[center][h2]Plans Come Crashing Down [/h2][/center] Location: One Night in Hell→ Exiting Time: Evening- Opening [hr] [center]Mercy[/center] The lights overhead continued to spin across the hazy darkness, drowning the patrons in the intoxicating scene. Mercy stood, for a split second, shocked at Damian’s reaction to her stomp. She didn’t expect it to work. In most her years on the wrong side of the tracks, her rash plans went sour and had serious repercussions. Most any Polly ever felt was pissed rather than pain. As Damian recovered, her mind snapped back to getting the hell out of here. She didn’t have much time until her package went. When that happened, the opening night would end with a huge bang. Feeling the pressure rise in her chest and anxiety build, she bolted for the wall furthest from the bouncer. She was stopped in her tracks. Her shadow grew tendrils and gripped her ankle, tugging them into the floor harder than she expected. Her legs collapsed underneath her. As she hit the floor, her breath was knocked from her lungs. Pain erupted across her side as she curled slightly into a ball. Hissing and cursing a few choice words no child should’ve known, Mercy tried to roll back over. It was time to leave NOW. Just when she began to recover, her shoulder was gripped and she was jerked upright. Mercy yelped in frustration. When her feet found solid ground, she turned on heel then tried to pry Damian’s grip off her. Muttering another curse under her breath, she didn’t care if her actions made things worse. Nothing would matter when the package went off. Fear to rolled off her in waves, realizing she was trapped now. Like a rat. “Look, he’ll kill me if I tell you. I have to get out of here. Please, please just fucking let me go!” By this time, her voice had begun to edge into loud hysteria. [center] Nikki[/center] “A raspberry martini, please!” hollered a gruff, male voice. “Coming right up, sir,” Nikki answered with a fake smile. The answering bartender was a white woman in her twenties, with a piercing on her lower lip and eyebrow. Over the months that followed her experiences, she had altered her hair style which still reflected her quick, independent style. The sides were trimmed close to the scalpel with the upper portion waved over to the right side. She was dressed in the traditionally expected trousers, dress shirt, and red tie, despite her being female. It was hard to stomach wearing skirts anymore so Masha gave her a free pass on it. A gesture the woman appreciated greatly. She reached for the alcohol, careful to top the tin up. With a few fancy jerks, she rattled the contents around, mixing them properly. Finally she tilted the top into a single glass. She filled it to the very top in one smooth gesture then she added a small lemon garnish. She slid it right over to him without spilling so much as a single drop. Appreciative, likely both of her curves and efficiency, the man tipped the glass in her direction. Then he downing it in one gulp. That didn’t surprise the young bartender, but she expected it would come up later. They usually tended to fill the bathrooms with all sort of filthy. This made it a hassle on busy nights. In fact, many of One Night in Hell’s employees shamelessly tried to clock early in order avoid cleaning it. It was disgusting. Placing the thoughts aside, her eyes caught Masha’s figure shift toward the lounge area. The more quiet atmosphere side of One Night in Hell causing her to spot the wink and promptly blush like she never realized she was able to. It went to show she was making progress into what was normal. She had been considering asking Nabriales for help, but she hadn’t wanted to pay whatever price he was slinging. She spotted the wave of a young lady’s arm, getting the bartender’s attention promptly. Nikki turned and slid closer, signaling for the other bartenders to get the other side. When her figure slid across the counter’s surface, she gave a pretty smile toward the human and the prae. The gem on his forehead and markings on his skin were a bit of a dead give away. [b]"I'll take that compliment, though I warn you I'm even more interesting then I look. A martini with a twist will do for me; and what does the damsel in distress desire?"[/b] The male said when asking his companion. Already, Niki was repeating the process she perfected by now. "Your [i]Damsel[/i] would also enjoy a martini," his female companion said, nodding at Nikki then turning to smile back at her date. It was difficult for Nikki not to roll her eyes. Even more so not to gag at the flirting atmosphere between the two, though she could understand why. Prae were pretty to look at, had power in the city, and flirtatious. Who wouldn’t want to try to tap that? The method the woman was using, however, made Nikki inwardly cringe. The Prae’s date come off like she was trying too hard to be flirty. Nikki was smart enough to keep her mouth shut about it as she made the second martini. Then she slid them both over, ensuring the right customers took them. She took the money off the table before depositing it into the cash register. By the time Amon gestured for her again, Nikki had served three others and placed the dirty glasses into the trolley for the kitchens. Casually she walked over to the young male Prae again. She leaned against the table with her arms folded up underneath for comfort, politely about to address him. Nikki became distracted when Rich tapped her on the shoulder. It was a signal he was going after a piece of tail causing her eyes to roll in frustration. “Rich, I’m not protecting your ass if Masha finds out.” Nikki snapped quietly at his retreating back, then turned to Amon. “So, what else can I get you? Drinks are currently half off by the way,” her voice returned to its polite, but cheerful tone. Mercy’s scene could be heard in the background as Nikki fought the urge not to yell at Damian to do his job. The irritation was clear if the guy knew how to look beyond the mask. Why Masha hired that Licenti was beyond Nikki’s understanding, but she had hoped he could do his job a little quieter. Thankfully Lily’s music kept the good mood going while the generators appeared to be holding strong. She relaxed when she spotted that most the patrons were unfazed by the scene and fell back into their groove. After recent events, everyone needed something to lose themselves in and forget the world outside. [center]Killian & Emma & Masha [/center] Killian had grown a few, subtle shades of red under his dark skin. The conversation kept pulling him more and more out of his comfort zone. Now it took all his energy not to bolt out of here. Mostly because he didn’t want to disappoint Emma. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, he was pleasantly surprised to see her. It warmed his heart since it showed her devotion to their relationship. He had dated several girls, usually greed whores to wild clubbers, and none of them ever did something like for him. His arm wrapped around Emma’s shoulder and he held her close. He let himself be distracted until he heard someone cry out in frustration. Instinctively, his eyes shifted to the transparent glass doors and watched the pipsqueak Damian was dealing with trying to escape. An unsettling sensation washed over him then. Something old and familiar caused him to look at the girls. His expression was apologetic as he spoke, “I got to go help Damian. He is having an issue with some kid that got past the bouncers and she’s not cooperating.” He kissed Emma on the forehead, feeling it was right, then rose to his feet. Upon seeing Damian handle the girl, his eyes shifted to where he had spotted coming from the bathroom. His gut stirred again drawing him to walk closer. “What’s going on?” Killian asked, ready to assist Damian. [center]Afua & Lily[/center] Lily continued to sing. Her vis flowed with her vocal vibrations, filling the room and influencing the crowd. It didn’t take much to keep them happy when the world felt like it was crumbling around them. Her bright eyes closed to focus on the words. Each beat followed the electrical rhythm like it knew its soul. Being a creature whose anima thrived in music in order to lure her prey in, it wasn’t a surprise how much she missed this. Now her spirit rose up to do it again. Once more, she realized she needed another break. It was painful to see her unable to keep singing for long periods like she use to, but small breaks were better than going hoarse in the middle of a song. Her figure turned around to face the DJ. She pointed to her throat, indicating it needed rest, then attached the mic to the stand. The guy nodded then changed the beat to something more instrumental. Still high in energy and enough to get a few heart pounding. Carefully, she stepped down to the cooler. She pried the lid open then snatched a water bottle, twisting the lid open. She savored the chill running down her throat as she sipped it. Her eyes snapped to the side when she spotted Afua’s approach. One of Darius’ higher ranking members. Her face tightened into concern, wondering why the necromancer was here before it finally dawned on her. Masha. He would’ve sent someone to check on her, ensuring things continued to go well. Lily was a little disappointed he didn’t show up in person. [color=PaleVioletRed] “I’m surprised our mutual friend didn’t show up,”[/color] Lily commented offhandedly. She already popped the lid back onto the water bottle while waiting for Afua to speak. “I tried, but no dice. Honestly he’s not been himself lately,” Afua admitted, though she was vague on the details. This caused Lily’s eyes to narrow in suspicion. A lot had happened this morning, but Afua’s tone indicated it wasn’t just because of recent events. Before she could think farther on the matter, Mercy’s loud shout caught both women’s attention. Their heads snapped into the conflict’s direction. Damian and a young girl, underaged, were locked in a heated conversation. Lily was the first to frown. [color=PaleVioletRed] “I was wondering when Damian would notice and go after her.”[/color] “You know her?” [color=PaleVioletRed] “No, I just spotted her from the stage a while back. I found it odd none of the bouncers escorted her out until now. I doubt Masha is going to be happy with him for being so slow.”[/color] “Not much I can do to help about it. Darius’ orders. How well her bouncers handle things, it doesn’t reflect on me,” Afua said as she rubbed her hand across her nape of her neck. Pushing aside her dreads while she added, “I need to see Masha. Know where she might be?” Lily took a moment to recall. [color=PaleVioletRed] “Yeah, she’s in the VIP section. Saw her go there with another girl and Killian, through it looks like Killian’s decided to finally help Damian,”[/color] Lily answered. “About damn time. Honestly, Damian needs to learn to be tougher or he might not be going to survive in any line of work. Thanks Lily and I owe you a drink.” Afua then turned toward the VIP section in the club.