Close Encounters

[Brehnic Kohnar]

?????? Steele appeared to be more concerned about the score on the telly, than the conversation he was having on his cell phone. Fantasy Football scores and updates, and he was in the hunt for a nice fat payoff. Dressed from head to toe in all black, there was nothing on him that cost less than $500. "Hmmm, yeah? I'm still here." Then a roll of the eyes shielded by soft tinted lenses. A decision was made to leave the hotel lobby and sit at the main bar instead. More televisions there. "Yes, I already told you, he's the best one for the job. It'll get done. No muss, no fuss." He paused long enough to motion at a passing waitress to order a drink.

It hadn't been a particularly short...or pleasant flight to Vegas from St. Martin and the Sicilian wasn't in the best of moods. She wasn't in her usual finery, either. Under the long, open trench was an extraordinarily feminine sweater that draped her torso in the softest of cashmere, and a pair of incredibly tight, but utilitarian jeans. The ensemble was completed by a pair of wicked-looking shit kickers. Slung over her shoulder was a large black leather duffel, long enough to house her blade, cushioned by an assortment of evening wear and frilly undergarments.
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Before she checked in and treated herself to a long, hot bath, a drink? was in order. Veering into the hotel bar she actually walked past Steele, glancing at him peripherally... Then stopped and backed up a few steps after recognizing him. With deliberate strides, she walked directly toward the engrossed man, standing behind him and letting her duffle hit the floor with a resounding thud.
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Glancing over his shoulder at the sudden sound, heard even over the loud hotel noise that surrounded him, it took all about 3.5 seconds to place the face. "Yeah, let me get back to you, okay?" Folding the phone and placing it inside his inner jacket pocket, dark brown eyes peered over the tops of his glasses, while the hint of a small but bemused expression did linger. Before he would respond, his order had returned, and a hefty tip given. Holding up his index finger at the waitress, he asked Nova, "You want anything while she's still here?" A slight turn on his bar stool had him facing the woman fully. If he was caught off guard by the Italian's sudden appearance, he was hiding it well.
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"Well, if it isn't Sleeping Beauty." There was no mistaking the snark in her voice. No 'hi, how are you's'...the woman was all business as she sidestepped to stand next to him. As she leaned in, she gave a new definition to 'In Your Face.' "Where's Brehnic. It didn't even come out like a question. It was a demand.
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Steele ignored her inquiry for the time being. "I'll take that as a no, not right now." He smiled at the waitress and sent her on her way before looking back at Nova.?
"Hullo Ms. Giannini, welcome to Vegas. " Taking a sip of his drink before setting it down, his expression now one of slight amusement, and finally addressed her question. "Geez, I dunno, why don't you drag it out of me. Or should I say drug it out of me?" He then leaned back just enough to gaze into that stare of hers and said simply, "He's not here."
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Unexpectedly, she smiled. But it was a grin that would chill the blood. "Then talking to you is rather counterproductive, wouldn't you say? It doesn't matter, I'll find him on my own. "Steele had no way of knowing she was wrestling with her last shred of self control. Her life had spiraled into chaos, and she didn't like it. No sir, not one bit. And anyone making more obstacles for her wouldn't be tolerated kindly.
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"Take it down a notch, alright? Deep breath, have a seat, and have a drink. No games. Straight talk." Glancing over the tops of his rims so she could see his eyes. 100% serious. "Or you can keep the 'tude, and look for that elusive needle which is Brehn, in that universal haystack out there. Your call." And with that, his drink was picked up once again, and a partial focus was given to the telly. Steele was playing nice for now, considering the all too brief history/encounter between the two of them.
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Nova seemed to locate the stool behind by sheer psychic ability and sat down heavily. She was tired, she was hungry, and she was frustrated. But if the truth were told, mostly she was scared. And when fear took hold of her, she reacted predictably by putting up an armored wall and battering others with it. It was no wonder 99% of the men she met just assumed she was a Domme and wanted to follow her around like a puppy even after she tried to explain to them that she was anything but. She heaved an exhausted sigh, right hand holding onto the counter edge for subtle stability.
"Fine... Mr. Steele. You win." One booted foot rested atop the duffel on the floor. "You want to talk? Talk."
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"You want a drink? Looks like you could use one, for starters." If this woman were wound any tighter, she'd bounce right out of the room. Luckily for him, he'd had?a lot of?experience in defusing bombs. While waiting for an answer, his gaze would redirect itself from her to the telly, and back again, until she answered.?He seemed totally different from what she encountered the first time, granted it had been in unique settings.
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"Sure, why not?" Her tone was scarily non-committal. "Crown Royal," then added, deadpan, "make sure they bring a glass with it." A small smile did emerge, upon viewing that less than subtle jewel on her finger, Steele flagged down another waitress with her order. Seeing/hearing what he needed to know on the telly, he shifted again, sliding the tinted glasses back into place upon his nose. "I told Brehn he should have at least told you something instead of running off," spoken off handedly,while picking up his own drink.

Her response to his rhetorical statement was the brittle clink of the lip of the Crown Royal bottle against the rim of her glass. Several velvety gurgles ensued, followed by the crack of the bottle solidly being placed on the bar top. Slender fingers lifted the glassful of amber fire to her lips and she drank the entire contents, wincing at the end, feeling the warmth spread through her from the inside out. Because of her immortality, or perhaps just her physical make up, she'd always found it impossible to maintain an alcohol buzz for any length of time. In plain language, it was difficult to get drunk, and harder to stay that way. But on this evening, she was determined to succeed.

Holding up two fingers, while pointing at her empty bottle, Steele studied her with a slight curiosity. After debating for a few moments, he exhaled deeply. "You don't know me from Adam, and I appeared on your front porch. That I apologize for, and from what Brehn told me, I owe you. All I can say is he's dealing with a past personal issue on something he thought closed." Taking a healthy gulp himself, the ice in the drink was swirled around a bit. "The one that placed the hit on him wasn't as dead as he thought. Needless to say, Brehn's gone to correct that."

At the name 'Adam,' she fixated on him, then let out a rueful chuckle. "You have a convoluted way of apologizing, but I'll accept it. And as for Brehnic...I'm beginning to learn he's going to do what he wants when he wants...and to whom he wants. If he loses?" A shrug, and she refilled her glass. "I'll just have more free time." She hadn't really given Steel much of a chance to make an impression at their first meeting. She'd drugged him mostly to impair his memory of his time at her home. She didn't need any more grief from Keyes about how their sanctuary had been 'compromised.'
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"He won't lose on this, Ms. Giannini. This concerns the guy that...killed him." Steele ordered? himself another drink. "I guess it's safe to assume you're the reason being his recent attitude change. He's taking things more seriously that he was before."
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The whiskey was beginning to deaden her senses, and as a result, calm her nerves. A third stiff shot was consumed within the fifteen minutes she'd been sitting there and she was finally feeling the effects. Her posture softened. Her cheeks pinked and radiated heat. But she still had the presence of mind to censor her words...for now. "Ahh, mafioso bullshit. I see," then added, "That's what I do. Turn men into hard asses." Suddenly warm, she stood up, shrugging out of her trench. She had trouble with one sleeve, and flapped it wildly, trying to extricate herself, finally succeeding. She'd intended to drape the coat on the stool next to her, but the garment slithered off and ended up in a rumple on the floor. She never even noticed.
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"Ms. Giannini," motioning at the coat, "You see it as well, or you would not have come to Vegas looking for him. He's got a lot of rage inside him, and he covers it by joking, and/or coming off like a jackass."
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"Does he now. Well, as far as I'm concerned, his jackass routine was entirely believable." She noted Steele's concern for her outerwear and dismissed it entirely. "I could ask you how it is you know so much about Brehnic's personal life...or about our kind in general...but you know what? I don't give a fuck. You do know, and that's that. I'm tired of trying to understand the intricacies of the cosmos."
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"He's my brother." No smile, no smirk.
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At that, she cocked her head suspiciously.
"Literally, that's impossible." A fourth shot just to push her over the edge of sobriety. More would be needed on a regular basis to maintain.
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"Not if one were adopted." Removing his glasses, Steele looked at the woman,
wondering if she'd even recall this conversation at the rate she was going.
"Foster brothers. Make better sense?"
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Nova half expected him to explain it some other way. She was more familiar with the word *brother * in an entirely different context. "So...that makes you his guardian angel or something?"
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"Something like that," said with a small smile. " ' Bout shit my pants the first time he showed up at my place, after his *death.* Victim of a mafia hit, and the body was never found."
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"The first time is always a shock...for everyone involved."
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"He had a falling out with his mentor, and decided to look up his kid brother. Ten years later."
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For imbibing so heavily, she still spoke quite competently. The whiskey glass was poised halfway to her lips. "Falling out...yeah, I heard that before," thinking back to a few similar instances she'd had personally with former teachers. Leaning toward him, she actually put her hand on his arm, the warmth of her palm was
startling."So who killed whom?" She chuckled.
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Tilting his head to one side, Steele gave her a puzzled look.
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"You lost me, Ms. Giannini." He tensed up just a little when she leaned towards him.
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"Oh, don't be obtuse," she growled. "When a student and teacher have a "falling out." it means one iced...or tried to ice...the other. Capiche?"
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"Nope. No icing.?Heated, though. Yup. I'll let him tell you about that when he gets back."? Did she just say capiche?? What was she, the Godmother? "So, what happens now? You know our secret."
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"Dei sopra," she exclaimed a bit drunkenly, but then admitted, "La famiglia ? importante." However, a shrug followed, and the truth came out. "In the grand scheme of things, none of that matters to me." Ouch, that was blunt. And she was lapsing into Italian, one sure sign of tipsiness.
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Ouch!! That slammed Steele back into serious mode again. "So what does matter, in the grand scheme of things?"
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"I could list many things..." her accent had even thickened slightly, curling sexily around those Mediterranean words. "But the most important is keeping this pretty head on these sexy shoulders." She toasted the idea with another drink.
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A lazy smile found its way onto his face again, along with ordering another bottle for her. She was in a better mood and he was determined to keep it that way. "So, do we have a truce, or at least some sort of understanding?"? He was trying his best to play the role of a gentleman, but damn, this woman wasn't making it easy. At least she was wearing more clothing this time.
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"Sweetheart, I'm 108 years old and I still understand nothing..." missing his point on purpose, and recklessly divulging her age. "But if you mean am I going to poison you again, the answer is no." Then she grinned impishly, "...unless you give me a reason." Even her hands were reverting to Italian-mode, moving with her speech, actually causing her drink to accidentally slosh. She flicked some droplets of whiskey off her bosom with the back of her hand.

"Whoops."?
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Did she just say 108??? Playing poker did have its advantages, because he held quite the "poker face" when she said that!! And that less than subtle motion did not go unnoticed. "Say, have you even checked into a room yet?" Needing to ask that while she was still a little sober.

[Brehnic Kohnar]

?????? Either this woman was one hell of an actress, or she was actually on the verge of being drunk off her rocker!! Either way, Steele was playing it safe, for Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
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Tipsy? Yes. Not a care in the world? Getting there. Would she be able to maintain it? Not without a constant flow of liquor. But for right now, she needed Tohmas to keep her steady. She held onto him and maneuvered her boots around that big duffel. She couldn't wipe a girlish smile off her face and actually giggled, something few people had ever heard her do.

Even those that carry swords!! He'd catch her bag, and after a short trip through the lobby, he'd flash a smile and a wink to the bellhop while waiting for the elevator to come down. "I don't think Brehn will mind you staying in his place until he gets back. Hell, it might even improve his mood!!" Steele wasn't sure about Ms. Nova Giannini, because this was a totally different side of the woman, granted he had only met her once before. And that smile?? It looked almost natural on her.
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She kept an arm linked with his as they moved through the lobby, her long legs keeping up surprisingly well with his strides. When they paused in front of the elevator, the Italian looked over at Tohmas beguilingly ..."And where are you staying?"

"Me? I'm across the street. Ahh, here we go." Stepping inside the plush elevator, Steele pulled out a small card and inserted it into the panel just above the buttons for the various floors. "Steele." -Vocal match identified- Several more buttons would light up, with him pressing one in particular. "Guess there are going to be a lot of upset men out there, hmmm?"
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She barely heard him, fascinated by the machinations he was going through with that card and the elevator buttons. "What?" she glanced up at him uncomprehendingly.

"That stone on your finger. Guess that means you're off the market, eh? Just as well, I can't see how Brehn keeps his wits about himself around you."
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"Don't be ridiculous." She chuckled, trying to straighten up into some form of propriety. "Brehnic isn't interested in me."
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Ignoring the normal blah like elevator music, they found themselves at Brehnic's suite, where Nova had been once before. Neat. Clean. Tidy. "Lights." Steele brightened several rooms using the command, searching for several moments before spotting the guest room door. "Are you kidding me? That night you two went out for a desert drive." He segued seamlessly into a new topic, setting her bag down. "The fridge is over there, room service is 24-7. Anything else you need?"

"I could have killed him so easily," she quipped. Veering away from Tohmas, she started exploring, working at putting one booted foot in front of the other without wobbling. "Yes.." She looked back at him coyly, the expression unsettling. "Party guests. Have any friends we can invite up? What room number is this?" The question burst forth suddenly.
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Did she just say...kill? Yikes. Mental note made. "Oh, I assumed you were calling it a night. I do know of a rather upscale event that is happening as we speak. I was planning on putting in a cameo appearance." Still not convinced that the woman was actually drunk, folding his arms across his chest, while watching her. "B doesn't have parties up here. "
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"Oh, let's go. Take me!" She took a step toward him, then came to a screeching halt. "Wait. I can't go like this," and glanced down at her sweater and jeans, then pointed at him. "Just give me a minute to change."
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"You got it." Plopping down onto the couch, Steele had to shake his head. Several weeks ago, this woman drugged him, and here he was playing host. Reaching for the remote to the 70 inch HDTV, he started to do some channel surfing.
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She dropped to her knees behind the couch and unzipped her duffel, pulling out clothes in haste until she found what she wanted. Leaving her things strewn about, she rose, sword in hand, and swiveled soundlessly, grinning as the cold edge touched Tohmas' neck from behind.

A slight arch of the eyebrow would be all the immortal woman would get in response, as Steele continued to channel surf. Whatever game she was attempting, he was not playing. At least he hoped it was a game, because dying like this? Not exactly how he wanted to go out.

Her breath was warm on his ear as she leaned in to whisper, "Oh, you're no fun at all," and he felt the blade leave his neck. In fact, she disappeared completely. Five minutes later she reappeared. The woman who strutted out of the guest room had officially lost her tipsy status, and paraded past him like royalty in a seductively short sapphire blue sequined dress. Her arms were bare, and the gentle folds of the deeply plunging cowl neckline hinted a peek at hidden treasures. The three carat diamond pendant sparkled from a delicate chain around her neck, and matched the rock on her finger. Tall, strappy heels completed the ensemble. No stockings, she'd given them up since getting a killer tan in the tropics. Her long hair fell dark and wild over her shoulders as she looked back at him.
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"Will this do?"
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A low whistle in response. "On such short notice? Pshaw. Shall we?"
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She nodded, sheathing her Agincourt in her trench and grabbed her purse, making sure money, lipstick and custom-made perfume were in it.
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The party was an A-list affair, some celebs, others of high wealth, but not snobbish enough to where they didn't know how to party. Glasses of wine were poured for them, two steps inside, Steele was already eyeing the Blackjack table. Eyes were on the newcomer of course, some with passing curiosity, others with envy, and a few that had lustful thoughts that won't be mentioned out loud.
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In these surroundings, Nova was suddenly in her element. Her entire body aligned itself classically, right down to the extended pinky holding the wine glass. Compared to her massive wealth, these people could only hope to be middle class. Some of them only had to catch sight of her to be painfully reminded of that fact.
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Steele knew several, and the ones that didn't know him, would try to, in order of finding out more about the woman with him. Save for one that seemed to be watching her from across the crowded room. The wine glass would be set down, a decline for a refill made. Eye contact was made, with Steele catching a glimpse of another guest he knew, a mild look of surprise on his face. "Hey Nova. I think ... Yeah, it's him. C'mon I'll introduce you to him. He's a friend of Brehnic's, a real Zen guru. "
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Zen guru, my ass, it was another immortal. She'd been hit with the presence almost as soon as they came in.
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Making his way through the crowd, Steele arrived at the bar where the man in question stood. "I didn't think you were the social type, bugger. Nova, this is Jere. Jere, this is Nova."
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Jere would lower his head slightly, an expression of extreme calmness flowing from his slender form. "Well met."
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Glancing up at Tohmas when he started to talk, her gaze traveled to the man he pointed out. She looked the stranger up and down rather brazenly...scoping him out for weaponry. After he introduced himself, her right hand drifted up, palm down. A Victorian salutation.
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"Actually you are correct in your assumptions, Tohmas," Jere replied. "I was hoping to find Alexa... Brehnic here." Dressed from head to toe in black, a black cloak draped across broad shoulders. Possibility for a sword/weapon to be on his person did indeed exist, but not easily seen. Steele was too busy playing host to even notice what was really going on. "Nah, he had to take care of some business out of town. Should be back soon though. You going to be here for a few days?" Jere held Nova's hand briefly, and gave a slight bow to the woman before releasing her hand. His eyes never leaving hers, Jere told Steele, "I never predict the future, Tohmas."

"Okay, okay!! if you're going to start with that mojo talk, I'm so outta here. Besides, the tables are calling my name, and lady luck is at my side." Steele smiled at Nova.
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Nova interjected, taking Jere by the arm... We're just going to have a little chat, eat a few appetizers...you don't mind if I borrow him for a while, do you, Tohmas?" Her voice was melted honey and just as sweet.
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"Figures, the ladies go for that weird talk," Steele muttered. "I'll be over at the tables when you're done." Didn't need a house to fall on him. Jere maintained his calm expression even after Steele left the two alone to talk.
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The party smile never left her face as the pair wandered through the room, arms intertwined. "Who the hell are you?
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"Far from Hades as I'd like to be. I am Jere Wulfsohng." His voice level, his stride fluid. "And you are Nova Giannini. I am most honored to meet you."
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All the culture and refinement in the world couldn't prevent the startled expression that crossed her features. "Brehnic's told you about me?"

Nodding to several in passing, those dark brown eyes rested upon Nova once again.
"No. Alexander and I have not ... spoken in some time. Something I was hoping to put to rest this eve."
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Nova shook her head, earrings jangling. "Alexander? Brehnic is Alexander? How is it you know him by another name? I thought he was...newly made. Do you still take part of the game?"
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"He was Alexander, when I .... first met him. He changed his name to Brehnic following his ... Rebirth. I would know many things, for I was his mentor." It was not said for cause or effect, but simply for actual fact. If? the game seeks me out, then I am a player. If the game lets me be, then I am not. My intent this eve was to repair a tarnished friendship, nothing more. And yourself?"

"Me? Ohhh...I'm in the process of destroying a relationship." She feared it might be the truth, even though it was the last thing in the world she wanted to happen.
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"Mmmm." He would not question those cryptic words of hers, instead allowing his glance to view one Tohmas Steele, before returning to her own. Pulling his arm free, he would motion to one of the many servers, as two more glasses were brought to them.
Suddenly, the attention of both was captured simultaneously by the arrival of yet another of their kind.
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"Who knew the Gathering would be in Vegas? she muttered, trying to shake off the disturbing sensation.
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Brehnic was dressed to the nines. Every lady loves a sharp dressed man. At least that was what ZZ Top sang. Two steps inside the party, and he felt it, his eyes
narrowing, because Hell if he didn't carry his sword with him. He about did a double take when he saw Nova standing with....Jere??? Where the Hell was Tohmas? He had to be there as well. Calling up his best smile, he snagged a glass of wine in passing, before meeting up with the two others.
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"Indeed." Jere said to the woman by his side, before making eye contact with a certain dreadlocked immortal who was making his way towards them. One glass down, another snagged. Brehn felt like he was going to need it. Was Pistol Pete there as well? Didn't hurt to check right?

Nova was beginning to get nervous. Her coat (and sword) had been checked, and she had no daggers strapped to her thigh to fall back on. She took a step back, wishing for invisibility. But looking as she did, that was impossible.
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"Fancy meeting you here." Brehnic could have directed that at either one of them. "Nova, you're exotically stunning as usual." Turning to face Jere, the smile vanished just a tad, a more serious tone taking over. "Whatever you have to say, it can wait until morning. If not, you know where the door is."
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"Then I am content with waiting a few more hours. Good eve to you both. Nova, it was a pleasure to meet you." Lowering his head before taking his leave, Jere soon was
swallowed up by the swirling masses.

Well, that was abrupt. She watched Brehnic's mentor leave, as Italian anger won out over fear. "How wonderful to see you in one piece, Mr. Kohnar."
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Looking back at Nova, Brehnic was still glancing around for Pete. "Where's the uber beau Pistol Pete?"
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Nova glared back at her student. "Does it matter? There won't BE a wedding once he finds out I've come looking for you."
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"If he's going to get his boxers all in a bunch, then don't tell him. Nah, then he'd find out somehow, and you two would have trust issues. Don't need to be target practice this early again." Glancing up again in the general direction of where Jere left, watching for a few more moments before he actually relaxed a bit. "Sorry I didn't leave a message, but time was of the essence." Another drink had his nerves finally calming down."He's a total tool if he calls it off."
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"I just met your former mentor, Alexander." She used the name Jere had used for him. "And you know what? I don't think you need a teacher at all."
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A moment of silence. Then a roll of the eyes. "And what brought this about?"

"The fact that you mislead me. You may have caused untold damage to my engagement...and that's unforgivable."
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"What?? Mislead you??"

"You let me believe you were inexperienced. From the looks of Mr. Wulfsohng, I think he taught you all you need to know. And then some."
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"You want to take this out onto the balcony Nova? I need some air."

Without another word, the stunning Sicilian pivoted and steered her way through the partiers out onto the outdoor patio, wine glass still in hand. She found the railing and leaned her elbows on it, staring out over the vista of the strip below. Gods below...was she crying? Hell yes, those were real tears welling up and coursing down both cheeks.
"I'm going to lose it all, Brehnic."
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Double take. "What ... because of coming here? Are you kidding me?" Turning to face her with an expression of concern. There was more to that comment, Brehn wasn't that dense!! "What's going on, Nova? Last I saw you, things were fine ... right?"
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She nodded, finding her voice. "I gave up everything to be with him. To be what he wants. I'm trying. I really am." She straightened up then. "There's so much you don't know about me."
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"Is he testing you or something? Bugger looks like he'd do something like that."
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She tried to smile through her tears and it was heartbreaking. "Maybe I'll learn to trust Jackson's judgement eventually. I just...I shouldn't have come. Look at you. You're fine. He said you would be."
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Her last comment almost made him laugh. "Hell Nova, you just found out you don't know as much about me like you thought. Guess we're even on that front."
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She wiped her eyes, embarrassed at her little outburst.
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"Look." Placing both hands on her shoulders. "I was going to level with you that next day we were supposed to spar. Then I got a call. The son of a bitch that had me killed was still alive. I wasn't thinking straight after that."
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"So you went to kill him?? She looked at him incredulously. "We don't waste our time with mortals. They die on their own."
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A look of pure disdain flashed upon his features. "That bugger was going to die by my hand and mine alone. Not by natural causes, not by someone else ... MINE!! He destroyed my life, Nova. All because he thought I was sleeping with his girl. Left me to die in some fuckin' alley. Not cool. Not cool at all."
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"Revenge." She considered him thoughtfully. "Maybe there's hope for you yet."
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"Remember when you had you hair pin at my temple? What you told me? I realized right then, what Jere taught me could only take me so far." Looking at her. "Jere was here, to stop me from killing that bastard. Forever losing a part of myself, he would say." Brehnic looked up at the sky "That chapter's done now. That last bit of mortal in me can finally rest in peace. "
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She took a step toward him. "So you've progressed to immortal tactics 201 now? How to snap a man's neck with the least amount of effort? That the blade goes into the ribs sideways to keep from sticking on bone? That you better win in four moves after taking a challenge because if you don't, you probably won't? How to incense your opponent so he fucks up? Plan your challenge on home turf? Oh, I have it all, sweetheart. And I bite. Learned that from a Horseman." She sounded bitter.
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Brehnic listened to Nova rant. "I have to say this...Keyes? Not sure about the bugger. In giving yourself like you did, you lost that one thing that made you...you. My opinion."
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"I've given up some things in my life," she admitted. "But I need something he gives me."
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"Jesus. I hope it was worth it." Those two seemed to be tailor made for the other.
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"Brehnic, how well do you know Las Vegas?"

He glanced at her again. "Like the back of my hand. And if I don't, I know those that do." Looking at the back of his hand.
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She looked shaken and vulnerable after her admission. "Good. Then give me the address of the best BDSM house in the city."
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Pulling out his cell phone, he made a call. "Yeah, it's me. I'm good, you? Great. Look, I need a fav. Going to be sending a friend of mine down there, VIP treatment, my tab. Yeah, I know you're backed up. You pull this, and we're five by five. Clean slate. Dehm skippy they're important. Done deal? Great. Later. " Folding the phone, and placing it back inside his? pocket, Brehnic winked at her. "There will be a limo out front for you in ten minutes."
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For some reason she thought he'd be shocked. But he clearly wasn't. Leaning against the rail, he just gave her ... A look.
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"What...don't tell me you've never experienced the darker side of yourself." She kicked herself for feeling the need to justify her addiction.
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Nova would get the most shit eating grin from him right then. "Why do you think I make Vegas my home?"
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She snorted a laugh. "You like it on your knees?"
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"Ha!! I have a new respect for the game Twister."
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"That's not an answer," she pointed out.
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"No, that's not the answer you're looking for." Grins.
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"Which is why you and I will never go any farther than this." Unable to handle any more of his tap dancing, she set her glass down and headed back into the party, straight for the coat room.
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Smiling to himself, he watched her go.?"For now, but I have all the time in the world. Enjoy yourself." Turning back around, Brehn took in the night lights below, before his cell phone rang ...

"Yeah. Count me in."