Every Thug Needs a Lady
11.02.14 | The Handle Bar | Redwood
Kleopatra: descended the steps, moving from the apartment space above The Handle Bar down into the bar area itself. Minimal lighting was on- as could be expected when the place wasn't open for the day's business yet. She knew there would be one other person there, and her eyes sought him out as she came around the corner. She spied him, behind the expansive bar top, and grinned, sliding onto a stool to take a seat as if she were a paying customer. Kleo clasped her palms on the polished wood grain, and waited for him to notice her.
Mkvenner: had been making sure all the glasses were clean - well, clean enough - when he heard footsteps on the stairs. He smiled to himself, having a pretty good idea of who it would be. He gave her his best bartender smile as she sat down opposite him.
"And what can I do for you tonight, darlin'?"
Kleopatra: smirked up at the face across from hers, her index fingertip tracing abstract patterns into the counter as she pretended to ponder deeply.
"That's a dangerous question..." she teased "...but tonight I'm gonna make it easy- I think. Just have a little talk with me?"
Mkvenner: lays the glass he was currently cleaning down on the top of the bar, placing the cloth next to it. He rested his elbows on the counter with a chuckle.
"Sure thing. What's up?"
Kleopatra: "I know it's rather short notice, but I wanted to be sure I told you I won't be able to cover my evening shifts for the next few nights. Monday through Wednesday I'd say…and perhaps even tonight…My owner is coming to retrieve me..."
Mkvenner: "Yeah, no wor-... " he began before breaking off with a start, "Wait, your what now?"
As far as he was aware, following the impromptu auction Mel had arranged on opening night he was her 'owner', albeit in name only, and the arrangement was a mutual one anyway, what with them having bought each other.
Kleopatra: cringed- that's the reaction she'd been expecting. "My owner." she repeated. "As a result of the auction on Friday at Lancaster's...I was in it. I should've mentioned it to you last night, but there was so much other stuff going on..."
Mkvenner: "Oh!" he exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and mild relief, "Right, that. That woman last night, owns Lancaster's… Pie, I think her name was. Pretty sure it's a nickname.
Anyway, yeah, with you now."
He paused, flashing her a grin.
"Don't worry about last night, it was all a bit… frantic. Don't worry about your shifts neither, 'kay?"
Kleopatra: "Yeah, that sounds right! I'll have to get with her later on this week about her tattoo." Kleo wasn't surprised Ven wasn't fussing about the missed shifts- the place would still run without her, the others would make sure of it. The staff at The Handle Bar had each other's backs without question. "Alright. So the shifts are covered, which is good…but there's another reason I'm bringing this up…" she eyed him, wondering if he'd overlooked the possible issues she saw.
Mkvenner: was glad he was in the bar for this, he had a feeling that what was going to come up next would mean he'd need a drink.
"Yeah?" he asked simply, not entirely sure what else he could say.
Kleopatra: had been ready to go for it- say what she needed to, but one glance at Ven had Kleo on the verge of laughing "…Am I makin you nervous, Ven?" she asked, temporarily sidetracked.
Mkvenner: "Last time I had this sort of chat, love, someone was telling me they'd backed over my bike with their truck," he grinned, "I mean, I doubt you've done that but like... memories, or something?"
Kleopatra: shook her head. "Well, I'm definitely not gonna tell you that, so relax up! It's just...I've never done one of these slave - owner type deals...in this way." She wasn't about to go into what twisted fantasies she'd ever played out in an intimate setting, so she left it at that. "But I've heard they can get rather...interesting? And the person who has won me...I've talked to him before, so I know the kinds of things he's wanting to do with me."
She frowned. Her delivery was rather poor at the moment, she thought.
Mkvenner: took a moment to let that sink in. On the one hand, he didn't feel as though he had any real claim on Kleo, on the other he kinda wanted to. They hadn't talked about it, but they'd gotten... close... lately.
"Oh. I, er, see... " he said, not wanting to overstep.
Kleopatra: sat there, trying to read Ven, but the man was difficult. About as difficult as this conversation was proving to be, in fact. "Yeah..." her voice trailed. off. "I mean, I don't know specifics or anything...but he's given me a good gist of where his general interests are. He's only mentioned two things he especially wants out of me." She felt like she was making the situation worse. Or perhaps, more awkward. While speaking her eyes had averted from him, and noticing it now, she focused them on him again.
Mkvenner: was in over his head at this point; the entire situation was new to him. He decided he would have that drink after all and offered the bottle to Kleo, too. After a stiff drink he tried to think of something to say. He decided to go with honesty.
"Look, I have no idea what I'm supposed to say at this point. Am I happy about it? Not entirely, no. But... you're your own person, love. Like we talked about. You put yourself up for auction, I'm not about to stand in your way"
Kleopatra: took the bottle from Ven, more so for something to do with her hands than true desire to drink. She watched as he poured, then indulged in the beverage. When he began to speak she noticed her body had tensed, and consciously relaxed. The things he said were reiteration of topics already discussed. That was one of the things she liked so much about him- that they could sit back, relax, and enjoy each other's company by doing nothing more than talking, on and on. "That's fair." she agreed. "I'm not bringing this up to...make things awkward, or otherwise pressure you, but it felt like I'd be hiding something from you if I just went off knowing good and well the conversations I've had with the man before, ya know what I mean?" Kleo paused, chewing her lower lip softly.
"...And I like that you're not entirely happy." A smile threatened to show itself.
Mkvenner: saw she'd grown a little tense and reached across the bar, giving her arm a gentle rub, looking to reassure her somehow.
"Didn't think you were, love. I like that you came to talk, actually. I mean, like I say... not thrilled at the prospect, but I respect the choice you made, both being auctioned and coming down here.
He grinned at her, mischievously, and gave her a wink.
"Yeah? C'mon, that smile's weak. You can do better than that, love."
Kleopatra: was put at ease by his touch, and moved a hand toward his, grazing it lightly before letting it fall aside. His encouragement made her laugh, which in turn caused the smile on her face to touch her eyes.
"Is this what you wanted?" she teased him. "And I'm glad I came, too…otherwise, it would've bothered me. You make it easy, really. I guess I'm just trying to say that I've been having a nice time with you...and that I respect..." she tried to find a word other than 'us' "...what we've got going. So yeah." She was sure he could fill in the rest.
Mkvenner: chuckled, "Yeah, much better, sweetheart."
His own smile grew a little wider as she spoke, faintly amused at her awkwardness but mostly he was touched by what she was saying.
"I... " he began, "Yeah, I like it too. I've been having a good time too, chatting and stuff."
He paused again, also not entirely sure what it was they've 'got going', but able to guess at what it was she meant.
"Yeah," he grinned, his eyes flicking away from her momentarily, "I know what you mean."
Kleopatra: pressed a fist to her mouth- it was the only way she could keep from dissolving into a fit right in front of him. The awkwardness of the conversation was damn near tangible, but she still wouldn't have it any other way. "I'm glad we've decided that I like you, and you like me." she smirked, the fist becoming an open hand which she rested on the bar. "Lee's coming to pick me up tonight, here at the bar. I don't really know how much freedom I'm gonna have? But if I get time to spare I'll send a message or something your way...it's so ******* weird to be having this discussion."
Mkvenner: laughed, "Oh yeah, I'm right there with you on this one. Off the charts weird. But yeah. It's good we had this talk, I think. On a couple of levels. Wouldn't want to come charging in to defend your honour and be not needed. It'd be really awkward, that."
He grinned cheekily.
Kleopatra: snorted back a laugh, and reached across the bar as if to swat him but found he was out of range. "Uh huh! But still, I think the sentiment is sweet. I'd like to see you come charging in…on those strong legs of yours." she whistled innocently.
Mkvenner: "You'd have to give me a few hours' notice for the next few days, love. You did quite a number on one of my 'strong legs' the other day. Also my back."
He paused.
"And my ribs. You did stitch my arm up, though. So there's that," he laughed.
Kleopatra: "Ya know, if someone were just walking by…that would sound pretty compromising." She grinned. "Sorry darlin'. I can get a bit carried away when I'm goin at it barehanded."
...she blinked. Then blinked again.
"But yes! I did stitch up your arm, we can't forget that. My handiwork is beautiful." She beamed at him. "Hopefully you'll be healed by the time I come back…we've got some slave nights of our own, yeah?"
Mkvenner: "Yeah," he laughed, "There's no way someone just walking by could take any of that the wrong way, now, is there?"
He grinned, refilling his glass and offering the bottle to her once again.
"You do make a good point though. We bought each other, so technically we got to sort out... so many things. Me? I'm of the 'ladies first' position, but that one could go either way too... "
Kleopatra: "Not a chance in hell!" she fired back immediately, with a smirk. She waved a hand, turning down the drink he had, but requested what she craved. "Do we some AV on hand? If you get it out, I'll even pour it myself." She winked, and slipped down off her stool, ready come 'round behind the bar.
"...It really could go either way. The lady being controlled first, or the lady doing the controlling...decisions decisions, how ever will we choose?" She was teasing again.
Mkvenner: "Sure we've got some round here, somewhere... Thingy, girl as owns the place, she dropped off crates of the stuff," he had a quick rummage, "Yeah, here we are."
He handed the bottle to Kleo as she came around the bar and turned to grab her a fresh glass.
"Rock paper scissors?"
