Night On The Town [OPEN / More the Merrier!]

[poss]

[NOTICE: Anyone can join in on this thread at any time, whether it be high drama or just random fun. <3 ]


Anastasia was in the middle of a big move. From a low income Motel, where the bedspreads were just as clean as the city streets beyond the walls. Cockroaches and ants, and several mice could be spotted in a short period of time, and an old pool out back in which the manager used for a garbage hold between pickup dates for the garbage men. A true dive. She had only been staying in the grungy motel for a few nights, perhaps a week or two at the most, and during that time had only ever once even considered staying in the bed. It was more just to have a claim.. a place of residence for drop offs, etc. A place to sit and watch the news, and somewhere to call 'home'. Truth was, she slept each night in her car. The driver seat reclined in the old '69 Boss 302, and in all due honesty was much comfier than she could have imagined. The trunk was full of folded clothes in her suitcases from the move from the neighboring city over, and it was only going to make for an easier move. She was moving in to an apartment building owned by Lucius Erif.

The engine roared with a fierce rumble under the hood as she brought it to life infront of her Motel, backing away from the curb slowly through the few inches of collected rain wait from the recent storms. The sloshing of the large tires was inaudible as the beastly machine growled with an unmatched fury by rival vehicles that passed on the street. Another night out on the town, off duty once again perhaps due to the flooding of the streets. I guess they didn't think gang related activity would continue through such conditions. Head office must not have spent any time on these streets. The soft purr as she crawled to a stop, hesitating for a break in traffic before she slid her foot over the clutch and forced it to the floor with a snap of her ankle, right hand working the car quickly from first in to second, and quickly third. The rear end sprang to life, fishtailing from the parking lot and on to the blacktop with a high pitched squeal. A thick and heavy grey smoke coiled around the rear rubber, filling the wheel wells and consuming the tires. Lane changing with the rear end fighting to pass the front, she sailed through the yellow light and made a sharp right down a side road.

Wndows down, the cool air of the evening licking at her from beyond the confines of the car, she shifted down and crawled in to an open space infront of the pub. She had never been here before, but she had heard a few of the locals discussing it as they her by on the street early in the day. Slipping from the car, leaving her drivers side window down a crack, she stepped on to the street. The breeze washed over her, catching her hair in a fury and teasing through the tendrils as they cascaded over her shoulders and rolled down her back in a fluid mass. Fingertips pressed back over her scalp, sweeping hair from her eyes before stepping up to the door of the building and walking in.

She didn't come here for food, but more to hear the gossip for work reasons and to simply get away for a while. She knew no one from this city, beyond the billionaire Lucius Erif whom she had met on the street the night before. He seemed rather interesting, mysterious but also seemed to be a rather busy man. Lately she had quite a bit of free time, and thus she was finding every opportunity to make time to go to gathering places. Everyone needs a friend or two, might as well start soon. But lets not mention her incredible trust issues- that may scare off any potential socializers. She took a seat at the bar on a stool rather than at a booth, and asked for a glass of red wine, which the tender quickly tended to.

[tadashi]

Tadashi knew this bar well. He'd been thrown out of it several times. He kept coming back, it was just who he was. He liked testing people and he liked breaking other peoples rules. He knew that a young vampire owned it. And it was for that reason that he liked to cause trouble when he could. He didn't come here for the food, not at all. He found the whole idea a little creepy. He'd rather just go out into the wild and rip the head off a wild animal and chow down.

His eyes scanned the room as soon as he darkened the doorway. He smirked at the Lycan at the door, patting him on the shoulder as he passed. The Lycan was cocky. How could a guy not be when he looked liked this AND could kick major ass too? He wasn't completely decided yet why he was here, for the fighting or the booze...or for the women.

Women it was.

He spotted her at the bar. She was just sitting down. He smiled, glad he'd taken a bath today before coming. The clothes were clean too, a few weapons at the ready underneath his jacket in case they wanted to throw him out for just being who he was. For just being him. And just being him, how could he not approach the bar, or more specifically the young woman sitting there looking altogether lonesome. She looked a little tough too, all the better. He wouldn't break her.

He pulled up a stool of his own and addressed the man behind the bar, "Sapporo's Black Label." It was his favorite Japanese beer. He may not have lived in the Japan for a long while but it didn't mean he didn't enjoy the flavors still. While he was waiting to be served he turned his face to the young woman, "Been waiting long?" He winked at her and took a sip of his beer. He was smug in the knowledge that he was charming as hell.

[poss]

The weather allowed for more time to herself. Guess head office didn't think gangs made hits on rainy nights. Oh well, it gave her time to kick back and relax, and even head off to explore the city she now called home. New territory, so she needed to scope out some good locations. Not only for the knowledge of what was going on or who frequented where, but for herself as well. Every woman needed some down time. A place for herself, to go about her own business and not be recognized by criminals or other people she met up with for business. Perhaps she would find a local section of this city where people she enjoyed to spend time with, stuck around. So far, sh was getting a better feel of vampires. They were not so bad. She had a history with them, an understanding, and now, she was gaining some friendships as well.

Sitting on the bar stool with one leg crossed over the other she scanned the patrons o the pub for anyone interesting. Anyone familiar wasn't the case when you are new to the city, so instead she stuck with interesting. There are two types interesting. One, is work related. Thus, street criminals, gang members, etc. The other, well, that was a more personal interest. Personal interests were not something she took advantage of often.

The tender arrived with the glass of red wine, giving her a nod that was a silent understanding that he was starting a tab for her. She didn't plan on staying hat long, nor drinking that much, she enjoyed the occasional glass of wine but no more than few at a time. The door opened, and her suspicious nature caused her to turn her gaze and cast a corner-of-the-eye glance in that general direction. Before he pulled up his seat at the bar she could already sense an energy about him. No, not a power, for she could only do such a thing on touch, this was something more familiar too her. Confidence. he held himself well, a tid bit arrogant it seemed, but weren't all men?

Anastasia turned in her stool to face him, shaking her head at his question, and offered her right hand to the man in a formal handshake. She was polite, a friendly woman, but men were usually intimidated by her bold confidence. "Anastasia Steele." She offered, hoping the name woudn't ring any bells.

[feathers2]

It was a soggy night.

Rusalka hated soggy nights. They depressed her, made her wings feel heavy and useless. They were lonely. And so, it was no surprise to find the fae sulking in the pub, nursing some unhealthy drink-- an unnecessarily strong mojito, tonight. She was seated at the bar, her natural habitat, next to some chick who'd just entered and ordered herself a glass of wine.

She was a small, light sort of person, and hunched over the bar, arm propped up, chin in her palm. Tonight's hairstyle was golden-blonde and short, with pin curls and a headband; something she'd seen a woman on TV wearing and copied without a second thought. Ruse had the virtue of being able to look good in just about any hair style and color, probably a side-effect of her fairy blood. Her wardrobe included a thin white quarter-sleeve shirt with a high, wide neckline. Draped over that was a purple leather duster, a modern but quirky piece she paired with easy-fitting black slacks. Her silver braided collar glistened, unabashedly, from her neck, as did the slave-bracelet on her right hand. They were both pretty pieces despite the unpleasantness of what they signified. The bracelet especially; it was a bright, intricately wrought vine, with large flowing flowers that coiled from her wrist down her hand to her middle finger.

Well, perhaps the sight of them was unpleasant to others, but Ruse didn't care much about her enslavement. She didn't care to hide anything of that nature. For the time being, all she really cared about was maintaining the current pleasant buzz of alcohol that rendered her mind half-useless. Her toes, covered in a pair of black heels with a sharply pointed toe, tapped absentmindedly on the barstool where they were perched.

She lifted her head for a moment to glance at the girl who'd come to sit next to her; she was a fierce-looking person, but Ruse thought she was probably human. She didn't have the pale skin of a vamp, and she would've noticed angel wings. Perhaps she was a lycan or something-- she did have something of an edgy look to her. Who knew? Not her, and she didn't much care. She was occasionally interested in people, but not usually. And then, in came that lycan person. They were both frequenters of the pub, so she recognized him-- he was a bit rowdy and loud, and they'd thrown him out once or twice. His type didn't bother her at all, like one might think it could. The fae was fond of chaos, in a way that might've been unnerving to humans. An obviously pointed ear listened in to their conversation for a bit, her attention seeming to be totally invested in the drink in front of her.

[Deleted]

He reves his bike outside the pub, he need a brake from the world. Work, work, work and some more work on the side. That was his current life, with the new dock, the attacks, everything, especially being leader of the lycans. He enter cooly taking off his helmet only to see that he was wearing his mask. He cracked his neck from side to side. He ignores everyone in the bar, just wanting peace, nothing else, peace and well a drink or two. He wore those big sunglasses that were 'in' in the human culture, and a really long black and white bandana. Wearing a black hat tilted upward to the right, and black pants and shoes, his tattoos revealed.

He looked like a gangbanger, but he didnt know nor did he care. He was the alpha lycan, words from human doesn't mean a damn thing to him. He walks up to the bar and takes a seat, he points to the japenese drink 'saki', in his personal opinion the best drink there is. His spiked brass kncukles were on a chain hanging from the back of his pants, this worried the bartender, he could see in the man's eyes. What a coward, to be scared after no threats or attacks. And so very, judgemental, but all humans were, they had to be it came with their violent nature.

"Umm...Would you like it warm sir?" The bartender nervously asked. He nodded his head quietly, the man took about twenty minutes to get the drink ready. In that time, he was just trying to relax, but caught himself thinking about the plans in the near future. What a life, always thinking about something else, saki has always eased his nerves though. "Sorry I took so long." The man walked over with the warm drink in a shot glass and bottle. Your not suppose to drink it that way, in a shot glass. So he takes the bottle, lowers his mask for a moment and chugs the whole bottle down. Once he finished it he threw the bottle to the side making a loud noise and spits in a random spot, spitting made it feel better in the mouth. "Sir you have to play for that." He eyes the bartender and points to the same drink, meaning another. The man quickly moved to get him more.

[tadashi]

Tadashi was looking forward to a night out on the town without his brother, the chance to maybe score with a hot woman or two and let off some steam. If he could pick a few fights or maybe win some money in the mean time, all the better. He offered the young woman a smile, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Steele. It is Miss, isn't it?" He was using his best English for her, ladies liked that. Sure he'd be grunting soon enough, but they seemed to like that too. She was a real looker, this one, a beauty. She'd be fun. He might even wear a tie for her and he didn't wear a tie for just anyone.

He was already glad he'd had a bath and that was something in and of itself, too many of those would kill a wolf. A man never knew when one was going to be his last. Maybe it was his time in feudal Japan or the untamed American West before civilization reached out from one ocean to the next, but he just didn't like lowering his guard for the time it took to soak in a tub. He preferred showers, unless he needed to relax or it was a special occasion. If he was able to convince this young woman to let him bed her, then he'd gladly remember this day as one such event.

He finally took her hand, he wanted to sleep with her, not make a business deal, or steal her wallet. He said, still smooth, still confident, "You can call me Dash." Just as he said that he heard the all too familiar engine rev outside the front of the bar. He cursed, silently at first. He recognized the sound of his brother's bike anywhere, Oh, hell.

Now Hiro would get all the women and spoil his fun. He looked over his shoulder as his brother ordered some Sake. He frowned, he'd wanted to order it but he was trying to blend in. Not that either of them were any good at that, "Hello brother. Good to see you." Yes, now Hiro would attract all the finest women in the place. Bad luck for young Tadashi.

He withdrew his hand from the young woman and offered her a wistful look. She was gorgeous. He was sure she'd want Hiro. Why wouldn't she? He was the Alpha. Bad luck for young Tadashi, he'd be better off testing his luck with the cards or starting a fight. He smiled at the young woman, then took a long drawl off his beer.

[poss]

Anastasia had noticed the young woman at the bar when she had first arrived, looking her over silently before taking the chosen stool at the counter and speaking to the tender about her glass of wine. It seemed the pub was a busy place tonight, for already one young man had taken a seat to the other side of her, and they had struck up a conversation. Fingers coiled around the fragile glass that held the deep red wine, bringing it to her lips as she sipped quietly, her attention on Tadashi for the moment. He shook her hand after she had offered it to him, offering his name in reply, which in turn brought a polite smile to her face. Nodding in response to his previous question, "Yes, it is Miss Steele. You may call me Anastasia if you wish." Most people tried to shorten her name to 'Ana', but it wasn't a preference she enjoyed.

He seemed to be friendly, and kindness is what she liked in people. She wasn't always the nicest person, so having kind people around helped even things out a bit. Anastasia could be rather standoffish. Her attitude, bold confidence, and the way she carried her self often turned people away from approaching her. But at times, that was a good thing. When she felt trigger happy, evening the slightest, it wasn't a good idea to hang around too close. With trust issues this strong, a nudge could lead her to believe that pulling the trigger would be the best decision. End their life before they end hers. Survival of the fittest.

The door opened, and Ana watched from the corner of her eye as a man entered, however found herself turning to face the door as he approached the bar. Gang banger, indeed. He looked rather similar to most of the punk ass bitches she had hauled off to jail in the past year or so. Interesting, how easily they stuck out in a crowd. She remained silent, her eyes falling back upon Dash yet her full attention was actually on Hiro. no, she never noticed the fact that he may have been attractive, it was her sense of personal security that made her keep a close watch on him. "Nice to meet you, too Dash." She spoke, just before he announced this new patron as his brother. She paused, almost noticeably, taken aback. The feeling she got from Dash was nothing like that that resonated off of Hiro, she never would have guessed the relation if he wouldn't have mentioned it.

[Deleted]

The little gang banger turns his head looking to where the voice came from. It was his little brother. "Hey baby brother." He sees his lady friend who was staring at him. A rather attractive woman, he had to give her that. But it was really rude to just stare like that, she looked back at his brother. She must not be very intrested or something, obviously quick to judge due to his appearance. Her eyes were else but her mind was set on him, he didn't know for sure, but he had a feeling. He wasn't going to speak to her just yet, waiting for her to come to him. Like a fly to a to a nice bright warming fire. Then the fly untimatly burns and will be lucky to survive the flame.

He continued quietly turning his back on the women around him. Continuing to drink his saki, he still feels that the womans attention was on him. Under human law he guess he would be in some trouble having over 100,000 kills under his belt. Fun time in war and such, leading men, women and children to their deaths. He remembers the battle over the crusades. Children are innocent and pure, they could survive a fight against the 'brutish and sinful' moors. That damn arch-bishop sent them to their slaughter, a ocean of blood soaked into the sands of the so called 'holy land'. Horrible times that was, may their sould rest in peace. And creatures of night think we're so cruel and demented.

He looks at his brother once more. He was talking to the woman still. "Hey brother, get the girl some food will you?" He turns his head again and chugged the rest of his drink and continued to ask for more. With the tender continuing to give the man drinks.

[feathers2]

The fae sucked up the very last of her drink-- a noisy act, and an explosion of mint in her mouth. She was feeling just the right amount of drunk, where the room was spinning slightly and her inhibitions were loose but not completely gone. A silly, stupid smile had spread across her pretty alcoholic face, and she waved at the bartender, giggling like a schoolgirl.

He moved over, apparently happy to be away from Hiro. Who wouldn't be? The embarrassingly poorly-dressed lycan was loud, brash and disgusting, spitting drinks all over the place and throwing bottles around. What a mess-maker. "Heyyy, Jack, Jackiee, bartender-me-love...c'mere away from the sake-bombing attention-whore for a quick sec. Rusey needs another drink." The bartender looked a bit nervous-- she was talking louder than she realized, and her insult to the man who appeared to be more than a little dangerous actively worried him. Her words were slurred and lilting, though, and a well-buried Irish accent was becoming noticeable in her speech. The tender gave her a telling look. "Ruse, I don't wanna cut you off, but your tab is astronomical. You gotta start paying me before I get you anything else."

The fairy frowned, brows pulled down, lips pouting, eyes turning jade green. "Aw, hey, darlin! At least lemme have one last beer t' get me through the night!" He moved away, shaking his head and picking up a glass from the counter to dry off. "Jackiee, c'mon...for old time's sake? No? Feh! Oberon's beard, you're as generous as a leprechaun, ain'cha?" She gave up as he laughed and turned his back on her, her arms collapsing on the bar top and head lowering to rest her chin on her folder forearms. Rusalka was about to get cranky-- she didn't like to be denied her addiction. Perhaps she'd start walking soon, find another pub...or perhaps she'd find a way to get him to make eye contact and hypnotize him into getting her a drink. Somehow or another, the torture of her liver would be continued. Ruse was not one to take no for an answer when it came to booze.

[tadashi]

It was almost impossible to hold a conversation here. Not that he normally wanted to have a conversation in a bar but for some reason he wanted to with this woman. She had an edge, something about her that he just liked. He could imagine her whipping out a gun or a sword and being able to hold her own in a fight. It was a turn on, especially in a life like his.

Tadashi turned to his brother when he called him his baby brother. His expression was one of near annoyance, comments like that would not help him make points with this woman. He wasn't truly annoyed though, Hiro was his brother and even though he was annoyed, he smiled. He grinned actually, his eyes reflecting the respect he had for his brother, "Hiro, my brother." He had almost called him Hiro the Ancient, but he didn't want to call attention to that fact. There were always people who thought they could take the head of an ancient. Poor misguided people. They all learned eventually, either that or they died. Either way, problem solved.

He laughed when his brother suggested he buy the woman a drink, or some food. He would try and use the situation to his advantage. He turned back to the woman beside him, "Would you like something? He's buying. So get whatever you want. Better yet, get two or three of them why dontcha?" He was all smiles for the next few seconds. He'd considered using Hiro's money to buy drinks for everyone in the room, drinks and food on the house. That would be fun.

"Heyyy, Jack, Jackiee, bartender-me-love...c'mere away from the sake-bombing attention-whore for a quick sec. Rusey needs another drink."

The snarl, the growl, both were immediate. Unless someone stopped him he was going to rip her to shreds. Already he was moving toward her, the fairie. He didn't go beserk like Hiro but then again, he didn't need to to be deadly. His eyes were going gold, his nails becoming claws. She'd insulted his brother. No one did that. Ever.

[poss]

My my the pub sure was filling up quickly. The level of noise actually bringing a smile to her face for once. It was one of her first nights out on the town at one of the local hang outs, she couldn't let a little issue such as obnoxious behavior get to her. Not too soon at least. She tried to keep on a face that was friendly, not liking to give away the fact that she was a cop. It was quite the challenge to act so different than usual, well at least it was for Anastasia. She wasn't one to wear masks, but on nights like these she polished it and set it on tight. Hold on, my dear, this is going to be a wild ride.

The gang banger, now known to her as Hiro as Dash directed a greeting toward him, seemed to have gotten on the bad side of the woman who sat near by. She tried not to feel too tense, not too worried, and brought the glass of wine back to her lips. In times like these- get drunk. She almost laughed to herself, bringing a hand to her mouth as she was in mid swallow when the thought came to mind. It was funny because it was true. It wasn't too often Anastasia would even let herself get close to intoxication. She wasn't like other women when she got drunk. She didn't get 'easy', she could be quite the hard ass. But, she was a giggler. No better way to lighten the mood than to laugh. Another sip, and the glass which had been full was now empty, and she set it on the counter beside her, still facing Tadashi. Was it the wine, or did he just get better looking?

Perhaps it was the anger that flared up within him that had her reaching out toward him, setting a hand on his nearest shoulder as she leaned closer, "Its okay, let it go. Just have a good time. The girl is off her rocker, she doesn't know up from down right now." she offered a genuine smile, searching for his eyes in hope he would make eye contact with her so that he could tell she was being sincere. If he started to get too upset she was going to have to do something rash. And, at this point, it may not be her usual type of 'rash', instead she may look for a distraction, and what better way to distract a young male than to..

Whoa, lets cut off that thought. "I am good on the food thanks, but I wouldn't mind another drink, especially if he is the one paying." She grinned, giving Dash a wink.

[Deleted]

"Tadashi....Refrine...." He cooly but calmly, keeping himself from too much attention. Knowing his brother was beginning to get angery. And the last thing he wanted was a pool of blood he would have to clean up. Not to mention get Lucius to hide everything then pay the vampire everything done. He was as stress as he wanted to be already. He notices the claw were slowly emarging. "Do you not know, there is a lady infront of you, if you are to treat a lady right then do so by keeping her in front of you not out the door. Or do you want a reminder of Japan?" He said calm taking off his mask and glasses. He takes a cigar from his pocket, lights it up and then smokes it calmly. A gang banger smoking an expenisive cigar, a rare thing, a bad thing.

He wanted to hide the fact he was rich and close to owning a high incomed club. If this woman was a cop of anykind, she would catch on prett quick. He doubted and push the thought aside. He just wanted to relax, and smoking a cigar helped him. Like the smoke would hurt his lungs, still he is one of the fastest, almost second to his brother. Which he was deeply glad for. His eyes were dark but gave a warming sensation, a sense of trust, he needed that effect if he wanted to continue to relax. But once he hears his little brother offer up his money, he grumbled a bit. "Where's the money I gave you last week? Have you been gambling again?"

[tadashi]

"Its okay, let it go. Just have a good time. The girl is off her rocker, she doesn't know up from down right now."

He looked at her, his mind already becoming that of the beast.

"Tadashi....Refine...."

It wasn't until he heard his brother's voice, his Alpha's command, that he started to regain control. As soon as Hiro said it he started to relax, his eyes returned to brown the claws began to hide when he did focus on the young woman. She smelt really good. He heard what his brother said to him, and he nodded, understanding. Tadashi turned back, to his brother. They were here to relax, the woman was right too. He said, "You are right." The words could have applied to either of them.

"I am good on the food thanks, but I wouldn't mind another drink, especially if he is the one paying."

He smiled, his grin widening for the moment until he heard his brother. He didn't think he had a gambling problem, "Don't worry, bro. I invested it. I spent it on my bike, on some upgrades." Besides, the Lycan almost always won. Except that one time in Las Vegas. And that one time in Monte Carlo. And that one time in Kyoto. And that one time in Atlantic City. But who was counting. He sure wasn't. Besides, his brother had enough money for a few tax right offs now and again. Recovering quickly enough, he leaned into the young woman as he ordered her another glass. He thought her giggles were cute and he himself let the deep laughter echo up from his chest.

Tadashi motioned to the bartender, "Give this lady anything she wants. And bring me another." The scent of the expensive cigar put him at ease. He'd grown up smelling it in moments of relaxation, it was no different now. It settled him down. He finished off his own beer. There was no way he was going to allow a female to out drink him. Not that she could. He leaned in, letting his warm breath fan out across her neck even as he took in her scent. He would be able to find her anywhere now, if he so desired. He asked, "So what is it you do Anastasia?"

[feathers2]

Oh, excellent. She'd pissed someone off-- as usual. It hardly bothered her when she was sober-- drunk as she was, Rusalka only laughed mockingly at Dash's sudden flare of anger. "Jackie, look, this is why I need another drink, people around me start gettin' upset if I don't have somethin' to keep my mouth occupied with!" One of those odd statements of hers that was a weird truth-- after all, a lie just wouldn't come out of her mouth. Despite her nonchalance, however, at the sound of the man's snarl she'd release the glimmerspell she usually had on her nails; the one that made them look nice, manicured, with pleasant French tips. Now, they were what they truly were, jagged, sharp, bony claws that were as vicious as the tricky little fae-blood that ran in the beautiful girl's veins. She kept her hands in a neutral pose where they were, but sat up straighter now that she had someone to piss off.

A stupid, silly grin spread across her face. She knew her up from down, but off her rocker Rusalka may very well have been. Her pointed ears took in the older lycan's direction to leave the little fae woman alone. She ought to have been grateful and silent, but that really wasn't her style. She was a walking mess and not socialized in the way that others were. An entirely different viewpoint on life-- one that, in her current state of intoxication, might've been slightly suicidal. Glittering beetle-green eyes stared down the bar, her sharp teeth glittering palely in a drunken smile. "Oi, I see who holds the leash in that family, eh, doggies? What a pretty pair y'are..." Somehow, she just knew she was going to start trouble with that bit. For now, the twinge of adrenaline was welcome, and she revelled in it. There weren't many that could catch a fairy once she decided not to be caught, after all. There were ways, and then there were ways...

[poss]

Sensing the anger in the younger lycan she remained facing him, giving her full attention to him in case he got out of hand. Anastasia never left home without an array of weaponry, from the five different blades located along her body, to the 9mm that was in her shoulder holster under the partially unzipped leather jacket she wore. Her right hand was always empty, even when she took the next glas of red wine the tender brought to her upon Dash's command. Always ready to take on any form of action, being a human you had to be on your toes. In the amount of time it would take her to reach in to her jacket and retrieve the weapon of choice, she could be up against a wall, or even worse- dead. She tried to remain as calm as she could, keeping the innocent gleam in her eye as she glanced down the length of the bar at Hiro, and then at the fae. Anastasia had a hard time pretending to be just another young woman out on the town, but sometimes, in situations like these, it was best to keep the element of surprise at the ready.

The wine glass met her lips yet again, quietly sipping as she began to reconsider the idea of getting intoxicated. Truth was, when you were her size and rarely drank, even two glasses of wine could have you on your ass. The glass set down on the bar top beside her, hearing Dash's comment. She wasn't one to lie, but she didn't mind removing a few facts from the bundle before delivering. "I am a personal trainer, and yourself?" It wasn't a lie, it was the truth, it just had a few pieces missing around the edges. She didn't feel like ruining the moment. ... Okay, maybe she never felt like ruining the element of surprise of things got out of hand, so she wasn't about to bring up the fact that she was a police officer, or that just a few months ago she was one of the best known hunters in the country.

Rusalka's words rang clear, and Ana cringed internally, trying to keep her exterior expressions calm and cheery. It was quite the challenge, especially with Mr. Gang Banger just a seat or so down from her, talking over her to his brother. The scent of his cigar wafting through the airflow she could tell he was a high roller, but that was no cause for alarm. Her specialty was violent crime, if he sold drugs, good for him, let the feds handle it.