Skye Keaton's Story

Aurora had heard Skye and smiled to her gently. "All that is left to do is clean up." she told her kindly. "No need to be a meek little mouse, no one will bite you here." she told her with a giggle and gently patted the top of her head. "I know it can be kind of scary and I am sure you and everyone else is a bit tried from the night." Aurora had relaxed into Cole from where she sat, and smiled gently, nodding her head a bit. "I will try not to." she told him softly. "But it's easier said then done you know." she said softly. She had kissed him once again, her head resting against him for a few seconds. She laughed when he tipped the hat to him, and soon was getting back to work.

Aurora had then looked at Maria when she said that everyone had to clean up, and nodded her head. Jumping up from her seat she was starting to help behind the bar with the glasses. Getting them cleaned up and shined once again.

Hearing her friend question about Skye she smiled gently. "I like her, and I do think she is a really hard worker. She is just really quiet and I think pretty nervous about today. Which is to only be expected." she told her softly as she worked around the bar, getting things put back to where they needed to be and getting glasses cleaned. She had stopped for only a moment to look up at the ceiling, a small frown falling onto her face as she listened to the rain. "What a storm." she commented softly as she stood there. Shaking her head, she started to go wrap some of the silverware, humming softly to herself as she did so.

"I slipped in when you were hitting up the bar for another refill." Jackson said with a smart tone. He liked Cole when he wasn't completely stressed by his fathers serious demeanor. Cole didn't realize it yet, but his old man wasn't making the girls hit the streets in the rain because he was a vicious asshole. There were moneys owed, not only that but there's the -grease-to consider. Jackson knew how it was. Cops need arrests, arrests raise money and keep the boys in blue and their families up. Cops could harass the real business, or bust hoes for a night or two in jail and a fine, or they can be up the bosses ass. It was actually a favor, less patrons would be looking to get a girl tonight,a few would get picked up, and the -grease- would keep the cogs from squeaking. Good kid, still want catching on to the hard part of the business though. He'd catch on soon though.

Jackson knew everyone around here. But the new folks he'd have to catch up on. "You girls get a chance, you should come with me in the next couple hours so I can give you the official Ochletto welcome message and official speech about what you need to know, and what you don't. Don't say anything else, just say yes, and we'll talk in the kitchen once its all locked up to the public for the night. I'm sure Maria or any of our long time employees will accompany you if you feel so inclined. But..." And he drank down another whiskey that he had ordered a few minutes prior as he was listening in on all the little subtleties already developing. "Dominic, Cole, and Myself are the safest people in the world to deal with. We will discuss the rest in a bit." He reached into his jacket and withdrew a buying flip phone, mashed a button and read a text or two. The boss didn't like texting, but he would text Jackson once he understood how encryption and burner phones worked. That black little phone was wiped daily, and tossed completely for a new one every time a major job went down. No names, only numbers. Everybody had a number, and each number translated to a name. The cipher was done in head, based on the date, and was not written down. The boss had come to love Jackson's talents. Even if texting still pissed off the old Sicilian. No one could call the boss a fool, anyone who thought he want on to of his shit was a dreamer. But he was a man.

Jackson snapped the phone shut. He didn't think Cole was really a safe guy, but for these girls purposes, respect to Cole, he said so. If they were at all smart, they'd just talk little and keep their ears shut and eyes on the Bistro work.

This had all been rather serious, but Jackson smiled. He was going to lighten the mood a little, he meant for them to understand his seriousness, not be terrified of him. He had a charming southern drawl after a couple drinks...it was something that he couldn't hide, though he was embarrassed of his southern origins, it was probably that bent toward gentleman behavior that kept him from being a sociopath. Instead, he was just a good man who was paid to do bad things. Sometimes to good people, though it broke his heart the times it came to that. He did though, with military assuredness.

He spoke again, after his final drink, cleaning up his own drink and wiping down his own section of bar. He didn't make any more work for the girls than he absolutely had to. They already worked harder, in many ways, than he ever had. No need to be an entitled prick. "Let's see, Maria? Who are the new girls? Hayden, I've seen working the bar...who else needs the chat? Anyone you're curing loose after tonight?" He shot a glance at Maya, who he didn't particularly like. Attractive yes, but so was his bike, and he had a feeling it would be quieter in the long run.

Skye Keaton

After hearing what Aurora said Skye nodded her head, she didn't respond because Maria announced that it was time to clean up. So Skye first went to the tables and made sure they were all set for when they opened tomorrow. She then wemt into the kitchen and helped run dishes through. Once all the silverware was cleaned she took it out to the bar and started rolling them. She was quiet as she rolled the silverware, completely focused at the task at hand. Her mind was also wandering, still kinda wondering how she got the job but decided that she couldn't let the thoughts keep distracting her.

She couldn't wait to tell Charlotte that she actually made it throught the night without spilling anything. Hearing the rain she groaned, it was going to be a wet ride home on her bike. Hearing a guy address what seemed to be the new hires she listened in while rolling the silverware. She nodded her head to him then went back to focusing on what she was doing.

Once the silverware was rolled she put them with the other silverware and looked around to see if there was anything else that needed to be finished. She noticed one girl seemed to be a bit drunk but she didn't say anything because she didn't feel it was her place to do so. She was craving a smoke and couldn't wait to get home. As she let her mind wander again she went around and picked things up around the Bistro and made sure everything looked presentable.

Aurora looked to Maria when she asked who all the new help was. She looked at her blankly, a small blush falling onto her face as she gave her friend as shy smile. "Those are the main ones that I can think of." she told her softly. "I am sorry, I am awful." she told her gently. "But I have seen many news faces. Like Maya and Jackson and Suri and Dominic and a bunch of others!" she said happily as she stood there. "And I am really happy to have met every ones tonight." she told her friend as she stood there.

She watched as Skye was cleaning the silverware and smiled kindly. "It's all looking good." she told her cheerfully as she stood there and was just relaxing for the most part as she kept a hand on Maya's arm. She watched as the girl was picking other things up. Smiling she got out the tips that she got for the night, and went to put them down on the table. "Don't for get your tip Skye!" she called back to the girl.

It wasn't long until Aurora started to get a bad feeling in her gut. She stood there silently for a moment, before her eyes had trailed over to the kitchen. She looked to Maria and back to the kitchen rising an eye brow. Ever so slowly she started to let go of Maya's arm. "I am going to trust you to stand for now." she told her kindly. "I am going to check on Cole for a moment." she said softly as she was already starting to head back to the kitchen. When she walked in on the scene, she was a bit shocked to see Cole holding a dagger to some mans face and a woman crying to leave the other man alone.

She was even more shocked to see that Cole was a bit battered and bloody. Trying to be quite, she went and grabbed the only weapon she could really grab at that moment. Which was small frying pan. Holding the frying pan in her hand, she was slowly starting to sneek up behind the other woman. Planing to hit her in the back of the head with it, in case she would try to attack Cole. She didn't look to be in the right frame of mind, which made Aurora worry even more about the safety of others.

Jackson got up, smiling at this young girl. She was nervous, they usually were. But she's made life easier on him by dieting up here tonight. The boss was happy about it too, because he'd have one less item on his very long list of shit. Jackson noted the cool and regal esteem the Buca gave off when dimly lit, and rising from his stool headed back past the cluster at the end of the bar near the kitchen.

"Maria, we're going to go talk over something upstairs. If you would please bring us a bottle of Sangria and a couple of disposable cops before you go? Bill me for it, and don't worry with dishes, plastic is fine,I don't want to make any more work for you." It was easy come and go for Jackson, but when he was working, it was just that. He did what he needed to, andexpected no less than full support. He noticed through the kitchen doors, from this vantage point,a fairly messy situation developing.

"Fuck." he said, seeing Aurora brandishing a fucking pan. "Cole! You got it you Fuck?" He yelled that through the kitchen, putting his hand beneath his jacket. Looks like their might be a chat tonight after all.

Skye Keaton

Skye went and grabbed the tips Aurora left for her, she wasn't exactly sure if she was to stay or was allowed to go. Next thing she knew there was tons of noise coming from the kitchen, she then saw Aurora then Maria head in there and wondered what was going on. After she saw a couple other people go in there she was curious.

She walked closer and the door was ajar, what she saw made her gasp and take a few steps back. There was a girl on the floor and one of the guys was kicking at a man that was being held by Cole. Taking a few deep breaths she looked around and wondered what in the hell she got herself into.

She couldn't exactly leave because the front door was locked and the only way out was through the kitchen, she also had to get her bag and helmet. She took a seat at the bar and bit her lip nervously, her legs were bouncing just a bit as she waited to be told she could leave. Her first day on the job and this was what she witnessed, she shook her head and took a few more deep breaths.

Skye Keaton

Skye sat there her eyes drifted downward as she waited to leave, she was shaking slightly but she tried to keep her emotions in tact. When Maria came in and gave a slight speech she wasn't sure what to say. It was raining bad, it was the night time...dark...which was one of her deepest fears that only a few people knew. She just heard gun shots, a womans body on the floor and she had to ride home on her bike in the rain.

Should she quit, she kept weighing the odds and wasnt sure what to do. When Maria told them to go she quickly got up and went to the closet to get her helmet and bag. When she opemed the closet all she could see was blood which made her gag and rush to the nearest garbage pale and throwup. She went back to the closet and saw that there was blood on her helmet and bag. "Damn not good" she whispered and picked it up then went to a sink and tried to wash it the blood off her helmet.

Daniel Takahashi

"Oh shit," the explicative left his mouth in a breathe as he jumped- his finger clutching the metal door- when Maria spoke to him. He'd never had a conversation with her before and was in fact surprised she even knew who he was and what he did, but what surprised him even more was her cool tone and the words that she spoke. Daniel found himself still gawping at her as her words sunk into him; he knew that this scene shouldn't surprise him, but every time he saw something like this it chilled him to bone and left him in complete and utter shock. The shock made him unable to respond to Maria's call for assistance, despite the fact that he desperately wanted to help both because she was the boss's daughter and because he had been raised never to leave a girl in need of help.

By the time he'd managed to get his body moving, the woman had already disappeared down into the mysterious room. He took a step toward the back door- intent on making his escape- but stopped when he realized the puddle of blood stretched directly across his path. Revulsion and nausea stopped him dead in his tracks, and he was still standing a foot inside the kitchen door when Maria appeared again. Not paying him any mind she began to suddenly strip; the minute her lacy under things appeared Daniel was rushing back through the door he'd just exited- his face on fire.

He stood for a minute against the wall beside the metal door, trying to catch his breathe and wipe the image from his mind. This proved a harder task than he was prepared for and he was still leaning against the cool surface when Maria banged out of the kitchen to address the normal employees. Unsure of what to do now, he stood silently where he was until one of the girls that Maria had been addressing disappeared into the back. Minutes passed until she reappeared, looking sick and holding a bag and helmet in her hands, both dripping blood. The urge to assist a girl in need reasserted itself and Daniel approached her slowly, clearing his throat before asking quietly, "Umm... may I help?"

Skye Keaton

Skye got the text about a party from an unknown number, she was slightly confused by it but shebguessed it was from one of the workers from Buca because the club was owned by the same people. She was not exactly sure what to wear, she never has gone to an event where she needed to dress up before but she knew her mother had a closet full of different dresses.

She headed to the walk in closet and looked through the dresses until she found one the she liked.

She took it off the hanger and brought it to her room where she laid it on the bed. She then went and took a fifteen minute shower and let her mind think of the events that happened last night. She had a hard time sleeping last night because of what happened at her work, she was still unsure if she should stay working at Buca's or not. Maybe she could talk to Aurora about it she thought as she got out of the shower and got dressed. She put on some light makeup and straightened her hair, she curled a few pieces of her hair deciding that it would looked better then just having straight hair.

Once she was all ready she out her some black heels and grabbed her bag and a black jacket. She decided to take her small black jetta instead of her harley because riding a bike in a dress definately was not a good idea. It took her about fifteen minutes to get to the club and park. As she got out of her car she straightened her dress out and took a look around, she was slightly nervous because she didn't know what to expect of the evening.

She headed into the club and took a look around, she noticed a few familiar faces from the night before but didnt see Aurora or Maria there. She went and took a seat in a booth and decided to just wait and see what this night was going to bring, she was tempted to just up and leave right then.

Maria knew how men were, they liked to pay for things. Especially if they had perfectly functional jobs that lined their pockets with steady checks and cash. Chances were, Chantal would have given that suit and hat to Jackson but he wouldn't allow it. But that was just a guestimate on Maria's part. Chantal was an eager and generous woman of sorts who treated her Occheto clientele like family. That included discounts and plenty of freebies. It wasn't like the boutique struggled in any way, she was paying off her debt quite swiftly to Big Daddy, apparently.

Maria bade her friend and fashion assistant farewell as she wandered out the door shortly after Jackson, unlocking her car from a few yards away. With her dress in hand, she looked over her shoulder longingly at the gown and then opened the driver's side door. Sinking in with a plop, she set the dress in the back seat. "You know what I was thinking?" She asked rhetorically as she started the engine, her eyes on the wheel, "I should go get some of those little fruit arrangements for the party tonight; that would go well with the fruity drinks and stuff." Turning her green gaze on him, she smiled.

He had an extra box. That wasn't the one that Madame had given him with his outfit. It was elegantly adorned in a red bow. For a moment, she lifted a brow and narrowed her eyes. "What the fuck is that?" She said mockingly as she put the car into drive and pulled out. Her tone was playful, as if perhaps she wasn't really concerned. He seemed rather stern, holding it in his grip. She put her hands up in capitulation and headed for the bistro.

When the car pulled into the parking lot in the back, she eased on the brakes and the Ford slowed. She threw it into park with a smirk, "Now go on and handle your man business. I have some shopping to do." Winking at him as if to say 'see ya later, handsome', she unlocked the doors. Her father warned her about the use of her charm and allure, her presence and force of personality. Many men would take it and run with it. She wasn't concerned, especially with the likes of them.

After she let him out, she galvanized the car and screeched out of the parking lot. She had a lead foot, as she was told. The sun darted through her windows at every opportunity, peaking out in the spaces between sky scrapers and small shops. It was a rusty, large orb now, its warmth felt as it descended. She made no funny business of basically sprinting into the Louboutin store and snatching a pair of 160 mm Asteroid platforms with the swipe of her card. When she was back into town, she stopped at a rather small farm-like shop that sold organic produce. Luckily for Maria, she knew the farmer's wife, Polly. She was an expert in floral and fruit arrangements, and Maria would offer to help if need be for faster assembly.

Hastily, Maria tootled into the quaint store, waving at Ron, the farmer himself. He nodded, calling into the back for his wife. From behind a plastic-flapped open doorway, a soft voice was heard before whom it belonged to presented herself. Tying an apron, hardly looking up, she said, "Can't seem to find another box of the Swiss milk chocolate… I wanted to dip some kiwi toda ---" then looked to the Italian girl on the other side of the counter. She was a short, slightly plump little woman with a soothing twang in her voice, "Well hello there Miss Occheto! How can I help you today?"

"Hey Polly, I have a last-minute, super big favor," she said with a sweet, white smile.
"Fire away." Polly said, stepping towards the counter, resting her elbows on it.
"We're having a party tonight, I need about ten arrangements give or take,"
"Huh… hmm…" A slight look of panic filled Polly's thoughtful expression.
"Fruit skewers would work, if you have some." Maria continued.
"Oh!" Polly was put to ease, disappearing for a moment.

Maria looked curiously at Ron, who shrugged and poked out his lip with wide eyes, "Don't ask me!" Laughing a bit, the two shared some brief conversation until Polly returned, her strawberry blond hair falling from her wiry bun a bit. In her arms she held a box which she quickly set on the counter and popped open, "Funny you should ask, I actually filled an order today that no one ever came in for… You'll have to arrange them yourself though, if that's alright." Inside of the box were nine skewers squeezed on each tray, six trays in the box. A colorful variety of grapes, strawberries, kiwi, melon and more were penetrated by thin bamboo sticks. "Just what the doctor ordered," Maria said, peering into the box hungrily. Polly snapped it shut with a grin, "Tut tut. For your party!"

Nodding, Maria reached into a Coach wallet to fetch her card, sure it would not be the last time. Polly punched in a few codes on the ancient register, promptly stating, "27.89." The young woman handed over the card to the strawberry blond who ran it and returned it quickly. Polly taped the box shut and handed it to Maria who grabbed it eagerly, "I don't need a receipt, thanks Pol!" Maria exclaimed, halfway out the door before the woman could even say goodbye. Polly exchanged glances with her husband Ron, both chuckling a bit as they watched the girl disappear.

By the time Maria was back to the condo, it was almost 6PM and the wind was whipping her hair so violently it got painfully tangled with her oversized earrings. When she spilled through the door clutching her box full of fruit, bagged dress and shoe box, she nearly fell. Her eyes met her brother's rather glassy ones from where he sat at the table, adorned in a perfect black wool Givenchy suit. She smiled, "I see you actually found a suit this time; where are Aurora and Maya? It's getting late."

"Hell Mae, they're probably still shopping or getting their hair done or something." He poured himself another shot.
"Enough with the pregaming, Cole. There will be plenty to drink tonight." She snatched the shot and the bottle, returning the liquid to its original home. Then she set her items down, climbing up the counter now bare-footed.
"Uh?" Cole ventured, watching his little sister monkey around.

From the very top cabinet, she hoped to retrieve some of the marble vases she bought a while ago, used for flower arrangements. She must have left them at the bistro or something, finding only an empty, dusty bureau. With a sigh, she hopped down and put the box in the fridge. With the box of shoes under harm and the hanger of her dress in her clutch, slightly over her shoulder, she rushed up the stairs to shower.

When she had vigorously cleaned herself of all grime, cleaning products, guts and glory, she quickly turned her attention to her hair. The blow dryer was heard blaring all throughout the home for a good twenty minutes until she was done. She popped some rollers into her hair and coated them with hold spray as she lotioned her legs with her free hand. When she slithered into the dress again, she wasn't any less in love than before. Though she wasn't too skinny, her bone structure was beautifully displayed from the open back. Her tan skin, glistening with peach lotion, appeared much longer due to the Asteroids on her feet. She plucked the rollers out of her hair with ease, strumming her fingers through the large barrel curls to relax them.

When she passed her mirror in an attempt to find a clutch, she looked at herself and gasped, "Shit, mascara." Ransacking her make up box, she retrieved a black tube of Lancome and darkened her naturally long lashes, adding a line of cat-like mascara on the top lid. She painted her lips red as per usual, adding some light foundation around the bruising on her eye. To top herself off, she sprayed herself in 'Viva La Juicy', pinned simple pearls in her ears and wove an ambrosial rose into her hair. Her eyes raked across her room as she did a 360 spin, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything. The clock read "6:37PM".

"Shit shit shit!" She grabbed her clutch and nearly busted her ass galloping down the stairs, almost hitting the wall when she reached the landing. Cole had already gone, leaving the kitchen vacant and serene. She went to the fridge, opening it with her right hand while her left hand looted a kitchen drawer savagely. Maria left her house like a bat out of hell, shoving a gun into her lacy lingerie with the skirt of her dress jacked up, the box of fruit clutched and her wallet in her other hand.

When she reached her car, she yanked at the bottom seam of her dress to readjust herself before slopping into her car, hoping not to be late. She gunned it all the way there and considered herself damn lucky, not getting pulled over. Upon pulling into a parking space, she saw that the place was already incredibly jam packed. Some of the vehicles she recognized, some she did not. Under the dark, unbounded Chicago empyrean, the neon lights flashed with vanity. She strode to the entrance, holding her box of goodies and smiling at the guard whose eyes locked onto her thighs, swathed snugly in the beautiful black dress.

Entrance music.
He let her in, desperately fighting urges to simply caress her back as she passed. The bass shook the entire building, blaring some hard-hitting beat Maria shook her ass to a little. Under the black lights, the pearls that lined the neck of her dress radiated an ivory, effeminate glow. The dress embroidered her curves. Her father saw her from the second floor, coincidental that he was leaning over the rail a bit, smoking a cigar with Roxanne by his side. He whispered something in her ear, leaving her for a moment to glide down the stairs and meet his daughter.

"How you've grown," he warbled, offering his large yet seemingly poised hand.
"Don't you look so fancy in your Armani, as always." She rejoined with a smirk, taking his hand which nearly entirely engulfed hers.
"What's in the box?" He asked in her ear a bit gruffly as they sauntered up the stairs.
"Fruit arrangements from Polly, for the VIP tables." Maria replied with excitement.

He seemed impressed by his daughter's event planning, sweeping his mind of the irritation he felt by her somewhat late appearance. The way he escorted her, her slight hand daintily placed in his as if she were a little ballerina, was fit for pictures to be put in the paper. One might even think they actually had a normal, functional relationship. He loomed over her, cutting her loose when they reached the second floor. Her hips swiveled as she made her way to bar, requesting a few tall glasses in which she could put the skewers. She made quick work of the arrangements, putting six skewers in nine separate glasses before she distributed them to the VIP tables. Maria knew Maya would be sucking on fruit and alcohol all night, simply thrilled.

When she made her way towards the tables, her father rejoining his blond, sultry temptress and Effy, she did a quick once over of who was there. Hayden was there, clad in a black, tight dress and oddly enough, accompanied by John. It was simple, but Maria thought she looked ravishing. Cole sat off to the side with Brent, smoking a cigarette and pointing to a few of the dancers on stage below. Maya sat at the bar, beautiful as ever. To the side as well, Skye was picturesque in a pretty little green party dress. There was perhaps too much smoke for Maria to discern much more.

The atmosphere was well warm enough for the short, tight dress. Her back was met with no cold chills, much to her pleasure. She slung herself near the railing, watching the dancers take off their clothes and wind to the music, sliding up and down poles. Maria was painted perfectly, fit for some artwork hanging on a wall in a modern home, the way she extended her legs with one crossed over the other. The dress adhered to her skin, the shoes sparkled in the neon, flashing lights.







[OMG, sorry it's a goddamn novel. I was away almost all day, in and out of the house and had to sum a lot up with one post. Bear with me!]

Skye Keaton

Skye sat there in the booth fidgeting with her hands, there were woman dancing on poles and music in the backgriund. She looked over and saw that Maria and Aurora arrived but she didn't want to bother them or anyone else really. She felt young and out of places here. She decided she would thank Maria for the invitation because she thought it was from her, who elae would it be from, and let her know she had to leave. That simple, she wouldn't have to go into detail really, would she? Shaking her head she let out an escaped sigh and stood up.

She looked around the crowded and spotted Maria with the guy that she saw last night at the Bistro. She kept her eyes to the floor as she walked over to Maria, she didn't want to come off rude but she wasn't exactly sure what to do at a party like this. She just started the job last night, whitnessed a crime happen in the place she worked at, watched the emplyees act like it was nothing, then get invited to a party with a bunch of people she hardly knew, and probably the youngest one there. Who wouldn't feel uncomfortable in this situation if they were her.

Once she was near Maria and the guy she looked up slightly "um hello Maria..I came to say hello and also wanted to say thank you for inviting me, at least I think it was you...but im not sure this is um...I don't..I uh never been to a party or uh place like this.." she rubbed her arms and looked to the guy and gave him a small smile before looking back to Maria.

Daniel Takahashi

His eyes that had been scanning the room- mostly just watching the lights bounce off the ceiling- turned quickly back to the woman at his side when he heard his name. The question she proposed made him blush a little as he thought to himself while nodding, "Is it that obvious?" Daniel was glad at least that Maria was more understanding than most girls, her voice making it obvious that the question was more out of concern than derision. Following her meekly, he kept his eyes down as she weaved them expertly through the tables- trying to appear invisible to the people she greeted.

When Maria suddenly stopped, Daniel turned to her hesitantly- sure he had done something wrong or offended her in some way. Instead of berating him, however, she began to instruct him easily in how a man should behave with a women. Were he not already blushing, he was sure that this conversation would have him turning beat red instantly. It wasn't that he was not grateful, he just felt incredibly uncomfortable with this line of instruction. The minute she took his hand in her's and placed it on her exposed back he stiffened and went pale; the only thing that kept him from either fainting or running was the sudden thought that occurred to him, "Just think of it as a class- just a class." So breathing through his nose, he turned his eyes up to her and nodded as if he understood.

After she finished her instruction Maria offered him a drink, to which Daniel shook his head shortly, "Umm- I-I can't. Sorry. I'm underage." The thought didn't even occur to him that it probably didn't matter in the slightest here, he just never ever even contemplated breaking the law... well, not directly anyway. He felt slightly bad turning down her offer, but before he could say anything about it another girl popped to speak to her. Suddenly he recognized her as the girl he'd met last night, but since just offered him a smile he said nothing but nodded at her before trying to disappear again. Moving slightly so that he was partially hidden from view by the tiny woman who was nearly a foot shorter than him without heels, he turned his eyes to the crowd. A familiar face caught his eye and he noticed Martin heading toward the bar- a tiny wave was all he could manage.

The look of discomfort that pained Daniel's face was more than enough notice for Maria. She hated to cause anyone that amount of difficulty. Besides, she knew how awkward he must have felt. She herself had been in similar situations before. Her mouth pursed for a moment, like she was deep in thought. Never mind it all. She knew a lost cause when she saw one. Departing from Daniel by a few feet, she curtsied mockingly before crooning, "Please enjoy yourself tonight, Daniel, let loose a little." A white grin played between her red lips.

Then, as she was about to saunter off towards the bar, she nearly bumped right into Skye who was awkwardly rubbing her arms in the same sort of anxious way Daniel conducted himself. If she had to instruct one more person on how to act sociable, she'd have a fit. She perhaps had less tolerance and sympathy for women, feeling as though the estrogen-induced insecurities were simply a ply for attention. But, she showed none of this on her face. She was too kind.

As the lights danced over the young girl, Maria replied, "Are you enjoying yourself?" She took Skye's hand, patting it and leading her towards the bar, turning back a few times to comment on things. "You know, last night was a bust for you, I bet." When just a few feet from the bartender himself, she pivoted back again, this time releasing the girl's hand, "I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to quit." The petite Italian woman propped herself up on a stool, kicking one leg over the other, careful not to jab someone with her dangerous shoes.

She tapped the seat beside her politely, an indication for Skye to sit. A short distance away, Martin sat at the bar receiving a drink. He wore a sharp, gray jacket and his hair was slicked. What a gentleman. Perhaps she was more predisposed to the intellectual types. Perhaps not. No one could truly say, the young woman so rarely paid exclusive attention to men. Maria rotated her focus to her coworker after ordering some fresh squeezed fruit juice for the two of them, "I'm sorry for what you had to see, really Skye I… I must extend my deepest sympathies and hope you are not upset with myself or my family."

The way she sat atop the stool caused the open back of her dress to plunge slightly deeper, barely exposing her behind. It was a provocative exposure, but not enough to be completely indecent. The pearls glistened against the black fabric, paired with her dark, peach-smelling skin. While she was prepared to listen, her eyes were always keen on other things so she could multitask with ease. Aurora sat at the opposite end of the bar, near the Russian, Cole and Chloe. The look on her face was pricelessas she gulped down a shot, looking as if she would wiggle right out of her purple dress.

Throbbing with bass and excitement, the club was completely aglow with bustle and rosy faces, tinted by alcohol. Big Daddy began to make his way back up the stairs, a familiar dark-haired woman with him now. Where had Roxanne and Effy gone? Maria knew that woman, she was 'The Bunny'. She had this film-noir to her, with her nostalgic features and narrow face, perfectly highlighted by a cute little beauty mark. She looked like she belonged in a pin-up calendar, wearing a red, A-line dress that was belted in black around the middle. It was odd for Maria to see her clothed and not snapping her garter clips somewhere on stage.

Skye Keaton

Skye wasn't sure how to answer Maria's first question, was she enjoying herself? She wasn't sure if she was or not but she didn't get to answer that before Maria took her hand, patted it a couple times then led her to the bar. "Last night was a first for me for a lot of things" she commented back to Maria's statement about last night. Feeling her hand be released she watched as Maria sat down on a stool, she took a few moments before she answered Maria about her quitting comment. "To be truthful I have been contemplating that all day and I am not sure if I want to quit or not".

When Maria patted the stool next to her Skye took a seat and put her hands in her lap and looked at Maria "Last night was my first night working anywhere, I really have no clue how I got hored with no job expertise and also how I look. I noticed last night while I was there that I was thd only girl woeking that looked like I do" she motioned to her piercings. "For some reason you guys have given me an opportunity and I do not think I just want to quit for what I saw last night."

Skye took a moment and took the glass of fruit juice the bartender was offering her, she thanked them then took a sip before looking back at Maria. "What happened last night I believe you and your family have your reasons for what you do, I am not upset at you all I just think I am still shocked over it all I guess you could say. My mother has kept me holed up for most of my life so I havent seen alot" she realized she has talked more than she intended to and blushed slightly.

She took a look around the place then looked back to Maria "I really don't know anyone here besides you and Aurora, I apologize for talking your ear off." She then looked down to the glass in her hands and waited to hear what Maria had to say.

Maria's eyes showed no signs of shock when Skye admitted she was contemplating leaving the bistro. Sure, she had only just started. But after the shit fest that took place, Maria knew what to expect. It was now up to her force of personality and charisma to make the girl stay and weave her into the family. After all, Maria couldn't just have her running from the business stark crazy. That's how things really got messy.

"I'll tell you how you got hired," Maria began, pushing the glass full of juice towards her nervous, shy coworker. With a tedious gulp, she set her own drink down and stated, "I know how girls like you are, what they need in life." She put her hands in her lap, tugging at a ring on one of her fingers while sharing a gaze with Skye, "You feel tense, timid. But you want to have a sense of responsibility, you know?" Maria puffed her shoulders up a little, pursing her lips and using a gruff voice, "You want weight to carry on your shoulders, hell, just to prove to anyone, someone, that you can carry weight." finishing it all off with a bright beam.

"I saw it in your eyes." Her voice trailed off with an unfeigned twinkle on her face. She finished her juice, asking for some more, but cranberry this time. "You were working harder than anyone else, you showed that to me; you deserve this job." With her index finger and middle slightly craned, she brought her hand to the girl's face, "I don't like the tone you use with yourself. You're so unsure." Then, as if in diffident confidence, she withdrew her hand. She hated to cause anyone discomfort. She didn't like to be overbearing, much like her father and brother at times. "You're gorgeous, really. You should know that." Maria lifted her glass, as if making an invisible toast.

She felt eyes on her. That's what sent a slight chill romping up and down her spine. It was an unusual impression to have there, generally one she got only when something was about to go wrong. Perhaps there was a draft, someone opened a door, maybe? She wanted to dismiss it, not let the good vibes go to waste. But her own eyes began to travel as she waved a hand at Skye, "I used to be that girl… You will free yourself when you accept that you're worthy of good things." A reassuring smile was on Maria's face, the lights from the bar catching her bruise at an honest angle.

"My mom kept me so sheltered, by the time I was seventeen I still had a seven PM curfew, only excusable if I was working late at the cafe flipping burgers." Laughing a little, her eyes traveled around the club, until they fell upon another unfamiliar face. Who is this now? His eyes locked onto her for a moment as he helped himself to a drink. The man must have been in a bit of a stupor, not heeding to the intimate moment. That's why Maria eye's widened as he had no shame making the gesture he did, in a club full of people. It didn't take her much time to see what was going on; he obviously wanted her father dead. No surprise there. She was quite familiar with the way a man reached for his gun. Perhaps it was her patience, her negligence to being assumptive that made her different from her own flesh and blood. He had a striking face, one she wasn't familiar with. She was going to keep tabs on this man all night if she had to. If he was stupid enough to reach for his gun again, that hesitation and anger flecking his eyes, she might have to personally do something about it. Besides, was there really shame in yanking your skirt up if it was to keep your family safe? She almost laughed to herself, picturing it all go down, guns blazing and her skirt jacked up to expose the .50 Caliber Black Powder Wheel Lock pistol tucked into her lacy lingerie. It was old school, but it had kick to it. Lord knew Maria lived on the spicier side of life.

"Being cooped up, growing up, doesn't help anyone really. It just makes the real world more shocking, cold and hard to cope with." Maria's green gaze grazed back over Skye momentarily. Her father was off to the side, taking a seat with a few men. The unusual bald man was undoubtedly part of the Russian sector, now Maria was sure, as she harmlessly glanced at what was going on. When her peering came around again, she saw Daniel standing alone, looking flustered. She gestured to him with an index finger, then rotated her focus onto Skye. "Don't apologize, please. You're new. But you need to cut loose a little, sugar; mama ain't here." Her voice was humorous as she patted the girl's hand again in an encouraging manner.

Big Daddy took a seat with his son, Martin and Vlad. "Better pull out that paperwork, Martin." Mr. Occheto instructed, searching his front pocket for a cigar. The Bunny must have drifted away with his lighter. With a grunt, he brought the cigar to his lips, asking if anyone had a light. He held the fat stogie between his fingers for a moment, glancing at his daughter who was charming perfectly sane people into staying with a demented, criminal business. "Apology not needed, at all. I understand the duties that come with responsibility of all kinds." His lips spread into a Cheshire smile, waiting for Martin to begin translating it all a bit better so they could really get down to business.

Frank was red with embarrassment, he knew he lacked control, but what he just did was unbelievable. What if someone saw him just now, reaching for his gun. He chugged the rest of the bourbon like it was water. Frank had no plans on dying to night, but if he was going to get shot, at lest he going to get too drunk to feel anything. He order a glass of rum and coke, heavy on the rum with no ice. He tried to watch where Mr. Occheto and his goons went, but they had moved out of sight. Frank gently grabbed a stripper as she walked past him.
"Hey beautiful, I need you to do something very special for me," he said as he reached for a wallet. The strippers smile widened. "I need you to keep an eye on the men who are with Big Daddy."

The stripper looked confused, but took the money anyways. "Well, I know one of them his is hot son, Cole. But I don't know the other two, what do you want me to tell them?" She asked.
"DON'T talk to them, just notify me when they're leaving" he instructed. The stripper smiled again,
"My name is Virginia." She said as she tucked the money in her bra.
"I don't care." Frank said simply as he took his drink form the bar and walked away. The stripper curled her lips and rolled her eyes as he left.

Tonight was suppose to be about pleasure, not business, plans never go accordingly he thought as he took a sip of his drink. Then again, Frank wasn't one for making plans. The young detective looked around the bar for that woman in black. It wasn't long until her saw her again. He smiled as he approached her and the young woman she was talking to. Frank finished his drink before he arrived in front of them.

"You're a unique beauty aren't you?" He said to the woman with the piercings, "Do you normally wear your heart on your sleeves?" He asked her with a smile as he gestured to her right hand. He was almost completely ignoring the woman in black. "My name is Frank, would you care to dance?" He ask the young woman with piercings. "That is, if your guardian angel would allow it." He finally glanced at the woman in black with a smile.

Daniel Takahashi

The tiny woman wrapped around his waist was starting to pout at him as she attempted to tug his larger frame toward an empty booth, but Daniel wasn't budging- his feet firmly planted on the sleek floor. Just when he was afraid he'd have to make up some ridiculous excuse he caught Maria's motion in the corner of his eye; although he could tell she was just trying to be nice- again- he instantly jumped on the opportunity. "Sorry, umm... I need to go see the uh... boss's daughter... Sorry!" he assured the scantily-clad girl as he detached her arms from underneath his suit-jacket. Once he'd managed to free himself he instantly shot toward the two girls at the bar, leaving the stripper rolling her eyes in his wake.

A few steps short of his destination the lights suddenly cut out, and he found himself standing awkwardly as the people around him jostled against him. "Oh crap..." he whispered to himself, "As if it wasn't hard enough to see in here..." At this point he was longing for his glasses, which Chantal had forbade him- on pain of death, which he believed- to wear with the suit. The translator stood stock-still until the music started again and the lights popped up, along with a tiny blonde stripper. Strategically ignoring the new show, Daniel apologized his way through the crowd until he stood by Maria's side again.

At the same time he arrived another man appeared on the opposite side. Something about the way he acted made it obvious that he was applying for the girls's attention- particularly the boss's daughter's; therefore Daniel was both surprised and not when he offered to take the tattooed girl onto the dance floor. Unwilling to break in on their dynamic, he slid awkwardly onto the empty stool next to Maria's.

While he was waiting to thank Maria for being his savior- yet again- a thin Asian man that was obviously well-past tipsed latched onto his shoulder and greeted him in heavily-slurred Korean. Turning, Daniel recognized the Occheto's link to the South Korean underworld who would be leaving in a couple days' time. Without hesitation he rotated on his seat and bowed to the man politely, before greeting him in the same language and inquiring as to whither or not he was enjoying himself. The heavily-tattooed Korean nodded broadly and responded that these Americans sure knew how to throw a party before excusing himself when he caught sight of a pretty blonde stripper a few feet away.

Just when Maria felt the need to rescue poor Daniel from the tenacious little gem who was latched onto him, the man with the gun approached. Maria gave him a dangerous yet, sultry smile as he advanced a little. It was almost as if with that expression, she were saying, "I know what you're up to." but without actually vocalizing it. She raised her brows in approval and uncoiled her hand to signal that Skye was all his. With a soft, sensual voice she instructed, "Go live a little now, Skye."

For a moment, Maria's glaucous eyes scrutinized the man. Before they wandered away together, she basically handed Skye over, softly guiding the pierced girl with a manicured hand, towards the conundrum man. Aware of Daniel's presence beside her, Maria pivoted on the stool, swinging her legs to face him but again, cautious not to prick him with her shoes. She politely smiled, sipping on a dinky cranberry juice as he spoke in tongues with another Asian man.

When the drunken, tattooed Asian man slipped away into the crowd, insistent on one of the strippers, Maria twitched an index finger at the bartender. Leaning over a bit, she said something into their ear before planting her behind on the stool again. "I just ordered you a beer," she stated matter-of-factly, "Our little secret." The bottle slid towards Maria's hand, to which she grabbed it receptively and handed it to Daniel. She wanted him to unwind a little. Besides, he wasn't going to get in any trouble there. Plucking an ice cube out of her cranberry juice, she threw it back into her mouth. She crunched on the ice for a moment, then decided to sink her claws into Daniel a little. Figuratively, that is.

"So tell me," though the beer was in his grasp, she reached over, popping the bottle open for him, "Do you enjoy your job?" She reclined away from him, brushing off the skirt of her dress a little and looking at Skye and the mysterious man for a moment. "I imagine it's a lot of paperwork; well, obviously." She laughed a little. For the duration of the conversation, she would sit perfectly poised on the settle, occasionally smoothing her long, dark hair, batting her inky lashes.

Aurora was relaxing with Cole, and was just happy to be there with him and have his arm around her. It was comforting in every way that she imagined and she felt nothing bad would happen to her with him there. Though sometimes as the scar on her shoulder reminded her. She had tried to cover it up the best as she could with makeup for the night, not wanting people to ask her what happened and how she got it.

Her eyes soon caught hold of the new man, and a smile started to grow on her face. It was rare for her to meet another Russian in the town. She hasn't met many over the years and was happy to at least hear something that was so familiar to her, and that brought back so many memories. Even if it was just an accent that wasn't fake. She was listening in on Cole and Vladimir converstion before speaking up herself. "Это приятно встретиться с Владимиром Patranko, каким является матерью стране?" (It's nice to meet Vladimir Patranko, how is the mother country?) Her own accent just spilled out as she talked to him. Speaking the language perfectly her gray eyes showing how happy to just meet someone from where she grew up, even if there was something the caught her to be a bit thrown off.

Aurora was slightly disappointed when Cole left, but she knew he would be back when he was done with business. Before he left she she reached up and kissed him happily and then let him go. Aurora sat back at the bar and just relaxed, humming softly to herself as she did so, and sometimes along with the music if she knew the words. She would order a drink here or there, making sure that she didn't get drunkenly stupid.

When Maria and Sky soon showed up at the bar, she gave them happy smile and a wave, watching as they talked about something that she thought might of been important. When the lights had gone out, Aurora's head looked straight up to the ceiling, a bit confused by everything. When she heard the music Aurora had started to relax and let out a small sigh. She had looked down to watch one of the girls dance, a bright blush falling onto her face. Pulling gray eyes from the woman, she started to look around once more. Soon they landed on Cole and she gave him a kind smile. She soon turned her eyes back to everyone else, looking at some of the familiar faces.