Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Nov 8, 2017 18:33:46 GMT -5
VentiaIt was a graduation present. A rather pricey graduation present, but with her mother (a highly renowned doctor and owner of the d’Guillory estate, money, and company) and father (the owner of a casino and a very secretive man) money wasn’t an issue. In fact, her other brothers were given wonderful gifts as well. Though Hallie believed that this was the best present out of the four children’s. It was a Dodge Hellcat Challenger, paid for and sparkling in the sunlight. It was also her favorite color. Purple. That’s right; a deep, rich, royal purple color that also covered her bedroom. She freaking loved it. There was a sense of … freedom that she felt when she drove it. It’s not like her family was oppressive. No, she loved her family to death. Especially her father. She was such a Daddy’s Girl. When her shift form didn’t turn out quite what she was expecting, he was there to reassure her. Even when she easily stood a foot and a half taller than him (and her father was pretty tall) he sat her down and kissed her forehead, telling her that everything was all right. Yes, her shift bothered her. It bothered her a lot. Unlike Jasper and Lucian, she couldn’t properly shift. On the other hand, she couldn’t complain about it because at least she could shift without having to worry about dying, like Dimitri. It made her feel selfish for bashing on her other form every time Dimitri came up in the conversation. Her hands tightened briefly on the steering wheel, before one of them loosened up and let go to flip the turn signal on. Her first day of work was today. Much to her mother’s chagrin. Jewel was a bit… protective of her children. Thea said that she had let up considerably since Hallie and her brothers were born, but Hallie never believed her. Still, she didn’t believe her. There was an app on the children’s phones that allowed Jewel to see where they were, so no matter what they were doing, Jewel had some “peace of mind”. There was no “sneaking out” either, because Jewel was a light sleeper. And it didn’t help that Andy was best buddies with her parents; there were eyes on Hallie everywhere in the pack. It wasn’t like she was doing anything wrong, Hallie constantly reassured herself. And again, she loved her mother. But she was a mature wolf now. And she needed some breathing room. Aunt Lue and Aunt Ve gave her that. Maybe that’s why Jewel didn’t like Aunt Lue that much. At that thought, Hallie snorted. “It couldn’t be that Aunt Lue is a succubus, Hallie,” she belittled herself. “Nah. Mom, a good, Christian lady, upset that her daughter would rather hang out with a succubus? No way.” She laughed. She parked her car – her beautiful little muscle car – toward the back of the building she pulled into. Right beside Ventia’s car. She had been to Suck Them Dry before, when she was younger. Multiple times when she spent the night at Ventia’s in the New Dawn. She saw how pretty everything was before the night club opened. Heard countless stories of rough-and-tumble patrons from the workers. Even … saw the images that the words painted for her. Hallie read somewhere that what she saw was … she forgot what it was called, but the energy of the events had seeped into the place, and sometimes it replayed over and over. Jewel just thought it was an overactive imagination. But it was something else. Something that she couldn’t quite explain without sounding crazy. The back door was unlocked, so she opened the door easily and with a bit of excitement. The scent of her aunts lingered in the air, leading her down the hallway and toward the office. She had walked in on her aunts before, catching them in a steamy moment. So she was sure to knock on the door and announcing herself. “Aunt Lue? Aunt Ve? It’s your new bartender!”
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Post by Ventia on Nov 8, 2017 20:42:50 GMT -5
"Oh look, our little pet is here." Lucrezia pressed against Ventia's back, pointed to one of the camera screens that showed the pretty purple car pulling into the spot reserved for staff members, and then pouted when Ventia smacked her arm.
"She's not your pet, Lue." Ventia glanced at the cameras, silently watching Hallie as she made her way out of the car. She was glad to see that Hallie had made it-she wasnt half sure that Jewel, one of her few lady friends, would have actually gone with it. Having Hallie work here, that is. Of course, Ventia had made sure to guarenteed Hallie's safety through her own means and her unique staff-but she hadnt denied that there would come to a time where she'd wouldnt be able to protect Hallie. It was a warning that should have made things very clear-that at the end of the day-you needed to protect your own neck.
Lucrezia jumped off the desk, messing up a few papers that were already scattered on it, and going over to press a simple button that would unlock the deadbolt to the backdoor. Ventia rolled her eyes, watched as Hallie passed it, then Lucrezia as she pressed the button again, locking the door in place. Lucrezia turned to Ventia then, her hands on her hips, just as Hallie started to knock.
"You see," Lue pointed to the door, "our pet. Isnt she just so cute? Aunty Ve? Aunt Lue? Ugh, so adorable, I can just eat her." Luecrezia's eyes sparkled once with a red glow which showed Ventia just how much the woman found herself funny.
"Uh-huh." She said, her tone bored. Ventia knew just how much Lucrezia liked the Constantine child-no not liked, adored was the better word. If anyone would protect Hallie more than she would-it would be Lucrezia. With all her pet names and her quirky comments here and there, Lucrezia had taken Hallie under her wing and Ventia knew just how dangerous it was to mess with someone that the Succubus looked as her own.
Diverting her attention to the door, Ventia said, "Come on in, Hallie."
Lucrezia added, "Come in pet." at the same time and when Ventia glared at her, Lucrezia beamed right back at her-clearly enjoying herself. Behind the locked door that separated the offices from the club, Lance stood in the corner of the room, speaking briefly with fellow staff members whenever they spoke something into the ear piece he wore. It was still in the early hours of the club, which meant there wasnt as much humans strolling through. Humans-he was told, was the least thing he would have to worry about.
There was other things going on here-other creatures too. Lance wasnt clueless to them, no in fact, it called out to him in ways that other people wouldnt understand. That was what he had determined while growing up-that what he experience was something he couldnt quite describe because it wouldnt be understood by others. Nikki, he thought, would be able to make it easier to be understood. That is, if his sister wanted to even tell anyone in the first place. His brother, Nicholas, probably wouldnt even care to tell it to anyone. Lance didnt blame him-he himself hadnt felt the need to talk to others and get them to like him.
Which was why, when he met Ms. Black and the other Owner that he didnt even know her last name to, Lance felt something settle inside him. Both times, because he knew of Ventia Black since he was a kid. He had met her a couple of times, both in informal and formal events, and his father had always spoke of her friendship with his mother. She was also Pack-and he had been told that Pack meant family in some ways.
Lance was very good at collecting information too-so it wasnt long before he met Lucrezia. He wanted to say that he stumbled on her but there was something about that succubus that made him think she had it planned for a while. That she was just allowing him to think that-it bothered him. Lance didnt like it, so he stayed around-getting to know them more as a customer and as pack-rather than what he was now-one of their staff.
Not that he was here that long-there were still a few restricted areas that he wasn't allowed in. Newbies-he was told-didnt need to know about all the secrets that underwent here. It was safer that way, he was told. But Lance could feel it and he didnt understand how Ms. Black condoned it-then again, because it was Ms. Black-it made Lance keep quiet. He collected enough data to know that Ventia Black wouldn't do anything that she couldn't handle or had reason. So he let it go, keeping to his job as a bouncer, and collecting as much information as he could.
Lance was not only good at his job but he knew how to blend into the crowd as well-mixing in as if he were one of them all while doing patrols. He had thought he would be stationed at the front door or even the back door, but no, his job was to patrol. It reminded him of the warrior position he currently held in the pack-as he patrolled the grounds and dealt with anything that needed dealing with. He thought briefly if Ms. Black or Ms. Lucrezia had done it on purpose and as he kept thinking it-he was beginning to think he was right.
He wore black-black slacks, black shoes, a black undershirt, with a black dress shirt. His own skin color made it easier to blend into the darkness as well, and Lance used that to his advantage. But mostly, he was in the crowd, and after that first week-Lance had understood why he was made to do this. The amount of both men and women he had to escort out of the building was higher than he had initially thought. Most had been humans-he had noticed. Then, on his second week, which was just three days ago, Lance came to realize that Ms. Black and Ms. Lucrezia were both respected by their patrons and feared.
Their laws-rules that were set in stone for any beings despite their species-were always to be held. If not, they'd make a example of what happened when one didn't follow the rules. It had something to do with the restricted areas, Lance was finding out, and more than once, he had felt himself stunned by the change in atmosphere.
His eyes snagged on Karl who was coming up from the lower basement area from the other side of the room. The song that had been playing had changed and Lance crept his way around the dancers. If there was one thing he didnt like about his job however, was the fact that there was so many people against him. Sometimes they bumped into him-sometimes it went worst. He didnt like being touched that much but that wasnt the main problem-his senses were dulled out between so many people.
He frowned then at something that that was said on the ear piece, and then turned in the other direction, making his way to the office door.
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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First Day
Nov 10, 2017 20:56:44 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Jewel on Nov 10, 2017 20:56:44 GMT -5
Hallie liked to think that she was a well-dressed person. She took to fashion and makeup, an art form that she argued with her brothers was just as legit as drawing was. When she was a pup, she dressed as Aunt Lue for Halloween. Getting the costume together took seven months to look perfect, and her actual makeup that night three hours to do. All of her hard work paid off; she looked like the younger version of Lucrezia. And she had been proud.
Tonight, she wore neutral colors, making her look more mature than her physical age. Her top was an olive-colored long-sleeved crop that left her shoulders and stomach bare. There was a diamond-shaped window on the front, showing just a little bit of cleavage without her ladies spilling out. Her bottoms were a dark denim pair of skinnies, rolled twice on each pant leg. They rested above her hips, covering her belly button so that she looked like she didn’t have one. Her shoes were ankle boots, a dark shade of nude with cute buckles on the sides. With her hair up in a pony, gold hoops dangled a little from her ears. She had perfected a smoky eye, using just a bit of bronzer as blush and finishing off her look with a matte mauve lipstick that made her lips look a bit pouty.
She looked pretty hot, if she did say so herself.
Hallie opened the door to the office, giving her aunts a cheeky smile similar to her father’s when her mother was irritated with him. “My favorite ladies,” she chirped, walking with a kick in her step up to the desk, where she perched herself lightly and swiveled so that she could look at them.
She didn’t mind that Lucrezia called her “pet”. She knew that it was a term of endearment. Hallie also knew that she was special. She had been given the impression from the very start of their relationship that there were few that Lue called “pet”. Thus there were few that Lue cared enough about to protect. Hallie overheard the phone conversation that her mother and Ventia had before she came here tonight. Ventia has reassured that Hallie will be as safe as possible. With Aunt Lue and Aunt Ve in the office, she didn’t worry about it.
“I memorized the most popular drinks we serve, along with a few others like you said.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners, showing just how excited she was. Working at the place she considered a home away from the pack was too good not to pass up, and she always wanted to make the women in front of her proud. She did a little more homework than she had been assigned. She liked to be prepared. “Am I going to be working with someone tonight? Or is it just me by myself?” She tilted her head a bit, a canine-like habit she picked up from her mother. “Either’s fine with me.”
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Post by Ventia on Nov 11, 2017 0:26:29 GMT -5
"Of course we are," Lucrezia hummed approvingly, making her way near the girl so that she could get a good look at her. Once she was near, a few inches away from the desk, Lucrezia stared down at Hallie and then reached over to touch the ponytail. Her fingers danced down the length of it, curling the ends around her forefinger once before nodding in approval. "Very cute, pet."
Lucrezia turned to Ventia, "Isnt she just a darling? She did her homework." Turning back to Hallie, she repeated her earlier comment. "I could just eat you for being so cute."
"You'll be with Tessa today on the main floor's bar. It's a weekday so it probably wont get too busy but still, she can show you the ropes and it'll give you a chance to get used to the new environment. It's a little different working here than just coming over to have fun-but you'll do just fine. On busy days, I open up the bar on the second floor and who knows, if you're good enough I'll let you run that one. It's a little more slow up there but you'll still have your hands full."
Ventia stood up, moving towards the printer where she kept her file cabinet next to it. She opened the damn thing and pulled out Hallie's file. They had gone over all the paperwork a few days ago and she had already given Hallie enough learning material as well as the laws and just the do's and dont's in a club. Ventia also picked up Lance's file and then walked back to the desk, hearing the office door open as she sat down.
"Let's see," Ventia flipped through Hallie's file, making sure one last time that everything was in order. Then she grabbed the timing sheet and handed it to Hallie. "That's your clock in and clock out sheet- Tessa will show you where to use it. It's in the backroom of the main bar, right behind the door. You just slide it into the slot, it'll punch in the time, then hang it where you see your name-it's already there-and when you're done at the end of the day, just do the same thing. You know how it goes and Lance, yes, you can come in."
Lance had been waiting for the right moment to knock but at the mention of his name, he opened it. Stepped in. Then closed the door behind him before facing the three females. He knew all of them of course-Ms. Lucrezia, Ms. Black, and Hallie Constantine. His eyes stayed on Hallie for a second longer than the two other women but that was because he was a little surprised to see her here. He hadnt heard of anything from the staff but then again, who was he to be told of new changes?
"Oh Lancelot is here now." Lucrezia cocked her head to the side, a sly smile on her face. But alas-Lance didnt even frown at her teasing. "No fun." She huffed, moving back to Ventia's side so that she could idly touch the woman's long hair that was currently loose. Lucrezia liked it loose-instead of those god awlful buns that Ventia always used to wear.
"Lance," Ventia corrected, "I'm sure you know of Hallie-"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good, Lance I brought you in here because I wanted to make sure that the both of you," Ventia paused to make sure Hallie was listening, "knew that you arent alone here. Lue and I are usually busy-Lue more so than I, so you might not see us as often during work hours. Therefore, I want you two to rely on each other and honestly, Lance you're going to have to keep an eye on Hallie during your shifts. Our customers...like pretty bartenders to say the least. Add on the fact that your scent Hallie is even different than regular wolf-shifters, you're going to be a mysterious woman here and theres going to be lots of things that are going to try and get your attention."
"Yes," Lucrezia cut in, "you can handle the usual crowd Hallie, which are humans and wolves and maybe even the gentler creatures, but you have witches, elves, demons, half-breeds, even those damn leprechauns, and everything else that bumps in the night. They come here-its a safe place. You know how it goes-as long as they obey by my rules while their on my domain-anything is welcomed in. However, some of them can be sneaky little beasts so Lance, look over her and you too Hallie, keep a eye out for our little Lancelot here. We," Lucrezia pressed her hand on Ventia's shoulder, "wouldnt want either of you getting harmed."
"It's a precaution." Ventia added and then glanced at the time. "Alright Hallie, today's your first day so dont worry if you make mistakes. Tessa is lovely as a teacher-she's taught plenty of good workers and I'm sure you'll do just fine. Oh, just a reminder, the basement is off limits for both of you. No newbies are allowed in there-just concentrate on the main floor and you'll do fine. Lance, do me a favor and tell Thomas that he needs to do a better job at handling the second floor."
"Now any questions before you two kiddos go?"
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Jewel
Healer
Loyalty comes in many forms. Some are more obvious than others. -Thorn
Posts: 2,195
Pack Status: New Dawn, Nighstar, Rogue, Other
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Post by Jewel on Nov 11, 2017 2:26:33 GMT -5
Hallie didn’t lower her gaze when her aunt looked down at her. She wasn’t afraid of Lucrezia, even though Jewel warned that she should be. (At the very least, intimidated. Or however her mother worded it, Jewel warned her to be careful around the demoness.) Don’t get her wrong, there was something in the way that the woman walked, talked, and stood that screamed that she was a predator, and she was definitely stronger than the majority of her patrons, if not all. But Hallie couldn’t bring herself to feel the way Jewel felt about Lucrezia.
She waited expectantly, eyes on Lue’s face and making the mental observation for the millionth time that Lue was absolutely stunning, for the owner of Suck Them Dry to make known her judgement of the outfit. When she was given the nod, Hallie couldn’t help but morph that cheeky grin into a genuine smile. At least someone appreciates fashion, Hallie thought before she laughed at Lue’s choice of words. “I try my best.”
When Ventia told her of where she would be, as well as who she was working with, she nodded approvingly. She liked Tessa, for all of the interactions that she had with the woman, and she was well respected amongst the patrons and fellow workers. Hallie thought that she, herself, was easy to get along with, so she was sure that Tessa and she would do just fine. At the prospect of running a bar all by herself, she became excited; she planned on staying here until further notice, so it was great to know that she would be able to climb the ladder soon.
While she loved her aunts, they weren’t the type of people that willingly gave stuff just because people were family. On the occasions that she saw Jareth (always with Lynn by his side) she also saw the markings of how he grew up with Ventia. Being the Beta of the New Dawn Pack, she was tough. Ventia was the type of person to give rewards when there was good behavior, and punish when there was bad behavior. Lucrezia, as well, gave off the vibe of not giving where credit isn’t due. That was just fine with Hallie. She wanted to earn her right to run the second floor’s bar. And she was going to be one of the best bartenders that Suck Them Dry had in no time. “I’ll be better than good enough,” she replied, that genuine smile turning back to the cheeky grin.
With her index finger and thumb, she gently plucked her time card out of her aunt Ve’s hand. A rush of adrenaline burst through her veins, causing her to shiver just slightly. She shouldn’t be this excited, should she? She was though; seeing the time card made it all the more real. She was working at the place she’s considered her second home for the longest time. But before she could get “Okie dokie” to slip past her mouth, Ventia called to Lance.
Her eyes swiveled to him, the yellow of the Constantine clan engulfing her brown irises showing her escalated feelings about today. When their gazes met, she did a little finger wave of greeting. Yes, she knew Lance, too. He was the son of Jewel’s predecessor, Eliora, who taught her everything and left her to wear the title Head Healer of the New Dawn. Really, they haven’t seen each other since they were younger, when Hallie was with her mother at the infirmary at the same time Lance had gone (for a reason she couldn’t recall). Even so, she acted as if they were friends. In Hallie’s eyes they were. There was no reason why they weren’t.
At Ventia’s pause, Hallie turned to look at her, one foot gently swaying back and forth. Even though she was bursting with energy, she took Ve’s words seriously. Even though she felt she could trust Lue and Ve, she knew that the patrons were a different story. She didn’t know them like she knew the owner of the bar and her lover. Her smile turned upside down, then pursed as if she was taking Ve’s words and mulling them over. Oh, and Lue’s too. “Watch out for each other. Got it.” With her right hand, she made a show of saluting them.
The basement … Hallie never questioned the basement, because she had no interest in it. But now that it was stated that she couldn’t go into it, she was dying to know why “newbies” couldn’t go down there. So when Ve asked if there were any questions, Hallie was sure to jump on it. “What’s in the basement?”
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