Succinite: Deon went back to fill the order, and Amber had raised a curious eyebrow, she knew it wasn’t exactly what he meant when he said he needed workers, but she was always one to take initiative. She smiled at him, giving him her famous finger gun with a snap. “I’ll ask around and see if anyone else I know needs a job.” That was more what he was looking for the first time around as an answer. Her facial expression changed a bit, reading the requirements of the resume, she bit down on her lower lip, but then nodded again. Having all of that about her written down in one place could be dangerous, and if he knew everything about what types of magic coursed through her veins, unless he somehow could feel her aura, like that damn Mage, he probably would have been wearier to let her have the job. But she wasn’t dangerous, she protected people. She would never hurt anything or anyone. She wasn’t a monster…Was she? Her eyes flickered again and she decided it would just be best to include everything she knew for certain on her resume, the cerebral runic magic, she had vast abilities in typical potions brewing, levitation, runes, and extremely advanced healing techniques, all typically defensive in nature. Nothing too special there, it was her darker secret that she worried about, but until she had a handle on what she was dealing with, until she finished the book and talked to the Mage again, she would try to at least keep that a secret. She wasn’t a monster. “Yes of course, would you like me to write that up for you now, or make it more formal and send it to you?”

HauntX: <The office has a few templates if you need them. Don't worry about info. Super safe.> He glanced up and gestured A-OK. <Hate asking for personal info. Needed. Keep getting morons. Risky business. Not that you're a moron.> He actually could sense a lot of the energy. While he wasn't familiar to the different types of magic, he always knew if someone had a bunch energy they weren't talking about. Unfortunately for her potential curiousity, he wasn't speaking up as to why he was willing to take her in under his... Wing. Seeing as how she didn't seem to be insane save for her previous conversation with a ball of snow... Inside a heated building... Surrounded by people. He rubbed at his forehead with the palm of his hand before sighing lightly. Okay, she was less insane than the past few applicants. At least in the bar, the secret didn't seem much of a risk to the public. Most of the people here seemed to be abnormal in some way or another. Glancing up, he realized his thoughts had ran off track again. An unfortunate trait of always being silent. <Starting rate is 17.50. Bonuses can be earned from contracts out of country. Yes, we go out of country.>

Succinite: Template? What else was supposed to be a ‘resume’? But his business card was legitimate and she could tell by his aura and lack of change in demeanor and pulse that he wasn’t lying to her. She nodded her head in understanding, and then made another finger gun motion, “The only things I have trouble with are technology, but I learn quickly.” Not a lie, she was probably a complete moron when it came to how this realm worked when it came to cyber whatnot, she was always pleasantly surprised what she learned on the google. And oh, that seemed like a fair price. It was 17.50 more than what she was making working with Kaden, and she could get to travel, that sounds fun too. She gave him a thumbs up, “That all sounds great. I’ll have to come by the office and look at one of those templates, honestly, I’ve never written a resume before.” She laughed a bit and moved her hand to behind her head, scratching her scalp.

HauntX: <Guns are about the most tech we have. Some of us are learning Windows 10. It's been an ordeal.> He rolled his eyes and leaned over to the side before tapping his index finger alongside the brim of his cup. <Templates are good. Not like other resumes. Other resumes don't ask if you eat flesh. Very thorough.> He seemed to be good with writing while his attention was focused elsewhere. <Not typical job.> Leaning forward, he focused a little more on the board before glancing up towards her. <Lots of risk. Pay good for reason.> His face had become a bit more serious as soon as he wrote that. He ran his palm over his face for a moment as he tapped the chalk on the board hesitantly. <Lost others before.>

Succinite: “Oh trust me, I don’t need a gun.” She shook her head, she wasn’t the biggest fan of guns, even though she did understand why some people needed them or wanted to have one. She didn’t understand what type of windows were a ‘10’ but she wasn’t going to ask that question. At this point, Deon had brought over her food and she had begun to eat, nodding her head as she read the chalkboard. She looked back at him, her eyes were softened and she frowned a bit. Dangerous was fine with her, she didn’t have that much fear when it came to the possibility of losing her own life, she cared much more about protecting the people around her and those that she cared about. “I’m sorry to hear that, but hopefully we will be able to minimize that.” She would give him a reassuring smile, “You’ll see on my resume later that I am a master healer.”

Byri: Bryn walked the streets in a thick, black fur coat that brushed her knees. The mink tickled her cheeks as she turned the corner leading to a pub she'd only visited once before. She pushed open the door and slinked inside, the warmth inside hardly registering as she took to the spiral staircase and descended towards the bar. She laid her coat over the back of her chair and pearched on the bar stool."

HauntX: Pausing for a moment, he watched as the newest arrival made their way down the stairs. Turning back to face the other, he lifted his cup as if he were toasting her comment. Lowering it, he turned his gaze towards Deon as they brought the other's meal. <Most don't use guns. Still available. Magic can't always bring them down. Big bads.> He wiped the board. His sleeve was almost entirely coated in chalk powder by this point. Shaking it out at his side, he glanced back and motioned towards his flattened hand before waving it past his neck to make the cut-throat gesture. <Not a requirement though. Do most people in New Arcadia know about the secret world? Assumed it was kept mostly hush hush.>

Succinite: Amber nodded again, she had faced a few things she would consider to be pretty ‘big bads’ in her lifetime so far, she couldn’t imagine how much worse it would really get from some of the things she’s seen in her past. She shivered slightly and felt the aura of another, her emerald gaze moved over to the newly arrived female, flashing a polite smile. She turned her attention back to Thompson, a grin spread wide across her face. She leaned forward close to him, her voice was hushed and she whispered into his hear so that nobody else could hear, “What you think is weird for most people to know, is really just a small scratch on a very large and very dark ice berg.” She leaned back and kept her eyes on him, tilting her head, waiting to study his response.

HauntX: His face seemed more confused than it did anything else. Eventually, he leaned over and scribbled across the board again. Tipping it upwards to face her, it read out <I... What?> Looking towards her with a flat expression, he scratched at his temble. <Do I need to keep a low profile?> Seemingly exhausted, he rested his elbow against the table before placing his cheek against the palm of his hand before watching the other. His gaze was a little less careful by this point. With the dramatic randomly intense gaze and whispering, he seemed suddenly more interested in conversation than he did making a point of any kind.

Byri: Placing an order for something cold and sweet, she waited patiently while taking in the large room with its polished floors. At the far end opposite of her was a large stage and she absently wondered what types of shows went on in a place like this. Her glass was slide over to her, sparkling and smelling of exotic fruits. She took a sip as she rested. Her day had been fully of meetings and keeping relations and she was simply tired from it all.

Succinite: Amber couldn’t help but crack a smile, it was quite the sight to watch him scribbling on the chalkboard, she could definitely understand why he got so tired, it must have been exhausting writing down everything you want to say. She thought for a minute, clicking her tongue on the back of her teeth before continuing, her voice still hushed, “You’re curious, and you’re lucky you’re talking to me. Other people…wouldn’t take it so kindly. I would just say to be careful who you’re talking to and what you’re asking them. Put your nose in some business… I just wouldn’t want to see ya get hurt.” Her smile faded, she’s been here for a little over a month and have already crossed paths with some dangerous people, seen people she cares about get hurt. And with that she looked at the clock, it was past noon now, she didn’t have to feel guilty, and besides, the other woman seemed to have ordered a fruity drink, she wouldn’t be the only one drinking, she hoped at least. “Deon, give my next cup of coffee my typical spike.” She winked in the bartender’s direction, and soon enough, her next mug of black dark roast would be seething with tequila.

KadenArhelm: The phone call had been a disaster - no fresh leads, and both he and Amber had almost died.  A few times, really.  But it was done, so that was a weight off of his chest, and nobody had actually died, even better.  That meant he could finally settle in, get some sleep, eat a real meal, and recover a bit.  In a perfect world, maybe.  But when Kaden finally set his head back and closed his eyes, the only thing he could see was that pale faceless horror, and again felt the crushing agony in his arm.  He'd bolted awake and found that a drink eased the edge, and another dulled the memory, and before he knew it the sun was peeking over the horizon signaling the start of another New Arcadia morning.  Another drink or two and it was afternoon and the bottle was dry, so Kaden was finally out of his apartment and on his way down to the Maenad.  He'd foregone his usual rumpled suit in favor of a pair of old jeans and a flannel, the shirt rolled up to his elbows in the warmth of the day, showing the fresh pink scar on his forearm which along with a lingering soreness is the only remnant of the compound fracture, thanks to Amber's healing.  The door of the bar creaked open as he leaned against it, and the thud of his shoes was heavy as he trudged down the spiral staircase to the Maenad's main floor.

Byri: To anyone giving her a glance, she would appear to be a smartly dressed business woman with sensible shoes if not for her short skirts. She was sharply dressed all the same, classy and sleek. She moved like air and steel, flowing movements punctuated by a sharp finished. The sound of footfall on the spiral stairs caused her head to swivel around. There she spotted a gentleman whom she gave a cursory nod in acknowledgement before returning focus to nursing her drink. With it finished off she felt ready for something more and asked for another drink, a green apple margarita but without the salt around the edges.

Succinite: Amber had her book back open, she was in-between reading a bit and finishing the Soduko puzzle that she was using as a bookmark. Occasionally lifting her boozed coffee to her lips for a savory taste that washed down her like the waves in the ocean. She heard heavy footsteps and felt a familiar aura, her gaze fell upon Kaden and she smiled, which quickly faded as he came closer and she got a look at him. He was dressed fine, the scar on his arm reminded her of the other day and she bit down on her lip, he looked like he hadn’t really slept and his aura felt tired. She beckoned him over to sit with her, “Hey Kaden, how’ve you been? I see you’ve healed up nicely.” and as she did she noticed the other woman sitting along the bar and would give her a friendly wave.

KadenArhelm: Kaden narrowed his eyes into a scowl at the sharply dressed woman who nodded at him.  It wasn't intentional, he wasn't even particularly aware that he was doing it, but something about her crisp clean edges dug at the back of his eyes and she was a reminder that his own clothes weren't particularly clean.  He took the seat next to Amber when she offered, throwing up two fingers to Deon without a word, and stubbing out his thin cigar in the ashtray that the bar owner provided similarly quietly.  His shoulders rose and fell in a shrug at Amber's question, "Fine. Head hurts, but that's nothing new." He held up the arm, rotating it to display the jagged scar that looked as though the break had come months ago, "This is good as new, or close enough. Little sore.  Nothing bad."  His words were clipped and his voice rough and dry, the second of which he aimed to fix with the tumbler of brown liquor Deon set in front of him.

Byri: Bryn smirked at his foul reaction to her presence and gave the woman down the bar a small wave in return. She sipped at her margarita before pulling out a slice of apple and biting into it, her perfectly manicured nails pinching into the fruits flesh. Her open mouth exposed rows of jagged, needle sharp teeth. She sucked the drink off her fingertips before pinching a napkin to dry them and taking another sip of her drink. Her expression was uninterested though she kept a piqued ear on the conversation beside her.

Succinite: “That’s good to hear, healing bones will always make them a little sore, that should go away within a few days, though.” She reached out and let her fingertips graze over the pink scar lightly and her eyes dropped, she almost got him killed the other day. Her free hand tightened around her book, what she did the other day, she just read about last night, fuck. She couldn’t let herself lose control like that. She kept her eyes on him for a moment, observing him. Head hurting, the scowl, the short words. He was hungover. Amber rolled her eyes. “So you’re going to fix your hangover with more booze, yeah? You do know that you can call me anytime, or better yet, I’m right downstairs. Come over.” Her tone was getting serious, “Even Shift came to see me the other night, you know.” She thought for a moment, did he stay at her apartment again last night? She couldn’t remember if he was on the couch when she left this morning, after Mercer’s arrest, he wasn’t very ecstatic about going back to live with him.

KadenArhelm: His cheek twitched as he caught a glimpse of Bryn's teeth and his jaw clenched, which brought on another bolt of pain from his mouth to the base of his skull that made his eyes water.  His hand clutched the tumbler and he was briefly glad that even's Deon cheap glassware was made sturdy.  He tried to mask the pain with a tight-lipped smile at Amber's question while he raised the glass, "Best medicine there is."  He took a long drank, draining half of the rye back down his throat, his neck tight at the raw burn of the liquor. He coughed, a dry unpleasant hack that he just managed to muffle with the back of his hand, "If Shift is doing it, how could I say no?"

Guest_IIEgocentricII: Ayla hadn't got much sleep that night, too much had gone on over the past few days, so many emotions, so many images, so much that it was overwhelming and she could feel her grip on everything slowly start to loosen. The one thing that tied her down, oddly, was her bar job at The Maenad which she headed to now for her shift. She bounded down the staircase and rounded the bar, throwing her coat into the back room before coming back out and giving a tight smile to those there. Something was happening between Kaden and Amber, she could feel it in the air and the scowls, glares and words getting tossed around. No wonder Deon had beamed when she arrived and moved quickly into the back room.

Byri: Bryn swirled her finger in the glass, stirring the liquid. Her glossy, black eyes twitched at the sound of movement. Another being in the bar. After a few healthy gulps, and an exhale she finished off her second drink. Pacing herself she waved her hand so she could place another order with the bartender.

Succinite: Amber’s nose twitched, the smell of an inhuman aura on her nose. Interesting. She felt and noticed the way Kaden’s hand clenched onto the glass. Her gaze moved to the other woman at the side of the bar, for a brief moment, feeling out her aura, noticing her black eyes, before returning her attention back to the pressing conversation between her and Kaden. “I can give you better medicine.” She grinned at him, he could take that however he wanted to, but facts were facts, she could and she wasn’t a fan of how Kaden’s drinking habits have been affecting his life. “You can’t say no. How about later tonight, we get together, have dinner, talk?” She stared into his eyes with intensity, she wasn’t going to just sit back, she wanted to address what was going on, but she also didn’t want to do it front of anyone, a private setting would be better.

KadenArhelm: He raised his glass in a salute to Ayla when she arrived and the downed the rest of the liquor, setting the tumbler down and tapping his fingers along the rim of the glass, "I'll take another."  He glanced over at the sharply-dressed, black-eyed needle-toothed woman again; whatever he was feeling about the supernatural community lately, he could at least respect the way she drank.  While he waited for his drink to be refreshed he looked back at Amber, meeting her intense gaze for a moment before looking back down at his empty glass, turning it slowly between his fingers.  "Sure," he eventually replied, "Tonight'll work."

Guest_IIEgocentricII: Ayla swipped the glass but had realised she hadn't seen what he had been drinking so she didn't know what to refill it with. He was a fan of Rye she thought? She wanted to be sure otherwise he'd most likely complain and she wouldn't get her badge, though she doubted she was getting that any time soon anyway. "Sorry what were you drinking?" She asked Kaden, having returned the salute with a simple nod of her head. Whilst she waited for his response she turned to the female that had beckoned her, a warm smile on her face. "What can I get you?" She asked kindly.

Byri: "Bloody Mary." She quipped, returning the barista's smile with a needlepoint grin of her own. "Extra syrup, please." She pushed her empty margarita cup toward the woman with her fingertips. "Thank you."

Succinite: Amber grinned in his direction, “Good, I’ll see you at my place tonight then? What time works for you? I’m free all night.” She crossed one leg over the other and held her coffee mug up, taking another long sip, finishing it up before placing the empty mug on the bar next to her tattered and frayed book. She overheard the other woman’s request and tensed up, immediately placing a hand on Kaden’s knee and squeezing. Fucking flashbacks. With her hand still on Kaden’s knee she would turn to Ayla, a grin on her face, “Kaden was drinking water. But you can get him a really strong espresso on me, he really needs it today.” She squeezed him again and this time followed it with a smile on her face, hoping he wouldn’t be too mad.

KadenArhelm: His eye twitched at the woman's drink order and he shot looks at the mirrors in the bar, only relaxing when it was clear that no monsters were about to explode out of them.  Amber's co-opting of his drink order finally sank in and he nodded gravely, "Water, right.  The brown water in that bottle on the bottom shelf."  He pointed, helpfully, at the bottle of dirt-cheap and dirt-tasting rye that was his usual order.  "Bring an espresso to, if it makes you feel better."  He looked over at Amber and did not return her smile, reaching down to place his hand over hers before moving it off of his knee gently but firmly, "I'm not Shift.  I can take care of my own order."

Guest_IIEgocentricII: Ayla tensed at the name but gave a slight nod, preparing the drink for the woman quickly and efficiently, hoping that drink was not ordered another two times. She didn't fancy another run in with the legend herself. She placed the woman's drink infront of her with a smile. "You're new here?" She observed, raising a brow but letting her smile keep its face. Polite small talk. When she looked back to Amber and Kaden she felt torn between the two, like a child being given two sets of orders by their parents. Because she was more scared of Amber she made the espresso and placed it infront of Kaden with an apologetic shrug. "I'll get you some Rye when you get me a badge." She smirked a little, attempting a joke.

Byri: "On business, but I've passed through before." She explained, a soft and amused smile playing at her lips. She sipped at the sweet drink and licked her lips, appeased. She pressed her fingertips into the grain of the bar and stretched, inhaling the scent of apprehension, anxiety and discomfort that hung thick in the air of this place.

Succinite: Amber blinked a few times, a tinge a pain ripped through her heart. Ouch. Too much. She pulled her hand back and averted her gaze, biting back down on her lower lip, hard. “Alright. You’re right. Whatever you want.” She looked at Ayla with a pained and flustered face, “You can get him whatever he wants. He’s a big boy.” She sunk in her chair and turned back to be facing the bar and picked up her book again. Opening it back up to her puzzle, pretending to read, pretending to be working on the puzzle. Anything to not look at Kaden, or anyone. She bit harder on her lower lip and scribbled nonsense in the corners of the clipped out puzzle, she hadn’t seeing Kaden like this, but she hated even more when he wasn’t happy with her.

KadenArhelm: His shoulders hunched and his hands went to the cup of espresso as though considering making the conciliatory gesture of drinking the coffee, Amber's words at least penetrating enough to sting.  But the throb in his head, the phantom pain in his arm, they cried out for attention louder than whatever ache the pain he was clearly causing Amber caused.  "Rye, a double," he grunted and gestured again towards the unlabeled bottle on the shelf just above the floor of the bar.

Guest_IIEgocentricII: Ayla flicked her gaze between Amber and Kaden, her mouth opening and closing, she wasn't sure what to say. When Amber gave her the permission to give Kaden whatever he liked, she expected him to have enough dignity to settle with the coffee, but no he gave in and ordered his alcohol. She didn't want to serve him so she folded her arms over her chest and leant her back against the worktop behind her, fixing Kaden with a stare. "Big boys can drink responsibly. You look like utter shit, Kaden. I'm not giving you anymore alcohol until I know you've hydrated yourself enough.".

Succinite: Amber sighed and placed down her book, her normal emerald hues were much duller and acidic. She could taste the blood in her mouth from where her teeth ripped into the inside of her lower lip. She didn’t want to have this argument at all, especially not in the bar, not while he’s hungover. Her gaze moved between Kaden and Ayla, she didn’t know what to say next, she felt a little overwhelmed. She moved her gaze down to the bar top and just stared at it, trying to think of what to say. Her voice was soft, “This fucking sucks.” Was that really all her brain could come up with?

ImmoralSin: -The moon shone dimly, its rays danced slowly across the ruins. Thick clouds, grey and white, hung over the village, creating a slight mist. A shadow swooped into the sky, massive, moving at quite a speed. It began to descend through the clouds and mist, until it was beneath them. Ella flew at a mighty speed, her sleek body agilely dodging the tree-tops. Eventually, she halted in mid-air, examining the area as she saw what looked like a bar as she slowly, made an elegant landing. As her tail touched the ground first, it gave a sudden whipping sound, sending a shock through the area around her. Her skin glistened under the rays of the moon as she viewed the area, spying three mangy wolves running for their dear life. It seemed that she scared half of the forest residents away. She pulled her hood gracefully over her hair, covering the jewels of her kingdom. She tucked the remaining burgundy hairs into her hood as this was the trademark of her kind and it was important to keep that contained for the time being. Pulling her tail into her cloak as well as retracting her wings simultaneously, biting her lip as retracting her wings always stung a bit. Ella smirked devilishly as her cloak engulfed her body, and covered her exemplary form. “Gah…” she gasped, as a groan escaped her lips. The wound those filthy men inflicted before she gutted them all, stung like a bitch. But she refused to heal any other way but the natural way, slow and steady, only using other methods if it came to it. She began to head into the large structure knocking once before opening the grand doors herself. Her eyes shone every time the light passed over her, her hair would fall gently over her perfectly etched features, as she made her way to the group that was before her. Her poise and elegance seeping through the utterly seductive way her face was settled. Hopefully effectively hiding the pain that was overcoming the upper right side of her body. She came to an enticing halt just as she reached the bar. The chair screeched a bit as she pulled out the one farthest from the others and sat down, careful not widen her wound. She figured a little---or a lot of whiskey would help dull the pain.

KadenArhelm: His jaw clenched hard enough that the low sound of teeth grinding together could be heard in the silence after Ayla refused his order for the second time.  He placed his hands flat on the bar top and there was a faint tremble visible in his long fingers, and he took a deep calming breath.  It didn't do the trick, since the next thing he said was, "Shouldn't be surprised that your job gets done better when you're not here to do it."  His shoulders hunched again and he pushed himself out of his stool with visible effort, scraping the legs back with a painful metallic wail that just about perfectly suited the mood of the room.  He reached up to adjust his hat, still not used to its absence, and instead ran a hand slowly through his mussed hair, tugging it back almost painfully.  "Fine," he said, and turned to trudge towards the spiral stairs, setting his feet at the bottom step as he searched his mind for the last bar other than the Maenad he'd frequented.

Guest_IIEgocentricII: Ayla winced at the sound of all the chairs screeching on the floor, mostly wincing at the thought of Deon's reaction if he found that his wooden floors were scratched at all. She hoped not, she wouldn't hear the end of it for hours. Kaden's words, though she knew they were said in a hangover inspired anger, she couldn't help but want to catch up to him and slap him. Ayla settled for a snapping back a snide comment. "How would you know, you're always either too drunk or hungover to notice anything." She had a lot of words she wanted to add for what she thought of Kaden in that moment along the lines of 'you alcoholic bastard', but Ayla decided against saying them so she wouldn't upset Amber, she knew he friend wouldn't want to take sides. Ayla sighed before looking to the new girl, giving her a tight smile.

Succinite: Amber watched Kaden get up and leave and her heart sunk deep into her chest. She hears Ayla’s words to him, she was right. He was always drunk or hungover or both even, it was a problem and it needed to eventually be addressed, maybe the sooner the better. But what would that mean for them? But there wasn’t even a ‘them’, and now there probably never would be. After this he definitely hates her. Her bottom lip quivered and she felt the pain behind her eyes, fuck, not here, not in the bar, not in front of people. As soon as she felt the first tear roll down her cheek, her head immediately went down and her face smashed into the bar top. She wrapped her arms around her head and just sat there and stayed quiet, hoping that everyone would just think she was passed out drunk. Her shaky voice only making out, “Fucking idiot.” She wasn’t quite sure if she was referring to herself, Kaden, or both of them in this moment.

KadenArhelm: His spine went stiff as though Ayla's parting shot was an arrow in the back, but he didn't turn to offer either an apology or a rejoinder.  Instead he wrapped his fingers around the railing of the stairs and went slowly up them, each step a dragging effort, until he was finally on the balcony and able to shoulder his way out into the unpleasant slushed streets of New Arcadia.  He tipped his head down, even the dim light of the day causing pain in his bloodshot eyes, and set off in search of a less judgmental place to drink.  There was an old cop bar not far from there - he normally steered clear, not liking the reminder of his days as an officer, but today seemed like a good day in wallowing in painful nostalgia.