nevena was closing down the bar after a seemingly endless night. for once, she was craving a drink herself. she poured out a shot, before spotting a straggler sat alone at the other end of the bar. she held the bottle of tequila up as in the form of an offering. “wanna keep me company? it’s on the house, as long as you don’t tell the boss.” @eclatantstart
it wasn’t uncommon to see raphael like this, deep in thought, sitting in a chair while he reads a message from one of the soldiers. what is unusual is the dark bruise on the right side of his face and the small, barely - healed cut. he’s never been known as the type to get into fights ( though god knows he’s been in many ) , never been known for bloody knuckles or broken noses or anything other than a cold quiet.
he looks up after he feels someone’s eyes linger on him for a moment too long, turning his head. “ what? “ raphael asks. “ if it’s about the bruise, you should see the other guys. “ there’s no arrogance there, no pride, his tone factual and words brief, to the point as always.
the sight of a bloodied up gang member is something nevena is used to, his tone not so much. she raises her eyebrows a little to mask her frustration. without a word, she places a bucket of ice in front of the gentleman - next to a plastic bag and a towel. “help yourself. i’m in no position to judge.”
she turns back to the bar, her slight frame reaching desperately for a bottle of cognac on the top shelf, to no avail. whoever moved the stools from behind here was a damn fool. but she gives up the ghost, turning her attention to raphael again. “let me help you.” she expertly bundles up the ice and towel, before hovering her hand towards his face. “may i?”
The light music in the background was a good melody, he wasn’t exactly paying attention to it though. He had his laptop out sitting on one of the tables in the cornrer. The joint he’d had before he came in was starting to wear off and he was getting irritated at the system in front of him. “If I stare at this for one more minute I’m going to go crazy. Tell me you need help with something. Or… anything.” Nathan wasn’t good with people, but he’d been going through wall and wall of code on this and he needed some kind of break. @eclatantstart
clearing glasses from tables hardly made the most entertaining work, so nevena didn’t mind all that much when someone tried to strike up conversation. it was rare that someone would bring work into eclatant - at least the kind that required a laptop, anyway. placing her tray down on his table, she offered a polite, if not forced, smile. “do you fancy something to drink, sir? maybe a whisky, scotch... even a cocktail? everyone deserves a break at some point.” the irony rang true, her break was well over half an hour overdue.
( nina dobrev, twenty seven, cisfemale, she/her ) i’ve heard more than my share of whispers about NEVENA NIKOLOV, you know — word on the street is the HETROSEXUAL SCORPIO works as a/an BARTENDER, and they have a reputation of being + ALLURING and + PASSIONATE but also - IMPULSIVE and - INCONSIDERATE. well, would you look at that? they’re entering club éclatant as we speak. clear lipgloss, martini glasses and flirtatious eye contact.
born to two illegal immigrants to the us, nevena was raised on the core belief that hard work would get you whatever you wanted. her parents ran a deli and they lived above the shop. everything was work orientated in her childhood; for as long as she could remember, they were a business. not a family.
her mother passed away from pneumonia - the deli not bringing in another money to foot the bill. her father became cold and distant.
it sent nevena into the typical life of an american teenager; illegal partying. drugs, drinks, sex... this reckless behaviour began to be the only thing that made her feel alive. her father only noticed if it impacted on his business.
when she became twenty-one, her father made it clear that he wanted her out of his home. he was interrupted by her coming home in the early ours, or bringing company round. it was time for her to stand on her own two feet.
having only just scraped a high school diploma, nevena was hardly the most desirable of employees. she began bar work. a pretty face and a taste for alcohol made the career path almost too logical.
it wasn’t until she was twenty four that she discovered eclatant and all it had to offer. a higher pay rate, easier access to excitement; drugs, the mafia underworld it was concealing. her impulsive and passionate nature lead her right to the devil’s lair.
wanted connections:
hook-up turned something more (feels and angst), fwbs, one night stands, regulars at the bar, her roommates (two of ‘em), frenemies, best friends, enemies, ex’s... all of the good stuff.
areudirty
blakekathryn
andulkaphoto
2087
gummygunk
ellievsbear
snowghoul
