#rivalsofnewyork:starter

Payton: Carson called a meeting at Ace, everyone get there within the next two hours.

Shoving his phone back into his pocket, Payton kicked through some of the dusty ashes of what was once Sugar Rub. It seemed nothing was spared, and the male let a hiss of an exhale part his lips before he turned to gaze out over the streets. “Devils,” He muttered, already aware that this would only be the start in a series of events that would lead to a greater war. Something that none of them could expect. “--I want all prospects at the Ace tonight, and I need you to find Malcolm Alcott for me, now.” Not bothering to look at the other, the male turned away and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Laying his palms flat against the bar counter, Payton leaned forward, glancing down at the just shattered beer glass. “Shit,” He muttered, the whispered curse barely heard as he sighed. Where the hell was his head at? He should be in a good mood, on cloud nine and yet here he was dropping pints. The weekend events were still fresh in his mind, yet he couldn’t shake the sinking feeling, that the backlash would come in waves. So much so, that he hadn’t slept the past two nights. “Can you toss me that rag?” Glancing over towards the other, he held out his hand, though his gaze stayed on the mess. “Be careful, dropped some glass over here.”

“Look, I need you to sit your ass down and keep your mouth shut.” It wasn’t the prospects fault that things were crumbling just beneath his grasp. Nor was it anyones fault that Carson had left the city, forcing Payton to step up into his rather large shadow. Either way, the male was stressed and all those arriving at the bar weren’t helping. So with a heavy exhale, he turned from the younger male, pinching the bridge of his nose as he stepped right into someone else. “What?” 

“You look like you got somethin’ on your mind, wanna talk about it?” Glancing over towards the other, Payton ran down the length of the bar with a rag. “I mean you don’t have too, but actin’ as a professional audience is essentially in the job description when it comes to being a bartender.” Lifting a shoulder in a shrug, he offered them a low chuckle. “So I’m all ears.” 

Leaning against the office, Payton let his gaze travel about the bar. Everything was in full swing, the Aces come back looking better than ever. Except Payton still felt a million miles away. Something in him distant as his gaze lingered on a brunette in the corner, two prospects trailing closely behind, and he exhaled. Even in his own place of business, he felt on edge. It was something else as he shook his head, turning to head back into the office just as another bumped into him. “Sorry there,” He says, glancing up towards them. “I ain’t workin’ tonight, you’ll have to order from my brother or Travis up at the bar.” 

Payton: So I had a thought

Out of all the tricks he could’ve pulled from his sleeve, this was probably the densest. Yet Payton couldn't help the determined sentiment that crowded his chest as he took the final steps into Moonlight, gaze leveling on all those around him. Without backup or any explanation to any other Royals, it seemed the Vice President was on his own. Though maybe that was the point as he made his way to the bar, elbows settling against the countertop as he ordered himself a beer and waited for the first approach of the night. @rivalsofnycstarters​