I had no idea on what ground I stood

The dealings that happened only when the sun went down.


Since dusk had broke over the outskirts of the city, he'd been knee deep in bloody happenings, theoretically speaking if anyone asked. Picking through his pocket, he eventually pulled out a nice looking metal case, a collection of Karelia cigarettes neatly lining the inside. He placed a single roll in the corner of his mouth before a flame flickered in front of his face, burning the end. Taking a deep inhale of the rich smoke, he cherished the taste of home. 

Walking down the backstreets, it was quite clear he was out of place. To cleanly dressed for a regular of these parts, his watch, a silver rolex framed his wrist in plain view as if he was begging for someone to take it. It was pity that no one seemed to be biting the bait, he'd so nicely laid out for them.

Originally of the Greek Mafia, by the time the young man had finished with the criminal organization, he'd shaken enough hands, made enough shady deals, to steal the throne right from under their noses. But all of that became boring after awhile, sitting at the top with nowhere to go. Abandoning the life, he sought to return to his roots as a hitman, and found a new life in the ambient city of New York. 

Where the people never slept and there was a thrill behind every corner. He relished his new freedom and lack of responsibilities. 

Eyeing his watch, it was about time for the meet up, wasn't it? A new client. He paced in front of the meeting spot, huffing tendrils of smoke through his nose. He seemed to perk up only slightly when he heard the sound of distant gun shots. "Seem's like someone is having fun..." He murmured. 

Turning his back, almost immediately after he felt a hard slam meet his back and yelp. A woman? He hadn't even bothered to pretend to flinch, when he turned around to gaze down at the petite figure on the ground. She was breathing hard and eyes darting. From her appearance, she was even more out of place than he was. 

"Well don't you look lost." He said, jumping right into it. "Don't you know you're supposed to be watching where you're going? I could sue you for injury, you know..?"

So the young girl thought she was tough, did she? He wasn't complaining. He enjoyed a girl with a little backbone in her, especially one that had the balls to talk back to him. He wondered how long it'd since someone had gull to challenge him..."From one to ten? Zero, little dove. I'm afraid you're jumping the gun, I'm merely playing the game as how it's been played for years." His lips curved into a smirk. "It's certainly not my fault if you can't run and look where your going." He said, "And jogging?" Molten eyes raked over her in the dim lighting, noting her so called "running" attire. "You certainly have interesting taste."

His eyebrow rose once, bemused by her. He grinned in the darkness before he leaned in closer. "Is that threat, little dove..?" His lips hovered by her ear while the hotness of his breath brushed against her skin. He noticed her flinch, but not because of him. Another gunshot in the distance. He could smell the fear off of her, sweet delicious fear. Standing tall he look in the direction it had come from and then back at her. "Perhaps that's what you're running from?" He mused.

"I could take care of it for you if you'd like." Ambrose ushered her attention with his sudden proposal. "Or I could take you away, my car's just around the corner, you're choice." Though he hoped she would choose the first. He didn't usually offer rescues, but since it looked as though his client wasn't showing, and she was entertaining enough. Even if he couldn't scratch his itch for action, perhaps he'd scratch up some sort of deal with her.

"Or I could just leave you here." He said. Looking in the distance, he could hear the shouting getting closer. "Tick, tock, little dove, this offer expires soon." Like a devil in a suit, he was offering her no choice but to take one of his two offers. 

She looked like a summer camp counselor gone wrong. He appreciated beautiful things, the woman around him could tell a thousand stories of his fine tastes. But here in this moment, being stared down by a little girl. She was the most real beauty he'd encountered in quite awhile. Noting the blood on her collar, transferred by the scrapes on her hands, he still continued to smirk in the same devilish manner he'd met her with. She could spit fire at him all she wanted, but it wouldn't change the dynamics they seamlessly had settled into.

He seemed to have ignored most of what she had said, continuing to take a drag off his cigarette without care in the world. If she really thought a cab would make it in time, than she was more desperate than he thought. Ambrose may have been a demigod, but he wasn't all powerful, and even if he was he wouldn't be caught dead using them for something as frivolous as summoning a cab... a progeny of the great god of war...Seriously. He'd about given up on her when she finally ushered the words he'd been longing to hear. 

'Okay fine, I don't care which, you chose.'

Ah... He sighed with the push of smoke through his nostrils, he blew the remainder her direction as his smirk widened. Finally. He'd been looking for an excuse to exert himself. Tossing his cigarette on the ground, he rubbed it with the sole of his nice looking dress shoes, before he walked past her int he direction of all the commotion, but not before he slid his dress coat off and placed it on over her head, revealing the black leather harness across his body. "Just keep your eyes shut and cover your ears." He ordered. "No peeking." He released his coat so it would fold over the rest of her head.

And just like that he'd walk off, disappearing into the night. Loud voices could be heard in the distance, followed by bellowing laughter, and then a shot rang out. Quiet at first, eventually chaos erupted. Short and sweet, five minutes had passed but for Ianthe, he was sure it must've felt like an eternity. Walking back, blood stained his face and white shirt face, while his knuckles were stained the same. He re-holstered his glock. Coming up from behind, he didn't stop as he slid his coat down from her head and onto her shoulders, only glancing over at her once. "Well come on then, time to take you home, little dove."

"Don't dally now." He continued to walk as if he were gonna leave her behind. 

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying this; her outburst while unnecessary were amusing enough for him that he offered a casual glance over his shoulder, allowing her to see blood sliding slowly down his cheek from where a bullet had grazed him before he turned his head back around and used his thumb to temporarily wipe it away. "Now, now, no need to get your panties in a twist. They're not dead." He quipped, he may have been trash but he was classy enough to exercise restrain. "and is that concern I hear?" Ambrose serenaded the night with a low and attractive chuckle, the likes of which could be said to be criminal with how luring he made it sound. Despite her worry for him, he didn't slow in his pace. Even if he did get hit, which he hadn't except for the graze on his cheek, he didn't let it show.

Instead he let her continue to her worry about him out of his own amusement. He couldn't remember the last anyone had been concerned for him, so why spoil the fun? He let this continue on until he spotted his car in the distance; a sleek looking matte black audi with a set of tinted windows for anonymity. When they finally arrived, he opened the door for her, holding it and finally facing her.  Finally up close, he towered over her while she could finally see the rest of him. Even underneath his nice buttoned shirt, anyone could tell he was all muscle and sinew, his broad shoulders accentuated by the leather strap he wore. He was quite a daunting thing up close. 

And so he let his amber gaze bear down on her, at least enough for her to quiet down. He didn't want to scare the little dove completely. "I appreciate the concern, but this..." He used his thumb again to point towards his scrape. "...This is just a scratch, I'm fine, so there's no need to pull out...whatever medical skills you say you have." He couldn't help but sound skeptical when he said it. He just couldn't quite imagine this little girl in having any sort of sense when she was as jumpy as she was "But if you're that distraught, you're welcome to kiss it better." He mused before using his hand to motion for her to get in. "Now come on, I don't have all night little dove, and you probably need to get a home.."

While it may have been wrong to tease her, after all the work he'd done he felt he deserved at least this much. With his lips curving ever so slightly, he watched her face start to change another shade of red after his mention of the kiss. It was these reactions that made him want to tease her all the more. By the time she let him have it, he chuckled when she finally got into his car with a huff. He closed the door behind her.

Once he was seated in the drivers seat, Ambrose glanced over at her. "So my dear little dove, where am I taking you tonight?"

There was a lot in her that wanted to oppose him. But in the end she couldn't. He was her lifeline out of this corner of darkness, and so even as frightened as she was she had no choice but to follow him. He knew all of that from the beginning... But what he hadn't realized was how chatty she'd be. It was adorable if he thought about it. Everything about her was cute, especially when she was surprised. As he leaned against the open car door, Ambrose hues flickered. His smirk remaining devilish. "Oh, I'm sure you'll make due somehow, little dove." He continued use the nickname he christened her with, despite her opposition. "And of course you can, dove...perhaps we'll put that to test."

His eyes glittered at her defiance, lips continuing to carve themselves attractively into his granite features. When she still hadn't moved, he walked around the door and stood in front of her until she was backed up against his car. He was quick to notice her cheeks flush a deep red. It was such a pretty color. It seemed she had enough of his teasing though, as she soon expressed herself. 'I'm not a damn bird, you- you giraffe!' Oh? A single brow quickly arched in amusement as molten gaze bared down her. Not many had the guts to insult him to his face or lived to tell the tale, but for her... Well there was always room for an exception. "I'm a giraffe am I? That's a new one." His chuckle returning in devilish style. He continued to loom over her, though his gaze seemed more predatory then before. "That's cute, but I think a lion suits me better, no?" He hovered near her as he began to lean down. He only stopped when he heard the ruckus from before start up. 

"Tch.." He clicked his tongue at the interruption while he let her escape into his car. He followed not long after as he climbed into the drivers seat, pressing the start engine button and quickly left the scene. With the noise behind them, he leaned back into his seat before sparing a glance her direction. 'You can just drop me off at the Botanical Garden.' He didn't for a second believe that's where she lived, but he wasn't going to push her for any more information. If that's what she wanted him to know, then fine. "The botanical garden, huh..." He repeated her. "So you're telling me you're a nymph now..." He voiced bemusedly. "No wonder you smell so sweet." He couldn't help the teasing remark despite face barely twitching. He then leaned over her to his glove compartment to pull out a box of band aids. "Here." He dropped it in her lap. "You said you can use them, so how about putting one here." He then motioned to the bullet graze on his cheek. "Don't worry I won't bite." The corner of his mouth twitched, before he lifted his heavy shoulders in indifference. "No thanks needed..." It's not as though he'd done it out of the goodness of his heart anyway. Whether she knew it or not she would be paying him back.

"And you're probably right." He agreed, glancing over at her appearance. Khakis and polo shirt, it didn't exactly scream well off but even as disheveled as she was, there was no hiding the beauty behind it. He was sure with a little help, she'd shine more brilliantly than most of the woman he chose to associate with. Hm, there was a thought.. Though he didn't say anything, he'd file the thought for later. 

'My name is Ianthe,' His attention brought back at the mention of the Greek name. He looked at her again, this time more curious then the last. He looked back on the road. "Ianthe..." He let her name roll of his tongue to test it out. "Even if you're a violet flower, you're still a little dove to me." The stoic mask finally cracked into a casual smile. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel while he drove. "And I hadn't mentioned it, but I suppose for pleasantries sake and for thanks for the band aid I'll tell you." He mused. "It's Ambrose, Ambrose Drakos of Greece." The timbre of his voice dropping attractively low. 

He didn't have to look to know that she was well aware of him. That was good, it was as it should be. Though he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it. There was something about the young woman that he couldn't quite put his thumb on that drew him in. Nevertheless he'd mine his manners for now, but not without having some fun. As long as he didn't cross the line, he didn't see any reason why he couldn't provoke her attention.

"Weren't you ever told you shouldn't ask questions you don't want to know the answers to?" He chided his hazel vision sweeping over her. "Besides, I could say the same about you. It's not as though you belong here either..." His eyes then returned back to the scenery in front. Low lit flickering lights, and shadows at every corner. Neither of them belonged here. "Let's just say that we both weren't expecting to be where we were tonight, hm?" He hummed. 


And he left it at that. The drive to her home quiet from then on. With the speed he raced, it wasn't long before he parked outside the gardens, turning the engine off and locking the doors. He finally turned his head so that he could look at her. "What?" A single brow arched after seeing her surprise. "You didn't think I'd rescued you for free, did you?" He leaned forward towards her, just stopping inches from her face. "Let's talk about your payment, hmm.." He purred gently, breathing a warm sigh across the surface of her face. "don't worry it's nothing you can't do." He breathed an airy chuckle. "You're just gonna have to get spruced up a bit. I need a partner for a dinner event and you're gonna be my date, simple enough." He started to lean back, amused by her expression. She certainly was fun to tease. 

From the red of her cheek he chuckled casually. "What? Did you think I was gonna ask you for something else?" He mused in his inquire. "Or maybe you did want me to ask something else.." His voice dropped low into a murmur, tilting his head slightly to the side. "Hm..Maybe this little dove isn't so innocent after all." He teased her.

She had nowhere to run. Cornered behind locked doors, she had no leg to stand up on despite her tone of warning that pretended otherwise. She knew the risks when she had entered his car and yet here they were. He was in complete control of everything whether she liked it or not. In this time, she was at his complete mercy. While she defensively prepared herself. Ambrose simply smiled. He knew he had her. She could oppose him all she wanted, but there no doubt in his mind that she'd end up agreeing with him, albeit reluctantly. But she'd comply if she was smart.



It would seem she would need a little more convincing though. 'You, you chauvinist!' His brow arching elegantly up. He ended up covering his face with his palm to stifle his laughter. It was a good deal from his perspective; free clothing, a nice dinner, a party, but she continued to amaze him with an attitude that seemed determined to challenge him at every turn. Hovering closer, he rested his elbow on the arm rest. "Chauvinist? Sure, but at least I'm honest." His hazel oculars staring deeply into her eyes. He eventually pulled back, starting to fish out his cigarette case before loosely placing a cigarette at the end of his mouth. "On the other hand, I don't think I can do whatever I want. I know I can do whatever I please with you." His lighter lit up, catching the end of his cigarette. "If I recall, I was the one risking my life for you...I could've left you on those streets but here you are in my car..." He pointed out. "Face it dove, I don't need your money but I do need a date." He breathed, grey tendrils of smoke dancing towards her in a slow exhale.

Finding her easy to read, without missing a stride he pulled out a nice looking business card from his breast pocket, which read; Ambrose Drakos. "If you're so curious, feel free to google it..I have nothing to hide." He held the card between two of his fingers. Once she'd taken it he eventually tilted his head as if he were deep in thought. "Now my dear little dove, how about we just skip to the part where you agree to all this, hm? There's no point arguing."
She could argue all night if she wanted too, but it was clear he wasn't going to let her go in the meantime.

Waiting for an answer, he glanced at the clock in his car. "Tick tock dove, I may change your debt if you don't answer quickly." He spoke nonchalantly, taking a deep inhale. Begrudgingly after several moments, she finally agreed. 'One dinner, and you pay for whatever clothes I need. That's what I'll agree to. Nothing more.' Despite her bold speech, he could see her slight tremble. He chuckled at her display. "Of course dove...whatever you want." He decided to humor her before he finally unlocked the doors. With a click, she was free to leave, but before she did he spoke again. "I'll pick you up here two days from now...We'll meet right here at one." He decided. "So don't be late." He watched her leave after that, disappearing near the buildings entrance.

Two days came, and what a slow two days it'd been. Feeling almost eager. It'd been a while since the demi-god had found a mortal to pique his intrigue, live as long as he had and most mortals tended to become a blur. But this time was different...she was different. He could feel it. Though not to confuse his attention for affection, if it had to be described then the way he was drawn to her was like a child and it's new favorite toy. While most girls fell to their knees for him, she seemed to be fighting her attraction with tooth and claw...and it was exactly because that, that he'd decided she'd be his date. If not for the challenge she presented, she entertained him to no ends, and what more of a reason did then that did he need to invite her? If he had to endure another stuffy dinner, he might as well bring his own entertainment.

In the car his bright hues shifted to the clock. Decent time, neither late or early. Ambrose hummed to himself as he noted the gardens in the distance. It'd certainly be a shame if she decided to stand him up, but not the end of the world. With his connections, he could easily hunt his little dove down if he so pleased. He just hoped that she wouldn't make an unwise decision, especially after all the effort he put into planning today. 

Driving up to the the front, he'd noticed her standing nearby. Hm, so she hadn't stood him up, smart girl... Pulling up in front of her he rolled down his window and looked at her, lips quirked into a half-smile. "Well...you look...better then last time." His eyes deliberately grazing over her. "Shall we get going?" Though he asked, it's not as though she had choice in the matter. It was more a formality than anything. 

By the time she climbed into his car, he'd rolled the window back up. Still dressed to impress, he still wore a suit, though it was seemingly more casual with no tie and the top two buttons open for a more intimate peek of the olive flesh beneath. It was still professional. The charcoal suit overall silhouetting his fine manly figure to perfection, even while seated. Like a roman king in his castle; he was a force to be reckoned with; and he wouldn't let her forget.

A quiet drive, whether she was to intimidated to speak or was nervous overall, Ambrose offered sparing glances. "No need to be scared, dove, I won't eat you." He chuckled. "Though I can't say the same for the ladies in the shop...I'm sure they'll have lots of fun with you." He couldn't help but sound bemused. "They do love a good project.." His eyes wandering over her again, and lingering over her clothing.

[sorry if it sucks, had re-write this whole post again after the first one accidentally got lost before I could post it Dx]