<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="background-color:#050505; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#101010; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;">The woman remained remarkably composed, even further proof that she knew exactly where she was going. Or rather, had been going, until Victor forced her to make a detour.<br/><br/>"Why yes, I should," he replied with a small smile, adjusting his strides to match her slightly shorter steps, falling into a casual stroll. He didn't mean to drag her along; after all, they <span style="font-style: italic">were</span> fast friends out on a casual stroll. "And <span style="font-style: italic">you</span> should be sticking to the brightly lit streets, and not meet up with strange men in dodgy alleyways. You never know what those types are like," he continued, having no intention of introducing himself to her just yet.<br/><br/>They walked aimlessly for a little while. Victor had no idea what her destination was, but resolved to simply lead her towards his favorite place to visit when he wanted a little peace and quiet.<br/><br/>They left the damp night air behind them and entered the club. It was a nice place with a warm glow created by the polished wooden tables, crystal carafes of expensive liquor, and the faint haze of cigar smoke that hung around the brass lamps. Cozy chatter mixed with occasional hearty laughter greeted them. There were no female voices to be heard.<br/><br/>"Ah, Mr Stearkenfinn! A pleasure to see you here again; what'll it be today?"<br/><br/>A tall, thin man with an impressive beard and a deep blue waistcoat greeted them enthusiastically from behind a long bar desk. He spotted the strange woman, to whose arm Victor was still attached. "And what can we do for the lady? That's not a question we ask often here, but as you're with a true gentleman, I see no reason as to why we shouldn't try to accommodate your wishes as well, madam."<br/><br/>"Just the usual and bit of privacy would be good for starters, Mr Hodge," Victor replied. Hodge nodded politely and extended his arm, indicating they should follow him. A table at one of the back corners was still available. Hodge snapped his fingers and pulled a young man, who was carrying a thin, folded paper-and-wood room divider, out of the thin air as if by magic. A moment later, they almost had their own little room.<br/><br/>Finally, Victor let go of the woman's arm and folded his hands behind his back as he had done earlier. "Sit, please," he asked her, polite enough, but with the barest hint of an order in his tone. This woman carried herself far more confidently than she had any right to do, judging by her clothes which were admittedly clean and well kept, but not the most fashionable at the moment, suggesting she perhaps wasn't rolling in money. Her behavior piqued his curiosity. He usually read people well, but she was different; guarded in her nonchalance. She might turn out to be a lot more interesting than he first thought.</div><div style="background-color:#202020; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Notes:</span> Bartender's an NPC, feel free to use him as much as you like!</span></div></div></div>