Everyone Goes To... (Open)

[AJ]

Most bartenders had a style hers was simply efficiency. She was fast thorough and as cold as an iceberg. She had never seen one aside from film but she knew that they were some of the coldest things in the world. She reached for their austerity.





Her forced smile had lured many into believing that she was far warmer than she actually was. Tonight, was no different. She had a group of would be admirers, they puffed up on drink and male bravado she was tempted to scare them off. Tempted though she wouldn’t it was a rough enough time in the city. The city just having resettled from the last uproar and celebrations was settling into a quiet she found all too calming.





She wouldn’t stir the pot no not yet but perhaps soon. Especially if these idiots presumed too much. It would be a quiet thing though she was sure that if she allowed herself full vent that it would be just loud enough to cause a ruckus.





Perhaps there was hope after all. She spotted one of the cocktailers closing on them. If she maneuvered them as she was wont to do the boys who pretended to be men would soon be enmeshed in a game of losing all of their funds. While Al's Azure Antzara Alehouse was a publicly respected Disney version of a biker bar it in truth was as dangerous as it pretended to be. She found that heartening somehow hiding the danger right in front of everyone’s eyes. It was borderline genius.





She watched from her vantage real and true one percenters, road leaders, and chapter presidents from clubs all over the country mingled with weekend warriors wannabe’s and suburbanites. If she possessed a true sense of humor it would have been funny. As it stood it was simply intellectually amusing.

[Deleted]

Cole was still up when he received the text from McKenzie about IAB. He wasn't too worried about it. He didn't technically work for the police. He was on retainer but he'd keep it in mind. He was reading over the case file for Josh Patton's murder. He'd been beaten, tortured and finally killed. His body had been found in the woods near his own home by his own pack. Cole was curious as to the torture. Josh wasn't the Ulfric but his killers had tortured him for some reason and the only thing Cole could think of was that they wanted information that he either didn't know or he did but wouldn't give it to them. Cole put the file away and instead of heading to bed headed out to a local club.

The place was packed when he arrived mostly around the bar and the bartender. When he got closer he realized she was a vampire. He assumed she was a member of the local kiss, assuming all vampires in Dallas belonged to the local kiss. Cole worked his way to the bar to order.

[AJ]

Aj watched the crowd with preternatural acuity. It was what she did measuring guests wants needs and accommodating them as quickly as she could. So, when another predator entered her space she was immediately aware. Most of the predators here she knew in one form or another. Many were her donors others would want to share other charms of hers. As such she usually knew how to placate them or use them to her own ends. This one stood out as he was one of the taller persons present well-built yet wary. Unlike most present he sized up the crowds not to prey but to find the predators.



She felt his eyes as they scanned over her as well. She wasn’t in the coffin not that she was strong enough truly to disguise what she was nor would she endeavor to either. She leaned on her freshly cleaned bar suppressing the urge to clean everywhere her hands touched. As he came closer she noticed the smell of Artemisia and other mountain herbs about him. It made her incredibly curious. Far too curious which in turn made her a hair angry.



She pushed both emotions out of her present demeanor. Smiling she asked, “Well, Soldier, Spy, Crook, or Cop what can I get for you today?”

[Deleted]

Cole wasn't sure how to answer her, not about the drink but about what he was. He smiled at her and ordered.
"I can tell you I want straight bourbon. The other I'm thinking about the best fit." Cole said, taking a seat at the bar. He thought about what she'd said. As a vampire, he would have to assume she read people fairly well. Seeing her also made him wonder where she'd been during the party at the estate. He didn't remember seeing her. He finally came up with an answer.

"I guess you could say soldier. I've fought all my life against one thing or another...mostly the things that go bump in the night." He paused and glanced around then glanced at her, not making eye contact. "You do belong to the local kiss or am I wrong?"

[AJ]

She waited a beat as he ordered judging what would be a good fit. She settled on the MB Roland Straight Kentucky. It was a medium burn with a little bit of a punch but she turned away at the last second going instead for its Dark Fired brother which had a smokier flavor. His accent was decidedly wide but she thought he would enjoy it more.



"Soldier, you say?" She asked pouring him two fingers and recorking the bottle. She enjoyed the scent of certain liquors and this was one such vintage. Without thinking too much actively on it she had grabbed her bar towel and begun cleaning the area again.



"As for belong to, I am part of the Kiss yes owned perhaps more than I would care for but it is not a chattelment. I am free to come as I choose for the most part. What war brings you here?"

[Deleted]

Cole watched her almost pick one then the other. He'd had that one before. Strong but more to his liking. You had to like a bartender that could read you well enough to give you a good drink. He nodded when she set the drink in front of him.

"Yeah, I guess you'd call it a soldier. I work for the US Marshal Service and I'm on retainer to RPIT."

He hoped that didn't ruin his welcome to the bar. Cops generally weren't welcomed to biker bars but then he's didn't consider himself a cop. Yes, he worked with them and for them but he wasn't really a cop.

"It probably wasn't my business but I've had very limited contact with the kiss in Dallas. I know a few of the kiss on sight but I hadn't seen you before so I didn't know if you were part of the kiss." He thought about her question before he finished.
"No war brings me this way...at least not yet." He paused. "I'm looking into the murder of a pack member, Josh Patton."

[AJ]

"Unless there is a need I distance myself from the Kisses functions." She said sharing a similar blunt honesty with him. It made it a fair exchange between them without the ties of why and motivations.

"I see so it is a war not a battle. Anyone that could take from any Master of a city and live to tell the tale is a formidable opponent to say the least. Perhaps you should choose a different case."

He hadn't said he suspected anything but foul play. Which would prove very bad. He was rushing headlong into a maelstrom no matter how careful he was. Yet she didn't denote any fear in him as to where his road might lead.

She doubted he would and strangely enough wished him success whatever that meant. She simply felt bravery should be rewarded. cocking her head she looked at him truly weighing and measuring him.

Nodding as if what she saw added up to some notion she said, "Would you like a bite...to eat?"

[Deleted]

Cole could understand distancing from the kiss, with some of the things that had gone on recently he'd want to be distanced too. He'd never meet anyone quite like this vampire. He'd met the Master and some of her closest people but this one didn't have the feel of the Master's vampires, not that it bothered Cole.

"I probably should choose a different case but he was someone's brother and he left behind a daughter who'll never get to meet her father. I'd like to at least be able to tell her one day why he died or that he didn't die in vain."

Cole wanted to bring closure to the pack and more importantly to Miranda, Hayden and Grayson. He knew that whoever had killed Josh was only still alive now because the pack or the kiss hadn't found them. If they did the cops would never get a chance at it.

"Sure, I could eat...a burger maybe, if you have it?" He found her a little unnerving but strangely likable.

[AJ]

She slid a menu to him again resisting the urge to clean the bar immediately having done so. She also spotted the other bartender looking around at the bottles. Judging by the sour mix he held and the amount of triple sec he’d poured she sighed knowing he would miss the lime juice he always did and she had to attend his shortcomings by making the patrons Dew the right way. Sliding the bottle of Citron his way she turned back to Cole.



"Everyone does. Death has no real meaning accept the end of our time. No matter how we seek to establish a reason, in the end death is the inevitable. I am sorry you have taken such a case it is a long hard road gleaming reason let alone truth for or from the evils that men do."



As he inevitably opened the menu she reached across humanly slow to point towards the bandit. Itw as the best and most consistent burger made here. It was two hand pattied beef burgers separated by a helping of cheese, sausage, and grilled onions. It was topped with peppercorn bacon and an aioli bolstered by pureed lettuce tomato onion and pickles. The joke or so she’d been told was no one liked fruits and vegetables on their burgers. It was seen as unmanly or too refined. As such so long as they didn’t realize they were getting servings of vegetables they were fine and would order whatever they were fed by the boatload. Hence the Bandit had everything people would ask for on the side or at least ask to be removed already as a staple to their meal.



"It is not for the faint of heart but it is an often requested burger. Have you spoken Directly with Mistress Nadine as to your mission, Icam sure she would offer all of the aid she could muster publicly and privately." She knew she was potentially oversharing but not in any way that should prove detrimental.

[Deleted]

He took the menu, from her and watched her for a second as she turned and helped the other bartender with a drink before turning back to him. He listened to her and nodded. He could listen to her talk all night. He wasn't sure but he could.

"I'd have to say I agree with you because I'm afraid when it's all said and done that the pack lost a strong wolf for no other reason than he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't think he was targeted. I think he was simply a victim of chance and nothing more but I hate telling the family that."

He watched while she pointed out the most requested burger they served, which he ordered and listened as she asked if he'd approached the kiss, specifically the Master. He'd thought about it but it was still a small thought for him.

Cole shook his head.
"I haven't spoken with her. I guess I was debating how or if I should approach her but he was part of her pack of wolves and I'm sure she may have connections I haven't even thought about."

[AJ]

AS she spoke she leaned towards the POS and entered his order under her tab. He could pay for his drinks but she would accommodate him a meal. While he was clearly an officer of the legal system his carriage and direct manner of speech marked him in her eyes as a former soldier of sorts and as such she would extend the hospitality that was due.



Returning to him she slid the menu away as she said, "If I were you that would be the first place I would start. As while most of the pack is not out of the closet; and would be hard pressed meeting with you in any capacity relating to the pack or its members. Mistress Nadine is well and truly out of the coffin. She could speak with them as well as offer insights that none but her could. In truth, she would be the person to find the truth of this Josh Patton’s standing in the preternatural community. If he was a notable higher ranking member of the pack it would definitely make a happenstance as you suggest very unlikely or matter of fact."



She absently began recleaning the bar area as she spoke. She didn’t give very good human and cleaning made it easier for her to do so. It was near compunction at this point of her unlife. Even when she was not here she was constantly cleaning the area she was in or rearranging things as a way to stay moving. She did so at a humanly slow pace forcing herself to slow down to not rush and work through it whatever it was.



"I didn’t ask what temperature I hope you will forgive me the faux pas. Also, my suggestion to speak with the Mistress is not an easy one while open and magnanimous she is the Mistress of the entire city and the highest ranking vampire for many hundred miles around. Your being very modern may have a small portion of culture shock for you… If you would like I can ask any question you would have pertaining to Josh and forward the information to you." The words left her lips absent of her having thought on them. It was a rare occurrence for her. It struck her as odd and she looked to the bar towel she was using. Her brow furrowing the only movement in her as she questioned herself why she would suggest such a thing. Why indeed was she extending an offer of aide to a stranger whom by dint of his honesty could easily be perceived as if not the enemy then someone for whom she should establish a distance. Yet she had offered aide. That would bear some much further thinking on.





“Excuse me a moment,” she asked moving away taking all of her bar towels discarding them and returning with fresh clean ones as well as fresh sanitizer. She began to clean again after doing so.

[Deleted]

Cole had thought about approaching the Master but he didn't know exactly how one would go about doing that.  Did you call and ask or just show up?  He was pretty sure you didn't just show up.  We watched her at the register and would get his money out when his food arrived.


"Yeah, I've gathered that the wolves around here or not exactly out of the closet, per say.  If Josh was he could have been mistaken for the Ulfric."


She watched her clean the counter while he waited for the food.  She told him about the burger.  He smiled.
"As long as it's not trying to leave the plate I'm sure it will be fine.  Actually, it might be to my advantage because I'm sure how I should approach the master.  I need to know if Josh was out of the closet and just how high in the pack he actually was."


Cole didn't wonder why she offered to help.  Losing a high ranking wolf in a pack was bad for the master, bad for the pack and it could make the master look weak which Cole didn't believe Nadine could afford to look weak after all the crap that had went down in Dallas in the last few years.  He watched her replace her towels with clean ones and continue cleaning.

[AJ]

Satisfied that the area was clean she looked to the kitchen window as his burger was placed in it. She dead eyed the cook as his hand wavered over the bell. He knew she didn’t enjoy the sound of the old well used thing. It however rarely stopped him from using it unless she caught him the act like now. They exchanged a quite enmity filled moment as he thought better of antagonizing her. She looked to the other bartender who was mid conversation with the head waitress who wanted AJ’s position. Sighing she promised not to kill her tonight at least though she felt a small punishing would be acceptable. She concocted a revenge strategy that would leave no proof on the fly. Small minded perhaps but acceptable. She believed in getting ones revenge in first.





Retrieving and returning with Cole’s meal she sat it down in front of him with ketchup and mustard near at hand if he chose to use them. "It is a bad situation for all involved and those touched by them. I’ll ask your questions if you like or I can ask for an audience for you. Of course, I make no promises as a member though with very little standing I may be rebuffed or worse."





She smiled and excused herself a moment returning very shortly there on. She moved to wash her hands before returning to Cole.



"The burger is acceptable?"

[Deleted]

Cole checked his phone and had no new messages or missed calls so he returned it to his pocket. He looked up just as the cook set his burger in the kitchen window. It looked good, not that he had expected anything less. She set it in front of him along with the mustard and ketchup. He wasn't big on ketchup but he did like mustard. He put some on the burger.

Cole nodded at her statement as he put the top bun back on the burger after applying the mustard.
"Just ask the questions, I'm not sure how I'd approach the master anyway. If she answers them, great." He paused then glanced up at her being careful not to look her in the eye.
"If not, I'll try something else and try not to get yourself in trouble with her. I wouldn't want that."

He watched her disappear. He tried the burger. It was really good.

"The burger is very good, thank you." He said when she returned and asked him how it was. He pulled his wallet out of his pocket.
"How much do I owe you for the meal and drinks?" He asked.

[AJ]

She knew the price without looking though she did as it was often unnerving for guests when she ratted the cost of their evening without looking. She didn’t usually give good human in that regard and she worked at. Humans for some strange reason liked to believe in the fallibility of people. It was an old fact and one she didn’t care too much for which is why she usually neglected to act so. It was also whey she on more than one occasion had put off others. She shrugged at that thought as she simply opened her screen and tapped first one tab then another finally settling on the Cole’s bill. She kicked herself for not acting broadly as if she were looking for his tab forgotten in the flow of conversation.



"You owe eleven fifty-six for your double. As for your meal as a soldier it is my pleasure to accommodate you. Your contact information however will be necessary so as I might reach you with news of your queries." She said printing and sliding a copy of his bill listing just the drink towards him. She restrained herself from cleaning as while the chemicals were all natural and had a pleasant scent she found most didn’t like the idea of such things near them as they ate.



She circled back in thought to his statement of having a care. She frowned as she inspected it then smiled devilishly. "I understand that only by risk and venturing can one ever be happy. The reward can only be found by ‘putting ones self out’ otherwise there would be little use to most things. But I will have as much care as is my usual. I understand full well how… speaking of the dead can trigger those of us not quite there especially with the loss being by anothers hand."



"I am glad you enjoy your meal even as I was not the preparer." She looked to the head kitchen in time to catch the head server lamenting over her recent spate of bad luck. Seems if she was thirsty ahead of schedule. Her diet soda had been replaced with the uncut syrup which it seemed had caused quite a reaction for her. She would be even more put off once she found her car moved as it was into the towing lane if she didn’t hurry the valet’s would have it removed and she would be out of her nights tips. In AJ’s opinion it was a fine thing she needed to party less in the year she’d been here AJ watched the womans bags grow and her good humor shrink due her partying.



"There is no rush to make payment," She stated as she looked back to Cole consideringly. Glancing over his shoulder she didn’t leap into the fray but instead looked directly back to him. “Please grab your plate and slide to the end of the bar.” The frat boys had bitten off more than they could chew it seemed and pressed their luck farther than it should have gone. The fight was well and truly joined but as they were amateurs she had no illusion that it would spread and they would at the very least jostle Cole.