I Can't Run a Business... Or Can I? (Open)

[Aysel]

AJ's night had started as it usually did since her return, in silence. She fed from her thrall and then showered and dressed for the night in her usual garb of black leather pants, a long tunic shirt and heels. As her long hair dried, she wrote in her journal, and then moved to the bathroom to finish her make-up, bracing herself for the rotting corpse she would see in the mirror. She was pleasantly surprised to see, not a rotting corps, but her own golden-copper skin and large, striking eyes staring back. It brought a smile to her lips as she applied the khol powder, mascara and a light gloss. Preparations for the evening finished, she sat down at the computer to do her evening hacking before trying to figure out what she would do next. The flashing icon of her email caught her eye, and she braced herself as she clicked the icon and opened her inbox. Tension seeped from her shoulders when she saw it was from Amaranthia. She blinked and did a double take, then opened the letter, her eyes widening in surprise with each line she read.

AJ,
Sorry to have left everything, but I had no choice. Sometimes, change is a necessity.
For the foreseeable future, I am leaving The Necropolis in your care.

Please do all that you can to preserve her. She was the only thing that always stood by me after
all was said and done. I trust you to take care of her, and make sure that she is
well loved.

Know I appreciated your friendship, and having the opportunity to watch
you grow. I tire so quickly these nights. Forgive me for being brief.

With love,
Amaranthia

Sitting back in her chair, she stared at the screen, reading over and over the words written there. A tear slid down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away before leaning forward to tap out her own email in response, hoping that where ever Amaranthia was, she would be able to read it.

Dear Amaranthia,

I wish you were here. I wish we could talk to each other. That I could see your face and hear your voice. I miss you so much and I hope you come back to us, the Necropolis and I, some day. We will be here waiting for you.

Your email is such a surprise and I am both honored and humbled by your choice in me as defacto owner/manager until you return. In fact, your email gives me hope that you will come back and take your rightful place once more.

I promise you with all that I have, I will treat the Necropolis with all the devotion, care and respect that you have. I will try my best to maintain her status as a neutral place. Just please, come back soon.

With Love,
Aysel Asun Johari

Clicking send, she pushed back from the chair and pulled on her ankle length cashmere coat, striding to the door where she stepped in to a pair of black heels and made her way out of the apartment and to the train. It wasn't long until she was standing before the double doors of the entrance, gazing over the hulking structure. Pushing the doors open, she stepped inside and went quickly to the office, using her key to open it.

There was a light coat of dust, as she hadn't come in here since learning of Amara's passing. She could still detect the faintest hint of the woman's perfume on the air, and it gave her a sense that Amara was watching over her and guiding her.

After some light cleaning, the office was pristine and her coat was draped over the chair before the desk. She sat down and did some quick accounting, going over the books meticulously, then she placed orders for beverages and various other supplies. Once the tedium was done, she left the office and took up a position more comfortable to her, ready to start her first night as a club "owner." She looked out over the club from her place behind the bar and a tiny smile curled her lips. She would make Amaranthia proud no matter what.

[Luffy]

As he passed through the door of the club, Luffy paused. He ran the toe of his left boot along the floor. It was mostly gone, and under the dim lighting most people wouldn't have noticed the faint marks of blood that marked his last visit. Amaranthia's death. At least he thought that's what her name was. He really didn't bother to pay attention to the details. Only the location really. The target was already being attacked when he arrived. He strolled further into the building and looked around. The music wasn't really to his liking, however he wasn't here for dancing. He had come to see the effects of what his handy work had helped to create.

Luffy moved through the crowd of drunken dancing people to the bar. He cast a glance around and leaned against it. He had noticed Aysel, but made no attempt to to attract her attention. At least, not right away. Whether he made an attempt at all, he hadn't fully decided. He pulled his blonde hair behind his head and fastened it with his leather tie. He made a quick inspection of the bandage wraps that wound their way up his hands and forearms. His injuries from a match had stopped bleeding long ago. Now he just needed to keep them hidden until the flesh had healed over.

Some random woman stumbled her way over to the bar and attempted to strike up a conversation. Her breath stunk, and her words were heavily slurred. Luffy merely turned his back on her and completely ignored her. He was not interested in dealing with drunkards of any kind this night. Yet, she kept going on for quite a while after his seemingly obvious "Eff You" attempt. He merely shook his head and took a few steps away.

[Luffy]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

* Aysel Johari she finished serving the customers and wiped down the bar, watching Luffy from the corner of her eye. After a moment and a sip of sprite, she moved towards him, standing across from him, she began to prepare him a drink. "Luffy, I have not seen you in some time."

‹Luffy› "Eh, I've been working mostly," He replied as he tilted his head."Good job on cleaning the place up." He leaned against the bar and grinned. "That was a tragic bit of business wasn't it? Then again it always is when something like that happens."

‹Aysel Johari› "I still do not know what happened. I only know I saw her obituary, then recieved an email to watch over the Necropolis." She placed the thick mug before him, head tilted almost expectantly.

* Luffy took the mug and held in his hands. He ran his finger over the rim before answering her. "She was gunned down, and stabbed. But no moneyfor it. Or reason." He took a sip from the mug before continuing. "It was quite the mess."
* Aysel Johari she lowered her gaze at the heartless and matter of fact way he gave the details, her hands curling in to fists to hide her emotions. She cleared her throat and then looked up. "You helped?"

* Luffy drank the mug as Aysel looked down at the counter. He waited until she looked up before replying. "I was the first one on the scene. The others were pretty quick though. It didn't last as long as I'd expected it to."

* Aysel Johari clenched her jaw and nodded slightly, then looked out over the expanse of the club.

‹Aysel Johari› "And you do not know why?" The question came as a harsh whisper, filled with emotion.

‹Luffy› "I never bothered to ask. I've never cared for the little details." His answer was short and emotionless. "Could have been any number of reasons. Maybe she violated some law that exposed a group of people to others who should never have known. I came, I did what was needed and, I went home." He shrugged slightly and set the mug back on the counter.

* Aysel Johari gave a slight nod, not sure what to say. She swallowed thickly, trying to choke back the lump in her throat.

* Luffy tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you feeling okay? You look a little pale right now."

‹Aysel Johari› "I do not feel well..." She whispered, clinging to the bar top. Amaranthia was one of her very first friends, and she hadn't taken news of the womans death very well. Hearing the scant, emotionless details was even harder.

‹Luffy› "You want a bucket or something to get sick in?" He looked around the area quickly to find a trash can or something for her. Not seeing anything nearby, he shrugged and stood there.
‹Aysel Johari› "No, thank you. I-I'll be okay..." She managed.

‹Luffy› "You sure? You look like you're going to throw up." He placed his arms on the counter and looked at his wrists. He removed the wrap from his right wrist and rewrapped it.

* Aysel Johari gave a weak nod, then managed to speak softly. "Amaranthia was my first friend in this city. One of them. She is.. was... is very dear to me."

‹Luffy› "Ah. Well it's always tough to lose a loved one. This city just breeds death i'm told." He placed his hand over hers gently for a brief moment. "But it's okay, because death is only temporary for many us right?" He pulled his hand back and stretched.

‹Aysel Johari› "For some. But for others... who knows? I miss her so much."
‹Luffy› "Makes you kinda wonder though doesn't it? If bringing harm to others is really worth it."

‹Aysel Johari› "In some respects, yes. In others, no."

‹Luffy› "Oh?" He cocked his head to the side at her comment.

‹Aysel Johari› "I will always defend the masqurade. Regardless of how I feel for some one."

‹Luffy› "Ah. Well, you can always think that she died for violating your new god's laws? Exposing us to humans and all that."

‹Aysel Johari› "My new god? Allah is not a new god." She frowned at him, "Besides, I doubt that is the truth behind her death. And a lie does not make things better."

‹Luffy› "I'm not talking bout that one. I'm talking about the god you now kill for." He grinned slightly at her other comments. "Are there any truths behind those others? Or just comforting lies to justify the actions taken against them?"

‹Aysel Johari› "I do not kill for any god." She said with a frown. "That is blasphemy. The only god I know is Allah. As for the rest, it is vampires turning in other vampires. I have seen the evidence myself."

‹Luffy› "You kill to protect the laws created by the almighty Crow do you not? We can neither see him nor touch him. He could in fact, be considered a god. How can you trust the evidence from those who are more than likely hiding their true reasons for submitting such evidence? Tell me, how would your Imam react if he were to learn that you had been commiting murders? And getting money from some of them."

‹Aysel Johari› "I receive no money." She paused and then looked at him. "In fact, I have only ever wounded, not killed. This fantastical Crow you speak of is no god to me."

‹Luffy› "You still aided in murders. You just didn't get the final blow. For laws written by a "fantastical" being. I highly doubt your Allah is very pleased about any of that."

‹Aysel Johari› "I highly doubt you know any thing of Allah." She wiped her hands on a towel, then tossed it down. "You aided in a murder for reasons you know nothing of. You just killed a woman and you do not know why. I see very little difference between you and I."

‹Luffy› "The difference is, I'm not pretending to protect people or arbitrary laws. And it's more, that I just didn't bother to care why she needed to die. Only that she had to."

* Aysel Johari was furious from his words and instead of answering, she stalked off, vanishing in to the office and locking the door behind her.

* Luffy merely smiled and pushed away from the bar and walked away from the club to the city outside.