Even MORE stuff. (Sinners den)

[Houndy Poochykins 544]

It was during business hours again. Around 9 PM, the busiest time of night. Dia was upstairs in her usual VIP booth. Ruby was about, dressed for her task as a server. She delivered drinks quicker now, having some time on the bar gun, and plenty of nights in the club. She'd been working here several weeks now, and despite making good money and tips, she spent hardly any of it. Ratholing in secret, at this very club in a safe Dia forgot was installed as a matter of fact. Dia was expecting company again. John should definitely be showing up. Though, he probably wouldn't be thrilled to hear she didn't have his money, and that she in fact, needed more connection help. What was a girl to do anyway? Ruby came over and served Dia her 5th drink, a new freshly opened bottle Dia insisted she leave at the table. Dia was actually dreading having to talk about it. She hadn't even gotten much work, this was supposed to be a side business thing... but it was eating up so much of her time.

[danzilla3 5018]

John was quickly becoming a fixture at Sinner's Den with how often Dia seemed to want to meet with him. Not that he it was any bother to him. The demoness was as intriguing as she was alluring, and he found her straightforward manner refreshing after a day of dealing with the kind of wannabe yes-men his position attracted. On his way to the VIP booth, John encountered Ruby and offered her a genuine smile before moving on to join his host in the booth. The bottle on the table was barely touched, but the lingering scent of alcohol told him that she had already been at it for awhile. Leaning back in his seat, he gave an easy grin.

"Rough day at the office?"

[Houndy Poochykins 544]

"You have no idea" She said as he sat down. Ruby would approach. "Rube's dear, get him on of the new drinks, ah-ah-..." She moved her fingers in a circle to jog her memory. "Succubus Nectar" she said with a snap. Ruby would bow politely, pouring a sweet and sour mixed drink, with a spoon full of honey. She would bring it back, and serve it to him, dressed again in the cute little servers outfit. She'd then scamper off to serve other VIPs.  "I've been so busy maintaining this place, I haven't had time to go do actual demon hunting work, or anything" She said. "I need uh" she scratched her head a little, slightly embarrassed. "I need to deepen that hole I'm in" She said. "I'm out of dirt, so i gotta dig." She shrugged. "I Finally think I'll be able to make that home of mine, I want to build a collection of instruments..." she said, as she listed some things she wanted. 

[notmuch_23 2300]

Once again, Thurgood would return to the nightclub that Singlance built, for yet another project from Dia. Honestly, he was wondering when she was going to want her home built.

"Is Dia abailable>" Thurgood asks once he gets inside.

[danzilla3 5018]

It was fast becoming a kind of tradition that Dia would have a new drink for John to try when he showed up to meet with her. The newest one was a pleasing mix of sweet and sour; finishing on a note of honey that left one wanting more. As he enjoyed his drink, he listened to Dia talk about how running the bar meant she was unable to take any demon hunting work. Not very surprising; though Sinner's Den had quickly become one of the hottest nightlife spots in the city, such a thing would take quite a bit of hands-on management to keep running smoothly. But the demoness wanted more, and it came as no surprise to John given how ambitious he knew her to be. 

"Instruments you say? Anything in particular?"

[Houndy Poochykins 544]

Ruby would greet Thurgood with a polite bow, leading him upstairs. Once atop the stairs, she'd gesture to the back. Dia was with John already. "Would you like anything sir?" She asked, before sending him towards the back.

"Oh, just you know... most of em" She said casually. "I'll start with Strings..." she said. "I want to make several guitars some unique as shit" she told John. "I can't play air too well, or brass... but it doesn't mean i don't want some." she shrugged. "Maybe a drum kit, bass, my new homes gonna have a music room and studio after all." She said. As Thurgood was led back, she'd wave him over. "Thurgood. Welcome back, Drink? Table dance? not from me, Rubes, get him a fruitcup, hold the vodka" she called. Moments later, Ruby would set one down in front of Thurgood.

[danzilla3 5018]

"No dance from you?" John offered a playful pout, "My hopes are dashed."

Chuckling, he nodded a greeting to Thurgood as he took another sip from his delicious drink. He would have to ask Ruby for another the next time she came by, and remember to leave a generous tip. The pink-haired waitress was a favorite of his, though she continued to seem shy. One day he would get a smile out of her. But for now, he turned his attention back to Dia.

"I know a supremely talented engineer who might be able to help you out with the acquisition of your instruments. Just about anything you can design, he can build. He'll be moving to the city in a month or so. I'd be happy to make an introduction."

[Houndy Poochykins 544]

"I'd appreciate that, by a lot" She said. "I could also use a nice security system, computers and so on" she said. As Ruby came back over, Dia had her make another drink for John. "Thanks Rubes" Dia said. "I swear I'm gonna get that feline to smile." She sighed, as Ruby walked off. "In other news, I need some wheels... I got it covered but uh..." She said. Coughing to clear her throat. "I might need to extend that loan a little?" she asked with a shrug. "I'll need you to help Thurgood with the building, since he'll need all the acreages proper papers" she said.

[danzilla3 5018]

"No worries my dear hunter," John assured, "I'm in no hurry to collect; so loaning you a bit more is no problem."

John took the fresh drink from Ruby and grinned as Dia expressed the same sentiment toward the waitress as he felt. Although he could think of a few things the three of them might do together that would leave all of them smiling, he would keep that to himself. He had already asked the demoness if she would be interested in a bit of no-strings-attached fun, and she had declined; and he wasn't the type of man to keep trying after being turned down. 

"As for security, you're in luck. New Everrun has some of the best cybersecuity experts in the world."

[Houndy Poochykins 544]

"Sounds good." She said. "Much appreciated" She said, though none to proud to ask for more. She switched the crossing of her legs. From left knee over right, to the other way around. "So, I suppose we can draw up the papers?" she asked. As Ruby came by she'd send a now empty bottle back. "Another" She told the feline. "Head downstairs after that and check on the staff?" She said. Ruby nodded and did so, heading down to work with the first floor staff. Dia waited until she was out of earshot. "Somethings up with her..." She shrugged. "She acts like one of those women's shelter abuse victims sometimes..." She said quietly. "She gets quiet, she's really obedient... like don't get me wrong here I like it when employees listen but I get the rub that she's not super independent"

[danzilla3 5018]

"Yes, I've noticed she's somewhat withdrawn..."

A history of abuse would certainly explain why the cat-eared waitress would shy away from being overly familiar with other people. Ruby was always obedient to a fault, and eager to please in her own lowkey way. It wasn't uncommon for abuse victims to become obsessed with pleasing those around them; a defense mechanism that developed to try and stave off further punishment from the abuser. Of course, such people rarely needed a reason to be violent.

"Do you have any idea what she does in her off hours?"

[Houndy Poochykins 544]

"Not a clue..." She shrugged. "Never asked. She never said" she explained, finishing another drink. For once this month, she was finally catching a buzz. "Other than that... whats new?" she asked. She felt naked minus her guns and swords. She had a new gun and sword on the way, would soon have car if Cass came through for real. Now, with Thurgoods help, she might get a whole new home, a big house to call her home, and one her own. 

[danzilla3 5018]

John shrugged, "Not much I'm afraid. The days tend to blur together of late."

Not so long ago every day seemed like a new adventure; spending time with his stepchildren and the woman who was going to be his wife. But now they were gone, and he was left to readjust to life without them. Mostly this took the form of burying himself in his work; arriving to the office early and leaving late at night. He tried to spend as little time as possible at his home; returning only to sleep and bathe. Devoid of anyone to share the space with, the house felt empty; and he was prone to getting lost in his head. Outing like this were the rare exception.

"Mostly just work."

[Houndy Poochykins 544]

Dia nodded. "Yeah, it can be like that" She said. "I don't really mind New Everrun, didn't have any friends or family back home anyway" she said. "Mostly just assholes and enemies" She shrugged. She'd light up a cigarette, and inhaled. It seemed it was a sore subject for her. She had come from earth, Detroit. She was not a well liked individual because of her demonic nature. Which bred an anti-social personality. Even trying to be in a band didn't exactly pan out. She had a place she was trying to finally call home.

[danzilla3 5018]

"New Everrun is meant to be a place where people can start over," John affirmed, "Anyone can make a new life here, so long as they're willing to contribute to society."

John honestly didn't know what it was like to leave behind a home, seeing as he couldn't remember ever having a home to leave. He had left Lunaris to found New Everrun, but he hadn't given his home there up so much as he had designated it a vacation home. There were no enemies left behind; he was the kind of man who didn't like to leave loose ends. Fortuitously enough, he also was still in touch with all the people he considered friends. Unfortunately, the only thing that he could relate to loosing at the moment was his family; a wound that would not heal for some time. 

"Talking to you is probably the only socializing I do these days."