In the dark ~ Cetas

Cetas was the type of guy who'd always spend his evenings at some bar or some club, not because he particulary liked it, but because it was mostly required of him. Even though he wasnt directly working under his brother, he still had to pull his fair share of keeping the business going, and by keeping the business going, his brother meant making sure that the dealers were selling. He sat at the bar, downing a couple of whiskeys like water, but it wasnt like liquor worked on him like it worked on the mortals among him. He had watched humans go wild on the amount he had had in a few seconds and yet he sat here and felt a small tingle in his fingers. He sighed as he turned on the barstool to move his mind on something a little more interesting.
His eyes fell upon a pretty girl in the corner, her white dress making her stand out like an annoyance in the eye if he wasnt looking directly at her. Just by watching her, he could feel the shine of purity and it made him wonder how someone of such goodness could end up in a place this grim. Southside wasnt for the pure of hearts, and yet she was here. He found it more intriguing than anything and seeing that he didnt have much to do, he took the opportunity. He got to his feet as he moved over to her like a predator chasing it's prey, yet he wasnt going to pounce - Just yet. He turned to the bar as he stood next to her, smiling a little as he tapped for the bartender to fetch him some more whiskey. "People dont usually wear white around here, it makes them stand out like the odd one in the crowd," he said without looking at her, keeping a warm smile on his lips as he watched the different kinds of liquors on the shelfs in front of them. "Tell me, what do a pretty girl in white like to drink?" he asked, as he slowly moved his head to look at her, to see all those pretty features that she bore up all that closer.

His whiskey was served rather quick to his own delight, so while he reached out to grab the glass, his eyes may have been on his hand but his focus was far from staring at himself fetch that glass. No - He was observing her, watching her ponder on what to drink. So she clearly wasnt someone who went out clubbing that often and he made sure to make a mental note of that as he took a sip of his whiskey, feeling the burn spread on the inside of his mouth before swallowing to feel the burn move down his throat. Her words confirmed his suspicion and made him chuckle as he felt her being as open as a book when it came to her lack of... Well, the night life in the dark part of town. "If you're not used to the taste of liquor, I'd suggest something mild like a mixed drink," he said as he turned his body to look at her, analyzing her face like he was thinking of something particular. "You look like a person that would love a strawberry daiquiri," he concluded before he tapped for the bartender and made the order for her. He shook his hand at her in case she wanted to pay for her own drink, "It's on me," he'd add to his hand gesture.
She spoke of white and women and her words made him smile as he looked back at his drink, turning it in his hand as he gave it a thought, "It's also a symbol of purity. That's why women typically wear it at weddings, so the world can see their innocence," he pondered as he took another sip of his whiskey, this time he didnt let it stay in his mouth. He drew in a breath through his mouth, not looking at her, "But wearing white at a bar. If your white shine piss off the wrong girl with a drink in her hand, I doubt you'd be white for long," he said as he send her a small smile. He could have gone full charmer to see where it would lead, but for some reason he wanted to know more before making a decision.

"It sure is. But you dont know my intentions," he said to her gratitude, though he wasnt going to sit here and lie to her. He didnt even really know his own intentions, other than seeing where this could lead, but he knew how most men worked. "I thought every mother made sure to let their little girl know: When a man buy you a drink, you should mostly assume that he expects something in return. A favor for a favor, so to say," he said, knowing from the way she seemed to be so visibly shy and careful that she most probably hadnt gotten a lot of drinks, not in here at least. Her words made him raise his eyebrows a little as he made a few agreeing nods, "I can assure you that a lot of women lack innocence," he said with a smile as he took another sip of his whiskey.
The drink arrived and Cetas looked at it for a bit before he clicked his teeth. Her words made him shake his head, "I could make a better one," he said in a slight mumble before he looked at her. He had expected her to pull a grimace at the taste of alcohol, but it was a pleasant surprise to see that she was accustomed to the taste. "Cetas. Cetas Prideux," he said, not afraid at all to flaunt the family in this dark place. He noticed a few eyes on him after his introduction, finishing his whiskey as he looked at her, "You gonna give me yours, or do I have to find a cute lil' nickname for ya?" he asked, flashing a smile as he placed his elbow on the bar to rest his head in his hand.

He shook his head as she asked him what he wanted in return. It was a rather blunt question, but he liked it - It showed that she wasnt afraid of what he might ask. "I dont want anything, for now," he said with a small smirk. He wasnt going to start asking things of her, when he wasnt even really sure what he wanted yet. His crude side was begging for the indigestion of her soul that seemed so pure, but his mind was telling him to wait and see what was to happen.
He knew his name wasnt exactly that common, but it wasnt like he had ever questioned why. Her question made him shrug, "My parents probably know. I have no fucking idea," he said with a chuckle as he finished his whiskey, placing the glass where the bartender could take it away when he was going to pass. He looked at her with a little confusion in his eyes as she seemed to go silent as he had asked for her name, wondering if he said something wrong. People were whispering but he didnt really care, they could whisper all they wanted. He tilted his head as she looked down at the floor, sinking a little to see if he could catch her eyes, but just then she answered him. Her answer made his face light up in a smile as he looked at her, "I was planning to do that," he assured her as she gave him permission to call her whatever he wanted.
He felt the hunger in the crowd as well, turning his head back as he eyed some of them. He knew exactly how they felt as a part of him was feeling the same. But apparently he was the only one seeming capable of keeping it at bay and hidden were it wasnt to be noticed. Her question made a small heartily laugh leave his lips as he looked back at the people, "If you dont watch out, most definitely. You're like a full course meal to them," he answered rather bluntly before he looked at her with narrowed eyes, "Does that scare you?" he asked with his eyes slightly narrowed.

Her question made him chuckle a little as he turned his eyes to look at her with a small smirk, it wasnt to define if it was a smile that indicated malicious intend or was simply charming. He clicked his teeth leaning a little onto his hand as he gave it some thought. "Hmmm. I guess time will tell," he said with a ponderous tone before he chuckled a little. She answered his question and his smile only grew, "If you're scared of them, then you're smart. Most of them could knock you out in one hit and suck the soul out of you like a strawberry milkshake," he warned her before he pushed his head up from his hand and lifted his elbow from the disk before he reached over to gently touch her long locks. He looked around her face for a bit before he made a soft smile, "But they wont even come near you as long as I'm here," he then assured her before he moved his eyes shortly out to the crowd.
He looked back at her as she seemed to try and catch his eyes once more, smiling a little at how eagerly she seemed to be wanting his attention. "No nickname?" he repeated before he tilted his head a little while he looked at her. "Are you telling me you've never met someone who has called you anything particular?" he asked before he pushed himself away from the bar. He stuck his hands in his pockets before he leaned his back onto the bar to shift his front out to the crowd. He looked at them for a while. "The way you spoke about women before. Do you actually believe that all women are good?" he asked rather curiously. He didnt believe it for one bit, that all women were good. He had met a few that he deemed somewhat cool, but that was because they definitely werent good.

"Not dead. I'm assuming you'd have the brains to avoid them and their lures," he said with a shrug, not sure why she was trying to make him seem like a savior of some sort. He probably wouldnt have even approached her, hadnt she peaked his interest when he was scouting around for some fun. He looked ahead as she took another sip, tapping the counter to order another whiskey - He just wasnt feeling the buzz yet and he didnt feel like just standing there. Her question made him sigh shortly as he moved his eyes around the people that were in the club. He clicked his teeth as he shook his head with a neutral expression on his face, "Mostly same-sex fuckers if you ask me. I mean, I dont really care how they conduct their business, but it's just not my style," he said with a shrug as he glanced at her. He knew the rumor about this place being the place homosexuals hung out and had their drinks. He wouldnt have been here if his brother hadnt asked him to be.

As the loud noise sounded, Cetas frowned a little before a big smirk spread on his lips, a soft sigh leaving his lips as he turned his eyes to her. It was clear that he thrived in chaos, and whatever that seemed to be going on further down, he was well interested in watching it unfold. He tilted his head a little as his focus seemed to be on the action, a barfight gone wrong or something, it didnt really matter to him as long as people went wild. The mess was sorted out as the fighters were seperated, making Cetas groan with annoyance as he turned back to the bar, grabbing his drink to finish it in one fast gulp as she spoke. He didnt answer till she pondered on whether her name could have a nickname. "Hazie. Even though, I doubt you'd like being called that," he said with a small smile.

Her reply to his question seemed decent enough, he was glad to hear that she wasnt just going to be on about everyone being good somewhere on the inside. He eyed her drink before his phone buzzed and grabbed his attention. He picked it up, signaling with his hand that he would need a minute before he walked outside to make a call. He pulled out his pack of cigarettes while he was out there anyway. He knew he had signaled that he was going to make a call, but it was up to her whether she wanted to join him outside or not. He placed a cigarette in the corner of his mouth while he spoke with the person on the other end, that by the sounds of it was someone rather close to him. He lit his cigarette, frowning a little as the person said something that annoyed him, "Wait, so you made me come all the way out here, when you rather wanted me some place else? Sam, what the fuck," he hissed before taking a drag of his cigarette. He sighed out the smoke after a bit. "Yeah, no no, I'll handle it. Just chill out, alright?" his tone was neutral, even cold but it was just how he mostly expressed anger. He knew after a while that the call would be longer than he anticipated, his brother going off on a long talk about something that Cetas had to remember. Like hell he would.

He turned his eyes in mid conversation as she called for him, finishing his sentence to his brother, "... Samuel, I dont even know why you want to have this conversation right now?" he asked the phone as his eyes moved away from her while a frown rested over his brows. Her question made him pinch his lips shortly as he wasnt sure where the worry in her tone was coming from. He looked shortly at the sky as he exhaled deeply enough for the phone to catch up, "Listen Sam, I'll call you later, alright?" he told the phone before just hanging up no matter what his brother was going to say. He took a long drag of his cigarette as he slipped his phone back in his pocket, finally being able to turn his attention to the blonde angel next to him. "Everything's fine," he assured her as he let the smoke stay in his lungs, feeling the nicotine do it's wonders.
He let his eyes run down her dress as they narrowed for a bit before turning back up to her eyes. He offered her his cigarette, "Try," he said with an inviting smile as he tilted his head a little, though by the tone of his words, it was more a demand than it was a request. With a shine like that, he was sure she had only ever gone as far as to stand in smoke, never inhale it herself, and for some reason he felt like changing that in this very moment. But if she really didnt want to, he wasnt going to go as far as to force her - Though he would find it rather dull.

He didnt mind that she was going to cough, at least he was expecting her to, seeing that he had dobted whether she had tried it or not. A broad smile spread on his lips as she took a drag, all seemed to be fine, till she started coughing. He grabbed the smoke out of her hand and took a long last drag before flicking the smoke down the street like a tiny ball of fire. He chuckled at her words and shrugged as he exhaled the smoke through his nostrils, "You could say that. I've never had to adjust to it though, just picked up a packet and here I am over a hundred years later with a new cig in my hand," he explained.

When she asked who he was talking to, he frowned for a second as he thought of whether to tell her or not. It wasnt really anyone's business what Cetas did or at least he thought so. But what the hell, he felt like actually not just being a complete dickhead today, so he answered her, "It was my brother," he said as he watched her look at the sky. He looked up, wrinkling his nose a little with disappointment. The stars were definitely prettier outside the city. "You should see how they look at the mountain-side. Far more and brighter stars to see," he said as he looked at her, noticing her wink. He looked back up at the stars, for a bit before he looked back at her. "Wanna bounce?" he asked as he tilted his head a little as he narrowed his eyes shortly.

When the small group of people came out, he turned his head for a second, but he didnt really care much for their singing, it was quite easy to zone out of his brain with the amount of time he had spent on bars. He shrugged at her apology to signal it wasnt a big deal. When she asked about his brother, he let out an irritated sigh, not at her but because he may have made it seem like something was wrong with his brother. He shook his head at her apology, she had asked and now he was going to answer, "He's finer than he could ever have been. Locked in his mansion with an ass filled with money and a dear little brother that's willing to do his work for him," he said in a tired tone as he looked at the people who were wandering down the street to hit the next bar.

He chuckled at her curios tone, thinking that she would be eager to see if he was right. He shrugged, "Sure. Not tonight though, it's prettier with a full moon," he said as he glanced at the clock on his phone, "We may be able to make it if everything goes as planned," he said before he looked back at the bar. It seemed like nothing unusual was going to happen there tonight, or maybe he just had to assume that nothing would happen. He raised an eyebrow at her reply before he nodded towards the street. "Let's go then. There are places that are way more fun than this bar," he said before he started walking towards the street. He placed his hands in his pocket as his shoulders relaxed, exhaling a cold breath into the air that quickly disappeared. "Tell me something about you, Hazel," he said as he kept his face forward.

"Why do the work you could make someone else do for you?" he asked rhetorically before he made a soft scoff, moving his eyes from hers to the last remainder of people who were making their leave. The walk was pretty nice, feeling the soft breezes move through the streets to spread it's coldness was a fresh breath, compared to the smell of booze, sweat and some other damp-ish smell that he wasnt sure what was.
"Let's see if we'll get to it," he said with a shrug, not wanting to lead her on if he turned out to be bored of her - Because that was what usually happened with girls. He smiled a little at her words, though he wasnt sure what to think of it. He hadnt really let many girls stick around with him or follow him to his errands. She just had to prove if she was worth his time, or if he was better off on his own - That was the curiosity that he harboured at the moment.
Her reply made him scrunch his face a little, was she really just this little ball of sunshine that hadnt had a slither of a taint on her pure soul? He had to change it, not because he particularly cared but because he wanted to see what a change like that could bring. He shrugged at her question, "I'm an open book," he said, knowing it was a vague answer, but he just didnt feel like going on about himself.
He stopped as they reached an alley, lifting a hand to signal her to stop. "How do you feel about violence?" he asked as he sent her a devilish smile before moving into the alley, a couple of guys in the middle of beating up some seemingly random dude. Cetas stopped not far from it, crossing his arms as he nodded with an expression of approval on his face. He turned his eyes to Hazel, "You can still turn around and leave if you want to," he told her, squinting his eyes as he awaited her reply.

He listened to her reply, making a shrug as he made half a smile while his eyes stayed on the fighters with an amused expression plastered all over his face. Of course they would turn their heads to notice the girl beside him, but what could they exactly do? Cetas was known in this area with his brother being so far into the drug business. Anyone with smaller ties to drugs would know about the Prideux brothers and the danger that loomed around them. The man's words made him chuckle as he sent him a bright smile, "That's not for you to decide, my friend," he said in a oddly warm tone yet his eyes were cold as ice. He turned to look at Hazel, shrugging at her words. He had already told her that she could freely leave if she wanted to, but it seemed clear by her reply that she wasnt going anywhere. "Does some part of you not want to keep your grace?" he asked in wonder, lifting a hand to pinch her cheek. "It's only downhill from here," he warned her before looking back at the guys. He pulled out a pack of some white powder before he flashed a smile. "The winner gets the packet for free. The finest shit in southside, that's for sure," he told them, knowing that two riled up men in these parts definitely wouldnt say no to some fine drugs. He went to lean against the container as the men seemed to ready themselves. He clicked his teeth all of a sudden before he shortly eyed Hazel. "By winner, I mean the only one alive," he added, shaking the packet in the air as he got an oddly grim smile on his lips. He wondered what her thoughts on this would be. Would she stand up to him and tell him to stop them? Or would she actually stand by and watch them beat each other to death. "What does your angelside tell you?" he asked her with his head tilted a little to the side.