Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Violet felt her jaw tense when he made a comment about loving magic more than loving Scott. She knew what he meant- it wasn't a secret between the two that he disapproved of the way she had been in the past, but she was tired of that life- she loved Scott, she only wanted to be with him now. She wouldn't put him through all of that ever again. She huffed out a sigh and turned away from him- only for a moment, she knew better than to fully turn her back on the vampire.

A sirebond could be a blessing and a curse, a blessing to have a lacky pretty much whenever needed, but a curse as he could often feel what Scott was feeling. It's where his opinion mostly came from, knowing exactly when Aza had died again because he could sense how it affected Scott every time. David tilted his head up a little when she turned away from him but as she soon turned back again, he didn't comment on it.

Evan, let out a small breath when he chose not to question her further about what she was, some people she had encountered had been rather persistent on the matter. "Yes, it certainly keeps me chained to my desk. But I love my job and I hope to use my skills to make things more fair for us. Everything is a little hate fuelled currently.It was certainly a lot simpler when things were more covert" Evan shook her head slightly, the whole point of the evening to get a break from work. "This is a rare time that I have ventured from the office." She smiled slightly, taking another sip. "I would venture to the tables myself, but it seems cruel to take all these peoples money, my first time here" She chuckled, holding up her drink to clink his. "regardless of peoples luck, i'm sure you're always winning right?"

"Chained to your desk doesn't sound like much fun though, but hey you're out now at least? And dare I say, you've come to the absolute best place in town. In my opinion anyway." Forever boasting about the casino of course, he just couldn't help himself. "More fair for us would be good, but I doubt that will ever happen. Humans tend to hate things that are different, even among their own kind. Nothing new there." Different wasn't always seen as a good thing, that he knew, which was why he still had his doubts about being out in the open as they were now. David chuckled a little. "I do make sure some have luck, but in the end? Yes, in one way or another the house does win. Some do walk out with some wins though." Which he had to make happen or no one would come here if they believed they couldn't win at all. "You truly should try a game." He mused before having a sip from the drink.

"I could." She answered him. "But as you said, you need to get this place running, and if I was here, I would distract you and we would spend all day in your office." It was hard to keep her hands to herself when they were together, she always knew how to distract him in the best way possible, so right now she was doing her best to not mention his office and ropes because the day would completely get away from them. "This place is already a success, the casino was a brilliant idea, my love." Taking a sip from the drink she thought for a few seconds at his questions. "Things aren't fun without you." She pointed out. "I talked with a few tourists, and on my way here I stopped at Violet's store."

David pretended to think deeply for a moment, but couldn't help the smile that creeped onto his face. "And since when do I ever mind being distracted by you?" He smirked a little, it was sweet how she was trying but the fact was that she had always been and would always be the ultimate distraction to him. "It sure is, seems people truly enjoy the place and so does our bank account." Not that they needed the money but that wasn't the point. David raised an eyebrow at her words. "Ah yes, she owns a store now. Found anything nice there for our home?"

“Is that your personal recommendation too?”, Niska wondered, feeling a little bold. Her eyes glanced towards the many bottles of liquor behind the barkeep before settling back to the man. Suddenly, she became aware of how well-dressed he was, how the place seemed to fit his taste precisely – and how little she knew about this lifestyle in particular. But she had started this game, why not find out how far she could go? “I take whatever is your favourite”, Niska decided with a smile. “Oh, this is very new then – like me. I only arrived here yesterday”, she admitted, then shrugged. “Maybe a bit of everything? But I don’t know much about the games you play here… I came for a drink mostly, and to see what people in Saintes do for fun”

“Yes and no, mine is a lot stronger but it would possibly floor you in less than a minute , so an Old Fashioned is a good choice for you.” David smirked a little. “But feel free to try anything you like.” He looked a little surprised. “Really? Alright.” He gestured to the bartender to get a bottle from the top shelf.”This is one of the strongest Whiskey’s money can buy. Worth it.” Also gave a nice kick to the blood taste anyway. Watching two glasses get poured, he moved one to her. “Good luck.” David chuckled and took a sip, it would only give him a very short buzz but she would feel this for sure. “Fun.. I think fun is different for everyone. The real fun happens in the backroom, but here I guess most enjoy poker or the slot machines. What did you do for fun before you came here?”

Evan grimaced at the question. It was her least favourite thing about this town. Nobody was afraid to just outright ask what you were, the town was built on beings living freely, something Evan had not found herself fully comfortable doing yet. She smiled slightly before chuckling "I'm a lawyer and we are well known for our delightful scents" She knew that wasn't what he was asking, but she hoped he'd skip over an interrogation, technically she had answered the question. Lawyers after all were known to be evasive and read between the lines. Evan grabbed the drink that was poured for her and took a swig, observing the bartenders ritual with Davids drink. Vampire, she thought, holding her drink in her hands. "I do on occasion" She replied, glancing round the tables. "Pokers my game of choice."

“A lawyer? Interesting, and I’m sure there’s plenty of work for you these days with how everything has changed. With all of us out on the open.” Everything had changed, and not all for the better in his opinion. David wouldn’t push if she didn’t want to tell what she was, she wasn’t human and that was all he needed to know. He gave a nod to the waiter as he took the drink. “Ah poker, definitely a favorite to many people, tables have been pretty much full since we opened.” He held up his glass. “To a lovely evening, with a lot of winnings.” For him of course though he didn’t say that out loud. 

Evan chuckled "Would it be cliche to respond that I'm not like most?" she stated with a slight smirk. She watched him beckon the bartender and give him an order to fetch some scotch from the basement, she certainly wasn't going to say object to his choice of drink. Evan smiled and accepted his extended hand, giving it a firm shake. Evan could tell a lot from a persons handshake, her intuition was sharp as it was but a handshake, or any physical touch, it often heightened and confirmed what she was initially feeling. David was definitely a man of power and means."I would be, Evan Meyers. Its a pleasure David." She responded droping his hand. She gestured around the casino. "You're establishment I take it?"

“It’s slowly starting to become cliche.” David chuckled, with all the changes in the world and especially at this place, it was becoming normal to encounter other beings in the open. It was something he wasn’t sure yet he should be thrilled about. “Even, the pleasure is all mine. Let me ask a question that is becoming quite cliche as well, what are you? I can tell you’re not human as you don’t exactly smell like lunch to me, you’re also not some were-creature as they tend to smell awful to me and you definitely smell delightful, though I can’t pinpoint your scent entirely.” He sat down as the bottle and two glasses were being brought over, one glass was poured for her, then his own was poured and the bartender added some of their own blood to it by a simple slit to the palm of the hand, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “It is yes, we’ve been open for about a week now. Do you gamble?”

Evan weaved herself through the tables and various people till she reached her intended destination, the bar. She almost laughed at the aesertitiy of her craving a drink, the alcohol never in her system long enough to have an effect, she found something comforting and therapeutic about nursing a drink after a long day. She found an empty seat tucked to the side and sat down.She glanced behind the bar, taking in the selection of drinks on offer.A gentleman from behind the bar came over, welcoming her to the establishment and offering her first drink on the house. Evan smiled, "I'll take a whiskey, please. stronger the better" She answered, glancing back at the tables behind her, contemplating making a night of it.

Everyone had their own reason to drink, though most would drink just for the flavor, or that was his main reason anyway. “Stronger the better? Now that sounds like a challenge. Stronger isn’t always better as most can’t handle strong drinks.” Then again, her scent gave away she wasn’t human, however he didn’t know what she was. “Let’s see.” He motioned for the bartender to come over. “Get me the bottle of  Bruichladdich X4 from the back of the basement? And two glasses, I’m taking a break.” David said as he sent the man off and held out his hand to the lady. “David O’Connor. And who might you be?”

Kate always had a smile on her face when she saw David, since the first time she saw him, it was inevitable, there was just something about him that made her feel like she never felt before, more alive, it was like a part of her had been missing until she found him. "The house felt empty without you." As much as she loved to paint and decorate and this time hopefully they would stay for a very long time after a few hours her mind couldn't help but wonder about him until she just had to go see him, if he was too busy with work, she would find something else to do, but she couldn't help but smile when he invited her to drink. "Always." She answered. "How's work?" she asked curious.

From day one fate had pulled them together and hadn’t let go at all. Out in the open now, but they had centuries of running, hiding, even killing together, all behind them. She was the only one who could truly drive him crazy in good ways. “You can always come here, my love. I’d be home but need to get this place running as it’ll provide us with everything we could possibly need.” Not that they needed money, but it did also provide a good meal often due to deals he made with people who ran out of money. He moved his arm around her to guide her to the bar. “As you can see, very well, I see potential in this place.” The casino had only recently opened but it was packed already. He held up two fingers to the bartender. “Champagne, a mix.” He said to which the bartender poured the bubbly liquid for them and slit the palm of their hand to add their blood to the drink. “Been doing anything fun today?” He asked Kate as he handed her the drink. 

Niska turned to where the crowds were cheering, interested. She was trying to figure out how those games worked or who was winning and decided that it made no sense. The bartender’s voice brought her back to the present. How rude… Immediately, she feared that it was obvious how misplaced she was at this establishment, and not just by dress. “An Old Fashioned?” Niska had heard the name before but had no idea what kind of cocktail it was. “Sounds good, why not?”, she smiled and nodded. “Is it usually this busy here?”  

“Most people seem to enjoy a good Old Fashioned, if you don’t like it, you can try something else.” Some would come here for the games, others for the entertainment or the bar. Either way they were welcome. “It has been, we’ve only been open for about a week now and have to say, it’s been good. So what bring you here? Curiosity? Enjoy games? Or just here to get delightfully drunk?” Delightfully for him either way if human guests got drunk, made his meal that much easier. 

Finley glanced over the list of cocktails before randomly selecting one. She really didn’t have much of a preference when it came to alcohol. “A mix of skill and luck has helped me in Poker I should say then. My father used to host weekly games and I’ve been watching him play for as long as I can remember.” She said shrugging. “I’ve only recently moved here? How about you?” Finley took his hand. “Finley Harris.”

“I do believe one learns the most by observing.” David knew that much, it was always how he learned most about people and generally managed to get under their skin or to get from them what he wanted. He looked over at the dealers at the poker tables to signal them. This one was one to watch after all. “Finley, a pleasure to meet you. I moved here a few weeks ago.” He said while inhaling her scent and nearly feeling sick. Definitely not human and possibly something with fur. “How are you liking it so far? Honestly to me it’s still strange to just walk around.. free.”

Really, Niska? It was strange enough to go out into a public venue by herself but to find out that the club she went into was in fact a casino… She did not know any table games but cared too deeply about what other people would think if she simply walked out now. And so the girl targeted the only area familiar to her: the bar. You wanted a change, she reminded herself, now you have it.

The cheers coming from a blackjack table indicated someone had won, it never lasted long usually. David scanned in the direction of the table with an amused smile on his face. "Beer? Oh, but of course. Not feeling like anything more.. exotic perhaps? I'd say our cocktails are the most popular." He mused, slowly inhaling her blissfully human scent. Had lunch just been served? Perhaps, the alcohol would sure add to her flavor, he thought to himself. "I'd say try an Old Fashioned? Or any of the other options." He said while placing the drinks menu right in front of her.

A casino should be the last place Finley visited but it was easy to lie to yourself and say it was all for helping local business. The reality was she was slightly bored in her mundane existence. While the last two years as an animal were not the glam she was used to, it was better than the monotony of the last few weeks. Finley glanced up when the man spoke. "Umm, I'm not sure yet. Any drinks you recommend? And as for games Poker has always given me luck."

There was no telling who would visit, there were the bigshots who had plenty of cash to spend, the hesitants who were unsure but got tempted anyway and then there were the curious ones. "Any of the cocktails we offer." David said as he gestured to the drinks menu on the bar. "Poker? Mostly a game of skill though. Don't believe I've seen youin here before, you from around here?" He asked curiously, it was good to get to know the locals after all. "David O'Connor, and you are?" He asked while extending his hand.