Appearances, Perceptions, and a little bit of Eavesdropping

Who: Aiden, Dorian, Olivia, and Bailey
Where: Babylon
When: Night

After leaving Third Base Bar, Aiden drove the short distance to Dorian's home. He hadn't called ahead, but he felt no need too. Aiden rarely called ahead to anyone, deeming it pointless. Of course, that could just his bad manners speaking. Pulling up in front of the house, he turned off the engine and got out of the car, getting rid of his cigarette before he opened his trunk, pulled his gun from the waistband of his jeans and dropped it in. After slamming the trunk door shut, he walked up to Dorian's house and knocked loudly. It was early yet and he was set on taking Dorian out with him this time. He had a feeling his friend would need a drink as badly as Aiden did at that point.

It was early yet, but the sun had gone down, which was the reason Dorian answered his door wearing sunglasses. Silly as it might look, he'd done it his whole life, and the questions it brought were far easier to deal with than the ones he'd get for glowing eyes. The moonlight was to blame. "Evening," he said, smiling easily as he found Aiden there. "Please tell me you want a drink." It had been a long day, but Dorian wasn't up for drinking alone.

"God damn sunglasses," Aiden grumbled. "Thought you outgrew that phase." Then again he'd thought Dorian would outgrow his fascination with the supernatural, but that wasn't the case either. "C'mon." Aiden motioned Dorian out the door. "I want several drinks actually and I'm not about to get pissed on my own."

"Better night vision," Dorian teased. There would be no outgrowing his tell, so it would just have to be a permanent annoyance and amusement. The sunglasses actually did just the opposite; he could barely see in the dark with them on. "I can do that," he said, only turning long enough to call out to Caleb and Tensiel that he was going out. It felt like he should at least tell them, rather than disappear. Dorian locked the door behind him. "So, why are we getting pissed?" he asked Aiden, following him towards the car.

Aiden grinned at his friend as he yanked open his car door. "Never needed a reason before, now did I?" Without waiting for Dorian to answer, he got into his car, turning the ignition as Dorian followed. He decided to leave out the fact that he'd had three beers already. One good thing that came from being Irish, he could hold his liquor. "But if you want a reason," he continued, dragging a cigarette from his pack and tossing the pack to Dorian. "Women are fucking insane. That's my reason."

"That's a good enough reason," Dorian chuckled, taking the pack from Aiden as he took his seat at shotgun. "You know, you never need a reason, but when you show up at my door looking like you're on a mission, I have to ask." In college, it was just something that happened. They'd go out, have some fun, have a few drinks, and end up pissed. If the evening went well, they also took a girl home with them. From the way things were going, Dorian was willing to bet that wasn't on the agenda.

"Fair enough," Aiden replied, lighting his cigarette before he took a sharp left away from Dorian's house. "Met this really beautiful woman on the street today. Way too nice and way too naive, but I'm taking her to dinner tomorrow. Married, I think. Then got hit by a girl I left behind in Vegas awhile back. Gonna get a fucking bruise, no doubt." Still, bruise or not, he would have taken her back to his motel room had she been willing. Flicking ash out of his window, he took another left and glanced at Dorian. "Where to, mate?"

Dorian considered the pack of cigarettes for a moment, then finally slid one out and lit up. He was fine when it wasn't there to tempt him, but smelling Aiden's was just a bit too much. "Did you get hit by the second girl because of the first?" he asked, a touch confused about how the two related. Course, getting hit by a girl was reason enough to go out for drinks. "Um, head this way for a bit," Dorian said, gesturing towards the road then taking a drag off his cigarette. He hadn't explored this side of town and it would be interesting to see what was over there.

"Nah, she isn't that type." He shot a smirk at Dorian, knowing perfectly well he would know where Aiden was coming from. At least he had in college. Getting slapped in the face was a weekly occurence for Aiden at that point in his life. "Hadn't seen her in awhile, and things didn't really end on friendly terms, but fuck if she can't throw a punch. Kind of a turn on, really, but that's just me." Aiden pushed down on the gas pedal, the slow speeds through Marquette nearly unbearable.

Dorian smirked as he glanced towards Aiden. Yes, he knew the type, and if that had been the case, Aiden would have likely encouraged it. When it came to getting hit, Aiden took at least twice the beatings that Dorian did. He just couldn't keep his mouth shut sometimes. "A turn on if it doesn't result in her direct abhorrence of you," he snickered. "Do you actually have a chance with this girl or-- hey, what's that?" he said, pointing to a bar off the side of the road. He hadn't noticed it there before. "Babylon," he said, reading the sign. "Let's try that." The fact that he'd been drawn to it was probably a bad sign, but he was in the mood to test it.

Aiden swung his car into a spot along the street and turned off his car before grabbing his cigarettes from Dorian. "Have a chance with which girl? The married one? Yeah. The punch happy one? Hell yes." He got out of his car and locked it. It wasn't that he was conceited, he just knew his boundaries with women, and he knew how to read them properly. Plus, most American women were too influenced by his accent to really think about their actions with him. If he used that to his advantage, so be it. They walked up toward the bar and Aiden threw his cigarette away. "In any case, I'm set." He slapped Dorian heartily on the back as he pulled open the door to the bar. "It's you, I'm worried about."

"You fuckin' suck," Dorian muttered good naturedly. How was it that Aiden had women crawling all over him, yet he couldn't even seem to run into them? If it was the accent, Dorian was screwed. His Cajun one made him sound more hick if anything, and it only got worse the more he had to drink. "So are you gonna find someone for me?" he asked, "Cause I'm not finding them at work, that's for sure." Though he really should go call muse. Except for the fact that she looked damn young.

"Fuck yes, I'll find someone for you," Aiden told him, motioning Dorian toward an empty table when he didn't see a hostess. Not that many bars had them, and from the looks of it, he was pretty sure this one didn't either. "You get out enough, you meet them. You just got to stop with the nice guy shit and take initiative. I'm not telling you to be an asshole, but some women like the direct approach." He glanced around the bar, much busier than the others he had visited in Marquette. "Plenty in here for you to choose from. You pick one out, I'll make sure you take her home. 'Course having two teenagers at home might damper the whole bachelor thing." Grinning, Aiden set his pack of cigarettes on the table and waited impatiently for the waitress.

"You know, sometimes I'm just a nice guy," Dorian laughed, following behind Aiden to an empty table. Yes, he needed to get out more, but he'd never be exactly like Aiden. He could be direct without feeling like some kind of a pimp. "I'm not worried about the teenagers. They can deal with it," he said, rolling his eyes. Caleb was probably getting more than he was, which made him care not so much about taking a girl home. Tensiel was probably out cold. "I like her," Dorian said, eyes focusing on one of the waitresses. A brunette, maybe a few years younger than him, with a slightly darker complexion. Pointing her out at all seemed silly, but he'd give it a try.

Aiden leaned back in his chair to follow Dorian's gaze. A smile spread slowly across his face as he glanced at Dorian. Did every fucking person live in this town? He raised his hand and motioned toward the waitress, drawing her attention. "You sure?" he asked, even as the waitress placed a few glasses down at another table and began to make her way over. "I mean, there's a nice blonde at the bar, and looks like she's been drinking for awhile. Might be easier for you, unless like you like a challenge."

"So now you're gonna get picky on me?" Dorian asked. "You said to pick one out. You didn't say to make it easy." And maybe that was part of his problem. The girls that were easy weren't usually all that interesting and he wasn't really sure he wanted to fuck a girl that might pass out halfway through. "I don't mind a challenge, even if I have to come back," he said, though as the waitress started on her way over, Dorian's heart sped up. It had been far too long since he'd pursued a girl, that was for sure.

Aiden lifted his palms up, shooting Dorian a look that very clearly said Whatever you want, bro.. As the waitress stopped at their table, he grinned at her, noting when the quick flash of recognition flickered in her eyes. He ignored it, deciding it would be much more fun to watch her and Dorian flounder. "'ello, lovely. I'll have a gin and tonic, and my friend here will have..." He trailed off, looking pointedly at Dorian.

"Seven and seven," Dorian said, smiling up at her. He should say something. He knew he should say something. This wasn't hard when he was in school, so why the fuck should it be hard now? "Or... surprise me. I'll drink anything." Oh, now that wasn't intelligent in the least. Dammit.

Olivia tore her gaze from Aiden to his friend. She lifted an eyebrow at him, giving him a small smile as she slipped her fingers into the back pockets of her jeans. "Well, if you give me that kind of opening, I'm going to have to go with it. I'll have your drinks in a few," she said, turning and walking briskly away, hoping that Aiden didn't recognize her. She'd only met him once, and that had been more than enough.

Aiden supressed the urge to laugh out loud and waited until Olivia was gone from the table. Shaking his head, he lit a cigarette and chuckled. "Damn, Dorian. Smooth. So with the house and business, you lose all ability to talk to women. Really nice."

The second Olivia was out of sight, Dorian rubbed a hand over his eyes, a pained expression on his face. "Shut the fuck up," he said. "It's not like I could offer to buy her a drink. She works here. I doubt that would work. What would you suggest, since you're so smooth?" He'd known it was bad, but that really didn't make things any easier.

"For one, you order your own drink. That 'surprise me' shit is overplayed. Second, you could have asked her her name. She's a waitress, and from my experience, waitresses hate to be called 'hey you', or snapped at." He took a drag off his cigarette. "Thirdly, stop fidgeting so much. Eye contact and a smile will take you farther than that 'surprise me' shit." He chuckled at that again.

Oh. Yes. He used to know that before he filled his head with all the shit that got him there. Dorian sighed, for a moment looking much older than he should. He really just wanted a drink. A beer would have been nice. And now he could have the most random cocktail from behind the counter, probably even something so full of sugar that he couldn't suck down. "This was so easy in college," he said, remembering. "You didn't even have to hit on girls sometimes. They just fell in your lap."

"What can I say?" Aiden asked with a shrug. "Want me to apologize for getting laid more than you? Hunting demons for a living doesn't give me a lot of room to pursue any woman, so yeah, I find the easy ones, Dor. Look, you're a good looking bloke," he said with a grin. "You've got enough going for you. Stable environment, you own your own business, and you know a shitload about the supernatural that a lot of women would find interesting, if complete bullshit. So I'm going to go cliche on your arse and say stop worrying so much about impressing a woman and just be yourself."

Olivia returned to the table, setting the gin and tonic in front of Aiden and the other drink in front of Dorian. "It's not a seven and seven, because you said to surprise you, but I figured that bringing you a margarita probably wouldn't go over well. So this is a Seven Veils, which, sorry, is much better than a Seven and Seven." She ignored Aiden and gave Dorian a smile. "So if you hate it, just let me know and I'll get you whatever you want."

"I'd hit you if I didn't think that would attract too much attention," Dorian said, though he wasn't really pissed. He was just thinking too much and worrying too much, which had been a problem for him lately. Aiden was right. This would be much easier to handle if he was just himself and didn't think past what he was required to. "Thanks," he laughed when Olivia handed him the drink. "I'd prefer to stay away from tequila anyways." He took a sip of the drink though, just in case, and gave her a nod. "It's good. Better than a seven and seven," he smiled. "So, what's your name? In case I want another one," he said, dimples showing this time when he smiled. Yeah, pretty girls did a number on his head no matter what they said, even if all they did was their job.

Tequila was very, very bad. Olivia's stomach stil lurched thinking about it from the night before. "Uhm, Olivia," she told him, wondering if he was flirting. Either way, it was freaking her out. "It's whiskey. In the drink. But with the Chambord liquer you don't really taste it." Lifting an eyebrow at him, she glanced between the two men. "Designated driver?"

"It's him," Aiden told her, taking a drink of his gin and tonic. Though he had no intention of letting Dorian drive his car. "So I think one drink will be enough for my friend, Dorian, here."

"Got it," Olivia said with a nod before smiling at Dorian. "Let me know if you two need anything else." She turned and walked away to check on her other tables. It never hurt to flirt back every now and then. At least she'd get a good tip, if anything.

Aiden hid a smile behind his glass as he took another drink, downing over half of it. "Become a hunter, Dor. You can experience the women falling into your lap as well."

"Great, so now you can get smashed while I watch? No thanks," he said, annoyed at the way that had gone. How was it that he had to tell a waitress how they were getting home? Now she'd either not serve him or he'd look irresponsible. Plus, she wouldn't be coming back over to help him that as for sure. "So you think you could get her?" Dorian asked, wondering if that was what Aiden was implying. "Somehow I doubt you being a hunter has anything to do with it."

Aiden grinned, watching Olivia talk to a few other patrons. "No, I don't think I could get her, though it has nothing to do with my charm. To be honest with you, Dor, I don't think you could get her either, and it has nothing to do with your lack of charm. I think she's the type that you'd have to spend some time before you got her into bed. Trust me. If you're patient, go for it. If you're looking for a quick fuck, I'd try the woman at the bar." He took another drag on his cigarette before downing the rest of his drink. "And hey, I don't advertise what I do to every woman I meet. But I won't deny that doing what I do doesn't hold some sense of excitement for women."

"I don't lack charm," Dorian pointed out with a laugh. "I'm just out of shape. I used to have it, so it couldn't have disappeared completely." Dorian watched Olivia from across the room as he took another sip of his drink. He just wasn't interested in the woman at the bar. Getting her into bed seemed rather unexciting. Olivia was more of a challenge, yes, but maybe she was worth the work. "Yeah, well, maybe some women want a man that can be responsible. You know, one with a good job, and a home. One that's not staying at a motel," he smirked. It was the same advantage he had over his brother. "And just cause I run a bookstore doesn't mean I lack a sense of adventure."

"You're right," Aiden said, motioning with his cigarette. "You're absolutely right, mate. Motels do tend to lose their charm after a bit. Given the choice between taking a woman to a motel and to an actual home...you'd win every time." He smiled, not at all bothered by the dig. Dorian was right, after all. But being irresponsible and living out of motels suited Aiden. They didn't suit Dorian Lockwood, and really never had. "And thank Jesus if you still have a sense of adventure. When do I get to see it?" he asked with a knowing grin, mentally deciding whether or not to buy another drink.

"See, there's something going for me," he said, picking up the pack of cigarettes that Aiden had laid on the table. He didn't need another, but... yeah, he wanted one. "Depends on how much trouble you're looking to stir up," Dorian smirked. "But if you want another drink? You're letting me go talk to her to buy it. Without your company." Because he wasn't going to be any good at flirting it up with Aiden there watching. He just knew it.

Shrugging one shoulder, Aiden motioned away from the table. "By all means, friend. Let's see if Dorian Fucking Lockwood still lives somewhere in there." He knocked his glass with his knuckles. "G and T. Just remember, I can see you from here, so I'll be watching keeping an eye on you." He grinned, amused. "Just give me a sign if you start flailing around and need my help, or rescuing, either one."

Dorian flicked Aiden off as he rose from the table. "Believe me," he said, "If I want you over there, you'll know about it." And that wouldn't happen unless Olivia decided to attack him, or something bizarre. Even if he failed completely, he wasn't going to call Aiden to his rescue. That was just a little too humiliating to bear.

~*~

Bailey had been watching the two men since the moment they entered. He knew from experience that at least one of them had to have some kind of supernatural affiliation, but seeing as how they were both new, he wasn't sure which one. He also hadn't been above eavesdropping to find out. That hadn't gotten him his answer on one thing, but it did provide assistance to another. As Dorian vacated the table, Bailey waited a few seconds, then slid into the now empty seat. "I couldn't help but overhear that you're a hunter," he said. If that was indeed the man's business, then he wouldn't mind the question. After all, business was business.

Aiden cocked an eyebrow at the man who had just taken Dorian's seat. The question didn't throw him, like it may have others. It just meant this guy had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Dorian, and whether or not that was a good or bad thing remained to be seen. Aiden vaguely remembered he had left his gun in his trunk, but at the moment, he wasn't regretting it. Aiden studied him for a moment before taking pause to take another, final drag from his cigarette. "Yeah, that's right. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Someone came by this morning looking for one," Bailey said. It gave away the fact that he worked there, which might or might not have been very reassuring to Aiden. He listened in to everything that he could. When it benefited him, he spoke up. In this case, it probably did nothing for him, but it was interesting customer-wise. "You're the first to cross my path since then. He's looking for a demon; he can fill you in on the rest. Are you interested?"

So much for a vacation. Still, the idea of a hunt was too tempting to pass up and Aiden studied the man for a moment, trying to get a read off of him. Aiden wasn't so stupid as to jump into something blind, but he was pretty damn good at what he did. And he could handle surprises. "He give you a number?" Aiden asked, more or less agreeing to the proposition.

"He did," Bailey said, taking the slip of paper out of his pocket from where he'd put it earlier. Since then, he'd memorized it. Phone numbers were simple things and he was prone to remembering them. He'd write it down later, if need be. All it said on it was 'Mathias', then the phone number. "I told him I could set up a private room, if you would like to meet here, but that's up to you. Just thought I'd pass it along."

Mathias. Well fuck. How common a name was Mathias in a town like this? Aiden bit the inside of his cheek before glancing at Dorian, still talking with Olivia. He folded the paper and pulled out his wallet to slip it inside. He's give Mathias a call later. When Dorian wasn't around. Aiden lifted his gaze to the man as he slid his wallet back into his back pocket. "Got it. And you are?"

Bailey wasn't sure what the glance meant, but he caught it, wondering to himself. It seemed, from his point of view, that maybe this was something the hunter was going to keep quiet. Bailey's eyes ticked over to the bar as well, noting the man who's seat he had taken. "Bailey," he said, extending a hand. "Security at Babylon." And apparently a busy-body when it suited him.

"Aiden." He extended his hand to Bailey and shook it briefly. One thing he had learned early on was to be wary of everyone and to trust no one. "Thanks for the number. Since you're security here, I guess you take it upon yourself to listen in on conversations going on around you? Not that I'm complaining, if this happens to benefit me."

Lack of trust was something they had in common. Aiden had just learned about all there was to learn about Bailey, considering how likely he was to share anything else. "Depends. I don't always spend a lot of time in the bar area, and I don't tend to disturb the customers. But he was looking specifically for a hunter, so I've been keeping my ears open for one. Your conversation with your friend caught my attention." Which was true. Bailey was observant, but this was probably the first time that he'd approached a customer in such a way, especially with it as busy as it was.

"Got it." It was simple enough and Aiden wasn't one to reveal anything more, especially if this guy had been listening in on their conversation. He'd call Mathias, and see what that was about, but he didn't know Bailey, and therefore, wasn't about to say or do anything that might come back to kick his ass later. Especially with Dorian here. "Nice to meet you, Bailey. I'd keep that room open, if you don't mind. I have a feeling I'll be needing it."

"Will do," Bailey said simply, leaving Aiden to wait for his friend. He didn't expect any more than a name, in fact he'd have thought less of him if he'd babbled on after knowing that Bailey had been listening. This was just fine as it was. Bailey returned to the shadows, watching and listening when he saw fit.

~*~

Dorian approached Olivia as she stood at the bar, never looking back at Aiden. He'd decided this would work better, that he wouldn't feel quite so much like he was putting on a show. That was likely what had him acting like an idiot. Plus, there was the pressure that just having Aiden there added. "So, now that I've been appointed the designated driver, think I can get a coke and a Gin and Tonic for my friend?" he asked her with a winning smile. Maybe she wasn't the type to fall in his lap, but if she was interested in flirting at all, then he'd find out now.

Olivia turned toward the voice. Dorian, was it? She returned his smile and motioned toward the bartender to fill the order. "Only a coke for yourself?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow as she shifted her gaze back to the money in her hand from the other tables and began to sort if accordingly. "One drink isn't going to impair your judgment, unless you're a complete lightweight. I don't think there's too much whiskey in a Seven Veils."

"No?" he asked, "Then I'll have another one. If it ends up being too much, we'll just walk home." Which he seriously doubted would be the case. Aiden wouldn't leave his car behind, no matter how much he'd had to drink. "Is this place new?" he asked, looking around a bit. "I'm new to town, but I swear this was the first time I'd seen it." The question was honest and not at all meant to be a pick up line. Somehow he'd missed Babylon, though he drove down this street at least a couple times a week.

"Another one then." It seemed the bartender was on par with their conversation because he nodded briefly when she met his eyes. Turning toward Dorian, she shoved the wad of cash into her small apron tied around her waist. "To be honest, I don't know how new this place is. It's my first day, and I haven't been in town very long, so everything is pretty new to me." Olivia shot him an apologetic smile. "If you want, I can get someone who probably knows a bit more than I do."

He was pretty sure she was blowing him off, which was never a promising sign. "It's okay," he said, "I was just curious." This was when he should probably take his drink and go, but he was willing to give it one more try. There was no way he'd return to the table that fast with Aiden waiting on him, no matter how things went. "How's the first day going?" he asked. At least that was a question she had to have an answer to.

"Good, I think," Olivia told him, glancing out into the crowded bar area. "Everyone here is pretty laid back, and it's really casual, so I'm not rushed or anything, which is nice in this kind of environment." She slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jeans again, returning her gaze to Dorian. She was never one for small talk, but she had a feeling he was working up the courage to hit on her, or something. Why else would he be there? And he seemed like a nice enough guy that she didn't want to just blow him off. Especially with someone like Aiden waiting to laugh at him should she go that route. Instead, she smiled at him. She had no idea how to flirt properly. Usually if she tried she ended up rambling and sticking her foot in her mouth. "Can I ask you something?" Olivia inquired, not bothering to wait for an answer, but she kept her tone light, and hopefully somewhat flirty. "Did you really come over here to order drinks? Because you know, that's my job, to do that bit of the work."

"No," Dorian said, "I came over here to talk to you without having to deal with him tearing into me. Now I suppose I'm stalling to return, so that I don't get beat up for getting sent back in less than a minute." He laughed softly, not really caring at this point, and he turned to glance towards Aiden. Someone had taken his seat at the table and Dorian's smile faded a little, wondering what was going on. "Do you know who's talking to him?" he asked, then quickly backtracked, remembering it was her first day. "Nevermind. Just thought if he was a regular or something..." Even if he was, Olivia wasn't likely to know him. But it held Dorian a moment longer, not quite willing to go back to the table when someone was occupying his seat.

"That's Bailey," Olivia explained, following Dorian's gaze to his table. "Security." Not that it surprised her that Bailey was talking to Aiden. Trouble followed that hunter wherever he went. Still, Dorian looked somewhat concerned so she shrugged. "If your friend was in trouble, he'd be out of here by now." Turning toward the bar, Olivia took the glasses the bartender had set in between them. She picked them up and offered them to Dorian. "So, what, that was your definition of talking to me?" she asked lightly. "Or was it just your intention to pretend to hit on me while your friend can't hear and then saunter back over and brag about it?"

"Great," Dorian said to himself, wondering what the hell Aiden had done to attract security in such a short period of time. Generally they have to be somewhere an hour or two before they got rowdy enough for security to get involved. He looked back at her as she told him that things should be fine, still skeptical where Aiden was concerned, but that was completely set aside when she posed another set of questions. "First of all, I'm not gonna brag about something that didn't happen. He wouldn't believe me anyways," Dorian said, taking the glasses from her. "But I'm also not gonna force you to talk to me if you don't want to. You're working-- I get that-- and I should let you do your job."

Olivia shot him a look, wondering where he got the impression she didn't want to talk. She was terrible with the concept of flirting, because she rarely did it. Then again, maybe he had been expecting her to fawn, and giggle and blush as she touched his arm, or whatever. Olivia shook her head, thinking she should have probably found a job that didn't include having to interact with people. "I'm just not very good at this whole...thing. That was a really pitiful attempt at flirting, which I failed at miserably. I probably came across as rude, and I'm sorry." Olivia was well on her way to feeling like an idiot for every day she had been in Marquette thus far but hey, at least she could laugh at herself and brush it off. Until the next day. She motioned toward Aiden. "I'll let you get back to your friend."

Dorian didn't know what he expected, but it certainly wasn't an apology. He'd never had a girl say she was sorry for poor flirting, which made him wonder what he'd said to earn that reaction. It certainly wasn't anything good. "No, don't be," he told her, feeling quite a bit like a fool now. "I'm obviously not doing any better. I'd buy you a drink, but you work here, so that doesn't work, but I could have thought of something better than asking you to think up a drink for me," he said, then laughed softly at himself. "You probably get a lot of this. Or you might. I don't think I could wait tables if I tried." After all, he was the one that wanted to burn down the bookstore half the time, and that wasn't even half as service oriented as being a waitress might be.

She waved her hand, as if to dismiss the notion, before leaning back against the bar. Folding her arms across her breasts, Olivia smiled. "It's not that difficult, trust me. You just need a good memory and some resistance to the urge to punch someone if they're being rude, or slapping you on the ass. Thankfully I've yet to experience that here." Sweeping her gaze along her tables, she made sure none of them were looking for her before turning to Dorian. "I do appreciate your more tame attempt at a come on, believe it or not. It was actually rather cute. And you seem like a decent guy. But, and don't take this the wrong way, I know your friend's type." She nodded toward Aiden. "And not to say you're like him, but if you and he are here looking for women to pick up and take home tonight, then I'm not your girl." She smiled to ease the awkwardness. Boy, didn't this conversation sound familiar. But she knew it was best to get it out of the way early, as not to form any false expectations.

"See, I'm not sure I'd have that kind of resistance. I get annoyed with the customers in the store. Bar patrons would be too much to handle." Course, no one was trying to slap his ass around the store. He wasn't sure what he would think if they did. That would just be a little too odd. He looked back at Aidan, wondering now she she actually knew him, or knew his type. He really hadn't said enough for her to know, so maybe he was missing something. "He's already been hit once today. I don't think he's up for getting knocked around again," Dorian grinned. "I was just along to have a couple of drinks. And if I was looking for an easy lay, I'd try the girls at the bar." Dorian glanced that direction and shrugged. "Not interested. Besides, I live here. He'll do what he wants and move on, but I'd rather not end up with that sort of reputation." Because in a town like this? Word traveled fast. It would only take a couple of girls before they all ignored him. He was gonna fool around like that, he'd make a trip to another town.

"Oh." So there was an intelligent response. She really hadn't been expecting that from him. But she was inwardly pleased to hear Aiden had been decked already. Even if she hadn't known what he had done, she knew the ass probably deserved it. Biting her lower lip briefly, she began to wonder again why Dorian was actually talking to her then, if he wasn't looking for an easy lay. Usually when she explained her intentions, or lack thereof, they took off. Even Mathias had when she told him initially and yeah, continued disaster there. Shifting from one foot to the other, she suddenly felt as if she were floundering for something to say. Frankly, Olivia rarely got to this part with guys who began to chat her up. Her mind registered his words and she looked up at him with interest. "You own a store? What kind?"

"I own a bookstore down on Washington and 6th, called Nevermore. I specialize in books relating to the supernatural though, so it's a fairly limited selection if you're looking for the next best selling paperback." This part was easy because by now he was just talking. He wasn't sure he had a snowball's chance in hell, which meant he could just be himself and forget about it. Plus, this was a subject he was familiar enough with that he didn't worry himself with conversation.

That piqued her interest and her attention was suddenly completely on him. She'd read dozens, upon dozens of books on the supernatural after finding out what she was, and what Marcos did for a living. She'd never actually met anyone who worked directly in the field. "Do you know a lot about the supernatural? Like legitimately?" she asked. "Or do you just sell stuff you could probably find in a Barnes and Noble?"

"I'd say I know more than most people," Dorian said, not wanting to sound like he was bragging at all, but it was the truth. He'd yet to run into another person that knew as much as he did. Too bad that he didn't have as much first hand knowledge as he'd like. Of course, that was probably why he was alive. "Most of the books I carry are legit. Sure, there are a few here and there that are probably useless, but I'm trying to weed those out as I go. It's certainly no Barnes and Noble. Why?" he asked. "What's got you interested?"

This is where Olivia skidded in her tracks and remembered this was a stranger she was talking to. It seemed convenient that he owned a bookstore that catered to the supernatural, but Olivia wasn't sure whether or not she could be considered supernatural. Maybe he had some information on Protectors. She didn't know. She'd yet to find a book, other than her mother's journals, that mentioned them. Thankfully she saw one of her tables raise their hand to get her attention and she shot Dorian a smile, relieved for the distraction. "I'm sorry, got to get to my tables. Maybe I'll come by your store, if you're there." She pulled away, wondering if there was more to Dorian than what met the eye.

He'd forgotten, at least temporarily, that she was on the clock. It was so easy to fall into conversation that he was comfortable with, once he stopped worrying about impressing a girl. Dorian had pretty much given up on hiding his interests, as he'd attempted too much of college. One, he owned a bookstore dedicated to it, and two, he lived it. If his friends or girls couldn't handle that, that was just too bad. It was hard enough to hide what he was. He wasn't going to deal with hiding what he did as well. "Don't worry about it. Come by the store if you have wanna chat some more," he smiled. "Nice talking to you, Olivia. " Dorian proceeded back towards the table, now in a much better mood than before.

~*~

Lost in thought after Bailey had slipped him Mathias's number, Aiden barely noticed Dorian returning to the table, sliding the gin and tonic in front of him. He had finished off another cigarette in the time it had taken Dorian to leave the table and return and he smiled at his friend, folding his hands against his thigh as he observed Dorian from across the table. "That took a bit longer than I thought it would." It probably wouldn't be wise to let Dorian in the know about his brother's inquiry. Dorian knew Aiden was a hunter, but what he hunted was his business, and his alone.

"Apparently my charm is only good out of your presence," he teased, taking a seat, his own drink in hand. "She's nice. Not easy, but nice." Which was fine, since Dorian wasn't sure he was looking for something easy at the moment. Yeah, it would be nice to get laid, but the blonde at the bar still looked just as unappealing as before. "So who was that talking to you?" he asked. He had to be nosy, even if Olivia had already filled him on on who it was.

"Good luck with that one, then. Can't really find the energy in myself to pursue anyone. Too much work and too many games. Bores the shite out of me." Aiden decided to pass on explaining just how difficult Olivia actually was. It just wasn't any of his business. Hopefully the girl wouldn't get Dorian too riled up before slapping him down. But Aiden knew that no matter what happened, Dorian could handle it. "That bloke? Security. Guess this place is looking for help, and he wondered if I might be interested," he lied smoothly before taking a drink of his gin and tonic. "Unfortunately I had to tell him I'm self employed and that was that."

"I don't know. It might be nice to actually know a girl. At least if she's good in bed, she might come back. I don't think that necessarily means you're in for a serious relationship just because you're willing to put some work into it. Do you really only want things that come easy?" Dorian asked, though the resounding answer was likely going to be a very loud 'yes'. In college, Dorian might have echoed it. Now he wasn't quite sure. Course, things like this happened when he spun his life upside down. Dorian's gaze turned towards Bailey, considering Aiden's explanation. It seemed rather odd, but maybe there was something he was missing. "So, seeing as how you're self employed and all, how long can you usually stay in town without work?"

Knowing a girl before sleeping with her wasn't a concept Aiden quite understood, or cared too. "You can put as much work as you want into a relationship," he told Dorian with a shrug. "If it gets you laid a few times, more power to you, Dorian, but then you have to deal with the clingy afterglow. Every woman starts to get itchy for commitment. So yeah, I want things to be easy and simple to walk away from. It's how I prefer to live." The only woman he'd ever been with that had been content with just sex was Manhattan, which was probably why they got along so well - when they weren't competing for a job. "As for my job." He paused to take another drink. "I can stay in any town as long as I want. I get paid well for what I do, and I have very little expenses. I don't pay taxes and I usually pay cash for everything." He shrugged again and looked at Dorian. "My job is one that has endless possibilities. There's always going to be something to take down, someone who needs...help. I like my life. I don't plan on changing that for some woman, or anyone else."

"Who said I plan on changing?" Dorian asked. Aiden was crazy if he thought Dorian was going to up and change everything just for a girl. He'd change when he wanted to change, and that was it. He'd never been in a relationship, but it might be a fun thing to try, seeing as how he wasn't going anywhere. All that mattered was that he liked the girl and she liked him. If it came around to commitment issues though, he'd be ready to run. "Sometime you're gonna have to take me along on one of these hunts," he said, musing to himself. Aiden probably thought he'd be useless in that kind of a fix. It was the one side of Dorian his friend might not know about.

Aiden studied Dorian, tapping his finger against the side of his drink, his silver ring clanking against the glass. "You've already changed," he said bluntly. "You got a life here now, responsibilities. Even if you don't like them, you've got them, and I have a feeling you're not going to ditch them for selfish reasons like you may have in college. You get into a relationship, you're just going to see her as you see everything else in your life - just another nail." He needed a cigarette and he was annoyed to shake his pack and find it empty. "You really wanna go on a hunt with me?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow as he crumpled up his cigarette pack. "Say the word, and you got it." Safety for his friend was the last thing on Aiden's mind. Hell, safety for himself was rarely on his mind. Hunting was a job, sure, but it was also his adrenaline rush. Sometimes a brush with death was more exhilarating than brilliant sex. He didn't mind sharing it with Dorian seeing how he was probably the only person in Aiden's life at the moment he would ever consider taking with him.

"Those are changes of my own doing, my own choices, however poor. No one asked me to make them," Dorian pointed out. A girl that wanted to change him was a girl he wasn't interested in, plain and simple. If it came to the point where he wanted a relationship himself, then he'd deal with it when he got there. "Nails can be easier removed than you'd think," he said, taking a sip of his drink. If he wanted to, he could drop all and go. The thing was, there was something holding him here, and it wasn't the house, or the bookstore. There were people in Marquette that he didn't really want to leave. There was no way in hell he'd desert Caleb. And he still wanted to see things work out with Mathias, even if they were on better terms than before. And then there was Eury. And Tensiel. Dorian could be living in a one bedroom apartment with a crap job and he'd still stay for them. "I really wanna hunt with you," Dorian confirmed with a laugh. "Just let me know when something comes up. I'm game for anything that gets me out of the bookstore." It might result in Aidan seeing what he could do, but Dorian could live with that, if it got him the rush he desired.

Leaning back in his chair, Aiden finished off his second gin and tonic. Might be interesting, taking Dorian with him on a hunt his own brother may be paying him for. The details he could keep to himself, the money as well. It was a small fucking world they were living in, and Aiden was beginning to feel like something a bit deeper than coincidence brought him to Marquette. Given the people he'd run into so far...well, they were here for a reason too. It was finding out what those reasons were that was going to keep him busy. A knowing grin spread across his face as he pulled out his wallet to toss cash onto the table to pay for their drinks - and a generous tip for Olivia. "Things are always coming up. If you got yourself a gun, dust it off, because I guarantee you'll be using it while I'm in town."

Aidan didn't need to know that Dorian was already carrying, and had been the entire time he'd known him. Nor did he need to know that the gun was purely a last minute resort, something extra in case he was too exhausted to rip his enemy to pieces with his mind. Dorian may not frequent the action, but it was so easy to break someone's neck if he really wanted to. A second's notice and Dorian would be ready to go. In a way, he'd learned this line of business long before Aidan had; he just didn't choose to make his living in such a manor. "Just give me a ring," Dorian grinned back. "I'm always ready."