Welcome to Gaia! ::

When Daniel heard the comment about Mr. Button, he only had one solid reaction.


Daniel almost hit the floor in laughter. It was by far the funniest thing he had heard all day. Possibly all week, at that! It took him a moment to stop but when he did, he took a moment to wipe the tears from his eyes from laughing so hard. He took a deep breath and looked at her. "You are a funny one, my friend."

He scratched his head for a moment. "Well, we do have options.

I think it's best we get to know eachother a bit. So we can either take a little stroll around the block or try to go back inside."

He stopped and thought for a moment. "It is a tad noisey in there, though. I suppose we could try to get a VIP room, but that might look a little weird, you know what I mean?

So, really. It's up to you."

Jack's fingers raced over the keyboard as he leaned towards his laptop. The little redhead was situated where he often was, upstairs behind the mirrored glass that obscured him from view yet allowed him a perfect view of the dance floor. And a lot more. It was almost silent in his office, aside from the low bass rumble of the beat that vibrated subtly through the entire building, barely noticeable in these upstairs apartments. Sometimes it was surreal looking down at the moving throng of bodies, seeming to dance in time to silence. Or if Jack was playing his own music, that was fun, watching beautiful people grind to classical.

He turned his eye over to the window, getting a little itchy. His work was done for the day and he was just going over the week's figures, ensuring everyone got paid. They always did, he was meticulous with the filing and records. It was hard to believe when you first met the flighty, giggling man. He seemed entirely airheaded, but it was his careful managing that had pulled the Den back up to the heights of popularity when he had taken over. That and the reputation of the Den's resident DJ. He watched the dancers below, seeing a few familiar faces in the crowd. Thankfully, his groupies seemed to either be absent or otherwise occupied. He might have a chance at a little fun tonight, without too much hassle.

He flicked on the sound system, letting the music into his office and swaying to it as he poured and downed himself a healthy helping of vodka. As he did so he rifled through his wardrobe in the bedroom that led off of the main office, deciding tonight was definitely a case for a playful look. Clad in leather and mesh, showing off his tattooed arm and wings but mercifully hiding the uncovered scarring on his ribcage, he pulled his hair back into a short ponytail. Most of it still fell forward. It was rather uncooperative, but the look was pleasing.

He poured himself another vodka and mixed it in with a dash of lemon. This glass he carried downstairs with him, locking the door behind, and sipped at occasionally as he surveyed the crowd tonight. Beautiful people indeed. There was quite a fetching redhead on the dancefloor, aside from himself of course, that was drawing a few lusty glances. Even the largest bouncer in Durem spared her a look. But Jack's emerald eyes paused on her for only a moment as he scanned the room for a flash of gold. He sighed softly, wondering where on earth the DJ had gotten to tonight. No matter, he couldn't stay away for long, Jack knew. Sooner or later he'd get to see him work.

He half walked and half danced his way across the room towards the velvet rope of the VIP seating, his usual haunt. The path took him right by the large bouncer and he patted his chest, giving him a playful wink as he slowed to walk past him.
"Nice guns Hans." He teased with a light giggle. The nightclub boss was in something of a cheeky mood tonight and it showed. "I trust everything is peachy keen down here?"

Jack laughed lightly and musically. For all his attempts at looking somewhat sexy tonight, he still always had that aura of adorable around him. He could hardly help it. Still, the women seemed to like it. He was attractive and a little vulnerable looking, a perfect combination for lust and almost maternal affection. Unlike the massive Austrian who seemed to attract a steady orbit of girls who like them big. Generally they were too shy to approach though. Jack, however, was always happy to.

"Quite true! That's precisely why you cost me so much." Jack giggled, waving a finger at Hans' chest. He couldn't wave any higher really. Even on tip-toes and with arms stretched Jack would find it difficult to reach the other man's shoulders comfortably. He liked them big himself. He was a bit like a super-sized version of Raven, attitude and all sometimes. It brought a smile to the feminine lips of the little redhead.

"You know..." Jack smirked, tapping the large Austrian with a finger. "You should come up to my room sometime and see my gun. I might even let you play with it, if you're good." He gave another cheeky wink and small giggle. it didn't seem like the flighty little man would be much good with a real weapon in his hands, but there were fewer more accurate snipers in Durem. He tended to keep that information to himself though, a little ashamed of his past. There would be no harm in letting a man as heavily armed as Hans in on it a little though.

He followed his glance to the dancefloor, watching the female redhead grinding between two other women. A very enticing show, one that would have everyone believing she was as limber and skilled horizontally as she was on her feet. Jack rolled his eyes, knowing better. She'd tagged along with his groupies once, much to his disappointment. He indicated her with a nod of his head.
"Nice to look at, but if ever you feel like a little winding down after work, keep an eye out for that one." he turned his gaze and nodded at a small brunette leaning against the bar, pushing her glasses up her nose self consciously. "She's a minx, and could handle a man of your stature believe it or not." A lazy grin spread over his lips.

"Now, can I buy you a drink? And I know, I know. You probably don't want the boss catching you drinking on the job, but I don't see him around anywhere." He laughed, making a show of looking around the room for himself.

Jack and Hans were alike in at least the aspect of physical love it seemed. Both could attract women and yet neither kept relationships. For different reasons most likely. He had pushed people away, just like Raven had. And yet he had craved the security of a relationship his whole life. He was simply afraid of losing anyone. Having Guyy die in his arms had been surprisingly traumatic for the little redhead, and it was only Raven that had broken through that unspoken pain. He wanted to be with Raven, no matter what pain it might cause.

All the same a wide grin remained on his youthful face. He tended not to dwell on such subjects when he wasn't alone. And he did his best to keep himself in company of some kind or another. Loneliness was another fear of his. He flirted playfully with the large bouncer, seriously doubting it would go anywhere. The man never showed the slightest leaning towards males. But then... neither had Raven. Hadn't stopped Jack trying. Besides, getting flirted with was an enjoyable ego boost for anyone. He doubted the Chimagin was any different in that regard.

Jack looked a little dejected for a moment as Hans spoke up about disliking guns. But the giant was right. They caused bloodshed in the hands of the wrong people. Jack knew that far too well and far too personally. If it hadn't been for those sorts of people, he would never have ended up with a gun in his hands at all most likely. But still, a skill was a skill. The upset look vanished almost as suddenly as it appeared. Sometimes it was like the boss would switch moods at the flick of a button.

"Well then, what weapons do you like to play with?" He asked conversationally, still with a hint of suggestion in his voice. The Austrian stepped aside and invited Jack to take the lead to the VIP bar. Jack nodded his head gratefully and led them towards it. There was another thing they agreed on. Sharing drinks was one of the greatest pleasures he had when managing the club. He spent quite a bit on treating others to the occasional free drink. Especially staff. He valued their hard work and loyalty after all, and he rewarded them for it.

Plus, despite his statue like looks and personality, Jack rather liked Hans' company. He was reassuring to have around without being threatening. And he didn't really expect anything from Jack. Plus he had the added side effect of keeping the groupies at bay, not to mention potential murderers.
"Ha yeah. I suppose you could hardly be described as light in any sense of the word." Jack giggled. He wouldn't have offered the drink if he had thought for a moment it might compromise his ability to work. He knew fine well it would take more than a drink to unbalance the giant man.

Jack stepped up to the bar and got immediate attention from the bartender. He didn't even ask for preferential treatment from his staff, and yet a lot of them gave it to him. He smiled to himself, always brightened up by that fact.
"I'll take um... a whiskey sour please! And Hans will have..." he looked up to the giant bouncer and smiled, inviting him to select anything from the bar.

Jack hadn't expected a quick answer. The man was as thoughtful as he was large, from what Jack had discovered in his time working with him. He certainly didn't expect the rush of words that seemed like a scrap of a conversation to another. But from the large living rock, it was practically a speech. Jack grinned and sighed, seeing his point of view a little. Knives lasted longer, yes. And fists longer than that he remembered all too well. And some things were over in an instant. He rubbed at his scarred ribs self consciously.

"True, any idiot can pull the trigger. But it takes skill to actually shoot." Jack raised a finger as he spoke. "How often does any seriously panicked human actually hit what they're trying to? Same goes for a sword. Any weapon takes training, be it bladed of projectile or... well. Even the human body requires training." Jack shrugged. Training. He was glad those days were over.

"I'm as sharp as a sponge!" Jack said cheerfully in response to Hans' comment. It was good to see the massive man smile, even just a little. He grabbed the whisky sour as it was mixed and placed in front of him, swigging it. Just a few moments later the bartender delivered a vodka with plenty of ice. The little redhead chuckled at the man's little joke. He took the cool liquid and lifted it up to his drinking companion. He didn't stray too far from him, even as he beckoned the man over to sit down and relax on one of the luxurious seats the VIP area held, overlooking the rest of the club. Like a king on a throne, except the throne often had pretty people draped over it.

But not tonight. Anyone lingering around had somehow mysteriously had other places to be, or an urge to go dance. Funny that. And one of the reasons Jack liked Hans. A little peace and quiet, an eye in the storm that was his life some days. He pulled his feet up under him and made himself comfortable on the seating.
"I have the feeling that vodka would have been better served in a bucket instead of a glass." He remarked brightly to Hans. He turned his drink in his hand thoughtfully.

"What is it you do for fun anyway? I'm guessing you're not much into stamp collecting or anything. Surely you do something more than just hang around gyms and work?" Jack asked with curiosity. He'd never really interacted with him outside of work so he wasn't sure what a guy his size did for entertainment. Maybe he did just train and work.

"Hmm...." Hans did acknowledge that one needed skill with a projectile, but he didn't see it as much as with a blade. Knights and mercenaries alike had to spend years in training from the age of 9 on up, whereas he'd taken to firearms in about half as much training. "Ya' see, the thing is. With a firearm. You can get some moving targets, and some bullzeyes at different ranges to train. Now, ya' don't have a whole lot more else to do besides work on your aim, and dealing with wind or which way you're supposed to go if lead starts raining towards you."

Hans would take the ice filled glass, as he turned to follow Jack in his slow paces. It was a wonder that this man who for all intensive purposes moved like a rock, could suddenly burst into some rather frightening speeds. Especially since the greater populace of Durem and the surrounding cities was indoctrinated with the idea that big guys should move at half the speed of their knife/katana wielding brothers. Though when people had seen Hans move into action, that was perhaps the reason people had begun to fear him even more than just for his size.

After a brief scan of the patrons, Hans would be standing next to Jack's chair like the body guard that he was. Sitting in one of the VIP seats would mean valuable time lost standing that could have been used barreling down some unruly drunk or what-have-you that tried to gain access to the VIP area.

The man would continue on the conversation topic he liked, "and about the pointy weapons versus the projectiles. Not only does one have to practice their swing with it, how accurate it can be, the ways to defend against a multitude of other weapons, there is the matter of the body. Now, I don't care how many modern soldiers come out of school to train with some runnin', push ups, and whatever. Truth is, back in my day, you started trainin' your body straight from birth for war." Hans was a bit gruff as he spoke, but his words would come out all the same, "and ten trained guys with a sword could easily put down twenty that weren't. Now, get twenty untrained guys with guns against ten that are. I tell ya, so much lead flinging about, those ten guys that trained for as long as they did, can still get put down like they just wasted a goddamn part of their life preparin."

Hans' right hand held the glass of vodka, that he'd occasionally sip. It had been the preferred drink on various journeys, battlefields, and what-not. Though a crack of a smile was given at the mention it might have been better served in a bucket rather than a glass, "ya know. There has been some tenders that indeed do give me a bucket, or a bottle, or pitcher. Only the ones that haven't gotten to know me seem to stick to glasses." Hans' left shoulder gave a shrug at that, as he pondered what he did for entertainment. He supposed he ******** some broads time to time for entertainment and generally just practiced his fighting.

"Well..." Hans offered, "broads can be entertaining at the end of the night. But during the day time, I think fighting really. Lots of people 'round Gaia seem to have no trouble steppin' up to my fists, even more have less trouble goin' down to 'em. Some even try me with my blades. I 'spose that's how I keep myself entertained, if I'm not keepin' the peace in one of 'em hundred bars and clubs or so."

Flutter had to interject into the conversation at hand between Jack and Hans. It was about fighting, and contrary to the popular opinion that Flutter didn't know what the hell she was doing because of her physical short comings, and relative aversion to fighting, she did watch avidly in both the Heaven or Hell tournaments, and the Leviathan fights that took place.

She could categorize most of the movements into an analysis that no one there would give her credit for having seen or understood. She was the invisible one, the girl in the back ground eating the pop corn, and being scorned by the big bad guys that swaggered all over the place.

Or the animated epic battle types that loved to color their moves with power that far outweighed the conflict that they were in.

It was all in good fun, and as long as both people in the matches were on the same page for expectations, then they enjoyed the match. Who was on the same page as Flutter? Maybe Maximos when he had the time to play with her, but he was caught up with his friends that had decided that he should not spend time with Flutter.

She was the outsider that would never be allowed in, and she had long ago accepted that roll.

"If you strap enough explosives to him, I'll guarantee that you'll beat him. To pieces." she said with a snort, and a stifled snicker.