up in the corner of the bar, above the swinging door that lead into the back, while various neon beer signs buzzed within, providing most of the lighting.

Russ, resident ghoul and bartender of Butch’s, sat behind the bar, going over that day’s crossword. He was old, and gaunt, with greying bond hair pulled back in a pony tail. His hand idled between his pen and the tallboy on the bar, wiping the condensation on his Skynard t-shirt.

An older, fatter man in overalls sat against the wall at the end of the bar, his head in his arms. Past him, there was barely enough room at the back of the bar for people to play darts, though if anyone opened one of the bathroom doors, it would disrupt a throw.

That was “Butch’s Bar” on any given night. If there were more than five people on any given occasion, Butch himself would have been surprised. Of course, that had been by design. He hadn’t wanted a swanky joint like most gangsters, a place where he could shmooze like a politician. He just wanted a little dive, a place not his haven to have a chat. Something tucked away from civilization— but not too far. There was no sign that designated this place as his — anyone that mattered knew who it belonged to, at least in the Brujah’s eye.


Russ’s hand on the bar drifted below the bar nonchalantly while the other tapped the crossword with his pen idly, pale hues shifting casually over to Maya as she entered. A practiced motion that would be glanced over by the less observant. When she came to sit down, he was reaching back up to grab the tall boy beer and take a swig. His disaffected gaze hid the scrutiny over her character. The fat man grunted a sound, but did not move. The TV was on commercial, but there was no sound. The old style juke box was stuck on classic rock. When she ordered a beer, Russ nodded and looked back to the crossword, taking his time to fill out a word before writing his posture and moving about.

A cold bottle of domestic was set down in front of her, along with a shot glass that he poured house bourbon into. Slotting the bottle back, both hands grabbed the bar and he shrugged, ” Special. Beer and a shot for five.” His demeanor was very much ‘take it or leave it.’

He wiped his hand on rag sticking out of his worn blue jeans, finishing the tall boy and crumpling it as she asked for a man. “Who sent ya?” his immediate response as he fished a pack of smokes out of the breast pocket of his cut off vest, lipping one and offering the pack to her as a Bic was used to light his own.

[Cherie]

 -Maya took one of the cigarettes from Russ, she took the bic from him. Flicking the flint she cupped the end of the cigarette and lit it. Blowing out the first puff she looked up at him. Her hand motioned for him to come a little closer as she leaned into the bar. Holding the cigarette out to the side she would lower her voice and give him a small smile.-

“I didn’t think this was the snitching kind of place.” -she said to him before her smile faded and that sweet funny innocent young woman seemed to slip away for just a moment. In a split second she sat back up.- “Also, if you must know Mr. Nosey, I wasn’t sent, I was summoned. My presence was requested by some mysterious party named..uhh…named..uhh.” -she held her finger up to him as she cut herself out and pulled out a slip of paper from her back pocket. It was crinkled and looked weather worn. Holding it up against the light.- “Butch?” -she paused and looked at Russ for a moment.- “That’s not nice.” -her voice was distant and the comment was made off handedly.-

“You can think you can point me in the right direction to this Butch?” -she glanced around quickly.- “I don’t see any women in here..but ahhhh butch!” -she said with a laugh. Did she have any idea who’s place she set foot in? Probably. Maya was always more on the joking side. As annoying as she could be, she came highly recommended for any jobs that involved stealing. She was a human, but she was a master thief.  She was also highly protected by the Nosferatus.  They had raised her since she was a kid on the street. It wasn’t hard to employ her since there wasn’t a job she’d really turn down. She also came cheap because she didn’t truly know her worth, and also she was in for the love of the game. The money helped, but that wasn’t her main motivation.-

“What do you say and help a lady out.” -she said as she spun her stool around, slightly kicking her feet with the cigarette hanging out of her mouth. When the chair spun back to Russ, she abruptly stopped it.-

[Slick]

If Russ was anything beyond perpetually irritated, it didn’t show, and it seemed unlikely she’d get much response out of him. Lord knew how many tourists he gave the same blank face to during Mardi Gras. The man was irritated by life, and was patiently holing onto whatever thread he had left of his nerve and just went along with her playful demeanor, answering with deadpan.

“Snitches are welcome long as they got something worth tellin’. Once they leave…. “ Russ shrugged, letting the forgone outcome linger in the air before pulling out another tall boy. Cracking it open, he returned to his post and crossword. He gestured lazily with the pencil. “If Butch is expecting’ ya, he’ll be ‘round shortly.”

Not his business, or above his pay grade, it didn’t really matter. As if on cue, the door to the back would swing open, a tall, middle aged man slipping out. Russ tipped his beer towards him, as if to reference for her, while not looking away from the crossword.

Butch looked 40s, tanned almost to the point of burnt, with handsome but weathered features, dark blonde hair slicked back almost in a pompadour. When he smiled at Maya, she could see at least one gold crown. A gold necklace hung down his neck, the black silk shirt unbuttoned to mid chest, the sleeves rolled up. With a watch and a few rings on each hand, the gator shoes, he gave off gangster vibes. If not someone in it, someone who was fascinated by it. His smile was charming and roguish, like he always knew how to turn it up for a pretty lady.

“You Maya? He asked, giving her the once over before cocking his head towards  one of the small booths, waiting for her to sit before doing the same. He sat with his legs out, crossing them casually at the knee while he rolled a tooth pick in his mouth.

In the criminal underworld of humans, people knew Butch as a guy who was connected, whose great-granddaddy was likely a bootlegger; that he did a stint in Angola, had Dixie Mafia connections; did jobs for the Italians. Her Nosferatu friends likely knew he was much more influential in the underworld than anyone else. Perhaps they hadn’t explained to her the finer details. Like he was a kindred, and one of influence. He was assessing her for exactly that.

“What’s the first thing you ever stole?”

[Cherie]

-She gave Russ a grin as he spoke about the snitches, she wasn’t always the best at reading people and their moods. If she could it never stopped her from just being herself. The door opening caught her eye. As Butch walked out she turned on her chair, putting her elbows on the bar and she watched him. Her head tilting a little to the side. Maya had no problem checking him out so openly. It wasn’t her fault that she was not expecting Butch, the Butch she heard about to look like that. Her eyes went down to his boots and took note of the. She took note of everything.

Maya wasn’t smiling but more so having a more appreciative look on her face, when her eyes finally tore away from either checking him out or sizing him up the smile touched on her face. It was bright and sunny as if she never had a bad day in her life. Except that would be the farthest thing from the truth. Her past was not really up for discussion as far as she was concerned.

His voice was surprisingly smooth. She thought it sound more like gravel. It did not. At his question he received an affirmative nod of her head while she was smiling. Jumping off the stool where she had been previously seated to move towards the requested destination of the booth. That did seem more criminal activity. When she had jumped up from the booth he’d see that Maya was a tall young woman. Her form was lithe, slender but she was toned and not skin and bones. She was overall a healthy human with a very steady heartrate. The hyperness of her was palpable but she sometimes knew when to reign it in.

Taking a sip from her beer she put the bottle on the table and leaned back a nostalgic smile crossed her face at his question. She didn’t even hesitate to speak.-

“Jacob Kinnamens heart.” -she said with her whole chest and a wistful smile.- “Though you are probably not talking about that. The first thing I stole was a wallet. There’s no big story there. That was the first thing I was taught to steal. Thought I do tend to go for gold watches.” -she said as she then slid his own watch that was on his wrist across the table to him. She did not even seem to have gotten close enough to touch him, but this was an audition she released and he could get angry with her for it. That was a chance she was taking.

Butch’s reputation was not something she was ignorant on. The nosferatus would have told her and she would have heard his name around. There was one Nosferatu outside the bar watching. They were always watching though. So that was nothing new. Dealing with her seemed easy.-

“Do I pass your test or should I do some summersaults, maybe sing? Or a swimsuit contest? I do got some killer abs.” -the way she spoke was never with sarcasm, it was always as if she was curious and looking for clarification.- “I’m not above cheating for the trophy if you know what I mean.” -with that she gave him a little wink before leaning back in the booth.-

[Slick]

Her brazen appraisal of him got the corner of his lips twinging, a twinkle of knowing in his eye that likely made the confident swagger of his movements as he casually glided through the area. He did own the place, after all. She was pretty, and he would boldly drink her in as well. A generous down and up, not lingering too long. Like a professional who did enjoy smelling the roses, if only for a moment. But after that, it was all eye contact. They were a mesmerizing blend of green and light brown, sometimes one shade more than the other; sometimes a blend.

Maya got Butch to grin at her joke, showing he would play along while she went for the real answer. His lips tightened at the sight of his watch, though the humor couldn’t quite bleed away from his features. Annoyed, but amused. Those hazel eyes rolled, deftly slipping the watch back on.

“You’re a pick-pocket, I’ll give ya that. Are you a cat burglar?. Abs help I think. You wanna prove you can do a couple a’ summersaults, knock yourself out.”

The playful curl of his lip said he was joking, not that there was much room for gymnastics in that dive.

“Pretty, funny, talented and….trouble. If I didn’t know any better I’d say Nacho was trying to set me up.” He winked back. Whether he meant “with her” or “this is a set up” was left ambiguous as he bulldozed right into business.

“I lost a necklace sometime back. Recently, I found out a rival of mine gave it to his girlfriend. And frankly, I’m petty and don’t want her to have it. Or him, for that matter.” if he could have paid for it directly, he likely would have. Hiring a thief seemed the best option.

[Cherie]

-Leaning in towards him, the scent of the recently smoked cigarette and a very light perfume radiated from her.- “I’m more then just a pick-pocket, but everyone has to start somewhere. I’m a no more of a pick-pocket then you are an average Joe.” -her words were steady but then her tone picked back up again as if she was never serious in the first place.- “I’ll pass on the summersaults, for now anyways.”

-He did get a laugh from her that was clear and rich, Maya was a firecracker. There was no shame with her, there seemed to be no fear in her either. Which was either really brave or really dangerous. However, if she was brought up the Nos’ chances were she wasn’t as innocuous as she seemed.  They had likely taught her how to navigate certain situations and how to keep her ear to the ground. Maya did not seem to be completely level headed, but again this was his first meeting with her. For all he knew this could have been act, however it was to genuine to anything but real. She might be a thief but she was no liar.

She brought her elbows up, placing them on the table. Her hands were fisted and she rested her chin on them. She was silent for a moment. Her eyes were locked on his.  Her blue-green eyes were looking into his. Almost as if she was memorizing all the different colors in his eyes.- “You do have really pretty eyes. Has anyone told you that recently?”

-Her voice was soft when she asked him that question, it was a genuine compliment towards him. Maya was not blind to him, she also knew that he was Kindred. It wasn’t said as information, it was told to her as a warning as if to be on her best behavior with him. This was not exactly her best behavior but it was the best he was going to get. Maya had a way with people. While she joked a lot, there was always a sincerity in her that was hard to overlook. It was if she wanted to care about something or anything, but life was cruel to her and yet she never stopped smiling.-

“I wouldn’t put it past Nacho to set anyone up..in both terms of the word. But you really think I’m pretty?” -the question was accompanied by a wide doe eye look, with her lips parted making her bottom lip especially pouty.- “That’s so sweet.” -her voice was filled with reverence for the small compliment she received from him. Even if he was being funny, she was running with that he called her pretty. She couldn’t wait to tell Iggy.

With a clear of her throat she composed herself once again as she listened to the request of what he wanted from her. It was just a snatch a grab job from the sounds of it. So far it didn’t seem to complicated. At least not for her skills. For which she had many, she just didn’t always tell anyone all of her skills. It was always best to keep them close her chest. Some of her skills did include B&E, safe cracking, cat burglering..but how she did it was just her little secret.-

“Sure. I can get the necklace back. I’m always down for a little petty revenge. I support the right to enact vengeance upon thy enemies!’ -with the last part she depend her voice and held a shaking fist in the air.- “Just a few details, what’s the necklace look like a picture is ideal but I’m really good with descriptions. And the name of your rival. Don’t worry you won’t scare me. Even if it’s the Prince. I’ve stolen from.hi….” -she trailed off realizing what she was about to say.- “I’m also trying to win some cool points with you, because for some reason I want to impress you. I feel like, if maybe you like me you’ll hire me again and I get to watch you walk out of that backroom each time.”

-Maybe a filter would be good, but that was not how her brain worked. It was connected directly to her mouth with no filter to it. What she said should be considered as an inside thought, however, Maya wasn’t very good at that. She said whatever came to her mind and made her strange thoughts the problem of others around her.- “Like that was such a badass entrance. You probably already know how cool you are, I mean you are in alligator boots!” -there was a slight pause and she realized she derailed their meeting which she was told not to do.-

“Ok back to the necklace and your rival.”  -she steepled her fingers and pressed them against her pillowy lips as if she was trying to keep her own mouth shut.- 

[Slick]

Most Underworld figures might have had less tolerance for her unfiltered persona; too biased, or distracted by her beauty and her flirty behavior. To him it was more of a game, trying to discern if she was that good at being genuine or it was legit. With a few centuries under his belt, slithering along the underbelly, he liked to think he was adept at reading people. Even if they were pretty women. Mortal women he wasn’t much worried about. He’d be much more reserved around her had she proven to be kindred.

“Oh, I’d say it’s been some time, darlin’. Thank you kindly.” He had manners, but his accent wasn’t a NOLA native. Hard to pen down, but there were talks about his origins. Boston, during the civil-war. Chicago, escaping the St. valentine’s Day massacre. Colorado and the gold rush. Maybe some of it was true. Maybe none of it.

The Brujah in him liked her brashness. Confidence, and a willingness to buck the status quo was a combo to gain a Brujah’s attention. Long as she could back it up, she would keep his attention. And though long dead, he was still a man, and it felt good being complimented by an attractive woman.

Butch delved into the powers of the blood, his senses heightening, listening to her heart beat, smelling her blood beneath the perfume and smoke. The world bled away to colors, revealing the aura of her spirit to his eyes. She was mortal, no taint of blood. Not a ghoul. A wild soul but… truthful.

“You know you’re pretty,” he gave her a sideways glance, playfully chiding her with facial expressions to keep the conversation moving. She had him chuckling with “thy enemies!”, nodding to her asking for details, getting ready to answer in kind when she mentioned the prince. She wouldn’t quite notice it, but he would have gone incredibly still a moment. She kept talking, and eventually he would smile and nod.

Auspex had him amped up, and he was more than willing to flirt back, even as the discipline’s effects wore off, the colors starting to fade away, leaving just her natural beauty behind.

“Sadly, I do have that affect on beautiful women.” it seemed he was incorrigible when you got him started, ” But all flirting aside, if you wanna impress me, just deliver what you promise. Doesn’t gotta be theatrical, no frills. You deliver, you have a fan. And a lot more where this came from.”

Almost from thin air, he had a tight roll of cash presented to her. Clean money, hundreds.

“Necklace is a black sapphire on a bed of rubies, with a silver chain. Hard to miss it, believe me. The rival’s name is Franco Castillo, real estate mogul up town.  His girlfriend’s name is Grace.. A battle axe in Versace. ”

He would reach out to her and tentatively run his fingers across the back of her hand. Since she knew what he was, she may have been surprised to feel he was warm to the touch. Gently, he’d take her hand in his, as if to read her palm, before his thumb was brushing over the pulse of her wrist, holding there until he could feel it acutely. Those hazel eyes locked with hers then, and the humor drained from his face.

“Maya, gorgeous… as long as you have a pulse, you pretend I do. Don't say words like Prince, or… anything Nacho and his brood might have taught you. Not around me. Not in these parts.”

He released her wrist, drawing his hand back. He could mindfuck her from here to oblivion, and given the laws of the city, he’d be within his rights. The Nosferatu were playing a dangerous game. And he liked danger. So he’d let them play their game… but by his own rules. Hear no evil, see no evil.

[Cherie]

“I highly doubt it’s been some time. Now look who’s lying.” -she playfully chided him. There was something natural about her. Maya didn’t seem to play by human rules nor did she play by vampire rules. Both were extremely dangerous to teeter and yet she somehow managed to balance that line. How she comes off and how she acted might seem like it was fake but this was who she was. A child who grew up on the streets in NOLA, taken in by the Nosferatus it seemed. It wasn’t well known but those that knew her in his world knew that her protection was absolutely other worldly. It was not something she ever spoke about. Even with out their protections she would still be the same young woman sitting across from him. Unless she was either dead or in prison. Those were really her only two options in life. She flirted with death and she was known for a few prison breaks.

She didn’t even try to pinpoint his accent. It didn’t matter to her. All that really mattered was the job. There were few things she cared about but her reputation as a thief was one of them. She also had no idea that he was reading her. She was only a mortal after all. There was no lycan blood in her, no witch, no special human. Maya was a plain run of the mill human with a good set of skills.

Playing coy for a moment, she folded her shoulders in and smiled cutely acting shy and coy.- “I know.” -she said in an adorable voice because she did know she was pretty, and she wasn’t exactly shy about knowing it. She slowly relaxed her body from the marshmallow pose.- “But it’s one thing to be pretty and then to be called pretty from someone like you.”  -this time she gave him a different look, something beyond just innocent flirtation. Maya was trouble.-

“Of course I’ll deliver. It’s just a necklace.” -she gave a shrug of her shoulders because to her it was necklace to him it was something else. But her feelings on the items didn’t matter. It only matter if she got her hands on them. Her eyes glanced to the money and there was no real reaction from her. She had probably stolen that much money before but she then let out a laugh.- “Butch, my sexy soon to be boss, you never show a thief you are carrying. You’re lucky I have some integrity. I’m also so confident in my skills that I don’t get paid till after I deliver. There’s no upfront fee.”

-She then listened as he described the necklace it sounded beautiful and something that a lover would give. It was making sense to her. And for that she was all in. He also called her a battleaxe and that got a hard and loud laugh from her. Oh this was defiantly a job on a ex. She wouldn’t comment on it. Sometimes she would, but honestly who wanted to talk about their exes?-  “Got it necklace, mogul, and a battleaxe.” -she gave him a bit of a knowing look with that. Even with that knowledge her demeanor never changed.

The moment he took her hand, that was the only time he might notice there was a small uptick in her heart rate. Her hand was putty in his. The way she was relaxed and not once did she tense up. She allowed him to move her hand around. She had been expecting his hand to be cold. Her eyes looked at his hand as he was touching, her brows furrowed for just a moment in slight confusion. He could have just fed, she thought.

Slowly she brought her eyes to look up at him under her thick raven lashes. Her fingers lightly curled over his own hand as he was speaking to her. Her face was blank and void of emotion. One moment her expressions were easily readable and the next they could be so blank one would wonder if she was even home. For a beat she said something, but then a slow smile crept upon her face.- “I have a cat named that. So I’m not sure what you are referring to?” -her words were filled with a naivety that only expression confusion.

When he took his hand back she allowed her finger tips to caress his skin as she was wanting just one more small moment of touching him. Maya was good. She had completely took back control of the conversation in such a innocent way that if had not know she was in the know of things, he might have believed her. Maya then grabbed her beer and took a sip from it but never once did she break eye contact with him.-

“We’re good here right? Unless there’s anything else you want to talk about, I’m on a bit of a schedule. But I could always make time if you keep calling me darlin?” -She still continued to flirt, it wasn’t the seduction of Grace this was different. It was just honesty.- “Damn, I never knew that could just..” -she mocked having  a shiver run down her body.- “You’re cute, no strike that, you are handsome. But we’d never work out. Don’t be get all broken up about it.” -she said as she leaned over and running her hand under his chin. Obviously she was joking by her light hearted tone and she started to slide herself out of the booth.- “I’ll leave it on the table for when you’re not paying me. I’m a thief not a prostitute. I don’t look down that though. I have met some wonderful prostitutes. There was this one named Jerry. The women loooooved Jerry. He’s gay, but for the pay he’ll straight  up suck the clit right off you! Well…from what I hear. I never had sex with him. “ -she was a talker but sometimes she was strange. It was a stream of thoughts that left her when she was comfortable and it was worse when she was uncomfortable.-

“Anyway.” -she said as she tapped the imaginary watch on her wrist, in that universal way to let him know they should be wrapping up. She really didn’t have anything else to do today. She was just wanting to make herself seem busy as if she had a lot to do. Mostly she just wanted to go to the store and get some Fruity Pebbles and that was her big planned day. Also she had some leg work to do on the minor heist. This was going to be such a piece of cake.-

[Slick]

Mortals knowing about the Masquerade was a a breach of its Traditions. Ghouls had to be sanctioned by the Prince; any other human servitors were usually under the sway of a mental discipline that made any supernatural details regarding their dominator fuzzy at best. That didn’t mean there weren’t exceptions, but they were almost always hidden from the rest of the Kindred population. Butch wasn’t one to snitch, and he wasn’t above bending the Traditions of the Masquerade. Ignatius had potentially showed his hand in clumsily choosing Maya for this particular ask, or he was testing Butch. Or testing Maya. The Primogen couldn’t quite say, but he would have to thank the Sewer Rat for introducing a little anarchy to the party.

Aside from the influx of former Sabbat Shadow-mancers, the growing Anarch presence with Setite cults— Make that “Ministry” cults — funding their power plays, and the NOPD forming a vampire hunting unit, things had been rather dull.

Even with all that going on, he wanted to rip off his ex and her boyfriend. She may have been right, but he wouldn’t admit it, not initially. But he was excited to use her specifically as a monkey wrench into their unlives.

“You expect people to skim in this line of work. It’s when people get greedy that examples have to be made. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

 Her confidence kept his grin tugging wider, the light glinting off that gold tooth again. No fangs, though there was a predatory edge that leaked out with the corners of his mouth reached his glimmering eyes. A low chuckle escaped him.

“Piece of cake,” he winked, though it was obvious he didn’t quite believe her. Not that she wasn’t skilled, but that who she was stealing from wasn’t some “mark ass buster”.

She played along, and his demeanor softened, the levity easing from the room. He let his eyes roam across her again before moving to stand himself.

“No, we’re good here, darlin. Go ask Nacho whatever questions you have about the lovebirds, then get me my necklace. Then you can come get paid, and once business is concluded, we can try pleasure.”

He was close, aftershave and cologne lingering on him as he looked down at her, his hand trailing across her arm once more. Then he stepped back and held up her phone, handing it back to her.

“And don’t bring this next time.”

He started towards the back, stopping and pulling something out of the back pocket of his black slacks, turning and tossing a ring she’d had. She wasn’t the only one with quick fingers.

[Cherie]

-She had stood up when he did, but he had gotten close to her. She didn’t lean back but stayed her ground. As she was to do. When her phone was presented to her only a smile crossed over her face. It was as if she found him to be utter adorable like a puppy. She took the phone and held it to her chest. The phone didn’t surprise her but what did surprise her was the ring she caught. Though one would think she might be angry or mad. Instead she looked incredibly happy about it and also she looked at her finger a few times to see the ring missing.-

“Ohhhhh you!” -she said as if she was going to curse him out in a joking fashion but the moment he turned his back to her he could hear her coming up behind him quick, but not threatening. He’d feel her shove the phone into the back pocket of his jeans. She was still behind him but her mouth was close to his ear.- “That’s for you.” -she whispered and he voice had a deeper sultry tone rather then the bubbly voice she had since she first walked into the bar.

Maya took a few steps back from him, if he turned around or was watching her. The young woman took another phone out, her hand grabbed the crew neck of her crop top pulling it out and she positioned her phone over it taking a picture down her shirt. A second later the phone in hand dinged. Now it was her turn to give him a wink and walk out with a toss of her messy straight bed head hair. The door  closed behind her leaving that heavy feeling in the bar. As if the bar itself missed her presence the moment it was robbed of it. That was the most dangerous gift of all.

If he hadn’t realized it when he first met her, he might now that something was wrong. Someone was playing a very dangerous game. The thick of it hung in the air. It was palpable. The air clung to the clothing and created a lingering feeling of dread. A simple thief, a necklace, an ex, and a bar owner with power. And the Nosferatu’s might be hedging their bets with something. They knew something. Didn’t they always?

4 Days-No Contact-The Return
Butch’s Bar
-It had been four days past since he gave the thief the job. The air still stirred with something unpleasant, something big. An unknown force felt like it creeping into the very roots of the earth below. Nothing was as it seemed. The others felt it too. They felt something shifting in world around them. Power being moved to and fro.  The wind held a crackling to it. The fear that it could spark was looming.

The door to the otherwise stale smelling bar was opened and in walked the tall, lithe woman. This time she was not dressed as casual when she first entered into the bar. Tonight she was wearing a light blue halter flowing dress, she on a pair of little heels and jewelry. She had on a dainty gold necklace, earrings along with rings and bracelets. She looked dressed up for something.

Her hair, while curled and styled, still presented with that bed head look. It was either she had taken nap prior after she got ready or she did this on purpose. The thing about the hair could have two effects, one perhaps the person did think she napped a lot or two it could elicit the feeling of wanting to create that bed head for her. It gave the thought of messing up her hair in a sexual manner.

She gave Russ the happiest of waves and the brightest smile even if the man completely ignored her.- “Hiii!” -she said to him in a slightly higher pitch tone as if one was speaking to their most beloved pet.- “I’m just gonna go see Big Man.” -she said pointing at Butch’s door. She walked over to it and put her hand on the knob ready to just walk in. She hesitated though. Pulling her hand back she knocked on the door.-

[Slick]

Four days passed, and during the night Butch went about his usual routine of checking on his business ventures, irritating his childer, and sending his own moles and spies to gather information. It was hard to counter-intelligence the Nosferatu, and for the most part Butch didn’t try. He knew they would know he was looking into Maya; only Ignatius could confront him on that, and even then, Butch was within his right.

The city had never really been stable; then again, what city was? But It was why he liked it, and it was why he left every so often, disappearing for years at a time, only to return, taking on a new street persona but sliding right back into Kindred society. Even when he wasn’t in town, the Kindred felt his presence, for better or worse.

Tensions were running high for multiple reasons, and he’d added fuel to the fire. What are you supposed to do when someone hands you a gas can? The rebellion, the antagonizing, quelled the beast in him. And indulging in what little emotions could be coaxed from him by a tantalizing thief that seemed bent on stealing his heart…. It kept him human. As close to it as he could get. It was a lie, and it would likely end poorly, but immortality was boring. Why live forever if you can’t make memories?

Russ glanced her way, nodding in familiarity, but otherwise focusing on his smoke, his beer, and book. “Make yourself at home…” he said just loud enough for her to hear.

The door through to the back went into a store room that went behind the length of the bar, with boxes of beer and liquor stacked up and an ice machine. Directly to her right was an open door to the office, a cramped room with a meager surveillance set up, filing cabinets and stacks of papers next to a worn leather chair. Between the two was another door, heavier set with multiple locks, not that any of them were set at the moment.

“It’s open!” She could hear him call, and opening the door would reveal narrow staircase. Helluva day to choose heels, but there was a railing to hold on. She could smell something in the air, like a candle burning. The area upstairs was furnished and refurbished, nicer than the downstairs, with dark painted oak floor and walls. A mahogany desk; leather chairs, a drink station that looked untouched, and a book case, a ship in a bottle on one shelf; a few paintings. He had simple taste, perhaps a bit generic, but he knew where to spend his money.

The shirt was dark red, a few more buttons undone, making him look almost human with the warm glow of the Edison bulbs and burning candles. His complexion allowed him to blend in with the masquerade much easier than others. Privilege even in death. He drew his eyes across her elegant form, admiring her femininity in the dress and jewels. He whistled low.

“On your way to the ball, Cinderella, are are we celebrating?”

[/color]

[Cherie]

-When she passed Russ, she swore it was going to be her life’s mission to get him to like her and to smile at her. Prayers would be needed for him. She moved through store room and made a face.- “Looks like the maids off.” -said to herself as she glancing at the rest of the set up in the room. It all seemed so low-tech, but what people failed to realize low-tech was some of the best. It was better and less easy to crack then hi-tech.

She heard the call and swished her way into the room as if she had been here before. Her level of comfortability in unfamiliar places should always be noted. She moved through every new terrain as if she had been there 100 times before. Her eyes taking note of everything in the room barely moved from looking forward. 

Sashaying over to where he was, she stopped and did a little twirl. However her heels were in her hands because she didn’t trust going on the stairs with them. After her twirl she had lifted one foot up and placed the heel on it and then did the same with the other. Doing a balancing act with ease as she stood one foot on the heel to put on the other.-

“If you must know, I have a date.” -she said so matter of factly, however it wasn’t the date that was important it would probably be who she had a date with. Though unless asked she’d keep that to herself and honestly she might not even be aware of the implications of it.- “It was the only way out, it was either the date or I’d get caught. So I chose the date. Don’t you worry your precious little heart, though. I’m pretty sure it’ll be one time thing. I mean have you met me? I’m obnoxious. Adorable but obnoxious. And he seems a little stuffy, but really cute. Not in your rugged type way of cute. In like a ‘I’ll slit your throat’ kind of cute.”

She shrugged for a moment before lifting her small matching purse up and waved it in the air with a smile on her face.- “But let’s get down to business.” -opening up the purse, a small white bag was produced. High end of course and it looked to be white pristine velvet. Maya walked over towards the desk, she opened the bag reaching inside she pulled out the necklace. Letting it glint in the dim light of the bulbs.- “She really is beautiful. The necklace and the battleaxe I stole it from. She was kind of intimidating to be honest. Either way, here’s your prize.”

-She managed to pull it off, quietly and perhaps a little to quickly. Those were skills. Just as a human she was that good. There would be no doubt that there was talks amongst the Nosferatus about turning her, except she could not be turned by one of them. She was to useful to become like them. Also there was a still a code there.

Standing there for a moment pretending to be Vanna White with the necklace. Allowing her hands to show case it and move it around so it glittered in the light. Placing the white bag on the desk she then situated the necklace on the bag so he could either look at it or pick it up. It was his now to do what he wished with it. –

“Sorry it did take so long, I had to wait for the right moment. Then I found out that your ex was holding a little gala at her new man’s house. Anyways, I just invited myself to the gala and low and behold found the necklace there. I guess maybe she’s planning on moving in with him? There’s boxes..or she’s moving out. I don’t know, but I do care because I’m nosey and want to know. I’ll ask Iggy to find out.” -Ignatius sure know how to pick them, but he seemed to be the closest one to her. Where ever she went he was somewhere lurking in the shadows. Chances are she knew he was there. He was always there when the sun went down. They were best friends and were almost like siblings. She had created a bond with a Nosferatu, had him thinking about her, and now she had a date.-

“You want to sort out payment now? Or you got anything else for me?” -she gave him a bit of a glance over, sure she had a date but that didn’t mean the flirtation stopped. It was a date not a commitment. She knew she was going on a date with a vampire, she had learned how to spot them. She just knew not to say anything that she knew. Butch was different. She knew he was dangerous and yet she didn’t feel danger around him. Not yet anyways. She had taken note of how he coddled her when she brought up the Prince and how sweet he was about it. That was a man she could trust. That wasn’t a test from the Nosferatus, it was her own. And it wasn’t so much of a test as seeing if she could trust him. This might only be their second meeting but Maya had a pretty good read on people. He wouldn’t betray someone for funsies. There would have to be a reason.-

[Slick]

She was ravishing, taking Russ’s words to heart and settling into his private quarters quite naturally. His hand was offered to hers, helping her balance as she replaced the heels and narrowed their height difference. His hand was warm. He’d fed. But he always had room for more.

Butch’s thin, dark brows rose, lips curling in a humorous grin at her reveal. He hadn’t been expecting her to say the word “Date”, but if he was jealous, it didn’t show.

“Well, I can’t fault you for having taste.” his eyes were still admiring her, though his expression cracked a little, his eyes narrowing in a bit of suspicion. That was quite the description. It sounded an awful lot like….

All part of the game, likely. He could ask, but he heard an old proverb, from an old man long ago. Ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies. He could easily find out who the date was with. Not that he had any claim. More of a principle. She wasn’t here to discuss her private life, and there had been a point to this meeting. She pulled out the necklace, and he was moving behind the desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a jeweler’s kit. A jeweler’s eye was brought over, taking the necklace up once she’d laid it out and giving it a very thorough look, like he had experience in examining fine cut pieces.

“It belonged to someone very dear to me…” he offered, going over every ruby, making sure it was authentic. He paused to look at her directly. “Not Grace. She was very dear to me, once… things change.”

He set the piece aside gingerly, turning and leaning on the desk to hear her discuss the heist. More details on the comings and goings of Grace than how she actually snatched it so deftly. “Well, don’t feel like you need to keep me informed,”

Butch was playing his cards close to the vest, not indulging too much in what she was offering, and seeming rather content with the prize she’d brought him. He seemed much more interested in her, barely trying to hide it.

“Let’s sort out payment. Close business for the day. How much do I owe you?”

He was opening a safe from behind the desk, watching her to make sure she didn’ try to come and watch him handle the combo. The jeweler’s kit and the necklace were placed inside, thrown onto the desk were a few stacks of cash.

“Personally, I like a meal after a deal goes right.” the safe closed and he moved back around the desk towards her, the look on his face of hunger, but not of thirst.  “I think I could give that Jerry a run for his money.”

[/color]

[Cherie]

-She had taken his offer to help her stand with out falling over. Heels were not completely her nemesis but they were pretty damn close. She felt like a baby giraffe trying to learn how to walk whenever she wore them. Not that she needed them because she was already tall. Maya could have been a model with her height and bone structure and they were lucky enough that she wasn’t. Then all of them would be out one of the most sought after thief, who was affordable. He had said it earlier about greed being a downfall. Greed wasn’t one of her negative traits. She did another little spin when he spoke about her having taste. The dress swirled around her legs like material out of a fairy tale. It was light way and wrapped itself around her long legs like waves in the ocean until she settled her own movements. Likely she didn’t buy the dress or any of the accessories she was wearing.

She gave him a moment to examine the piece she presented to him. Like a cat bringing a mouse in the house ensuring it’s present was liked. She wasn’t offended by him checking to make sure everything was correct on it. It was the smart thing to do. She also knew it wasn’t her he was checking it was who had it he was checking. Though she did listen intently when he spoke about who it belonged to before.- “She must have been pre-t-ty special.” -Maya said nothing about Grace in this moment. Although curious as to what happened between them. It wasn’t her place to ask. Anymore then it was his place to ask about her personal life.

When he leaned on the desk she did the same, but spun around so her butt was on the desk and her back was to him. She had bent her head backwards and her back slightly arched so she was looking at him more upside down then anything.- “I don’t.” -came her perky voice before she righted herself and turned back to him. He didn’t need all the details. At least not yet. Why would she offer how she does things? She needed to stay on the market.-

“Hmmm…simple four day job. I’ll say fifteen grand. If I have to keep dressing like this, I’ll need the funds for it. But you should have seen the dress I got for the gala. It was this tight little number with this heart shaped bodice. Did wonders for the girls.” -she said as she grabbed her breasts and squished them upwards. She was not wearing a bra with this dress so they moved easily.- “With like a slit up the side. Oh and it had glitter! I felt so beautiful! I never get to dress up like that.” -she paused with thought before speaking more to herself- “Maybe I should charge more for my services.” -the thought rolled away as she picked up a pen from his desk and just started to twirl it around in her fingers.-

“I do too, which is why I’m dropping this off collecting my bounty -said like a pirate- and I’ll be on my way. She then started to laugh.- “I’m sure you could, Jerry doesn’t seem that fast. But that’s not the name of my date. His name is Bastian. Bast. That’s why they call him which seems kind of a bit like cultural appropriation but I’m not telling that to him. That was just your way of finding out.”

-Bastian. Bast. Hound of the Prince. She had a date with the Archon. What was he doing at the gala? And how did she end up getting a date with him. He was known to be stoic and cold. One might now see the power of her charm. That she could even get past the cold walls of The Archon. He was one of the most notorious vampires out there. His name was only whispered in conversation for fear he might hear.-

“Iggy doesn’t seem to like him, but Iggy also doesn’t really like that I’m doing jobs for you either. So he’s not the best judge of character. I wish I could find someone for him she said completely glossing over who she had a date with.-

[Slick]

“Special comes n’ goes. Gotta appreciate it when you have it.” Seemingly a contradiction coming from someone who longed for a piece that presumably belonged to someone long ago. It was a magificent piece, but also old.

Butch rounded the desk, coming to slide up against the desk beside her, fingertips grazing her thigh. His body leaned in across hers, eyes not leaving her own as he reached past her to grab two stacks, taking her hand in his and setting them in her palm. “There’s 20. Buy yourself that little dress. And start charging more.”

His hand brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, edging his body against hers. He smirked.

“No, he’s a pretty good judge of character,” he said, completely glazing over who she’d mentioned she was on a date with. Like it didn’t phase him. That hand brushed her cheek, down her neck and the front of her dress before finding her thigh against. Testing her defenses, looking for resistance.

“Save your appetite. I wanna eat you.” She’d missed his innuendo with Jerry before, so he was boldly stating his desire. His fingers slid further up that dress, his lips coming terribly close to hers. It seemed he meant metaphorically.