Loud rock music fills Rathu's ears as he enters the bar. It's Thursday night. The only plans he has are finding this Alessia character and squeezing whatever information he can get out of her. He looks around the dark interior and narrows his eyes on the bartender. Per Moe, all he has to do is ask for 'A,' and he'll find her. Walking to the bar, he taps on the countertop, signaling for the bartender's attention.
"What can I get for you, hun?"
"A. I need to speak with A."
The bartender hesitates for a moment, then nods her head. Rathu watches as she walks toward the bar's far corner to a woman wearing a black, large brimmed hat. The woman looks up at him briefly before looking back at the bartender and nodding her head. The bartender returns to where he's standing at the bar and slides him a shot of whiskey.
"It's on the house. She'll see you now."
Rathu takes the shot glass, nods his head in 'thanks,' then makes his way over. As he's walking, he locks eyes with a few women and licks his lips. It's been a while since he's feasted on human blood, and he wouldn't mind the treat tonight, especially if his plan succeeds. He reaches 'A' and sits down on the barstool beside her.
"So. What do you want with me, Dracula?"
Rathu chuckles and takes a sip of his whiskey. She has spunk. "Well... this depends on what you're willing to give up?"
She looks over at him and flashes her fangs, to which Rathu brushes off. He's not sure what's up with Weres thinking that somehow flashing their little teeth is scary.
"You have five seconds to speak, or I'll rip your throat out."
He throws his hands up in fake defense. "My, my. You're just as short-tempered as Azeil." He smiles as her body tenses up at Azeil's name. "Ah, so you know him?"
"Know him? He was practically my mate at one point."
She trails off and stares into her glass. This isn't the information Rathu was expecting to hear from Alessia. However, he's certainly going to use this to his advantage. To think that Azeil should've mated with her, and yet, he's running around trying to claim Madison. He'll have to find a way to use this to drive a wedge between the two of them.
"So I can assume you're not fond of Madison, hm?" She looks over at him in shock. "You didn't think I came to this dump just to 'talk,' did you? You know information that can help me, and I have something that could help you get that dog back so that you both can do whatever dogs do."
Alessia's look changes to curiosity, which slightly amazes Rathu. Here he thought he'd have to do more convincing and all he had to do was offer her empty promises? Even more reason why Weres are a weak species. So gullible.
He reaches into his pocket and places a brown vial in front of her. "This here is called 'Succumbus Love.' You drink it, turn into anyone you would like for thirty minutes, and return to yourself. Kind of like Cinderella. In your case, I suspect you would use this to... seduce."
He watches her as she picks up the bottle, shaking the thick liquid inside. "And what do you want from me?"
"The Tazot staff."
Her eyebrows bunch together in confusion. "The Tazot staff? Why would you need that?"
Rathu looks ahead and takes a sip of his drink. "I have my reasons."
"So I get you the staff, and that's it?"
He nods his head and waits. It seems she's contemplating something else. "You're pondering."
She hesitates briefly before speaking. "I want her gone. This Madison girl. For as long as she's around, he'll never truly be mine."
Rathu clenches his jaw. Interesting that a mere wolf like her would think she's entitled to a request such as the one she just asked him. Kill Madison? He'd never do that. Hell could freeze over a million times, and yet, he'd ensure she's protected.
"I'd caution how you speak of her, Alessia. You wouldn't want to anger the wrong person, now would you, hm?" He taps his claw on the bar top and flashes his fangs. She shifts her body to the edge of the barstool, noticeable uncomfortable.
Taking the vial and stuffing it into her pocket, she stands and tips her hat at him. "I'll have it to you soon. Where should we meet up?"
Rathu shakes his head. "No need for that. I'll know where to find you."
As she begins to walk away, he grabs her wrist. Digging his claws into her skin, he looks into her eyes. "Don't try to double-cross me. I've been itching to kill a Were with my bare hands since the treaty was broken, and I wouldn't want someone as beautiful as yourself being my first victim."
He waits until she nods her head, then releases her. As he watches her frame leave the bar, he has this feeling his 'deal' with her isn't going to be as straightforward as she makes it seem. Obviously, she has feelings for Azeil, and with those feelings comes a natural duty to protect him. While she may indeed get him the staff, he'll have to prepare for the repercussions that come with it, namely Azeil and the Tazot clan.
Finishing his drink, he looks at the time on his phone. Since Madison's started her new job, he hasn't gotten a chance to relax with her. He sends her a quick message, seeing if she's up, and smiles when she immediately responds. Taking one last look around, Rathu smiles at the ladies who have been staring at him since he'd walked in and walks past them. While he could use a good feast, he needs to take things a bit further with Madison, especially now since Alessia is slightly on board. He exits the bar and makes his way over to her art studio.
************
Madison tilts her head to the side and narrows her eyes. She's been working her ass off creating new pieces for the art exhibit, and yet, she's still stuck on her one piece of the wolf. While she attributes some of this to 'artist block,' the other half has to do with her inability to take her mind off Azeil, and she hates this. It's starting to feel like he's all she thinks about every day. She especially hates when her mind drifts to the sex they had. There was something about it that overtook her. Mid-way through, it started to become more than just sex between them. It was like she could feel him, all of him, and all she wanted was for him to take her. Madison's honestly surprised she even followed through with it, but all she could think about the entire time she was in his office were Tiffany's words.
"You don't have to know someone, to know them. Gotta love Tiff."
She leans back and sighs. She's never going to get these eyes right. At first, she thought they should resemble Azeil's. However, upon painting Azeil's, they weren't the perfect fit. His are too direct and commanding. The eyes she envisions this wolf having are aged and softer. They're of someone who has endured much pain.
The bell on top of her door rings. "That was quick, Ry-Ry."
"Oh... I'm sorry. I'm looking for Madison."
Madison peeks over the canvas and squints her eyes. What's 'Dan the Pizza Man' doing in her art studio. She places her paintbrush and pan down the stands up from her chair.
