(Untitled)

[neitherside]

Sighing, I push back from the desk, eyes scanning for the nth time the papers spread across its gleaming mahogany top. Papers that, for once, touted not the acclaimed actions of the vampire-with-a-soul but of another person entirely. Someone involved in a mugging, and other events of the more supernatural sort, the kind your everyday reporter

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[constantly_dark]

"'Nother one, John?"

The bartender stops in front of me, motioning towards the empty glass I was still clutching in my grip. I blink, breaking whatever I had been thinking on, and nod to the husky fellow, allowing him to refill the scotch. A take a sip, and I'm back where I just left.. Alone. I haven't heard from Illyria since.. that happened, nor have I seen Chas or Raul. This is typical of them, however, and I pay no mind.. other than the fact I still have to sit in a place like this alone

[neitherside]

I smile.

"Daphne. Daphne Greengrass."

I'd lean on the bar to be more comfortable, but who knows when was the last time they wiped down the place. Besides, I'm not fidgety. It's a sign of weakness.

Now, unless I've seriously overestimated this man, my words should ring a bell. I could start with some small talk, chatter on about inconsequential things, but I'm sure we both know that I'm not here to make a friend. And neither is he. So, smile carefully in place, I wait.

[constantly_dark]

I let the meaning of this 'chance' meeting sink in the moment she speaks her name.

"Miss Greengrass.. A pleasure to finally meet you. How's business?"

I grin as I ask the question, bypassing the possible small talk and getting down to the point. Partially because I'm pretty she that's what she would be doing anyway, partially because I'm wondering which direction this will take.

[neitherside]

"Booming, thank you."

I keep the smile on my face, letting it reach my eyes, partly because I rather like this man and partly because I know he'll be able to tell. I care about making a good impression because I want this connection - and I'm sure he knows that, too - and because in an odd sort of way, I respect this man. I may be young, and look it, but I'm not stupid.

Far from it.

If I do say so myself.

"You made quite a bang arriving into town." I'm sure the double entendre doesn't escape him, and it lets him know I've been keeping tabs on him since he's been spotted. Daddy used to keep track of him, on and off, back when Greengrass Investigations was still headquartered in London. "One would think your entrance was hard to be missed."

[constantly_dark]

Raina. I store the name in the back of my mind for later, but the fact that she gives that up at this point in time really means something to me. It means trust. And confidence. Both of which I've never seen in someone with regards to me.. at least, not after just meeting less than an hour ago. It's almost touching..

Almost. If I don't count the voice in the back of my head telling me she's only doing this for X reason. I shake the thought from my head, and follow her up to the roped off lounge. Wow. Either this.. Raina really likes her, or she's more connected to this new city than I had ever thought.

The attendant gives me a quick look, but says nothing towards me as he shows us in. I'm not one to be easily impressed.. but this was a VIP suite made for only the best of the best. I wasn't entirely sure how to react to that.

"I can see why you felt a bit out of place at that old bar.."

[neitherside]

I smile to myself, flicking back my hair, and turn to John with an easy, practiced smile that still manages to be sincere.

"Oh, I hope you don't feel out of place here?"

It's only phrased enough like a question, just enough. I know that even if he feels incomfortable, he won't leave. Personal conviction as well as a desire to uphold his image, although that's secondary. But John Constantine isn't one to run from uncomfortable situations. Now only to see how quickly he adapts.

I stroll over to the bar, smiling at the bartender. "Gin and tonic," I say, then turn to John. "On the company."

[constantly_dark]

She asked her question, but I didn't respond right away. The fact that I wasn't running from the room might provide answer enough.. while still leaving enough of a mystery behind. It was true.. I didn't belong in the VIP suite of a posh nightclub.. but neither do I belong in a hell dimension crawling with thousands of demons desperately looking to rip me into pieces.. and I survived it too.

She moves up to our personal bar to order her drink, then decides to remind me it's all on her.. perhaps to have me relax a bit, perhaps to get some response. I decide to go with both.

"Vodka Martini." I call to the tender, though not looking towards him.. instead taking a glance to my Boss. It wasn't my typical choice of drink.. but something more formal for a more formal atmosphere. He pours both drinks and I nod my thanks, looking back to Daphne, glass in hand and raised up high.

"Cheers to.." I smirk, ever so carefully. "Tomorrow."

[neitherside]

Picking up my glass, feeling the slick condensation from the cold glass against my fingertips, I raise it towards John's glass and clink it gently.

"To tomorrow," I echo, then down the drink. I can sip champagne as delicately as any debutante, considering that's what I was raised to do - at least by my mother - but I am not usually a dainty drinker. I don't get drunk, I will not lose control that much, but I can hold my liquor. It's not out of a need to prove myself, either. I don't need that.

"Another?" I ask, raising my eyebrows slightly and smiling.