, MAKE THIS GO ON FOREVER / val

[DAMON SETH KNIGHT]

another day at work. another day of dealing with mindless, reckless drunks. another day at work when all he wanted to do was pour the drinks over everybody's head. if only. he had enough of this bullshit. it was just one of those days - you know, everybody had a bad work day. he was usually very tolerant but today he just woke up on the wrong side of bed, presumably. it was nearing midnight, and he still had several more hours of work. he wasn't tired though because he had grown quite accustomed to this schedule. hell, he was practically nocturnal. he had been working here for about a year and going to work at 9:00 was just something he had grown mechanically used to doing. besides, work wasn't terrible. it had its good days, and it had its bad days. there had been several bar fights - one that never included him, because that would put a definite end to his career, but he had witnessed aggressive fights. those were the nights that filled with excitement. then there were the slow days, especially on the weekdays, when there were only a few people who came by the bar for a drink. however, when it reached the weekend - especially saturday -, the bar was alive with activity. of course, it wasn't just a bar. it was a club .. a strip club, to be more accurate, and that was one of the reasons why he enjoyed his job so much some days. he was only a guy, after all.

today was saturday night, 11:10 pm. it was a busy day - people swarmed around the bar, while others lingered by the stage, watching the "dancers" with utmost awe. the club was bustling with activity - it was filled with drunken laughter, obnoxious whistling and loud music that the dancers danced to. he remembered idly when this had once gotten on his nerves, but he had grown tolerant of the way people behaved at the club - especially at this club. he didn't blame them though. the first time he had visited the club, he had been in awe of the dancers. of course, being a bartender meant many things. for example, it meant that he could meet a lot - a lot - of girls. girls that didn't care about fickle relationships, girls that just wanted to have fun, and that's just the way he liked it. it was no secret that he fooled around, but for some reason, that well-known fact just drew in more girls. one could say that he was almost living the life.

damon glanced up when he saw a familiar face from the corner of his eye. his mouth curved into a boyish smile when he recognized the person and once he was finished pouring a drink for one of his other customers, he strode over to where valen sat. she had been in here several times before, and he had become quite acquainted with. "where have you been hiding, val?" he said as he approached, the smile still plastered to his face. "don't tell me you've been avoiding me. i think the last time i saw you was two weeks ago."

OOC/ sorry for the powerplay! and sorry that this sucks :C it'll get better!

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[VALENE MARAVILLA SOUTHWAY]

[atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 430px; background: #FFE4E1, bTable][atrb=style, background: #f79696; padding-top:7px;] i want the moon and the stars, i want the whole nine yards i want your hands on my hips i want you kissing my lips

[atrb=style, background: #FAFAFA; border-left:3px solid #f79696;width: 390px;] It was late. A little too late for a high school student to be out in the city, or rather, too late for a high school student to be out, period. Yet, Valene Southway was casually strolling through the New York City streets, trying to figure out what she needed to do in order to stop the aching feeling in the back of her brain. She was craving something, but what it was she didn't exactly know. Normally, when she had this feeling, she'd go out, find a nice empty wall of a building and defile it with spray paint. But that wasn't what she wanted today. No, if she did that it would leave her feeling as empty as ever. But still... if she didn't want to spray paint graffiti, what else would she be out this late to do? Was there anything else? Anything at all? It wasn't until she found herself standing in front of Fuego, the infamous strip club that she knew what she was craving. Alcohol. And she knew just the person to go to in this situation. A small smirk appeared on Valene's face. She hadn't seen him in a couple of weeks; which was an abnormality considering ever since she met him she'd started going to drink a little more often. But for the past few weeks her alcohol craving had run dry and it wasn't worth the risk, leaving the dorms so late. But today was a different story. Valene wondered if he had noticed her absence, and if he did, did he think anything of it? She wondered if the real reason she stayed away from the club for the past few weeks was because she wanted him to notice, and that not wanting to risk it was just what she told herself to make herself feel better about it. Because honestly, what did she care if she was caught? It's not like the school would really do anything, and all her sister could do is reprimand her on the phone... She shook those thoughts off. Who cared anyway? What's done is done and it's best left in the past where it belongs. There wasn't a line. That was nice. Easy access. All that stood between her and the door was a Bouncer. God, those guys were big. It was like all the Bouncer's she'd seen were genetically grown to be big, bulky and scary looking. Although Valene wasn't scared. She knew that if you had the right identification and walked around like you owned the place, you'd have no trouble with them. Valene strode up the entrance, expecting to be able to walk right past the Bouncer like she usually did. But this time the Bouncer stopped her. "Excuse me Miss," he said. "I'm going to need to see your ID." Valene scowled. She could smell the alcohol from where she was standing, she could almost taste it on her lips, but this idiot was keeping her from having some, and that angered her a bit. "Ugh, why do you have to see my ID. I come here all the time!" she said, making sure that her irritation was very clear in her voice. The Bouncer scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I'm sorry Miss, but I'm new here. Just started a few days ago... so, I have to be sure." he said, flashing her a nervous smile. Valene rolled her eyes, but reached into her purse and pulled out a large green wallet. She opened it carefully so as not to show the contents to the Bouncer. Out of the second credit card slot she pulled out her ID, and showed to the Bouncer. He scanned it and nodded. "Welcome to Fuego, Miss Tyler," he said as he handed the card back. Regina Tyler. That was the name printed on the card. Twenty-one years old; a college student. That couldn't be further from the truth, but it got her in so she could care less. As she entered the club, the smell of alcohol intensified. When she was little she thought the smell was disgusting, but as her father always said, it was an acquired taste. And indeed it was, because now at age seventeen, she enjoyed it very much. As she entered the bar area she spotted him. Damon Knight, the bartender. She'd become acquainted with him since she began visiting the club. He hadn't noticed that she had arrived, but he would eventually. She decided to sit down and wait for him to see her. After a few minutes, Damon approached, a smile on his gorgeous face. "Where have you been hiding, Val? Don't tell me you've been avoiding me. I think the last time I saw you was two weeks ago." Valene smiled back, it was a cool smile, not the nervous kind of smile that most seventeen year old girls use with guys. She was very good at keeping her cool in front of people because she never really lost her cool in general. She didn't feel nervous around anyone, nonetheless Damon. When it came right down to it, he was a person just like her, so what did she need to be nervous about? "Oh shoot, you caught me," she said in a joking manner. "I really thought you wouldn't have noticed me avoiding you, but I guess I can't get something like that past you." she continued with a small chuckle. She sighed and leaned back in her chair. She crossed her arms and crossed her right leg over her left. "Actually, truth is my sister's been giving me grief about staying out all night all the time. She's been really annoying so I'm trying to cut back. You know, give her less reason to freak out," she chuckled again, but this time it was a little softer.

[atrb=style, background: #FAFAFA; border-left:3px solid #f79696; width: 390px;] notes || does damon know that valene is seventeen yet? i wrote the post as if he didn't but i can change it if he does. (: tag || damon word count || nine seven nine lyrics || waves and the both of us; charlotte sometimes credit || onigirishi of OTE

[DAMON SETH KNIGHT]

there were many things he could do with his life, or, more accurately, things he could have done. ten years ago, he never saw himself as this - an uncommitted, living-on-the-edge bartender at a strip club. if anybody had told him that he would be in this exact spot ten years ago, he would have called them ridiculous. that had been when he was still just a kid, and when he thought life would go the way planned. he hadn't been one of those teenagers that planned everything out, but he certainly had expected more from himself. in fact, even in college, he hadn't figured out where his path was leading him but honestly, what else could he have suspected? to be honest, he didn't really have talent in anything - unless you count being unfathomably charming, that is. hell, he was a pro at that. but, from the very start, he never really had much to offer. there were some kids that were just born to rule, born to be leader of something - damon had never been one of those kids. he didn't deem himself as a follower, not necessarily, but he eventually figured out that he was one of those people that just.. sort of, went with the flow. still - he had always assumed that he would have a job that paid more and had more reasonable hours.. but, life just always gets in the way and it never goes as planned. never.

over time, he had discovered that his job wasn't too terrible. it gave him the opportunity to meet new people - and although many people he met turned out to be obnoxious assholes and bitches, there were times when he had the privilege to meet someone.. decent. well, more than decent, sometimes. people like val - valene, but he had grown accustomed to just calling her by val. over the times that she visited him, he had made it his priority to know as much about her as he could. of course, there was always something fueling his need for knowledge, and that particular "thing" was something not all girls threw at him. like, val, for instance. he wanted to know her like others could not, and then that would be done with. it was how he did things because.. well, there really wasn't a reason, was there? not an excusable reason, at least. he could say that he did what he did - namely sleeping around - because it helped distance himself, but honestly.. that wasn't a good enough of a reason. he liked it - simple as that.

damon swiveled slightly and handed one of the wealthier customers his scotch. many people came by the club, and they varied from classy businessmen (classy enough to go to a strip club, huh?) and mid-aged assholes. then again, he would be a hypocrite if he were to call someone else an asshole. nonetheless, damon passed his customer the drink he ordered and that had been when he noticed the brunette on the other side of the bar. val. that was all he knew her by - he didn't know her last name, just val. damon leaned forward, resting his arms on the bar disk as he studied her. his mouth quirked into a grin when she responded. "yeah, well, you're not easy to miss." he had meant it as a compliment - like she was too gorgeous for his gaze to actually slip past. when she continued, his grin only grew wider. "oh, trust me, i notice everything. and that's damn right. hold on for one sec, yeah?

[/color]" damon gave her a look that could probably mean "you better keep your ass right there in that seat" and then turned away so he could attend to his other customers. after several minutes of pouring and passing drinks, he returned to her, plastering the same smile on his face. he watched as she leaned back slightly, and then continued. damon nodded - a sign that he was listening to her words, but when she was finished, he only shook his head. "you're an adult - you can stay out however long you want. next time she freaks out, you can tell her that you're hanging out with me. i'm sure she wouldn't mind.[/color]" damon said, leaning forward against the bar disk again. "but, hey, s'your life. you can do whatever the hell you want to do with it.[/color]" he added, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. it probably wasn't the best advice, but he had never been great at giving good advice before. still.. it was true. it wasn't her sister's life - it was val's, and it puzzled him why val still listened to her sister even though she was perfectly old enough to go about her own life her own way. but, hey, no judgment.

he turned his head both ways to inspect the bar - so far, every customer seemed to be satisfied. so he returned his attention to her. "well, what can i get you to drink?[/color]" it was only customary for him to ask. it was a bar, after all.

OOC/ no he doesn't! all he knows is that her real name is actually valene & that she's 21. idk how she would have told him that her name wasn't actually regina, but oh well.

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[VALENE MARAVILLA SOUTHWAY]

[atrb=cellSpacing,5,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 430px; background: #FFE4E1, bTable][atrb=style, background: #f79696; padding-top:7px;] i want the moon and the stars, i want the whole nine yards i want your hands on my hips i want you kissing my lips

[atrb=style, background: #FAFAFA; border-left:3px solid #f79696;width: 390px;] Valene hated lying. She despised it with every bit of her being. Yet here she was, sitting in a bar at age seventeen, and the only way she could have possibly managed it was by lying. So far, within the last hour of so, she had told three lies. One to her roommate. She told her that she was going out for a walk around the city because she had been having a bit of an art block and wanted to clear her head. Two to a girl in the dorm corridor. Valene knew this girl from a few classes and she also knew she was a notorious snitch if someone was up to no good. So when the girl asked where she was headed, Valene claimed to be heading the the 24 hour convenience store to pick up a few things because she was going to stay up late to work on an art project due Monday, (luckily the girl was not in her art class). And three to the Bouncer. Giving him a fake ID, and convincing him that she was Regina Tyler and that she was twenty-one instead if seventeen. All these lies she told without any hesitation or fear of being caught and it made her sick to her stomach. And now she was telling another lie, or rather, continuing a lie. This lie was again, that she was twenty-one, but this time it was to Damon. But she couldn't stop the lie now, no matter how bad she felt about it. She had to put her bad feelings aside, she was here to enjoy herself after all. Valene smirked and rolled her eyes at Damon's complement. She knew what he was trying to do. She was not naive. Her smirk grew a little has he told her to hold on and gave her a look that said to stay put. Oh, how she was tempted to sneak out of the bar now. Just for a little bit. She wouldn't leave the club, just explore a bit and then return again when he was looking. But this wasn't just any old club. It was a strip club and Valene had no desire to go watch strippers, she was only here for the alcohol... and maybe... kind of...sort of... to see Damon, so she decided to stay put. She put her elbows on the counter and rested her chin on the back of her now intertwined hands, watching as Damon attended to other customers. God, was he gorgeous; like, insanely gorgeous, but that wasn't all. There was something about him that drew her to him. She was well aware that he slept around. She had ran into a women on her way out of the club on the day she met Damon who told her that. She told Valene to watch herself around him. She told her that he only wanted sex and nothing more, and that if she respected herself, she'd find another club, with another bar, with another bartender and never speak to Damon again. But that only made her want to see him more. Leading psychiatrists would say that a women's desire to be close to a man who doesn't treat women right is due to the fact that their father didn't treat women right. But that wasn't true for her. Her father was a wonderful man. Nothing like Damon. He treated her mother and his two daughters with such great respect. So that wasn't the reason she was drawn to him. Not the reason at all. So what was it, she wondered. What could possibly be drawing her to him? She didn't have time to think through it further because when Damon returned, she launched right back into conversation about the "real" reason for her absence at the bar. It was nice that he was listening to her, genuinely listening to her. But that nice feeling was short lived. Because as she spoke she felt a pain in the bottom of her stomach. He was calling her an adult. Ha! Yeah right... I've never felt more like a child, lying like this... She shifted in her seat a little, but other than that she didn't show any signs of discomfort with the conversation. As Damon continued, she chuckled a little, trying hard to keep up her "adult" facade. She kept a slight smirk on as she spoke. "You don't know my sister. She still treats me like I'm seventeen. If I told her I was hanging out at a bar with you she'd flip a shit and try "ground" me. And she very well could too. I'm living off her and her boyfriend's salaries right now so if she doesn't give me money, what the heck am I supposed to do other than go to class? And I can't get a job, not when my only real skill is painting." She watched and waited as he inspected the rest of the bar to see if he needed to attend to any other costumers, after which he turned back to her and asked if she wanted anything to drink. She smiled and said, "I think I'm in the mood for an Appletini. On the rocks please."

[atrb=style, background: #FAFAFA; border-left:3px solid #f79696; width: 390px;] notes || agh... sorry this took so long /: tag || damon word count || nine seven six lyrics || waves and the both of us; charlotte sometimes credit || onigirishi of OTE