Alain watched the clock as the front door of the Silver Mark Pub & Brewery swung shut behind Lt. O'Brien. 11:50. The bar was dark - Silas had enchanted the lamps to gradually dim from eleven 'til two a.m. - and now completely empty, save the detective behind the long counter and his dog Jean, curled up by the fire and snoring gently. 'Lanta had left nearly an hour ago, and in her absence the room lost the sense of cleanliness and order she often inspired.

The Mark was a pub well-suited to its owner, with a traditional brick front and a dark but cozy wooden interior, maybe more spacious than his usual dives, but as the bartender, Alain could keep an eye on everything (and everyone this way). It smelled constantly of cherry tobacco, enough to drown out the less pleasant aromas of beer and liquor thick in the air, and a few patrons joked that an ashtray was always within arm's reach. They weren't too far off, either. Dotting the bar and all the tables were a couple dozen ashtrays that looked made of Irish crystal, magicked by Silas to resist breaking.

The bar was not ironclad, but it had a few secrets and tricks up its sleeves. To the very sensitive, the aura of the place spoke gently of angels and demons, a near-daily skirmish between celestial forces. The cellar still felt dark and sinister, though not so much as it once did, while the bar had a strange air of protection that had come to inhabit the place over the last several months.

Alain had paused in his cleaning to revel in that peace, and then shook himself out of it. He rolled up the sleeves of his button-up shirt, took a quick look around the room, and picked up empty pint-glasses.

"Alain DeMuer," the man replied, a small smile tugging one corner of his mouth at Dean's words. "Think I've seen you around the Red Dragon a time or two. I run this place." Then he offered his right hand, the palm of it adorned with old burn scars, and the seal of House DeMuer tattooed on the back - within that encircled cross, an angelic symbol, among others... "Pleased to meet you, Dean." His hands were warm. He felt human enough.

"And yeah, we're still open... Think I'll keep her open for a couple hours or more, as long as there's customers." He looked thoughtfully at the door and windows and the still-deepening night, then back at Dean, more smile in his eyes than the rest of his face. His expressions tended to the more subtle, never quite open, always in some part reserved. "Well, you can stave off the RhyDin winter in here a while, at least until closing time - what can I get you to drink?"

Alain rolled up his sleeves and slung aside the rag he'd been using to wipe down the counter.

"Well met, Alain." His hand reaches out to grasp Alain's firmly for the moment. Of course the scars and tattoo are looked down at, his brow ticking up just a notch at that, but indeed Alain does seem human enough as it is. Dean doesn't ask, just observes the hand for a long moment, and then let Alain's hand go.

"Wonderful. Think some of my brothers and friends will be arriving soon too. I left them a message. Hope you don't mind a rowdy bunch." Giving Alain an apologetic smile, just in case it does get out of hand. With the Skulls Brotherhood, it can always be out of control. "Actually, I think I will just have some juice, if you have it?"

His attention is then drawn to the loud laughing coming from outside. Some of the girls. Dean shakes his head and turns when Ivy and Joey come inside. Chuckling under his breath, it is possibly going to get even more crazy now. So much for a quiet night? Not that Dean will mind, after all, he has been around the loud bunch for a long, long time.

He gave Ivy and Joey a welcomed smile once they moved on over towards them. "Joey and Ivy. This is Alain. Alain, these are a couple of my friends. Nice girls. Usually." Ivy gets a little bit of a look from Dean. She's trouble and he knows it, but a good girl under all the facade, in which he has promised to never tell anyone.

"Yeah, I left Nixon a message, figured they were done pub hopping and might come and hang out here with me, well.. us. Not sure who all will show up, could be interesting to wait and find out." He smiles back at Alain. "I should of came here sooner, I really like the look and feel of this place. Relaxing." He settles on a barstool, could be a long and eventful night, or until Alain has had enough and kicks them out.

Joey headed off towards where Alain pointed and after Ivy stopped making lovey dovey eyes at Alain in a horrible attempt to flirt, she jumped off the barstool and followed after Joey; of course only after Joey had to clear her throat and motion for her to come with like four times. Gees Ivy was oblivious! Giving one more bat of her eyelashes and she was off and too the bathroom which apparently was going to turn into girl talk. Why did girls choose dirty stinky bathrooms as the place to confess some of their most private feelings anyway. Ew.


?Oh my God! Have you no shame woman? You?re flirting. Control yourself!? Joey gave her a hard shake. ? You make it to easy. Play hard to get, at least a little bit.?

?Oh, I was not flirting. Not seriously. Just having fun. Besides, I?m holding out for someone else.?

?Like Ossss?? Said all sweet.

?No.? Ivy?s nose crinkled up. ? No, believe me that is so not happening. I?m pretty sure I scared the hell out of him the other night. Yeah. I moved from ?possible hot chick? to ?sister mode? in like five minutes flat. Pretty awesome.? Said dryly as she rolled her eyes. ? I?m no good at the relationship stuff. I always screw it up.?
?So why don?t you take a lesson from a seasoned veteran? Hmm?? Joey pointed to herself and grinned.

?Joey, you?re like twelve.?

?Am not, add like six? seven years to that."

?Oh boy. Let me bow down to the Love Guru.?

?Shut up. Maybe if you weren?t such a biatch all the time you?d get some.?

?Oh you?re one to talk. Your boyfriend is scared of you.?

?Exactly. Make them fall for you first, then be a biatch.? She snickered. Of course they were both joking around. Both had that slightly wannabe tough girl thing going on, but Joey failed miserably at it and Ivy wasn?t far behind.

?Anyway, seriously, just calm down and be yourself stop being so jittery and stuff. I think some of the guys might show up and just let them see what a cool chick you are. ?Ivy nodded and leaned against the wall while Joey washed off the back of her legs.

?Hurry up, I need more beer if I?m going to make an attempt at being myself.? Ivy?s nostrils flared as she snickered.

? Ya ya. I?m coming.? Drying off her hands, Joey slipped her arm through Ivy?s and lead her back out. ?Breathe.?

?I am!? With a nudge to Joey?s side.

Both girls smiled as they took their seats once again. ?Thanks for the drinks.?

It didn't take long for the detective to put two and two together... He grinned: "You're in some kind of fraternity, aren't you." The alternative - fifty brothers, none blood-related - was a gang, but it seemed pretty far from likely.

Alain smiled at the girls as they returned, said "Sure thing" to their thank-you, but it was a distracted kind of smile, as he soon turned back to the pictures behind the bar.

"Most of these people are my co-workers," he said, and nodded to a picture of several men and a few women, widely ranging in age and build, piled into and around the back of an old military supply truck, posing for the picture. Most of them were wearing guns - old rifles, pistols, even assault weapons. "That was taken three or four months ago in the garage of S.P.I.'s security division, our security contracting branch in the Old Temple District. That's Frank Paszinski," he added, nodding to the middle-aged gruff-looking man with an arm slung loosely around Alain in the picture, both of them smoking cigars. "He's the glue that keeps that place together now. Ex-Marine sergeant, likes to give everyone a hard time.

"And that," indicating the pregnant woman off to the side with noticeably French features, "is AJ, the Division secretary. Loves sticky notes. She gave birth to twins not too long ago. The purple-haired one is Cassie, my partner and ex-girlfriend - never get on her bad side - and beside her is Amir Wong." Amir looked Chinese or at least part-Chinese; he had a slender case locked and propped up against his side... Looked a lot like a rifle case. "...He does reconaissance and surveillance for the Division."

And then he moved on to another picture, one in which Alain, again smoking a cigar and looking pretty pleased with himself, was flanked by a young man in his thirties in a grey wool uniform carrying a musket and a saber, and a woman whose age was hard to place, wearing the characteristic blades of the Scathachian Sisters and a goofy, toothy grin not quite fitting the menacing rest of her. "That's me again with Lt. O'Brien of the West End Watch, and Trixie McAllister of the Scathachian Sisters. Must've been taken about a year ago, when we coordinated a few West End patrols..."

Finally he settled on one last picture, putting his hand against the corner. It was a younger Alain - his hair was longer, his clothing more modern, even what you might imagine people might wear in a futuristic society, and there was no sign of the scars that now peppered his body - with his arm around a girl several years younger than him, very petite but sharing a number of features with her brother, the same kind of European handsomeness. "That's me with my sister, Shannon. She's here in RhyDin City along with a few of my cousins, but I don't see too much of them anymore."

He grinned at Dean, then at the two girls. "Hope I didn't bore you guys... Kind of easy to get caught up in a story."

Nodding to Alain. "Fraternity is the best way to describe it. Yes. Huge band of brothers and friends. Family." Tattooed fingers idly curling around the bottle of juice as he talks with Alain.

Dean watched Alain as he went about pointing out pictures behind the bar, giving details about who all is in them. Of course Dean pays very close attention and is interested. Lift of a dark brow, it seems that there is quite the colorful bunch of people together. Smile tugs at the corner of his lips to word of twins being born. Since he will soon have another of his own, children always make him smile.

Another small nod, mental note to not get on Cassie's bad side. "I got it." Chuckling and taking a sip of the juice he had been holding tightly for so long. Glancing to the last picture of Alain much younger and a sibling next to him. "Must be difficult to not see your family much. I am constantly surrounded by mine, I couldn't imagine it any other way. But I do know that there are usually reasons behind family departures, or that ones have lives to live."

Shaking his head at Alain, waving a hand to dismiss that Alain had bored him. "No, not at all. I rather enjoy stories." Side glance to the girls and his brows knit for a brief moment. "Well I did just hear Nix out there, why don't you go drag him in." Grinning at Ivy. "I'm not sure Rian is with them, however. I didn't see him, but he could always show up. Last I saw him, he was practicing at the studio." Apologetic look to Joey, in case Rian doesn't show up.

Turning his attention back to Alain with a smile. "What all does the Division provide, if I might ask?" Obviously still very interested as he adjusts on the barstool to get himself more comfortable. "I don't mean to pry, but I see weapons, and you speak of security. Security is something that is always needed. Do you have bodyguards or systems for large compounds perhaps?" In Rhydin, better safe than sorry. "Or is this something not offered to the public?"

More yelling from outside.. "Would ya help me and stop laughin'!" Which can only sound like Nixon, that Southern accent thick, even when yelling. He was hefting Oliver up on his back, or attempting to. "Ash, get his legs, he's slipping.. Ah shit, he did." Loud laughter and scuffling sound. A glance out the window would show a guy in all black, throwing his hands up in the air, a creepy bunny jumping around and pointing, and finally a blond fellow laying on the ground.

"Ge' his legs!" Nixon just happen to be the more slightly sober of the two. Ollie had obviously passed out, but managed a few groggy. "What the hells bells?" Mumbles. Ashton on the other hand, even in that creepy bunny suit, is wobbling to and fro. Snickering and pointing still at Nixon and Oliver, but eventually goes to help grab up the incoherent Ollie's legs. "Grea', now le' me ge' his arms and we heft 'em over to the place." Jerking a thumb towards the door.

Nixon grabbing for Oliver's arms, in the mean time getting a few smacks to his face. Grumbling at Oliver. "Stop tha'!" Once both the psycho bunny and man in black get a hold of the blond one, they burst through the door. Hefting him over to a chair, staggering and Ollie gets a few hits to the head by chairs as they passed them.

Nothing of course can be seen through the bunny head, he is fully covered head to toe with white bunny fur. But the snickering can surely be heard even with the head on. As Oliver is settled on the chair, Nixon turns and grins at them all. "We are here! Oliver is a little tipsah." Point at Oliver, who's head clunks to the table, out cold. More snickering and laughing from the bunny who starts making his way to the bar and giving all the others a thumbs up, with claw like fingers.

"I couldn' ge' Ash to dress normal todah'." Nixon shakes his head and watches as the 'bunny Ashton' climbs onto one of the barstools, slipping a few times, bunny fur was not made to be sat upon as such. "Dean.. I did my bes', but these two are hopeless." Flashing Dean a apologetic grin before slapping the sleeping Ollie on the back of his head.

Oliver's head pops up and looks around wild eyed. "What?" Then clunk back down onto the table, out cold.

"Yea, like I said.. I did try." Nixon chuckles and moves his way to the bar and sitting next to Ashton, wink at the girls even. "Evenin'."

Ashton pops off the bunny head to reveal he really is 'human looking' under there and settles a wide smile for all. "Sup?"

Dean sat there, leaning more on the bar, fingers curled around his juice and listening attentively to Alain speaking. Nodding at the appropriate times to let the man know that he is indeed still listening and interested.

Though as the young slender man came over and spoke with Alain, Dean gave them both a pleasant smile then turned to give them a bit of privacy, not that the language spoken didn't play along his ears. Attention on the ladies at the bar. "You can always call Rian, Joey. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Besides, he wasn't that busy when I last saw him."

Once Alain was done speaking with the young man, he looks back over and gives a dismissive wave with a tattooed hand. "Don't worry about it. The fraternity is a large compound, not far from here, actually. In a different part of town, however, I suppose you could call it a town of itself. Rather large. Many of us living there, various houses, always more being built, and more family, children, and brothers moving in. Always changing. Gage would have a better way of explaining it. My little brother, he handles the technical side of things and security, he is always looking for more ways to keep the compound safe. I'm just the peacemaker." Chuckling.

Dean's shoulders lift slightly but his head turns quickly to hear some of his brothers outside. Shaking his head when the door bursts open and there they are. Ashton in the rabbit suit gets a louder chuckle. "Alain, these are a few of my brothers. This is Nixon, the so called Southern Charmer. The passed out one is Oliver, or Ollie, don't try his special brownies unless you know they are special. And the rabbit is Ashton." Glancing back to Alain with a smile. "Sometimes they can be a little.. well. Crazy kids."

Nod to Nixon. "It's alright, at least all three of you are here and hardly harmed, though Oliver will be hurting in the morning, that's for sure." Agreeing with Joey, though when Ivy mentions stripping Oliver, Dean is laughing even louder.

Upnod to Alain, by Ashton. "Nice ta meet ya, dude. Cha." Who is already had his fair share of drinks before they showed up here. But he wouldn't stop from drinking more, hell naw! "Strongest thing you got, bro!"

Nixon's brow quirked up at Ashton and he chuckled along with it, nodding to Alain as well. "Hey, man."

Ash gives Ivy a two fist thumb up to the brilliant idea of stripping Oliver and setting him up with a blow up doll. "He already owns one! They all do, though I don't, cha, naw, I have to keep my sanity about me." All the while still dressed in that bunny suit? Cha.

Snort and laughter comes from Nixon while he shakes his head. "I'll take some water. Tryin' ta be the designated walka' here. Have to git the guys back in one piece. Maybe make tha' a two waters, pour it down Ollie's throat." Snickering under his breath.

Oliver on the other hand is slowly coming to, and turning his head on the table with a groan. "Damn.. wha is goin' on.. " Drowsy eyes open to look at the bar and a half bunny man? He doesn't remember partying with a half bunny man. Takes time to register who it is then he starts laughing and boom, out again.

Ashton turns when he hears Oliver mumbling something or other and both brows perk up. "He lives! No, never mind, he's gone again." The laughing that soon follows makes the barstool well, extremely slippery with fur, Ashton goes tumbling to the floor and laughs even louder.

"Oh man." Nixon slaps his forehead with his palm. "Maybeh I need ta git 'em home before they demolish the place or worse, streak. I've seen enough bare bottoms from these two."



And Dean? He's watching all of this and sending apologetic smile after apologetic smile to Alain. "They get like this. Nix, thanks for watching out for them. I appreciate it." Ashton falling to the ground does cause some laughter from Dean. He is off his own chair to reach down and grab the bunny Ashton and pull him up. "Alright you guys, take it easy." A pat to the top of Ashton's already messy head of hair.

Dean keeps his brother leaning on him while he moves to the bar, Ashton is still a laughing mess and giving silly grins over at the girls. "Well, Alain, if you are ever around the neighborhood, feel free to stop by. It's not always like this.." Laughing softly.

Nixon shakes his head, muttering under his breath. "Yes, it is. I mean, no problem Dean. What's a brotha for?" Twisting around off the stool to grab Oliver up under his arms and hefting the passed out brother up. "I'll take this en home. Ya'll have a fantastic nigh' and nice meetin' ya, Alain. Nigh' ladies and bros. While he stumbles and drags him and Oliver on out the door.

"Be safe, Nixon, Oliver." Dean watches while Nixon takes Oliver out, and cringes when they both take a tumble right out the door, but a loud 'We're fine!' causes a shake of his head and a soft chuckle. Glance back to everyone, while still keeping Ashton standing, somewhat, since the bunny started snickering and laughing all over again. "Yeah.. "