The First Age

Roman Mordvinov

Roman hadn't had too much. By which to say he wasn't out of it. Still, Proya had set everyone off. To be expected, of course. Kolo's were here. They'd shown 'em what for. Now the bouncer or owner or manager or whatever had a shotgun and he had to decide. They could insist.

He smirked and stepped up to the bar, staring into the cold eyes. For whatever reason, they kept flicking to Proya. Didn't matter. His voice was quiet steel. "You really don't want to be pointing that at me."
The guy likely knew who he was. But even if he was new and still didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground, it didn't matter. He knew who he was. He wasn't some daddy's boy punk ass bitch.

His his eyes went dead, despite the smirk. For some reason that always seemed to make people set back. As if he were studying an insect and figuring out how he wanted to pull its wings off or whatever. He wasn't really cruel. He just made sure the job got done. Just business. It was always just business.


So he puts on his face and lets his anger and anticipation kind of pool there, just gathering and oozing from him, just staring into the guy's eyes, giving him just a glimpse. Soon, the room and sounds fade from his notice until all he sees are the guy's eyes and the guy can't look away. But he swallows.

Roman wanted to laugh but kept it up. Wouldn't do now to spoil all the fun. When he left, it would be on his terms, his choice. No one forced Roman Mordinov.

Finally, after the moment stretched out, he said out loud, more friendly like "Holly, go get dressed. You're comin' with me, girlie."
He didn't bother to look and see if she did it. She was too good for this place anyway. Now he let a small smile appear, still holding the guy's eyes. "Proya, let's leave this dump. You just got upgraded to first class, buddy. We're gonna go somewhere really nice."


It was only moments and he felt Holly next to him. Likely, this would cost her her job, but whatever. He'd make sure she was taken care of. Too good for this place.

And then, as if he hadn't a care in the world he turned his back to the manager and headed for the door. It was a risk...but hell, what was life without some risks. The guy didn't really want trouble. He knew that. It was what he had been doing. Studying him. The gun was serious, no question. But they were leaving. There was no need.

He looked down at Holly to peer through those cute librarian glasses to see her beautiful brown eyes, her mouth a half-smile as if she were studying him trying to figure him out. The she squinted him with that smile...well... for some reason, he thought he could live on that smile. Fancy that. Roman falling for a stripper. But they were just girls after all, just like any other. And he liked her. He smiled at her, all fun and games now, then turned his head to Proya. "Come on man. I have somewhere we can go. Maybe you'll fit in. And if not?....Well, should be fun either way."


[[continued in Remembering a friend]]