[center][h2][u]Return to One Night in Hell Nightclub[/u][/h2] [h3][color=silver]♤ Darius M Cain ♤[/color], &[b] ☽ [color=99004d]Masha[/color] ☾[/b][/h3] [hr] [sub][h3][u][b]Time[/b][/u][/h3][h3]Day 3~ 3 P.M. [/h3][h3][u][b]Location[/b][/u][/h3][h3] Nightclub, Entertainment District in Ominar [/h3][/sub][/center] [hr] After brunch, Darius and Masha made their way to the club in order finish up their business. As the vehicle grinded to a stop alongside the curb, a familiar woman of dark complexion began pull from the wall she leaned against. Her fingers lifted to grip the vaporizing cigarette as she opened her mouth, the ‘smoke’ exhaled and wafted over her lips. It was Afua. A mischievous expression twinkled in her eyes and lips curled into a pleasant smile before she put it out. Her hand placed it into her handbag while she pulled closer, her arms leaned upon the window’s bottom. Her head peered into the open window on Darius’ side. “Nice to be seeing you Baas, but it seems a situation be stirring,” She cautioned a moment then moved upright, her body stepped away to allow the two to exit. Darius’ inhaled, his paws straightened his suit vest a moment, and pulled onto the sidewalk. His head tilted at her words with eyes narrowed upon her for an explanation. Afua adjusted her oxblood burgundy leather jacket as she considered how to fully detail the current issue. She bit her lip a moment, nearly drawing blood, before coming right out with it. “Cortes, the little hoer, got word about our underground venture. I wish I knew how, but I have no idea and had to step off to take a entjie before I lost my temper,” Afua huffed slightly, waiting for Darius’ lead. The Fox nodded. On the outside his vision appeared calm, but inside he was close to gnashing teeth and ripping open the man’s throat. The only problem with that was it would’ve proven the man’s words true and brought more trouble than he could handle at this present time. His eyes drifted to the note in his jacket, realizing why McCarthy wanted to meet in private later this evening. [color=silver]“It seems things has a chance of becoming rather messy today,”[/color] Darius commented more to himself than his companions, as he raised his arm to Masha,[color=silver] “Shall we, Ms. Vorobyova?”[/color] Masha looked at him with a bit of a pout when he continued to call her by her surname. Not that long ago he'd pretty much always called her Masha. But she'd not been his equal then. Not that she was really all that equal with him now. But he was on a whole other level and she was just a business partner's daughter then. Now [i]she [/i] was the business partner, and closer to being his equal. He'd probably not call her by her own name for a while more. The young woman adjusted her dress and took Darius ’ arm with hers. This time, no one stopped them coming into the club. Not with Darius at the lead. They gave her a look though and she just walked through with her chin up like she owned the place. Which she did. As they came in she looked around again at the state of things. There weren't many there, only two as far as she could see, and Nikki was unsurprisingly, absent. Instead some hulking man was behind the bar in conversation with who appeared to be Cortes. “Well at least he's here,” she sighed mostly to herself. Cortes promptly stopped when he spotted Bruce looking over to the doorway. His figure pulled back and twisted in his seat, cautiously getting a better view of Darius, Afua and a young woman enter into the bar area. He downed what was left of his scotch before coming to fully facing Darius. His lips cracked into a slippery smile and observed for a moment before he indicated for Bruce to pour him another shot. As the beefy bartender let the colored liquor fill nearly to the rim, Cortes’ eyes briefly darted toward Mercy who had immediately plopped down back in her seat, her hands empty and free of any evidence that might draw the new arrival’s attention. Despite knowing the rules, her expression failed to hid the anxiety in her figure as she looked for a route to escape the thick atmosphere building up. Cortes gave her a look that caused the youth to promptly force herself to settle down and turn her back on the scene. She ordered a soft drink which Bruce quickly slid over with efficient speed but continued to eye the trio that entered. He seemed to expect trouble. “Welcome to One Night in Hell, Mr. Cain. It’s a surprise to see you here after earlier incidents if the rumors are correct,” Cortes broke the silence as he pushed off his seat and approached the trio. His hand held the scotch though he had yet to drink it, “Who’s your lovely...companion?” Masha watched the way he took command of the room. And when he turned, she looked him over a bit like he was a piece of meat. He was a handsome man, and she had to remind herself that he was not someone who she could go after. It was one thing sleeping with Nikki or Darius, but Cortes was not in the same sort of position. No matter how hot he might have been. Especially when he called her lovely. “Masha Vorobyova,” she said, introducing herself without giving a title or anything. She went to hold out her hand, but stopped for a moment to make sure that the bruises and red marks along the inside of her elbow weren't as visible. He didn't need to know that right now. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cortes,” she murmured, smirking playfully and flirty at him. Darius tensed at Masha’s playfulness, betraying for a split second his possessiveness, and quickly reined himself in. Cortes noted this and immediately reached out his hand to gently kissed the knuckles of the extended hand, his head pulled back to its original position and his fingers released his grip, “Such a pretty woman you are. Mr. Cain has excellent tastes in companions but I must ask: what brings you both to my little club?” [color=silver]“I wanted to show Ms. Vorobyova the club she will be managing in the future,”[/color] Darius said laying out his cards. Cortes’ eyebrow raised at noting of the use the woman’s last name then stored it away. He stirred the ice cubes in his glass and looked down for a moment before he replied, “Interesting… Now I have a very pressing question. What happens to me when she takes over? I know I’ve not been running things up to your satisfaction, but times have changed and customers have moved on to better things.” Darius inhaled through his snout but didn’t reply, giving Masha the chance to take over. Masha noted the tension as well at her flirting. He was being a little possessive of her just then, and he'd warned her about it becoming a problem. He obviously wasn't used to having to use his body to sell his worth so he didn't react as easily to the way that she did with Cortes just then. Because even if she hadn't slept with Darius the night before, or had any intention to do so, she still would have treated him the same way. Because that was often the easiest way to throw someone off guard. She smirked at the kiss, but didn't linger with her hand in his any. When he asked what would happen to him, her smiled shifted to something a little more predatory. “Well that all depends on a lot of things,” she replied after Darius deferred to her. “But I have no intention of pushing you to the wayside. Not when you've been here so long.” “Ah, I find that very reassuring,” Cortest stated, his hand pulled back to his side, “I’m sure we’ll work rather well together as long as we learn our boundaries. If there’s anything you need then merely let me know and if it’s within my ability, I’ll get it done.” His eyes drifted toward Darius watched the proceedings idly, “If you don’t mind my curiosity, I’m interested in how you and Mr. Cain are acquainted. You don’t seem to be the type to run in his circle of acquaintances.” Meanwhile, as Cortes distracted Masha, Bruce lowered himself as sounds of bottles clinked and shuffled around before he pulled back up. Another glass was in his hand, the rag about his hand wiped it casually twice until he eyed carefully. Once satisfied with the glass’ cleanliness he set it upon the surface while surveying the surroundings. Masha smiled, knowing what he was trying to edge out of her. But thankfully, there was an easier, truthful answer at hand. “Old business connections,” she smiled more. Her eyes flicked over to the bartender, attention snagged by his movement, but she hadn't seen anything out of the norm for his job so they quickly returned to Cortes. “What kind of circles do I look like I run in if not his?” “Mostly the same circle as many of the lovely female patrons we use to get on the night rounds. Often with looks that kill rather easily,” Cortes chuckled slightly. He lifted his glass to his lips to take a quick drink and when he lowered it, his eyes fixed upon Darius to address the Fox’s presence, “So, Mr. Cain, why did you decide to turn up at our humble club? I can’t imagine it was only to inform me of new management because the task doesn’t seem to be a high priority.” Darius’ expression, likely due to its vulpine appearance, made it difficult to read accurate,[color=silver] “It was merely business and to quarrel any disagreement in my decision to replace you.”[/color] Cortes’ smile deepened as if he had learned a deep, dark secret better left unknown, “Interesting. Well, I’m sure you have more important things that require your immediate attention. I can take care of her and show her what she needs to know. I’m sure the other staff is eager to meet her.” Her lips pursed some at the comparison. He wasn't entirely wrong after all. But she wasn't just a one circle sort of girl either. And she certainly wasn't opposed to the compliment to her looks either. She looked to Darius with a little shrug when Cortes suggested that he could leave. She knew he was up to something, but she figured that she could handle it. It was up to the Fox if he stayed or not. She was sure that Afua was staying either way. Or at least one of her little spies would be there. Either way, she wouldn't be alone. “Well I think it'd be silly for him to have come all this way to just leave,” she said with a little shrug, heading towards the bar to get herself a drink. “And if he stays, he can be fully up to date without either of us having to repeat a conversation for him.” Which was something she didn't want to do, really. And she wanted to him to know she wanted him there, even if she would be alright if he left. “Really though, I'd like a drink first, before we get started.” [color=silver] “I have some time to kill before my attention is needed elsewhere,”[/color] Darius said coolly to indicate he was remaining. Cortes nodded his understanding as he turned to Masha. “Of course,” he kept his smile, his hand gestured for Masha to lead the way. When the woman moved he followed alongside Darius in her wake before he pulled up onto the seat at her right, “So… what will you have?” Bruce had placed down his glass to turn his full attention upon the woman, his arms braced upon the counter and listened to her order. She smiled slyly at Darius over her shoulder, laughing as she turned around and swayed over to the bar. She looked Bruce over like she had Cortes, but there was even less likelihood for things between them. But she had a front to uphold. She pursed her lips again as she leaned against the bar top. “I'm thinking a nice Bloody Mary,” she said. “You’re in luck, we have a new stock of Vodka. So Classic or one of the variants?” Bruce asked, his figure lowered to collect the ingredients for the classic version as many of them had similar requirements. Already he was pouring in the tomato juice, vodka and other requirements once Masha made her request clear. With ease, he mixed them in the mixer before draining it into the nearest stemmed glass and passed it toward her. He looked to Darius then inquired about his order to which the Fox said simply straight up Vodka. Nodding, Bruce poured a tumbler and slid it into Darius’ direction who cautious smelled it and then took a taste. The burn was nice going down through the Vodka was particularly weak compared to the type they had the night before. Masha watched him with a critical eye, just make sure he knew what he was doing and wasn’t just there because he and Cortes were close. He seemed a competent enough bartender, and wouldn’t be the worst of people to keep on merely for his skills. Though given the way he and Cortes seemed very buddy buddy, she was unlikely to keep him around. She took the drink he gave her, looked it over and stirred it with the stick of celery that was in for a second before taking a sip. It was well mixed, well proportioned, but still weak. Like the vodka was partly water. Which given the way Cortes seemed to run things, wouldn’t surprise her any. She curled her lip up some and set her glass back down on the bartop. “Well,” she started, her tone obviously less than stellarly pleased by her drink, “I’ve had better.” She was doing to be bluntly honest about things with him. That way there was no way he could think she was sugarcoating something just to play some game. She hadn’t been paying much attention to the drinks last night, too busy flirting with Nikki to really care actually. Pulling a cigarette book out of her purse, she popped it open and pulled out one before offering it to the assembled gentlemen around her. Noting that Masha or Darius hadn’t commented on a minor being at the bar, Mercy took the opportunity to remove herself. She slipped off the seat at the end of the row and causally as possible moved toward the bar exit. Meanwhile, Bruce shrugged at Masha’s comment then replied. “I work with I have,” A statement that wasn’t completely false, “Anything else you would like?” Through his skills were good, Darius noted his tone and mannerisms were rather flat compared to Nikki’s. Instead of seeming to want to please the customer, like a good bartender should, the man appeared to want to be done with his shift altogether. When Masha offered her cigarette, Darius held up a paw and politely refused. For a brief moment his eyes shifted to Cortes who gladly snitched one and even pulled out his lighter, decorative in nature and not a cheap bic one. He held it out in offer to light Masha’s cigarette, his own held unlit in his lips, “Let me light that for you.” When the smokes were redden on the tips, he inhaled his own and let out a small puff of smoke into the air. Masha gladly accepted the light, waving Bruce off for the time being, snapping her cigarette case closed and leaving it on the bar top so as not to have dig in her bag again to find it. She took a drag and let the silence hang for a moment more. “Now,” she sighed, glancing at the young girl leaving. She was sure that she was too young to be in there, but personally, as long as they weren’t serving her alcohol, she wasn’t going to call them out just then. “I’d ask you what you think the problem is, but I’m sure you won’t tell the truth. So instead we’re just going to skip to how we’re going to fix it. First off, we can get to the staff later, but I’ve got a plan for those who don’t wish to work under me. Secondly, you’re going to have up the quality of your alcohol and entertainment. And finally, for the start at least, gonna have to do some redecorating, maybe even remodeling.” She spoke with a tone that offered no room for nay saying, and one that said that she knew how to be in charge and she wasn’t going to let Cortes run the show like he was the only one in charge anymore. “Such a high cost,” Cortes stated, noting the price tag building in his head and frowning some. His arm leaned upon the counter and his chin rested on his hand, thoughtfully thinking of her demands, “I’m not fully sure we can afford that on the income we made this week. Not without delaying payment to Darius for protection rights and he can’t risk favoritism.” He had finished up his drink then slid it over Bruce who scooped up the cup and began to pour another round. When the tumbler was pushed back, Cortes continued, “Especially now. As well as I said, this place hasn’t been collecting customers like it use to because people have found something better.” Darius noticed the subtle challenge to Masha’s and his authority. His paw tightened slightly upon his glass but it held shape, refusing to crack under his applied pressure. Already his Vis collected to his shadow thanks to the fury inside his core. Carefully he began to loosen it from the glass with some effort and left the half drunken liquor there. The man beside him stirred slightly as his alcohol induced slumber appeared to wear off causing Darius’ eyes to flicker to the side and note him. Her smile flickered and she looked at Cortes like she was about two seconds away from ripping out his throat with her hands. She could feel Darius’ shift in mood as well and that didn't help things. “Where in there did I say that this was something that was up to negotiation?” she asked with a falsely cheery tone, tilting her head like she didn't understand what he'd said. “Because I'm very sure I said this was something that we were doing. Me being the new owner comes with money from me too. Because this place has potential and you've been wasting it. So we're doing it my way now. If you've got a problem with that, you know where the door is.” Cortes held his ground, seemingly unfazed by the glare, as he listened to her, “Of course, I merely stated the facts and didn’t know of your contributions so that changes things. However, there’s still the issue of getting people to actually come in.” His eyes turned to face the back of the bar as he continued before he returned his attention to Masha, “As I’ve stated, they seemed to have moved on to something else. How do you propose we bring them back when they aren’t interested in this place? I’ve tried several things, but nothing has worked yet.” Masha looked at him flatly, already done with his bullshit. “Have you tried making it a decently inviting place?” She gestured around them at the state of the place, and the people in it. “Because right now, I’m only here because I own the place. Otherwise, I’d rather be drinking somewhere else where there are pretty people and good drinks.” She spun on her stool and looked at the old man who was still somewhat out of it in his drunken state. “Like, no offense...no I lie, offense totally intended, [i]he[/i] does not make me want to bring in a date to here, or find one here. And I like older men. People tend to go out drinking for two things: forget shitty things in their life or find fun things, especially with the bedding others.” She took a drag of her cigarette, flicking ash into the ashtray within her reach. “Don’t you worry your pretty head,” she went on in a condescending tone. “I know how to get people in here.” The blond haired man chuckled under his breath, noting her hot temper and seeming to know something she didn’t. However, he neglected to say anything when he commented, “We’ll follow your lead… boss.” As Masha pointed out the drunk, he snorted and lifted upright in his seat. A heavy waft of whiskey filled the air around him causing Darius’ nose to wrinkle in reaction and his frown deepen. He seemed to be resisting the urge to move as he stood his ground in his seat, his paw like hand slid the glass back to the bartender with the intent of not finishing it. Bruce easily read the hint, his hand took the glass and placed it in the mobile dish pan under the bar. Upon seeing it full, he began to wheel it toward the kitchen’s entrance. Never once did he glance in his wake before he grinded to a halt and knocked on the metal doors. He waited two minutes before he turned back, leaving the cart behind where he set it. Her looked narrowed and she had to take a deep breath to stop herself from physically lashing out at him. That would make things very messy and that was not something she needed to start off her business here with. “As you should,” she said at last with smug superiority. She turned back to the bar to grab her drink and caught the end of Bruce’s sloppy dealings. “And maybe the first step is getting a better bartender out here,” she sighed, finishing her drink in one go because she was too sober to deal with all this right now.