A hard act to follow

Date | 15th of October 2021
Time | Around 10 pm
Weather | slight drizzle
Location | The Elysian Casino
Attire | Juliya, Maddie & Calliope



Maddie’s point of view

Taking a deep breath as she stepped out of the taxi looking at the new opened casino in town. It had been a couple of months now since she had gotten out from Joseph’s prison and stepped foot on real soil. Not that it took away the fear of him being just around the corner ready to take her back and keep experimenting on her. Which had been the reason why she hadn’t been able to step outside of Oliver’s house ever since Quintin had tried to kill her at Ethan’s house. Now, one could talk about the fact that she had amazing friends. Meaning that Zitora had come to the house, talking sense to her whenever she had the time. And today, had been one of those days where she had finally said yes to come out and experience something new. “I can’t believe that you actually got me to go out tonight” Madelaine breathed looking towards her friend with a soft smile before she walked towards the entrance waiting for Zitora to show their invitations. “How come you didn’t ask Frederik to come with you?” she asked softly, while she waited for the guard to authenticate the invitation and then let them in. before any of the ones in the very big line of people hoping to get lucky.

Juliya’s point of view

Now, it had been a while since she had been shipped from Russia to Gaia in stinky and very small containers by Mr. Barnes. She was stills scrubbing toilets and doing stupid jobs to get by. But, with her powers and how she slowly grew back to her former strengths it had been easy to get an invitation and a very beautiful dress to gain access into the casino. Only reason really, was to see how her son was doing. The only son that she had ever gotten, with the only man that had ever managed to steal her heart and draw her in. Sadly, being from a family of royal bastards, you didn’t get to choose a life for your own, so after giving birth she had pleaded with River to take their son and raise him. Away from her family and the life that he would be forced to live, or killed if not being exactly what her father wanted. Standing by the bar after getting a drink she turned around to see if she could see them anywhere.

Calliope will be joining later.

Zitora's point of view

Zitora chuckled a little bit, "It's not too hard to believe though, not when you think about it. Who would miss out a chance to spent with yours truly," she teased a little bit getting towards the entrance and showed their vip tickets. If anyone could get anyone in anywhere it was Zitora, and she wasn't shy for admitting to that either. "Well, I wanted him to give his little sister some attention. And I wanted a girls night so, it was a win," she replied with a warmer smile. Of course, Zitora could have invited Julianne as well, but Jules also had her children to take care off - besides, with everything that had happened this summer and autumn, them spending some time together could only do good. Finally let inside, she let her eyes wander over the room and made a small grimace, she was impressed that was clear. Now, she usually did not have time to go out that much, but getting together with Frederik, she had learned to structure her time a little bit more - making it easier to be sociable, while still staying at the top - because there was no way she was going to climb down from where she had ended. "Drink?" She asked before moving up towards the bar. "Hello ladies, what can I get you?" Asked the siren behind the bar with a welcoming smile.

Orion' point of view

Now the day hadn't started how Orion would have liked it. But in the end. His father had gotten his money, so it was what was most important. Was his father still a little grumpy upstairs in his office? Yes. But well it was not up to Orion to take care of his father. He had tried to convince his father to join them, but telling him that the most important thing wasn't about showing up on time with these things, it was sliding into the crew when time was right, so on that note Orion left his father to go downstairs, looking at the crowd that had already arrived. "Mother," he smiled as he saw his mother sit in the bar, walking over there with open arms, to greet her with a cheek kiss before letting Kailani serve him a drink. "I'm so happy you could make it."

River will be joining later, when he is done being grumpy.

Madelaine couldn’t help but chuckle by Zitora’s words, it was true that not many would miss the chance to spent with her. Even if those sometimes were because it was very hard to say no to a woman that had that silver tongue of hers. Which of course made her such a brilliant lawyer. Something she missed, fighting for the little guy. And now she was nothing more than a liability sitting at home being frighten for her life every day. Not only to be taken back, but also if the next one that would come after her, trying to kill her would be her own brother. Maddie gave a soft smile, even though a little restrained as she mentioned a night out with the girls. That meant that she could have invited Julianne as well. A woman she wouldn’t have been able to look in the eye, mostly because after what had happened and the fact that her twin brother almost had killed Ethan, hadn’t made her all that sad to hear that Quentin had met his end. She looked around as she felt a familiar energy but couldn’t really pinpoint it. Ripped away from her hunt for the feeling, when Zitora asked if she wanted a drink. “A Manhattan” Madelaine asked and still couldn’t keep her eyes from gliding over the crowd. “Please” she turned her attention back to the woman behind the bar, feeling the supernatural energy around her. Not that she could place it, as she had never been able to know which species was what, not like the evolved humans.

Juliya looked towards her beautiful son as he walked towards her. “Orion” she smiled leaning towards him to give him a kiss on his cheek as well. Her hand found his face, softly caressing it. “Well, I wouldn’t want to miss this, now would I” she spoke with her slight Russian accent, not really being able to shake it off her completely. Her eyes followed along the bar as she saw a pretty dark-skinned woman starring at them quite intently. Wait, no she wasn’t looking at them, she was looking at Orion. “One of your old conquests?” she asked with a hint of teasing voice, as she looked up the stairs “Your father still playing the, wait till everyone has asked where he is at least twice to make his appearance?” she asked, taking another sip from her drink. She looked back at her son “Go, I’ll entertain myself” she waved her hand a little and walked into the big mass of people to see if there was anyone that could entertain her.

"Surprise me," Zitora replied to the woman in the bar, as she looked over the crowd shortly, trying to pick notice to if she knew anyone in here. There was a few familiar faces, but none that was for now worth of her attention, besides she was here to spent time with Madelaine. "But admit it, it feels good to be out of that house - right?" Zitora asked her friend. It had been quite a mess, of course she knew about everything that had happened, Quentin attacking her and that she had broken up with Ethan. Zitora was just happy that Ethan was stable, and not the wreck she had been dealing with back in February. To be fair, Zitora had not used much time checking up on Maeve, there had been so much going on it just seemed like with that time it had faded out in the sand. Her eyes caught a demon walking towards someone in the bar behind Madelaine, not really getting to much into their conversation, time to time she did have respect for people's privacy.

There was few people that was allowed to see the more soft side to the blood demon, he was taught by his father to keep his cards close, but not too close. Because his father wasn't cruel either, willing to go lengths to get what he wanted and very passionate - yes, but not directly cruel. At least not un terms of going on murder sprees. One of your old conquests? Orion didn't look yet, he just chuckled, knowing he time to time did get some female attention - and he for sure didn't mind it. "We had quite the eventful afternoon, he is a bit grumpy, but you know him - it will take him a minute and then he has forgotten all about it," Orion chuckled a little. Orion nodded a bit as his mother waved him a little bit off again, and Orion now made the choice to see who had been looking at him earlier, only to freeze a bit by the eye contact he got with Madelaine.

Maddie almost forgot to answer her friend, when asked if it didn’t feel good to get out of the house. The witch looked towards Zitora and was close to ask her what she had just asked her. When a small portion of her brain had stored that information and pulled it out again. “Yes, it, it’s nice to be out again” she said, even though it didn’t seem rather convincing. Looking towards Orion once again, this time finding out that he was looking straight at her this time. She ripped her eyes away and drowned the whole drink and pushed her glass towards the bartender once again “another please” she asked with a strained smile before looking towards Zitora. For a moment she hoped maybe she had been wrong, and it wasn’t Orion at all, that it was just some person looking like him. Or maybe it had been her hyperactive imagination just thinking that a man starring at her was him, and when she looked now, she would see it wasn’t him at all. But as she looked up just to make sure, she couldn’t keep thinking by herself that it was just a trick of her brain. “God damn it” she whispered licking her lips, moving behind Zitora. “I’m sorry about this, I just need a moment” she explained taking the glass with her second drink and took a sip.

Zitora pressed her brows a little bit together, but she knew nothing about reading how a person carried oneself to question what was going on with Madelaine. She acted like she had seen a ghost, which of course could be likely - you never knew in this strange world. Then Madelaine excused herself, making Zitora looked over her shoulder seeing the handsome stranger she had watched walk down the stairs before. "What ever floats your boat girl," she breathed out, before downing her drink moving the glass to the bartender for another drink. Now, of course she was observant of her friend, but Zitora was not just going to sit and stare at them. Zitora did not know why Madelaine wanted to approach the stranger, of course she could easily find out the reason behind it, but right now she couldn't see the reason to do so.

There was a very long list assigned to Orion with the mistakes he had made over his long life, one of them being never returning to get Madelaine out from the captivity that she and him had been held in. To be fair, he would have had a better shot at surviving that hell than her when they had been there, he was even surprised she was still standing. Now, Joseph Blackwood wasn't one to mess with, which was also one of the main reasons why Orion had moved back to Russia given the first taste of fresh air. Had he left her behind? Yes. Had he felt sorry about it? Indeed. But there was nothing he could do to change how he had acted. And to be completely honest, he hadn't been losing sleep over it either. He had accepted his demons a long time ago. "Madelaine," he started out a bit more careful with a more welcoming smile. "It's been a while," he played it as safe as he could. "You look great."

“This does not categories as floating my boat, more likely sinking it” Maddie whispered as she walked away from her friend towards Orion. It was amazing how many scenarios that could run through your head about how to meet someone, just by the sheer walk towards them. Great them with a smile, and a warm voice. A simple hallo? Cold and aloof or give him a slap for good measure. He had just left her, probably thought that he had left her to die. Which she almost had, having no idea how she had actually gotten out from the prison that Joseph had put them in.

Her heart almost felt like it was being pulled apart as he said her name, gave her that welcoming smile. It’s been a while. She could swear that her blood was rushing through her ears, not afraid that it would tricker anything as her blood was toxic for him now. Madelaine folded her lips as he told her that she looked great. “You never came back” she whispered, feeling how her voice cracked under the pressure of trying to stay neutral. Not that she succeeded “You left me with him, let him torture me for months” she licked her lips, and let a sad laugh leave her. “But what should I expect, you only needed me while you were under the same conditions, and after I was just nothing, right?” she took a step back, the last thing she wanted was her first night out to be ruined like this. She should just walk away, that was what she should do. But for a time, it was like she was rooted to ground underneath her.

You never came back.

Orion took a deeper breath in, but didn't say anything, because he had a feeling more words were coming his way. He was right. And he just stood there, taking in everything she had to say, at least at this giving time. But here was not the place to argue, and as if he had not had enough on his plate today. Orion knew what kind of situation he had left Madelaine in, because he knew what kind of man Joseph was. Orion was just lucky that Joseph hadn't figured out what to do of him by the time he was there. Then again, Joseph was smarter than to harm Orion if he knew what was good for him. "That is not true," he breathed out and sighed before walking towards her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her a little to the side, just to one of the corners that were a bit more away from the crowd. He didn't like forcing her to go with him, but he also didn't mind it, at least not when it came down to what had happened, and the things she had gone through. He had no idea how long she had been there, but it didn't take a genius to know the pain hadn't been less since he had escaped. Orion finally let her go, also he could feel the uncomfortable stare from her friend at the bar, despite Kailani's attempt to distract her with casual chatting. Orion lifted his hands up to show Madelaine he wasn't there to cause harm or anything. "Can we just talk?" He asked keeping his eyes aiming towards hers.

Just as she was about to turn around and walk back to Zitora she felt Orion’s hand on her arm while telling her that her words weren’t true. If it hadn’t been for the fact that there was a big crowd around them, and it would attract unnecessarily attention, she would have slapped him right there and then. Letting him pull her to the side, away from to many prying eyes, she let her own gaze travel towards her friend giving her a soft nod, mostly to tell her that she could handle it. At least right now, it would depend on what Orion felt like he was going to share with her. Or how he reckoned that he could convince her that he hadn’t just gone off and then forgot all about her. He didn’t look like he had lost much sleep about her being away. She threw out her arms as if she was waiting for him to start. “What is there to talk about?” she asked, feeling how she kept licking her lips. Always had been one of her nervous tics. “Are you telling me that you lost sleep about me being there and you got away? That you left me to rot?” she narrowed her eyes “I didn’t think so, so I’m out, I got out in June, and this is my first night out since a couple found me and brought me to a hospital – Now I’ll go back to my friend, before you’ll try to fill my head with lies”

Juliya’s point of view

She was starting to get bored, wandering around nursing her drink. Looking up the stairs she saw a beautiful tall Asian woman lurking around. Now that seemed much more interesting, than staying down here where everyone had decided to behave so boringly. So ,she followed, having been drinking from a victim making her able to be undetectable she got rather close as it seemed this woman was going straight for River’s office. Now this was far more up her alley.

Calliope’s point of view

Letting her dress do the talking it had been so easy to get inside. First mistake of the evening, River really did need to make sure that his staff was either; better at doing their job. Or pay them more to make sure they didn’t let anyone in that he didn’t want in his casino. As she sincerely doubted that he wanted her being around. She had hung around a little, seen Orion and Kailani roaming around being very carefully that they couldn’t see her as she finally found her way up the stairs to River’s office. Getting the plans to the newly renovated casino hadn’t been all that difficult when you had the right connections. Tapping against the door as she opened it, without waiting for a confirmation that it was alright to enter. “River” her harmonies voice purred, almost as if she was happy to see him. Which was so far from the truth as it could be. She wanted nothing more to drag him through the mud right there and now. But, well, she had a message and that was what she wanted to deliver before going home again.

He narrowed his eyes a little bit before rolling them shortly. "No, you have me all wrong. I didn't lose sleep over you, actually I slept incredible - not thinking twice about how lucky I was," he pointed out keeping his eyes on her. She had first gotten out here in June, ouch, that was a long time being companied by Joseph. Madelaine had no idea how lucky she was that Joseph had found her special enough to keep her around for that long, and that he hadn't found her bored in the end. The last thing Orion wanted was lying, he only lied if it was a benefit to him. "Enjoy your night then," he breathed out, noticing the woman heading up towards his father's office. Now where was Lucille and Bast? He followed Madelaine towards the bar but only to get Kailani's attention. "Where is Bast?" He asked her, making Kailani pour him another drink. "Oh, let me check his calendar, one second, Kailani picked up her phone, before putting it away again. ""No wait, I'm not his wife," the siren pushed the glass towards the blood demon. Orion rolled his eyes at Kailani before taking the drink and downing it. It seemed like his mother was handling this, at least he hoped. After the hybrid had given the names up later today, his father had not been taking it lightly even if the old vampire seemed so unbothered by it.

Zitora pressed her brows together, looking at Madelaine, then towards the siren and the blood demon walking, before once again looking at her friend. "What was that all about?" She asked curiously. How did Madelaine know the demon?

River' point of view

He had expected her arrival for one, so when he caught her scent it was really not hard to know what was coming for him. Then again, he was not in the mood which was the first mistake of Calliope choosing to come for him this evening. Because once the vampire lost his sense of cool, it was down hill from there. He looked towards her as she opened the door, granting her with a big fake smile plastered over his lips as she walked in. "Oh look what the cat dragged in," River breathed out, uncrossing his legs as he was sitting in one of his chairs with a glass of vodka. "Couldn't stay away huh?" he narrowed his eyes a little bit looking at Calliope as he placed the glass on the little table next to the chair.

Zitora did not like the vibe from the guy Madelaine had been talking to, and she was forever the sceptic when it came to strangers working in places like this. To be honest, she had her doubts about this place - but at the same time, you couldn't judge anything till you had tried it, right? "Hmm, so he is plain stupid then - a shame with such a pretty face," she replied a bit stoic, narrowed her eyes a little in the guy's direction. "What's his name?" Zitora asked, not that she wanted to do anything, not right here and right now - and of course there were other ways to get the information, but if Madelaine wasn't going to tell her, she was letting it go, for now at least. It didn't take long before the entire atmosphere in the room began to change, but not to anything bad, if anything the good energy seemed to blossom. Which could only mean one thing. Dion had made it here.

River's point of view

River knew he had been quite awful, it was really no secret, but it was all in the past for him, and he had moved on from it. Oh yes, he had heard about the Serpent wanting a 'wanna be back in charge' scheme thing going on. Or as Calliope said showing their true force. Now, River knew Calliope was strong, it wasn't that, but he rarely took threats seriously, never quite had a reason to. "Always do honey," he chuckled a little to himself before grabbing his drink again and downed it. "I wonder what happens to a snake when a Louis Vuitton heel steps on it, maybe I should get Kailani to figure that out," he mumbled to himself as he took up on his feet. Now he had caught Juliya's scent a long time ago, some people just meant more to you than others, and you couldn't shake them off.

River just waited for her to present herself, it had been a while after all. But she had always been his favorite, the only one he never really could shake off. He walked over to pour some more vodka in his glass, as she finally walked inside, making the smile on his lip curl up, reaching out for another glass and poured up in it as well, sitting the bottle down before turning around towards her, giving her a glass, greeting her with a cheek kiss. "Legends never die, do they?" River chuckled a little to himself, "same goes for you. You look stunning as ever."

Madelaine drowning her drink once again and waved the bartender to just keep them coming. Maybe it was a bad idea, but the newly created witch needed to take the edge off, and this booze was really tasting much better than it normally would. “These is really good drinks” Maddie breathed giving her friend a big smile as another colorful drink was put in front of her. “Well, he sure is pretty, only good quality about him” she mumbled, looking back at Orion, scoffing a little before she turned her gaze back to Zitora. What his name was, wasn’t that besides the point? And she wasn’t even sure that he had given her his real name. “Orion, that is what he told me his name was” she mumbled, thinking back that she had smiled when he had told her. Remembering that she had used that opportunity to talk about astrology, Orion’s belt and Greek mythology that followed with those stars.

Juilya’s point of view

She let her slender fingers lock around the glass as he handed it to her. Her long nails clinked against the glass before she leaned into the kiss he was pressing against her cheek. Now there was a lot of things that she wanted to do, that wouldn’t be awfully appropriate given that he was the host of the party going on downstairs. But she did wish they could have longer, than might be possible. “Don’t let the look deceive you River” she answered raising a brow as she let out a small sigh, walking towards his desk. She turned around and leaned up against is as she took a small sip from the glass. “So, it would seem like your business is going well as usually?” she asked with a slight tuck in her lip.

Zitora narrowed her eyes just a little bit as Madelaine kept the drinks coming, still sipping on her second one - now Zitora wasn't one who never said no to a drink, and she could drink a lot - no one were ever to start a drinking war with her, but she still had eye out for perhaps Madelaine should slow down. However, despite the heroic thought she listened to her friend telling her about this guy - Orion. Huh, interesting name. She looked towards him for a moment. "I wonder what drove them to open a casino right here in Aston - as far as I heard River Turner is well known all over the world, I guess it would only make sense to plot one in the center of the supernatural region," she chuckled a little to herself before downing her drink and waved over another. "Fancy seeing you here Tora," she turned her head as Dion approached them, and quickly greeted him with a brief hug. "Madelaine, have you met Dion? - Dion, Madelaine," she introduced them to each other.

River's point of view

He chuckled a bit, he would never let good look deceive him - and yet, he would say the same to others whenever he had won them over despite thinking they had bested him. "One thing I've always been good at, keeping my business going," he chuckled a little bit. "But I do have a confession to make, it is make it a lot better with you arriving here. I've missed you," he added letting his fingers slide under her chin, lifting her face up just a little bit as his eyes remained locked with hers.

“Expanding business?” she asked rather rhetorically, not really caring why they were here. She just knew this would be the last time she would ever come, but then she could at least make it memorable. She turned around as a man’s voice was coming from behind them, addressing Zitora. It wasn’t a rarity; Tora always knew anyone around that had some kind of importance. One way or another at least. Madelaine gave a small smile and shook her head when asked if she had meat Dion before. “No, I haven’t, nice to meet you Dion” she confessed and reached out her hand to say hi. It was then she realized that the aura was coming from him. Making her eyes go wide, well, now it was like she couldn’t lose anything tonight. “Another drink, and then maybe we should try our lock at some of these games, how about it?” she laughed and turned around to get herself another and then took her things, so she was ready to go.

Juliya’s point of view

She knew this very well. That had been one of the reasons she had felt so drawn to him. He had a family legacy but had decided to rip himself away from that and start his own thing. Something she wanted to do at first, but then she realized that it wouldn’t be enough. She wanted to overthrow her father and take his place. Her brow lifted as he told her that he had a confession, she was close to saying a confession was something you made in church, and she wasn’t that good of an attendee of going to church. But she stopped herself, waiting for him to elaborate what it was that he wanted to tell her. A shadow of a smirk danced over her lips as he told her that she had missed him. Letting him lift her chin ever so slowly. “The great River Dalton Turner, missing someone?” she folded her lips in a small o’, brows slightly pressed together as she let out a slight u’ sound. “whatever would people start to think” taking a step closer to him she moved her body a little from side to side almost like a cat that was walking very slowly from one room to another.

Perhaps it was just Zitora's natural eye for when something just seemed to be there to cause trouble, she could detect it like a hawk. But not that they would be on the top of her list or anything, no she already knew who were the top of her list. However, right now - she turned her head towards Dion and gave him some well deserved attention. Dion smiled brightly at the witch giving her hand a firm gentle shake before looking around. Kailani looked to the side when another drink was requested and she quickly poured one up and served it. Kailani knew Dion, but only served him with a soft nod - pushing a drink over to him not caring much for what he ordered or if he did - she knew he could turn it into whatever the hell he wanted. Zitora took a sip more of her drink, "obviously," she followed Madelaine towards some of the games. They were after all here to have some fun and escape reality for a while, not getting a trip down memory lane. Dion however, kept himself at the bar for now just catching up with Kailani.

River

River chuckled a little bit, now this wasn't good for the reputation he had built for himself, yet he also didn't care. It had always been a little bit different with Juliya now hadn't it? "Don't tell anyone, we can't have people think less of my reputation," he hummed a little bit, moving just a little bit closer. His eyes caught onto her movements, how she moved closer towards him, he didn't mind. River was not a person who denied himself of any pleasure, if he wanted something he took it - often not caring much about the cost. Was he living recklessly? Lucille would tell him so yes, but right now - well, hadn't Lucille chosen not to be here tonight, or sneak out? "So, what do you want?" He asked with a more husky voice still looking into her eyes, "because we can stay," he let his hand lift towards her arm, letting the back of his hand trace over the soft skin, looking at his hands movements before his eyes travelled back to hers. "Or we can go downstairs, and show everyone how it's done."

Maddie felt like everything was a little easier to tackle now that she had drowned a couple of drinks. Okay, maybe it was more than a couple. But she could still stand, and she also walked in her high heels towards the crabs table, where she looked over the players. “I guess we need some chips to actually play” she licked her lips, looking towards Zitora, if she could see any where they could exchange money for some jettons. Mostly because she had a hard time, actually focusing on what was going on around her. So many people, talking, shouting. Laughing, talking extremely loudly. And even with the aura from the man that had been introduced to her as Dion. She could feel that it was starting to overwhelm her. She needed more alcohol and grabbed a champagne from a waiter that was walking past her. Not even caring if it was for her or someone that had paid for it.

Juliya

She let her slender fingers glide over her plum lips. Showing him how she was zipping her lips and then locking them with a key before throwing the key away. She had stopped walking towards him, and now let her eyes follow his movements. Feeling how his fingers snaked up her naked arm, feeling how he just like the first time they had met, had a tremendous effect on her. She had always told herself; she would never be a slave of a man. She was her own woman and would show just how strong she could be. But everything at the right time. She was very patient after all. Which had come in handy when she had been locked into the shipping container from Russia to Athena. She leaned forwards, feeling his cold breath glide over her lips. They were so close; it would be so easy to indulge. But just as their lips were about to touch, she pulled back. “Can’t let the people go much longer without their host” She placed the glass he had given her on his desk, turning towards the door and placed her hand against the wooden panel before turning to look at him. “When you start feeling bored, you can see if you can find me again” she walked out of the door, turning on the power she had absorbed where she couldn’t be tracked through smell. Maybe she was feeling a little daring, and wanted to see just how much River had missed her.

Zitora licked her lips a little bit and looked around, eying the place where she could exchange the money and get some jettons. Which she found rather quickly and pointed towards them. Zitora didn't usually play games like this, only on nights where she had extra time on her hand, or her friends convinced her. Otherwise she would just sit there and talk, observe the room- something she apparently found rather interesting. Zitora also wasn't the one to tell anyone to slow down when it came to drinking, as she was never going to listen to that advice herself. "So, what do you want to try first?" She asked looking at Madelaine handing her some jettons before downing her drink and place it on the waiters tray and take a glass of champagne - much like Madelaine did.

River

So close and yet so far from her lips. A tease really, but she had always known just how to play her cards with him, a game he always found interesting. "Can't; sounds like a problem the guests have, not a me issue," he licked his lips a little bit keeping his eyes on her despite her pulling back. "Huh," he chuckled a little bit. River watched her walk out the door, well it spoke enough for itself. "Making me work for it per usual I see," he chuckled to himself before walking over and downed his drink before walking out the door. River looked over the scene of people mingling around, drinking and having their good time. As things should be. He noticed Dion in the crowd as he stepped out. It was a while since he had seen him last, but you could always feel his aura. A wide proud smile folded on River's lips before he started walking down. Someone had to be the life of the party after all, right?

Madelaine gave Zitora a big smile. Maybe it had been the thing about her being a little bit drunk, okay, she was really drunk at this point. Seeing Orion. Being overly rushed on, whatever that aura that Dion was carrying, that just made her share everything with her old friend. She pointed towards the roulette. Put some bets down and turned towards her friend. “Do you think I made a mistake?” Madelaine asked, not really looking if they won or not as she took a sip of champagne. “Like, its Oliver Jones, and I’ve had a crush on him since I was well, a long time – but the more I spend time with him, and learn about his past” she licked her lips, and saw that her chips were being pulled away, and just decided to put down more on a random number really thinking about how much money she was wasting at this point. To be fair, she wasn’t really thinking about anything at this moment.

Juliya had rejoined the party as well. Looking over the crowd before her eyes found her son. Without second thought she walked towards him and placed a hand on his arm turning him around and gave him a soft smile. One rarely got when she was around. It was funny, she had never liked men, they were for her to use and then throw away. But when she had given birth to her son, he had become her world. Not that he would ever really understand or know just how much she loved him. Or how much she would give up for his shake. Maybe one day he would see just how far the extent of her love would go. But right now, she didn’t care. “You have grown up to be such a beautiful man” she said with a smile, giving him a soft kiss against his cheek. “So, how are life treating you?” she asked turning towards the bartender and ordering a glass of red wine.

Zitora took a deeper breath in and raised her brow a little bit, had Madelaine made a mistake? Oliver Jones. She knew about a few Jones' - with her line of work it was impossible not to stop by a few, and with the people that she knew as well. Zitora just downed her champagne. "Look, I've had my fair share of mistakes, trust me - there is a lot more than I'm proud off. But if you want me to do like a full background check, I will be happy to do so? Make sure he doesn't drag you into any sort of situation?" Zitora suggested and tilted her head a little bit. After all, that is what she did. Find information that was supposed to be hidden away.  Just standing with her hip close to the machine looking at Maddie as her eyes looked around. It didn't take long before the vampire had found his way close to the pretty witch and the tasty half angel, looking at them with a warm and charming smile. "Hello ladies, did I hear you say Oliver Jones?" He tilted his head a little to the side looking at them. "Are you enjoying yourselves?"

Orion turned his head towards his mother after she pulled away from the small kiss against his cheek. It meant a lot to him to have her here tonight, more than he might even express. "Well - life is good. Can't complain really, I just go where ever father goes - or you know," Orion chuckled a little, sometimes it was like his father followed him more than Orion followed his dad. Which was possibly due to the fact that Orion had a vision for many things, and he liked a challenge and thereby challenged his father time to time. Which was a rather fun thing to experience on its own. "How about you? It's been a while," Orion asked curious, and a little concerned.

Now, normally Maddie would never let anyone do a full background check on anyone in her life. And when it came down to it, she had the means too, given her family were a hunter family, and the always had their way to figure things out about people. She was a lawyer, just like Zitora. And being that for some years, you suddenly figured out to exploit the prober channels if you wanted to. “Yes, do it” she whispered, as if they were sharing a very important secret. Looking like a lot of jettons were pushed her way. Had she just won? Once again, she just put it on a random number, and looked over her shoulder as a man asked if he had heard right about Oliver Jones. Madelaine gave the man a bright and beautiful. “Yes, yes we did” she nodded, not knowing any of Oliver’s friends. Almost delighted to see if she had just run into someone that actually knew him. “Yeah, of course, it’s a beautiful place” she reached out her hand to introduce herself. “I’m Madelaine, Oliver’s –“ she heisted, how did she represent herself. “Girlfriend” she added and nodded towards Zitora to see if she wanted to introduce herself.

Juliya nodded, giving him a soft smile. Taking the glass from the bartender. “Do you remember to live your own life to?” she asked, knowing from her own life that you could easily forget yourself when you just lived in the footsteps of a parent. She had done that, not with her own freewill. But when it came down to it, she could have cut the ties many years ago. But she had been a coward, and that had ended in her missing out on many chances for a better life. But at least, she was starting. Getting somewhere now. “Well, only plotting my revenge, and taking over the crown” she said with beautiful sinister smile, as she looked towards River that was already chatting up two beautiful girls. Now, it was lucky that Juliya had never been the jealous type. And never would care much about who River was running around having fun with. There was something about being the one, that they would always turn back too. That if their bed and home was open, they would return there. Maybe after days, or weeks. But when it came down to it, they would always choose them. So, she didn’t care, and there was another point to it, she would explore later. Just to see, if River would react as uncaring as herself, if she was flirting with other men.

Zitora raised her brows a little, one should never give away too much information to a stranger - especially in this world when someone claimed to know a person you talked about, and if you thought the person was keeping secrets. "River Turner, a pleasure Madelaine," he gave the young witch a warm smile, "Oliver Jones' new girlfriend, I see - prettier than the last one, but he always did have an eye out for the good ones," he tilted his head a little to the side, "oh shut up already," Zitora sighed a little looking at the vampire. "Oh I mean no offence miss, just stating out the facts, Oliver Jones is an old friend of mine," River excused himself and placed a hand against his chest with a bright charming smile. "Zitora Cowan," she reached her hand out and River took it to give it a firm shake. Oh well, would you look at that, all the thoughts this guy had, almost giving her a headache. She almost thinking about just sending Frederik a thought to pick her up because she was so done with whatever this guy wanted.

Orion chuckled a little bit by the question to if he remembered to live his own life. He thought he did, when he was asked, yes, because he just lived however he wanted. Then, he was just lucky if he pitched his father an idea and it fit. Then there was of course the years they spent apart - he had lived his own life, it had been nice. Orion didn't complain, he loved life. He loved his life. "Plotting revenge, that sounds like a typical Thursday afternoon, by all means let me know if you need any help with that," Orion offered with a warm smile. He didn't mind a little destruction. Kailani sighed a bit listening to Orion's conversation while pouring the demon a glass of red wine before looking at River talking to the two girls who had just been here minutes ago. She sighed a little bit, hopefully Bast or Lucille for that matter would show up somewhat soon and make this night barrable. She was thinking about giving a quick call or text because she wondered. But she didn't do it, not yet at least.

Madelaine was quick to take her hand back, her brows pressed together. What the hell was that kind of a comment? Prettier than the last one. Was he referring to Gemma? Because that was just the lowest of blows. Gemma had been a beautiful woman and did not deserve that kind of slander. Especially after how she had died. “Still does not make it right to say such things, especially since Gemma died, and beauty shouldn’t be held to those standards as it is a concept which we give our personal meaning” meaning that beauty was only what you made it to be. No, she didn’t really like this man. But if he was an old friend of Oliver Jones, she couldn’t really dismiss him just like that could she? Narrowing her eyes, a little, she gave Zitora a side glance before turning her eyes back towards River. “So how do you know Oliver?” she asked, almost immediately regretting her question.

Juliya gave her son a loving smile. Taking the glass that was handed by her, not letting the small sigh coming from the siren. Her eyes turned towards the woman raising a brow. “Seems like, your friend here has a thing or two to say about that” she said with a beautiful smile. Even though if you knew Juliya right, would see that it would be very dangerous to comment to much about that. All she ever really needed, was a reason. But then again, she would contain herself, mostly because this was River’s casino. She turned towards her son and gave him a small wink before letting a soft kiss place against his chin. “Remember to live your own life” she whispered blinking before she stepped away and almost disappeared through the amount of people that was here to look at what the new place in town had to offer.

He snorted a little bit, clearly not making any of Madelaine's words, "oh you were taking about Gemma - I don't think I ever had the pleasure of meeting Gemma," he looked to the side with a short thoughtful expression. Zitora pressed her brows a bit together for a moment, she knew a Gemma but the chances of it being the same would be insane, then again this was Athena. "But you see miss Madelaine, I have always admired beauty such as yourself and your friend. Much like looking at art - if we keep it as our personal opinion of course," he gave them both a small smile. Zitora raising her brows, clearly having something to say on the tip of her tongue but didn't speak. Because she knew if she started it wouldn't end pretty, so she waited to see if there was a need to make a scene. "How do I know Oliver Jones - where do I even begin," he sighed a little and shook his head. "I met Oliver in mid 17th century in Italy, we became good friends rather quickly," he informed with a soft chuckle. "I've heard he was in town, just waiting for him to come and complain about not being invited tonight - he always did like making quite the scene," River leaned with his hip against one of the machines and chuckled a little bit. "Oh, Oliver Jones - I've missed him, I hope he shows up." Then he looked towards Madelaine again, "tell me, how does a delicate little witch like yourself get wrapped up with Oliver? Color me curious."

Kailani looked towards the older demon, as she seemed to have heard her statement. But the siren didn't comment further on it, she knew better than to mix herself with that sort of family drama, or what ever they called it. She picked up her phone leaving a few messages to ask when Bast would be back, even Lucille, looking towards River trying to charm the two girls by the machines. "She always does," Orion chuckled a little bit, making Kailani turn her head back towards the two demons. The demon exhaled and smiled a little before listening to his mother's words. "I will," he exhaled, before watching her step away. Orion looked towards Kailani again, "maybe keep your father in check before the tall one punches him in the face," she pointed over to the hybrid and the witch. "If they punch him in the face, I want to see it -" He reached for another glass of whisky.

It was official, she really did not like this guy. She gave him too much of a Joseph vibe. And even if it wasn’t all that much, it was more than enough to make it run cold down her back. This was a friend of Oliver’s? She had such a hard time believing it, her sweet, attentive, and caring Oliver. She also knew that everyone had a past, and witches could live for a long time. He had just never, opened up about any of it. So, maybe in her naïve mind she hadn’t believed he was that old. Which was evident in the way her eyes slightly widened while looking at River as he continued to talk. 17th century in Italy?  That was, that was a long time ago. She snagged another flute of champagne as it passed her by and drowned it rather quickly. Okay, this wasn’t really how she wanted to get insight in Oliver’s life. There had to be a reason why he hadn’t told her himself, right? Chills ran over her, as he talked about Oliver and how he hoped he would show up. Something about it, just didn’t, sit right with her. “I don’t, I don’t feel comfortable sharing that with you” She mumbled, taking a step away from him. Now this was a tricky thing, because now she really wanted to call Oliver to get her to pick her up, but on the other hand. She didn’t want him to be anywhere near this guy.