New Friends

[Alessandra]

Glancing at Cain, then back to Vivian, “In a way, kinda. I can form a connection, empathic in a way, with him. With that connection, I can speak with him, and make myself understood. When he feels like it, he lets me know he understood what I said or asked. But it’s through eye contact. Though the commands he knows don’t require it.” Her hand gently strokes his back. “It’s helped a great deal establish and build a bond.” There were other tricks with that gift, but she hadn’t explored them much.

A nod, “I’ve heard of some turning on their creator even.” Those tales never ended well. “Not to mention, I like to think they have some sense of what’s going on. And mistreating someone who is doing you a service is even lower than I’m willing to go. And I’ve done some bad things in my time.” Some she wasn’t proud of, but so was life. “You’ll have to keep me in the loop on how this develops.” She was curious.

There was a snort and laugh, “Yeah, prissy well-groomed guys don’t do it for me. I’ve been told I’m intimidating, so it’s finding guys that aren’t intimidated by me.” Which wasn’t all that easy lately. “Though I suppose I could put more of an effort into it.” There was a shrug. “I need to get out more. I’m going stir crazy in the office. So tell me about some good bars to hangout in. Hanging out with our kind is great and all, but, well, you know.” Maybe she knew, maybe not. Maybe this was a gilded cage of her own making.

[Alessandra]

She never considered the ability incredible, but maybe because she had it?

“I actually don’t get to use it very often. But it’s been nice to have with him.” It had helped her bond with him.

“It’s always been something that plays at the back of my mind when I think about getting a Ghoul. That and putting that much trust in someone.” She wasn’t sure she was ready for that.

Laughing, “In my line of work, intimidating helps keep you alive and on top. But seems some guys have an issue with that.” Shrug, “Well, lets hope you don’t do something really stupid.” A wink. “I try and keep the really scary tendencies I have hidden until I really need to use em.” The day she truly lost her shit would be terrifying.

A nod, “We could do that. Might do me some good to get out.” Could be fun, “Do I have to wear a dress?” she asks.

“Heard those names, but I haven’t visited any. And Smoke and Glass? Can’t say I’ve heard of that one. But there are a lot of clubs I don’t know the names of.”

Then the smile, an eyebrow raised in question, “What’s with the smile?”

[Alessandra]

A shallow nod, “In some ways, yes. But I’d like to grow it more at some point.” There would be things she could do that would prove quite useful.

Chuckling, “I certainly hope so. Something tells me every step you take is perfectly planned and thought out.” As most things should be.

“Oh, well that’s good. I hate dresses.” That was no secret. “Feel amazing in it huh? Well, I’ll have to put some thought into it then. Maybe go out and buy something for the occasion.” Maybe.

Or….she wonders.

Oh! Vivian had bought herself a business!

A genuine smile appears, “Seems someone has been sneaky and keeping secrets!” she teases. “Congratulations! How you’ve kept it a secret this long is amazing. But I’m really excited to see it, especially with how passionately you talk about it. Was this something you had been planning for a while, or was it a whim?” either was ok with her. She did many things on a whim.

“If you decide to go with a New Year’s grand opening, count me in. I usually don’t celebrate the New Year, they kind of blend together.” Only a Kindred would understand that. “But I’ll make an exception for you. Did you want to put out an announcement to the others?”

[Alessandra]

Chuckling, “I can appreciate that. I had to do that for a few years as I established myself.” Women in the Mafia weren’t a thing then. “Well good for you! And I have no doubt it’ll be successful. You put a lot of thought and time into it, and that will be obvious to people who visit. I heard that somewhere, I don’t remember where,” she says with a laugh, “but yah.” People liked when effort went into things. “And I didn’t realize that smoking bars were a thing. But that shows how much I go out.” A laugh.

“You could do both. A public night for New Year’s, then a private night for our people. I think the sooner you open to the public and get them in there and paying, the better. New Years appears to be a big deal, and a hot new place to visit? You’ll have a line out the door!” if not, she’d be surprised. “Kinda makes sense. But your place, your rules.”

Laughing, “I hear that’s usually what happens after holiday type nights out. A few drinks, good conversations and all that.” Finding someone to go home with was fun, but it wasn’t important to her. Maybe it should be?

Smiling, “Of course I am! Have to support you and your endeavors and I wouldn’t miss it.” The smile softened.

Then a small chuckle, “Oh, well, we’ll see. I’m really awkward with that whole thing, plus small talk?” a snort, “Terrible!” a shake of her head.

“So tell me, is there a dress code or theme you were going with?”

[Alessandra]

A single nod, “Nothing wrong with wanting things to be perfect. This is going to be your baby, something for you to brag about, you make it as damn perfect as you want.” There.

“I think a holiday party as a grand opening is going to be great. Maybe have some drink specials, or drinks designed specifically for the night. Make people want to spend the money on something they can only get for one night only. Or something like that.” Seemed like a good idea.

“Well, themes are fun, I think everyone likes dressing up for something. Rather it be a roaring 20’s theme, or uh,” she pauses, clearly thinking, “shit. That’s the only one I have.” She says with a laugh. “Planning these things isn’t really my thing. But I do know people like dressing up and looking their best. Even if that’s with a costume. Plus, it gives a reason to approach a stranger and talk to them.” Maybe, it could work.

“I’m not good with theme ideas. But fun and engaging sound great!” a smirk. “Maybe taking into consideration what people typically have in their closets, and making something around that. Could be a black-tie theme, is that a theme?” she says looking thoughtful, “Or maybe a color theme?”