Pret a Pret Mon Chat

["Ricky" Merchant]

Ricky, wouldn’t have noticed that Sev had left the coast had he not called from airport saying he’d been called to the home office. It was a good thing he called when he did. She’d planned on bringing by breakfast and the chicory he liked. She wanted to apologize for all but shutting him down. She enjoyed his company but he was a blood soaked shield of death and like begat like. Meaning even with his seemingly endless resources eventually having him closely involved would have created the need for mountains of blood to be spilled.


So as for her funneling support to the other covens and insuring they had bolt holes and safety he couldn’t actually be involved. Especially as quiet as he was personally his actions didn’t go unnoticed. She’d even see the Master of Coast Biloxi’s Master interacting in his business. She however couldn’t tell whether it was past or future. So she merely ignored it for the most part.

However since his return he was hot heavy and all too feral. She knew he’d been infected. She didn’t realize which strain and didn’t want to pry but she was curious. And for all that was holy he was more intriguing. He’d always been a hot and heavy lover but as of late he had been insatiable even entertaining her ideas of perhaps broadening their antics and including more play partners.

[Naomi Hilton]

Nomi had come in here one night when the rest of the places in the casino had turned her out needing one more drink. The slurring sloppy thing she was had chased a few away but the owner mind you was all too intrigued and laughed when she had growled orders at him. Something about him drew her and calmed her enough to let him in. They talked until he begged her forgiveness kissed her hand and helped her out near dawn. That's when she realized what he was and it startled her but now she had something to occupy her mind. Sleeping in her car that night she came back again just after dusk and a loose fast friendship began.

Two years later she was lead dancer, in charge of hiring new entertainers and helping to plan events. He treated her as a treasure, not a failure, so she wanted to work her hardest at making this place a name. Sitting near the bar they were open but not for the show yet that was a few hours away and the performers would be in and out to make sure they had what they needed put together. As one of the newer girls went backstage to change for a run-through Naomi looked up to see a pretty mocha woman wander in. Looking her over in an assessing manner sniffing her gently but not to obviously. She smelled of big cat similar to a lion but wasn't her self a lion. Hmmm curious, gulping her water she licked her top lip and called out " Welcome to the Merlot.. we normally only do auditions for new acts one day a month but if you really intrested I could make an acception this time. You something to look at for sure"

Sliding gracefully to her feet hips in full sway. Dressed for comfort in low slung blue yoga pants and a cropped beater that showed off the extremely taught belly under. She was muscular without being cut too much. Plenty of softness on her frame.

["Ricky" Merchant]

As Sev said more than once she could be oblivious to the most obvious things; yet compute and understand quantum celestial physics. She could and she had and it informed her of some of the changes that were to happen and yet, yes, she could be oblivious. It was in her opinion a natural by-product of knowing where the real danger lurked. Not the everyday hurts and pains but the soul threatening ends of things,



Even with the knowledge of the way things might go or more likely would go able to dazzle and confound the one thing that was clear was that this young feline inspired vision was a dangerous in the eat you alive while you were begging for more variety.



She smiled at the obvious come-on flattered some. Naomi looked the full part of a temptress. She’d learned her name from a few of the other patrons who were far more frequent visitors. "Thank you for…having me and despite what I do when no one’s watching at home I am so not a dancer.” Tapping her shoulder lightly with the palm of her hand, her smile brightening.



“I’m actually waiting on my friend he’ll be here in a bit” Extending her hand she offered, “I’m Ricky.”

[Naomi Hilton]

She took the offered hand and gave it a firm but feminine shake with a wink "Naomi. He good looking too? Cause if so it's my lucky night... Show won't be for a bit its just rehearsal right now and Id offer you best seat in the house but.. you already got that covered I see"

Yes she was a flirt and knew her power as one, it also was smart for business. If you made everyone feel special they wanted to come back so she was always the consummate hostess. Tho she would admit this one was very pretty. " Can I get you a drink to start out the night? tender ain't in yet but I'm a fair good substitute."

Pausing as Rachel walked up to her to ask her a question, answer it briefly and thoroughly but kindly. " Seems works never done. Pick where ever you like to sit and I'll be right back for sure"

leaving Ricky to sort her self for the moment while she set up the girls music and set pieces for remote activation. Nodding to the slightly nervous young woman and trying to give an encouraging smile as the curtain opened and the hoop was lowered to stage. Walking back toward their guest she smiled at her. " so bout that drink?"

["Ricky" Merchant]

“Naomi,” Ricky said letting the other woman’s name roll over her tongue as if it were a flavor she could savor. She smirked devilishly as the woman sauntered away to tend the stage and lighting. Bending over the bar she grabbed the bottle of Tito’s and a few of the limes muddling them with a few sugar packets and as Naomi was making her way back she slid a finished drink into the woman’s hand. It was missing a few thinks namely some bubbles but this was a significantly upscale establishment and they’d not have the soda on the gun. In fact she hadn’t seen a gun when she’d been plate over kettle behind the bar.





Smiling as the glass clinked with ice, “Something a little sweet and just tart enough to stay on your tongue.” Taking a sip she asked, “Are you performing tonight or staying this side of the stage” She didn’t respond to the question about Sev. Partially as she wasn’t sure what was Naomi’s cup of tea. Sev was a strange one he was lighter than one would think and darker at the same time. His complexion when he was dressed up was flawless but she knew the scars that ringed his flesh. She knew most of the stories and even some of the ones he didn’t know she knew. His spirit was always circled by predators. No specific flavor to them; just the feel of blood and the hunt always circling shadow like abut him. She unlike most didn’t espouse a thing to it as she knew also his light.



Taking another sip she said “My friend oh him hes easy on the eyes definitely. At least I think so. I know he does too at times." To this she chuckled as she thought about his approach after stalking her down the block.

[Naomi Hilton]

Oh, this one was sassy and could mix a drink. Taking it she sipped and almost purred being careful not to let that get too loud tho most who came here knew the score they had vampire, human and shifter performers licking the sugared lime juice from her top lip she smiled genuinely " Oh fo sho I open and close the show normally less something goes down, tho I like to mix it up between things depending on mood and season."

Tonight she would open with caberet as per usual on the hoop as it was easy to sing from there. Still not deciding between pole and silks later but she would see how the crowd felt. Glancing over to check on Racheal poor thing had been working at some low rent strip bar before so nice things seemed to confuse her. It tickled Nomi just a little watch her try and work the hoop. Calling out " baby girl we got a pole for a reason ain't no shame in going with what you know"

For sure the girl could work a pole tho she had seen that at the audition and was the main reason she hired her. Flustered the young blond nodded and waited while the hoop was lifted back and the pole was slid out and locked in place. It took less than five minutes,this time she approched it with more confidence and as the jaxx version of gagas bad romance started that first run and leap was every thing and Nomi cheered for her. Smiling at ricky" thats better"

["Ricky" Merchant]

Ricky watched the mysterious Racheal tumble " That I now I couldn’t do even with a year of Sundays training to do half of all that" She chuckled. Spotting the small bit of lime sitting on Naomi’s lip she tried ignoring it as she was sure another sip or two would remove it. Losing her battle she stepped close enough to feel the warmth rolling off the woman’s skin. “I try not t o be a closer talker but sometimes it’s the only way to make sure motives aren’t misread.” She said her voice dipping a little lower.



Reaching slowly she used her thumb to slowly move and remove the small oh so small bit of unmuddled lime. In doing she held a bit of serious eye contact. Flitting between her lips and her eyes Ricky had to admit the plump curve of her lips made her very kissable. He r high cheek bones and those eyes that were deep and dark enough to fall into hoping to swim to the bottom and never come up. In short it was clear that in a battle of seduction and tempting while Ricky herself was not unarmed Naomi was significantly more armed. " I bet you are so much trouble on your nights off…" More was to be said but she felt him. In the last few weeks since his infection and return he was a presence. His weight hot and all too heavy at times. He felt like the louvre or the roman coliseum in her head. Still shadowed by blood on the wind and shadow predators but there was something else there as well. She paused looking towards the door watching him clear the rom with his eyes before settling on her his smile dancing to his lips.



“Uh trouble baby meet Sev…” She said as Sev made his way over.

[Yates]

Dressed a bit more monochromatically than was his usual he’d come straight from the Port here. The blazer on not to disguise the fact he was armed. He had his conceal carry and open carry licenses on him at all time. The jacket was to disguise his new found corded ripped musculature. The last real date he and Ricky shared had three altercations almost start. He was hard pressed to not finish them on the spot. Seemed his infection boiled away not a small amount of water weight he’d never realized he carried. As such in certain public circles his moving caused others to feel various sorts of ways.



Just as he spotted her he in the midst of being her irrepressibly Ricky he self he inhaled as he smiled making his way over. The place was filled with lycanthropes and no small few vampires. He didn’t immediately spot lion but there were big cats all around and one major source directly there with Ricky. So put on his best eat you alive smile his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Just like catnip you always make the most interesting friends Rick.” He teased. Offering his hand freely “Severin,” He said smile in place feeling out the edges of the shorter woman’s aura. Big cat not tiger lion or leopard but definitely as all lycanthropes a predator.

[William James Christopher]

Bill sat in Melisande’s office purposefully allowing the waves of her aura to buffet him. He rested languidly one leg propped beneath him arms akimbo across the back of the sofa he occupied. She was by far one of the more understanding of the Masters in the area. She also knew that he was a fair man who would extend every offer before declaring all out war. He’d grown tired of the bloodshed even as he was well suited to insuring the streets ran red with his enemies vitae.



Sighing he allowed his head to rest against the sofas back eyes closing. He was a being of love yes but what he loved was being underestimated. He loved surprising friend and foe alike. He was a complicated being wrapped in the simple puzzle of always seeking a warriors peace. “I can see you are in no mood to really discuss this but time is of the essence Meli. The others the whole lot of them won’t speak out as to their rebellious ideals but we both know that what isn’t said is often more important than what is. So you can see my dilemma here.”



He’d made his intentions very well-known he would hold the crown. He would not move nor flee from whatever came his way. He would not wage war unless he had to as his goal was to establish a lasting peace. No one as long as he officially held the crown would act or state their stance. The problem was at the upcoming exchange of power that he’d cancelled and thereafter. Hence why he was here. Melisande was a repository of information. Her entertainers spoke with nearly every strata of local society. They very much had their fingers on the pulse even more than he did as Master of Biloxi. Having her more securely in his pocket as a resource would be the equivalent of having an information network that as above the fray with eyes and ears everywhere. All centrally located.

[Naomi Hilton]

Nomi laughed" I could teach you and have you up there looking pro in no time"

The laugh died as they closed space and the thumb on her lip had her eyes flicker with a predatory light, the accusation of her being trouble was true but it still made her smirk and before the eye contact broke she licked at the thumb on her mouth then nipped the pad of it with her front teeth softly. Eyes travelling to the door she smiled and let the thumb go her hands had found their way to the other's waist.

Letting her go to take the handshake and raking him over with her gaze. He was chiselled and screamed power and danger and he smelled like male. Not her flavor of cat but sniffling deeper lion but not she winked " Naomi but people call me nomi nice to meet you"

Getting closer to him but not to obviously sniffing along his skin she raised a brow and had to stop her self from asking him flat out " what are you?" She motioned to the seat they had taken" Well now please sit ya lady friend made a couple drinks and we were watching some run throughs but show will start in a lil bit. I need to go check on a thing or two but promise to be back.. if you need anything just give me a yell"

Hips rolling as she walked away knowing they would watch, she wanted to stop by the back office even tho she knew some big mukity muck vampire was there with her boss. Knocking softly and waiting to be bid to enter,

[William James Christopher]

Melli sat toying at the edges of Bill’s aura mainly as a testament that while she didn’t want the job she wouldn’t just roll over and fall into his pocket out of hand. She was by far one of the strongest vampires in the area. It was telling that since his scandalous declaration that she was the first in the area he reached out to speak with directly.



Shrewd she thought fighting the puffery that might make her miss a point or to.



Sighing she stated the very potent fact he was seemingly unmoved by the increased pressure of her aura. She dared not send a rolling wave of her natural seductive lust into the ether she had a business to run and while it might be interesting to see how much he could take money was the name of the day and too much lust in the air had the locals in a decidedly less enthralled mood to spend as they should.



Opening her mouth to speak she paused feeling Nomi approach. While her beats to call was rat she wished so very much to have been gifted the call of the jaguar. Nomi was a special sort born leader and yet wiling to serve others first.



“Come on in Nomi,” She said fixing a behave look at Bill. The or else was very much apparent.



Bill smirked away the look as the rapping at the door was followed by the entrance of Melli’s dance leader. He’d watched her cavort and cajole form the stage quite a few nights himself. He never needed to be center of attention and as such stayed well away from the stage often taken the furthermost boot or bankhead merely enjoying her dance and song. She was gifted in that good old native spiritual way that made even the option of sin a thing of worship.



“Well now,” he said raising to his feet to greet her offering his hand he stated, “William, pleasure. Friends call me Bill and you are…” knowing full well but unwilling to give over the illusion of cordiality. Most folks found it unnerving and that was not his aim. He’d come in peace for a reason. Melli was while ringmaster here the servers tenders and dancers were the agents that collected all manner of information from both the regulars and irregulars that visited.

[Naomi Hilton]

Being given entrance she stepped in eyes first on her boss but then flicking to the other. A bit scruffy but still handsome as he took her hand shaking it she joked. " willam pleasure is it? Naomi Hilton but Nomi works too"

Letting her hand slide free she winked at him but then turned to melli "jus poppin back to say we got a couple early patrons and that Rachel is dropping hoop and back on pole till I can train her up better but other than that we smoother then waxed bikini lines"

Her voice even in its most human held a bit of purr and smoke. Raking her gaze over bill once more "did y'all need some drinks or anything? I can bring ya back a bit of something"

[William James Christopher]

Strong though she was Bill didn’t meet her eyes; instead giving her the option to test herself he met the space just beneath them. Taking in the shape and color of her eye as well as smile. "Nomi, I’d be a lie if I didn’t think so. After all if it isn’t a pleasure then its work and I am all of that business for the day…" this he said with a look towards Melli. Signifying he wouldn’t press her more but that he had said what he’d said. Meaning every word. As well as having pushed the limit of what was socially acceptable in her challenge to his shields with her aura. Unphased though he was, it was a testament to her that he wished to not proceed in public testing her strength and his patience.



Smiling even as he inhaled the scent of her and those without. A devilish smirk falling into play across his face. "No need on my part I’ll be around most of the night. You’ll have plenty of time to get me liquored up nicely." He joked interceding so Melli wouldn’t need waste her good china on him.



Melli sighed her this boy too is too much. It was done surprisingly good-naturedly as even as she would make him work for it he was the better of the potential options available. Even if it meant undoing the so very long peace that came from complacency.



Not quite face-palming at Rachael’s inability to stay off the pole she smiled at Nomi letting her know she was right to get the blonde more practice as well as signaling the good New Orleans hooch to be brought. She would see how far Bill was willing to go to earn her aide. He just didn’t know how right his assertion had been.

[Naomi Hilton]

Her brow quirked as she watched the interaction, and licked her top lip" Yes business is over for the day, and lick er sounds like fun"

Laughing softly she went to the door and smiled back " be right back"

Grabbing the bottle from under the counter and sprinting with it and two glasses Nomi set them up and winked at Melli" K I need to go check Raoul he's up next then Jamie and then we should be about good to open doors while everyone gets ready, see you out there?"

Peeking at Bill with her lips pulled into a seductive shape.

[William James Christopher]

“She’s certainly an eyeful,” Bill said as Nomi danced away. He’d caught the knowing glances and smirk between the two of them. He doubted any serious deception and so settled back to find where the road led with Melli. Her having pulled her aura in on itself left the room feeling less warm and far more open.

Melli responded as she busied herself putting away the projections of revenue, “You have no idea Bill,” even on her better behavior Melli’s voice held an attractive pull that rolled along the skin like the casual caress of a former friendly lover that could stir the emotion. She’d mastered the art of only giving what was asked but in his case she would very much toe the line. She would if possible make him ask for so very much as to infect him with an addiction of her.

And as Nomi returned with the bottle that had come at no small cost she stated, “As ever Nomi dearheart you exceed my every expectation.” Which was true and also a flash of trust designed to settle Bill into a comfortable place mentally so as to truly plumb his depths getting to know the man beneath the apparent wish for power.


Bill smirked as Nomi retuned with a bottle that looked and smelled of trouble. A very large part of him enjoyed the idea of trouble. So he was curious indeed. He also was aware that Melli was a master of spy craft reading others and when needed using the leverage she accumulated with a passionate zeal that took no prisoners. He expected no less but also was no slouch when it came to a certain brutal gamesmanship.

Smiling again he said to Nomi, “It would take far more than an army to keep from watching you work. Much obliged for your hospitality and that gorgeous smile.” So using he accepted the glasses and bottles from her moving to Melli’s desk he poured for them leaving her to choose the glass.