Night Off

[Frank Laun]

Frank had heard rave reviews from his old service buddies about this club. Too bad the damn bouncer was being such a pain in the ass. He insisted on trying to pat Frank down before he came in. The problem with that was, Frank was not about to go unarmed, he wasn't about to let some meat head grope all up on him either. He was getting really pissed, and was contemplating beating the shit out of the bouncer. He didn't mind the fact he was holding up the line to get in (he doesn't mind being an asshole) but Frank was just ready to get inside and hit the bar and get some more liquor.  He finally had enough of the shit and got loud with the bouncer as a prelude to violence.

"Hey motherfucker, get your fucking hands off me. Get your fucking boss out here right now. I'm not gonna stand here and get all felt up by you. You really need to feel on a man's crotch like that? What the fuck kinda place is this anyway...."

Yeah, Frank was an ass when he was drunk.

[Eden Cobriana]

It was a nice night, but Eden really didn't want to go somewhere else or party.  He much preferred to fade into the background at his own place, shrouded in the fog that was always flowing through the place when it was open for business, and he'd have liked to stay there.  He liked the girl who was working her way through her set, and enjoying the rest of it would have been to his liking.  Instead his phone vibrated in his pocket, not all that unusual, to alert him of a text message.  He'd set the panic buttons at the bouncer's station, each of the bars and the back rooms to alert him through his phone.  The message said only the location, and he was on his way.

He was prepared for a problem instantaneously, but he didn't always get to hear it ahead of time.  He actually preferred it that way, since it helped prepare him for what was about to happen.  The instant he'd slipped through the curtains into the slightly brighter light, he smiled at Frank, tapped his shoulder, and gestured that they step aside.

"Please, the line needs to keep moving," he said simply, also wanting Frank further from the people who were getting in.  Eden didn't want more of a scene if he could help it.  "What's the problem, sir?"

[Frank Laun]

Finally the fucking owner showed up. Frank stepped to the side with him when he showed up. He didn't like making a scene when he could help it, but the damn bounce had gotten on his last nerve. As they stepped over away from the crowd, Frank sized up the man in front of him. Typical titty bar owner, Frank thought..except he didn't know about the whole serpiente thing, and the guys brother being the head of Onyx. Frank decided to try and explain his situation instead of getting too rowdy, as drunk Cajuns sometimes seem to do.

"The problem is man, your bouncer is too damn touchy feely. I have a pistol on me, sure, I'll admit that, I'lll also tell you like I told him that I have a permit for it, and I'm a former US Marine. I just carry for safety. But this damn guy wanted to make a big fucking deal about. Its not like I'm just gonna start busting caps off in your place...I have some goddamn sense, even if I have been drinking."

Frank just really wanted to get in and look at some naked women. Too bad he had to choose a place with standards. He stood there with his massive arms crossed staring at the smaller man in front of him. Hopefully the owner would work all this out.

[Eden Cobriana]

Wow, was Frank wrong if he thought that Eden was the typical 'titty bar owner'.  First off, All Hallows was much higher on the entertainment scale than a lowly 'titty bar', and Eden had a lot more to him than any sleazy human who might own a place like that.  This was going to be interesting.

"Well, I congratulate you on your accomplishments, Mister....?"  He let the question hang, that same polite smile in place for a moment before it turned slightly more...sarcastic.  He went on without waiting for an answer on the name thing, because really, pretending to care didn't mean you did.

"I do understand your problem, but now I have to present our problem to you.  We don't allow weapons inside.  Period.  Now, if you'd like to let me ensure that you have only that pistol on you, we can check it and you can go on in and enjoy your night," he offered reasonably.  He had an alternative if Frank didn't want to be touched, but Frank wasn't going to like that any better, he'd guarantee.  Either way, Eden wouldn't mind.

[Frank Laun]

Frank looked a bit harder at the owner once they started talking. Red eyes? Something was up here. This guy HAD to be a shifter or a vamp. No normal human would have eyes like that. Frank thought for a second. He wasn't giving up his gun, but he really didn't want to get in a huge brawl either. Maybe, just maybe, this guy would know who his employer was. If that name drop didn't work, Frank was just gonna chalk it up as a loss and go hit up a REALLY sleazy strip club.

"Names Laun, Frank Laun. I work for an out fit in town called Crimson, don't know if maybe you've heard of it. We deal with trash disposal mostly. Anyway, I guess if we can't come to an understanding in regards to this fully legal and permitted gun I have on my side, then I'll just have to take my considerable money else where."

Frank loved a good looking stripper. He would drop serious tip cash on one. He knew they didn't really mean anything to him, but he still just thought it was a shit load of fun. Besides, he had more money than he could really shake a stick at, and a good deal of it had been trust fund cash from his shit bag father...and nothing would have made that blow hard more pissed than knowing Frank was shelling out his cash to strippers.

[Eden Cobriana]

Mr. Laun obviously thought that he was slick, dropping the name 'Crimson' like it was a free ticket.  Eden may be a businessman, but he wasn't a coward, and his smile only widened at the mention.  It didn't get any nicer, though.  Mention of the money gave him a sour thought, but he didn't let that on.

"Really, Crimson?  Do you have any idea for how long I've been trying to get your boss to stop in here on Wednesdays?  He insists on showing up a night early, though," he remarked, sounding like he was actually sorry about that.  Wednesday night was Ladies' Night.  "He still checks his weapons, and he does it voluntarily.  Care to know why?"

He stopped, and this was the fun part.

"Because the first time he refused, I gave him a choice.  I'll give you the same choice, because I like you.  You can let me, or my bouncer, who is an absolute professional and really doesn't care about your dick, check you for weapons, or you can audition and prove that you don't have anything on you by simply removing it all.  I'm always searching for new talent, Mr. Laun."

He made it a point to grab a folder from a desk drawer beside him as he finished, as though he really didn't care one way or the other.  The folder was actually filled with applications, and photos.  Nude photos.  These were the girls that hadn't yet been accepted, and Eden 'accidentally' let them show a little as he skimmed through quickly.  The girls inside were even better looking.  "In fact, I was just about to look through applicants, so if you'd prefer not to be touched, we can take care of that quickly."

[Frank Laun]

Whoa, Frank was not stripping for anyone. If the place even made Connor give up his weapons, then it seemed to be a fair policy. And if the Crimson leader felt secure enough here to give his shit up then it must be pretty safe as well. Frank sighed and started the considerable process of removing his weaponry. First was the .45 at his hip, then the .40 at his ankle. With the firearms out of the way Frank moved on to his sharp pointy shit. The Ka Bar came up out of his boot to join the guns on the counter. Then the really freaky one....the weird machete thing on his back. It slapped down along side everything else on the counter. Frank shrugged at Eden, there it all was, now let me in.

"Theres all the shit man. You wanna give me a claim ticket for it or something? I figure if Batten gives up his shit you must have this place pretty well locked down against sketchy leeches wandering in. Sorry for the misunderstanding....well, I'll give you a sincere apology after I see if this place lives up to what I've been told. Though I have say Mr. uhhhhhhhh, Actually I don't believe I've gotten YOUR name yet. But yeah, if those applicants in your hand are any indication of whats inside.....You'll be seeing me more often."

Frank meant that. He didn't really care about wasting all his time in the other little bars in New York. This place lacked the extra sleaze that he sometimes enjoyed brawling with, but he knew where he could go to find that if the mood struck him. Everything would probably good here as soon as he got things figured out with this odd red eyed owner.

[Eden Cobriana]

Naturally, Eden's little 'namedrop' of Connor wasn't exactly what he made it sound like.  The man had shown up once or twice on business, which had really caused Eden to demand that there were no weapons, and Eden knew of him through his brother.  Connor wasn't as much of a regular as he made it sound like.  That hardly mattered to him, though.

The fact of the matter was that Frank obliged, and Eden's red eyes caught each and every hiding place for each and every weapon.  It was impressive that the man had so much on him, though the cobra wasn't surprised.  He hadn't believed that the gun was all from the start, which was why he demanded a good frisking, and still would.

He turned briefly around the nearby corner to open a little closet, then one of the many lockers there.  He had the keys, but so did whichever bouncer was on duty, so Frank could get his weapons back once he was finished.  "Please place all of that in this locker, Mr. Laun, and then stand still."

Frank was still getting patted down, though Eden would behave himself as long as the other man didn't give him a hassle.  "Standard procedure just to make sure you're being as honest as I hope you are.  I'll give you a slip with the locker number on it when we're finished."

Oh, and his name?  Heh.  "I'm Eden Cobriana, Mr. Laun, and I'll assure you that you won't be disappointed with our girls."

[Frank Laun]

Cobriana? Frank had seen that name before some where. Oh shit....Cobriana..like Onyx Cobriana? Frank's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the surname. If this cat was the Onyx leaders kin then he needed to probably be a little bit more....cooperative. Frank actually relaxed a bit when he put two and two together. He took the key from Eden and raised his arms to allow for the search. Hell, if he was gonna be patted down at least Eden seemed like a pro, the bouncer had seemed kinda sketchy.

"Now where have I heard that name before? You're probably related to the fella that runs Onyx I would guess? So before I get in here and get freaked right the fuck out...how many vampires you got working tonight? I'm trying to kinda shake my phobia of them...and I don't want one just popping up in my lap and flashing those damn black eyes at me.."

Black eyes...Frank's eyes clouded momentarily as he he drifted back to memories of his first encounter with those black eyes. Damn, time for a another drink, and some good looking women. Frank had a big wad of singles in his pocket, and he was ready to drop them. He thought for a second that he should have called Mike, but seeing women in any state of undress would probably give the kid a heart attack.

[Eden Cobriana]

Eden smirked at Frank's response to his name, not entirely amused by it but finding the slightest bit of humor there.  He knew that the hunter didn't recognize the name because of him, but because of his brother.  Delightful.  Then, there was the confirmation, while Eden was frisking him.  Not a good time, since he was sorely tempted to cop a grope just to be an ass.  Frank didn't have any goods he wanted, but it'd make the man uncomfortable.

"It's possible that's where you heard it.  My brother has made a name for himself," he answered noncommittally, and then turned his red eyes up to Frank as he finished the search.  Vampires?

Well, if Frank had a problem with vampires, he may want to reconsider.  "Mr. Laun, I employ a few vampires, so you may wish to prepare yourself for it.  None of them will cause you any harm unless you attempt to harm someone within the club, but they ARE there.  Wear this," he offered, reaching into a drawer to grab a pin with a little red tree on it and pinning it to Frank's collar, "and you won't be approached, but my bartender tonight will disregard the pin to serve you.  He IS a vampire."

Eden had his bases covered.  There were a few hunters out there that didn't like vampires.

[Frank Laun]

Frank could see that Eden wasn't exactly pleased with the mention of his brother. But then again if Eden had mention Frank's older brother...well in the state he was in there would be a brawl, so Frank understood family tension well enough to leave it the hell alone. Frank stood still as Eden patted him down. He could tell this guy was a pro...not like fondles up front. Yeah, the vampire thing...Frank wanted in but there was probably the need for an explanation.

" Yeah Mr. Cobriana, I had a little run in with some vamps a while back, killed 3 of my men, shot me to pieces...I got a worthless Medal of Honor out of the deal. Damn government. I won't be harming non of your girls so long as they don't harm me. I appreciate the pin though...I may not need after I find out what kinda joint this is....hope your bar is pretty well stocked, I feel like doing some drinking tonight!"

Frank really did need another drink. Telling that old war story always got to him. Seeing the faces of his men as they were shot up, the seeing those terrible black eyes coming for him....yeah it was time to drown the sorrow.

[Eden Cobriana]

Eden smiled as he finished the search, then stood.  As long as there were no problems, he was a friendly, easy to get along with individual, even if he never really gave anyone the impression that he was being totally open.  He was certainly as obvious about his emotions as any serpiente, as much as he could be in business situations, but he never made it a habit to say everything on his mind.  Frank would do fine, it seemed.

"Well, none of my employees will be shooting at you, or offering you harm.  I hope that they're rather the opposite, but for as long as you're uncomfortable about vampires, most of my vampiric employees will give you your space while they can see that pin," he assured the man, setting a hand on his upper arm and leading him towards the entrance.  When he pulled the curtain back, he smiled something less open and far more devious, but it was more pride in his place and the sort of thoughts any normal man would be thinking upon seeing.

"Enjoy yourself.  The bar is this way," he informed Frank, and actually started in that direction himself.

[Frank Laun]

Frank relaxed as Eden concluded his search. Bout damn time to hit the booze again. Frank regretted making a scene, but at least known he had met the owner and put all his fears aside for the most part.  He tensed slightly in surprise when Eden touched his arm, but that was just nervous excitement. And yes, Frank saw he had a great reason to be excited when Eden moved the curtain. The place was magnificent, and the women he could see were gorgeous. Hell Yes this place had already beat his expectations. But now what was this about the bar?

"Uhh huh...Yeah lead the way to the bar Mr. Cobriana...this is a hell of a fine place you got hear. I told you I owed you an apology once we got in and here it is...sorry for being an ass, and trust me...I will be back, and probably with friends....but hey, you want to join me for a drink..Its on me"

Frank laughed with his last statement. It didn't matter if Frank paid or no one was even there, Eden would probably just get what he wanted. But Frank had taken a kind of weird liking to Eden, not quite trusting him..but at the same time thinking he was a pretty decent kinda dude.