War of the Ruins: Chapter One

In the center of St. Louis, a large club has its doors open, the loud music blaring from within. The music is popular dance music, if a little dark sounding. Two large, ebony-skinned guards stand on either side of a younger, very short female. She has a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other, her glasses sitting low on her nose. She is easily only three foot four with dark hair and eyes. She looks each person over before they enter the club.

Once within, one sees that this isn't the normal group of people within. Everyone, from the seemingly glowing band on the stage, the winged man up in the light board room, the ebony-skinned, the white haired woman wandering around with two short, stocky men flanking her, to the many hued and varied dancers on the floor all have oddities about them.



Coming down the stairs the led from her office, Mydra scanned the already half intoxicated customers. Clipboard in hand she made her way over to the bar and sat down on the very last stool. "How are things looking tonight, Mickey?" In the middle of washing a glass, the bartender made his way over to her side of the counter and leaned an elbow on it. "Not bad. We haven't had any rough housing so hopefully that'll keep until daybreak. The bands bringing in the younger crowd but I don't think they'll last long." Mydra wrote down a few notes as she nodded her head. She could hear the band and they were good, for beginners, but in her club she needed more. "The two new bouncers seem like they can handle anything that thrown at them. Honestly, I'd keep em." Nodding again she jotted down a few more notes and grinned. "Thanks, Mickey, keep it under control alright?" The bartender nodded and moved away to take someones order. Mydra watched after the bartender and flashed a rare smile. She'd known him a long time. He was a drow himself so they were comfortable with each other. Normally the drow don't befriend others so as of right now, she'd just consider him the manager of her club. She flipped her long, white, braided hair over her shoulder to rest down her back. Glancing around she began to make her rounds.

Lucian stood in an upper window, a pair of large headphones over his ears as he danced along with the music. He waved at Mydra and a few others he knew from town. LC didn't really care much about the dancers or crowd, as lost in the music as he was. When the band hit a sour note, he cringed and hurried down the stairs to the soundboard, fixing the loose wire. He looked over at guitarist and gave him the thumbs-up. The musician nodded.

"What a lively crowd," Aure thought, even his mental voice bored as he lay on the bar. Well, not entirely. He had one arm folded with his face buried up to his nose behind it, his eyes peeking out to watch everyone while his other hand was just in front of his arm, playing with a glass of amber liquid. The Ankou's bright eyes slid away from the pulsing bodies and oddly tuned entertainment to the man moving about behind the bar. He had been nice, at least, providing glass after glass for the dark yet still some how shiny demon who sat under his care. If it weren't for the sharp, clear eyes peering over the dark sleeve of the jacket, it might appear that Aure was, indeed, drunk. If a keg of rum didn't do it, though, he doubted these glasses would.

Mydra raised a hand at Lucian and wandered back over to the bar. Mickey had her drink all ready, sitting in her usual spot at the end of the bar. Sitting down in her seat, Mydra picked up her glass and took a big swig. "The holiday weekend is going to be lots of fun..." Sarcasm dripped from her lips as she took another drink. It was the anniversary of the war, which everyone now considered a holiday. Turning the stool a bit she hiked up one leg, crossing it over the other. Doing so caused her trench coat to fall away from her leg, showing off plenty of her flesh. A few tables away, a group of young boys caught site of her and drooled over her muscularly sexy legs. A bouncer who was standing near by smacked them all on the back of the head. "Mind ya bizniz." The half giant wandered over to Mydra and nodded his head in respect. "Be awight if aye take ma break?" Nodding at the thick accent of the giant, Mydra waved over a second bouncer to patrol his area. "20 minutes." She called after the giant.

Finishing off his drink, Lucian bounced over to the bar, smiling at Mickey and dropping off his glass. "Another?" the bartender asked, already pulling out the bottles for the mixed drink. LC nodded at him. One of the men at the bar looked Lucian over, noting his boyish appearance and frowning. "Are you even old enough for that?" LC grinned at the human. "You are so dense," he said over the music as he picked up the drink and skipped up the bar a bit, moving towards the walls. He quickly jumped on a stool and grinned, his wings flexing slightly. Mickey walked over and dropped a straw in LC's glass, and Lucian's smile got wider. "Thanks!" He sipped at the drink, smiling as a few women waved at him.

Aure's eyes moved again, this time leaving the bartender to look at the woman at his end of the bar who had just sat down. She appeared to be important, possibly the owner? His thoughts didn't get much further as something brushed his fingers, attempting to take his empty brandy glass, then there was a thud. His eyes moved back to the space in front of him, void of anyone. Slowly, with the same bored expression, he stood from his seat, leaned over, and peeked at the floor behind the bar. There was Mickey, still as a stone. The ankou's expression changed, ever so slightly, and the word 'crap' etched into his features, cursing what just happened.

Lucian saw Mickey fall, but didn't see what happened. He jumped over the bar and felt the man's pulse quickly, then glanced around. Everyone was looking at him, but this was beyond him. Mydra would have to revive the man again later. He gestured at one of the bouncers to take Mickey, then looked at Mydra. "What now?" he asked quickly.

Mydra's eyes shot up to Aure. "Ever heard of the term, you break it, you buy it?" Standing slowly, her body moved elegantly over to the stranger. "Put on a club shirt, your the new bartender." Moving behind the counter she rummaged around a bit and found a club shirt. Throwing it at Aure she nodded. "Put it on. By the way, I'm Mydra, your new boss. We'll work on the complications later. For now just mix the drinks and hand them out. If you need help with a mix, just ask me." Mydra glanced over to the bouncers and nodded her head. "Keep an eye on things. I don't want anymore stupid things happening." 

Aure gave her a 'you've got to be kidding me' look, but went around the bar as she had where he took his coat and shirt off and tossed them under the bar before pulling on the club shirt. With sure hands he did the first drink ordered and his hand off the glass before the customer even started to reach for it. He didn't like people touching him, for obvious reasons. He looked at Mydra and raised an eyebrow, almost asking her 'is this good?'.

Lucian inched past Aure, giving him a thumbs-up. "Have fun," he said. He was glad Mydra didn't make him wear a club shirt. They would have to make it accommodate to his wings, and he was sure the shirt would be ruined. Lucian straightened his headphones, grabbed his drink, and headed back to the stairs. A woman approached him, asking for a dance, and he grinned and waved her off. He was glad no one here really knew who he was, otherwise they would probably mob him for dances. LC took the stairs three at a time and stood in the window again, his body moving to the music, his eyes watching the new guy downstairs and Mydra.

At the center of the dance floor a slim woman twirled and dipped to the tones of the band, eyes closed in ecstasy as the air around her seemed to freeze. Her skirt was trapped in a swirl around her and the slow motion was lit up with streaks of color from the glow sticks she wore. Glasica's paws thumped against the floor, the movement with the beat that made her shake with adrenaline. The small wings which previously were always folded tightly against her were outstretched, their two-foot wing span not being a hindrance, as they added to her strange dance even as she curved around in a complicated frolic. It was obvious she had no training, but the dance was simply a part of her being. The crowd let her have room, not out of fear of her colliding with them, however, quite the opposite. None wanted to stop the sphinx's trance.

Mydra rolled her eyes and watched her "new" bartender work. "Just don't fuck anything up. Steal from the till and I'll rip your heart out." Picking up her forgotten drink she took a long swig and sighed happily. Groaning out the sound of the horrible music, she moved across the room to the band. "Guy's, if you don't switch to a different beat, I'm throwing your ass out on the street." The lead singer stopped screaming into the mic and gaped at her. "Um, we don't know much else." Mydra shook her head and sighed. "Fine, keep playing, I'll think of something." Making her way back to the bar she looked the bartender over. "Know of any good musicians? Also, what is your name?" 

The new demon behind her bar had been wiping out a glass but looked at her when he was addressed, even if his hands didn't stop working. He just looked at her for a long moment, his face expressionless, as the time to answer her first question passed, then, when he should have answered the second, he simply said, "Aure," his voice low but clear. He pursed his lips and started to whistle then and even with the loud music, it was clear and echoed hauntingly as he continued to look right into Mydra's eyes, never blinking. Every note of the seemingly dark tune was pitch perfect. Everyone at the bar seemed to still and stare at the Ankou and, after a moment, he looked away from Mydra and simply went back to cleaning glasses. As if his ceasing was their cue, the patrons at the bar came back to their senses, some shaking their head a bit as if to clear it. When he got orders he made them, as if nothing had transpired out of the ordinary.

Lucian winced again as the band hit another sour note. He went downstairs and straight to Mydra. "Where did you find these guys?" His eyes traveled to the dance floor, looking at those who seemed to be enjoying the music. He shook his head, then looked pleadingly at Mydra. "Please, just this once," he begged, going back to an old discussion about letting him DJ at the club.

Aure's whistling was quite interesting and had a nice rhythm to it, almost a gothic tone. The reaction from the people at the bar to the sound was quite odd. At the question from Lucian Mydra's eyes turned cold momentarily before she calmed herself enough to turn to Lucian. "You know I don't approve of fake music. I like having live music and my customers enjoy it as well." With that she turned around and headed over to bouncer closest to the stage. "Send these guys home and bring out that girl of yours. We'll give her the night to sing, but she's too young to be performing in here. I just need to get these pieces of shits out of here." The bouncer nodded and turned to head back stage. Mydra climbed the steps of the stage and walked over to the mic. At the sight of her on stage the band quite playing, the lead singer moving out of her way. "Excuse me for a moment." Everyone's eyes were on her. Clearing her throat she continued. "There will be just a momentary pause in our music tonight as we bring a young lady onto the stage to give us a show. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. But please be patient." Turning back towards the band, her eyes harden. "You won't be getting your start in this club. Now pack up your things and get out."

Coming to a jerking halt, Glasica stood in place, watching what was happening with one claw clicking impatiently on the floor. When the band was told to get off stage she pouted, long lynx ears drooping. She shuffled off the dance floor on padded feet and folded her arms, clearly disappointed. So much for her night. Instead of leaving however she chose to take a drink and sat at a distant table alone.

One……two….three….letting go the arrow it soon hit it’s mark, Luna could not help but to smile. You still got it girl. Either from the elven blood running through her veins or the fact she bowed ever since she was three it still amazed to her that not only were most of the arrows accurate but her speed was improving. “I guess it’s time for a drink.” Luna lived in a 120 yard building for the bowing center down stairs as the second level of the building was 80 yards for the living area. Upon arriving up stairs Luna took out a red blouse from her closet, tight black jeans and her favorite black army boots. Luna took a quick shower, dressed quickly and applied makeup. She left her hair wet and down as she headed to the door. The walk to the bar was a couple of blocks from her place, the line to the club was noticeable a block from the doors. Luna put on her famous smile giving the big bouncer a wink which let her walk straight in. The place was quiet, noticing the band was kicked off, Luna went to the bar. In respect to the bartender she waited until he noticed the twenty dollar bill she had held up in the air.

Aure watched the show on stage with amusement in his eyes, even though he didn't smile. Once he had served the others at the bar, the went over to Luna and waited for her order. She clearly had his attention even if he didn't ask what she wanted. It took more time to respond this way than to the others who would simply call out something like 'bartender! margarita on the rocks!' or some other nonsense, but he didn't mind. He had responded fast enough that there was only the occasional order now and no longer a group of shouting patrons. While waiting on Luna his eyes glanced back up to the stage and, more specifically, Mydra. He wondered how good this new fill in would be, even if he didn't show it.

A young girl with glowing blue eyes come from behind stage. Crossing to the mic she looked out in the crowd. "Mydra could you come to the stage please?" With that she shut off the mic and waited by the bouncer, who just so happened to be her father, and waited. Mydra, who had been heading in the direction of the clubs front doors, turned on her heal and headed back to the stage. "Yes, Khrystal?" The girl leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "Can you front me a drink, I'm kind of nervous." Mydra looked the shaking elf over and nodded. Making her way over to the bar she slipped behind it and began making a nice drink, not to strong, just right for nerves. Looking up at Aure she watched him carefully.

Lucian bit his lip, too used to Mydra's views on his work to let it get to him. He had enough fans as it was. Picking up his headphones, he shook his head. Lucian felt that the owner too easily trusted people she didn't know. His wings unfurled slightly as he walked back to the stairs. He grinned at Khrystal, giving her two thumbs up before he disappeared up the stairs.

It was a long moment before Aure finally decided he should probably address her. "How young is she anyway?" he asked, his voice, heard properly for the first time, was warm and smooth and he nodded his chin to Khrystal, his eyes seeming to glow in the darkness of the club like so many glow sticks floating around the floor."

Mydra glanced over at Aure eyes sharp. "In our world, she's still considered 19, but in the human world, over 200." With that said she turned and headed back over to the stage. Glancing over at Lucian she growled as a sudden headache struck her. The couple sitting next to her gaped in fear. "Oh shut up." Her eyes softened just the slightest as she approached Khrystal. "Here ya go. Now, it's going to have a funky taste the first two swallows but after that you'll notice the tangy flavor. Now, if you'll excuse me, Lucian and I need to talk." Handing her clipboard the the bouncer closest to her, she indicated that he should follow her. Hurrying up the stairs after Lucian she growled when she caught sight of him. "Lucian, help?" With that she felt to the ground, passed out and sweating.

Lucian looked up from the light and sound board, his eyebrows raised in confusion. As Mydra fell, he swore loudly and hurried over to her. "Mydra?" He looked at the bouncer. "Get her into my chair!" After Mydra had been moved, LC grabbed his bottle of water and knelt down next to her. "Get downstairs and make sure everyone keeps working." The bouncer left. Lucian fully shifted to demon form, something he only allowed Mydra and a few others to see, which meant he could fully use his powers. "Too much fun," he said, his voice deeper. "You need to rest." Once he wiped all the sweat from her face, LC carefully got some liquid down her throat. "And drink less, I think."

Hearing his words she growled again. "I didn't drink that much, besides, it doesn't affect me like humans." Mydra flinched suddenly with the pain that pierced her forehead. "Ow..." Laying her head back against the chair she looked out the window and into her club. "What do you think of Aure? He owes me for killing my best bartender." Gritting her teeth in anger she clenched her fists tightly. Anger raised up in her, causing her head to hurt worse. "Fuck!"

“A Shirley Temple on the rock would you love?” Luna put down her twenty on a wet spot. Feeling bad, she dug into her pocket to grab a less wet twenty. Waiting was easy for her, it took years of practice for archery and for a drink it was not difficult either. The place was getting a little edgy for Luna’s liking as the crowd wanted live music, the arguments from the owner with the club army was making things even better. So sitting on her stool Luna kept quiet and waited for her drink.

Celtul walked into the bar wearing his normal street clothes, a plain white shirt, and black karate pants. His eyes quickly scanned the crowd then the bar, and finding an empty spot he walked over and sat in a bar stool, hanging one hand with a twenty in it off the other side of the bar.

Lucian put the bottle of water into her hands. "Yes, he does. I vote he works off his debt. But in the meantime you stay here, you'll be fine here. (The room is soundproof.) I'll go down and keep an eye on things." He quickly handed her an earpiece and radio the bouncers used. "If you need me, I'm on channel three." LC quickly let his demonic presence fade back into his 'street' appearance and looked Mydra in the eye. "Will you be okay?"

Aure held up to stop Luna. "Forget it," he assured her and took the wet twenty without question. A minute later, the distinct pink drink was sat in front of her. He turned to Celtul and took the money, standing ready to take his order. It was so much easier to just order first, but hey, if they were just going to hand it out, he'd take it. He glanced at his watch, a necessary item now that he wandered into the city. He still had time. He would have to warn Mydra he would have to leave though. He had another shift... elsewhere.

"Jack and coke, half and half please." Celtul glanced at the bartender, then scanned the rest of the bar again. Seeing that the band was packing their things up and leaving, he wondered if maybe he hadn't stepped into the wrong bar. He turned back to the bar and sat watching the bartender make his drink. The bar was pretty full and some people looked to be getting annoyed at the lack of music. It didn't matter either way to Celtul however, he was just here for a drink or two, maybe a conversation, then he was probably leaving.

Mydra rolled her eyes and stood. "I don't need to rest, I need to eat something and get the music going. Besides, you know I don't like people running my own show, it's boring and I think it looks kind of bad." Mydra stood and walked over to the stairway. Rubbing her eyes she made her way down the stairs. A bouncer by the name of Marius stood there waiting for her. He was her personal bodyguard, his family was having a few issues at the moment so he had come to work late. Mydra placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded. Looking over at the stage she caught Khrystal's eyes and nodded. At the moment, Khrystal began singing her heart out, captivating the customers. Moving over to the bar she sat down in her normal seat and ordered a big plate of beef La Choy. They had the best chief in the city and her food was out within seconds. She slowly began to eat.

Aure managed to get the dark drink on the bar before he decided now was probably the best time he would manage. As he walked to Mydra, snatching a couple bills and pulling beers up for the patrons in response as they asked for them. When he reached Mydra, he raised an eyebrow at her eating. "I'm sorry," he began. "But if you are open all night, you will need to find someone else to take over in a while."

Lucian watched Mydra carefully, making sure she made it to a seat without passing out. He then went down the stairs and onto the stage, picking up a guitar and joining Khrystal. He knew her music, and had set up the stage for her singing. He sat down on a stool, keeping one eye on Khrystal but still watching Mydra for any signs of trouble.

Mydra growled slightly and continued to eat. Finishing with her dinner she finally looked up at Aure and nodded. "Yeah sure, just as long as your back here tomorrow around...mmm 4:30. We'll talk about pay and shit then. I guess I'll have to call in a favor." Clearing her throat she handed her dirty dishes back through the window that led to the kitchen.

The drink was splendid leaving a tip in the tip jar Luna took her half full glass and began to make her way through the crowd towards a corner where she usually sat in the corner chair facing the door mostly alone in the dark. “I wonder if someone brave enough will keep my company or I will manage with my drink and the music.” With a sigh she twirled her finger around the edge of her glass waiting for something or someone fun to come along.

Celtul sat silently drinking his half and half, then the singing began. Her voice was pretty good, although he didn't recognize the tune. Then a short time after she began a guitar picked up, the chords matching the girls voice and words almost flawlessly. He turned on the bar stool and leaned back, his eyes on the stage. A young looking girl, and a male were sitting there, looking like they had done this same show time and time again.

Bored, Glasicayawned toothily and stood to stretch. The music was alright, but she preferred more rave music then this, so she stepped through the crowds and headed for the exit.

Lucian winked at Khrystal, and they both broke out into a sort of dance music fit. She was singing, her voice hitting notes in a sequence no human could match. LC's fingers flew over his guitar. He grinned as dancers took the floor once more.

Celtul grinned as the tempo of the music changed abruptly and drastically. People left the bar and headed to the dance floor, leaving him a bit more elbow room at the bar, where he decided to sit and scope out the crowd a bit, not to mention put down a couple more drinks, before attempting to dance.

Mydra made a quick walk through of the club once again and then decided she would head up into the office to check out some paper work. On her way up the stairs she heard noises coming from behind the door. Her eyes iced over before she entered the room. The sight of some guys ass, way up in the air, was the first thing she saw. "Excuse me! This is not a make out room! Now get the hell out of my office!" At the sound of her voice the couple scrambled to there feet, gathered there clothes and ran past her, down the stairs and straight onto the busy dance floor.

The couple that had ran through the dance floor pushed someone into Celtul, causing him to spill his drink on himself. He turned around and gave the couple a hard look, not that they noticed as busy as they were trying to find the door. He wiped what was left of the drink off himself with his hands, then turned back around. "So much for a dance, now I look and smell like a raging drunk...." After that, he took a five off the bar and held it out for another drink.

Celedona walked through the front doors, the bouncers giving her a kind smile and small nod. The couple trying to escape barrelled into Cici, knocking her to the ground, spilling her bag all over the floor. The younger looking girl quickly went about trying to pick up the pencils and notebooks that went strewn across the floor, crawling across until she picked up the last one, at the foot of a barstool where a man was sitting. His shirt was soaked and he was holding money in the air. Cici stood slowly, almost afraid to apologize. "I-I'm sorry..." she said quietly.

Lucian stood as his younger sister went flying. He almost went to help her, but knew she could handle herself. His immediate instinct was to go to her, but Cici would be angry if he did so.

Celtul glanced down to see a girl apologizing. He wondered briefly why she stuttered, then remembered that he was covered in alcohol. "It's not your fault, here let me help you up." He smiled and held out his hand.



War of the Ruins