In The Night-Side of Eden ••

[lavinia]

We steal the fire from a sacred heart
And bleed the wine unholy
We fall in love with the serpent's song
And fear nothing.

It was great find a place to work at non-stop and even reside if needed. It had reached her in the grape vines of conversation of a ‘new’ place to lose themselves in and being just ‘open’ needed reliable staff. For Lavinia, it screamed for her. After having a very formal interview with the owner she was head mixologist and pretty much co-owner for the man was always working on his projects within the eyes of high society. With her schedule from working already a few hotels during the day and few run down bars on the weekend, she was able to slide from it all and work mainly for the ‘new’ club.

With a new night approaching and getting the page that the doors were open, Lavinia made her way through the hotel from one of its abandoned empty rooms and down into its belly where the dark metal doors glowed around the edges like it was heaven waiting. Nodding to the boss that was getting ready for the crowds behind the locked catwalk to his office she disappeared behind the ‘Employees only’ to shower and change. After burning her body till it glowed red and applying a few black lines around her eyes and green to blue shadow on her eyes she emerged in a very form fitting small deep red Dress with her long hair rolled high in a bun held by one of her cigarette filters and satin wrapped around her ankles to hold on her stiletto heels.

By the time she arranged the long liquor stone bar by kind and size she heard the music of the night turn on as the first few patrons come in still afraid of what was behind the glowing door as if it was hell instead of heaven. Pulling one of her cigarettes from her own lock boxes that all staff had during the work hours she clicked her tongue rings together as she gripped a fresh filter from the box between her teeth and lit cigarette brewing away. Slow as it was now, she knew it meant it would be a heavy night.

We deceive ourselves to start a war
Within the realm of senses
And descend to the circle number four
Where we are nothing.

[zeke]

“Just take another right here!” A voice called out, pointing enthusiastically the direction given as if the driver didn’t heard her, despite the two setting literally centimeters apart. Wincing from the unexpected yelling of his female companion the driver nodded turning the wheel as the car turned about the corner swiftly, “Where are we going exactly?” He inquired peering out the dark tinted windows warily at the surroundings, “It’s a surprise silly we already told you, there stop!” Pressing his foot down on the brake Zeke complained as the car slowed to a complete stop.

Only seconds later his ‘companions’ where already gathering their things before stepping out of the vehicle, “Come on Zekey!” The blonde known as Casey wined while the brunette Tracy locked arms with her female ‘sidekick’, “I’m coming, I’m coming…” He grumbled, before stepping out of his prized car, A lamborghini black as night just the way he wanted it. After closing the door and locking it Zeke regrouped with the two girls wrapping his arms around both of their waists as they walked. On the way across the street towards what he was presuming was a club they passed by a group of teenage boys staring at him in envy. “Look but don’t touch boys…” Zeke warned them before walking inside with his ‘dates’. The boys obviously didn't listen as seconds later he heard the rather distant sound of a teenage boy yelping in pain due to being shocked.

Once inside his lady ‘friends’ led the way throughout the many hallways and corridors before stepping inside the club itself. “Spooky…” Zeke commented taking notice of the dark atmosphere within the club, “Don’t worry love we’ll protect you!” Tracy purred suggestively before leading the three to an unoccupied booth. Sitting down almost immediately Zeke sighed, this playboy act was getting annoying but he had little choice in the matter. “Let’s go dance!” Casey suggested, “You two go along I don’t feel like it right now…” This of course disappointed the two but got up anyway both swaying their hips before reaching the dance floor.

“Air heads…” Turning his gaze away Zeke sighed for what seemed to be the thousandth time tonight, there where many more constructive things he could be doing right now other then getting wasted, how did he meet those two anyway weren’t they models? Or…maybe actresses? In truth he really didn’t care long as they tired themselves out so they could leave. Taking a sip of his ice water Zeke stood up, he never liked to drink unless on occasions and this sure as hell isn’t one. Stepping out into the desolate hallway the man closed his eyes trying to block out the music instead focusing on the sound of his own breathing.

[lavinia]

Bodies began to filter in through the entrance like colony of rats from the same hole; one by one many they would go to the couches, floors and bar. Every staff member lead their area’s with an iron thumb and for Lavinia, she was the mistress of the stone bar. With three under her command she didn’t have to worry on them until the more delectable looking beings came in. Normally the ‘socialites’ would come much later in the night but tonight was a different night so it was a different time. Watching the other three goggling at a pair of lost in repetitive movements she slammed a tray in front of them and pointed to the crowd. “Don’t made me repeat myself,” she stated as they bowed low and disappeared in different directions as she eyed the man that came in with them. Water… DD driver? Could be but the man could have been just waiting a reason to have one. Before she could say anything to his companions she heard her name being called over the radios next to the registers.

“Lavinia; what’s up?[/i]” she stated moving from the man and towards the closest radio. “Sorry to say this but we are missing the next walker… need you out there…” the voice on the other side said and irritation filled her. “Where are they?! Seriously… I… goddamn it…” was all that was said as her eyes looked for her useless minions. Shaking her head she was not really ready to walk the hallways to find the lost she stepped onto the bar itself and with a high pitch whistle that deafened her she caught the eyes of everyone and her staff. From her look they moved fast breaking from their own conversations and back to her. “Do not fuck up my orders and do not bullshit unless all orders are done, no fucking acceptations,” she stated as she moved away from them passing the now empty chair and sweating glass.

Going to the back Employee room she pondered in using the ‘bum’ clothing but with her attire and the smell, no… not tonight. Grabbing a quarter coat she grabbed her cigarette case and lighter with her filter already in use as she moved within the crowds pissed as ever. Everybody moved out of her way except for the oblivious and lost; she shoved past them like the two airhead that came with the man. Before their lips even opened she was already heading up the stone stairs and through the metal doors as she tossed the burnt clover into an ashtray bin of black sand. Closing the metal doors that blocked the sound and light she kept her eyes closed letting them adjust to the dim lights that was isolated through the area.

Still pissed she pulled another clove and shoved it into the filter and with the black plastic in between her drying lips she looked to the clover as she lit it to not see just herself in the empty hallway. Pulling her eyes to the flame on the end she blew out the clove letting the amber burn slowly as she inhaled again moving a little bit forwards past the man but she didn’t go far but a few steps before she stopped. With the filter in her long fingers she rolled it within she turned half way looking to the guy noticing it was the man she saw at the bar. “You ok hun?” she said within her washed out accents of Spain and Italy with some meaning behind her words. She didn’t like it when patrons didn’t feel right and didn’t like to just leave him in his feeling… bad if it was the case. “First time here?” she questioned thinking she had not seen his face or figure. For something as ‘classy’ as his she would remember at least for certain males.[/font]

[zeke]

It had taken him a matter of seconds to remove all distractions from his mind, instead focusing on the monotone task of inhaling and exhaling rather then the music nearby. However despite this rather bleak accomplishment it didn’t take long for boredom to set in. He beginning to wonder wither or not to ditch the two females and find something more interesting to do, such as staking vampires. Though appealing the thought was Zeke quickly shook his head in disagreement, no he couldn’t just leave them. Though annoying, they where still ladies and a gentleman never make’s a lady walk home.

This relatively boring subject of thought took up a rather large amount of time, Zeke only noticed this when he raised the glass up to his lips expecting the cool flow of liquid to pass down his throat. Nothing came, and now he was faced with a rather ‘difficult’ decision. Go back inside to get a refill but possibly be spotted by Brooke and Tina (that was their names right? Oh who cares, it doesn't matter) or standout here and die of dehydration. Alright so maybe he was being a bit overdramatic but it helped pass the time! And by simply going off how those two acted he’d be here for a very, very long time.

The smell of smoke filled the man’s nose causing him to look around before taking notice of a female standing several feet away from him. First time? Of course, this wasn’t the kind of place he hanged out at. Actually to think of it he really doesn’t hang out anywhere. Call him nocturnal but he sees no point in being awake during the day when his pray ventures out at night. However to humor the woman he nodded, “Unfortunately…yes…” He spoke with a rich American accent as he stood up straight, “From you’re question I’m presuming you’re a regular?” A logical guess after analyzing the situation but there was also something about her that said she belonged here.

Perhaps it was her muscles while he was tense she was relaxed though it’s hard to make certain with that coat. Shifting his wrist over he examined the time. It was only ten, the night was still young. “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet have I?” He realized after several seconds of silence, “My name’s Zeke D. Hunter, CEO, but you can just call me D. And you?” Holding out his hand the man smiled his brown eyes taking in the beauty that stood in front of him. She was attractive there was no mistaking that, and seemed more intelligent then his other two companions which isn’t a bad thing.

[lavinia]

She smiled more from the accent than of his answer; it wasn’t common to hear the flushed accents over the Atlantic here but then again, London was becoming more of a Mixing Bowl than America. Nodding to his answer she took another long inhale from the filtered clover and only inhaled it through her nose as she expelled it from her mouth as a long stream to puffs of clouds. “You could say that,[/color]” she said to his own question before looking to his watch. From the shadows of light around her she could not stop from admiring his appearance. He did match the arm candy that would be around the airheads but then again he didn’t.

As he reached out she took the filter from her lips and removed her free hand from the slanted pockets on it side she took note to his words; the superior motive in his stature and voice. Yes, this was a man that was sure of him and made sure everyone knew it. Moving closer to the man in a few strides she grasped his hand firmly as she looked to him. “Lavinia Vielle; Mixologist… unlicensed medic…[/color]” she stated with a clear to her throat before letting go of his fingers and bit the filter that bobbed a few strings of smoke, “paid informer…” she said in a more whisper as she inhaled deep through the filter down her throat in a burning sensation.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you D, not many take the liberty in saving our kind…” she said softly. Looking towards the long corridors she looked to the man. “Would you like to accompany me? I have to make sure no one is too lost…[/color]” she said with at him. There were no butterflies in her stomach but having company in the large place was lonely for having to do it for an hour.

“You don’t have to; thought it would be better and get gawked at by any estrogen that walks by…” she said smiling. She began to walk slowly away from the man but still questioned openly to him, “What brings you to London?[/color]” as she lingered in steps. For being as tall as she was, it was one thing for fact she did not feel like she had to look down at him in mind and physically.[/font]

[zeke]

His eyes lingered on the lengthy female in front of him as she relinquished grip on his hand before returning it to her side. Interesting, a firm yet at the same time delicate handshake, ‘Father always said you can tell much about a person from their handshake.’ He thought before returning his attention towards her, “Beautiful and talented, I see you’re a woman of many skills.” Paid informer eh…to whom and for what reasons, ‘Something tells me she’s much more then a simple bartender…’ He mused, ‘However it’s none of my business the less I get involved with other peoples business the better…’

So her name was Lavinia Vielle, “Beautiful, but I suppose it’s only appropriate, for a beautiful woman to have a beautiful name, wouldn’t you say? Not at all like mine, too dull.” Pausing momentarily as she strode down the hallway inviting him to accompany her in her search. He quickly weighed his options, he could politely turn her down return inside and be grinded on by twiddle dee and twiddle dumb or accept her offer forget about those two and enough the company of a beautiful, sophisticated woman…needless to say it wasn’t a difficult decision.

Within seconds Zeke was walking beside Lavinia as they walked down the series of poorly illuminated hallways. “Why I’m here? Well, for vacation really. I’ve been looking for a place to but in this ‘cursed’ city but had little luck. I have little love for hotels no matter how large the pen house might be.” Sighing the man shrugged, in all honesty he really did hope he found somewhere soon, that or purchase some land and build one himself. “But honestly I’m afraid of heights…” He added on whispering, “I practically cried like a baby when I first flew.”

Slowing he steps so that she took lead but was still close enough to look at her face he laughed suddenly, “Sorry I tend to ramble on and on unless you stop me. So Miss Vielle tell me about yourself lets start off with, are you from London?” As much as he tried though Zeke couldn’t help but show a bit of disgust towards the females smoking habits, it smelled and often clouded his senses something Zeke couldn’t allow. But being the gentleman he was he tried to restrain himself from grabbing hold of the ‘death stick’ and crushing it underneath his boots. So instead he simply gave her his most charming smile.

[lavinia]

Any other woman would be giggling uncontrollably and melting to the ground to grovel at his words; Lavinia on the other hand kept her curling lip around her ten inch cigarette holder between her teeth as she thank the dim lights to hid her reddening cheeks and earlobes. The man was a delight to have nearby and even more accompanying as he moved towards her as she continued her walk on shift.

Everyone had flaws and to hear of his little jitters of the heights she couldn’t stop herself from laughing a little. Every few steps she reached out feeling the peeling paint curl a little at her fingers as they strode a long sometimes stomping slightly hard around a corner to shake the foundation; The place had a code of little raps on the walls and similar things; seeing she had not see anyone she was only stating her presence or shooing the unwanted visitors away hopefully. “We all have our little secrets,[/i][/color]” she stated before he apologized for his words that seemed to never end in his mind.

Deep down she didn’t mind at all; she was more used to hearing of others lives than of her own only for working as a bartender… you hear a lot of ups and downs but never much think of your own it seemed. Looking to the burning ember that nearly hit the plastic she pulled it off to twirl the burning paper between her fingers, pushing the ember out but still managing to burn her fingertips as it fell to the ground and snuffed by her heels as they kept moving. Sticking the plastic holder into her jacket she pulled at a silver flask to rinse the taste away with a sort of moonshine she made herself before tucking it into her jacket again as she sucked on her slightly raw fingertips.

“I do not mind listening,[/color]” she finally stated as they turned a corner down another long and everlasting hallway as she held her fingers in a tight pinch to ease the pain before tucking them into her pockets. “Spain actually.[/color]” She stated with a small hint of her home dialect curling around her just from calling to it. “I moved here not too long ago…I hoped for change but it seems that no matter where I go everything is the same just a different color paint,[/color]” she said running her fingers softly on the wall once again before they reached a dead end in the hall. Maybe it was another reason why she didn’t speak much about her life… it was the same horror story she could not stop.

Her thoughts called out ‘help him!’ as she remembered his little brief of trying to find a place. Many would shy to the idea of offering their own home to someone but then again, place an ad in the papers for a room for rent and it was the same thing just a different approach. “If you are looking for a place to stay I always have an open room or I can talk to my boss, he would be the one to defiantly talk to in finding a place to your fitting,[/color]” she said with a smile to him wondering what it would be like to have money to blow all the time. “May I be enlightened in what you do for a living?” as she opened a door and passed through it.

The room they entered would have been a beautiful ballroom but time had altered the beauty into a haunted errie feeling. The open floor was covered in dust and all of the windows that were high into the double level ceiling were bricked and mortared. With a flick to a switch on the wall the chandelier that was looted who knows how long ago had only a few dim flickering bulbs that seemed to blow out all together leaving them in the dark again. Luckily her boss was not a complete dimwit and around the door was candles; sometimes being old fashion had its perks and down falls.

Pulling her lighter she found two large brass candle holders that if dated would probably be a few centuries in idea. Candles were as rare as single births but it was nice to see something with age still alive. Lighting the two she passed one to her companion as she walked more aimlessly towards the middle of the room holding the light up catching small hints of what the room would have looked like back then. Gold paint flickered a little to the light it had not seen in many years but nothing else seemed to stand out but for the covered furniture that Lavinia peered under some with a lift to the tattering sheets as others covered in dust like the open circular tables that looked like ones that were in the club. “Sweet lord, history in the making here…[/color][/i]” she said wondering just how old this hotel was or when it opened. It would have been a wonderful place to have a wedding or some sort of fancy shindig but it was still mystifying within the darkness of only candle light and silence.[/font]