Now that she was fully moved into Pax, Ariana had resolved to stop avoiding CASKET like the plague and step up to bat more directly, so to speak. It was about time she became a more common sight at the club, though Julian had always been the one that fulfilled the role of the dutiful, on location owner far better than she. Her feelings about the club as of late were bitter at best (a gross understatement), but the sight of the building before her nevertheless gave her a definite feeling of pride. CASKET had stayed prosperous all these years, almost like a testament to her sheer determination to do a damn good job and finish whatever she set out to do. Even if things had gone sour between her and Julian, the club hadn't suffered in the way their marriage had.
Stepping through the front door was like stepping back into the past, though the interior of CASKET looked nothing like it did in the beginning days. It was beautiful inside the building, for they'd spared no expense when it came to making sure the club was as inviting and comfortable as possible, with just the right accents of class and familiarity. People were meant to return multiple times, unable to get enough of the atmosphere of the place, the liquor selection, and the live entertainment. They'd tell their friends about CASKET, and those friends would in turn tell their friends. Julian never failed to pull the right strings, knowing exactly how to turn a difficult deal in his favor, enabling the club to always have the best of whatever was available. And Ariana had handled things in her particular manner, effortlessly keeping track of their finances, ensuring there was always enough spending money to acquire those wonderful things that would boost CASKET'S popularity level.
But the club wasn't her life as it was Julian's. It never had been, and it never would be.
She cast her gaze at the girl tending to bar duties, who had greeted her a bit rudely. Ariana didn't recognize her, but how could she have? The last time she'd chosen to have a say in who was hired had been far too long ago. The girl was certainly a hand-picked hire of Julian's, and if her husband was anything, he was good judge of character--she wouldn't have been hired just for her next door girl looks, but for her talent at bartending and compatibility with the patrons of CASKET. Though Ariana wouldn't doubt Julian's decision, she was curious about the girl nonetheless. CASKET'S door had closed behind her before Ariana addressed the bartender's statement.
"Oh, I know when CASKET opens for business," Ariana said with a little smile. "I'm afraid we haven't met." She made her way to the bar, her black heels clicking on the floor tiles. She'd dressed impeccably for this occasion in a neatly ironed, classic black skirt and a white blouse. With her make-up carefully applied and her hair brushed out so that it fell neatly down her shoulders and back, she easily could have been just another patron of the club, dressed in a semi business casual manner, out looking for a good time and even better drinks. "I'm Ariana Veilleux," she revealed in a pleasant tone, though she took care to put extra emphasis on her married name. "And I happen to be your other boss, considering I own half of this place. You are...?"