Late night fix (Very Open)

"Just for about...2 months now." Addison smiled. He felt he was a little more mature than he had been in days past...ok, so not so much. He looked at his coffee mate over the top of his latte cup as he took another sip. She was very pretty and he found himself hoping he'd see her in the domicile from time to time. Granted, it wouldn't be allowed for him to have a crush or what not, but he could admire, no?



Addison looked over to the seat nearby as someone made an annoyed exclimation. She looked youngish, but it was the shirt that caught his attention. He immediately wanted one, even if it wasn't his normal type of clothing...maybe to go out...but then it might be taken as an invitation in the House of Pain.

"Not a Brittany fan, I take it?" he asked, hoping he wasn't intruding.

Val missed a blink at Addison’s admission. Holy smokes, no wonder he’d been so cautious and had, from the sound of it, gotten into some trouble. Still for some reason it surprised her that he was so… new.

“My you are fresh out of the gate aren’t you.”

Having noticed the non-gamer arrival, Valentine was inclined to let her be. It wasn’t that she was unfriendly but she did believe in leaving people to their privacy. Of course, she was rather lusting after the hat. That was an excellent look, maybe she should try that.

A smile toyed at her lips at the other woman’s snipe and Addison’s query. Rather than intrude on the exchange she just waited for the answer.

Sabine blinked in surprise and then turned to the one who had spoken. She had not expected anyone to answer her. She could answer him honestly, well no she couldn't. I can see it now. 'Phoenyx disses Brittany. News at 11.' Sabine had enough trouble, she certainly didn't need the tabs stirring up any more. She considered the questions a moment longer, trying to find a way to answer honestly without offending Brittany and her wannabe clones.

" I don't have a problem with her personally. I also don't want to be her either. I do not care for cookie-cutter pop. A twelve year old singing about stolen boyfriends is not music of substance to me. Music should be emotive, it should make you feel something other than a headache, and under no circumstances should it make your ears bleed."

Go go prefab answer. Or at least it would have been if she hadn't gotten little too honest at the end. Sabine looked at her interviewer and really noticed him for the first time. That was a serious shade of red. Considering her own multi-colored locks, she had to admit she liked it. The pair didn't seem too poptastic, so maybe they wouldn't hold her anti-brittanyism against her.

"Yes, not even a full lap around just yet." Yes! And he could make a little play on the horse thing. Well, sort of. And it was true...he still was pretty "fresh" to the whole thing, but it was all a learning experience. He'd feel worse about his newness if he wasn't able to offer anything to the clan/dubine.

Addison blinked, taking in what the young woman told him. That was far more than he wanted to know. Not that he enjoyed Miss Spears' music himself, but he had just been curious. After all, everyone in the joint was playing a game and she'd been the only person to talk other than the clerk and Valentine.

"Indeed...music should inspire something other than homicide of the closest blonde valley girl..." Addison smiled and sipped at his iced coffee again, hoping it would be taken as a friendly comment. He noticed that she was leafing through something, but didn't want to intrude to find out what...after all, he was in front of his laptop, but wouldn't exactly welcome people just staring over his shoulder...especially at dubine files.

Trying to distract herself from the lettering on the t-shirt, the phrase only serving to remind Val that she was rather hungry, she’d taken to casually studying the new comer and wondered if she looked familiar. However, she brushed it off without analyzing it.

The canned answer made her laugh though; a subtle chuckle. It had started as a good response but the crack at the end was what she had liked.

“But what will they blast from sound trucks to end hostage situations without pop tarts and boy bands?”

If it had only been Addison about she might have said something about the benefits of late lamented blonde valley girls, but that could be taken entirely the wrong way by someone outside the clan.

Uh oh, busted. Sabine grinned before taking a guilty sip of her mocha. She had just been caught being snarky. Though they didn't seem to mind the comment. She would find out for sure on that point tomorrow though, she was sure. Still it was kind of nice for the moment feeling that she could almost say what she wanted without it being taken out of context later.

" You have a point. I suppose pop tarts aren't a complete nuisancce to society. Perhaps kids can overdose early and then move on to something more substantial."

There not too bad. Maybe any wanderering eavesdroppers would thinks she was talking about toaster pastries. Sabine wondered when it was that she had become so paranoid. Hmm. About the time mom passed and that bastard took over the club. She gave herself a mental shake, it would do any good to dwell. Flipping the page in portfolio she came across something that could only be described as horrid. Holding it for the others, she displayed a logo that consisted of the word phoenyx in red and pink bubble type.

" Teeny-bop Pop may not be all bad, but I still have no desire to be one with the suger coated dim-witted masses."

Sabine stopped herself before she finished that thought. She had been about to say that next she would find herself best friends with a hotel heiress or camped out at the next lawn chair over with the girl's rival. It was better to piss off only one group of people a day if possible. Besides it would be just her luck to have someone point out that she now technically owned a hotel herself. It also now occurred to her that if her cafe companions didn't know who she was before, they could probably guess now. Maybe she would get lucky and they would prefer country singers like Shania Twain. If not, she could just add artistically impaired to the list of her supposed faults.

“But the kiddies don’t move on to jazz.”

Now where had that idea come from? Val looked again and there was still that familiarity, apparently, she was reminded of someone.

It was one of those times when Val wished she kept up with pop culture more, but if she was thinking jazz the memory was probably older than the last five years. Oh, who knows. Grimacing at the candy coated logo and name she slowly started to put two and two together but still hadn’t gotten the right answer. Val again shoved the idea off to the side, something to be sorted out later.

“Would you rather be one of the brain dead metal head masses, the angsty emo masses, or did you have something else in mind. Something more palatable than either of those I hope.”

Addison sat back in his chair, sipping at his latte and listening to the two woman talk. He liked music well enough and given the right beat he could be inspired to dance if he were in the mood, but to be honest, he won't put any thought into types or how "deep" it is. Most music seemed to be produced as a mass market and while it could make money, he felt it was a precarious business unless you could effectively market.

When the young woman held up a piece of paper with a type of bird emblazened on it in red and pink, Addison winced. Yeah...red...pink...yuck. Even if he were a girl, he'd not ever wear pink with his red hair because it looks...hideous. This font color selection was no different. He shook his head. "That is...not right."

"Actually I would rather be in the smooth, intellectual, have to hear it again to make sure you heard it right, yet still oh so cool mass. Attitude and soul. Granted there are times when I tend to put more emphasis on the attitude."

Sabine gave the logo another disgusted look. Who in there right mind would have thought that thing was a good idea. Normally she would sulk until her mocha was gone and then declare war on her manager and record label. But she had company, and they seemed to agree with her, on the logo at least. Feeling somewhat vindicated after the day she had, Sabine decided to be a little more sociable. She smiled at the red headed man.

"You are right, its horrid. They want this moniker to, how did Trevor put it, 'to be a symbol by which I am recognized around the world.' Who would want to be recognized by that? it will get plenty of recognition right before they throw the tomato."

Sabine had trained, after joining the band, to tone down her french accent so that others could understand her. When she got worked up, her control tended to slip a bit. They became zay and the became zee and all of the words started to blend together. Hovering somewhere between appalled and amused, she laughed at herself and then smiled at the others.

"Forgive me. My name is Sabine."

"Attitude can pull a girl through just about anything though, can't it."Â?

It could and had. Of course, some days Val wasn't sure where her attitude stopped and she began but it could be quite effective.

Tomato? Her mind had skipped to a whole other meaning for tomato and confused her for a second. She wasn't as up on show business as she could be and so had a different frame of reference. Once she caught up though it made sense.

Starting to catch an accent, she was trying to place it and finally decided on French. It was probably the name that clinched it, after all it was a French name.

"If it's to be a symbol around the world you'll defiantly need something better. You sure don't want to go the same way as Prince or whatever he is calling himself these days. But nice to meet you, I'm Valentine."Â?

Addison smiled at the deepening accent as he finished his latte. He almost got up to get another...as his heart rate didn't seem quite rapid enough yet for a good caffene-induced work speed. Eh...it didn't look like he was going to get too much accomplished anyway and he'd rather get to know the two ladies a bit that he was with versus punching out a trial balance for one of the departments.

"Pleasure to meet you, Sabine. I'm Addison." He smiled and thought about offering his hand, but thought it seemed too formal. "And even prince would shy away from that color scheme."

Sabine looked at the horrid and frightful piece of 'art', and shook her head. She knew she would have to tell her manager that none of these designs would do. That in turn would create a mass of angry designers. Well, she could honestly say after looking at this portfolio that that was one group she didn't whether or not they bought her next album.

" If I could draw more than a stick figure, which even that turns out badly, I would design something myself. Though you would think with a moniker like Phoenyx, they could come up with something, -anything- better than this."

Sabine closed the portfolio and moved it off to the side before taking another sip of her drink. These two must think she was a spoiled brat with all of the complaining she was doing. Sabine made up her mind. With the hotel and club, she would be staying in Nachton for a long time, she might as well make a friend or two. You can't do that without opening up a little, and not bitching as much.

" Graphical horrors aside, what do the two of you do for fun? Between contractual obligations and my business, I have not had much time to really get out and about lately."

He felt bad for her, but couldn't offer any alternative to the hideous stuff she'd shown them. His skills in art didn't go beyond a badly mis-sized stick figure or two. He'd thought he would try when younger to draw, as it was something you could do to relax on your own...but failed miserably and gave up the van goh dreams immediately.

"Fun? With work, I think I've forgotten what that is." He smirked and did a few keystrokes on his powerbook, shifting some junk mail out of his inbox. Addison was joking, however. He loved his work and would actually prefer it over other "leisure" activities. "But there are clubs here, a museum, hotel with a great resteraunt, and from what I've heard, some gardens somewhere. But I haven't gotten out all that much."

The accountant made a mental note of the name phoenix, so he could google it later. She was very pretty and had what looked like publicity being set up, so she had to be in the public eye. She'd talked about music, but hadn't come out and said 'I'm a singer or I'm a guitar player' so he didn't want to assume.

"What's your taste?"

Val squinted at Phoenyx/Sabine and tried to place the name. It was like playing darts, she just kept missing, close but not where she was aiming. No stress though, it would come to her, or she could ask.

“Phoenyx? I keep thinking I should know you but I’m miserable at things like that. Of course you’re right, it’s a good name and deserves something better than you had.”

If it had been her… and someone had artistically destroyed her accepted name there would be hell. Yes, her name was Valentine but hearts and stars should not be associated with it. Much as bubble gum colors do not go with Phoenyx.

She had to laugh, all of them. Not one of them out and about. Somehow, that fact didn’t surprise her about Addison, who looked a bit owlish but Sabine, it didn’t seem right.

“Well Addison here was letting me ramble at him about the finer points of thoroughbred racing and beguiling me with stories about The House of Pain but damned if I wouldn’t give someone’s right arm for a hot little jazz spot.”

Addison could have agreed with the Jazz spot. Someplace quiet, dark...just to listen and relax. That would be nice...well, he might just be thinking that just because of his current mood on what to do about this Nic Voice Mail. "I'd settle for a little movie theater." Actually...there might be one...he really shoudl get out more..and away from work...

*beep beep buzz*

He looked down as his pager started to slide slowly across the table in front of him, on vibrate. The gaming geeks nearest were shooting him angry looks and muttering something about idiots ruining their instance. Addison trapped the little plastic device under one hand and hit a button, reading the text flying accross. "Ahhh. The contact I am waiting for from France. Got to head into the office for a bit."

Addison stood and started packing up the powerbook. He'd go in, make a few calls and fax a couple of sheets and that would be it...then sleep and another busy day tomorrow. He liked to be up and working for a little bit when the other person was in their business day, no matter their time zone. It was just good manners. "It was lovely meeting you both...Um... here..." He pulled out two business cards from the second pocket of his laptop bag. On them, was his name, office information and his cell number...the personal one. "Give me a ring if ya want. The cell is always on." The accountant flashed a smile to Pheonix and then Val, pausing while trying to think up something witty to say in closing....and coming up with zilch. Oh well...maybe this was why he was single.

A little wave and he was off, to catch a taxi back to Dubine. He'd call the security desk on the way to let them know he was coming in.

(OOC: as this was pre tach event, figured I'd take him out and catch him up to date on the board. Addison out.)

Sabine smiled at Addison as he prepared to leave, taking the offered card.

" Thank you, it was nice to meet you."

Sabine looked at the card for a moment. She made a mental note to call and invite him to the grand reopening when the rennovations were completed. With a final tap on the card she stuck it in her back pocket and hoped she remembered to take it out later. before washing the pants at least. It was a great way to accidentally lose the cards you didn't want to keep, but not so good for the ones you did. Looking over at Valentine, she grinned. She was really starting to like this woman. At least she had good taste in music.

" Funny you should mention jazz. I happen to own a jazz lounge at the top of the old Wyndum-Price hotel. It is blues and jazz during the week the way my mother used to run it. On the weekends we have some of the local bands come in to play. We are currently closed for repair and rennovations, but we should reopen in a couple of weeks. Please feel free to stop by. Have whoever is at the front send for me."

Sabine did not go into detail about her inability to keep consistant staff. If the other woman were to come regularly she would not doubt notice the ever changing faces anyway.

Addison's sudden exit, even though perfectly polite and extremely explainable almost made Val laugh. She managed not to, although just barley, and slid his card into her purse. She'd be surprised if she didn't see him again.

"Nice talking to you Addison."Â?

The mention of her beloved jazz got Val's attention fast though. Coincidence could be a wonderful thing and she couldn't help but smile broadly at this one.

"Kippy. Sounds like a choice location too. I'm glad there is some taste in this town, jazz can be hard to find so I might have to take you up on that invite. If I could play I'd be badgering you for a gig, but you lucked out there."Â?

It was being a little more nosey than she should, but Val still had this nagging feeling she should know who Sabine/Phoenyx was.

"You said your mother ran it? So music runs in the family?"Â?

Clad in a pair of hip hugging lowrise dark blue jeans and a lace black top Alexandra made her way inside of the Qwerty Cafe, her black leather 5" stiletto heeled pumps making a soft clicking sound on the floor as she made her way over to one of the more quiet spots in the cafe.

Taking a seat she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, putting her double late down on the nearby table she reached inside her backpack taking out the novel she had been reading.

Crossing her legs at the knee she began to read, reaching for her coffee she took a small sip smiling contently, it was good to finally have some time to herself.

Sabine smiled and nodded at Valentine's question.

" Yes it does. My mother was Emmanuelle Rousseau. the name probably doesn't mean much to you. She came over from Paris to study music in New Orleans. She fell in love with the city and the music, so she stayed. Later she was offered a deal with the club here so we moved. She ran the club until she died. There has been a few changes, out of necessity, but the spirit is the same."

About the time she finished speaking, Sabine noticed another woman walk in and sit nearby. She nodded a polite greeting out of habit, proper french and manners had been a part of her up-bringing.Returning her attention to Valentine, she grinned.

" You aren't afraid of ghosts, zombies, and vampires are you?"

“I’ve always been relatively bad with names. Should I raid my CD collection?”

Val was curious how far Sabine’s mother had gotten with he music. And she did own some very obscure jazz, some of it on the original vinyls, Victrola records. Of course, she was fairly certain she didn’t have any thing that would play them any longer. Maybe she should look around for something that would.

As she listened she followed Sabine’s look, noticed the new arrival and silently acknowledged the woman’s presence.

“I’ve never made it to either city I’ve always wanted to see New Orleans though, get a feel for their take on jazz and see if its different from Chicago.”

She reached for her coffee only to find it was empty, again. Well she wasn’t going back for a third and instead shoved the cup off to the side. The question about being afraid caused Val to smile, what a peculiar thing to ask her.

“When you say the spirit is the same you mean that literally then? Voodoo and things that go bump in the night? As long as they don’t upset the horn player I can’t say they’d keep me away.”