Tale of the Hireling and the Girl [] Amalea []
Posted: 14 Sep 2017, 00:53
The jangle of Flynn's keys filled the silence of his apartment as he prepared to leave for the night. Before he could step toward the door, his husky came bounding through the living room at a full sprint. He braced himself for impact just as the large ball of fur slammed into him at full force. Mere moments later and the canine had his face covered in kisses, bringing out a laugh from her master. Hardly in a rush, he knelt down and buried his face into the scruff of her neck, rubbing at her affectionately."Yes, Athena, I will miss you, too. Aysel needs to me at the lounge, tonight, so you hold down the fort. And don't let Dhara climb the furniture," he commanded of the animal with a wink. She responded in kind with a bark, dropping to the ground and freeing him from her weight.
The night was still young, despite the fact that sun had already begun to set and the streets would soon be shrouded in darkness. The street lamps provided minimal protection from the endless shadows, allowing the predators of the night plenty of cover. With a pat of his hip, Flynn ensured that his dagger was secured and at the ready should anything decide he would make for a decent dinner. It would be an unwelcome surprise for them, no doubt, but that didn't mean it never happened. Not all the vampires in this city were as in control of themselves as they might like to think, and he was no stranger to the undead in the throes of bloodlust. Violent and unpredictable, he took no chances, even when casually walking to work.
Scheherazade's Tales was situated in the heart of Bullwood, and thankfully a relatively easy trip to make. Coming on the authentic Middle Eastern hookah lounge, he made his way inside and immediately moved to the center firepit to find and report to Aysel and check in for his shift. As it was still early, there were few patrons stationed around the lounge, creating a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Many of them made up the wealthy Saudi and Jordanian males who came to do business with Zakar, Aysel’s husband. Once business was concluded, they came to relax in the lounge for a bit before the dancers began their first set.
It wouldn't be long, though, before business picked up and more made their way for a decent coffee and imported tobacco with authentic entertainment. Stationed near Harper Rock University, it was only a matter of time before the college crowd made their way to the lounge, bringing their (occasionally) rowdy behavior with them. That was where Flynn came in. The regulars were hardly any issue most nights, but every so often, some college kid got loud and obnoxious. Especially during the weekend when they would come in with alcohol on their breath and bloodshot eyes, only to be turned away at the door.
Being a Thursday night, Flynn was sure he would be dragging at least one young punk out by his neck for being too hands on with the dancers, or trying to sneak in while under age. Looking to his boss with an easygoing grin, he nodded toward the front of the house, "I'm going take a turn around the floor before the crowds start coming in, and check in with the dancers before the show starts. Hollar if you need me." Aysel nodded and sent him off, turning her attention back to her own duties.
The dancers had gathered around the retail shop in the back of the lounge, chatting amongst themselves as they waited to begin. Hands in his pockets, he meandered over and greeted them all. At this point, the dancers had grown comfortable enough with him to know their safety was in good hands, and they returned the greeting with bright smiles. Taking a few minutes to chat with them, he reminded them that the slightest problem with a patron could be brought to his attention and the matter would be dealt with immediately. They, of course, knew the drill and shooed him away to start making his rounds.
Once 7:00pm hit, the lounge came to life as the dancers began their first set and more and more patrons filed in. And that meant that Flynn's night was just beginning.
The night was still young, despite the fact that sun had already begun to set and the streets would soon be shrouded in darkness. The street lamps provided minimal protection from the endless shadows, allowing the predators of the night plenty of cover. With a pat of his hip, Flynn ensured that his dagger was secured and at the ready should anything decide he would make for a decent dinner. It would be an unwelcome surprise for them, no doubt, but that didn't mean it never happened. Not all the vampires in this city were as in control of themselves as they might like to think, and he was no stranger to the undead in the throes of bloodlust. Violent and unpredictable, he took no chances, even when casually walking to work.
Scheherazade's Tales was situated in the heart of Bullwood, and thankfully a relatively easy trip to make. Coming on the authentic Middle Eastern hookah lounge, he made his way inside and immediately moved to the center firepit to find and report to Aysel and check in for his shift. As it was still early, there were few patrons stationed around the lounge, creating a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Many of them made up the wealthy Saudi and Jordanian males who came to do business with Zakar, Aysel’s husband. Once business was concluded, they came to relax in the lounge for a bit before the dancers began their first set.
It wouldn't be long, though, before business picked up and more made their way for a decent coffee and imported tobacco with authentic entertainment. Stationed near Harper Rock University, it was only a matter of time before the college crowd made their way to the lounge, bringing their (occasionally) rowdy behavior with them. That was where Flynn came in. The regulars were hardly any issue most nights, but every so often, some college kid got loud and obnoxious. Especially during the weekend when they would come in with alcohol on their breath and bloodshot eyes, only to be turned away at the door.
Being a Thursday night, Flynn was sure he would be dragging at least one young punk out by his neck for being too hands on with the dancers, or trying to sneak in while under age. Looking to his boss with an easygoing grin, he nodded toward the front of the house, "I'm going take a turn around the floor before the crowds start coming in, and check in with the dancers before the show starts. Hollar if you need me." Aysel nodded and sent him off, turning her attention back to her own duties.
The dancers had gathered around the retail shop in the back of the lounge, chatting amongst themselves as they waited to begin. Hands in his pockets, he meandered over and greeted them all. At this point, the dancers had grown comfortable enough with him to know their safety was in good hands, and they returned the greeting with bright smiles. Taking a few minutes to chat with them, he reminded them that the slightest problem with a patron could be brought to his attention and the matter would be dealt with immediately. They, of course, knew the drill and shooed him away to start making his rounds.
Once 7:00pm hit, the lounge came to life as the dancers began their first set and more and more patrons filed in. And that meant that Flynn's night was just beginning.
