It was all like something out of a Cinderella story.

On the red carpet flooring stood Hawthorne Peirce, done up quite formally in a pastel yellow gown that hugged her hourglass form and a couple bits of jewelry far too expensive to be bought by herself. She was on a business errand with her boss, charming their way into merging the Le Chat Noir with one of the finer clubs in the city. It was her job to make sure all the owners needs were taken care of.

She felt uncomfortable standing there chatting idly with the man with the eye candy at his side. The dress felt far more open then a pair of denim jeans and high heels were impossible to walk in. Though despite all of this she kept a smile on, it only became real when the two left to go play craps.

Hawthorne sighed before ripping off her high heels and stuffing them under one of the tables. The dress was long enough no one would notice she was bare foot. She took a step. Ahhh ... flat footedness. Quietly she admired this moment before looking across the room to the mirrored wall and adjusting a few imperfections here and there.

(wow how incredibly unimaginative that was)

Among the crowd, stood someone that would be awfully familiar to Hawthorne. Maybe a little too familiar for comfort, but all in the same, it wasn't all that bad. After all, Hawthorne did have a one up, at least, she did then. Sebastian, well, he felt nicely cured and like a cold, cynnical bastard again.

Standing along one of the bars, Sebastian looked across the room. He was surrounded by people, all whom he was ignoring. Like most of the people, he was dressed in a tailored suit, but his jacket was hanging off his arm, showing the dark grey vest.

Something odd about this tall, blonde haired man was what was covering the midnight blue eyes. Sunglasses, of all things. Sunglasses in a very nicely lit place. Obviously, he liked to keep a 'poker' face.

Anyways, back to looking across the room. He reached up and slid the glasses down his face, raising an eyebrow as he spotted Hawthorne. Well, well, this is a nice surprise. After he'd been sentenced to heavy sedatives for a little awhile and large amounts of therapy session, here comes the one who has caused it all.

Hawthorne wasn't paying attention, there was something stuck in her teeth and she was sure it would be quite distracting if someone was trying to talk to her. And being in a place like this she felt no awkwardness what so ever in trying to get it out. Charming.

It was when she had removed the problem that she noticed another. Her violet eyes had caught a rather familar form in the mirror not far from where she stood. Hawthorne swallowed, knowing quite well who it was, the goal was not to show it.

Exit stage left. At that moment the people she had come with were out of sight. It was rather unnerving ... so what did she do? Hid ... where? In one of the custodial closets that blended in with the fancy corridor. If he found her chances were good she would bury herself in embarassment. And she had very little doubt that he couldn't.

That little smile of his- the one that let the person know that they were trapped. He merely left the people, watching Hawthorne's reflection as she bolted away. Oh my, now this is -quite- the interesting turn. Sadisticly, like the hunter, he followed her to that very closet, letting himself in.

"Long time, no see."

Choice of Weapons:
Broom
Mop
Bucket
Cleanser

... Eep.

Hawthorne learned the hard way it was better to avoid confrontation then to fight a losing battle ... however this one seemed to follow her. She looked up at him quietly, a smidge embarassed, frightened like the little prey she had suddenly become, and alittle crowded. Though despite her situation she could help but let a little cold question slip past.

'Still sore Sebastian?'

She remembered the last few confrontations between the two of them. How he hated her so much for dragging out thoughts of his mother. She swallowed, doubting he came after her for a warm greeting.

On the contrary, he would be warm and welcoming. For a little bit. Til his patience will run out. And one can suspect that, well, his patience could go out anytime.

Leaning against the door casually, he smiled at Hawthorne, "Why on earth would I be sore?" Cocky Sebastian felt that he had nothing to feel bad about. I guess those therapy sessions did work some.

Ooooh. The urge to bring up the mother story was sooo strong. But she remembered his reaction, it wasn't very pleasant and definetly something she didn't care to experience again.

'If I know you there is a reason why you followed me ... and only now can I think of one.'

She shook her head slightly looking up at him. He seemed different. Reminding her of some feirce feline waiting patiently for the right moment to kill. The last two confrontations he had been somewhat wreckless.

Hawthorne suddenly wanted out of the closet tout de suite. Being that close to him and not knowing what he was thinking made her heart thud in her chest.

Sebastian smiled a little more, sliding his sunglasses over his eyes. Try that on size, Hawthorne. Now you can't even see where he's looking.

"Oh, I just wanted to chat." He took just one step from the door, "Perhaps we can go back outside and for a dance?" But before Hawthorne gets relieved, remember that he didn't care back at the club that people could see what happened. "By the way, you look very stunning in your dress."

Shit.

She didn't know what was worse him angry or him sexy. Either way she still hated him.

'Chatting's fine ... if thats all.' He took a step from the door but the closet was small and it meant one step closer to her. At that moment she didn't care if going outside meant being around him, at least it would be a larger space then the three feet of the closet. She chose to ignore his comment about her dress as she stepped around him and pushed open the door. Hawthorne knew it looked good.

There were people in the hall as she stepped out. They stared at her and over her shoulder to Sebastian. She didn't want to know what they thought it looked like ...

"Tonight's going to be fun." And just to tease, that invinsible forced tugged the back of her dress briefly.

Oh? People were looking? Sebastian gave the on lookers a smug grin, take that Hawthorne and the rest. He'd play to his reputation. Taking a step closer, he slipped his arm around her's, "Now now, no reason to appear cold. After all, they happen to think you're not cold at all."

Woah. A suprised gasp left her as he tugged at the back of her dress and as an instict she grabbed at it and glanced at him over her shoulder. She didn't appreciate the audience and was in a haste to retreat. So as he took her arm she gave no objection though a little red flag went up in the back of her mind.

'I guess I could be alittle warm.' She was playing his game again, knowing from experience how easily she could get caught, she was stubborn enough to see if she could beat it. Hawthorne tilted her head back slightly so that her lips gently caressed a certain spot on his neck. To make it interesting she added a little nip.

A smirk to match his played on her lips as she pulled away and looked forward.

Thankfully, he had the sunglasses. He was surprised that she actually did that- after all, he did remember their last meetings correctly. Oh well, might as well enjoy the moment. He wouldn't get so caught up like before, he would just enjoy his game as for what it was worth.

"Do that again and you'll be in my favor." He smiled to some other patron before proceeding further into the crowd.

"No wonder they picked you as a hostess."

She didn't have to see his reaction to know what it was. Hawthorne felt the muscles in his neck tense slightly when she laid her lips against his flesh. It was a relief to know he could be.

'I'll plan on it then.' In truth, she was planning her next attack. It was only right not to be hasty with it, she wanted to wait and build up anticipation. She smiled at his last comment and looked to him out of the corner of her eyes. The only reason why she was playing this role for the evening was because her little life depended on it. The acceptance of the club owners was her goal for this evening. Which was why she didn't tell this to Sebastian.

She didn't know of his plans quite yet, if anything was related to revenge she desprately hoped it wouldn't include blowing her career to smitherines.

As they pushed through the crowd she suddenly realized that getting out of the closet wasn't any better. Three feet was suddenly a luxury.

Sebastian was not entirely unaware that she needed important club owner's acceptance, but he didn't care so she was relatively safe. He was in good spirits and hardly cared what she did- as long as it didn't rock his relatively level/sane boat. Well, then he'd go do some damage.

Either way, in short, she was fine.

Sebastian turned a little, a hand on her lower back, "Hm, I heard they have dancing." Slow dancing for patrons. The kind Sebastian would have a fun time torturing Hawthorne in close proximity. "Why don't we go?"

Dancing ...? 12 years of dance class and it never was actually put to use until now. A few feet were bound to be stepped on.

'Sure, why not.'

Nervous? ... most certainly. Barely an inch between her and the guy who gave her insomnia for a good couple of months. And on top of that ... the chance of making a complete fool out of herself. Yep nervous. He hadn't done anything too horrible yet ... maybe it was ok.

'Though on one condition.'

Hawthorne looked up to him finally before hesitantly removing the sunglasses, folding them and putting them in his pocket.

Oh, this is just a delight. Sebastian had her pulled out to the center of the dancing floor and he was just about ready to proceed til she had stopped him on this 'one condition' business.

He found things suddenly brighter and he just had to raise an eyebrow, "Is that your condition? Or you were just taking them off before you start?" He couldn't help but smirk at her. "Anyways, I gather you didn't enjoy my view being hidden from you?"

'That was my condition ... and yes.' To be honest, it made her nervous not knowing where his gaze was set, and she wasn't about to dance with the only man on the floor with sunglasses on ... inside in the evening. Hawthorne glared at the slight smirk that curved his lips. Good to see it amused him.

The music started, and she swallowed taking a quick glimpse around at the couples on the floor as they took hands and starting dancing. It wasn't really dancing ... more like shuffling your feet side to side. Hawthorne looked up into the midnight blue of his eyes and extended her hands rather slowly.

"Are you that reluctant?" Seb chuckled as he put his hands at the appropiate places and started the feet shuffling. "Oh, look, I can almost see straight down the back of your dress." That remark came idly as he looked down her back.

Oh, Poor Hawthorne. Seb was in a teasing mood.

(Too lazy to sign in, eh!? XD)

(I didn't realize until I posted that I hadn't done it.)

Hawthorne cringed at his remark. It could have been worse ... it could have been her front ... or something else. She turned her head slightly to catch his gaze and gave a slight flash of a smirk.

'The saleswoman did say it was for viewing pleasure.'

She followed his movements, occaisionally giving a glimpse to her feet. Hawthorne wanted to take the attention off her back tout de suite and at that moment really did not care where else it would take her. So gently she laid her head against his shoulder, barely an inch between her lips and his throat. She let her breath caress his skin for a few moments before closing the inch between them.

"Are we up to playing games my little moth?" Actually, he would rather call her 'moth ball'. He started this up in his mind after he had torn off her wings. Now, well, it just came out. "If we're playing games, count me in. After I look a little more at the back of your dress." Seems like Seb was pretty level right now. Crazy times!

Moth?

Though she liked his little butterfly better, any nickname given by him was nothing she enjoyed.

Hawthorne gave a tender nibble at the flesh of his neck before pulling back only slightly. Now she would have prefered the sunglasses to seeing his eyes set on her backside.

'I did wish to play little games but I didn't want to wait.' She smirked. 'Too bad.'

"You can't be too hasty."

Seb finally looked off her backside at her for a brief moment, "It's never good. Things should be done with patience and a cool-head." Because Seb felt that way things would be done with a clever and very effective execution.

Speaking of that, the hand around her waist dipped down a little, messing with the back of her dress in spite to annoy her.

Advice from a psycho ... good title for a book ... and sadly ... good advice.

Her back arched at the movement as a memory suddenly flashed in front of her eyes. There was no way the club scene was going to be relived, if that was what he had planned ... or maybe he didn't have it planned but he wanted her to think it. Damn him.

She quickened her step, actually bringing the shuffling of feet from side to side to the waltz. Her plan was to distract him, make it a little difficult to concentrate on playing with the zipper of her dress. Her eyes stayed on his as she lifted his hand back to her waist, a cautious challenge, while she thought of ways to get at him ... ways other than the thought of his mother.

Sebastian smirked, "Oh, you don't like that, do you? You don't want your clothes shred either?" He was up for the challenge. He easily followed her steps into the waltz and he kept his hand where it was supposed to be. He was being a good boy for once.

Leaning forward, Sebastian's lips brushed against her ear with a whisper, "I can always think of something different to do."

Hawthorne chose not to answer the question. He knew the answer. She paid no mind to the staring faces around them as he leaned close, letting his lips lightly caress her ear. Her flesh tingled under his breath and his heart pounded against her chest. It was maddening as well as distracting, it just wasn't right when she let herself miss a step. Damn it.

In hopes that he didn't notice she tilted her head slightly so that her cheek was against his. Now in reply to his statement she had known him to do many things other than rip her clothes off in public. Some were considerably worse, so in cautiousness she asked. 'Somthing different? Like what?'

"Oh, I don't know, but something entertaining. Maybe rib you limb from limb. Maybe just do the wrong dance step. You never know. It's like a mystery Russian Roulette." Seb followed her steps, smiling as if he was talking about the weather. Who would ever know that he was making an attempt to freak out Hawthorne in the midst of this casino?

Hawthorne's eyes went wide before she could do anything about it. She hated him and his little games, maybe he was trying to get her to say something ... just so he could have a good reason to rip her apart. That wouldn't be enough to make her freak out though.

The music stopped and so did she, happy to have the chance to get away from him. Perhaps she could find her employer go get the security and have him thrown out before another threat was made. Either way if that was what she wanted to do it had better be done quick. Sebastian sounded like he had plans and there was no way she was about to be publicly humilated again.

Hawthorne slipped out of his arms and made her way across the floor hoping to get away before the next song would start.

Sebastian watcher her move from his grasp, "Oh, my moth ball, the farther you move away, the closer you come to me." He wasn't worried. She'd show up again. He turned away from her, walking a different direction. She wasn't his only amusement after all.

Oh, if she did send security his way, he'd pay them off with a large lump sum. Or just use his telekenesis to push them off. You can't touch a person like that if you're mortal.

Oh! Russian Roulette.

Hawthorne paused in her steps and turned to look at him as he walked away. That was different, and would have been rather comforting if not for his comment. She swallowed and looked about as the music began once more then left the dance floor.

Across the casino was where her heels lay hidden beneathe a table. She was hesitant to retrieve them with still a few people lingering about, but slipped them on quickly and made her way to the elevators.

(are we going to end it here or ...?)