Haunted Roads

When: Night
Where: Towers to start
Who: Dimitri and Justine

Dimitri’s time, as of late, was both spent on family and work. While the others within the family were always busy that did not mean that Dimitri was not aware of where they were or what was going on in their lives. All seemed to make it a point to keep aware. But the distraction of work was a well needed thing for him. The Towers did not give him near enough work often, but the last few weeks were busy with talks of possible expansion of the Towers property. There was a company interested in restoring some of the land to make a park behind the towers. Dimitri, of course, had a bit of mixed feelings on the topic. He knew well the sorts of creatures that lived in the depths below the others and was not…completely convinced a park in this location was a wise choice. However though there were risks he did know that many of the supernaturals in the Towers had children and that likely the werecreatures and fae types would enjoy having some nature a bit closer to home.

So far it had come to a bit of a pause, Dimitri speaking that he’d only agree to the park being put on his land if he was allowed sole rights to it after dark. During the day all were welcomed but it was to close at sundown. For all the humans had to know that simply meant none would be there after dark. But Dimitri’s plan was to allow it to the Tower residents at that time. Especially the weres around the full moon. Perhaps if there was a place close where they could roam there would not be so many…attacks around that time.

Still the talks were nothing but busy work. Something to occupy his time but hardly give him anything truly challenging to deal with. Dimitri was the sort of man that needed a bit more activity. A constant need to be on the move and have his hands in various business deals. He did not enjoy the lazy life or sitting idle. He had no idea how his brother had ever been content to simply mill about the towers doing nothing else with his time. It was for these reasons and more that Dimitri was questioning his place here at the Towers.

All thoughts of business and matters of that sort were pushed aside for tonight. Tonight he had plans to have dinner with Justine. His first thought had been to cook something for them. But really Dimitri could use some time outside of the Tower walls and instead had made reservations for them. Neither of them were exactly picky about food, as neither would likely be eating that much. For Dimitri it was far more about the ambience of a place.

It was still a bit early as Dimitri closed the file he was working on and shut down the computer. Early enough that the light was just beginning to fade from the sky to signal the fall of night. It wasn’t the nearing night that stilled his work but more the simple desire to be done with it. It all became so monotonous. Nothing but repetitive acts over and over again. Words that all blurred together, movements that felt near robotic in nature. Something had need to change. He knew that much.

Until his sister arrived Dimitri retired to the library, picking up a book to read that most humans would consider ancient.

Who: Justine and Tony
Where: Chroma
When: After dark, of course

Chroma had for so long been her shelter outside of the penthouse she and her siblings shared. It had been a place of her own creation, under her own control where that inevitable feeling of safety that tended to come with the familiar settled in. The recent visits of Mikkos, his son, his wife had shattered the solitude it had once provided. Now the evenings where she had once looked forward to spending her hours amongst her patrons were dreaded, that unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach, never knowing who might show up next in this same unexpected manner. She felt hopeful that no sign of any of the Aristedes family in recent days meant perhaps she was truly going to be left out of whatever familial drama was going on amongst them. She hadn't been tied to them for years, for lifetimes. Whatever softness her heart held for Mikkos, or his for her, was surely just nostalgia - or so she wished, so she tried to convince herself.

She'd kept word of all visits but that very first from her siblings, from Chloe especially. She loved her younger sister, but given her propensity towards brash action, Justine feared the worst outcomes should the littlest Baptiste discover all the tawdry details of the recent going-ons at Chroma. It was obvious that something ate at Justine, disturbed her usually unflappable grace, but her siblings respected her privacy enough not to pry - something she couldn't have been more grateful for. She couldn't sort out her own emotions when it came to Mikkos' grand return, she had no desire to try and discuss them aloud.

It was late when she finally gathered herself together enough to ready herself for Chroma. Dark hair was pinned up elegantly, back and out of her face, accentuating those stormy jade-hued eyes of hers, a light dusting of make-up covering her pale skin. She went with black for the night, wanting to blend into the crowd that was surely already filling at least the main bar area. It took only moments to select a pair of shoes, to grab a small clutch and take her leave of the Penthouse.

Sure enough, the parking lot was full when she arrived and though a line had formed outside, she obviously made her way in without an issue. Justine dropped by her office only long enough to lock away the small purse she'd carried, the keys on a stretchy chord around her wrist as she headed back out to assist her staff behind the bar. Lingering alone in her office seemed an invitation for trouble as of late and there was no need for that tonight.

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.

Who: Alexis and Justine
Where: Chroma
When: Thursday Evening


It was completely unacceptable.

Alexis had bidded her time, she was in no hurry to see herself proven right. Truly, she would have been content if Mikkos, for all his pratter to the contrary of her suspicions, had proven himself. Finally. But he seemed determined to do just the opposite. She had trusted that her son would be able to keep the elder away from temptation or at least cast a light of shame that even her dear husband could not ignore. But she had overestimated a father's righteous pride in the welfare of a son. Just as she had underestimated loves allure. Such a pithy emotion would not be the downfall of her family. If Mikkos wished to induldge in his weaknesses, he could do so on his own time and when the reputation of their family did not hang in the balance.

Nikolaos had already been dealt with for his apparent failure. Though Alexis may have wished it otherwise, he would grow stronger for it. It was time he realized that his father was proving everyday that he was unfit. Though she knows he held a respect for his father and even held the man in affection, perhaps Mikkos himself had finally given her the opening she needed to truly make Nikolaos realize the true potential of his birth right.

It was not her doing, in the end. She simply was doing what needed to be done. The first time her husband went to see his once earthbound creature, she could almost forgive it for the sake of curiousity. Almost. The second time? The Aristedes patriarch, Mikkos' father, had made his displeasure more than known, and her son had taken the brunt of it. Even now he dealt with the shame and that, more than anything, was unacceptable.

Obviously, her husband could no longer be trusted. Sad, really. For not the first time did she think and wonder how things may have been if only Morris had lived. Morris could have ruled. He could have brought honor to the Aristedes name. He could have elevated them to such status as they were worthy. Nikolaos was so much like him.

Which was why she was there at Chroma. Mikkos had proven that he could not get beyond the past. So she was going to have to take the future of the family in hand. She walked through the doors of the wine bar that displayed such beautiful pieces of art. Cold. Distant. She wondered if the owner was like such pieces. What could a thing of earth understand of fire and passion? Just maybe she would find out.

Alexis strode through the main area, head tilted as she took in not just sight and sound, but taste as well. It was a rather decadent spread for the senses. It was more than one set of eyes that noticed her passage, and perhaps any other day -- any other place, she might indulge. But there was only one creature tonight that drew her. And that was one Justine Baptiste.

Who: Mikkos and Justine
When: Mid-evening
Where: Chroma - Her office, specifically
What: A return visit

It was the start of a new week, the debut of a new sculpture display at Chroma and, so far, Justine was having a wonderful evening. The turn-out was already much more than either she or the show's collaborators had intended to draw in and, given the early hour, it was likely that people would continue to stream in the entrance for hours to come. Business was good, as always, and so far there hadn't been any unusually note-worthy events. Given the guests she'd had within the premises in the past few weeks, the mundane nature of the evening was a welcome return to the norm. As always, she was dealing with the knowledge of Mikkos' return with the utmost grace; she had even managed to messenger her long-unworn engagement ring back to him with a note that said everything she could not. Whatever romantic fantasies her mind might have been entertaining over the years, it was time to cast them aside, to face reality as it was now: she and Mikkos were not together and had not been for quite awhile – it was time to move on.

Truly, she had carried a torch long enough. Sure, it had been fueled by a messy mix of hate, love, desire and disgust, but now that some sort of closure had come, she could feel the first stages of all of that beginning to slip away. As painful as it had been to see him again, to hear him speak so affectionately of the family he had started, it was what she needed. Chloe had been all over her for years about establishing a life for herself outside of the penthouse, one that extended beyond her duties at Chroma….perhaps it was time to take her youngest sibling's advice into consideration. The occasional step outside of her comfort zone truly couldn't be that mortifying – granted, she had no idea how one went about establishing an active social life nowadays, but Justine was sure that Chloe would be eager to offer her assistance. Whatever nerves already rising could be soothed at the knowledge that, if nothing else, it would be an excuse for time with a beloved sibling….surely that was tolerable?

Justine had worn a beautifully casual red dress for the evening, standing out against the elite crowd packing her establishment as she went about conducting her usual walk through of all the lounges. Tonight it would take longer than expected, given the crowds gathered to see the new collection debut but the wine was flowing, the food was constantly replenished and with Chroma's staff at the helm, the place could nearly run itself. Pausing at the main bar, Justine waved over her assistant manager, leaning over so that she might be heard over the din around them, "I'm going to retreat to my office for a bit – there's a stack of paperwork with my name on it and I'm afraid it has no intention of completing itself. You'll call me if there are any problems requiring my attention?" Marlowe nodded, a warm smile touching his lips, "Of course, Miss Baptiste. I'm sure things will be fine, no worries." Justine nodded as well, gave his hand a light squeeze and turned to take her leave of the main festivities, vanishing down the secluded hallway that would deliver her to her office.

It was just as her hand hit the doorknob that the scent caught her attention – he was back. Now that her memory had been refreshed, never again would she mistake that scent for anything else. Obviously she had been wrong in her assumption that anything worth being said had come out the last time they had seen one another. Squaring slender shoulders, she took a deep breath of preparation and entered the code that allowed her office door to swing open. Her eyes swept the familiar lay out of her office, knowing that if he intended to remain unseen he would be quite capable of doing so. "You must be aware that I know of your presence already," she closed the door behind herself, crossing the short distance to move behind her desk, "there's no need to remain hidden." Justine lowered herself into her seat, crossing one slim leg over the other, and waited for the confrontation to come.

Who: Justine and Nox
When: Thursday evening
Where: Chroma

Another bitterly cold day by Nox's internal temperature. The wind was biting, but at least the rain had stopped, so that was something to be grateful for. Nox's mind definitely gravitated toward that whole glass half-full mentality. He constantly sought out the good in any given situation. And tonight, he could really use something good. Anything that got his mind off work and the other stress in his life was more than welcome. If that meant simply being appreciative for the lack of rain, so be it! Though, he hoped as he drove away from the station that he might be able to find something else to restore some balance in his head and heart.

It was too late in the evening to go to the aquarium, which was a real shame, because the fish and the darkness put him in an instant state of tranquility. Perhaps he should invest in a small tank for the apartment, then that state of peace would be on hand 24-7. That settled it, he was going to the pet store on Friday. Maybe he'd get a dog or a cat too. He'd heard that petting them helped soothe the soul.

Work had been exceptionally stressful for Nox lately, perhaps because he had more open cases than normal. An open case was a direct reflection on him. It meant he wasn't performing up to standards. Maybe he was a bit off lately, and that could probably be blamed on the shadow demon situation he felt was brewing. The man he'd met at the Towers wasn't someone Nox trusted. He was relatively sure the guy wasn't seeking out trouble, but that didn't mean trouble wouldn't follow him. And if the guy was going to be coming to the Towers from time to time, there was a chance his problems would come with him and end up involving Nox and Hesper. Very bad news.

As he drove home, loosening his tie while paused at a stop light, he looked up at the street signs, not really wanting to go home where he would inevitably just sit down with a beer and review all his open cases. His mind wasn't in a state fit for problem solving at the moment, so such work would be pointless. Again he wished the aquarium was open, or that he had tickets to a game, but none of the above were options. The light turned, but instead of turning to head toward the Towers, he went straight, not really sure why just yet, he was simply driving. A few blocks later, his eyes caught a familiar sight, and he realized what else might help improve his mood. Art.

Nox was a lover of classical art, particularly sculpture, but he could appreciate most other forms. Chroma usually had a diverse collection, and they served wine as well, something that definitely appealed to him at the moment. He parked his car and walked on in, seeing that the place had a decent gathering of people. Nox had met the owner several times, both here at the gallery and at the Towers where she was also a resident, but they weren't anything more than acquaintances. Still, he sought out the familiar face upon arriving. It would be nice to have a casual conversation that didn't revolve around autopsy results and murder weapons.

He strolled over to the bar first and got himself a glass of chianti, carrying it with him as he lazily surveyed the current collection. Despite the modern appearance of Nox's home, he couldn't say he was a big fan of much of the works, though there was a great range when it came to modern art. He enjoyed Matisse and Picasso, installations that used light and shapes to distort reality and mess with the senses, and he even found himself drawn to some found object pieces. But there were other things that seemed so very pretentious, as though the artist thought just because they were doing something weird and ugly that no one 'understood' that it had to be art. He wasn't one of those people who believed that anything could be art.

Nox paused in front of a painting he quite liked and stood there for a while to appreciate it, sipping casually from his glass, the only one he'd allow himself to have since he was driving.

When: Late
Where: Her bedroom in the family's condo
What: Thinking...

It had taken some digging to find, that impressive diamond and emerald engagement ring from so long ago. She hadn't seen it in years, but she knew that it lurked about in the velvet folds of one of her many jewelry boxes, just....waiting. She hadn't seen it, but she knew it remained...knew with the same certainty exercised in the knowledge of Ophelia's return - accepting somethings presence and yet wishing it away with every fiber of your being.

She could never bring herself to sell the ring, to give it away - it was worth far too much anyway, both sentimentally and actually, to have gotten anywhere near it's true value and yet, even as she kept it, she had no desire to see it - hence it's currently unknown presence. The memories tied to it were still too painful to willfully seek out. Perhaps she should have been over such business by now, that seemed the sensible option and yet her heart wanted not part of what was best for her - not that Justine had ever been able to be particularly smart where Mikkos was concerned.

With a bit of searching it had been uncovered and transferred into a plain white box, devoid of logo or other decoration and handed off to a trusted courier for delivery. She watched the little package leave, her brief, if not harsh, note attached and felt a weight lift from her slender shoulders...

She had seen him and survived. She was rid of the ring now and, years ago, other gifts had been passed off. With no plans to see Mikkos again, Justine hoped that perhaps this was what closure felt like. Was it wishful thinking, given that he'd made her nearly non-existent pulse race the moment she'd laid eyes on him? Perhaps, but in this case Justine would convince herself she didn't care. If he could be so (relatively) unaffected by her, if he could move on, then perhaps it was time she did as well - doubt be damned.

When: Night
Where: Old Town Towers; their condo
Who: Dimitri, Juliette, Justine, Chloe

A family dinner seemed a simple thing but for the Baptistes it was always turned into quite the event. Perhaps it was due to the fact that they rarely spent as much time together as they used to. Perhaps it was only because Dimitri had time on his hands and was able to put forth so much effort. Whatever the reason for it, the dinner proved to be quite grand. None of them had need to eat true, but that did not mean that they did not enjoy the tastes of food still. Dinner was more a sampling, small amounts of what each of them loved.

Dimitri had worked through the morning hours as he often did and though he had attempted rest it had not worked as he had planned. Thoughts plagued his mind and made such attempts to relax rather difficult. A curse of the family it seemed as they became that way when they were uncertain on any particular point in their lives. It made the timing for this event perfect in a way, giving them excuse, and means, to forget all else for awhile. A night to simply enjoy being among family..allowing the rest of the world to fade away.

Or at least that was the plan…how well that worked out for any of them was another matter all together.

With much of his workload seen to Dimitri took the hours before nightfall to help in preparation for the night’s meal. Though he rarely cooked he was actually quite skilled in it. A talent that he did not even realize he held till late in his life. It wasn’t exactly a hobby he put much time or effort into however, his attention and time were almost always needed somewhere. He made sure of that, constantly flooding himself with work and projects in order to keep himself busy. Dimitri wasn’t the sort that really enjoyed being still or lacking in something to do.

Though he cooked he wasn’t the only one doing so. Others aided as well as there was too much to make for one person to handle.

Towards the end Dimitri left the finishing touches to others while he checked on some last minute work. There was little else for him to worry on really. The home was always in pristine condition and the large dining room was already prepared. Set with candles and all around the home fireplaces added a faint warmth to the home. It was more for light then for that, as cold was not something any of them truly felt anymore.

Music of long ago also filled the air, music that they used to listen to before times became so struggled and their lives went off in various directions. It reminded him of home, a home lost to all of them but yet remembered well. For times beyond the pain. For smiles and laughter.

There was time yet before the others would begin to arrive, Dimitri took seat in the living room near to the fire…watching the flames dance and cast shadows upon the walls. To the table near to him was a glass of wine briefly touched and to his hand a cigarette held between the fingers that was nearly spent, a window near to him was opened just enough to drag the scent of such away.

Who: Mikkos and Justine
Where: Chroma Gallery
When: Saturday night
What: Didn’t think Mikkos was going to stay away long once he found out, did you?

Abstract art. When last Mikkos had been in this world this type of artistic expression did not even exist. At least not in any respected form. Perhaps the frustrated expressions of drunken, or otherwise influenced painters. They’d have considered it a wasted canvas likely. In some, Mikkos noticed, it was actually quite interesting. In others… just weird.

Knowing Justine, she was just being helpful to a starving artist in showing his work. Anything to help a person in need. It was such helpfulness that alerted her business, and her, to Mikkos. An underground shop to give proper ID to those in need. Mikkos knew. He’d found out days ago. But he had waited, not knowing when, or if he should show. He knew he wanted to show, to see her. But that, he knew, was a can of worms no one wanted open. Visiting her, now, tomorrow, a hundred years from now, was asking for trouble, even if Mikkos had no intention of dragging any of them through what they’d been through before.

With Nikolaos off playing somewhere, Mikkos decided he’d at least pay a visit to this gallery. He wanted to see what his former love was into, where her passion was. And maybe, just maybe, he’d glimpse her as well.

Once inside, he felt her presence everywhere. He was in no hurry to leave, though there was no evidence that she herself was there. He couldn’t feel her, though Mikkos understood with new buildings they built all sorts of safeguards to protect against such knowledge. After a few moments he was approached by one of the staff. Would he like a glass of wine? The house brand, the first glass of which was, on the house, or something a little more specific perhaps? Mikkos turned to him, the pretty little human boy, and asked if they had Loire region, vintage 1789. It was, mostly facetious, though he was interested to see the reaction. And if they had it, all the better.

Maybe Justine herself would be inclined to bring it to him.

Who: Eliina and Justine
Where: Wild Ginger
When: Tuesday, 7pm
What: Ladies Power Lunch er... dinner!


It was time for a drink... wasn't it? Not as though it were some ungodly early hour or only so late as lunch. But then again when it came to some days... it never felt too early. However, Eliina or Ellie as most knew her, wasn't inclined to mid day drunkenness... especially not when sh'd had more than her fair share of clients who were accused of similar things. Pro bono work did bring in quite the colorful array of clientele. That said, after the day she'd had, she almost preferred a few slurred phrases and the slight aroma of unwashed clothing. At least they weren't the sort that thought their money and power granted them a free pass through society. The opportunity to do what they would and expect someone else to clean up all of their messes.

She was exceptionally good at holding her tongue however. Or rather curbing her speech, and turning it rather to biting renditions of the facts as they stood. Something that the rich and guilty never appreciated. But she was good at what she did. And no matter the caustic words she might have to say regarding their personalities she always gave excellent representation and for that, she was well worth the exceptionally high billable hours she tallied up working on their cases.

Those cases were never her passion, but they were what paid the bills and without those cases Eliina knew that the exceptionally nice condo she lived in would be nothing of the sort. It was also the price she paid for her freedom and that was worth all the frustrating clients the world could throw at her.

Of course, that wasn't to say that Eliina didn't require a little time away from the frustrations of said clients. And that was where the dinner she was currently headed towards came into play. She didn't go out for dinner often. More likely she could be found at home, tucked away with a carry out meal or still at the office, behind her desk and a stack of files, working her way through more carry out. When whe could remember to eat. But, as her secretary kept telling her... she needed to get out from behind that stack of paper every now and again or one day she'd never un earth herself. Eliina didn't often find this amusing. But today, she took it to heart and had Janice call one of the few personal contacts on her list, Justine Baptiste. She didn't have to be back in court until the Tuesday, so a dinner was manageable.

Her heels clicked with rapid steps as she walked the block from the Washington Mutual Tower, where her law firm was housed, to Wild Ginger. It was close and it served excellent food. Dressed as always in the same simple black suit she'd worn all day, Eliina was escorted back to a table in the back of the restaurant as requested. "I'll let you know when Ms. Baptiste has arrived Ms. Louis," the hostess quickly hurried off and left Eliina alone with the menu. Already perusing the wine list.

Who: Justine and Nikolaos
Where: Chroma
When: The evening, of course
What: Nik seeks out the infamous vamp

Chroma was already open and buzzing with quite the crowd by the time Justine arrived. Just after dusk she'd taken a meeting with a local artist, one whose work she'd spotted in a local publication and had had an interest in displaying. Her current gallery was filled for another month but then it would be time to ship off the pieces she had now and hang a new display. She'd wanted something a bit different than usual, something bound to provoke some emotion from her patrons and the artist whose studio she had seen could supply her with that very type of work. No deal was set in stone yet, but promising headway had been made. Another post-sunset meeting was scheduled for the following week and she was sure that during that session she could surely cement an agreement into place. She paused to leave word with her assistant that, should said artist call, he was to be patched through to Justine's cell phone immediately. There was no need to run the risk of losing a potential display because she was unreachable.

As usual, she took to strolling through the spacious establishment, checking out each of the lounge areas to ensure that things were running smoothly. She had dressed for the evening in a pair of sand colored wool trousers, a wide-leg style that flowed easily down over the open-toed heels she wore. Her top was a cream color and nearly sleeveless, baring elegant shoulders and contrasting sharply with her dark hair, left curly and pinned at the crown of her head. As always her make-up was light, used only to enhance features instead of mask them. A few slender bracelets from Chloe's boutique jingled gently on one wrist as she greeted some of her more regular patrons, pausing to briefly converse with them as she spotted them in their usual haunts. Over all the crowd was a bit small for a Thursday evening, though the place was definitely still crowded. It tended to be a favorite hangout for those who sought to have a few cocktails with friends but wanted to avoid the typical bar atmosphere as much as possible.

Each lounge bore a name somehow related to art - after all, Chroma itself meant 'the intensity of color' - carrying on the naming theme was only appropriate. Cobalt was the lounge at the farthest end of the gallery, dimly lit and specializing in dark, rich red wines. It was popular among vampires especially, serving one of the finest vintages of bloodwine that she'd been able to get her hands on. It tended to be relatively drama-free and so Justine generally just strolled past, glancing in to make sure things stayed that way. It was calm tonight as well and so she walked on, bypassing a number of loungers where everything was under control. Her final stop was Crimson, a red-walled lounge towards the heart of the place, the most popular amongst her customers as a whole. It featured the most complete wine bar of any of the rooms and had an extensive art display. It was here that Justine tended to spend most of her evening, keeping on eye on those who came and left as passing through the Crimson lounge was necessary to get to any others. She stepped behind the bar to do a quick reading on the register, a brief check of the evening's take so far. Everything was running smoothly so far and so she settled into her usual station, watching over the crowd, on hand should anything require her attention.

Who: Justine & Dorian
Where: Chroma
When: Evening (after dark, obviously)
What: Checking in on things


Chroma tended to be quite capable of running itself. The staff had been impeccably trained by the establishment's owner and Justine was always only a phone call away. Once the sun set, she rather liked to head downtown and see over things in person, reassuring the staff that she was not simply some omnipresent being that oversaw all of them from a distance. After all, the place was her baby, her creation and nursing it into longevity was a thrilling endeavor. She'd dreamt of running a business for so long that now the sight of the building alone could quicken that slow, vampiric pulse.

By the time she reached her office that night the numbers for Tuesday and the expectation for this evening were already on her desk. She so enjoyed her staff's ability to be sufficient - Justine was not one with an icredibly high tolerance for 'slackers.' Of course giving your employees the proper motivation really was key: benefits, flexible hours, all of that. She kept them happy and, in turn, Chroma ran like the well oiled machine she so wanted it to be. A brief glimpse at the numbers assured her that things were bypassing the planned income for the week, a pleasing sight indeed. Tucking the folder into her desk drawer, Justine dropped her cell phone into the pocket of her slacks and headed out to the gallery to check the latest installation.

As usual, she was stunningly professional: black wide-legged slacks, black snakeskin heels and a cashmere wrap around sweater in the deepest of burgandys. Her dark hair hung loosely around her shoulders in soft waves, make-up light and simple for the night. Hands slipped into her pockets, she made her way down the back hallway from her office, setting foot into the gallery area. The room was already filling up for the night, patrons content to sip a variety of vintages from Chroma's wine bar and take in the latest artist that Justine had recruited to show. Many of the pieces were of a mixed-media variety, paintings with oil and cloth that created a visual experience worth the time it took to see each and every one. A few of the wandering crowd were regulars and so Justine graced them with a soft smile or paused for a moment of conversation.

Tonight, like most, seemed to be going perfectly so far. But in Seattle, the expected rarely stuck around for long.