Distractions ((open))

She was a creature of habit, she would freely admit it. The young vampire sat in her normal booth, sipping her normal drink as she watched some of her favorite dancers performing. Not even after the bizarre events here recently would she change.

No, Celeste knew she was in a rut. 'What I need is a distraction,' she thought with a sigh. Shifting one of her fishnet clad legs and adjusting the miniscule black and purple plaid schoolgirl style skirt she wore the vampire propped her feet up on the bench across from her. The buckles and spikes on the tall combat boots clinked softly as she tapped them together unconsciously. If it wasnt for the extra tightly laced latex corset she would have slumped down in her seat, but she still managed to slump her shoulders and sigh.

Her chin length blue black hair was left loose this evening, a change from her normal slicked back style. It hung down and framed her pale, porcelin like face. Thick khol and black eyeshadow left her eyes dark and smoky, which only enhanced the brilliant pale blue orbs that stared at the stage intently. Blood red polish on her long nails shimmered from the glitter in it as she drummed out a rapid beat with one hand, the other propped her chin up.

What the hell was she doing coming into a place like this? She didn't know. The place stunk with... with... well like a cheap brothel, heavy on the cheap. Babylon, interesting name to call a strip club, now she was pondering if it was named after the Whore of Babylon. If Jesus appeared, she was making a quick exit.

She took out her earbuds and shut off her MP3 player, stuffing them into her pocket, pulling out her Misfit's wallet and checking to see how much cash she had on her. Looking at the crumpled bills she knew she wasn't going to be paying for a show, which was quite alright, T and A were really not her forte. Her eyes looked up as she peered around the bar, wow this place was lacking at least the dancers didn't have saggy tits like some of the joints she has been too.

Her last experience in a strip club still made her shudder, last time she ever did a bet while drunk. She meandered over to a table and sat down, kicking her feet up on an empty chair, if anything she could kill a few hours.

Carol walked in eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pausing only to lick the sticky parts off from the webbing in between her thumb and index finger. It was delicious and she hummed a happy tune as she finished the sandwich. She crossed over onto the hell side, in the far back, and looked for something to wipe her hands on. Casually reaching down and wiping it on a table cloth, she checked out the room before choosing a seat. A gothy type dressed woman sitting a booth seemed agreeable, as did another younger looking punked out little lady. Carol looked down at her rose colored, mid thigh high slip dress and sandaled feet. Her blond hair stood out comparatively as well - oh well, she was pretty sure she had those same boots so she walked over and slid into the booth, opposite of the woman.

'Hey, hi.' A waitress walked by and Carol reached out to get her attention. 'Oh, uh - hazelnut coffee? Wait, no...yes, hazelnut coffee.' The waitress nodded and began to leave but Carol reached out again with a snap of her fingers, remembering something else. 'Oh oh, could I get some hot wings?' The waitress nodded again and turned, 'Oh wait - and...jalepeno poppers. Yeah, poppers. god those are so good.' The waitress waited this time, looking at Carol with a hesitant look. 'Oh that's it - thanks!'

Turning back to the bound and leather woman, she leaned over and smiled. 'So - are you a friend of Amberelle De'Eespionne? My boss met her in Duibne Inudstries during that whole Zombie thing. Bad night that was, huh - but you look familiar.' Carol referring to upper level surveillance which were really only glimpses of her since she appeared to be fading in and out. 'Ethereal, right? You guys are SO lucky to get that!'

Carol crossed her legs and smiled. Looking over at the other woman in the club, she called over to her before her booth mate could answer her question. With a sharp whistle hoping to get the woman's attention, Carol began to wave frantically, wanting to invite her over too. Why not, it was a quiet evening and she was never one to be shy.

((ooc - temp let me know if its ok that Carol knows Celeste from the DI surveillance, if not I can change it. - Roz ))

Straightening up, Celeste leaned back and let her silky black tresses fall out of her eyes to get a good look at the blonde across from her. She narrowed her eyes as her mind filled with a string of curses. 'How could I have been so stupid? Security recordings. It had to be.. how else would she have seen? Damnit.' Excuses could have been made for the dire situation, the madness of the night or any number of things, but the Creole was not the type to make them for herself.

Yes.. lucky. The vampire lifted her wine glass and took a sip slowly, icy eyes sliding over her appraisingly. Manners first.. She smiled thinly at her, as if to reproach her for the slip. I'm Celeste.

As for how I know Amberelle.. she is my clanmate, and my cousin. Reaching over she picked up the slim silver cigarette case sitting beside her and pulled out one of her dark cloves. She held it in between her lips as pulled out her lighter, one eye still on the stranger. So tell me, a brief flare of fire from the Zippo lit up her starly pale features in the shadowy club for a moment and shimmered on her various piercings, who is this employer of yours?

Maybe the saucy wench with big appetites could fill a few of hers, Cel mused. The less people who knew about her and Amber the better. And she could always use a bit to eat.

(And yes, quite alright that Carol recognizes her =D ))

Brook glanced at the woman who was waving at her,she paused for a moment, turning her head around to see if the woman might have been waving at someone else. Nope. She looked back at the bubbly blond and rose an eyebrow, wondering if she had some kind of message on her forehead that said, "Plays well with others." Last time Brook checked, she didn't.

She stood up from her chair, wondering what the hell the woman could possibly want from her. No one ever is polite enough just ask for a conversation, people always wanted something. She flicked her tongue against the back of her teeth, pondering if she should walk over there. Well she was standing now, it was a late now, Brook was already standing.

She casually walked over to the booth where Carol and Celeste were, pulling out a pack of cheap cigarettes and pulling out one. She stopped at the booth and looked at the duo and then to the blond. "Whut?" Her think southern drawl rolled off her tongue, she pulled out her bic and lit the cigarette, taking a deep drag from it. Her forehead knitted together, making the scars on her face cut deep into her flesh, twisting her appearance. She was disgruntled and not the chipper type.

Her eyes shifted to the other woman, wow, up close and personal the woman dressed like a really cheesy goth was pretty cheesy. She looked over back to the blond, lifting an eyebrow, wondering when she was going to state what the fuck she wanted. "C'mon, I ain't got all night." Brook states with an impatient grunt. "If there is somethin' ya want, spit it out." She licks her bottom lip before putting the cigarette in her mouth and just letting it dangle there, as she slid a hand into her pocket.

(sorry it took me so long to respond, I lost internet for a couple days.)

Carol recognized a predator's look when she saw one, but it didn't bother her in the least that Celeste was considering eating her. She got that a lot. 'I'm Carol, nice to meet you.' She smiled unafraid. 'My boss is Simon Huntington of Tacharan.' Carol decided to leave it at that - if she knew he was involved with her, that was ok, if not...that was ok, too. She'd let Celeste make her own conclusions.

Just then the angry punk goddess walked over to their table after noticing Carol waving her arms frantically to get her attention. She couldn't help but giggle at the 'mean girl' act. Carol gave her a pleasant smile offered her a chair.

'Hey there! Just being neighborly, tween us girls and all. I'm Carol and this is Celeste.'

Now, Carol had no clue who this girl was - in fact she had never seen her before at all. She wouldn't even attempt to guess if she was a vampire although she looked like she could have fit into Tacharan quite well, but then she just might be human like Carol. One could never tell and it just wasn't polite to guess.

Celeste just watched the exchange between the two women with a faintly amused smirk. The pretty little blonde was quite ballsy, but that was such a typical Orphan trait. Well, at least the few she'd run across in New Orleans. So full of themselves, thinking they were an actual clan and not a loosely organized bunch of riff raff. Granted, she acknowleged to herself, after seeing their base here in Nachton they were obviously well funded and entrenched in the city. They didn't seem to be hunted for food and sport by the Anantya like back home.

Flicking a bit of ash and exhaling slowly away from the two, Cel looked the other woman up and down a moment before lowering her feet and motioning for her to take a seat.

Come on, join us. I'm sure Carol here would just love to buy us both a drink, non? Must have a huge expense account at her disposal... Working for who she does. The vampire smirked at the human, a hint of fang showing.

Brook looked at the blond and just blinked at her. Is she for real? Just being neighborly? She didn't know how to reply in a nice mature manner, no all she had up her sleeve was uncouth brash backhanded comments. She lifted her brow to the woman, she had to be up to something, Brook just wasn't sure what. It could be a number of things, the likely chance anyone was ever -nice- was slim to none. "Riiight." Brook commented around the cigarette to the bubbly blond, did someone give her a lobotomy?

She looked over at the other woman, just her outfit alone hurt Brook mentally, but in the woman's catty undertone, Brook saw something she shouldn't have, it wasn't the fangs, even if she did see fangs, what goth poser freak doesn't go out and get molded casts? No it was something else. There was a conflict, of some sort, and Brook was about to be brought into the middle of it, whether it was unintentional or not, Brook saw this leading into a bad place.

She pulled her cigarette from her lips and flicked the ashes into the ashtray. "It's unusual for people to invite strangers to their table for a drink." She sat down at the booth, snuffing out what was left of her cigarette into the ashtray, she barely smoked it, it mostly just hung on her lip for decoration. She tried to make herself distant enough from Celeste and Carol, not to be to close, but it was hard to do in such cramped quarters.

"Either ya'll dun git many visitors here or ya'll be a tad to friendly." Mostly that statement alone was filled with sarcasm, Carol might have been bubbly and full of smiles, but as Brook learned, those are the ones you have to look out for, they tend to be a bit crazy and unpredictable. Celeste was easy to peg and Brook didn't find her as much as a threat. She was the dagger woman, she would place a dagger in your back if that meant she could get anywhere. An opportunist. Brook knew Celeste's kind, they way they thought they were better than everyone else. Never getting their own hands dirty they pay the lowlifes to do it for them. Brook was one of those low lifes, now she was waiting for Celeste to give her an envelope filled with cash, to be a leg breaker on Carol.

She didn't doubt Celeste had her own people for that, but the cliche` analogy was to epic not to think in her own mind. The stench of these two, an aristocrat and the bimbo, almost made Brook vomit a little in her mouth, yet she was too amused to see how events would turn out, so she had to stay. If only to make fun of them and potentially be kicked out of a strip club. Heh. No there was nothing suspicious at all with three women sitting in a booth at a strip club, nothing at all. However if it turns out, either of these two bitches are lesbians, Brook is heading out quick. Last thing she wants is gothwonder here, dressing up like a total Dom and coming after Brook with a whip... She shudders at the thought, grabbing a waitresses attention. "Git me a tall bourbon..." Dear god and make it quick!

The annoyed expression on the punk girl's face was hilarious and Carol couldn't help but grin. She wondered just what conclusions this girl was coming to about her and Celeste. Looking over at Celeste she had her own conclusions, but she knew what you see was most certainly not what you got. Carol wondered about this girl's story - abused childhood, genius or reckless criminal...maybe even a loving mother - who knew? Maybe she just liked to bite things.

'Oh, I don't know how unusual it is for people to invite strangers to their table for a drink. You'd be surprised.'

Carol happily took her coffee and took a big gulp. She practically bounced when they brought the appetizers and she hungrily dug in.

Looking over the odd newcomer, Celeste kept a perfectly bland expression on her face as she took in all the details about their strange mannered, punk haired, surly seeming new table mate. Never one to judge anyone by their looks, the Creole was curious to see who this young woman was and just what she was doing here. And why Carol had really invited her over.

Her pupils narrowed ever so slightly when she considered it could all be an act and this was some Tacharan heavyweight sent to keep an eye on pretty miss goldielocks here. Taking a sip of the almost finished wine she'd had, she nodded to the waitress as Brooke ordered, one red nail tapping the glass lightly to indicate another. The scantily clad brunette gave them all a mock sneer as she spun off towards the bar, her black angel wings swishing along with her hips. Cel allowed her eyes to follow her briefly, more amused than anything else.

Finally looking at the other woman with her cold blue stare, she tilted her head to the side and gave her a full on grin, her tone teasing and her Louisiana accent thickening slightly as she spoke. I guess you didn't expect much southern hospitality this far North? Trust me.. people in this town are very friendly.. Well, some of them are. 'Usually when they want to use you for dinner,' she added to herself with a slightly wider grin.

This whole situation was quite amusing when she stopped to think about it. Here she was an accomplished assassin, renowned amongst Clanmates in her home city for hunting and killing Orphans, and generally not a pleasant person to be around but yet she was playing nice with one, and possibly two, of those very same rogue kindred. Dear God she hoped Amberelle's bleeding heart ways weren't rubbing off.

Brook kept that odd look on her face when it came to Carol, Brook was certain she was from another planet all together. It was the only logical explanation Brook had for Carol's really happy attitude, no one was ever that happy. "Well, Carol.. ya have me surprised." And complete creeped out, she sunk back into her seat, praying that Carol's bubbly nature was not contagious

She looks over to Celeste, from one extreme to the other, overly happy to overly bitchy. It was written all over Celeste, like the woman had a case of permanent PMS. Brook then just smirked slightly, Celeste probably doesn't see too much action, seriously, what man wants a chica like that? None that she knew, then the smirked faded when she actually thought about the guys she used to hang around with. She quickly took her mind off the subject.

"Southern hospitality? Is that when they call you a 'damn dirty gringo' an' then try to shoot you?" She blinks at Celeste, Brook wasn't much liked down South, she was right up there with the blacks, jews and asains. "Or is that when they invite you in for dinner, have you touch everything in the house then call the sheriff to come arrest ya for breaking an' entering?" Brook wasn't trying to be impolite, but there was a big difference between Celeste and Brook, and that was skin color. Brook was half mexican, but down south she might as well have jumped the border herself.

"No one ever gets enough southern hospitality." She gives a slight cocksure grin. "But if ya say ya'll are friendly, then by all means, I will be prepared to jump fences." She looks back at Carol and smirks, jacking a thumb to Celeste. "See, that's how 'em southern's git ya. They smile, invite you over for ice tea wit dem bright smiles on their faces and as ya are about to leave, they pull out a double barrel shot gun an' the next thing ya know, yer in a morgue cause of a 'huntin accident'." She makes little quotations with her fingers. "Southern hospitality." She laughs at the phrase. "Forgive me, seems I have come down with a laughin' fit." Her laugh was loud, boisterous and gruff. She couldn't hide her amusement.

She takes a deep breath, calming herself down, looking back over to Celeste. "Ya be shittin' me? Right?" She cracks herself up again. "Yer ma and pa would give ya a mighty fine whoopin' if they saw you dressed the way ya are, no self respectin' southern bell, would ever be caught dead in that get-up." She couldn't hold back, it was too difficult. "And if ya be workin' here, chica... seriously, find a new act, ya look like a two bit hustler." Brook wasn't the best smelling or the best dressed and she knows she shouldn't be pointing any fingers. She just couldn't help herself, and it was her mouth that was going to get her killed one of these days.

'Well wow,' Carol started, swallowing a bit of a popper, 'you're wondering why people aren't nice to you with a sunshiney attitude like that? What are you? 15?' Carol dusted her hands and crossed her legs.

'Despite your, undoubtedly, long years of experience with unfriendly people it may not have occurred to you that they may have started off friendly, it's just your 'woe is me' and that's woe spelled with an E, not w-h-o-a, that have put them off. Why should someone offer you tea, if you're just going to spit in it?'

Carol titled her head and smiled. 'Actually I thought I'd be polite and invite a stranger to a nice show of titties and some small talk. Although I am enjoying your bruised, if not insulting, idealism. I'm actually still quite prepared to 'jump fences', as you put it and try to enjoy this conversation. As much as you want to come off as a bad girl from the wrong side of the tracks, then by all means...it's just an old and tired show of street balls, as it were. Give a shit about yourself and maybe other people will give a shit about you, too.'

Carol pointed to the appetizers and smiled at the punk goddess. 'Help yourself. They're yummy!'

She smiled at Carol, looking at the food that was offered after all the insults and presumptions that was thrown at her. She didn't need to eat, other then to hold up appearances, she just shook her head. “No thank you.” She said as she declined the food.


“I am glad that you are the only one that can make presumptions. As you presumed that I would come to this table and be as cheerful as you. Not everyone can be dosed with prozac.” She batted her eyelashes at Carol, articulating her words very carefully. “Or that when I was making a statement on the social status of the south inclined that I being emotional and whiny. Allow me to convey this in a way you will comprehend it. Your opinion, though entertaining and amuses me greatly, has no baring on what I am going to say. If you find it immature and brash then please, excuse me from your table.” She folded her hands together and rested them on the table. “Until then, chose your words carefully miss.” She smiled as pleasantly as she could muster up. “I am not some street punk, I am not someone showing street balls, you have me mistaken entirely for someone who really gives two shits about their reputation or street credit, or that I lack any self respect.”


She flicked her tongue ring against the back of her teeth, watching Carol carefully. “I am not flashing my balls, people have a tendency not to show you what their true intentions are or their true natures until it entirely to late. I am giving you the consideration of knowing my true nature, instead of beguiling you with some false demeanor.” Brook had a weird way of being considerate. “Perhaps you should do the same, or are you to ashamed of yourself to let everyone know who the real you is? Because I am not buying the sweet bimbo facade. You ruined that the moment you opened your mouth and decided criticize my behavior.”


She crossed one leg over the other, she could be well educated like if she wanted to be, at least with speaking. Just don't ask her what side of the plate the fork goes on, she wouldn't know. She looked over to Celeste. “Please feel free to jump in at any moment. I would love to hear what you have to say.” Carol had gotten her turn, now it was Celeste's, truth be known, Brook was have one hell of a time, it wasn't often she got to behave this way and most times she was far to sheltered to have any form of conversation.

The night had made a turn and actually become interesting. Celeste found herself looking between the two women, her eyes twinkling with an amused glint. Taking up Carol's invitation she munched on one of the still very hot poppers and waited to see where the conversation would go.

And then they were looking at her. What do I think? hmmmm. Yes of course they both had valid points but right now all the Anantya could think of was how nice it was to not sit in silence and be bored beyond belief. Would it behoove her to draw out this little confrontation or.. wait who was she kidding, she was no peacemaker. Oh joy this could get even more fun!

With a wide and fangy grin on her face she looked to Brook. I would say you're right.. this little Orphan here is no bimbo. In fact I would bet she's quite the clever one.. Blue eyes flickered to Carol for a moment, apprasing the blonde. Turning back to Brooke she continued in a more philisophical tone, head tilted to the side as she studied the angry woman some more.

But despite her flaws.. she has a few points for you. Some people say honesty is refreshing and all that bullshit. I think you should always remember how letting people see the "true you" is dangerous. I mean.. I don't judge anyone by their looks. But most people do. Cultivate that weakness, shape the fools around you. And merde, don't slap away every hand that happens to offer you something besides the shit you're used to. Sometimes you miss out that way. And.. oui, you are right. In the South prejudice runs rampant still. But don't let it define you.. or everyone you meet.

Her wine arrived and she took it with a relieved "ahh". A few sips of the rich red liquid to soothe her throat and allow the ladies to mull over what she'd said. She certainly wasn't here to offer pearls of wisdom or advice or any such crap, but when you asked her to speak her mind, sometimes she actually said something constructive. Usually her reply was to tell you to fuck off but hey, maybe she really was mellowing as she got older.

Oh and... chica... Celeste's eyes grew harder and her smile went from relaxed and warm to cold and harsh. I dress the way I like. My parents? Don't know what they would think of this outfit and I don't care. Remember what I said about cultivating the ones around you.. don't be judgemental. The vampire smirked. It only means what I'm doing is working and you are showing your ignorance and willingness to accept things at face value.

And that.. mes ami.. is a very, very dangerous trait in Nachton. Giving her a slight mock salute with her wine glass, Cel leaned back and crossed one arm over her waist loosely as she looked at the others, waiting for any reaction.

Carol was nodding as she ate another popper. Celeste was a lot more polite than Carol had been and it wasn't what she had expected. Another example of never judging the cover...blah blah.

'Oh but I am a bimbo. You'd have to be to get into some of the stores I shop in,' Carol said with a toothy grin.

Brook looked between both women, wow... Just wow. She had nothing to come back on. Which was a shock for her, she usually had something and this time, she found herself speechless. "Wow." She blundered out. "Huh." She scratched the back of her neck.

"Ya know." She went to say something, but got distracted by another thought "Ya guys remind me of a these people I met long time ago." She started, she loved to tell stories, at it was something to change the direction of the conversation. "There was once a port city I used to live in, not long mind you, but long enough." She turned her body slightly so she could see the both of them more clearly. "I was walking down the street, my ear caught the sound of talking in an alley, because of my curious nature I had to stop and listen." She pulled out a pack of cigarettes and tapped one out as she told the story.

"There were two women, one dressed in clad leather outfit, the other was dressed in a formal gown." Okay, so maybe she was exaggerating, but like a true bard, she never lets the truth get in the way of a good story. "They were arguing about something, I am not sure what it was. I could barely hear them over the roar of street life, but I did think it was odd that two women dressed like that would be in an alley. So I moved closer, tiptoeing my way over to them. Trying to use the darkness of night as my cover." She hunched her back over as though giving a visual guide on how she crept along in the darkness in her story. She was very animated and hey, at least she was entertaining.

"I crept closer and closer, but then I startled a cat and everything went down hill from there. The trash cans fell over and my location was compromised. They both looked at me, and boy were they mad. I smiled slightly and gave them a slight wave, much like the child being caught sneaking down the stairs on the night before Christmas to peek at the presents. The weird thing is..." She said as she crinkled her forehead. "They didn't say anything to me, no warning, before both of them pulled out pistols and started to shoot at me."

She chuckled, "I ran so damn fast, I thought my legs were going to fall behind." She scratched her neck, thinking for a moment, she actually wondered if these two were packing. "It was only until I escaped into the sewers did the chase end. Now here was the funny thing, these two didn't look like they were packing, I have seen my share of thugs and leg breakers, they didn't fit the description." She blinked and looked at the two very carefully, "They didn't even fit the mannerisms."

She shrugged her shoulders, once the beer came, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her tattered Misfits wallet, paying for the drink with a few crinkled dollar bills. "Mais c'est le jeu, oui ?" She asked as she looked over to Celeste. "The rouge is the more entertaining than the truth." She glanced over to Carol as she brought the beer up to her lips, pausing for a moment. "Right?" She winked at Carol, taking a sip from the bottle, still holding onto the cigarette in her other hand unlit.

Shiny red stiletto heels clicked on the polished floor of Babylon, long toned but feminine legs leading to a black pencil skirt that just reached the knees, the curve of a tight ass leading up to a red silk top which left the back bare and was tied at the neck by a long shimmery string of red beads, some whimsy locks of hair touched bare flawless shoulders, leading up to a slender neck, the moment the woman turned and looked around the club her face came in to view.

Her large nearly black eyes seemed to take in every detail, a small nose leading down to red plump lips, slightly parted as they curled up into a smirk, a trade mark expression for the woman belonging to this body.

Yes it was good to be back, an assassination job had called her out of the country for a while, the pay being too damn good to turn it down.

Making her way over to one of the vacant tables she waited for a waitress to approach.

"Good evening miss, can I get you something from the bar?"

Reaching inside of her purse Alexandra took out a 500 dollar bill, putting it down on the table she noticed the waitresses eyes widening.

"Champagne, the good stuff, nothing cheap I'll know if you try to rip me off, get that? leave the bottle and bring me 2 glasses, I have the feeling I will be getting company soon"

Watching the waitress scoot off as fast as she could she sat back, looking around her she noticed a head of neatly styled blonde hair, grinning she observed the woman for a bit.

"My my if it isn't the lovely Carol, this could be an interesting evening after all"

Carol ran out of poppers, much to her dismay. She was getting full, which in this see through dress wasn't a good idea, so she decided against more fun foods and maybe now a drink. Turning in her seat as Brook finished her story, Carol rubbernecked for a waitress. Seeing one standing in front of another patron, Carol waited impatiently for the cutie piece of skin to finish. As the waitress moved away the patron's profile was revealed.

'ALEXANDRA!'

She again began to wave frantically for the vampire to come over.

Waiting a bit impatiently for the waitress to return with her order Alexa checked her messages on her PDA, seeing she got a message from her last "boss" she smirked contently as he was very pleased about the done job and gave her a 500 k bonus.

"It pays to take out small country presidents"

Looking up as the waitress brought her a bottle of DOM PERIGNON - Vintage Rose 1996, nodding her approval she waved the girl off, just about to open the bottle she heard her name being called rather loudly, glancing over at the source of the sound she raised her hand in a greeting, picking up the bottle she gracefully walked over to where the other woman was sitting, nodding her greeting at the people who where with her.

"Carol, it's been a while, care for some champagne?"

Holding up the bottle she flashed one of her most dazzling smiles, waving the waitress over she instructed her to bring another bottle and enough glasses to serve the people around her.

The Anantya listened quietly, sipping her wine and wondering if this was the other woman's way of changing her attitude without making a fuss over the admonishment she and Carol had given her. The story was different and mildly interesting, if only for Brook's reactions. Celeste's interest was quite peaked when she said "escaped into the sewers" not into a mall or some other bright, shiny and well populated venue. It wasn't how most mortals thought. Very interesting indeed.

She started ever so slightly when Carol bellowed out at some woman and resisted the urge to rub her ringing ears. Following the blonde's gaze and frenzied wave she smirked ever so slightly to herself. What interesting companions she had this evening. Another Orphan and this one was good friends with her little Amber.

Cold blue eyes carefully studied the fluid movements of the Frenchwoman as she made her way to their table. Celeste did raise one eyebrow when she caught a look at the label on the bottle in Alexandra's hand. Setting her glass down she waited until the woman was done witrh their waitress before purring in a perfectly unaccented voice, My my. Celebrating something this evening?

Carol clapped her hands together once and gave Alexandra the thumbs up.

'Right on! Have a seat!'

Leaning back Carol snagged a chair from the next table and pulled it over for Alexandra. And expatriot but an interesting woman just the same. The waitress returned promptly with another bottle and more glasses. There was a celebratory pop from the champagne and the bubbly began to flow.

'Oh - this is Celeste and Brooke. Ladies, this is Alexandra!'

Carol took a sip of the drink and wrinkled her nose.

Celeste;43498

Cold blue eyes carefully studied the fluid movements of the Frenchwoman as she made her way to their table. Celeste did raise one eyebrow when she caught a look at the label on the bottle in Alexandra's hand. Setting her glass down she waited until the woman was done witrh their waitress before purring in a perfectly unaccented voice, My my. Celebrating something this evening?

Smirking at the dark haired woman Alexa raised a shapely eyebrow.

"Isn't every day a reason to celebrate?"

She wasn't about to tell some stranger about her reason for well being, especially not around Carol, taking the seat the other woman provided she opened the bottle like a pro, if there was something Alexandra know how to do well it was opening champagne and wine, she imagined being thought how to when she was still alive back in France, but for the good of God.. or the Devil for that matter she couldn't remember.

Taking a glass she held it out to her companions.

"To being a woman"

Taking a sip she let her sense be flooded with the wonderful taste of the wine, the bubbles tickling her nose making her almost giggle.

Carol considered her normal toast. To 'Golden Mushroom Soup' or 'a sale at the shoe store' or even better yet, 'to no split ends'. Silently she raised her glass and shared the toast. She was now thoroughly stuffed, surrounded by vampires, naked women and drinking champagne. It was a good evening overall, she decided.

'So Alex - how ya been?'

It had been some time since Alexandra had left Tacharan, what with the leadership changing the way it did. It was nice to know there weren't any violent feelings between the ex-patriot and herself, but then the night was still young.

Cocking her head to the side she considered Carol's question for a moment before answering.

"I've been good, as you can see from my choice of drinks"

Winking she gestured to the 200+ dollar champagne bottles on the table, taking another sip she crossed her legs at the knee, her left foot moving back and forth to the sound of the slow music being played as a stripper did some sensual dance on one of the stages.

"How is Tacharan, or is that something you're not obliged to say to an ex clan member"

Smirking she sat back in her chair, she didn't have a second of regret that she left the clan when she did, Alexandra just wasn't the clan type, she knew the risks of being a rogue all too well, but she just didn't give a fuck, so what if she was a target, it came with the job.

Grabbing the arm of a passing waiter she looked up at the startled young man, pouting she looked him in the eye.

"You're breaking my hear here my dear, passing me by like this without offering me something to eat, what about something juicy and red,is that on the menu tonight?"

The young man blushed beet red at the tone of her voice, his adamsapple bopping noticeable as he swallowed.

"Ummm I'll see what i can do miss, excuse me please"

Almost running off he disappeared into the employees section, leaving behind very amused Alexandra.

Brook was silent as she watched the whole commotion, listening as she rose her brow wondering who this new person was. Her eyes shifted from Carol to Alex to Celeste, then back. When the other woman finally joined their table, Brook got a little nervous. It was getting a little to populous to her liking, but she didn't complain. Obviously it was Carol's friend, or at least she thought.

She picked up her beer and brought it up to her lips, taking a small drink. She wasn't going to jump in yet, she wanted to observe reactions all the way around the board before she opened her giant mouth and ruined everyone's evening. She finally brought her cigarette to her lips and lit it, taking a drag, inhaling the smoke slowly as she watched the women interact.

It was when the Tacharan clan was mentioned that Brook rose the other eyebrow and sat straight up. "Tacharan?" Brook canted her head to the word, if she was around a bunch of licks, she was going to be in serious trouble.

Carol shrugged prettily in response to Alex's question regarding Tacharan. 'Same ole, same ole.' Not one to just blatantly speak of clan business she left it at that. Silently she wondered if maybe being out of Tacharan was better for Alex, seeing how she was so brazen and openly discussing her clan in front of strangers.

'It's nothing but a little social club, Brook,' Carol said with a smile and then looked back at Alex, tempering her smile with a slight look of caution. She then ran her fingers around the base of the champagne flute and relaxed into her chair.

'I never thought I'd say this, but there is entirely too much estrogen going on here - me needs some man flesh, me thinks!'

Letting out a soft laughter at Carol's reply to Brook she waved her hand in a dismissing gesture, raising her glass to Carol she smiled.

"Nothing but a social club, some just fit in better then others"

Sipping her champagne she looked around the club, another strip act had just entered the stage, a girl dressed like a nurse was holding a large syringe with some red liquid inside which dripped from the edge, she smiled wickedly at her audience, moving her eyes back to Carol she nodded her head in agreement, apart from the few one night stands she had lately nothing exciting had been going on for her, Panos seemed to be a thing of the past, she hadn't seen him in ages and quite honestly she could use a warm body to snuggle up at night.

"Any suggestions? the only men I see around here aren't even worth a second glance"

Only a social club, who were they trying to fool? Brook knew a line of bullshit when she heard it, and now it was making her uncomfortable. She looked over at Celeste, the fang lady and then back over to Alexandra and Carol. 'You are in deep, this time.' she thought to herself. She smiled faintly at all three women, she has officially bitten off more than she could chew.

"Well, I have to scram anyways, it will deduct one more female from the table." She said to them, sliding out of the booth, she would have to get out fast if she wanted to leave with her skin still in tact. Damn licks. She shouldn't say much, she was one of them, but clans didn't like other clans and all the clans hated what Brook stood for.

"Nice meetin' ya'll." Hopefully she could avoid them in the near future, she rubbed her sweaty hands on her pant legs, trying not to seem all that suspicious by leaving abruptly.

It was all she could do not to choke on her champagne when they tried to pawn off Tacharan as a social club. Celeste glanced around the table and then finally settled on looking at Brook. The woman was obviously uncomfortable and trying to beat a hasty retreat. But why? Was it the sudden influx of strangers, the mention of men (Was she a lesbian? Cel hadn't gotten that vibe but who knew!) or was it the mention of the name of the would-be third clan? Interesting. Yes, this little angry punk girl had become very interesting indeed.

Leaning back with a soft creak from her corset, she spoke with a smooth but very firm tone. Ahh, if only she had command. Some things in life just couldn't be that easy she guessed. The Anantya snorted softly, well aware that life was usually a hard cruel bitch. But she was used to that.

No really Brook... why don't you stay.. have some more champagne.. and tell us what you had heard about Tacharan? One eyebrow raised and she openly smirked. Her expression screamed "If you dare."

Shit! Shit! Shit!

She was in a state of panic, anxiety took over as sweat beads formed on her brow. 'Don't panic!' She told herself to no avail. She was torn with her need to run away and the challenge on Celeste's face in wanting her to stay and 'chat.' Damn, survival in one hand, to prove she was not a pussy in the other. Her eyes shifted back and forth marking her exit routes should she need to make an evasive escape. She sat back down after a moment, mapping out things in her mind should she feel her existence was in jeopardy. 'God, I'm a glutton for punishment.' She said to herself, which wasn't entirely false, she was. "Well..." She started to say, feeling a lump in her throat, she didn't feel to comfortable with speaking of it out loud, so she would have to devise a plan to word it correctly. "Antidisestablishmentarianism, doesn't work on paper nor does it work in the real world, and I speak of the modern use of the word, not those who opposed Henry the Eighth's destruction of the monasteries." Wasn't that a mouthful.

She cleared her throat, now came even the harder part. "As much as I like to root for the underdog, not always is the underdog right. A solid structure is needed, any person who takes Anarchy seriously will tell you that an Anarchist society will govern no control and control is needed in some various degree. Power the the people? That's good, but how far would one be willing to go? What I know of Tacharan, is small and possibly even feeble, compared to others. But I do know courage and reckless behavior will only lead to being cannon fodder. As for without any solid structure and fighting for a supposed cause with no one to truly rise up and lead with an iron fist, there is nothing to unite it those under the clan, leaving open to misguided kids with big guns."

She takes a deep breath and pulls on a loose piece of thread on her leather jacket. "That is only my opinion if the truth about the Tacharan is they are reckless anarchs as my 'father' said they were." She hangs her head down, not looking anyone in the eyes, she was screwed, she can kiss her little gringo as good bye... especially if she was at a table with Tacharan's.

Alexa felt a string of laughter build inside of her until she couldn't hold it inside any longer, bursting out in a loud laughter she reached for the bottle of champagne, pouring herself another glass while still laughing.

Looking over at Brook she calmed down some what and took a sip before speaking.

"That my dear has to be the funniest thing anyone has ever told me"

Still grinning like a cheshire cat she looked over at the other two women at the table, she was quite aware of the slight tension around her, she also knew that speaking about vampire clans was about the greatest sin any vampire could commit, but then she didn't give a rats ass, for one she wasn't in ANY clan nor would she ever be part of one ever again.

And now she was starting to get hungry and not for solid food.

She looked at Alexandra and rose a brow. She thought that was funny? Brook must have been completely wrong then, or completely right, she was rather unsure at the moment. She nearly slid under the table to hide from her embarrassment.

"Yeah." She crinkles her brow a little, being at a table with other vampires was not something for her to jump up and down for joy. Her attitude did a complete 180. From brass and cocky, to quiet and reserved. Her eyes kept on the points of exits so she could escape if need be. The sewers would protect her, they always have.

She could hide in the tunnels and up in the pipe lines, the smell of rats and sewage would hide her scent. She could make herself small enough and hide in the crevices, but she just had to get out of here. Her moment of opportunity would prevent itself shortly, or so she hoped.

It was all Celeste did not to throw her head back and laugh. Oh, how this one was proving to be interesting! Her tone was laced with amusement as she lifted her glass and gave Brook a small toast.

Spoken like a fellow Anantya I would assume. No bleeding heart Evenhet would say things like that.. they'd whine about them being misguided or too violent or some such bullshit. So, here's to the true clan!

The Creole sipped the last of the delicious fine bubbly then set her glass aside to lean forward across the table towards the now slumping woman. Tapping the table in front of Brooke with a hard blood red nail she tried to get the girl's attention.

There's no reason to be shy now, mes ami. No one's going to shoot you for your opinions.. well not right here in the club. What blondie does outside is anyone's guess. A wide, very obviously fanged grin was directed at Carol. Cel was teasing. Mostly. What some Orphan would do when insulted was anyone's guess. But Carol didn't seem the type to ruin her cute little dress with a bunch of blood spatter.. if possible.

He had been working his ass of at the most upper class restaurant in Nachton, hardly seeing the sun as he slept during the day and worked at night, he had taken a good week off during the full moon but that had been about the only time he had had to himself in ages, the moon cycle had moved on and so had life, back to "normal" once again and for the first time in weeks he had a night off.

And what does any good red blooded wolf do on a night off you might ask yourself? Exactly hunt for ze women!!

Walking casually into club Babylon he caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror, damn he looked good, he had shaven and cut his hair, put on a nice suit jacket and a pair of matching pants, a white casually worn crisp white shirt and expensive Italian shoes to finish the look.

A cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth as he moved a hand through his hair, his dark eyes taking in his surroundings as he walked towards a young looking buxom blonde waitress, ordering a scotch he noticed a table holding four very different women sharing a bottle of one of the best Champagnes around, twisting his mouth into a smirk he sauntered over.

"Pour trouver des gemmes parmi des roches est vraiment une chose de magie"

As the waitress walked by and handed him his scotch he winked at her, turning back towards the four women he gave them his most charming smile.

Her attention turned to Celeste and she rose a brow. An Anantya, great. Just wonderful. She felt incredibly uncomfortable around these people. She didn't smile or even cast a look of endearment when Celeste propose a toast to the clan. She just remembered the hell her creator put her through; the painful lessons, the submission and the hatred she felt towards him.

"Anantya...my father was Anantya." She said, never stating she was. She believed in absolute freedom from the chains of the clans. Solitary life style away from the persecutions and the beatings. She was no ones slave and she was definitely not some pawn to be used in some arcaic form of chess.

"There is many reasons to be wary of my opinions now." She said to Celeste, she remembered a much simpler life and time, how she missed the ignorance of not knowing anything about this world.

Then someone else shows up. Oh lord. She silences herself and all talk of the clans. She looked at this man and canted her head to the side. Who the fuck was he, and why was he calling them all gems? Worst.Pick up.Line.Ever. She pulled out a cigarette, lit it and took a drag as she shook her head to the man. "The only thing magical is that any woman would be half way tempted by that extremely homo-erotic pick up line." She said to him, grunting smoke from her nose. "Can you give it another try? Only this time, not be as gay?" She leaned back in her seat, smirking.

Carol raised an amused eyebrow at Celeste's comment about her but snorted out loud at Brook's declaration.

'Anantya. God, always out numbered.' She left her replies at that, losing interest in the clan bashing, not that it bothered her, but she wasn't even a vampire. She probably should have fluffed up a bit but she just didn't have the legs for that.

Her attention wavered only to be perked again at the testosterone filled specimen flexing his euro man muscles at their table. She squinted a moment having to dust off her college french and translate what he just said. "To find gems among rocks is really a thing of magic." At least she was pretty sure that's what he said. Oh for Christ sakes, she thought.

'Well, I did ask for testosterone, didn't I?'

Chuckling lowly at the replies he got Ilya took a sip of his scotch, fully enjoying the taste of the amber liquid, letting his gaze move across the four women at the table he took in their appearance one at a time, like an artist would admire a model.

Cocking his head to the side her studied Brook for a moment, nah way too young looking for his taste and he preferred womanly women, not punk Gothic wanna bees. looking over at Carol he admired her frame, quite the frame it was, looking over at Celeste her wrinkled his nose, ouch.. SM much? stopping at Alexandra he met a pair of almost black eyes staring back at him coldly.

"Mind if I join your little party or is this a hen table? You see I have to prove that I'm not GAY"

Raising his glass at Brook he winked at her, he knew that he would probably piss the girl off more but that was the fun of it wasn't it, he was here to have fun and fun he would have, pulling out his cigarettes he lit a new one, inhaling deeply he blew out the smoke so that no one would be bothered too much by it, he might be a bastard at times but I did have manners.

Well not all men could be smooth, dashing rogues with a fine mix of propriety and perversion. At least he spoke French well.

Quirking one pierced eyebrow at the strange man, Celeste let her cool blue eyes travel around the room. A plethora of beautiful naked, or nearly naked, women were working here in Hell tonight. Any one of them would have gladly crawled all over this strang man for the right coin. Finally looking back at him, she drawled in French.

I don't know my friend... considering all of these lovely bare morsels you have to choose from and you choose a table of clothed women? Even as beautiful as we all are.. Maybe you really ARE gay. The vampire couldn't help but chuckle at her own words.

Switching back to English, Cel continued after a moment. But I will tell you what. You want to join us.. fine. This was my table first so I'm deciding. But I'm putting you to work.. So be careful you can handle us. Celeste picked up her empty champagne flute and wiggled it at him imperiously with a smirk while her other hand was pulling one of her cloves from the silver case beside her. Slipping it between her lips she let it hang there as she looked up at him and waited for her refill and a light.

M'name's Celeste by the way.. that is Carol, Alexandra and Brook. She nodded her head to each woman as she introduced them.

Moving her cool eyes up to meet the man who just spoke in her native tongue, Alexa calmly gave him the once over, the words Charmer where clearly written all over this man's posture, not that there was anything wrong with that, he was handsome enough, that is if you liked the handsome boyish look.

Sighing she looked around the club once again, as Brook and Celeste commented on his smooth line she raised her hand in a greeting, dark eyes meeting dark once again as she took a sip of her champagne, watching his reaction to Celeste's out stretched hand holding the flute.

"When you're done pouring her a glass make sure the others are served as well, i'm sure you've got more up your sleeve then being a smooth talker"

Raising a shapely brow she raised her glass.

A feral grin crossed over Brook's face as she looked at the new comer, he was okay looking, not her type though. That was if Brook really had a type. She had just a bunch of quips and demasculating comments to spout off, but she didn't. After finding out she was at a table with a bunch of licks, this was just the opportunity she needed to break free and ruining this opportunity would not be such a wise idea.

She took a drag off her cigarette and watched the others interact with the male, putting a hand over her champagne flute. She didn't believe in people waiting on her for amusement, as funny as it would be it would go against her convictions...and damn her convictions always getting in the way of fun.

"He is about as smooth as jagged rocks." Brook said, "I have seen Sicilian greaseballs have more charm." She said as she smirked, okay so she couldn't hold her tongue for too long, it just wasn't in her nature. "Not that you, chico didn't give it a good try." She gave him a slight golfer clap. "A for effort."

Carol snorted happily and downed the rest of her drink.

'Well ladies and gentleman, it's been a hoot.' Standing she smoothed out her dress and gave the table a wink.

'It was a pleasure meeting everyone.'

(Carol out - stage left))

Cel watched the blonde go with slightly narrowed eyes. Yes, she was going to have to think about just what information those damned Orphans had managed to gather on the two De'Espionne women during that Halloween night excursion into Dubine. No matter what it was, it was not good in her opinion.

Just as she was about to wiggle her glass again, with more insistance, her cell phone buzzed. Slipping it out from its clip on her belt her brow furrowed at the number. Damnit, there went her fun evening. Holding it up with a slight sigh, she scooted around and slid out of the booth.

Sorry, business calls. She looked at the pretty brunette and nodded slightly. Thanks for the champagne.. enjoy the rest of it with slick there. Smirking at the man as she flipped open the phone, Celeste squared her shoulders and made for the exit as she greeted her caller in Japanese.

((OOC - Celeste out!))

It seemed like the night had taken forever but they finally arrived at the club. Once again Panos didn't wait for the driver to let him out, exiting the vehicle he nearly bounded into the crowded doorway. With a quick look over his shoulder he noticed Chryseis was not far behind.

He needed the music and the flashing lights and crowds of people. It had been a long time since he could remember the feelings of pure power, sitting there relaxed in a booth just watching and waiting for the right thrill kill to come to him. He shivered in anticipation.

As they pushed through the crowds towards the booths for a seat Panos caught a glimps of a familiar face leaving a group of people. For a moment he froze and Chryseis nearly crashed into him from behind.

"Panos?" He heard Chryseis ask from behind. She was shorter than him and he felt her hand on his shoulder as she pulled on it to peer over. "Ah."

He shrugged her off and picked up the pace, making his way to the booth he had seen Alexandra at. They were within calling distance when a tall man and skimpily clad woman stumbled in front of him laughing and spilling their drinks.

"Excuse me, can you do that somewhere else please? Me and the lady are trying to walk here." Panos voice was steady as he didn't want to cuase a scene just yet. The night was still too young.

The couple looked at them and laughed.

"Loosen up man, take your bitch and walk around."

The indignant man scoffed and took a swig of his beer. Panos calmly closed his eyes and tilted his head slightly. Chewing on his bottom lip he muttered more to himself than the rude couple.

"I don't have the time for this."

With movements quicker than even a sober person could see, Panos knocked the drunk man out of his way and stepped past the shocked girl who now stood frozen in place stunned by confusion.

With a large disingenuous smile at the baffled girl Chryseis nearly skipped past her in glee. It wasn't often at the museum that she saw a good roughing up. She watched out of the corner of her eye as the bouncers came and escorted the drunk man that Panos had shoved out.

Stepping up next to Panos at the booth she was shocked at the silence. It only took a moment to realize that Alexandra was not there anymore. No, now only two people remained. A man and a bright haired woman. How awkward it must of been for them with some random man standing at their table just staring at them without expression. She spoke up and introduced them.

"You'll have to excuse my companion here, his manners aren't always top notch. It seems he was looking for someone who was recently amongst your party but has now left. Let me introduce myself, my name is Chryseis and this utterly strange fellow is Panos. I hope we haven't interupted anything."

Chryseis's voice prattling on to the people at the table further irritated him. Alexandra had been right there and now she was gone. Maybe he could catch her outside.

"I've gotta go." He turned and began to work his way once again through the crowds.

"But we've just got here! Wait!" He heard Chryseis call after him.

(ooc : Panos out)

Panos took off like a bat out of hell back into the people. She had called after him but he hadn't paused for even a second.

With a shrug Chryseis turned back to the couple.

"Young love."

Clutching her purse up against her body she too slid through the crowds, only with much more grace than Panos was currently managing.

(ooc : Chryseis out)