Post by Admin on Aug 8, 2020 20:54:47 GMT
The Bait is Gathered (Invite) Diagon & Knockturn Alley, Shadow Lounge)
(OOC: Continuation of Everywhere Else, Leo Rejoins his Family (closed))
FRANK COLE
Cole opened the front door of the Shadow Lounge and walked in, stopping long enough to let his eyes adjust to the dimness. Removing his hat, he walked over and sat at his usual table in the front corner. From the table he could see the whole Shadow Lounge and still be able to see out the front windows without being seen himself from anyone outside. The two troopers sitting at the table, sipping their non-alcoholic drinks nodded. Both the men were technically on duty, watching out for Kat and others in the place. Gab who was standing at the back of the room near the rear door, knew the men were a plant but because of the past he was not going to do anything about it unless Neo said something.
Cole hung his hat on the hook over his head on the wall. He leaned forward and folded his arms on the table giving the mistakable appearance of casual. When Gab's and Neo's eyes connected with his he smiled and nodded.
The bartender stood behind the counter, cleaning glasses. He looked worried and his eyes darted between Cole, Gab and Nat. Kat appeared to have just finished serving another table. Cole reached in his pocket and pulled out a large change purse. He tiped it over on the table and let a generous supply of Galleon's spill out. Kat would know when he left anything in the center of the table would be her tip. Any of his troops who were here, ran a bar tab, which Cole paid in full every two weeks, adding more of the tip money.
When Cole dumped the purse, his two men nodded, rose and walked out the door. They took up position just outside the window where they could see him and everything else happening. Cole also knew they would notify the men in the alley outback, he was here and to be watchful.
Looking up, Cole caught Kat's eyes and smiled. He nodded to let her know he was ready to order.
KAT SPELLMAN
Kat put down her tray. When she looked up she saw the Bartender looking toward the table where Mr. Frank Cole's people sat. She turned slowly and watched the man himself enter the room and seat himself at the table in the front corner. She smiled because she knew he would never have to worry if the table would be useable, because there was always a member of his security service present at the table.
She looked over and saw both Neo and Gab very interested in Mr. Cole. She knew they did not like him. Once when she asked Neo why, he had just told her not to worry about it. That was always what any of her brother's said. Sometimes she wished she wasn't the only girl in the Quint group. It was a mess most of the time having four brothers all of which thought they were older and wiser. Technically, Neo, Leo and Marco were older. She and Franco had been Siamese twins joined at the bottom. They both had heart shaped scars to prove it.
The movement of the two men, who had been sitting at the table, drew Kat's eyes back in that direction. Mr. Cole had dumped a large purse of Galleons on the table, which was normal for him when he was planning on sitting for a while. It was going to be a good night. When he nodded, she knew he was ready to order, so she picked up her tray and headed for his table.
NEO SPELLMAN
Neo and Gabriel had just had a long talk before Neo's blood brother, Frank Cole had entered. Neo had been furious by what Gabriel had told him. It seemed Leo Spellman, Neo's brother had disappeared. Neo thought back to his own visits with Fixer as his blood brother was now called. He owed the man that now sat at Fixer's usual table. Frank Cole has helped him escape from a slave trade group when Neo was only ten. What had made that so binding for Neo was the fact that Fixer had been only twelve and had risked everything to help a boy he hardly knew.
Neo looked towards the bartender, who was a wimp in Neo's book. The man was the owner's son and as such thought he could do anything he please. Neo was not upset about that except when he tried pushing himself on Kat. The only thing that infuriated Neo to no-end was that the wimp expected every bouncer to protect him first in a fight. Neo had a couple of nights even talked to the owner when the wimp had actual started the fight and then tried to order Neo to eighty-six the man's victims. Luckily the owner had told Neo right in front of the wimp that Neo was the Cooler of Shadow Lounge and that meant Neo's word was law.
Neo looked at Fixer and then at Gabriel as he walked up to the table. He watched Gabriel block Kat as he said, “Fixer, I think you and I better talk first.” He turned to Kat and said, “Kat, you don't serve this table until I give the okay, okay sis?”
He watched as Gabriel's eyes showed the werewolf's fury. He looked at the bartender watching. Neo grinned as he heard Gab turn and say, “This does not concern you! Your job since you asked for one is tending bar, so bar-tend...”
(OCC: Gabriel is one of my many characters and so I told his actions here. The bartender is a NPC at the moment)
KAT
"Gab, what do you think you are doing. Mr. Cole has signaled he is ready to be served." Kat said as she tried to bypass the bouncer. "Excuse me please." As she looked at the table she heard her brother order her to not serve the table until he said it was alright. Turning to him she let the anger enter her voice, "I happen to know what Mr. Cole normally orders, so I will go and get if for him." Looking at Frank Cole she said, "I will be right back with your drink. The bar has also received a fresh supply of pretzel mix which you will enjoy." Receiving a smile from the man, she turned on her heels, pushed past Gab, giving him a hard look and headed for the bar.
Her eyes caught the man behind the bar eyes, darting between her, Neo, Gab and Mr. Cole. She didn't like to man who was called the wimp behind his back. If he were not the owner's son he would have been sent out of the Shadow Lounge a long time ago. He was trouble and always trying to get into her business. She had missed out on some good tips because he thought the patron was being too friendly with her. Kat would be the first one to admit she flirted a bit, but she had a steady boyfriend and there were others who helped to protect her and her sons no matter where she was. It was gratifying to hear Gab give the guy a hard putdown.
Kat ordered Mr. Coles wine and grabbed a large bowl of the pretzel mix. She turned to carry it back to the table, but found Gab in her way. Trying to push past him, he blocked her way and shook his head. Kat looked around the bouncer and realized she was not going to be allowed back at the table until her brother finished with his chat. She slammed the tray back on the counter and turned away.
(OOC: Kat is my character and I have permission to say what Gabriel did)
FRANK COLE
Cole had watched Kat walk back to the bar and seen Gab prevent her coming back to the table. Settling back in his captain's chair, he rested his elbows on the arms and intertwined his fingers in front of him. He turned his attention to Neo, who was standing near the table and motioned toward the chair across from him. "I am thirsty Neo, so if you could please finish with whatever you want to say, I would appreciate it if Kat would be allowed to bring me my drink."
Neo gave a sly grin as he said, "Did you really think I would not find out? Where is he? Fixer, I know we have a deal of no interference but you are pushing it. He went to the Tea Shop to talk with Gab, not you. You not only vanish with him but he never got to relay his message to Gabriel. Now you calmly come in here expecting me to allow business as usual. Not happening until I find out what you want with my brother and why you are here instead of him. Start talking Fixer before I let Gabriel to show you the door. Oh and I meant it when I said to Kat, she is not to serve you unless you want me to tell her why."
Cole steepled his fingers for a few moments and then lowered them back into the original position. "Leo is fine." Smiling he added, "it is actually raining at the moment on the island and your brother preferred to stay outside. It was his choice, but the tent is there and he can return inside anytime he wishes. As far as why he is on the island, he is the only one of you I have not talked with yet. I know you have realized I would eventually invite him to my home. As far as the message he needed to deliver Gab, it is un-necessary at the moment, I have temporarily resolved the issue." Cole leaned forward onto the table and crossed his arms. "As far as being bounced out of here, we have an agreement Neo and I know you never go back on your word, so I think I will just sit here and wait until Kat brings my drink. You wouldn't want me to make a fuss, because my men, out and about, might take it wrong." Cole just sat and relaxed leaning on the table.
Kat was watching the table around the large body frame, Gab had planted in front of her. Quietly she said, "I need to get back to work Gab. You know Mr. Cole's table is not the only one I have to serve." She hoped if she could get him to move she could check on her other customers ending up at Mr. Cole's table.
Gab looked at Neo and saw the man shake his head. Neo grinned as he said, "Fair enough but you still have not answered why are you here and why has Leo not been released?" He did sit down though. Neo was pushing his position with Fixer but the Cooler was worried that Leo would or had pushed his blood brother too far. He had given Fixer a secret name years ago but chose not to use it. Neo had to get Fixer to understand just how much he even now protected his brothers even one that thought he did not need it.
Slapping his chest with his hand, Cole said adding a bit of mocking to his voice, "Ah, Neo I am hurt. You don't trust me." Leaning a little farther forward on his folded arms, "Both reasons are none of your business Neo. I will make you a promise though, on my honor as your blood brother. I will not take Kat from this place or anywhere else, she may be without her agreement to go with me. Now my I have your beautiful sister and my waitress bring me refreshment?"
Neo nodded as he looked towards Gab and Kat. He turned back towards Neteru and said, "You know trust is not the issue." He eyed the other customers at a far table. The woman looked familiar but for the life of him, Neo could not understand why he felt the way he did. The woman was beautiful and had been flirting all evening. His key was scared though and that worried Neo. He asked in a low voice, "Some of yours?"
It wasn't hard to pick out the lady, and he was using the word lady, very loosely at this point, that Neo was referring to. It was none other than Rachel, a vampiress, who wanted to control Neo. She had let it be known in some circles where Fixer had planted friends that she still planned on marrying the Wizard. When Neo had been on Cole's Isle of Perdition, he and the elves had taken great pains to block Neo's knowledge of her, and it looked like they had almost succeeded. "I don't know the lady by reputation. She does not work for me. "Kael, she is dangerous. Much more dangerous than my small band of misfits. Don’t trust her." Cole looked toward the bar and saw Kat coming toward his table with his drink and a bowl of goodies. Gab had hung back and by the look of his stance he had done so very reluctantly. He smiled. Someday he and the man were going to have to have a talk. Looking at Neo out of the corner of his eye, "Neo would you mind. I would like to have a short conversation with you sister."
When Kat saw her brother nod she picked up her tray, turned and brushed past Gab before she could grab him. Looking back over her shoulder she nodded and smiled. Quickly turning back she headed for the table where her brother and Mr. Cole sat. Reaching it quickly put the drink and pretzel mix on the table and stood waiting. She never took money from the center of the table without being told it was alright.
Neo shook his head as he said, "Sorry she is working and anyways Antonio will be here soon." He winked at her as he hoped Antonio would show. He got up as he said, "At least I won't be breaking my word when I do what I have been wanting to do since those two got here when we opened." Neo signaled Gabriel as he turned to have a chat with the two in corner.
"Neo I talk with her now, here at the table where all can see or I talk with her later, where it is a little more private. Your choice." Cole smiled at Kat as she put down the drink and mix and waited patiently for him to tell her she could take galleons from the center of the table. She knew she was to take double the amount of the cost of the order, half to pay for the order and half as a tip.
Neo turned as he said, "Kat can talk to you on her break. I am hoping you and her understand, she is not to leave the Shadow Lounge until you and I have a more detailed talk. At the moment I have two people who will be given a choice and since one of the two is a wanted individual I want her away from the trouble." The Cooler had recognized Marcus Linthux and planned to ask the man nicely to leave. Neo had a sly grin, as he was sure the man had no intention of leaving. He turned back around headed for Linthux's table as he said, "Gab, we will give them the option but one way or another members of the Seven are no allowed here."
Gab just nodded but the Bartender said, "Cooler, I order you to not bother the paying customers! That back table is a private party who paid in advance."
He walked up to Kat and yanked her arm as he yelled, "And you, Ms.Spellman were asked for personally now go to your table! That is unless you want to upset Mr. Linthux and lose your Job..." As the bartender turned towards the bar, he scooped the money on the table as he said, "That should cover your tab. Now since we are closed for a private party and you sir are not on the guest list, Leave!"
Cole stood up quickly sliding his chair on the wooden floor. He reached out and gently pulled Kat off to the side so she would not be in the fight he saw coming. The wimp would normally back down. It all depended on how stupid he was being at the moment. Cole held out his hand for his money to be returned, adding in a quiet tight voice, "I do not think I designated those galleons to cover my bill. Besides if seems you have taken far more than I owe you. If you would like to tally my bill I will be happy to settle the account." Cole did not lower his hand. His eyes slightly shifted from the man who was trying to decide if he could get back up to the man coming down the back steps. "I think maybe someone else is going to have something to say also. You have asked Neo not to bother paying customers, but you are about to throughly upset one of your regular paying customers."
Cole watched as the little man turned around and saw his father, the Owner of Shadow Lounge coming down the stairs with a hard stare plastered on his face. The wimp, looked at his father then slowly turned and placed the money back on the table. He stalked away, but not before giving Cole a look that made him glad the man did not have more magical powers than he did. The Owner nodded one time to Cole, which he returned. Cole sat back in his chair and gentle guided Kat back to her original position. He held up one finger to tell Kat to wait a moment, because he wanted to watch one more confrontation which was taking place.
The Owner had called Neo over to him and was in close talk at the bottom of the stairs. Both men looked at the back table a couple of times, before Neo nodded and headed to his normal place at the end of the bar. The Owner looked at the back table one more time, turned to Cole, nodded and then headed back up the stairs. Half way up he gave a hard stare to his son who had gone back behind the bar.
Cole turned back to Kat and said, "Thank you for waiting. You may double your tip for this trip. Your brother has given me his permission for you to talk with me on your break." Cole laughed because of the look which came across Kat's face when he had said her brother had given permission. Cole knew Kat could care less on if she had permission or not.
Kat had not been scared when all of the fuss was going on. She knew the wimp could not make Mr. Cole leave and Neo was accepting the idea the man was there. "Let me go and see what the other table requires then I will take my break. It will be early," Kat glanced at her brother before turning back and finishing, "I might even take an extra long break. The wimp is bartender tonight so he can serve tables for a bit."
Cole nodded and promised, "You will not lose out on any tips. This I promise," adding a large smile he said crossing his heart with his index finger, "Cross my heart, my lady."
Kat giggled and headed for the back table. It was going to be a good night after all.
Neo had just gotten the first dress down by his boss. The man had not liked having to deal with what his son had done. Neo sadly shook his head as he thought, "He is right, problems are my job. At least he understands now just how much of a problem his son is." He looked to the back table as he sent Gabriel back towards the back door saying, "Keep a very close eye on that back table, Gab. I don't like at all that Daniel Marsden's second in command asked personally for my sister. Find out what you can. As for Fixer, he and I have history. I owe him big time. Gab, don't worry I will find out about Leo."
Gab just nodded. He walked to his usual spot. Gabriel was not taking Fixer as lightly as Neo seemed to. The werewolf had a feeling that neither Fixer nor Linthux were at Shadow Lounge for pleasure. He got a sly smile on his face as he thought of the talk he planned to have with both Fixer and most importantly the bartender.
Marcus Linthux had watched the whole scene play out across the lounge. He had done his research so he knew the man sitting in the corner not far from the front door was Frank Cole, a true mercenary. Marcus was getting impatient, as Kat still had not taken the hints he had given. "Rachael you sure Neo Spellman can be reasoned with? I want the him at my beck and call. If he can't be bought then I want something to hold over him! As for your offer of a meeting with MacIntosh that depends on just how good you are at drawing that Cooler away from Gabriel Lupin and this dingy place. Maybe Vamps are not as good as werewolves or maybe you are weak when you stand by yourself?"
Rachael stared at him and shook her head, "Patients Marcus. For some reason Neo is not responding the way he should. His sister is the key." Now be quiet and let me work.
Kat walked slowly up to the table. Gab was back at the rear entrance not far away, and Neo would be watching her so she was safe as she could be. "You wish to order something else?" she asked quietly.
Rachael looked up and caught the girls eyes, noticing she took half a step back. "Yes my dear, I am going to request you as our private waitress for the rest of the night. You will not suffer from the job, I promise you."
"Sorry Madam, but that is not allowed. I will be happy to get you anything you need though." Kat tried to hold the fear in check. The woman was beyond scary and the other man who sat with her looked like he could turn anything or anyone to stone. She glanced to make sure Gab was watching and saw he had taken a step closer to the table.
Rachael glanced behind her out of the corner of her eye and saw the bouncer had made a move closer. "I really must insist, Kat. I will pay you double your salary and tips."
"No Madam, but thank you for the offer. Now if you do not need anything, I go on my break in a couple of minutes." Kat needed to get away.
Rachael looked at Marcus who was laughing at her. In a sickly sweet voice she said, "Go on your break Kat, but when you are done return here and we will have orders for you." Rachael planned on the orders being not just for drinks. She would use powers the girl could not fight and even the other wizards or the werewolf standing behind her would know she had used them.
Kat backed away quickly, headed to the bar and laid her tray down. She looked at the wimp and said, "I am officially on break. The place is yours." Turning her eyes to her brother, she nodded toward Mr. Cole's table to let him know where she was going. Receiving a nod back, she headed toward what she considered safety, even if her brother was worried.
(OOC: This was a joint post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you enjoy the thread.)
KAT
When Kat had arrived at the table, Mr. Cole had stood and pulled the chair to his left out for her to sit. He had then looked over at the bar and actually snapped his fingers for the wimp to come to there table. Kat had barely been able to suppress the giggles that were caused by the whip coming to the table, taking Mr. Cole's order of another glass of wine and a Salem Soda for Kat and then being told to get the drinks. When the wimp had started to refuse to bring Kat's, Mr. Cole had just pointed to the pile of Galleons in the center of the table and dared him with his eyes to keep complaining.
When their drinks had been delivered, Kat's glass of course had been slammed down on the table, the wimp reached to collect some galleons. Mr. Cole grabbed him by the wrist and pulled his hand away. Then he shoved two coins toward the wimp and motioned him away. Kat could not totally fight the giggles this time, and by the look on the wimps face when he left she was going to pay for it in some way later.
Glancing at her brother and seeing concern, Kat sent him a smile and turned her complete attention back to Mr. Cole. Picking up her soda and taking a sip, she asked, "You wanted to talk with me sir?"
Cole smiled and nodded. "First you can drop the Sir please. I would appreciate it if you would call me Frank. I know it might not seem proper, but it would be appreciated all the same." Cole received a nod so he continued, "My reputation in one of leaning toward the Dark Side, but I can assure you, Katarina, that is not the truth. How much do you know about the Dark Side and the enmity called the Dark One?'
"Not much Frank," Kat said as she took another sip. "I know there are rumors the thing is trying to re-enter the world, but is being blocked somewhere. With the rumors I pick up here and there, having the thing loose would not be a good idea."
Nodding Cole said, "That's close enough. There are some who are trying to set it up, so people who need to be able to fight together will be able to use their combined strengths to help fight the battle, which is coming. Your brothers are going to be part of this battle, whether they choose to or not."
Kat gasped, but tried to hide it by taking a drink. "Are you saying you think my brothers are going to be killed?" Kat again glanced toward her brother.
Cole leaned forward on his folded arms and said softly, "I do not know who will make it through the future battle, Katarina. You know your brothers are not working together at the moment. You can feel a break in the mental and physical connection all of you hold. I have talked with Franco, Marco and Neo and have been able to come to an understanding with each of them. Leo is presently on my small island thinking about what is happening. I want to bring them together and get the bond working again."
Kat took a couple of long sips of her Salem Soda. Setting it down she tried to add strength to her voice because she was not a little scared of the man sitting next to her. "Should I be worried about Leo being on your island, Mr. Cole?"
Cole had not missed the change back to the Mr. Cole. Kat was trying to distance herself. "Leo is perfectly safe where he is. I am not trying to frighten you Katarina. You and your boys are safe, this I promise you. You are smart enough to realize the men I have here are not here to just relax. They are here for your added protection. Now that being said, I need a favor from you, so I can help your brothers. I need you to help me train them to work together and reconnect your bond."
"I will admit, Mr. Cole…. Frank … I would like to reestablish the bond, because when you are used to feeling your brothers mentally close and then there is nothing or very little, then the quiet can be frightening and lonely. Tell me what it is you want me to do and then I will give you my answer."
Cole nodded and took a drink of his wine. "I want you to come to my island and act as bait."
Kat started to rise as she said, "I think this conversation is ended, Mr. Cole."
Cole reached out, but did not grab her hand. "Katarina, please you misunderstand me. Please here me out."
Kat slowly sat back down in her chair. "Ok so how did I just misunderstand that you want to use me as bait so you can capture my brothers and force them to be in your private army?"
Cole chuckled, and then said, "I do not want your brothers technically in my army, although Neo, like Marco and Franco before him is taking part in some of the training, both as troops and as instructors. I have set up a maze of sorts on my island. It would force your brothers to work together to make it through the maze. I need something for them to work for, and I thought of you. You will be in the center, perfectly safe and comfortable. I will have you pose for a couple of pictures and maybe a short video, where it will appear you are being mistreated and are worried about staying alive, but you will not be harmed, I promise."
Kat twirled the bottom of her drink around on the table and watched the soda whirl inside the glass. "How long would all of this take, Frank?" she asked as she looked back up.
"About a day if that. Your boys will be safe Katarina. They will be safe whether you do this or not. You will be safe and your brothers should be safe. I know they can do this. Leo especially needs to be brought back in." Cole chuckled adding, "I think he is the most stubborn of them all, but he thinks the family is just as happy without him around."
Neo had enough of the feeling of fear he and Gab was sense from Kat. He gave a glance to Gab to let him know he would handle it. Gabriel had just nodded. The Cooler had gotten to the table just in time to hear Frank Cole tell Kat what Leo thought. He could not hold back the frustration in his voice as he said, "You know that is not what we feel, Neteru. I am just tired of asking him to be more careful. Leo can act impulsive sometimes and I have been feeling it. He goes rock climbing alone and without gear. Leo does things and always alone. Sometimes I think he has a death wish but every time I have tried to talk with him..." Neo though up his hands as he finished, "...he says I am his brother not his father. Then he talks about me not having any sense of what is fun anymore, so I leave him alone but I have never said that I would not hurt anybody that dared to hurt him!"
Turning his attention to Neo, Cole said, "Your connection is lost. Leo is afraid on reconnecting because he thinks the one gene you all carry," Cole glanced at Kat because he wasn't sure how much she knew about the werewolf gene, "he feels has been activated and he is afraid he will hurt you all. You need to fight Neo, even if it is just play because you need the adrenaline rush. Leo needs that same rush and he finds it by being a daredevil of sorts. He wants to connect but the fear is too great."
The Cooler looked at Fixer with a glare then turned to Kat. He smiled as he asked, "You okay, Kat?"
Kat looked up at her brother and returned his smile. "I am fine Neo. We are just talking."
Neo looked towards the bar as he said, "Kat, if the fear I feel from you is not from Neteru than is it because of the bartender or that other table? I can't deal with it if I don't know what put it there, Kat."
He looked at his blood brother as he said, "If that gene was fully activated then we would all change not just the one who's gene was fully activated Cole and you know it. Frankie's is different but it would have him a wolf more often. Leo needs to talk with me and Marco instead of worrying we can't handle it. Sometimes I think he is more like Dad then I care to admit."
"It will be alright Neo." Kat looked over her shoulder at the back table. "I have handled it. The customer just thought we offered private waitresses. I have told them different. Please do not start anything. Gab is back there and he will not let it get out of hand."
(OOC: This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)
NEO
"I fully agree Kael. That can be arranged." Cole was just given the opening he needed to get all of the brothers onto his island. "Let me finish with my talk with your sister and then I will take you to where he is and let you talk. I think you will need Franco and Marco though to be able to convince him. He is worried about you all and will not believe even you." Cole smiled at Kat and at Neo. "I will personally make sure your sister is guarded."
Neo looked at the other table and then the bartender as he said to Cole, "I rather not leave her and Gabriel to deal with that table? Something tells me that the bartender would not be very helpful just the opposite most likely. Maybe Marco can get through to Leo but I told you what he says to me? The boss' son might be a pain but he tries what he did at this at that other one and I think I will be answering to his father why I allowed Linthux to kill him. Also, I was wondering why the second most wanted man in the world is interested in my baby sister? Maybe I should do what I planned earlier and ask them "nicely" to leave before I have to notify certain friends, what do you think?" He was itching to deal with Marcus Linthux the way he always dealt with people when he exploded. He saw the lady at the table seeming to be drawing him in and he had trouble looking away.
"Neo stop. If you start a fight then Gab is going to have to either join in or make you stop. The owner likes you but even he would not be able to over look you causing excessive damage to the place." Glancing toward the bar before he continued, he added, "The wimp is smiling so he knows what you might be planning. He would like nothing better than to tell his father you were the one to start the problem. Don't give him that edge, Kael. Wouldn't it be better to have the members of the table here so you know where they are instead of off somewhere knowing they are planning something, but not being able to even get a hint to what it is?" Cole turned his attention to the back table and was getting a little worried, Nat was being drawn there by Rachael. He was going to have to get Neo checked again by one of the elves. Cole was confident Neo's memory was blocked but the Vampiress had a way of drawing people in, no matter if they knew her or not. "Let Katarina and I finish our talk then we can go and find Leo and you can try and get him to believe he is in no danger of changing like he thinks. Why don't you contact Franco and Marco and see if you can get them here also. It won't take long and then all four of you can come back and join Kat. I promise you she will be protected. With Gab here, and the help I can leave, no one will be able to cause you or yours a problem."
Gabriel felt the air around change. He walked up to Cole as if about to help Neo with a problem at the table. He smiled as he said blocking the vampiress' view from Neo. He saw The Cooler seem to snap out of what appeared to be a trance. He thought about sending for his wife Nat but decided that might just be what the woman named Rachel wanted. He looked at Fixer as he asked, "You know don't you? What that woman is? We need to get them out of here as I can't block her view of Neo for long. The problem is I can't ask them to leave unless they actually do something, any ideas?"
Neo nodded as he knew that the link just might help here. He looked at Gab and asked, "Like Nat? Maybe Nathalie can explain to her that I am not interested. When anybody tells Nat, your wife understands and choose other ways. Maybe this girl will too?"
"Gab," Cole started, "Katarina can take the rest of the afternoon off." Motioning toward the center of the table he continued, "I will cover her expenses and any tips she might be missing out on." Smiling at Kat he added, "Katarina, you can send me word through my men on your ideas of the choices I have made. Now, I think your brother and Gab would like you to go upstairs until the situation here is resolved." Cole stood as Kat rose and nodded.
"I will be happy to help you with your choices Mr. Cole." Holding out her hand she said, "Until later than." Turning to her brother and Gab, both of which were giving her a questioning look, she said, "Mr. Cole has asked my advice on combining several beverages. I have agreed with his assessment." Glancing around Gab, Kat added, "Now I will go upstairs and be with my son for a little while." Kat kissed her brother on his cheek and smiled at Gab, then calmly walked to the back stairs. She did not take any of the galleons from the table because she knew they would be waiting for her whenever she wanted them. Gab and Neo would make certain of that.
Cole turned back to Neo and Gab. "Gab, Neo is going with me. He wants to find his brother and I know where he is. If Franco and Marco show up here please send them to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop in Hogsmeade. If we are not there I will leave word on where they can find us. Neo are you ready?"
Neo inwardly cringed as he thought, "You know I don't want to leave them here to deal with that table, Neteru. You don't have to remind me of the deal I struck with you, I know exactly what I am risking. The fact that Kat thought she had to lie to me has me wondering if I was wrong not listening in on your talk? No, it was not through the link but she is up to something and I am not at all sure I am going to be happy about it when I find out what you two have cooked up."
Gab smiled as he said, "Neo, go give that bartender a chat so he does not try to get Kat into trouble."
Neo nodded and went to have a chat with both the bartender and to try and explain to his boss why he was leaving Gabriel in charge this close to a full moon. He just hoped he had not lost his job because of him being at Fixer's call.
Gab waited until Neo was out of hearing range. He asked, "I gather I just walked into something that you were planning anyways? I also feel like you wanted to talk to me about my worry concerning that table privately?" He had a bad feeling that Fixer had been waiting for Gabriel to ask a favor.
"I do need to talk with you Gab. Today is not the time. Guard the table. I think when Neo leaves they will also. When I am finished my business with Neo, I would like to invite you to my island."
Gab eyed Fixer trying to read the man. That was Gabriel's problem with Fixer. His usual werewolf senses did not give him a clue as to why Gab should be concerned about the man, yet all of his other senses told him that Fixer was hiding something and that scared him. He looked over at the other table as he asked, "And if I refuse this invite? One question, why do I get the feeling that you know exactly who that vampiress is and why she has such a hold over Neo? I have never seen such a binding as she has when focused on Neo. The way Neo looked at her as if every fiber of his being was drawn to her, it was chilling the whole Lounge. Yet, something you know about has kept it from working. Most don't stand a chance against a vampiress' lure..."He stopped as he sat down.
Cole sat back in his chair and casually looked at Gab. "I do know who she is and that is why I am telling you to be very careful. Anything else you want to know, you will have to visit my island. Just be careful now. Do not trust anything she says, Gab." Cole smiled and looked toward the bar to see if Neo was almost ready to leave.
Gabriel smiled as he said rising from the table, "You still did not answer my question. What if I don't accept the invite or had not wanted to get Neo safely away from her? Something about you is off and that concerns me. You seem to block not only my werewolf sense but that vampiress as well. I have seen only one other able to do that. That was Tarik and it took me a long time to trust him because of that."
Cole chuckled. "If you don't accept my invite you will not be able to answer the questions whirling around in your mind. I think you will come. Neo has already agreed to come with me. As far as the other table is concerned, they would not have interfered with my plans. As soon as Neo comes back down stairs, we will be leaving. I am sure that the other table will also clear out."
Gabriel just shook his head as he saw Neo coming with the owner. He looked at Fixer and said, "I have a feeling your plans just went out the window? Don't look like Neo is getting the time off?"
Cole waited until the two men had reached the table. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the wimp get a smug look on his face. The boy thought his father was about to tell Cole where he could go and send him off by himself. Cole chuckled to himself. Stretching out his hand he shook the owners and apologized for needing Neo. The owner was an old mercenary friend and had served with Cole on several high profile jobs in the past. It was not common knowledge and Cole intended to keep the true connection off the table. "I of course will be leaving at least two men here at all times to try and take up the slack of not having the Cooler present. I will be paying their wages and any thing they charge to my Lounge account." Cole just waited for the owner to give his permission for Neo to leave. If he couldn't go tonight tomorrow morning early would be fine, but Neo was going to the island.
The owner of the Shadow Lounge shook Frank Cole's hand firmly. The man was a true friend. Both of them had saved each other's lives many times in their younger days. "Neo has taken a lot of time off lately, and I am thinking you had something to do with that, but I also know you would have not taken him with you unless it was necessary. I will accept your help. Can you make sure any here are Specialist please? Apparently, a couple you regulars on leave decided to show up and things got uglier than was called for. Captain try and have him back in a couple of days."
Cole nodded and promised two days maximum. He also let the owner know the other table was trouble and if they did not leave soon, a possible reason needed to be found to ask them politely to leave.
Gabriel gave a sly grin as he nodded. Then he looked at Fixer as he asked, "You still have not answered my questions and since the time you have asked for is during a dangerous time, I really need to talk with you about it in private before you leave. So could me and you talk outside or even upstairs for a few minutes, Mr. Cole?" He was worried because Friday was a full moon and that meant he would be in werewolf form and not able to control his actions. He usually stayed home during those times and in a secret room specially built to hold him. Gab looked from Neo to Cole as he wondered just why he should risk endangering people just to get answers that Neo could answer.
Cole nodded. "Neo since it seems things are a bit complicated at the moment, why don't you meet me with your brothers at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe in Hogsmeade in the morning, say around nine o'clock. This way everyone will have a chance to take care of any business they need to work out. Leo is already on the island so I will make sure he meets you also. I do suggest you might want to leave for a bit, until the back table clears out, though." Turning to Gab he said, "I think the back ally will be sufficient for our meeting." Cole reached out and again shook the Owners hand, then motioned toward the back door.
Neo shook his head as he said, "I will watch the lounge until Gabriel comes back in then meet you out front, if that is okay? My brothers are not needed and so it might be best not to even worry them. Gabriel, while I am gone the boss has agreed with me that you are in charge. It will be all hands on deck and so the boss is calling the others including another waitress as soon as he returns upstairs. It seems Kat is taking her vacation time early or at least part of it. Now go talk and keep an open mind. He understands what Friday starts for you, Gab." With that the owner and Neo went to deal with the bartender as he watched Gab head for the backdoor.
(OOC: Names given to each other when they were children and Cole saved Neo's life: Cole = Neteru means Guardian in Egyptian and Neo = Kael Means Kind-hearted in Egyptian. This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)
GABRIEL LUPIN
Gabriel had thought as he headed out the door that Neo had tried to ease his mind. It had not worked as Gab had noticed that Neo had wanted to keep Marco and Franco out of what was happening concerning Leo Spellman. He shook his head as he knew that Neo trusted this man that stood before him but that could have to do with this debt the Cooler seemed to owe the man. A part of Gab just wanted to agree to the deal the man was asking for. Another part of Gab trusted the man less then he trusted the owner's son. Gabriel trusted the bartender not at all.
He said after shutting the door, "So just what would happening if I refused your invitation? Also why would I even think you taking Neo with you as a favor that needed repaid? I feel you planned for Neo to join you regardless. So just why should I not just deal with you as I plan to deal with the man known as Linthux?" He waited as he felt the man had not chosen the back alley without a reason as he saw shadows coming up from both ends of the alley. He was trapped and that made Gabriel very nervous as he wondered why he had not even felt this back up of Fixer's
Cole leaned casually up against the wall of the alleyway of the Shadow Lounge. There were a few lights but not many. His men were close and coming toward them, which was a preset condition if Cole ever entered the alley. They would stay far enough away that his and Gab's conversation would be private but not far enough away to miss even the slightest hand signal from Cole. Cole crossed his arms over his chest and studied Gab for a few moments. "You ask a lot of questions Gabriel. I do not know why you keep asking what will happen if you refuse my invitation to my island, because we both know you will be coming eventually. You can't stay away. There are too many questions in your mind about the place and you know anyone of consequence who has visited me has always returned."
Gab was trying very hard to stand still, but the man's whole body was vibrating with the need to move. Cole saw his eyes dart to both ends of the alley. "They will not come closer unless I signal that I need them," Cole warned and motioned to each end of the alley. "They are here to protect my privacy and to protect the occupants of this establishment. What is between Neo and myself is strictly between us. If he wishes to tell you then that is fine with me, but I don't wish to tell you."
Cole chuckled. "I would be really careful in taking care of Linthux as you so mildly put it. He has more backing than either you or your lovely wife, Nat, could even dream of fighting. The female Rachael has taken a liking to Neo and wants him in her stable, so to speak. For the time being his memories of her are being blocked, by some friends of mine."
Pushing himself off the wall, Cole took a couple of steps into the center of the alley, being careful to keep his hands behind his back so he did not inadvertently give a signal his men would misinterpret. "To your questions about Neo joining me, the answer is yes he would have been coming to the island even if his boss did not give him the time off. Neo and I have an agreement, and he is honor bound to come when I invite him."
Gabriel chuckled as he said, "You know nothing about what me and my wife are capable of Mr. Cole or our friends! If you or your goons even try to force either of us to your island..." He stopped long enough to get his point across.
After his point was well understood he chuckled as he continued, "You will be less a lot more men! For your information Mr. Cole, I have never taken for granted the power of the Seven but I also know that Linthux is nothing like Daniel Marsden. My friends have been battling that group since Daniel formed it even when those in the Ministry thought the Seven a group of thugs and a waste of their time. So I ask again, if this is all that you have to put up against me, what is to stop me from refusing you Friday when I will be ten times worse than I am now? Unlike Neo, I owe you nothing and threats mean nothing to me. So if I choose to accept your invite just what do I have to gain, besides empty threats?"
Cole just stopped and looked at the man. He could see the wolf even now trying to exert itself and it was not even a full moon yet. "Your first mistake Gabriel is to think the new leader of the Seven is anything like Daniel Marsden. Marsden truly thought he had a better idea on how the magical world should be run. He saw Muggles as a disease and less than even the lowest of wizards. Linthux only wants power. He could care less whether the Magical World or the Muggle World comes out on top although he would probably destroy the Muggles or enslave them. Ever since Marsden was murdered, Linthux has had peace and quiet to build the organization back up again. He has had no interference from any organization. This, of course I can prove to you with the records I have on my island." Cole was going to use all the bait he could use. He would rather Gabriel came of his own free will then force the man. On Friday, it would be easy enough because the Wolfbane would be fully in effect and it was just as much a sedative as any other portion, making Gabriel's threat of being worse none existent.
Cole looked at his watch and then back to Gabriel. "It is time for me to go. You can come of your own free will Gabriel or you can come when I feel you should. Either way you will be visiting me on my island. " Cole turned to walk back in the door.
CLOSED
(OOC: Tread continued in Isle of Perdition, The Island Maze
(OOC: Continuation of Everywhere Else, Leo Rejoins his Family (closed))
FRANK COLE
Cole opened the front door of the Shadow Lounge and walked in, stopping long enough to let his eyes adjust to the dimness. Removing his hat, he walked over and sat at his usual table in the front corner. From the table he could see the whole Shadow Lounge and still be able to see out the front windows without being seen himself from anyone outside. The two troopers sitting at the table, sipping their non-alcoholic drinks nodded. Both the men were technically on duty, watching out for Kat and others in the place. Gab who was standing at the back of the room near the rear door, knew the men were a plant but because of the past he was not going to do anything about it unless Neo said something.
Cole hung his hat on the hook over his head on the wall. He leaned forward and folded his arms on the table giving the mistakable appearance of casual. When Gab's and Neo's eyes connected with his he smiled and nodded.
The bartender stood behind the counter, cleaning glasses. He looked worried and his eyes darted between Cole, Gab and Nat. Kat appeared to have just finished serving another table. Cole reached in his pocket and pulled out a large change purse. He tiped it over on the table and let a generous supply of Galleon's spill out. Kat would know when he left anything in the center of the table would be her tip. Any of his troops who were here, ran a bar tab, which Cole paid in full every two weeks, adding more of the tip money.
When Cole dumped the purse, his two men nodded, rose and walked out the door. They took up position just outside the window where they could see him and everything else happening. Cole also knew they would notify the men in the alley outback, he was here and to be watchful.
Looking up, Cole caught Kat's eyes and smiled. He nodded to let her know he was ready to order.
KAT SPELLMAN
Kat put down her tray. When she looked up she saw the Bartender looking toward the table where Mr. Frank Cole's people sat. She turned slowly and watched the man himself enter the room and seat himself at the table in the front corner. She smiled because she knew he would never have to worry if the table would be useable, because there was always a member of his security service present at the table.
She looked over and saw both Neo and Gab very interested in Mr. Cole. She knew they did not like him. Once when she asked Neo why, he had just told her not to worry about it. That was always what any of her brother's said. Sometimes she wished she wasn't the only girl in the Quint group. It was a mess most of the time having four brothers all of which thought they were older and wiser. Technically, Neo, Leo and Marco were older. She and Franco had been Siamese twins joined at the bottom. They both had heart shaped scars to prove it.
The movement of the two men, who had been sitting at the table, drew Kat's eyes back in that direction. Mr. Cole had dumped a large purse of Galleons on the table, which was normal for him when he was planning on sitting for a while. It was going to be a good night. When he nodded, she knew he was ready to order, so she picked up her tray and headed for his table.
NEO SPELLMAN
Neo and Gabriel had just had a long talk before Neo's blood brother, Frank Cole had entered. Neo had been furious by what Gabriel had told him. It seemed Leo Spellman, Neo's brother had disappeared. Neo thought back to his own visits with Fixer as his blood brother was now called. He owed the man that now sat at Fixer's usual table. Frank Cole has helped him escape from a slave trade group when Neo was only ten. What had made that so binding for Neo was the fact that Fixer had been only twelve and had risked everything to help a boy he hardly knew.
Neo looked towards the bartender, who was a wimp in Neo's book. The man was the owner's son and as such thought he could do anything he please. Neo was not upset about that except when he tried pushing himself on Kat. The only thing that infuriated Neo to no-end was that the wimp expected every bouncer to protect him first in a fight. Neo had a couple of nights even talked to the owner when the wimp had actual started the fight and then tried to order Neo to eighty-six the man's victims. Luckily the owner had told Neo right in front of the wimp that Neo was the Cooler of Shadow Lounge and that meant Neo's word was law.
Neo looked at Fixer and then at Gabriel as he walked up to the table. He watched Gabriel block Kat as he said, “Fixer, I think you and I better talk first.” He turned to Kat and said, “Kat, you don't serve this table until I give the okay, okay sis?”
He watched as Gabriel's eyes showed the werewolf's fury. He looked at the bartender watching. Neo grinned as he heard Gab turn and say, “This does not concern you! Your job since you asked for one is tending bar, so bar-tend...”
(OCC: Gabriel is one of my many characters and so I told his actions here. The bartender is a NPC at the moment)
KAT
"Gab, what do you think you are doing. Mr. Cole has signaled he is ready to be served." Kat said as she tried to bypass the bouncer. "Excuse me please." As she looked at the table she heard her brother order her to not serve the table until he said it was alright. Turning to him she let the anger enter her voice, "I happen to know what Mr. Cole normally orders, so I will go and get if for him." Looking at Frank Cole she said, "I will be right back with your drink. The bar has also received a fresh supply of pretzel mix which you will enjoy." Receiving a smile from the man, she turned on her heels, pushed past Gab, giving him a hard look and headed for the bar.
Her eyes caught the man behind the bar eyes, darting between her, Neo, Gab and Mr. Cole. She didn't like to man who was called the wimp behind his back. If he were not the owner's son he would have been sent out of the Shadow Lounge a long time ago. He was trouble and always trying to get into her business. She had missed out on some good tips because he thought the patron was being too friendly with her. Kat would be the first one to admit she flirted a bit, but she had a steady boyfriend and there were others who helped to protect her and her sons no matter where she was. It was gratifying to hear Gab give the guy a hard putdown.
Kat ordered Mr. Coles wine and grabbed a large bowl of the pretzel mix. She turned to carry it back to the table, but found Gab in her way. Trying to push past him, he blocked her way and shook his head. Kat looked around the bouncer and realized she was not going to be allowed back at the table until her brother finished with his chat. She slammed the tray back on the counter and turned away.
(OOC: Kat is my character and I have permission to say what Gabriel did)
FRANK COLE
Cole had watched Kat walk back to the bar and seen Gab prevent her coming back to the table. Settling back in his captain's chair, he rested his elbows on the arms and intertwined his fingers in front of him. He turned his attention to Neo, who was standing near the table and motioned toward the chair across from him. "I am thirsty Neo, so if you could please finish with whatever you want to say, I would appreciate it if Kat would be allowed to bring me my drink."
Neo gave a sly grin as he said, "Did you really think I would not find out? Where is he? Fixer, I know we have a deal of no interference but you are pushing it. He went to the Tea Shop to talk with Gab, not you. You not only vanish with him but he never got to relay his message to Gabriel. Now you calmly come in here expecting me to allow business as usual. Not happening until I find out what you want with my brother and why you are here instead of him. Start talking Fixer before I let Gabriel to show you the door. Oh and I meant it when I said to Kat, she is not to serve you unless you want me to tell her why."
Cole steepled his fingers for a few moments and then lowered them back into the original position. "Leo is fine." Smiling he added, "it is actually raining at the moment on the island and your brother preferred to stay outside. It was his choice, but the tent is there and he can return inside anytime he wishes. As far as why he is on the island, he is the only one of you I have not talked with yet. I know you have realized I would eventually invite him to my home. As far as the message he needed to deliver Gab, it is un-necessary at the moment, I have temporarily resolved the issue." Cole leaned forward onto the table and crossed his arms. "As far as being bounced out of here, we have an agreement Neo and I know you never go back on your word, so I think I will just sit here and wait until Kat brings my drink. You wouldn't want me to make a fuss, because my men, out and about, might take it wrong." Cole just sat and relaxed leaning on the table.
Kat was watching the table around the large body frame, Gab had planted in front of her. Quietly she said, "I need to get back to work Gab. You know Mr. Cole's table is not the only one I have to serve." She hoped if she could get him to move she could check on her other customers ending up at Mr. Cole's table.
Gab looked at Neo and saw the man shake his head. Neo grinned as he said, "Fair enough but you still have not answered why are you here and why has Leo not been released?" He did sit down though. Neo was pushing his position with Fixer but the Cooler was worried that Leo would or had pushed his blood brother too far. He had given Fixer a secret name years ago but chose not to use it. Neo had to get Fixer to understand just how much he even now protected his brothers even one that thought he did not need it.
Slapping his chest with his hand, Cole said adding a bit of mocking to his voice, "Ah, Neo I am hurt. You don't trust me." Leaning a little farther forward on his folded arms, "Both reasons are none of your business Neo. I will make you a promise though, on my honor as your blood brother. I will not take Kat from this place or anywhere else, she may be without her agreement to go with me. Now my I have your beautiful sister and my waitress bring me refreshment?"
Neo nodded as he looked towards Gab and Kat. He turned back towards Neteru and said, "You know trust is not the issue." He eyed the other customers at a far table. The woman looked familiar but for the life of him, Neo could not understand why he felt the way he did. The woman was beautiful and had been flirting all evening. His key was scared though and that worried Neo. He asked in a low voice, "Some of yours?"
It wasn't hard to pick out the lady, and he was using the word lady, very loosely at this point, that Neo was referring to. It was none other than Rachel, a vampiress, who wanted to control Neo. She had let it be known in some circles where Fixer had planted friends that she still planned on marrying the Wizard. When Neo had been on Cole's Isle of Perdition, he and the elves had taken great pains to block Neo's knowledge of her, and it looked like they had almost succeeded. "I don't know the lady by reputation. She does not work for me. "Kael, she is dangerous. Much more dangerous than my small band of misfits. Don’t trust her." Cole looked toward the bar and saw Kat coming toward his table with his drink and a bowl of goodies. Gab had hung back and by the look of his stance he had done so very reluctantly. He smiled. Someday he and the man were going to have to have a talk. Looking at Neo out of the corner of his eye, "Neo would you mind. I would like to have a short conversation with you sister."
When Kat saw her brother nod she picked up her tray, turned and brushed past Gab before she could grab him. Looking back over her shoulder she nodded and smiled. Quickly turning back she headed for the table where her brother and Mr. Cole sat. Reaching it quickly put the drink and pretzel mix on the table and stood waiting. She never took money from the center of the table without being told it was alright.
Neo shook his head as he said, "Sorry she is working and anyways Antonio will be here soon." He winked at her as he hoped Antonio would show. He got up as he said, "At least I won't be breaking my word when I do what I have been wanting to do since those two got here when we opened." Neo signaled Gabriel as he turned to have a chat with the two in corner.
"Neo I talk with her now, here at the table where all can see or I talk with her later, where it is a little more private. Your choice." Cole smiled at Kat as she put down the drink and mix and waited patiently for him to tell her she could take galleons from the center of the table. She knew she was to take double the amount of the cost of the order, half to pay for the order and half as a tip.
Neo turned as he said, "Kat can talk to you on her break. I am hoping you and her understand, she is not to leave the Shadow Lounge until you and I have a more detailed talk. At the moment I have two people who will be given a choice and since one of the two is a wanted individual I want her away from the trouble." The Cooler had recognized Marcus Linthux and planned to ask the man nicely to leave. Neo had a sly grin, as he was sure the man had no intention of leaving. He turned back around headed for Linthux's table as he said, "Gab, we will give them the option but one way or another members of the Seven are no allowed here."
Gab just nodded but the Bartender said, "Cooler, I order you to not bother the paying customers! That back table is a private party who paid in advance."
He walked up to Kat and yanked her arm as he yelled, "And you, Ms.Spellman were asked for personally now go to your table! That is unless you want to upset Mr. Linthux and lose your Job..." As the bartender turned towards the bar, he scooped the money on the table as he said, "That should cover your tab. Now since we are closed for a private party and you sir are not on the guest list, Leave!"
Cole stood up quickly sliding his chair on the wooden floor. He reached out and gently pulled Kat off to the side so she would not be in the fight he saw coming. The wimp would normally back down. It all depended on how stupid he was being at the moment. Cole held out his hand for his money to be returned, adding in a quiet tight voice, "I do not think I designated those galleons to cover my bill. Besides if seems you have taken far more than I owe you. If you would like to tally my bill I will be happy to settle the account." Cole did not lower his hand. His eyes slightly shifted from the man who was trying to decide if he could get back up to the man coming down the back steps. "I think maybe someone else is going to have something to say also. You have asked Neo not to bother paying customers, but you are about to throughly upset one of your regular paying customers."
Cole watched as the little man turned around and saw his father, the Owner of Shadow Lounge coming down the stairs with a hard stare plastered on his face. The wimp, looked at his father then slowly turned and placed the money back on the table. He stalked away, but not before giving Cole a look that made him glad the man did not have more magical powers than he did. The Owner nodded one time to Cole, which he returned. Cole sat back in his chair and gentle guided Kat back to her original position. He held up one finger to tell Kat to wait a moment, because he wanted to watch one more confrontation which was taking place.
The Owner had called Neo over to him and was in close talk at the bottom of the stairs. Both men looked at the back table a couple of times, before Neo nodded and headed to his normal place at the end of the bar. The Owner looked at the back table one more time, turned to Cole, nodded and then headed back up the stairs. Half way up he gave a hard stare to his son who had gone back behind the bar.
Cole turned back to Kat and said, "Thank you for waiting. You may double your tip for this trip. Your brother has given me his permission for you to talk with me on your break." Cole laughed because of the look which came across Kat's face when he had said her brother had given permission. Cole knew Kat could care less on if she had permission or not.
Kat had not been scared when all of the fuss was going on. She knew the wimp could not make Mr. Cole leave and Neo was accepting the idea the man was there. "Let me go and see what the other table requires then I will take my break. It will be early," Kat glanced at her brother before turning back and finishing, "I might even take an extra long break. The wimp is bartender tonight so he can serve tables for a bit."
Cole nodded and promised, "You will not lose out on any tips. This I promise," adding a large smile he said crossing his heart with his index finger, "Cross my heart, my lady."
Kat giggled and headed for the back table. It was going to be a good night after all.
Neo had just gotten the first dress down by his boss. The man had not liked having to deal with what his son had done. Neo sadly shook his head as he thought, "He is right, problems are my job. At least he understands now just how much of a problem his son is." He looked to the back table as he sent Gabriel back towards the back door saying, "Keep a very close eye on that back table, Gab. I don't like at all that Daniel Marsden's second in command asked personally for my sister. Find out what you can. As for Fixer, he and I have history. I owe him big time. Gab, don't worry I will find out about Leo."
Gab just nodded. He walked to his usual spot. Gabriel was not taking Fixer as lightly as Neo seemed to. The werewolf had a feeling that neither Fixer nor Linthux were at Shadow Lounge for pleasure. He got a sly smile on his face as he thought of the talk he planned to have with both Fixer and most importantly the bartender.
Marcus Linthux had watched the whole scene play out across the lounge. He had done his research so he knew the man sitting in the corner not far from the front door was Frank Cole, a true mercenary. Marcus was getting impatient, as Kat still had not taken the hints he had given. "Rachael you sure Neo Spellman can be reasoned with? I want the him at my beck and call. If he can't be bought then I want something to hold over him! As for your offer of a meeting with MacIntosh that depends on just how good you are at drawing that Cooler away from Gabriel Lupin and this dingy place. Maybe Vamps are not as good as werewolves or maybe you are weak when you stand by yourself?"
Rachael stared at him and shook her head, "Patients Marcus. For some reason Neo is not responding the way he should. His sister is the key." Now be quiet and let me work.
Kat walked slowly up to the table. Gab was back at the rear entrance not far away, and Neo would be watching her so she was safe as she could be. "You wish to order something else?" she asked quietly.
Rachael looked up and caught the girls eyes, noticing she took half a step back. "Yes my dear, I am going to request you as our private waitress for the rest of the night. You will not suffer from the job, I promise you."
"Sorry Madam, but that is not allowed. I will be happy to get you anything you need though." Kat tried to hold the fear in check. The woman was beyond scary and the other man who sat with her looked like he could turn anything or anyone to stone. She glanced to make sure Gab was watching and saw he had taken a step closer to the table.
Rachael glanced behind her out of the corner of her eye and saw the bouncer had made a move closer. "I really must insist, Kat. I will pay you double your salary and tips."
"No Madam, but thank you for the offer. Now if you do not need anything, I go on my break in a couple of minutes." Kat needed to get away.
Rachael looked at Marcus who was laughing at her. In a sickly sweet voice she said, "Go on your break Kat, but when you are done return here and we will have orders for you." Rachael planned on the orders being not just for drinks. She would use powers the girl could not fight and even the other wizards or the werewolf standing behind her would know she had used them.
Kat backed away quickly, headed to the bar and laid her tray down. She looked at the wimp and said, "I am officially on break. The place is yours." Turning her eyes to her brother, she nodded toward Mr. Cole's table to let him know where she was going. Receiving a nod back, she headed toward what she considered safety, even if her brother was worried.
(OOC: This was a joint post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you enjoy the thread.)
KAT
When Kat had arrived at the table, Mr. Cole had stood and pulled the chair to his left out for her to sit. He had then looked over at the bar and actually snapped his fingers for the wimp to come to there table. Kat had barely been able to suppress the giggles that were caused by the whip coming to the table, taking Mr. Cole's order of another glass of wine and a Salem Soda for Kat and then being told to get the drinks. When the wimp had started to refuse to bring Kat's, Mr. Cole had just pointed to the pile of Galleons in the center of the table and dared him with his eyes to keep complaining.
When their drinks had been delivered, Kat's glass of course had been slammed down on the table, the wimp reached to collect some galleons. Mr. Cole grabbed him by the wrist and pulled his hand away. Then he shoved two coins toward the wimp and motioned him away. Kat could not totally fight the giggles this time, and by the look on the wimps face when he left she was going to pay for it in some way later.
Glancing at her brother and seeing concern, Kat sent him a smile and turned her complete attention back to Mr. Cole. Picking up her soda and taking a sip, she asked, "You wanted to talk with me sir?"
Cole smiled and nodded. "First you can drop the Sir please. I would appreciate it if you would call me Frank. I know it might not seem proper, but it would be appreciated all the same." Cole received a nod so he continued, "My reputation in one of leaning toward the Dark Side, but I can assure you, Katarina, that is not the truth. How much do you know about the Dark Side and the enmity called the Dark One?'
"Not much Frank," Kat said as she took another sip. "I know there are rumors the thing is trying to re-enter the world, but is being blocked somewhere. With the rumors I pick up here and there, having the thing loose would not be a good idea."
Nodding Cole said, "That's close enough. There are some who are trying to set it up, so people who need to be able to fight together will be able to use their combined strengths to help fight the battle, which is coming. Your brothers are going to be part of this battle, whether they choose to or not."
Kat gasped, but tried to hide it by taking a drink. "Are you saying you think my brothers are going to be killed?" Kat again glanced toward her brother.
Cole leaned forward on his folded arms and said softly, "I do not know who will make it through the future battle, Katarina. You know your brothers are not working together at the moment. You can feel a break in the mental and physical connection all of you hold. I have talked with Franco, Marco and Neo and have been able to come to an understanding with each of them. Leo is presently on my small island thinking about what is happening. I want to bring them together and get the bond working again."
Kat took a couple of long sips of her Salem Soda. Setting it down she tried to add strength to her voice because she was not a little scared of the man sitting next to her. "Should I be worried about Leo being on your island, Mr. Cole?"
Cole had not missed the change back to the Mr. Cole. Kat was trying to distance herself. "Leo is perfectly safe where he is. I am not trying to frighten you Katarina. You and your boys are safe, this I promise you. You are smart enough to realize the men I have here are not here to just relax. They are here for your added protection. Now that being said, I need a favor from you, so I can help your brothers. I need you to help me train them to work together and reconnect your bond."
"I will admit, Mr. Cole…. Frank … I would like to reestablish the bond, because when you are used to feeling your brothers mentally close and then there is nothing or very little, then the quiet can be frightening and lonely. Tell me what it is you want me to do and then I will give you my answer."
Cole nodded and took a drink of his wine. "I want you to come to my island and act as bait."
Kat started to rise as she said, "I think this conversation is ended, Mr. Cole."
Cole reached out, but did not grab her hand. "Katarina, please you misunderstand me. Please here me out."
Kat slowly sat back down in her chair. "Ok so how did I just misunderstand that you want to use me as bait so you can capture my brothers and force them to be in your private army?"
Cole chuckled, and then said, "I do not want your brothers technically in my army, although Neo, like Marco and Franco before him is taking part in some of the training, both as troops and as instructors. I have set up a maze of sorts on my island. It would force your brothers to work together to make it through the maze. I need something for them to work for, and I thought of you. You will be in the center, perfectly safe and comfortable. I will have you pose for a couple of pictures and maybe a short video, where it will appear you are being mistreated and are worried about staying alive, but you will not be harmed, I promise."
Kat twirled the bottom of her drink around on the table and watched the soda whirl inside the glass. "How long would all of this take, Frank?" she asked as she looked back up.
"About a day if that. Your boys will be safe Katarina. They will be safe whether you do this or not. You will be safe and your brothers should be safe. I know they can do this. Leo especially needs to be brought back in." Cole chuckled adding, "I think he is the most stubborn of them all, but he thinks the family is just as happy without him around."
Neo had enough of the feeling of fear he and Gab was sense from Kat. He gave a glance to Gab to let him know he would handle it. Gabriel had just nodded. The Cooler had gotten to the table just in time to hear Frank Cole tell Kat what Leo thought. He could not hold back the frustration in his voice as he said, "You know that is not what we feel, Neteru. I am just tired of asking him to be more careful. Leo can act impulsive sometimes and I have been feeling it. He goes rock climbing alone and without gear. Leo does things and always alone. Sometimes I think he has a death wish but every time I have tried to talk with him..." Neo though up his hands as he finished, "...he says I am his brother not his father. Then he talks about me not having any sense of what is fun anymore, so I leave him alone but I have never said that I would not hurt anybody that dared to hurt him!"
Turning his attention to Neo, Cole said, "Your connection is lost. Leo is afraid on reconnecting because he thinks the one gene you all carry," Cole glanced at Kat because he wasn't sure how much she knew about the werewolf gene, "he feels has been activated and he is afraid he will hurt you all. You need to fight Neo, even if it is just play because you need the adrenaline rush. Leo needs that same rush and he finds it by being a daredevil of sorts. He wants to connect but the fear is too great."
The Cooler looked at Fixer with a glare then turned to Kat. He smiled as he asked, "You okay, Kat?"
Kat looked up at her brother and returned his smile. "I am fine Neo. We are just talking."
Neo looked towards the bar as he said, "Kat, if the fear I feel from you is not from Neteru than is it because of the bartender or that other table? I can't deal with it if I don't know what put it there, Kat."
He looked at his blood brother as he said, "If that gene was fully activated then we would all change not just the one who's gene was fully activated Cole and you know it. Frankie's is different but it would have him a wolf more often. Leo needs to talk with me and Marco instead of worrying we can't handle it. Sometimes I think he is more like Dad then I care to admit."
"It will be alright Neo." Kat looked over her shoulder at the back table. "I have handled it. The customer just thought we offered private waitresses. I have told them different. Please do not start anything. Gab is back there and he will not let it get out of hand."
(OOC: This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)
NEO
"I fully agree Kael. That can be arranged." Cole was just given the opening he needed to get all of the brothers onto his island. "Let me finish with my talk with your sister and then I will take you to where he is and let you talk. I think you will need Franco and Marco though to be able to convince him. He is worried about you all and will not believe even you." Cole smiled at Kat and at Neo. "I will personally make sure your sister is guarded."
Neo looked at the other table and then the bartender as he said to Cole, "I rather not leave her and Gabriel to deal with that table? Something tells me that the bartender would not be very helpful just the opposite most likely. Maybe Marco can get through to Leo but I told you what he says to me? The boss' son might be a pain but he tries what he did at this at that other one and I think I will be answering to his father why I allowed Linthux to kill him. Also, I was wondering why the second most wanted man in the world is interested in my baby sister? Maybe I should do what I planned earlier and ask them "nicely" to leave before I have to notify certain friends, what do you think?" He was itching to deal with Marcus Linthux the way he always dealt with people when he exploded. He saw the lady at the table seeming to be drawing him in and he had trouble looking away.
"Neo stop. If you start a fight then Gab is going to have to either join in or make you stop. The owner likes you but even he would not be able to over look you causing excessive damage to the place." Glancing toward the bar before he continued, he added, "The wimp is smiling so he knows what you might be planning. He would like nothing better than to tell his father you were the one to start the problem. Don't give him that edge, Kael. Wouldn't it be better to have the members of the table here so you know where they are instead of off somewhere knowing they are planning something, but not being able to even get a hint to what it is?" Cole turned his attention to the back table and was getting a little worried, Nat was being drawn there by Rachael. He was going to have to get Neo checked again by one of the elves. Cole was confident Neo's memory was blocked but the Vampiress had a way of drawing people in, no matter if they knew her or not. "Let Katarina and I finish our talk then we can go and find Leo and you can try and get him to believe he is in no danger of changing like he thinks. Why don't you contact Franco and Marco and see if you can get them here also. It won't take long and then all four of you can come back and join Kat. I promise you she will be protected. With Gab here, and the help I can leave, no one will be able to cause you or yours a problem."
Gabriel felt the air around change. He walked up to Cole as if about to help Neo with a problem at the table. He smiled as he said blocking the vampiress' view from Neo. He saw The Cooler seem to snap out of what appeared to be a trance. He thought about sending for his wife Nat but decided that might just be what the woman named Rachel wanted. He looked at Fixer as he asked, "You know don't you? What that woman is? We need to get them out of here as I can't block her view of Neo for long. The problem is I can't ask them to leave unless they actually do something, any ideas?"
Neo nodded as he knew that the link just might help here. He looked at Gab and asked, "Like Nat? Maybe Nathalie can explain to her that I am not interested. When anybody tells Nat, your wife understands and choose other ways. Maybe this girl will too?"
"Gab," Cole started, "Katarina can take the rest of the afternoon off." Motioning toward the center of the table he continued, "I will cover her expenses and any tips she might be missing out on." Smiling at Kat he added, "Katarina, you can send me word through my men on your ideas of the choices I have made. Now, I think your brother and Gab would like you to go upstairs until the situation here is resolved." Cole stood as Kat rose and nodded.
"I will be happy to help you with your choices Mr. Cole." Holding out her hand she said, "Until later than." Turning to her brother and Gab, both of which were giving her a questioning look, she said, "Mr. Cole has asked my advice on combining several beverages. I have agreed with his assessment." Glancing around Gab, Kat added, "Now I will go upstairs and be with my son for a little while." Kat kissed her brother on his cheek and smiled at Gab, then calmly walked to the back stairs. She did not take any of the galleons from the table because she knew they would be waiting for her whenever she wanted them. Gab and Neo would make certain of that.
Cole turned back to Neo and Gab. "Gab, Neo is going with me. He wants to find his brother and I know where he is. If Franco and Marco show up here please send them to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop in Hogsmeade. If we are not there I will leave word on where they can find us. Neo are you ready?"
Neo inwardly cringed as he thought, "You know I don't want to leave them here to deal with that table, Neteru. You don't have to remind me of the deal I struck with you, I know exactly what I am risking. The fact that Kat thought she had to lie to me has me wondering if I was wrong not listening in on your talk? No, it was not through the link but she is up to something and I am not at all sure I am going to be happy about it when I find out what you two have cooked up."
Gab smiled as he said, "Neo, go give that bartender a chat so he does not try to get Kat into trouble."
Neo nodded and went to have a chat with both the bartender and to try and explain to his boss why he was leaving Gabriel in charge this close to a full moon. He just hoped he had not lost his job because of him being at Fixer's call.
Gab waited until Neo was out of hearing range. He asked, "I gather I just walked into something that you were planning anyways? I also feel like you wanted to talk to me about my worry concerning that table privately?" He had a bad feeling that Fixer had been waiting for Gabriel to ask a favor.
"I do need to talk with you Gab. Today is not the time. Guard the table. I think when Neo leaves they will also. When I am finished my business with Neo, I would like to invite you to my island."
Gab eyed Fixer trying to read the man. That was Gabriel's problem with Fixer. His usual werewolf senses did not give him a clue as to why Gab should be concerned about the man, yet all of his other senses told him that Fixer was hiding something and that scared him. He looked over at the other table as he asked, "And if I refuse this invite? One question, why do I get the feeling that you know exactly who that vampiress is and why she has such a hold over Neo? I have never seen such a binding as she has when focused on Neo. The way Neo looked at her as if every fiber of his being was drawn to her, it was chilling the whole Lounge. Yet, something you know about has kept it from working. Most don't stand a chance against a vampiress' lure..."He stopped as he sat down.
Cole sat back in his chair and casually looked at Gab. "I do know who she is and that is why I am telling you to be very careful. Anything else you want to know, you will have to visit my island. Just be careful now. Do not trust anything she says, Gab." Cole smiled and looked toward the bar to see if Neo was almost ready to leave.
Gabriel smiled as he said rising from the table, "You still did not answer my question. What if I don't accept the invite or had not wanted to get Neo safely away from her? Something about you is off and that concerns me. You seem to block not only my werewolf sense but that vampiress as well. I have seen only one other able to do that. That was Tarik and it took me a long time to trust him because of that."
Cole chuckled. "If you don't accept my invite you will not be able to answer the questions whirling around in your mind. I think you will come. Neo has already agreed to come with me. As far as the other table is concerned, they would not have interfered with my plans. As soon as Neo comes back down stairs, we will be leaving. I am sure that the other table will also clear out."
Gabriel just shook his head as he saw Neo coming with the owner. He looked at Fixer and said, "I have a feeling your plans just went out the window? Don't look like Neo is getting the time off?"
Cole waited until the two men had reached the table. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the wimp get a smug look on his face. The boy thought his father was about to tell Cole where he could go and send him off by himself. Cole chuckled to himself. Stretching out his hand he shook the owners and apologized for needing Neo. The owner was an old mercenary friend and had served with Cole on several high profile jobs in the past. It was not common knowledge and Cole intended to keep the true connection off the table. "I of course will be leaving at least two men here at all times to try and take up the slack of not having the Cooler present. I will be paying their wages and any thing they charge to my Lounge account." Cole just waited for the owner to give his permission for Neo to leave. If he couldn't go tonight tomorrow morning early would be fine, but Neo was going to the island.
The owner of the Shadow Lounge shook Frank Cole's hand firmly. The man was a true friend. Both of them had saved each other's lives many times in their younger days. "Neo has taken a lot of time off lately, and I am thinking you had something to do with that, but I also know you would have not taken him with you unless it was necessary. I will accept your help. Can you make sure any here are Specialist please? Apparently, a couple you regulars on leave decided to show up and things got uglier than was called for. Captain try and have him back in a couple of days."
Cole nodded and promised two days maximum. He also let the owner know the other table was trouble and if they did not leave soon, a possible reason needed to be found to ask them politely to leave.
Gabriel gave a sly grin as he nodded. Then he looked at Fixer as he asked, "You still have not answered my questions and since the time you have asked for is during a dangerous time, I really need to talk with you about it in private before you leave. So could me and you talk outside or even upstairs for a few minutes, Mr. Cole?" He was worried because Friday was a full moon and that meant he would be in werewolf form and not able to control his actions. He usually stayed home during those times and in a secret room specially built to hold him. Gab looked from Neo to Cole as he wondered just why he should risk endangering people just to get answers that Neo could answer.
Cole nodded. "Neo since it seems things are a bit complicated at the moment, why don't you meet me with your brothers at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe in Hogsmeade in the morning, say around nine o'clock. This way everyone will have a chance to take care of any business they need to work out. Leo is already on the island so I will make sure he meets you also. I do suggest you might want to leave for a bit, until the back table clears out, though." Turning to Gab he said, "I think the back ally will be sufficient for our meeting." Cole reached out and again shook the Owners hand, then motioned toward the back door.
Neo shook his head as he said, "I will watch the lounge until Gabriel comes back in then meet you out front, if that is okay? My brothers are not needed and so it might be best not to even worry them. Gabriel, while I am gone the boss has agreed with me that you are in charge. It will be all hands on deck and so the boss is calling the others including another waitress as soon as he returns upstairs. It seems Kat is taking her vacation time early or at least part of it. Now go talk and keep an open mind. He understands what Friday starts for you, Gab." With that the owner and Neo went to deal with the bartender as he watched Gab head for the backdoor.
(OOC: Names given to each other when they were children and Cole saved Neo's life: Cole = Neteru means Guardian in Egyptian and Neo = Kael Means Kind-hearted in Egyptian. This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread.)
GABRIEL LUPIN
Gabriel had thought as he headed out the door that Neo had tried to ease his mind. It had not worked as Gab had noticed that Neo had wanted to keep Marco and Franco out of what was happening concerning Leo Spellman. He shook his head as he knew that Neo trusted this man that stood before him but that could have to do with this debt the Cooler seemed to owe the man. A part of Gab just wanted to agree to the deal the man was asking for. Another part of Gab trusted the man less then he trusted the owner's son. Gabriel trusted the bartender not at all.
He said after shutting the door, "So just what would happening if I refused your invitation? Also why would I even think you taking Neo with you as a favor that needed repaid? I feel you planned for Neo to join you regardless. So just why should I not just deal with you as I plan to deal with the man known as Linthux?" He waited as he felt the man had not chosen the back alley without a reason as he saw shadows coming up from both ends of the alley. He was trapped and that made Gabriel very nervous as he wondered why he had not even felt this back up of Fixer's
Cole leaned casually up against the wall of the alleyway of the Shadow Lounge. There were a few lights but not many. His men were close and coming toward them, which was a preset condition if Cole ever entered the alley. They would stay far enough away that his and Gab's conversation would be private but not far enough away to miss even the slightest hand signal from Cole. Cole crossed his arms over his chest and studied Gab for a few moments. "You ask a lot of questions Gabriel. I do not know why you keep asking what will happen if you refuse my invitation to my island, because we both know you will be coming eventually. You can't stay away. There are too many questions in your mind about the place and you know anyone of consequence who has visited me has always returned."
Gab was trying very hard to stand still, but the man's whole body was vibrating with the need to move. Cole saw his eyes dart to both ends of the alley. "They will not come closer unless I signal that I need them," Cole warned and motioned to each end of the alley. "They are here to protect my privacy and to protect the occupants of this establishment. What is between Neo and myself is strictly between us. If he wishes to tell you then that is fine with me, but I don't wish to tell you."
Cole chuckled. "I would be really careful in taking care of Linthux as you so mildly put it. He has more backing than either you or your lovely wife, Nat, could even dream of fighting. The female Rachael has taken a liking to Neo and wants him in her stable, so to speak. For the time being his memories of her are being blocked, by some friends of mine."
Pushing himself off the wall, Cole took a couple of steps into the center of the alley, being careful to keep his hands behind his back so he did not inadvertently give a signal his men would misinterpret. "To your questions about Neo joining me, the answer is yes he would have been coming to the island even if his boss did not give him the time off. Neo and I have an agreement, and he is honor bound to come when I invite him."
Gabriel chuckled as he said, "You know nothing about what me and my wife are capable of Mr. Cole or our friends! If you or your goons even try to force either of us to your island..." He stopped long enough to get his point across.
After his point was well understood he chuckled as he continued, "You will be less a lot more men! For your information Mr. Cole, I have never taken for granted the power of the Seven but I also know that Linthux is nothing like Daniel Marsden. My friends have been battling that group since Daniel formed it even when those in the Ministry thought the Seven a group of thugs and a waste of their time. So I ask again, if this is all that you have to put up against me, what is to stop me from refusing you Friday when I will be ten times worse than I am now? Unlike Neo, I owe you nothing and threats mean nothing to me. So if I choose to accept your invite just what do I have to gain, besides empty threats?"
Cole just stopped and looked at the man. He could see the wolf even now trying to exert itself and it was not even a full moon yet. "Your first mistake Gabriel is to think the new leader of the Seven is anything like Daniel Marsden. Marsden truly thought he had a better idea on how the magical world should be run. He saw Muggles as a disease and less than even the lowest of wizards. Linthux only wants power. He could care less whether the Magical World or the Muggle World comes out on top although he would probably destroy the Muggles or enslave them. Ever since Marsden was murdered, Linthux has had peace and quiet to build the organization back up again. He has had no interference from any organization. This, of course I can prove to you with the records I have on my island." Cole was going to use all the bait he could use. He would rather Gabriel came of his own free will then force the man. On Friday, it would be easy enough because the Wolfbane would be fully in effect and it was just as much a sedative as any other portion, making Gabriel's threat of being worse none existent.
Cole looked at his watch and then back to Gabriel. "It is time for me to go. You can come of your own free will Gabriel or you can come when I feel you should. Either way you will be visiting me on my island. " Cole turned to walk back in the door.
CLOSED
(OOC: Tread continued in Isle of Perdition, The Island Maze