Inside the bar <open> [Following a ghost]

outside streets

Inside the bar, Dante headed for the cloakroom to put away his winter clothes. He remained dressed with his muscle mapping shirt and pants. He pocketed his check-in ticket and smiled at the lady behind the counter, under her appreciative looks.
Eying the ladies performing tonight, he headed for the wooden bar to order an imported cold brew. He gave the barman a large tip, to make sure he’d remember his client.

He looked at the crowd, mostly males, but there were several females too, seeming to enjoy themselves as much as the men. He scanned for his target, and located him. He remembered the photo, a mug shot. That client was a tall, blonde-haired guy with a huge gash on his cheek. He was supposed to testify against a mafia gang member on some sordid affair of crime. At the last minute, he chickened and ran away. Dante’s job was to bring him back to court. So he was told, but he had other plans for that Johnson guy.

Dante’s face was unknown to Johnson, since he was not aware of the bounty on his head, which played in favor to Richard. He decided to play the friendly card, since they were in a public place. Having studying the guy’s file, he knew he was gay. Now, being in a place like this would be kind of odd for a gay guy, but not if he was using the place to deal the little white powder that makes you happy.

Dante sat not too far from Johnson, making sure he took a good look at him. In order to approach him while staying unsuspicious, he needed Johnson to trust him, somehow.

Jewelry Shop

Nemora knew this wasn't exactly the most 'normal' place for a girl like her to be, so if she didn't want to attract unwanted attention, she'd have to play the part. However, given the clothes she was wearing, it was unlikely that she could offer dances...

In the end, she decided it would be best if she just went in and scoped out the place a bit. If problems came, she would deal with them as they emerged. As long as she was a paying customer, it wouldn't be a problem, right? And this way, she'd be able to keep an eye on the thief, who already found himself a lady.

Nemora took a seat in the corner, keeping an eye on things around her, pretending to watch the show. She ordered a drink to relax a bit. She certainly hoped that in the end, this was worth it.

- Good evening. I'm Jack. He smiled and held out his hand for the other man to shake, his Scottish accent showing.
The other seemed to have a hard time realizing somebody was actually talking to him.

- H - H - Hello. He managed to answer and, after a good ten seconds, Nate Johnson shook his hand and smiled back.
- Nate. How are you?
- Pretty good, actually. May I offer you a drink ?
- I'd say yes, but unfortunately I am waiting for someone.
- What if that someone is me?
- Well, in that case. You know who I am.
- Precisely. Why don't we proceed to a more secluded area?

Nate smiled at Dante, and he smiled in return. Dante knew exactly what was going to happen, and he had no intention at all to prevent it. Strangely, Dante felt very comfortable with the other man, and that was a feeling that he never had before. But none of that could or would go into the way of him executing his mission. He had to get info from him, and also make sure that Nate never suspected him of being somebody else than who he pretended to be.

After drinking that last drink, the bathroom came calling, to her annoyance. But that wouldn't be a problem, as she suspected the thief would be in the same place for a while. His entertainment would ensure that. So, she got up and left for the bathroom.

Upon returning from the bathroom, she walked out and cursed slightly when she saw her spot was taken. She was only gone for a few seconds too. She sighed as she scan the room for another table. She spotted one in a relatively secluded area and made her way there.

Unfortunately, a ruckus broke out in the bar when two men fought over some girl, sending a waitress with a tray of drinks off balance and heading right towards Nem as she headed towards her table. Nem was quick enough to avoid the splash of drinks, but not quick enough to regain her balance, causing her to stumble right into a table with two guys, whom she noted looked rather...gay.

"Sorry," Nem mumbled. "I didn't mean to...interrupt your getting-to-know-each-other session. No hard feelings?" She quickly stood up and dusted herself off, showing a bit of annoyance at the stain from the drink.

Dante noticed the young lady entering the bar and wondered what in the hell such a young lady would do in a place like this. But he shrugged inwardly, knowing that it was none of his concern. He kept on talking with Johnson as soon as their drink arrived, a Heineken beer for Dante and a Budweiser for Johnson. Needless to say that he needed a man with a little more taste that himself.

- So, hum, said Johnson nervously as he played with his beer bottle. You have everything secured?
- Yes. [Pause. Sip of beer.] Why are you so nervous? You know the drill; you shouldn’t worry.
- I don’t know. I’m always like that. The boss knows it and yet she always sends me.

Hum. The boss’s a she. Interesting. These little “frat-boys” are lead by a woman. It must be a little harsher than usual then. Women. Always so hard on their men.

- You should be honored. She puts a lot of trust in you.

That comment from Dante made Johnson smiles.

- I never thought about it that way… Thank you !
- I’m just being honest here.

Richard knew that he just bought this guy’s trust right here and there. All he had to do now was bring him to the place so the “exchange” could happen. And once he knew the trading place he could get rid of him. He couldn’t help but feel a tad bit sad that he would do that to the other man, but it was his job.

(finally you post. )

As Nem cleaned herself off, she couldn't help but overhear their conversation, and she immediately knew how this would end. Judging by the nervous tensions exhibited in one guy accompanied by the calm, relaxed expressions of the other, it was clear who was in power. Whether the nervous guy knew it our not, he would be dead in under 24 hours, she would predict.

The guy closest to her seemed completely unphased by her interruption. He was one who would kill without a moment's notice. He feared nothing, and did what he had to do to get by. She was about to leave when a strange thing caught her eye. The nervous guy's watch was made from a special metal. Perhaps that's why the other guy was after him.

The metal was rare, and very few knew of its existence. But even those who did generally didn't understand its symbolism, for few hear of the story that follows. For such a rare metal, items made from it are only given to certain people - people meant to do certain things, hidden from the rest of civilization for security matters.

Perhaps there was something to gain by hanging around these two...

"Mind if I hang around you two gentlemen? My girlfriend just ditched me and I've had a completely horrible day..." she began, taking on a new story that would hopefully allow these men to accept her into their "group". She now had a new objective, and completely forgot about why she entered the bar to begin with, following that thief. Before either had time to reply, she took a seat, shoving the nervous guy aside to make room in the booth. (err assuming it's a booth...will edit later if necessary)

"Mind if I hang around you two gentlemen? My girlfriend just ditched me and I've had a completely horrible day..."

The lady didn’t wait for them to reply and sat right away, pushing Nate aside.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind, but we’re in the middle of something here.” Began Dante. Nate had a small smile for the lady, yet remained terrorized-looking by her mere presence. He finally came to his senses after a good minute.

“Y-y-y-yeah. Like he said. We are bu-bu-busy. Could you leave us, pl-pl-please?” Dante just stared blankly at the intruder, his eyes burning holes into hers.

Nem frowned, looking apologetic. She knew it would most likely not affect the "calm guy", so she directed it at the nervous guy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. But did you notice..." she whispered something into his ear, inaudible to the other guy, "that guy by the bar seems to think you're cute."

She moved her head in the direction of the bar, where a young guy had been drinking. Nem had decided now was the best time see if her guess about this guy was right. Besides, that guy HAD been checking him out...well, maybe he had been checking HER out, but the nervous guy didn't need to know that. And guy at the bar was simply sending glances every now and then in their direction.

It's possible the guy at the bar had other intentions with these two...she wouldn't know.

"Why don't you say hello to him. I'll hold your place. I mean, you ARE at a bar. You're supposed to have fun. Not time for business," she said casually. "Besides, there's some things I'd like to tell this gentlemen you're talking to." She finished with a smile, hoping the nervous guy would be too baffled to figure out what to do next and just do as she asked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. But did you notice..."

Richard tried to hear what she was saying but she was keeping her voice very low and was leaning into the other guy’s ears. He noticed that Nante blushed slightly and glanced at somebody at the bar, some random guy who was blatantly staring at them. More specifically, that guy was staring at their lady self-invited “friend”. Dante smiled inwardly, starting to clue in what was going on. The woman was smart; she was probably convincing the shy man that the other man was trying to get his attention. And it seemed to work, because as important as Nate was to Richard’s mission, he also had a weak mind, a thing that was as good as it was bad.

"Why don't you say hello to him. I'll hold your place. I mean, you ARE at a bar. You're supposed to have fun. Not time for business. Besides, there's some things I'd like to tell this gentlemen you're talking to."

Dante didn’t hold back his smile this time. He actually admired her efforts to get to him. The least he could do for her was to hear her out, and then he’ll think of a plan of action. Nate just nodded, smiled and got up to leave.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Dante asked casually.

Nem smiled. "A white russian would be nice," she began.

A waiter came by and took the order, then left the two alone again.

Nem studied the guy before her, wondering if this was such a good idea after all...but she didn't think too long, as she came here with a purpose in mind, and she was planning on fulfilling that purpose.

"I know what you're planning on doing," Nem began. She watched the guy for any reaction, but there was none. It was as if he didn't hear what she said.

"And I'd prefer that you not eliminate him just yet. He has something I want, and I'm sure you'll find it of some value as well."

The drink arrived, and she took a sip, watching from the corner of her eye how Nate was doing. Apparently the guy that had been looking at them was a bisexual, so Nate's self-invitation to the guy went smoothly, conveniently enough. At least she would have more time to make her point with the killer assassin guy in front of her.

"By the way, my name's Nem. And yours?"

Richard was a bit taken aback by Nem's comment. How did she know all that? Yet he knew that his methods were sometimes a bit obvious, and it would only take somebody to pay enough attention to notice, so he didn't lost his cool.

"Well, I'm Dante. Richard Dante. And, contrary to what you might think, I was absolutely not planning on terminating that man, though. He is precious to me. What is it that he has that you would like? Is it his watch? I noticed it right away also. That's one of the reasons why I am after him. That man isn't what he might seems; he is dangerous."

Dante knew that what he was saying was true; but not for the reasons he stated. Nate Johnson knew too much, and had to be eliminated. But of course nobody knew who Dante really was, and it was imperative that things remained as they were. He knew that the woman sitting in front of him, sipping casually her drink, was not as harmless as she appeared to be, and that was one thing that was appealing to him; that was why he allowed her to come this close to him.

"Oh. And that guy was looking at you, not him." Dante said in a mock-like tone as he raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his drink himself.

Nem laughed lightly, hearing Dante's response. She took another sip before answering him.

"I know who he was looking at," Nem replied with an air of confidence. "I just needed a distraction."

She took another sip before continuing. Gazing into his eyes, she told him, "I don't believe you."

As she checked how Nate was doing from the corner of her eye, she saw that the two had engaged in friendly conversation. The other guy was even buying Nate some drinks.

"In a world like ours, nothing is as it seems. Dangerous or not, I'd like him to live. Perhaps I am after his watch. Perhaps it's something else. That is something I do not care to reveal at this point in time. However, if you do let him live, I'll make sure you won't regret it."

As she turned her attention to Nate again, she noticed that the two guys had disappeared...her eyes scanned the crowds and barely caught them exiting the bar together. Perhaps the distraction went...too well.

Dante raised a suspicious eyebrow at his 'friend''s comment.

"You sure know how to reel me in your stories now, do you. If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere I have to be at." He said as he abruptly stood up, almost spilling his drink in the process.

He quickly grabbed it, in a very quick motion, almost too quick to be seen, and downed it in one gulp. He then started to walk away from her. He was angry within himself. First he let her waste his precious time and because of her, he had lost his prey. But he had a very good idea on how to find him. Now he had to lose her and find him, it wouldn't be an easy task, but he knew how to do that.

Nem smirked silently and watched as Dante took off. She quickly finished her drink and followed him at a distance.

She knew where he was going; she knew how to find him even if he did manage to lose her tail. The only problem with that was that she suspected he knew she knew...which meant that he would make it even more difficult for her to follow him and stop him from accomplishing his task.

She lost her element of surprise, but at the same time, she had a feeling that even if he did see her again, he would not eliminate her. Perhaps that would work to her advantage.

Nem disappeared into the busy streets. Darkness would fall soon enough, and that would help her remain hidden while she tracked Dante and Nate. She had a goal of her own, and she was determined to not let anyone get in the way.

A shadow was spying on Nem, who would do anything to prevent her from reaching her objective.

As Nem edged closer, she couldn't help but sense something wasn't right. She didn't know what it was, and as she looked around, nothing seemed particularly out of the ordinary. She continued along, trying to push the feeling aside. Yet...she knew her gut feelings were more often than not correct...and that knowledge did not help ease the feeling.

She sped up - being lost in thought slowed her a bit, and it was getting a bit more difficult to keep up with Dante. So far, however, it seemed that Dante still did not notice her. That was good. But there was also the possibility that he noticed her; he just didn't acknowledge it. She would stay alert...something just didn't feel right.