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       #Post#: 376--------------------------------------------------
       New Orleans By Night
       By: Slick Date: March 20, 2026, 7:31 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Butch’s Bar
       Hole in the Wall might have been too kind for “Butch’s Bar”, off
       of Burgundy Street in the French Quarter. It was off the beaten
       path, past the usual tourist spots and closer to nefarious
       corners. Most people stumbled into it by accident, drifting down
       the alley none the wiser. They usually stayed for a drink,
       usually less. If they tried to pay with card, they were run off
       for wasting the bartender’s time.
       The entrance rested halfway down the alley, a neon OPEN sign
       casting its blinking beacon just within the alley, and the angle
       of that narrow pathway, barely large enough for a cab, kept it
       from being seen from the main drag of Burgundy. The bulb in the
       alley was busted, casting shadows upon that entryway.
       Within was a narrow strip. The door opened out and patrons were
       funneled in through a foot of sturdy wood, and then opened up
       with an old-school cigarette machine to the right, and an empty
       bar stool for security to the left. Booths that say only 2
       people lined the wall behind the cigarette machine, and maybe
       five feet across was the bar lined with stools. Everything was
       old and wooden; the wall decorations old and faded, rarely
       anything in the past decade put up to replace it. An old box
       style TV sat poached up in the corner of the bar, above the
       swinging door that lead into the back, while various neon beer
       signs buzzed within, providing most of the lighting.
       Russ, resident ghoul and bartender of Butch’s, sat behind the
       bar, going over that day’s crossword. He was old, and gaunt,
       with greying bond hair pulled back in a pony tail. His hand
       idled between his pen and the tallboy on the bar, wiping the
       condensation on his Skynard t-shirt.
       An older, fatter man in overalls sat against the wall at the end
       of the bar, his head in his arms. Past him, there was barely
       enough room at the back of the bar for people to play darts,
       though if anyone opened one of the bathroom doors, it would
       disrupt a throw.
       That was “Butch’s Bar” on any given night. If there were more
       than five people on any given occasion, Butch himself would have
       been surprised. Of course, that had been by design. He hadn’t
       wanted a swanky joint like most gangsters, a place where he
       could shmooze like a politician. He just wanted a little dive, a
       place not his haven to have a chat. Something tucked away from
       civilization— but not too far. There was no sign that designated
       this place as his — anyone that mattered knew who it belonged
       to, at least in the Brujah’s eye.

       Russ’s hand on the bar drifted below the bar nonchalantly while
       the other tapped the crossword with his pen idly, pale hues
       shifting casually over to Maya as she entered. A practiced
       motion that would be glanced over by the less observant. When
       she came to sit down, he was reaching back up to grab the tall
       boy beer and take a swig. His disaffected gaze hid the scrutiny
       over her character. The fat man grunted a sound, but did not
       move. The TV was on commercial, but there was no sound. The old
       style juke box was stuck on classic rock. When she ordered a
       beer, Russ nodded and looked back to the crossword, taking his
       time to fill out a word before writing his posture and moving
       about.
       A cold bottle of domestic was set down in front of her, along
       with a shot glass that he poured house bourbon into. Slotting
       the bottle back, both hands grabbed the bar and he shrugged, ”
       Special. Beer and a shot for five.” His demeanor was very much
       ‘take it or leave it.’
       He wiped his hand on rag sticking out of his worn blue jeans,
       finishing the tall boy and crumpling it as she asked for a man.
       “Who sent ya?” his immediate response as he fished a pack of
       smokes out of the breast pocket of his cut off vest, lipping one
       and offering the pack to her as a Bic was used to light his own.
       #Post#: 377--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Cherie Date: March 20, 2026, 8:05 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       -Maya took one of the cigarettes from Russ, she took the bic
       from him. Flicking the flint she cupped the end of the cigarette
       and lit it. Blowing out the first puff she looked up at him. Her
       hand motioned for him to come a little closer as she leaned into
       the bar. Holding the cigarette out to the side she would lower
       her voice and give him a small smile.-
       “I didn’t think this was the snitching kind of place.” -she said
       to him before her smile faded and that sweet funny innocent
       young woman seemed to slip away for just a moment. In a split
       second she sat back up.- “Also, if you must know Mr. Nosey, I
       wasn’t sent, I was summoned. My presence was requested by some
       mysterious party named..uhh…named..uhh.” -she held her finger up
       to him as she cut herself out and pulled out a slip of paper
       from her back pocket. It was crinkled and looked weather worn.
       Holding it up against the light.- “Butch?” -she paused and
       looked at Russ for a moment.- “That’s not nice.” -her voice was
       distant and the comment was made off handedly.-
       “You can think you can point me in the right direction to this
       Butch?” -she glanced around quickly.- “I don’t see any women in
       here..but ahhhh butch!” -she said with a laugh. Did she have any
       idea who’s place she set foot in? Probably. Maya was always more
       on the joking side. As annoying as she could be, she came highly
       recommended for any jobs that involved stealing. She was a
       human, but she was a master thief.  She was also highly
       protected by the Nosferatus.  They had raised her since she was
       a kid on the street. It wasn’t hard to employ her since there
       wasn’t a job she’d really turn down. She also came cheap because
       she didn’t truly know her worth, and also she was in for the
       love of the game. The money helped, but that wasn’t her main
       motivation.-
       “What do you say and help a lady out.” -she said as she spun her
       stool around, slightly kicking her feet with the cigarette
       hanging out of her mouth. When the chair spun back to Russ, she
       abruptly stopped it.- [/center]
       #Post#: 378--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Slick Date: March 20, 2026, 8:47 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       [center]If Russ was anything beyond perpetually irritated, it
       didn’t show, and it seemed unlikely she’d get much response out
       of him. Lord knew how many tourists he gave the same blank face
       to during Mardi Gras. The man was irritated by life, and was
       patiently holing onto whatever thread he had left of his nerve
       and just went along with her playful demeanor, answering with
       deadpan.
       [I] “Snitches are welcome long as they got something worth
       tellin’. Once they leave…. “[/I] Russ shrugged, letting the
       forgone outcome linger in the air before pulling out another
       tall boy. Cracking it open, he returned to his post and
       crossword. He gestured lazily with the pencil. [I] “If Butch is
       expecting’ ya, he’ll be ‘round shortly.”[/I]
       Not his business, or above his pay grade, it didn’t really
       matter. As if on cue, the door to the back would swing open, a
       tall, middle aged man slipping out. Russ tipped his beer towards
       him, as if to reference for her, while not looking away from the
       crossword.
       Butch looked 40s, tanned almost to the point of burnt, with
       handsome but weathered features, dark blonde hair slicked back
       almost in a pompadour. When he smiled at Maya, she could see at
       least one gold crown. A gold necklace hung down his neck, the
       black silk shirt unbuttoned to mid chest, the sleeves rolled up.
       With a watch and a few rings on each hand, the gator shoes, he
       gave off gangster vibes. If not someone in it, someone who was
       fascinated by it. His smile was charming and roguish, like he
       always knew how to turn it up for a pretty lady.
       “You Maya?  He asked, giving her the once over before cocking
       his head towards  one of the small booths, waiting for her to
       sit before doing the same. He sat with his legs out, crossing
       them casually at the knee while he rolled a tooth pick in his
       mouth.
       In the criminal underworld of humans, people knew Butch as a guy
       who was connected, whose great-granddaddy was likely a
       bootlegger; that he did a stint in Angola, had Dixie Mafia
       connections; did jobs for the Italians. Her Nosferatu friends
       likely knew he was much more influential in the underworld than
       anyone else. Perhaps they hadn’t explained to her the finer
       details. Like he was a kindred, and one of influence. He was
       assessing her for exactly that.
       “What’s the first thing you ever stole?” [/center]
       #Post#: 379--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Cherie Date: March 20, 2026, 9:14 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       -She gave Russ a grin as he spoke about the snitches, she wasn’t
       always the best at reading people and their moods. If she could
       it never stopped her from just being herself. The door opening
       caught her eye. As Butch walked out she turned on her chair,
       putting her elbows on the bar and she watched him. Her head
       tilting a little to the side. Maya had no problem checking him
       out so openly. It wasn’t her fault that she was not expecting
       Butch, the Butch she heard about to look like that. Her eyes
       went down to his boots and took note of the. She took note of
       everything.
       Maya wasn’t smiling but more so having a more appreciative look
       on her face, when her eyes finally tore away from either
       checking him out or sizing him up the smile touched on her face.
       It was bright and sunny as if she never had a bad day in her
       life. Except that would be the farthest thing from the truth.
       Her past was not really up for discussion as far as she was
       concerned.
       His voice was surprisingly smooth. She thought it sound more
       like gravel. It did not. At his question he received an
       affirmative nod of her head while she was smiling. Jumping off
       the stool where she had been previously seated to move towards
       the requested destination of the booth. That did seem more
       criminal activity. When she had jumped up from the booth he’d
       see that Maya was a tall young woman. Her form was lithe,
       slender but she was toned and not skin and bones. She was
       overall a healthy human with a very steady heartrate. The
       hyperness of her was palpable but she sometimes knew when to
       reign it in.
       Taking a sip from her beer she put the bottle on the table and
       leaned back a nostalgic smile crossed her face at his question.
       She didn’t even hesitate to speak.-
       “Jacob Kinnamens heart.” -she said with her whole chest and a
       wistful smile.- “Though you are probably not talking about that.
       The first thing I stole was a wallet. There’s no big story
       there. That was the first thing I was taught to steal. Thought I
       do tend to go for gold watches.” -she said as she then slid his
       own watch that was on his wrist across the table to him. She did
       not even seem to have gotten close enough to touch him, but this
       was an audition she released and he could get angry with her for
       it. That was a chance she was taking.
       Butch’s reputation was not something she was ignorant on. The
       nosferatus would have told her and she would have heard his name
       around. There was one Nosferatu outside the bar watching. They
       were always watching though. So that was nothing new. Dealing
       with her seemed easy.-
       “Do I pass your test or should I do some summersaults, maybe
       sing? Or a swimsuit contest? I do got some killer abs.” -the way
       she spoke was never with sarcasm, it was always as if she was
       curious and looking for clarification.- “I’m not above cheating
       for the trophy if you know what I mean.” -with that she gave him
       a little wink before leaning back in the booth.-
       [/center]
       #Post#: 380--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Slick Date: March 20, 2026, 9:55 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Her brazen appraisal of him got the corner of his lips twinging,
       a twinkle of knowing in his eye that likely made the confident
       swagger of his movements as he casually glided through the area.
       He did own the place, after all. She was pretty, and he would
       boldly drink her in as well. A generous down and up, not
       lingering too long. Like a professional who did enjoy smelling
       the roses, if only for a moment. But after that, it was all eye
       contact. They were a mesmerizing blend of green and light brown,
       sometimes one shade more than the other; sometimes a blend.
       Maya got Butch to grin at her joke, showing he would play along
       while she went for the real answer. His lips tightened at the
       sight of his watch, though the humor couldn’t quite bleed away
       from his features. Annoyed, but amused. Those hazel eyes rolled,
       deftly slipping the watch back on.
       “You’re a pick-pocket, I’ll give ya that. Are you a cat
       burglar?. Abs help I think. You wanna prove you can do a couple
       a’ summersaults, knock yourself out.”
       The playful curl of his lip said he was joking, not that there
       was much room for gymnastics in that dive.
       “Pretty, funny, talented and….trouble. If I didn’t know any
       better I’d say Nacho was trying to set me up.” He winked back.
       Whether he meant “with her” or “this is a set up” was left
       ambiguous as he bulldozed right into business.
       “I lost a necklace sometime back. Recently, I found out a rival
       of mine gave it to his girlfriend. And frankly, I’m petty and
       don’t want her to have it. Or him, for that matter.” if he could
       have paid for it directly, he likely would have. Hiring a thief
       seemed the best option.
       #Post#: 381--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Cherie Date: March 20, 2026, 10:29 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       -Leaning in towards him, the scent of the recently smoked
       cigarette and a very light perfume radiated from her.- “I’m more
       then just a pick-pocket, but everyone has to start somewhere.
       I’m a no more of a pick-pocket then you are an average Joe.”
       -her words were steady but then her tone picked back up again as
       if she was never serious in the first place.- “I’ll pass on the
       summersaults, for now anyways.”
       -He did get a laugh from her that was clear and rich, Maya was a
       firecracker. There was no shame with her, there seemed to be no
       fear in her either. Which was either really brave or really
       dangerous. However, if she was brought up the Nos’ chances were
       she wasn’t as innocuous as she seemed.  They had likely taught
       her how to navigate certain situations and how to keep her ear
       to the ground. Maya did not seem to be completely level headed,
       but again this was his first meeting with her. For all he knew
       this could have been act, however it was to genuine to anything
       but real. She might be a thief but she was no liar.
       She brought her elbows up, placing them on the table. Her hands
       were fisted and she rested her chin on them. She was silent for
       a moment. Her eyes were locked on his.  Her blue-green eyes were
       looking into his. Almost as if she was memorizing all the
       different colors in his eyes.- “You do have really pretty eyes.
       Has anyone told you that recently?”
       -Her voice was soft when she asked him that question, it was a
       genuine compliment towards him. Maya was not blind to him, she
       also knew that he was Kindred. It wasn’t said as information, it
       was told to her as a warning as if to be on her best behavior
       with him. This was not exactly her best behavior but it was the
       best he was going to get. Maya had a way with people. While she
       joked a lot, there was always a sincerity in her that was hard
       to overlook. It was if she wanted to care about something or
       anything, but life was cruel to her and yet she never stopped
       smiling.-
       “I wouldn’t put it past Nacho to set anyone up..in both terms of
       the word. But you really think I’m pretty?” -the question was
       accompanied by a wide doe eye look, with her lips parted making
       her bottom lip especially pouty.- “That’s so sweet.” -her voice
       was filled with reverence for the small compliment she received
       from him. Even if he was being funny, she was running with that
       he called her pretty. She couldn’t wait to tell Iggy.
       With a clear of her throat she composed herself once again as
       she listened to the request of what he wanted from her. It was
       just a snatch a grab job from the sounds of it. So far it didn’t
       seem to complicated. At least not for her skills. For which she
       had many, she just didn’t always tell anyone all of her skills.
       It was always best to keep them close her chest. Some of her
       skills did include B&E, safe cracking, cat burglering..but how
       she did it was just her little secret.-
       “Sure. I can get the necklace back. I’m always down for a little
       petty revenge. I support the right to enact vengeance upon thy
       enemies!’ -with the last part she depend her voice and held a
       shaking fist in the air.- “Just a few details, what’s the
       necklace look like a picture is ideal but I’m really good with
       descriptions. And the name of your rival. Don’t worry you won’t
       scare me. Even if it’s the Prince. I’ve stolen from.hi….” -she
       trailed off realizing what she was about to say.- “I’m also
       trying to win some cool points with you, because for some reason
       I want to impress you. I feel like, if maybe you like me you’ll
       hire me again and I get to watch you walk out of that backroom
       each time.”
       -Maybe a filter would be good, but that was not how her brain
       worked. It was connected directly to her mouth with no filter to
       it. What she said should be considered as an inside thought,
       however, Maya wasn’t very good at that. She said whatever came
       to her mind and made her strange thoughts the problem of others
       around her.- “Like that was such a badass entrance. You probably
       already know how cool you are, I mean you are in alligator
       boots!” -there was a slight pause and she realized she derailed
       their meeting which she was told not to do.-
       “Ok back to the necklace and your rival.”  -she steepled her
       fingers and pressed them against her pillowy lips as if she was
       trying to keep her own mouth shut.-
       [/center]
       #Post#: 382--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Slick Date: March 20, 2026, 11:53 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       [center]Most Underworld figures might have had less tolerance
       for her unfiltered persona; too biased, or distracted by her
       beauty and her flirty behavior. To him it was more of a game,
       trying to discern if she was that good at being genuine or it
       was legit. With a few centuries under his belt, slithering along
       the underbelly, he liked to think he was adept at reading
       people. Even if they were pretty women. Mortal women he wasn’t
       much worried about. He’d be much more reserved around her had
       she proven to be kindred.
       “Oh, I’d say it’s been some time, darlin’. Thank you kindly.”
       He had manners, but his accent wasn’t a NOLA native. Hard to pen
       down, but there were talks about his origins. Boston, during the
       civil-war. Chicago, escaping the St. valentine’s Day massacre.
       Colorado and the gold rush. Maybe some of it was true. Maybe
       none of it.
       The Brujah in him liked her brashness. Confidence, and a
       willingness to buck the status quo was a combo to gain a
       Brujah’s attention. Long as she could back it up, she would keep
       his attention. And though long dead, he was still a man, and it
       felt good being complimented by an attractive woman.
       Butch delved into the powers of the blood, his senses
       heightening, listening to her heart beat, smelling her blood
       beneath the perfume and smoke. The world bled away to colors,
       revealing the aura of her spirit to his eyes. She was mortal, no
       taint of blood. Not a ghoul. A wild soul but… truthful.
       “You know you’re pretty,” he gave her a sideways glance,
       playfully chiding her with facial expressions to keep the
       conversation moving. She had him chuckling with “thy enemies!”,
       nodding to her asking for details, getting ready to answer in
       kind when she mentioned the prince. She wouldn’t quite notice
       it, but he would have gone incredibly still a moment. She kept
       talking, and eventually he would smile and nod.
       Auspex had him amped up, and he was more than willing to flirt
       back, even as the discipline’s effects wore off, the colors
       starting to fade away, leaving just her natural beauty behind.
       “Sadly, I do have that affect on beautiful women.” it seemed he
       was incorrigible when you got him started, ” But all flirting
       aside, if you wanna impress me, just deliver what you promise.
       Doesn’t gotta be theatrical, no frills. You deliver, you have a
       fan. And a lot more where this came from.”
       Almost from thin air, he had a tight roll of cash presented to
       her. Clean money, hundreds.
       “Necklace is a black sapphire on a bed of rubies, with a silver
       chain. Hard to miss it, believe me. The rival’s name is Franco
       Castillo, real estate mogul up town.  His girlfriend’s name is
       Grace.. A battle axe in Versace. ”
       He would reach out to her and tentatively run his fingers across
       the back of her hand. Since she knew what he was, she may have
       been surprised to feel he was warm to the touch. Gently, he’d
       take her hand in his, as if to read her palm, before his thumb
       was brushing over the pulse of her wrist, holding there until he
       could feel it acutely. Those hazel eyes locked with hers then,
       and the humor drained from his face.
       “Maya, gorgeous… as long as you have a pulse, you pretend I do.
       Don't say words like [I]Prince[/I], or… anything Nacho and his
       brood might have taught you. Not around me. Not in these parts.”
       He released her wrist, drawing his hand back. He could mindfuck
       her from here to oblivion, and given the laws of the city, he’d
       be within his rights. The Nosferatu were playing a dangerous
       game. And he liked danger. So he’d let them play their game… but
       by his own rules. Hear no evil, see no evil.
       [/center]
       #Post#: 383--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Cherie Date: March 21, 2026, 10:48 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       “I highly doubt it’s been some time. Now look who’s lying.” -she
       playfully chided him. There was something natural about her.
       Maya didn’t seem to play by human rules nor did she play by
       vampire rules. Both were extremely dangerous to teeter and yet
       she somehow managed to balance that line. How she comes off and
       how she acted might seem like it was fake but this was who she
       was. A child who grew up on the streets in NOLA, taken in by the
       Nosferatus it seemed. It wasn’t well known but those that knew
       her in his world knew that her protection was absolutely other
       worldly. It was not something she ever spoke about. Even with
       out their protections she would still be the same young woman
       sitting across from him. Unless she was either dead or in
       prison. Those were really her only two options in life. She
       flirted with death and she was known for a few prison breaks.
       She didn’t even try to pinpoint his accent. It didn’t matter to
       her. All that really mattered was the job. There were few things
       she cared about but her reputation as a thief was one of them.
       She also had no idea that he was reading her. She was only a
       mortal after all. There was no lycan blood in her, no witch, no
       special human. Maya was a plain run of the mill human with a
       good set of skills.
       Playing coy for a moment, she folded her shoulders in and smiled
       cutely acting shy and coy.- “I know.” -she said in an adorable
       voice because she did know she was pretty, and she wasn’t
       exactly shy about knowing it. She slowly relaxed her body from
       the marshmallow pose.- “But it’s one thing to be pretty and then
       to be called pretty from someone like you.”  -this time she gave
       him a different look, something beyond just innocent flirtation.
       Maya was trouble.-
       “Of course I’ll deliver. It’s just a necklace.” -she gave a
       shrug of her shoulders because to her it was necklace to him it
       was something else. But her feelings on the items didn’t matter.
       It only matter if she got her hands on them. Her eyes glanced to
       the money and there was no real reaction from her. She had
       probably stolen that much money before but she then let out a
       laugh.- “Butch, my sexy soon to be boss, you never show a thief
       you are carrying. You’re lucky I have some integrity. I’m also
       so confident in my skills that I don’t get paid till after I
       deliver. There’s no upfront fee.”
       -She then listened as he described the necklace it sounded
       beautiful and something that a lover would give. It was making
       sense to her. And for that she was all in. He also called her a
       battleaxe and that got a hard and loud laugh from her. Oh this
       was defiantly a job on a ex. She wouldn’t comment on it.
       Sometimes she would, but honestly who wanted to talk about their
       exes?-  “Got it necklace, mogul, and a battleaxe.” -she gave him
       a bit of a knowing look with that. Even with that knowledge her
       demeanor never changed.
       The moment he took her hand, that was the only time he might
       notice there was a small uptick in her heart rate. Her hand was
       putty in his. The way she was relaxed and not once did she tense
       up. She allowed him to move her hand around. She had been
       expecting his hand to be cold. Her eyes looked at his hand as he
       was touching, her brows furrowed for just a moment in slight
       confusion. He could have just fed, she thought.
       Slowly she brought her eyes to look up at him under her thick
       raven lashes. Her fingers lightly curled over his own hand as he
       was speaking to her. Her face was blank and void of emotion. One
       moment her expressions were easily readable and the next they
       could be so blank one would wonder if she was even home. For a
       beat she said something, but then a slow smile crept upon her
       face.- “I have a cat named that. So I’m not sure what you are
       referring to?” -her words were filled with a naivety that only
       expression confusion.
       When he took his hand back she allowed her finger tips to caress
       his skin as she was wanting just one more small moment of
       touching him. Maya was good. She had completely took back
       control of the conversation in such a innocent way that if had
       not know she was in the know of things, he might have believed
       her. Maya then grabbed her beer and took a sip from it but never
       once did she break eye contact with him.-
       “We’re good here right? Unless there’s anything else you want to
       talk about, I’m on a bit of a schedule. But I could always make
       time if you keep calling me darlin?” -She still continued to
       flirt, it wasn’t the seduction of Grace this was different. It
       was just honesty.- “Damn, I never knew that could just..” -she
       mocked having  a shiver run down her body.- “You’re cute, no
       strike that, you are handsome. But we’d never work out. Don’t be
       get all broken up about it.” -she said as she leaned over and
       running her hand under his chin. Obviously she was joking by her
       light hearted tone and she started to slide herself out of the
       booth.- “I’ll leave it on the table for when you’re not paying
       me. I’m a thief not a prostitute. I don’t look down that though.
       I have met some wonderful prostitutes. There was this one named
       Jerry. The women loooooved Jerry. He’s gay, but for the pay
       he’ll straight  up suck the clit right off you! Well…from what I
       hear. I never had sex with him. “ -she was a talker but
       sometimes she was strange. It was a stream of thoughts that left
       her when she was comfortable and it was worse when she was
       uncomfortable.-
       “Anyway.” -she said as she tapped the imaginary watch on her
       wrist, in that universal way to let him know they should be
       wrapping up. She really didn’t have anything else to do today.
       She was just wanting to make herself seem busy as if she had a
       lot to do. Mostly she just wanted to go to the store and get
       some Fruity Pebbles and that was her big planned day. Also she
       had some leg work to do on the minor heist. This was going to be
       such a piece of cake.-
       [/center]
       #Post#: 384--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Slick Date: March 21, 2026, 12:59 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       [center]Mortals knowing about the Masquerade was a a breach of
       its Traditions. Ghouls had to be sanctioned by the Prince; any
       other human servitors were usually under the sway of a mental
       discipline that made any supernatural details regarding their
       dominator fuzzy at best. That didn’t mean there
       weren’t exceptions, but they were almost always hidden
       from the rest of the Kindred population. Butch wasn’t one
       to snitch, and he wasn’t above bending the Traditions of
       the Masquerade. Ignatius had potentially showed his hand in
       clumsily choosing Maya for this particular ask, or he was
       testing Butch. Or testing Maya. The Primogen couldn’t
       quite say, but he would have to thank the Sewer Rat for
       introducing a little anarchy to the party.
       Aside from the influx of former Sabbat Shadow-mancers, the
       growing Anarch presence with Setite cults— Make that [I]
       “Ministry” [/I] cults — funding their power
       plays, and the NOPD forming a vampire hunting unit, things had
       been rather dull.
       Even with all that going on, he wanted to rip off his ex and her
       boyfriend. She may have been right, but he wouldn’t admit
       it, not initially. But he was excited to use her specifically as
       a monkey wrench into their unlives.
       “You expect people to skim in this line of work.
       It’s when people get greedy that examples have to be made.
       Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” [b]
       Her confidence kept his grin tugging wider, the light glinting
       off that gold tooth again. No fangs, though there was a
       predatory edge that leaked out with the corners of his mouth
       reached his glimmering eyes. A low chuckle escaped him.
       [b] “Piece of cake,” he winked, though it was
       obvious he didn’t quite believe her. Not that she
       wasn’t skilled, but that who she was stealing from
       wasn’t some “mark ass buster”.
       She played along, and his demeanor softened, the levity easing
       from the room. He let his eyes roam across her again before
       moving to stand himself.
       “No, we’re good here, [I]darlin[/I]. Go ask Nacho
       whatever questions you have about the lovebirds, then get me my
       necklace. Then you can come get paid, and once business is
       concluded, we can try pleasure.”
       He was close, aftershave and cologne lingering on him as he
       looked down at her, his hand trailing across her arm once more.
       Then he stepped back and held up her phone, handing it back to
       her.
       “And don’t bring this next time.”
       He started towards the back, stopping and pulling something out
       of the back pocket of his black slacks, turning and tossing a
       ring she’d had. She wasn’t the only one with quick
       fingers.[/center]
       #Post#: 385--------------------------------------------------
       Re: New Orleans By Night
       By: Cherie Date: March 21, 2026, 3:36 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [center]
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       -She had stood up when he did, but he had gotten close to her.
       She didn’t lean back but stayed her ground. As she was to do.
       When her phone was presented to her only a smile crossed over
       her face. It was as if she found him to be utter adorable like a
       puppy. She took the phone and held it to her chest. The phone
       didn’t surprise her but what did surprise her was the ring she
       caught. Though one would think she might be angry or mad.
       Instead she looked incredibly happy about it and also she looked
       at her finger a few times to see the ring missing.-
       “Ohhhhh you!” -she said as if she was going to curse him out in
       a joking fashion but the moment he turned his back to her he
       could hear her coming up behind him quick, but not threatening.
       He’d feel her shove the phone into the back pocket of his jeans.
       She was still behind him but her mouth was close to his ear.-
       “That’s for you.” -she whispered and he voice had a deeper
       sultry tone rather then the bubbly voice she had since she first
       walked into the bar.
       Maya took a few steps back from him, if he turned around or was
       watching her. The young woman took another phone out, her hand
       grabbed the crew neck of her crop top pulling it out and she
       positioned her phone over it taking a picture down her shirt. A
       second later the phone in hand dinged. Now it was her turn to
       give him a wink and walk out with a toss of her messy straight
       bed head hair. The door  closed behind her leaving that heavy
       feeling in the bar. As if the bar itself missed her presence the
       moment it was robbed of it. That was the most dangerous gift of
       all.
       If he hadn’t realized it when he first met her, he might now
       that something was wrong. Someone was playing a very dangerous
       game. The thick of it hung in the air. It was palpable. The air
       clung to the clothing and created a lingering feeling of dread.
       A simple thief, a necklace, an ex, and a bar owner with power.
       And the Nosferatu’s might be hedging their bets with something.
       They knew something. Didn’t they always?
       4 Days-No Contact-The Return
       Butch’s Bar
       -It had been four days past since he gave the thief the job. The
       air still stirred with something unpleasant, something big. An
       unknown force felt like it creeping into the very roots of the
       earth below. Nothing was as it seemed. The others felt it too.
       They felt something shifting in world around them. Power being
       moved to and fro.  The wind held a crackling to it. The fear
       that it could spark was looming.
       The door to the otherwise stale smelling bar was opened and in
       walked the tall, lithe woman. This time she was not dressed as
       casual when she first entered into the bar. Tonight she was
       wearing a light blue halter flowing dress, she on a pair of
       little heels and jewelry. She had on a dainty gold necklace,
       earrings along with rings and bracelets. She looked dressed up
       for something.
       Her hair, while curled and styled, still presented with that bed
       head look. It was either she had taken nap prior after she got
       ready or she did this on purpose. The thing about the hair could
       have two effects, one perhaps the person did think she napped a
       lot or two it could elicit the feeling of wanting to create that
       bed head for her. It gave the thought of messing up her hair in
       a sexual manner.
       She gave Russ the happiest of waves and the brightest smile even
       if the man completely ignored her.- “Hiii!” -she said to him in
       a slightly higher pitch tone as if one was speaking to their
       most beloved pet.- “I’m just gonna go see Big Man.” -she said
       pointing at Butch’s door. She walked over to it and put her hand
       on the knob ready to just walk in. She hesitated though. Pulling
       her hand back she knocked on the door.-
       [/center]
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