mila

“Do you?  Your antics amuse me to some degree, Mila, though sometimes it causes a little bit of concern,” she commented with a teasing lilt.  “Perhaps one day I can take a small vacation but since I’ve only just stepped into this role, I’m afraid I need to be around for Verona.”  She sighed lightly and placed her hands onto her lap.  “What about yourself, though, Mila, dear?  How are you faring in these times?”

“That’s a fair assessment, my decisions concern me too sometimes.” She replied with a soft laugh. “Well... I kind of maybe almost punched one of your officers?” She admitted quietly, a small, sheepish smile on her lips as she watched for Joan’s reaction. She could, of course, explain more about the situation, but it was more fun to do it this way.  

Cosimo grinned, amused by the offer. “By all means,” he answered, pushing away what remained in his wine glass. “What did you have in mind?” He asked, taking a step closer to the woman. “Enlighten me.”

Mila beamed as he decided to go with her offer and turned her gaze so she could scan the selection. A soft chuckle was pulled from her lips as she spotted one and turned back to him, “Well, I don’t want to start you off too strong and scare you away. So let’s do a Maker’s Mark, possibly one of the smoothest bourbon’s in my opinion.” 

“What can I get you?” Ariella sensed someone at the bar and spoke while she cut lemons, only glancing up at the other person. She had been working more hours than ever now that she wasn’t working for Ian York, and was towards the end of a long shift.

“Just a rum and coke, please. Cap Morgan’s fine.” Mila ordered with a small smile as she settled into her spot at the bar. “Been busy this evening?”

“Not a bad pick… I’m afraid I’m not much of a bourbon connoisseur, so I wouldn’t know what’s good, but I think I saw a bottle of half-decent grappa on the shelf somewhere,” he answered, gaze moving from the attractive young woman to the bar’s display of liquor and back. “And what about you?” He asked curiously as he turned back to her. “A bourbon?” 

“Hm well I suppose I could show off my knowledge of bourbon and recommend we both try one I quite like...” She suggested with a small smile before continuing, “Or I’d happily give your ‘half-decent’ grappa a go. Your call, Sir.”

Seeing the small smirk made Alessia’s lip curl into one of her own.  “Well I think I’ll take you up on both of those offers,” she replied and moved closer.  “I think I’ll do some watching first to admire your form and see what I can learn,” she said with a definite suggestion in her tone, “then when can see what you can teach me.”  The Domme nodded in agreement.  “No arguments here gorgeous, your ways of coping appear to be much healthier than mine.”

Mila hadn’t really been expecting anything when she came out to box. It was just going to be a workout and that’s it. But she couldn’t say she minded the attention from the Domme. It’d been a while since she’d been given attention by a woman. “Then I suggest you watch closely, Miss. Wouldn’t want to miss anything important.” She teased softly before tilting her head, “And do you mind me asking what your coping methods are?”

“Is that how we’ve resorted to getting attention now, Mila?” Joan chuckled with a head shake.  “It has indeed.  Quite honestly, you’re catching me in a rare moment of… a break,” she admitted.  With the recent riots and havoc resulting from Mister Montague’s conviction, Joan’s job grew more difficult everyday.

“I think you like it.” Mila shrugged her shoulders, a warm smile on her face as she approached the other woman. “Good, you deserve a break. Actually, you deserve a lot of breaks... or a very long one away from the city.”

“Yeah. It’s not a bad idea. Punching stuff sounds pretty fun these days,” Eros replied. “Maybe I’ll take a class or something. You know a place?” 

“It’s great, honestly.” Mila replied with a small smile before nodding, “Anton Spectral’s fighting academy is definitely where you want to be. Great equipment and fantastic coaching. I learnt everything from him.”

Cosimo chuckled, setting down the wine and turning to face the brunette that had appeared before him. “Oh please. If I was going for Dracula I’d have much more black on.. And perhaps a cape,” he joked. “But yes… My night has been… interesting. I certainly wish I had something a bit stronger than wine right now. Perhaps you can… make a suggestion?”

“Dracula might have a classy side, how would we know?” Mila shrugged with a soft laugh. “Interesting, huh? I feel like there’s a story there. And I would very much like to know it, Sir. A suggestion, though... perhaps a bourbon? Or if you’re not wanting quite that strong, I’d go for Grappa.” 

Red, Red Wine (OPEN)

Cosimo sat st the bar, silently relieved it was easy to drink still despite the fake fangs in his mouth. A glass of wine in hand, the Dominant topped the bartender before turning to the figure beside him, gaze roaming their masked form. “Enjoying yourself?” He asked casually.

“An opportunity to dress up always makes for a good night, in my opinion.” Mila replied candidly, a smile on her face as she looked the man over. “And yourself, Dracula? I’ll admit that drink certainly compliments your outfit. I’d almost believe that’s not wine at all.”

“Well that is a spectacular mask. Absolutely suits you. We appreciate you coming.” Silvius assured as he held out a flute of champagne to the recently arrived guest. “For you.”

“Thank you very much. It was a bit of a last minute thing, I just got lucky that my mother is particularly friendly with a local artist.” Though the masks made things difficult, it was pretty hard to deny the Dominant energy that radiated off of this man. Plus the way he had welcomed her, well she could only assume this was Lord Romano. “You’re looking quite handsome yourself, Lord Romano. And I think I speak on behalf of pretty much everyone here when I say this is a wonderful event you’ve put on.”

Tommi wasn’t sure her designation, but incase she’d missed his symbols he flexed his fingers, showing off the sword lining his middle finger.  “I’m an athlete.  Olympic gymnast.  I moved to Verona just before the athletics games this summer,” he admitted.  The Dominant laughed a little.  “You’ll have to excuse my ignorance, I thought Thai was a culture and a food, I didn’t realize they had a martial arts by the same name.”  Taekwondo and Jujutsu he’d heard of before, and knew some gymnasts that incorporated elements into their floor routines especially.  “And so how did you get involved with all of this Mila?  Or is self defence more than just a wise hobby?”

Ah, there it was. Subtle, but she’d been looking out for it. So he did expect a ‘Sir’, not that she really minded. In response, she rolled her shoulders back, ensuring her arm turned so he’d catch a glimpse of the wolf and moon tattoo on her inner arm. There, now they both knew. Her eyes widened though as he explained what he did. “Olympics? Shit, Sir, that’s impressive. And makes a lot more sense.” So she’d been correct in assuming he had an active job, she just hadn’t realised how correct she was.  

His words pulled a laugh from her as well, “I mean, it is. Muay Thai does come from Thailand, unsurprisingly. It’s also the name of a fantastic cocktail.” She added with a wink, before shrugging, “A mix of both. I’ve lived in Verona all my life. It’s always been a bit... intense. For a while there, it was just a hobby, but now I’m pleased I have the skills should things turn south again.” 

“Right now? Pretty much,” she answered. “And now it’s closed for repairs. So I’m losing business and I have a black eye.” Shaking her head, Calpurnia quirked a brow. “What about you? Did you manage to avoid the crap?”

“Do you think it’ll be closed for long? Maybe just try to see it as a nice little break? Relax and heal?” She tried to be positive, offering the woman a smile before it slipped into a scowl. “Some bitch started a fight with me over my testimony. I got a solid punch in before a watch officer split us up. He then escorted me home, which thankfully, was fine. So I guess I got lucky.”