<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/rAxxh91.png)</div><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><strong>Date / Time:</strong> Monday 26th, Early Afternoon</div><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Lady Anna (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=334101.msg15907314#msg15907314)<br/><strong>Wearing:</strong>Black Casual Dress, fuzzy slippers. (https://img.ltwebstatic.com/images3_pi/2021/01/27/16117260753c525258ef3df104b18d521265546842_thumbnail_600x.webp)<br/><strong>Location:</strong>The Night Daze<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Dimitrius<br/><strong>Mentions:</strong>Elli [NPC]<br/><strong>Warnings:</strong>None<br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/>The games played by the powerful were fascinating things, and while Dimitrius toyed with the thoughts of respect and power - balancing the needs of cohorts and allies, while also being sure to accentuate his own – Anna settled into her role as the confidant with the ease and comfort that made her such a natural fit, and such an expert at her role.<br/><br/>Dimitrius and Anna had similar trajectories, rising from nothing and becoming titans of the Lower Town. Dimitrius' path was his own, but Anna had been forced to learn how to wield what little powers she had at her disposal with brutal efficacy. The 'Lady' had learned early on that she had very little that others might want. She was hardly strong, she certainly wasn't of an auspicious and desirable lineage – Her kin had made sure of that – and her very existence was dogged by the idea that her species brought about misfortune and disaster. Anna had learned how to weaponise her appeal to people, and she had honed it here of all places. The Night Daze – although before taking ownership of it herself it had gone under a different name – Was Anna's spiritual home. It was her domain. It was her abode. The Night Daze was were Anna was not only in control, but it was where she was in complete comfort. Dimitrius might have felt the exhausting weight of having to balance power and respect, but Anna had no such concerns in her domain. In a way, Anna<em>was</em>the Night's Daze.<br/><br/>Take Elli, for example. Lady Anna had known that Dimitrius would have his guard dog around because the Cafe owner had willingly told her about Dimitrius' reservation. Anna had even left a gift for the guard in the form of a complimentary drink of her choice. In contrast, Anna's guard dog was Duke, and he was able to chat and mingle with Dimitrius, as opposed to being forced to hide away. It wasn't a display of power on Anna's part, it was because she knew that Dimitrius and Duke got along well enough, and because Duke was a longstanding enough member of the establishment to know that the Mayor was not seen as a threat, but as a friend.<br/><br/>And that was perhaps the key difference between Anna and Dimitrius. Anna's ambitions had, for the most part, plateaued. She didn't want to rule Delinquent Town, and she certainly didn't want to have all the stresses that plagued the mighty Mayor Maranzano. Anna had her kingdom, and it was far smaller and far easier to manage than an entire town of writhing children.<br/><br/>Anffwad, as Dimitrius had guessed, was fully aware of the Mayor taking a moment to appreciate her home. She watched in a mirror on the stage as he appreciated the Night Daze's splendour, and took a moment to admire her. That last moment was not lost on the woman, and brought a smile to her face even if her back was still to him. Men were allowed to have eyes, and women were allowed to enjoy the admiration in them. To be wanted was one of Anna's great joys in life, especially after her early start, and even if it was more of a passing want than anything, It was nice to know that Dimitrius would have happily taken her into a private setting and talked a very different kind of 'business'.<br/><br/>She let him break the silence between them – A nod to the power games that let him have the opening salvo, while giving her the chance to react. Slowly she turned to face him, seeing the twinkle in his eyes as he started to climb the stairs to meet her. She briefly chuckled into her hand, raised as if to cover her mouth, even though she gave a hearty flash of her dazzling smile. “Ever the charmer, Mayor Dimitrius.” His embrace was met with a similarly professional balancing act. One hand around his hip, the other touching his shoulder. She'd lean in and plant a brief kiss on his cheek as he moved to pull away. Friendly, alluring, and affirmative of his own little act of forwardness without breaking the balance of business they had to deal with first. “Come, take my hand you silly man. We don't get to see each other enough to dance around enjoying each other's company.” She reached her hand forward and took his – Perhaps a touch bold but she hardly had to care in her own domain. Cassie might have objected, were she here, but most of the people in this building either adored her, or were sleeping next to someone who did. Slowly, she started to walk past him and tugged him back down the stairs. As much as she led him, she knew that he had the strength to stop her with relative ease if he so desired.<br/><br/>In the distance, nestled off into the corner, Anffwad nodded to a booth already set up for them. A few pastries lay on a tiered silver platter, as did a pot of hot water and a few selections of tea leaves and coffee blends – Obviously purchased from the cafe across the street. “You look good today, Dimitrius. You know I enjoy it when you make an effort to please me.” She smirked at the brief double entendre, eyes briefly alight with pleasant purpose, and promiscuous promise. She opened her mouth as if to keep teasing, before stopping herself and leading the mayor to the private seating arrangement instead.<br/><br/>Business before pleasure.<br/><br/>Once there, she sat herself in one corner and nodded for Dimitrius to sit with her. Each had a plate set up in front of them in case they wanted to snack, and while Anna didn't rush for pastries, she did pour herself a coffee blend that mixed in a few sprinkles of chocolate. Dark, of course. “What can I offer you? It's rare I end up pouring drinks nowadays, but for the right customer...” If he asked for anything, or even indicated he wanted something, she would take the time to slowly pour him whatever he wanted. She knew that her position was benefited by her partnership with Dimitrius and, to be frank, she liked spending time with the man. He was charming, driven, and handsome. What wasn't to like?<br/><br/>“Our plans will sadly require a bit of revision. One of my girls spent a<em>fascinating</em>night with a captain of the guard that might demand your attention. I won't focus on the sordid details – Although I know you sometimes enjoy the sight of dear Avadas on and off the stage – I will, however, mention the validity of certain innuendo. Rumour has it that the Queen's Brother himself has ordered the barricading of Delinquent Town come the festival, with Checkpoints on every entrance.” Whether the Queen's Brother was truly involved or not, it didn't matter. The idea of every entrance to Delinquent Town being barricaded and check-pointed was something the pair had briefly discussed, and started to plan for. “A crisis in the making...or an opportunity, for a clever enough man with forewarning.” She smirked again, lips curling in a subtle enough way so as to not show teeth, but her joy in the situation was obvious enough. She had her own ideas on what they could do - mainly involving the Sweet Kiss, and a few ladies that might be able to tease nobility past the Delinquent town checkpoints and who might cause a hubbub if they are locked inside - But Anffwad was interested in what the Mayor's mind brought forth. He was the man who would be Kingpin, so what did the cunning beneath the crown have in mind?