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Azula burns bright (bornoffire) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2015-04-16 18:26:00

Besides horses, is there anything you...
who: Azula and Contessa (death)
What: Hiring muscle, mild flirting
When: Recent
Where: steakhouse
Status: complete
Rating: PG-13


Zuko was usually the one to make an appearance at the restaurant, but Azula curious about this person she’d spoken to. It was hard to get a read on the internet, but her gut was telling her it might be worth getting to know her. So she stopped by in the hopes of catching her, wearing a red blouse unbuttoned dangerously low, and dark dress slacks to round it off.

Death had stopped in like she'd said she would. A little name dropping got her settled nicely for the night. She had just ordered, and was watching the people around her like a cat eying prey. She'd decked out in a probably expensive dress that hugged her curves, and one she'd probably not paid for. Her dark hair was curled and pulled back in a half pony tail, a pair of simple diamond.earrings glittering in her ears. She was easy to spot, at least when she was trying to be.


After the woman was sufficiently through her meal (and giving Azula lots of time to observe) she slipped into the booth opposite, folding her hands on the table and smiling. It was the smile of someone used to command and control. It was an almost cruel one. “Enjoying your meal?”

Contessa brushed a curl off her shoulder and gave Azula a once over. Then a slow smile curled those lips. “One of the best steaks I’ve ever had.” honest review. She couldn’t say best meal, because she’d eaten in some of the best places in France (thanks mom!) but this was at the top of her list for places in America. She wasn’t phased by the cruel look, Tess has seen worse.

“I’ll send your compliments to the chef.” She leaned forward, bangs swaying as she gave Contessa an openly admiring once over. “I’m Azula.”

“That would be wonderful.” she said as she looked up at Azula, she simply basked in the gaze, neither inviting it, nor denying it, merely soaked it up. Contessa was used to being looked at, and it made her smile, a little wicked thing. “I am Contessa, it is my pleasure, Azula.” she said, a slight purr to her tone of voice.

Oh. Now this was nice. Azula’s smile became regal. “You said you were new around here. What do you do for a living?”

Contessa settled back and regarded the woman with a light smile. “Former Army medic, decided to follow my mother’s footsteps and train world class show jumpers and ride when I feel like it.” there was a smile that said that she probably didn’t just do that, though. A glint in the eye.

“Riding. I haven’t been on a horse in a year or more.” And she hadn’t yet gotten the courage to ride her Mongoose Lizard. Not that she was afraid, but it was a Mongoose Lizard. She was still trying to get used to the idea. “Is that all you do? You strike me as someone who likes a little more excitement.”

Death just smiled gently. “Of course not, riding is fun and all, and I can make a decent paycheck teaching brats to ride, when I’m not showing myself, but no. It’s not all I do.” a slow shrug of one shoulder as she smiled wickedly. “You should come by, then, I have a barn full and sometimes I really could do with company less … ah spoiled five year old, if you know what I mean.”

“That sounds like an offer I’d like to take you up. Though I’d like to avoid the spoiled five year olds.” Azula glanced at her nails. “I deal with children enough with my older brother.”

Contessa grinned a touch. “Easy enough, during school hours there’s no spoiled five year olds running around.” she smiled a bit. “I’d be happy to have you up.”

Azula chuckled. “Pity it’s already too late, isn’t it? Besides horses, is there anything you.. like to do?” It almost sounded like she was flirting.

“This is California, dear, it’s never too late. A land of overwhelming wealth provides me with only the best in stable accommodations.” she curled her lips into a grin. “There are plenty of things I like to do. I was in the army, in an attempt to cure some misguided youth issues.” which, with that grin, never got fixed.

“Night riding, now that sounds fun.” Azula shifted in her seat, just ever so slightly. “Misguided youth issues? Were you a bad girl, Contessa?” From her tone, it seemed like she liked bad girls.

She laughed softly. "Might have been. Might be one reason my family moved from France when I.was a teenager. Might be one reason I joined the Army, tried to clean up myact."

“It sounds like you might still be a little dirty.” Azula tapped her finger against her chin. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

An innocent smile. "Maybe just a little." She grinned and sipped from her glass. "I've grown quite content with that."

“Would you like to get your hands a little dirty?” Azula pouted her lip, looking at Contessa through her lashes. She had a confident smirk on her face.

“I don’t mind a little dirt on my hands.” she replied with a brow arched gently upwards.

Azula smiled knowingly. “Still got a little bit of that bad girl in you?”

“Quite possibly, quite possibly.” she mused thoughtfully.

“Enough of that bad girl, to maybe do some bad things for a very handsome paycheck?”

“Perhaps this is a topic best suited for a place more private?” she asked with a brow arched, and a curl of her lips to indicate that, yes yes she was.

Azula smirked back. “The VIP lounge is free. We can discuss more… private matters, in there.”

She smiled then, a wicked little thing. "Lead on, then. I'm all kinds of intrigued." Contessa got to her feet and waited for Azula.

The firebender got to her feet, leading Contessa through the back and into the VIP section. She locked the door behind them, turning and looking Contessa up and down. She honestly wasn’t sure if she wanted her for business or pleasure.

Contessa moved lightly on her feet, she didn’t look concerned or even wary, but she knew where she could move if she needed to. Dark eyes watched the woman with a half smile curling her lips. She was amused that getting herself into some trouble making fun hadn’t taken that long since she arrived.

“What’s your opinion on pain?” Azula said, sweetly.

“Interesting question.” she mused for a moment then smiled gently. “I’m a rather big fan of dishing it out.” simple answer.

“Would you like a direction to dish it out in? There are those who… get in the way of things that are important to me.” People who don’t pay for protection. Rival gangs. Among others.

Contessa leaned back to watch her for a moment. “Not a cop out to bust someone who admits to liking to hurt people?” she said smoothly, a hand raised to forestall any arguing. “Just curious how I can trust you’re legit, and I know it goes both ways.”

Azula smiled, then rolled up her sleeve to display the flame tattoo on her shoulder. “Fire Nation triad.”

Then she held up her hand, blue flame illuminating their faces. “Literally.”

Contessa leaned back and smiled a bit. Fascinating. “Well I suppose then I have nothing worry about in that regard.” She canted her head to the side and smiled ever so sweetly. “I’d offer to put you in touch with my past… ah clients but if they don’t use me regularly, I don’t keep track of them, safer that way you see.”

“I like that. That is very smart.” She waved her hand and the flame went out. “It is best if none of this is tracked back to us. I can give you a drop location. It will occasionally have targets. And money. Quite a bit of it.”

Contessa couldn’t stop grinning. She hadn’t hoped to be back to work, as it were, so soon. “Well it wouldn’t do for an army member to be found to be working on the side in rather illegal activities.” she licked her lips with a grin.

“I’ve heard nothing,” Azula said, stepping closer and peering at Contessa with a secret smile.

Contessa lifted her chin just a little, and smiled a devious little smile. She felt better about the move now. This place would be good for her, she could tell.