Stars in our eyes 'cause we're having a good time Who: Missy and Nikita Where: New York City When: Spring time 2007
The city had been treating Nikita relatively well thus far. She was enjoying the various markets for her to play in, such as Wall Street, the real estate, art, and more. It seemed like the city had it all and she was happy that business had made its way here for a change of pace. As much as Nikita enjoyed hopping all over America and seeing the sights, it was nice to finally feel at home in such a massive city. There was so much to offer in the black market as well and she knew if she kept it up she would have a reliable business there in no time.
Until then, she had to freshen up her contact list, because she could never have enough of those. What exactly did that entail? A cocktail party, of course. Knowing a guy who knew a guy who knew a guy was enough to get her into the ritzy party. So many members of the uppercrust to corrupt and have up her sleeve. Though she couldn't flaunt that around just yet. Oh no, she had to play nice with people and have them get used to her "good" side before revealing what she truly was, if they were even worthy enough to see such a side.
Nikita arrived at the gathering on the top floor of the penthouse in the upper east side wearing nothing but her best, hair slicked back and tousled for the occasion. Black always looked good on her, and while everyone and their mother had a little black dress on at the party, Nikita knew she was the only one who made it look good. Sauntering through the crowds, she immediately jumped into introducing herself, completely confident in herself. She even kept a cosmopolitan in one hand to make herself fit in better. Then again, she was flaunting off her tattoo on her right arm, but most people were simply intrigued with it. It was quite the lovely ink she had and held no shame in bearing it. Besides, it wasn't like there was going to be a hunter at the party who could spot that tell a mile away.
New York was... everything that Missy had expected and not exactly what she had wanted. Somehow she had managed to land a job working for one of the larger television companies in the city proper and it was enough to keep her and Kristen in a nice apartment out of the inner city. Not to mention being a reporter meant that somehow she had all these contacts that wanted her to do things. Like that businessman she had interviewed a few weeks ago. He had dropped hints during the whole thing that he wanted to take her out for a drink, which Missy had just laughed off in that way reporters could get away with. Though when he called and extended an invitation to a party this prestigious... well, who was she to say no? Even if it was at night and she preferred using her nights to lessen the vampire population of the city. It was, after all, far too high like every city's.
But tonight - for the first time in well over a year - Missy was not focusing on her night job. She was going to smile pretty and wear the goddamn pink dress (because no, black was so overdone at every New York function as evidenced at this one by all of the little black dresses that the women were wearing and then the black suits the men seemed so fond of) and mingle. Her accent did wonderful things for that, drawing people in because they were so curious about the foreigner. Unfortunately that included the man who had invited her and it took a solid half hour before Missy was able to plead the need for some air and slip outside, informing him that no really, she was fine on her own.
On her way out she accepted a glass from a passing tray, sipping at it and nodding at someone she vaguely recognized before stepping out onto the balcony. Now this was the sort of place that she wanted to live in. With a lovely view of the city, all the lights sparkling like little diamonds. New York actually looked beautiful from up here. Turning a little she leaned against the rail and watched the people inside the party. Maybe there was a good story in there. Oh my god, that's working too! Get your head out of the game, shiela, for one night. Not that hard. Was that a woman with a tattoo all over her her? Huh... now that was intriguing.
The vampire was in the middle of chatting it up with some top notch banker, though was losing her interest rapidly due to the fact it was... well, a guy. Men always had to be running the show in business and it disgusted Nikita. And the way he was looking at her? Oh no, don't even think about it. You're about half my real age and if you look past my neck again, I'm shoving this glass down your throat. Disgusting creatures. Now was a good time to excuse herself from the pig, though she knew she couldn't be abrupt or else she would come off as rude.
It was then that she caught eye of the blonde in pink that came on out, and Nikita instantly raised an eyebrow at her. Blonde hair, just like Katia. Though this one seemed far more relaxed compared to her sire. She didn't bother to listen to the banker any longer, knowing that he really wasn't that major of an asset to have up her sleeve, and instead excused herself so she could catch up with an "old friend." That worked every time. One would think people would figure it out after a while. Walking away from him, Nikita rolled her eyes in disgust and walk on over to the blonde to indulge her sense with a female instead of a filthy beast.
"My my, aren't you the colorful lady this evening," Nikita spoke, her accent rich as she gave a soft smile. "I have to say, it's a nice change in the monotone, black palette that this place is so addicted to. Looks well on you." And it did. Nikita even took the liberty to scan her turquoise eyes over the woman's form briefly before returning them to eye level.
Missy's eyes had wandered off to take in a conversation between what appeared to be a husband and wife by the way they were speaking, the look in their eyes. But a closer look would show that while she was wearing a wedding band, he was not, and he was also a notorious bachelor if Missy's memory served correctly. Which usually it did. A reporter with a poor memory was not one who got the jobs that they wanted after all.
Amused with herself, Missy was sipping at her drink when she heard the most peculiar accent. Swallowing, she turned her head and realized that it was the woman with the tattoo on her arm. Russian, Missy decided after the second sentence. Not once in her life had she dealt with a Russian but her gift for determining where accents came from was flawless. Even if there was something the slightest off about this, almost as though it were older than it should be. I promised that I wouldn't analyze every person that came up to me. Besides, she's pretty! Not that hard to be a regular person for awhile.
"I've never really been one to follow the crowd when it comes to what I wear," Missy replied with a smile. In fact she would have been more comfortable in jeans and a nice shirt, but her boss would have pitched a complete fit if she ever caught word of Missy going to a party dressed like that. The fingers of her free hand smoothed down over the material to rid it of any imagined wrinkles, not wanting the Russian with the lovely eyes - turquoise? I haven't seen eyes like that before - to find a flaw with her appearance. Hopefully that flower pin in her hair that little Kristen had waved at her was still sticking right. "You have quite the lovely tattoo, I was actually admiring it a moment ago." Lifting her hand up, Missy extended it for the proper greeting. "Missy Peloe."
The blonde's accent - Missy, that's what her name was - wasn't one Nikita had heard of before. She was used to European and Asian dialects and not... whatever this was. Still, it was intriguing and held the vampire's interest that much long. Apparently the foreign girls had to stick together. Why not? Everyone else there was some stuck up snob for the upper east side and thought they were walking on water. It made Nikita rolled her eyes, though she had to keep a straight face and not drop her cover. Bad idea right there.
"Oh, why thank you!" She replied with a soft smile, minding her fangs as always before lifting up her arm to show it off some more. "Everyone here is so dingy and looks down on it. I say to hell with them. They don't have good taste anyways." Then she eyed Missy's hand, hesitant for all of two seconds and then reached out to shake her hand. The middle of spring meant the temperature rose up, but the night times were still cool, so she figured she could get away with being a bit chilly. No one else seemed to care. Either way, she kept her grip light and brief, not wanting to tip off too much that she wasn't human. Not that anyone would actually know the difference at the party. Everyone was too caught in their own awesomeness to care about Nikita and what she was, which made it that much more perfect. "Nikita Vostrikova. Pleasure to meet you, darling. So, dare I ask what brings you here this evening?"
Stepping forward a little, Missy studied the tattoo with a smile. It was quite interesting, actually, and she was not sure that she had seen another one like it. Or that she would again. I wonder if it means anything. Didn't most tattoos though? People got them to represent things, not just because they were pretty. Especially if they were going to go around flaunting them like this Nikita seemed to be doing so happily. At least I was right about the accent. Doubt there's a more Russian name out there than hers. The fact that she hesitated before accepting Missy's hand was a touch odd though. Maybe it was a Russian thing? And she's cold. Oh my god, no, she's just chilled. We're outside in the spring - stop thinking so much!
"Terribly dull, but that's what all these parties are like here in New York. People more interested in their own names than what yours might be." Another reason why she did not like attending. They made her dress up and none of the people were worth the effort. Though Nikita was definitely different, with the Russian accent and the tattoo. "I came because it's a good way to get to know people. Mix and mingle... not that I'm doing all that good of a job of it." Her grin was sheepish as she sipped at her drink. Although maybe Nikita was a big name and this counted for her boss. She was going to have to research that a bit when she went home. "I'm a reporter for Channel Three so it never hurts to have a few more connections. I've never heard anything about you though and I'd definitely remember if I had with a name like yours. Are you new to the city?"
These kind of parties were always good for mixing and mingling, usually for contacts and networking and what not. Nikita was always for more clients and contacts under her belt, both legally and illegally. Could never had enough of both. Sadly, Nikita wasn't sure why exactly a new reporter would want a shotgun, so there went that thought out the window. At least the blonde was visually appealing and her accent fascinated Nikita just as much.
"Darling, my name is the most important one here, what are you talking about?" She let out a teasing laugh after she spoke sarcastically. In her mind, she did think she was rather important there, being a crimelord and all. She probably had more money than half of the people in that area put together. Seriously, last year Prada shoes? That just showed someone's financial status for sure. "I'm in the real estate business, primarily property owning. I'm a landlord of several building complexes on the upper east side, so if you see some luxurious penthouse, chances are that I own it." After a small, toothless smirk, she pretended to take a sip on her drink before going on. "Though I have to say, you have the most interesting job out of everyone here. The whole rest of this party is filled with millionaires of some sort with dollar bills shoved up their asses, but you seem far more grounded. Or maybe it's the pink dress?" She quirked an eyebrow up with a smile, completely unashamed of flirting with Missy. The woman was hot, she deserved a little attention and appreciation!
Missy allowed herself an amused smile at Nikita's little joke. Though someone who was into real estate was always worth befriending. Sometimes they would let little tidbits slip about their tenants. High end penthouses on the east side? Definitely home to some people who Missy would not mind listening in on or hearing about. Which ones came and went when and - oh stop that! This isn't about digging I'm supposed to be enjoying myself. Her idea of enjoyment could just so happen to include researching into possibly worthwhile contacts.
"I've seen some of those penthouses, they're very lovely." Is she flirting with me? She sipped at her drink again, smiling over the edge because really she had not paid attention to practically anyone since leaving Australia several years prior. Nor had someone who actually looked worth her time flirt with her. "But surely it's the pink dress." Grinning now, Missy handed her empty glass to a passing server and placed one hand on her hip, taking on that slightly haughty air that practically every woman at the party gave off without even trying. "Even looking and talking like them-" Her voice took on that high end Brooklyn accent and oh she hated hearing herself like that "-I'd still stand out, don't you think? Just like you do with those eyes. I've never seen a color like that before outside of the ocean."
Oh yeah, Nikita was definitely into the whole knowing about her tenants. When running an operation like that in New York City, she kind of had to. It helped that many of the rich people living in her buildings had ties to illegal affairs, because who didn't with that much money? It was a win-win in her book and she was sure as hell going to keep it that way. At least it impressed Missy enough to receive a compliment about them. Nikita was always for being told how fabulous she was, even her eyes. If Nikita could blush, she would have been all over that, but instead she looked away shyly, placing a hand over her cheek in her coy state before looking back to Missy.
"You're too kind. Honestly, darling!" She did get the whole thing about her eyes a lot, because it was such a vivid, unique color. Made her more memorable in her mind. At least Missy enjoyed looking at them, because Nikita was having just as much fun looking into her eyes. "And I'm starting to think it's not just the dress that's making you stand out, but just you yourself. Definitely owning that material, if I do say so myself." Maybe it was the accent or that playful smile of hers. Nikita was sure, but she liked it. Nothing wrong with flirting, especially with a gorgeous woman. "I'm sorry, I've lost my train of thought. We were talking about being new here, yes?" Something like that? Damn lovely eyecandy distracting her.
Missy smiled to herself when Nikita reacted in a shy fashion. Flirting could go terribly wrong in this setting, a little risk that maybe was not worth taking... except if was right now. Besides, someone with eyes that color was sort of worth at least a try. A distracting bit of a try because Missy found her thoughts wondering off of the other people at the party. She was not supposed to be here to flirt but to forge contacts that could come in handy at later dates when she had to set up interviews or get an inside scoop. She's a worthwhile one! Landlord of high end flats can get me more information than half of the people in this room.
"Now you're the one being too kind," Missy laughed, feeling her cheeks heat up a little. The reporter had received her fair share of compliments since coming to the states but they were usually not wanted and definitely not appreciated. Coming from Nikita they all sounded nicer, maybe it was the accent? Or the fact that she was pretty herself... hmmm... "Yeah, I think that was it. You're new and I'm new and we just happened to bump into each other. Isn't that odd?" Stranger things had happened, but Missy was not one to pass up on an opportunity. "Maybe this means that we're supposed to get along with each other. I certainly wouldn't mind hearing more about the property business even if I can't contribute to the conversation that much. I'm a very good listener." Duh, she was a reporter. Reporters who did not learn how to listen were reporters who did not get very get jobs. Anyone who thought it was just about talking was dead wrong.
Definitely odd that the two foreigners would bump into each other and hit it off. Not that Nikita was complaining one bit. "Don't mind getting along at all. If anything, I encourage it." Having a reporter would be lovely to have under her belt. How she could twist that to her advantage was beyond her, but Nikita always figured it out to her benefit. "And the property business here is fabulous, especially in anything high-luxury. So many people here are willing to spend millions on a flat that they'll live in for several months before going to a different city. It's like money doesn't even exist! I had one client buy a penthouse for his daughter for her sweet sixteenth. Sixteen! Can you even imagine?" Rolling her eyes with a chuckle, Nikita went on. "I didn't have that type of luxury when growing up at all, I don't know about you. I had to work hard to get where I am today. All these pesky brats just being handed everything on a silver platter. I bet if you threw them into the working world they wouldn't survive for an hour."
Oh good, Nikita liked that they were getting along. She even carried on for a bit about one of her clients and a situation that Missy raised an eyebrow at. A penthouse for a sixteen-year-old was just ridiculous. When she was sixteen there was no way she would have even wanted to move out of the house, much less into a place on her own. "Oh no," Missy denied with a shake of her head. "My family was way more modest than that, I shared a room with my sister until I went to uni." And now she shared a one-bedroom apartment with the younger one. Which she was actually also completely okay with, not wanting to be separated from Kristen anymore than she had to be so soon after that whole... problem. And the pull-out that she slept on was not really all that bad. Would be nice to have a nicer place, but definitely none of the places Nikita owns if she sells penthouses off to billionaires. "Totally right though, most kids who get to uni don't even know how to do their own laundry or feed themselves! Had a roommate who flooded the washer because she dumped the whole container of suds right in. Only reason she didn't starve was because she knew how to use the mobile."
Missy's story about her roommate was quite entertaining, right to the point that Nikita had to hold her glass up to her face while she laughed to hide her fangs. People couldn't find out what she was and live to tell about it. Those who discovered her vampiric traits quickly died after, and she was in no mood to kill off Missy. The lovely blonde was too lovely to off right then. "You sound like you have your head on straight, compared to the rest." Hell, even Nikita knew how to work a dishwasher and she truly didn't need to know. "Finding people with common sense is a rarity these days, I swear. I can't tell you how many times I receive calls because one of my tenants did something stupid again, like light the stove on fire... somehow. I should have you living in one of my spaces. Would be a such a pleasure. Are you living alone, darling?" Not that it entirely mattered, but Nikita was hoping there wasn't a boyfriend involved or something. They could be disposed of quickly, though. No worries about that. Wouldn't be the first time.
Look at that she had already made the Russian with the pretty eyes laugh. Missy gave herself a pat on the back for that while making a mental note that Nikita either had a sense of humor or was just laughing because she thought she was lovely. Actually, either one of those is aces. "Well, not technically," Missy replied. If only adults were being counted then yes she was on her own and had been for awhile, but taking her sister into consideration made that a definite no. "I have a little sister, she's seven, and I've been taking care of her since our parents died. Just the two of us for a good while now." Slaughtered, not just dead, slaughtered. Missy had to shake that thought off before it took hold because then she would be absolutely no fun for the night and really, she wanted to enjoy Nikita's company. "But she's not a problem or anything, delightful little shiela, really. Not that it matters much because Nikita, I couldn't afford to live in one of the buildings you own if I made three times what I do right now." Not that she was complaining or anything. Oh sure it would have been nice to live somewhere all posh and fancy, but her and Kristen got along just fine.
She had a sister? A little one!? Nikita gasped lightly, completely ignoring the rest of Missy's words, because holy crap, she had a kid sister and Nikita loved kids. Part of it was thanks to the fact she could never have kids of her own and thus fell back on smothering everyone else's kid with affection. Then again, regardless if she was fertile or not as a human didn't matter anymore. Vampires didn't work that way. Ever. "You have a sister?" Nikita squeed with a smile. "Oh, that's adorable! How sweet of you to be looking after her. I don't know too many people in this day and age who would do such a thing. Most parents just win their children's affection through money, same with the siblings. Great to hear you two get along! I'd love to meet her one day." Then she paused and relapsed back to reality when she realized she confessed that. With a giddy giggle, she shook her head and went on. "Sorry, don't mean to be getting ahead of myself. I just love children. Always put a smile on my face."
Wow. Missy had gotten a lot of different reactions when people found out that she was the one looking after her little sister after their parents death, but this was probably the most positive by far. Nikita actually seemed delighted by this bit of news, even going so far as to call it adorable and sweet and saying that she would love to meet her one day. Oh, someone's ahead of herself. But Missy did not mind at all. Someone who was not freaked out by the fact that she, essentially, had a child and happened to be gorgeous with eyes to die for was, well, rather nice. "Nothing else I could do, she needed to be raised and I'd rather do it then see her in the system with someone whose not family. My sister, my responsibility and I never regretted it." She adored Kristen and since they were the last remaining members of the family it only made sense for them to stick together. "And I don't mind, really, most people get nervous about it and find a reason to excuse themselves at this point in the conversation. Maybe someday you'll meet her, if things go well." A little smile. "I'm sure she'd love you. Especially with that accent."
Hearing Missy talk about the little one made Nikita's eyes sparkle up with joy. Part of her was envious that Missy got to live with a child and take care of her, but the other part was happy that Missy was completely dedicated to her. That was a rare trait these days. "Nervous about a child? Never. Anyone who gets squeamish over something like that should be shot, if you ask me. It's a child!" And knowing Nikita, she probably would shoot them. "I would love to meet her someday. I'm sure if she's with you than she must be just as charming as her older sister." A smile tug on her lips as she feigned another sip of her drink. "Actually, if you ask me, thing are already going well right now. Well enough that I think you and I should have a little rendezvous outside of this whole stuck-up party stint. What do you say?" Was a bit of ballsy move on Nikita's part, but she was enjoying Missy's company far too much to pass her up. Just as long as they didn't meet up for coffee or dinner or anything that involved something she couldn't do.
"I like how you think." A bit of an extreme view to take, but Missy found herself agreeing. Once upon a time - or actually not that long ago, it had only been in college - she had been certain that she would never want to deal with a young child and raising then. But now that she had Kristen she could not imagine her life any other way. Yes I could. A happy one back in Australia with the whole family still alive. Damnit, again, she was trying to be happy and with Nikita there it was relatively easy to shrug off the thoughts about her family when Nikita called her charming. Then she made it even better by asking her out. Because that was her getting asked out, right? That had seriously just happened? The woman with beautiful eyes who was not afraid at all to show off her tattoos, had a Russian accent and liked kids was asking her out? It must have been her lucky night and Missy felt her cheeks heating up a little as she nodded, smiling in a way that she knew had to look idiotic. "I'd actually love that. Somewhere we don't have to dress up and can just have fun. I'm game for anything I don't have to be in a dress for if you've got a suggestion."
Looked like Missy was all for another meet up, which made Nikita just that much happier. It was easier these days to hook up with a woman than it was a hundred years ago. Far more acceptable in modern standards, but some people still managed to be put off by it. Oh well, their lose in Nikita's eyes. If Missy didn't mind, then vampire was going to take full advantage of this situation. "Excellent! Let me give you my card..." Placing her drink off to the side on a nearby table, she pulled up her wristlet to search for her business card amongst her makeup, cash, and cellphone. "Ah, here we go." As she fished out one of the sleek cards and handed it to Missy. "Has my life story right there," she joked with a giggle. And it was true to some extent. Had her name, various numbers, email, and even business information. Granted she had another set of information for those who were into the illegal side of business, but she wasn't going to get into that with Missy... yet. "I have a few places in mind. A bit more low key than all of these nonsense. Do you like music at all? I know a few lounges in the area that offer just that in a more intimate setting."
This was quite possibly the most delightful turn of events that Missy had ever experienced. She went from thinking that this party was the most dull thing that she had been to in her life to being beyond delighted because this lovely Russian woman had taken an interest in her. "Wow, very impressive card," Missy said, meaning it as her eyes scanned over the numbers and information that was there. So that's how you spell Vostrikova. Interesting. Definitely won't have a problem getting hold of her anytime soon. "An intimate music lounge sounds quite nice, been awhile since I've gone somewhere like that with such a lovely woman." Normally it was movie theaters with a messy faced seven-year-old that earned her getting flirted with desperate middle-aged men she would never have an interest in. Nikita was a completely different story. "Just give me a time and a place and you have my word I'll be there." Like she would risk standing up someone who wore a dress like that and had eyes in a shade of turquoise she had never seen before. Missy was not an idiot.
It was delightful to hear that Missy was interested in another meeting between the two. Perhaps it was enough to call it a date? Nikita hadn't been on one of those in what felt like forever. She had always been busy with her own work that she never bothered with personal affairs like that, though Missy was too good to pass up. "Perhaps next week sometime? Around 9pm? That's when this city comes to life, after all. Does that sound good to you, darling?" Hopefully it did. Thus far, she and the blonde were getting along miraculously well and Nikita was enjoying her company far more than the other crumby people that were frequenting the party that evening. Part of her wanted to spend the rest of the night talking to her, but Nikita did have to make the rounds and spread the word about herself to others. Wouldn't be making an appearance if she only stayed with one person. Such a shame, too, but that was how business always worked out.
Nine pm. By then Kristen would be long since asleep and therefore she could leave her with a baby-sitter without her going through that whole mess. Her little sister was afraid of the dark and Missy hated leaving her alone for it. This little party was one thing, a date something completely else. If it's even really a date... well, it'd be worth it. "Nine would work for me," Missy agreed with a smile. Not only would Kristen be asleep but all of her work for the day would be done since she never did the night news. "You let me know the date so that I can get a baby-sitter for my sister and I'll be there." On time and everything. But nowhere near this dressed up. God no. "But I suppose... that someone so important as you has other people you've got to talk with. Way more important than a reporter who hasn't even dug for a story." Damn, my boss is going to kill me.
"I'll give you a call," Nikita reassured Missy. Did she even get the blonde's number? She couldn't remember, nor did it really matter. Nikita had all sorts of contacts in the area and could easily find the woman's phone number in an instance. It was going to take longer to reserve some seating at a high-end lounge than it was to find Missy's number. "And trust me, I truly don't have anyone else important to talk to, but I must keep up appearance, you know?" She rolled her eyes a bit, hoping that Missy would understand that sentiment. As the vampire reached on over to her glass to pick back up against, she nodded to Missy with an adoring smile. "Such a delight to meet you this evening. I look forward to seeing you again, Missy. Enjoy the rest of your night, darling." And with that, Nikita spun on her heel and walked on off. She hadn't even gone two steps before bumping into someone who recognized her, instantly striking up a conversation. Of course the vampire smiled and went along with it, rather annoyed that she couldn't have some alone time to savor the afterglow of talking with the lovely blonde. On and off she glanced over her shoulder to catch sight of Missy, finding herself smiling even more at the beauty before her. Nikita swore that if she was still alive then she would have been blushing that very moment. Then the whole party would have been poking fun at her for being lobster red. Maybe she was better off being a vampire in that case.