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Tweak says, "you. dance. hot."

Eliina Silja Luvic (mens_rea) wrote in haunted_roads,
@ 2008-05-29 14:24:00

Entry tags:

eliina, justine

Week Eight: Monday
Who: Eliina and Justine
When: Monday night
Where: Chroma

Work had been complete and total hell.

Her nerves had been on edge all day, flustered and frazzled like she had never been before, at least not professionally. But Eliina went to great lengths to ensure that what she felt inside, what troubles she might experience in her personal life stayed just that... exceedingly personal. But Monday morning it all seemed to bleed together and she couldn't quite seem to get herself to reach that professionally aloofness that she had mastered years ago.

Her secretary asked her three times if she was coming down with something and just wanted to take the afternoon off. True to form, Eliina denied this offer and stayed through the day. No matter how difficult it was she far preferred to bury herself in her work than sit another day in her condo and try to figure out exactly what she had done the week before and why.

Clearly, she had been unable to come up with any acceptable answer to her actions as fuzzy as her memories were. They were still there. She could still see and remember snippets of the evening in her mind. She had... been with him. Eliina just couldn't seem to make sense of it. Him... HIM. She despised that vampire, and yet she had let him hold her and let him touch her and...

She should never be allowed to drink again. But somehow drowning herself in another fine bottle of wine and not even being able to comprehend the reality of the fact that she'd let herself get that close to someone she hated seemed still too tempting a pastime. In the end, Eliina had no answers. Her life for as typical as it looked to any outsider, had been far from typical. Raised and groomed to be one man's possession. She didn't know what to do with a... casual sex encounter. She had never even known she'd wanted such an encounter. Men... for the most part repulsed her, sent shivers down her spine. And not the tingle of anticipation sort of shivers. The please don't touch me sort to be more specific.

But here she was regardless of how she thought she felt about the situation. Confused and not sure that she should even speak with someone about it. However, she did know that it was eating her alive. And she couldn't drink her way through the day no matter how much that did appeal. Maybe she wouldn't actually have to talk about it with the one of the very few people she considered anything close to a friend. Justine was a woman, she might be able to help her understand all of this... if Eliina could get over her own disgust and embarrassment.

That, however, was an issue to deal with after her glass of wine. And that wine was ordered promptly as Eliina set foot in Chroma. Wine first, finding Justine second.

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savageallure
2008-06-03 09:55 am UTC (link)

It seemed neither of them were truly in great spirits this time around. Though she was as yet unaware of the stresses Eliina carried with her, Justine's graceful shoulders bore a weight all their own. It was nearly a week now since that night Mikkos had confronted her in her office about the ring she'd returned to him, almost a week since that events that had followed and still she was attempting to smooth over the cracks that evening had put into her flawless facade. To her employees, she seemed a bit more distant than usual, but it was nothing too out of the ordinary, nothing odd enough to attract attention. Justine preferred to keep her personal issues out of work and so there was no mention of why she was so withdrawn, no questions asked - everyone knew to leave well enough alone.

She knew perhaps Eliina would drop in sometime soon, perhaps that night and seeing a familiar face not connected to her former fiancee would be a welcomed sight. Thankfully the bar was running itself smoothly as usual and so there was little on the business end of things that needed to be tended to that evening, leaving Justine free to wander through the numerous lounges, to interact with the patrons that filled each room. The feedback for the new show was overwhelmingly positive, so good in fact that she'd made a note to feature the artist again - filling her head with such work related things kept it clear of other less productive thoughts and that seemed to have become her goal lately.

She was dressed simply for the night, dark hair pinned up and out of the way as it tended to be anymore, bangs swept softly across her forehead. So far nothing of note had happened, none of the goings on inside Chroma requiring her attention. In fact, Justine had been on her way back to her office, to fill time with paperwork, when she spotted a familiar face settling in at the bar for a drink. Waving off the tender, she stepped behind to wait on Eliina herself, "This one will be on the house....choose wisely." It was nice to see a familiar face, one that knew nothing of Mikkos and wouldn't pry with questions she was in no mood to answer.

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mens_rea
2008-06-03 12:34 pm UTC (link)

Such a mess men seemed to make of lives. Perhaps that was a bit bitter sounding but Eliina would be the first to admit that she was in fact bitter when it came to the opposite sex. Good luck convincing her to be otherwise. That said, she didn't think that the entire female population felt quite the way she did about men. But she was nearly certain that nearly every woman had a story or two about the pain inflicted upon them by the opposite sex. It was almost amazing that the bastards managed to find any women willing to procreate.

There went that bitterness again.

Eliina's hands fidgeted with the tie on her black wrap dress that she'd worn. As fashionable as she often got, it at least skimmed her figure more than most other outfits she owned did. While she didn't feel as though she wanted to dress to impress, she didn't want to show up at her friends club looking a complete mess. It was far too nice an establishment for that. Not that Eliina was truly capable of noticing that as distracted as she was...

She had managed to find her way to the bar, just barely taking in the artwork that lined the wall. It was probably exquisite, perhaps Eliina would notice later. Finding her way to the bar had been her main focus. Enough of a focus that it took her a split second to realize it was Justine now serving her. She blinked and canted her head up, a smile starting to form on her face. "On the house, well that I really can't say no too. Merlot, whatever your current favorite is." She offered as her order. Eliina leaned a hip against the bar top. "Looks good tonight Justine, impressive for a Monday night I'd think. You know expert that I am on the whole topic."

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savageallure
2008-06-04 08:34 am UTC (link)

Bitter might not have been the word Justine herself would have used to describe her current feelings towards the "stronger" sex, but her behavior was definitely nearing that line. She didn't appreciate being toyed with and while it had once been an intimate link between she and Mikkos, him bypassing those carefully erected barriers so quickly, she no longer had the desire to interact in such a way. Bitterness seemed only a natural route for her feelings to take, especially in light of all that she continued to learn about her former fiancee's new life.

Perhaps they had more in common then originally thought. Granted, it was unlikely that conversation would turn to their individual issues with the male gender, but that didn't erase said problems.

"Merlot it is," Justine nodded with a light smile, moving to retrieve one of the many bottles racked behind her. This one was already open, clearly a popular vintage, and she pulled the cork from it to fill a clean piece of stemware for Eliina. Setting the glass before her, Justine set the bottle aside and leaned against her own respective side of the bar. "It's not bad for a Monday night," she nodded in agreement, "new exhibitions tend to draw a steady crowd every night for the first week or so, then things will taper off just a bit."

"And how is your job? Continuing to be a challenge as always?" Obviously there was a reason Eliina had come to Chroma, something that had driven her here though Justine was not the type to pry about whatever that might have been. If the other woman felt like discussing things, then surely she would broach the topic herself. Work seemed a safe topic to start things off with, surely her job wasn't what had drive Eliina into the bar tonight. No, that she seemed capable of handling easily no matter the challenge.

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mens_rea
2008-06-04 12:21 pm UTC (link)

No one should want to be toyed with, that Eliina could more than agree with. However it seemed there were far too many men, or boys as the case seemed to be the vast majority of the time, who felt that was the way to deal with women. Toying with them, using them as they saw fit. Eliina knew she could be strong and independent as she wanted to be... but she was only human in the face of so many other races that could simply see her life extinguished in a blink of an eye. She distinctly lacked in the leverage department.

It was hard to say where the conversation was head... on a typical day it would be quite easy to say such personal topics would never be broached, but today was far from typical for Eliina. Nerves on edge and out of sorts. It was hard to say exactly what might come out of her mouth.

The glass was poured and set before her, Eliina's fingers immediately found their way to the stem, playing with the spun glass for a moment before lifting it to her lips and taking a sip. "And an excellent choice as I knew it would be." She glanced around the bar area, people milling about, talking, enjoying the art. "Maybe I should be glad to be here on a Monday, no a Friday then?" She asked with a slight perk of her brow. No, Eliina was not a fan of the crowded club scenes of any city.

"If I said it was being a pain in my ass would that be out of line?" Eliina asked, her language... more colorful than it ordinarily was but a girl didn't always have the patience for curbing her language. Thinking of work just reminded her of Anthony sauntering his obnoxious self into her office. What was wrong with her? Why had she... Eliina lifted her wine glass and took another nice long sip. "And how is everything going for you?"

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savageallure
2008-06-05 08:57 am UTC (link)

Justine would have been inclined to agree with Eliina there as well, had their conversation taken such a turn, that no woman deserved to be toyed with...no person did, to be quite honest, though their were certain men in the past that might not have inspired any guilt in the woman that chose to amuse herself with them. For her part, Justine didn't truly have such a streak in her, but it seemed that many others did, that they utilized it as much as possible.

On edge was the perfect way to describe the mood that had crept into Justine of late, though she covered with a graceful ease that had taken centuries to truly perfect. Mikkos' return may have been shattering that cool demeanor in his presence, but she refused to allow the effects to be seen by others. No, she would not be embarrassed by the fact that her heart refused to just grow up.

Justine smiled slightly, eyes washing over the crowd around them, constantly vigilant as to the happiness of her patrons. "The theme of late seems to be renting out the lounges for weekend evenings. We've had several of the larger businesses in town request them for meetings, impressing clients, employee appreciation....nearly every usage. It cuts down on the traffic through the door, but tends to increase it here in the main bar." Luckily, the space was big enough to accommodate quite the crowd before things started to get uncomfortable in any way.

She laughed softly at Eliina's bluntness, shaking her head to assure her, "No, I think that's completely in line. Work has a tendency to be exactly that." She sighed lightly as the inevitable question was turned around on her, though thankfully it wasn't so much work that had stressed her out as of late. "Work has been....fine, the usual really. Life itself has been the source of frustration, I'm afraid, though that's a characteristic to be expected."

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Holy christ! How did I lose this bad boy? Sorry!

mens_rea
2008-06-20 01:34 pm UTC (link)

Bitch that Eliina could be, and she certainly made no qualms that she could be every inch of the definition of the word bitch if the moment or individual called for it.... she didn't believe is using others. Some who had been used felt to return it in kind was the best therapy others, such as Eliina, sought to avoid it entirely. In herself and in others. Unfortunately she seemed to rather walk right into situations with those that took particular pleasure in toying with others.

Eliina had never been in love and wasn't entirely certain she even believed in the very idea. Nothing past the word itself and how it could be used and thought was true. But whether such an emotion could exist and could actually mean anything besides a means to achieve an end was a whole other matter. Cynical as she could be, if another wanted to hold onto such emotions... Eliina wouldn't argue. At least not aloud. Maybe.

Eliina gave a short nod of her head. "I know I've left Chroma as a suggestion more than once to partners looking to wine and dine an exclusive client." Not so long ago that had been her work exclusively as well, not nearly as much now. But she still knew the ins and outs and passed on her own expertise with the field to the newer associates in the firm. A slight curl of her lips formed over the rim of her wine glass. "I'll be looking for a cut for that," she teased with a small smile. There was a touch of good humor still left in her amazingly enough.

Her fingers slid along the stem of the glass before looking curiously over at Justine. "Life is the problem? Anything I can sue away for you?"

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Re: lol. Well gosh! I feel so unloved! lol

savageallure
2008-06-20 01:42 pm UTC (link)

Justine had more than once been labeled a 'bitch' by those that came across her, that icy exterior perceived to be something other than what it was. Generally, she found, it was people of a generation that had never been told of chivalry, of etiquette and what it meant to hold a certain presence in public. Of course, those ways had died off over time, seemed terribly out dated in today's world, but they were not so easy to let go of and truly, Justine had no desire to do so.

She cracked a bit of a smile at Eliina's mention of getting a cut of the business she'd steered towards Chroma. "Of course," she nodded with false seriousness, "I'll just have cards made up with a section on why they've chosen to visit Chroma. Should they check the 'Eliina told me about it' box, I'll be sure you get a percentage of the income from them." It was a rare moment of light heartedness that was so obviously false between the two, but for a moment it lightened the mood of the conversation.

"I wish it were simple enough to be sued away," she admitted, though she'd honestly had little use for the human justice system in all her years. Something told her, something settling in the pit of her stomach, that Mikkos had not simply temporarily returned to her life, that perhaps his presence would be far more permanent that she'd thought at first. "I know you mentioned that work is stressful, but beyond that it's good?" Justine questioned, steering the conversation from herself, "You've been striking the fear into the hearts of every opponent, I take it?"

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I really do need a beating!

mens_rea
2008-06-23 02:59 am UTC (link)

Eliina could appreciate a good set of manners. Afterall she had been raised to be a companion to a vampire as old as Justine or perhaps older. Eliina had never exactly asked the age of her friend. That seemed a bit... rude all things considered. All it took was something of a discerning eye to sense that she had been around for more than a few years. Eliina was convinced that it was all in their bearing. At least from her human observations and that was all she had to go on really.

Lips lifted in a slight smile, Eliina shook her head. "Perhaps it's a good thing I'm not in such a need for money that I'm not about to press that particular marketing strategy." No, she certainly didn't want her name floating around anymore than it had to for business alone. She hated that as it was. But then again, she seemed to hate a great number of things about her current life. If it wasn't for the fact that she wanted to find out about her siblings she might have considered seeking a transfer again or perhaps leaving the firm altogether.

Yes, individuals such as Anthony caused that much anxiety in her.

"As often as that tactic is used... It's my personal opinion that it rarely does solve anything. Usually only creates more problems anyhow." And that was the damn truth, even if a lawyer wasn't supposed to admit it. She's sue the pants off of Anthony if that were the case. No. Pants on him! Permanently. God she couldn't even think about that whole debacle without a flush rising to her cheeks, it most certainly wasn't a flush that spoke of girlish feelings for the other... no it was more a horrid combination of embarrassment and horror at herself. Eliina quickly took a sip of her wine while slashing a hand through the air. "It's always stressful and I don't know that I'd call it striking fear, but whatever it is it works well enough for me." Eliina continued swallowing heavily.

"Other than that..." She paused for a moment, debating between her usual words and the truth. It was apparently a night for the latter. "I think I can settle for a mix between horrific and traumatizing. To be frank. And clearly I missed the girltalk lessons in my years growing up because I can't even begin to describe how awkward I feel even thinking about talking..." And Eliina trailed off looking as though she would be instantly more comfortable with her head burrowing into the bar top. Certainly not the confident professional she most often appeared as.

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Re: Ha ha. Watch out, Anthony might hear that! lol

savageallure
2008-06-23 08:11 am UTC (link)

Good manners seemed to be a value no longer appreciated in their current day and age, a troublesome fact easy enough to witness on a crowded night in Chroma or any other public place in the city. One of the few interesting things about having such an expanded lifespan had proved to be keeping a close eye on the evolution of society as she knew it. Things had changed greatly, to say the least, since Justine's earlier years. It was odd to think she truly had bared witness to it all, that she would continue to do so for who knew how long.... She still found it a bit daunting, even after all this time, to know that the years in front of you were indefinite, in a way.

It seemed both were having their fair share of issues thanks to a man from their past who had suddenly sprung up out of nowhere. Though neither seemed in any hurry to truly vocalize just what exactly had put them in such a mood for the night. Had Justine been prone to blushing, her skin might have flushed full of color at the slightest reminder that she truly had kissed Mikkos on his last visit to her office. That, no matter how she tried to convince herself, the kiss hadn't been as one-sided as she would have liked. In a way, it had been a revelation of the hand they both held...passions were a bit more out in the open now. Strangely enough, she wasn't comforted by the knowledge that he still cared for her, not in the slightest.

A light smile touched Justine's lips as Eliina attempted some sort of description as to how she felt at the moment. "Would you rather try this conversation somewhere more private?" she offered, "My office, perhaps?" She was more than willing to lend an ear, even if it was less Eliina wanted to do and more attempting to decipher how she felt about certain matters at hand. Besides, Justine wasn't feeling particularly social and the idea of a quiet drink with a friend was suddenly much more appealing than mingling. She would, of course, leave the final choice up to Eliina.

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LOL I take it back!!

mens_rea
2008-06-24 01:34 am UTC (link)

Only one of many reasons Eliina rarely ventured out to bars and clubs. Even one as nice as Chroma. They were still filled with the ill-mannered assholes that couldn't take a breath without trying to get into a woman's pants. Rationally, attentions were likely a form of flattery but Eliina didn't look at many things that men did rationally. She would be the first to admit that. Though that wasn't likely to change her opinion. They were all by and large... a waste of time.

Granted she had yet to experience the sort of relationship Justine had. Even if it had ended badly. There was something to be said for that spark of passion and love that another could ignite in someone. Perhaps.

Eliina's eyes lifted to Justine's, the look of gratitude in the clear depths was obvious. "Please." She said glancing side to side. Had she already made a spectacle of herself? She hoped most were too focused on... anything else to notice her flushed features and awkward stance. Why it mattered she didn't know, but it did. She hated to be seen in such a way. "your office sounds... perfect." Eliina said standing up from her stool and grasping her wine glass tightly. Would it be rude to ask for the rest of the bottle... probably.

She let Justine lead the way back to the office, happy to be away from the crowd of people that frequented the establishment. However she was not happy to have the conversation looming ahead of her. All she could do for the moment was sink into a chair. Maybe it would swallow her up and she'd never have to see Anthony again. "Perhaps in your years of life, which I know better than to ask specifically how many... you can shed some light on the opposite gender?" Somehow Eliina thought no amount of years could truly explain them or anyone for that matter.

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savageallure
2008-06-24 08:56 am UTC (link)

Chroma was better than most, but then that could be said for any number of upscale bars in the city. They tended to attract those who still remembered that holding a door for a lady was a good thing, as was pulling out her chair, all rarities in some of the trendier hot spots. Justine prided herself on making Chroma stand out in each and every way she could.

And getting close to her clientele was just one of those ways. So, with a gentle smile, she motioned for Eliina to follow her. It was clear the other woman had something weighing on her rather heavily, something not all together unfamiliar, and perhaps sharing in a more private place might help her to work through whatever it was. "Follow me," she moved around the bar to meet her, "it's much quieter back here." And it was...the hallway which, at the end, held her office, seemed to block out much of the sound.

Keying in the code to open her door, Justine flicked on the lights as they stepped inside, unable to keep herself from taking a cautious glance around. Thankfully, it seemed her office was empty for once. "492," she interjected when mention of her age came up. It was something people couldn't help but be a bit curious about and she truly didn't mind. After all, she'd had long enough to come to terms with it. Though, she did laugh lightly at mention of her shedding any light on the opposite gender, "I'm afraid that even in all my years, I've never quite understood them. Nor have I had much luck with them."

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mens_rea
2008-06-27 02:21 am UTC (link)

If Eliina could have wished the current situation away... she would have. Her preference would have been to simply enjoyed a glass of wine at Chroma. To have some simple pleasant conversation with one of the few people she socialized with... instead she was feeling like a teenage girl and it did not sit well with her.

All she could do was be thankful that Justine was a woman with such manners as to not make her feel any more ridiculous about the moment. She would have to repay the favor and be an open ear for Justine, though advice in this particular department was something she had a distinctive lack of.

"Quieter and I don't look so conspicuous do I..." Eliina said with a self-depreciating laugh as she entered the now open office door and took a seat. Justine's age was almost staggering. "I suppose the requisite you don't look a day over thirty is in order isn't it." And she didn't, though she did have the air of someone who had seen more than any ordinary 30 year old. Eliina sighed as she sunk bonelessly into the seat, elbows landing heavily on the armrests. "That's not very encouraging. Not that I truly want to know much about them, but they seem to interject themselves into my life at the most inopportune moments. Always thinking themselves in control..." If she sounded bitter... she was.

"I think I slept with someone I hate. What on earth am I supposed to do with that?" She finally just blurted out.

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savageallure
2008-06-29 09:20 pm UTC (link)

She'd expected her age to stun her, truly, Justine was used to such a reaction. She couldn't blame Eliina really...time had, after all, stopped her around that prime of life stage, now she would resemble it forever. It did become a bit dull though, looking into the same face in the mirror decade after decade. Justine often wondered how she might have aged otherwise - it was strange to know that, for all intents and purposes, you should have been dead lifetimes ago....and yet you lived on. It felt a little like living on borrowed time, which she supposed it was, really. Everyone died eventually, even vampires.

"I'm afraid all the time in the world won't unlock the mystery of the opposite sex. If that were the case, I'd be an expert by now. I suppose I thought I knew a fair amount, but recent events have lead me to believe that I am wrong, that I truly know very little." It seemed to be a common theme, at least in her office tonight, and Justine felt a small swell of relief to know she wasn't the only one with a difficult love life...well...did she have a love life? Not really. Oh, now that was depressing.

"You think you slept with someone you hate?" A dark brow arched lightly, "People tend to either sleep with one another or not. Why, if you don't mind me asking, is it so....ambiguous?"

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mens_rea
2008-07-04 02:40 am UTC (link)

Even with the majority of her years spent in the company of one who had lived just as many years as Justine... it was still a difficult concept to come to terms with. So many years past what her own life would entail, so many years of history and life. It was never an easy concept to grasp. And she was perhaps alright with that... not ever wanting to experience it for herself. Death wasn't that unwelcome.

Eliina's lips pursed slightly. "Doesn't seem right that they are entitled to be a mystery for that long..." She mused under her breath before her chin lifted and she looked closely at Justine. "Recent events?" She asked with a slight tilt of her head. More details were definitely in order there. Regardless of whether or not Eliina would be of any help. Sometimes it was just the talking that eased it... or so Eliina hoped.

"You would think that would be the case wouldn't you." Eliina sighed and settled her elbows on the arm rests. "I remember it... but I can't for the life of me understand why ... I would do it. I don't know that that makes any more sense though." A hand was lifted and it sifted through her hair, catching on some of the strands in agitation. "We were arguing. I can't stand the bastard. I don't even typically care for men at all. Not that I'm inclined towards women." She added hastily in explanation. "I just... don't have any desire for that in my life. And yet here I sit remembering it all and..." Eliina felt ridiculous even trying to explain it. "I detest him for all that seems to matter."

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savageallure
2008-07-04 11:38 am UTC (link)

Justine couldn't but wonder if perhaps all men were truly as troublesome as the ones in her life or if perhaps she simply had the luck of attracting such difficult personalities. Then again, it seemed rather unusual for a perfectly normal man to have any interest in someone of a supernatural background - surely fate had a way of ensuring that never happened. Besides, she had enough trouble in her life of the male persuasion right now, she definitely didn't need to add anymore to the mix. It sounded as though Eliina might feel the same way at the moment, given their conversation thus far.

Justine moved to take a seat in the open chair beside Eliina, listening carefully as she attempted to explain whatever it was that was bothering her. "Who was this man, if you don't mind me asking? Perhaps it would be good to determine whether he was human or supernatural, if you are not already aware." It seemed highly likely that the answer to that second question might determine a great deal about what had happened...or what had not happened. Had someone slipped her something? Or was it simply a supernatural toying with her mind for their own amusement? Given her amount of life experience, Justine wouldn't have been too surprised with either.

A small smirk quirked up the corner of her lips as Eliina added that she detested him - if both of them were involved (in a sense) with men they detested, they truly did have more in common than either could truly know. After all, hadn't she allowed Mikkos to kiss her in this very office? Men could be such sources of stress when they wanted to be.

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