Dives and Drinks

[Alessandra]

Downtown Sacramento is known for its nightlife. You can find a bar and club for just about every taste and hell, even fetish clubs. The music is always on point and what new, the lines long and lights bright and inviting.

But if you know where to look, and are not afraid of the gritty unkempt areas, you can find some of the dive bars. A couple have motorcycles outside them, some have cars, a few have a mix, but they all have one thing in common.

They are shabby, a bit dangerous looking and unpretentious. Maybe seedy looking to some, maybe not. But this was a come as you are with inexpensive drinks and loyal clientele.

Tonight, mixed in the motorcycles, there would be a 1970s Grand Torino, regulars and a few of those in the know with the crime scene would know who was there.

This was a hole in the wall bar, a place where someone could drink and not be bothered, and maybe cut a deal or two. If you were lucky, maybe find an ally.

But for the Savage, the Prince of Sacramento and Boss of the local Mafia, this was her thing, this was where she did business and could be herself. Well, to a certain extent of course. Here, she had a table that was set aside for her, the bartender knew her drink of choice and he kept the glass full. She had full view of the door and could be seen.

Wearing a black tank top over dressy type pants, tattoos on display, the Savage took a sip from her glass, dark eyes roaming over the bar. So far, her night had been quiet, and she was enjoying that, no business, Domain or otherwise. But who knows, maybe someone will come in and catch her eye for a conversation. An inked hand absently picks up the newspaper as she lowers her eyes to read it. Her skin had a healthy life like glow to it, her heart beating with stolen blood.

[Alessandra]

Bookkeeping

[Diana Warren]

Music drifted through the open door—a low growl of guitars and conversation that barely concealed the scent of good beer and old whiskey. Diana stepped inside.


The room seemed to pause for a moment, not because anyone recognized her, but because she carried herself with the quiet confidence of someone who belonged wherever she chose to stand. A fitted black corset top accentuated her frame beneath a crimson leather jacket that caught the colored lights as she moved. Dark-wash jeans and black boots completed the look, practical enough for the city while still impossible to ignore.


She surveyed the room automatically. Mortals crowded around the bar, laughing too loudly and drinking too much. None of them held her attention for long. One figure did. Seated alone near the far end of the bar was the Prince.

Antinori sat with a drink before her, appearing almost relaxed despite the weight of authority she carried. No entourage. No Reeve looming nearby. No gathered court waiting on her words. Just the Prince enjoying a quiet moment in a place most Kindred of her station would never be caught dead in.

Diana couldn't help but smile slightly. There was something oddly refreshing about it. She was really starting to like this Prince. She tried not to look as thrilled as she felt, but with the blood pumping tonight it was hard to miss the high color in the cheeks, the quicker breaths, and the scent of anticipation and an earthy scent of vetiver.

Adjusting the collar of her jacket, she made her way through the crowd. A pair of patrons shifted aside without realizing why, unconsciously giving space to the predator moving among them. The music grew quieter in Diana's ears as she approached.

When she reached the private table, she rested a hand against the worn wood.

"Well hello," she said with a respectful incline of her head. "I wasn't expecting to find the ruler of the cosmos hiding in a dive bar." The faint amusement in her voice made it clear she wasn't criticizing.
She stood next to a chair across from her. "Mind if I join you?"

Even as those words sounded so lovely out of her mouth, she felt her figure stiffening like a coiling serpent ready to strike at the presence of a rival Kindred. Luckily they had met before. It would get easier, but never without that instinctual warning. She wrestled the Beast down once more.

[Alessandra]

Eyes did turn to watch this magnetic presence walk towards De Luca, because, well, not many did.
But if you were not in the know as to who the formidable woman was among the cattle, then maybe that was a small blessing for you. Maybe. Hard to say.

For the Savage, her Beast picked up on the weakling before her dark eyes even looked up from the article she was reading. A small smirk touched her lips as she finished it, folding the paper and setting it down, this was still her city after all. Her Beast did its thing, demanding flesh and bone, but it would be denied for now, and its chain pulled as it was shoved back into its corner.

Finally, she looks up, “I don’t hide, what would I have to hide from? I conduct business in here.” A smile to bartender with a nod. “I conduct business from all over the actually but I like the atmosphere and the drinks in here best.” Placing the newspaper off to the side, “Plus my men blend in.” bonus.

A nod to the chair, “If you want. Oh, and you can call me Sofia De Luca.”

[Diana Warren]

Sliding into the chair across from her with an easy smile, she shrugged out of her jacket and draped it over the backrest before settling in comfortably. Her gaze swept across the room for a moment, taking in the atmosphere, before returning to Sophia and focusing entirely on her.


“Nothing at all. I was just teasing.” A grin tugged at her lips. “Honestly, enjoying the drinks is reason enough for me.” She gave the bartender a small nod and ordered a Hendrick’s gin and tonic with a twist of lime.


“Looks like business is treating you well, judging by your office décor and a few other details.” She left the latter deliberately vague; some things were better implied than spoken outright in mixed company.


“What are you drinking?” she asked once her own cocktail arrived, leaning back in her chair. “And if you don’t mind me asking, what line of work are you in? I’m always open to picking up extra work. California has definitely proven to be more expensive than Denver.”

[Alessandra]

Of course nothing.

“Business is always treating me well.” Business was doing quite well. “And what were you able to judge from my office décor? It only speaks to one side of my business and life.” What did one think they could judge from it?

“Whiskey, whatever the bartender recommended for the night.” She found the locals had the eye for the good stuff sometimes. And she didn’t like the expensive stuff.

“Depends on the night. Some nights it’s real estate; some it’s managing and running my restaurant. I run a lot of things within Sacramento, and if you don’t know my name and who I am,” a chuckle, “than my line of work might not be for you.” It wasn’t an insult; it was a fact. Crime wasn’t for everyone. “When someone comes to me looking for work, they know who I am and what I do.” Facts were facts.

“But yes, California is an expensive place. Not sure if it’s the location or the air. Does it make you miss Denver?”

[Diana Warren]

A soft laugh escaped her as she lifted her glass, turning it slightly in her hand before taking a sip.


“Well, that's the thing about offices. They're meant to show people exactly what you want them to see.” Hazel eyes drifted around the room again, lingering on a few details before returning to Sofia. “What I gathered was that you have an eye for art and details, and you can afford quality or luxury when it suits you. Beyond that? I'd be making assumptions, and assumptions usually get people into trouble.”


“Fair enough. I suppose if I was looking for work in that line of business, I'd have done my homework first.” There was no offense taken. If anything, she appreciated the honesty. “I'm still learning about Sacramento and the people who run it. Sounds like you've made quite a mark on both.”


At the question of Denver, she leaned back in her chair.


“Sometimes.” Her answer came after a brief pause. “I miss the mountains. Nothing against California's scenery, but there's something different about standing on a ridge and seeing the Rockies stretch out forever.” She shrugged lightly. “Though, strangely enough, I do miss the cold sometimes. Not the scraping ice off my windshield at four in the morning, but the way the air smells when winter settles in. That crisp, clean scent that only comes with freezing temperatures. Sacramento has a lot going for it, but it doesn't quite have that.”


A grin followed.


“And if Sacramento's air is what's driving up the prices, somebody should bottle it and start charging admission.”

[Alessandra]

“I believe only a few things in life should be quality and luxury. And those are the things I invest in; art is one such investment, it’s not something one should bargain for. Other things are of little consequence in that sense. ” She had come from money, but was not Embraced into it. A soft chuckle, “At least you are smart about not making assumptions, it’s a rare thing. Though I do enjoy the assumptions others have made about me over the years, there have been some wild ones.” They never end well of course, but they had been a source of entertainment for her.

“So, you do your homework then let me know. If you’re still interested, then we can talk in more detail.” So she wasn’t shutting her down, just making sure it was a line of work she wanted in on. A shrug, “I came here to make a name for myself, start the family business in my name, which was a chore in itself. But I did make quite the mark, at the bottom and then at the top.” The Invictus did help, but so did her determination. “Sacramento is a good place to make a name for yourself if you’re determined and not afraid of hard work.”

There was a slight head tilt as she listened, “I think it’s been so long since I’ve experienced a cold morning that I don’t quite remember.” Laughing, “Sacramento, like you said, just doesn’t have mornings like that. I’d have to travel north to get that, and think I like being spoiled here.” Truth was, she was too old to remember a lot of those feelings. But a good excuse was the warmth of the city.

Chuckling, “With or without the pollution? I hear we have quite a bit of that going on too. And that Denver has some nice air. Have you found a nice place to settle into?”

[Diana Warren]

Diana listened with an amused smile, swirling her drink idly before taking a sip.
"Art's never really been my world, but I can understand the appeal. If you're going to spend money on something, it might as well be something that means something to you." She shrugged lightly. "Most of my investments have always been in experiences, people, and making sure I can take care of myself. Less refined, perhaps, but it's served me well."

A grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "As for assumptions, I imagine you've heard some interesting ones. People usually take one look at me and decide they've got me figured out. Personal trainer, outdoorsy, spends half her life climbing mountains—apparently that means I'm either some free-spirited drifter or completely incapable of holding an intelligent conversation." She laughed. "It's always entertaining watching them realize they were wrong."

At the mention of homework, she gave a small nod. "Fair enough. I can respect that. If I'm going to put my name on something, I prefer knowing exactly what I'm getting into first. I'll take a look and let you know."

There was genuine respect in her expression as Sofia spoke of building her reputation.
"Starting at the bottom and making your way to the top isn't something anyone can hand you. Doesn't matter how much help you get along the way—you still have to do the work. That's something I can appreciate." She leaned back in her chair. "I've always believed determination counts for more than talent in the long run. Most people quit when things get difficult."

The conversation shifted to weather, and Diana chuckled. "Without the pollution, ideally. Though after spending enough time in Denver, you stop noticing it until you're somewhere else." She tapped a finger against her glass thoughtfully. "And yeah, I've found a place. Nothing extravagant, but it's got what I need. Close enough to the city that I'm not driving forever, but far enough away that I can still get some peace and quiet when I want it."

A smirk crossed her face. "Besides, if I wake up one morning and decide I need a rugged trail instead of traffic, I'm only a short drive away from finding one. That's about as settled as I get." She pulled out her phone and flipped through a few photos. "Nothing fancy, but there are some pictures of the basement studio apartment if you're curious what I ended up with." She offered the phone to Sophia to take so she could look at it herself. "It has a tiny outdoor area where I can stick my plants during the day while I am out at the office so they can get some sun."

[Alessandra]

“Nothing wrong with taking care of yourself. If you don’t, who will?” she asks, “Learned a long time ago that you have to depend on yourself first and foremost.” And certainly, don’t depend on Kindred society to do it. “Any exciting experiences?”

Chuckling with a nod, “I’ve pretty much heard them all, most center around my ink and my heritage. Though I do love to let people have their assumptions, especially when the pieces start to click together.” A content sigh, “It’s priceless. See usually my ink means I’m unintelligent or uneducated. Yet when they learn I’m a classically trained pianist or can talk circles around someone about art history or beat them in chess their jaws are on the floor. But let them enjoy their assumptions, doesn’t bother me as much anymore.” It was their downfall, think the Savage was stupid.

A sage nod, “It’s the wise thing to do. Not that I would say no to someone who’s intelligent joining my ranks. It would certainly help keep the men in line.” It was so hard to find good help.
“My family name didn’t mean anything here, and it was hard to accept. Add to that being a woman and it was an uphill battle. Not many women hold my position, it’s not a traditional role. So, in a way, it was fun to earn the respect.” The whole underestimating thing. “Unfortunately, in the world we share, not many are willing to do the work. I’ve seen many come expecting things to be handed to them, and that’s just not how I do things. I expect those that want a name for themselves to earn it, to put in the work.” The Italian had a good feeling about her cousin, but she had been wrong before.

“Glad you were able to find a place that fit what you needed. And sometime it’s just about finding what you need, things don’t need to be extravagant to meet needs.” Could she go back to some of the basics?

An eyebrow raised, “Not many are trusting enough to show people they just met their apartment.” Choosing not to take the phone. “Or maybe it’s just me and my own experiences. But I’m glad you’ve found a place you like that fits what you need. What sort of plants do you grow?”