Hell's Halo

Lara Ceyda Yildiz

[zebani-x]

❥ Lara Ceyda Yildiz  ❝Zebani❞ ❥ She/Her ❥ 34 ❥ Jolly Rogers ❥ Club Owner  ❥

❝ 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒓. ❞

𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐮  -  𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨  -  𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭  -   𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭  -  𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬  

𝚎𝚡𝚝𝚛𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 :     𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑'𝖘 𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖔   ➸   𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭  -  𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭

[fuffygifs]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer | 4.16 “Who Are You?”

[whiskeysplace]

[zebani-x]

malachixliddell​:

It was news to him that she had laid claim on the table he sat at so comfortably, news that was as quickly discarded as it was announced. His ankle crossed over his knee, arm lounging on the arm of his chair while he grinned to himself, an expression that traveled with him as the waiter arrived. “Vodka tonic for me. French 76 for her. That’s all for now.”

Before the visitor even turned his back on them, Malachi had turned his head back to look at her. Not one drop of concern had inched its way from her onto him. Casually, his hand lifted from its perch, fingers tangling on the edge of the tablecloth, drawing it up to reveal a part of the table underneath. “Nope,” was popped from his mouth as the fingertips dropped the fabric from their hold, letting his arm fall back to its resting spot. “No name there.” Should’ve left it behind if she was going to make it hers. “Want me to reach over and have a look on your side to be sure?”

.

There it was again; his actions provoking a look of confusion teaming with incredulity across her features. Eyebrows shooting up once more as he not only continued to remain seated and order his drink, but also ordered hers for her as well. Before she could think of something to say, when really, she should have explained to the waiter the situation at hand, he was already making quick steps away from their table. Stunned into silence again she watched, eyes trailing from his face to his hand as the table cloth was lifted and then back to his face. The words following out of his mouth had her rolling her eyes in disbelief and shaking her head again.

"I- " Lara began, a slight stutter as she was completely aghast at his lack of concern. "I- No! I'm sorry, is this some kind of joke? Am I being set up or something?" One had to wonder. "I'm not going stand for this." And as she spoke, she stood abruptly and marched across the room until she reached a waiter. The conversation held between her and the wait staff was kept low, the occasional glare thrown back towards the table she had just come from, whilst she explained what had happened. As the quiet conversation with the waiter continued Lara's features fell, from confident albeit irritated, to defeat. Whilst the waiter attempted to profusely apologize Lara shook it off. Almost looking crestfallen, she made her way back to the table, planting herself into the seat opposite with a little huff. "Apparently there was a mix up with bookings, and there are no other tables. It seems as though we'll be forced to endure each other's company if neither one of us leaves." She threw him a pointed look as if to repeat her previous argument about how he should leave and let her have the table.

[zebani-x]

[zebani-x]

malachixliddell​:

Malachi’s own phone was perched up in his hand, wrist on his thigh beneath the table as his thumb strolled the financial news. It was in his peripheral he could keep his surroundings contained, the movements of the waitstaff, the raised glasses of the fellow patrons, even the walks of women that were crossing into his orbit. Every step she made grew closer, letting his eyes lift up from the screen fully. His phone clicked off, black screen, hand twisting it around absentmindedly as he looked her over, appraising her.

She was a stranger. Strangers came without trust and without being liked, but they came regardless all the time. Not many of them sat down opposite of him without a word, causing a brow of his to rise, awaiting something to come from her. When her voice finally came, he reacted subtly, barely any change to note. “Could’ve just given me your number if you were looking for a chat. Seems to work better for you.” His head gave a vague nod to her phone, a glance at the kind, the wonder of what had been on the screen to keep her so distracted.

His hand raised, the wave to the table’s waiter while his eyes remained on her. “Going to need a drink if you’re staying.”

.

She didn’t falter, even in the face of his arrogance. Eyebrows raised in uniform as if to say are you serious? followed by a bewildered look around, playing the part of a confused woman wondering what was happening. As her eyes move back to the man sitting opposite she’s quiet, seeming a little unsure of what else to say. Watching him raise his hand to signal for a waiter had her lips parted and her jaw went slack as if she couldn’t believe his actions.

“You are being serious.” her tone was one of disbelief.  Shaking her head at the situation they both found themselves in she continued, “I’m staying, you’re leaving. This is my table, so I don’t know why you think you think you can swoop in and take it. I’ve had this reservation for months, I got here first, so yes, I’ll have a drink, but not with you. You’ll have to find another table.” Lips pursed together as she finished, set sat back in her chair confidently as she waited for him to leave or present his own argument.

[whiskeysplace]

[tessgifs]

demet özdemir dünyayla benim aramda

[zebani-x]

thecrookedhand​:

If anyone else had made such a comment Eliza would have been angry or at the very least suspicious. But this was Lara and that made it very different from how she’d act from others. So when Lara smirked Eliza gave a gentle smile of her own before shaking her head glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “No, I don’t doubt people will be looking at the trail and seeing who goes looking. Too likely to get caught.”

.

“You make it seem like you doubt my skills, Eliza,” Lara spoke in jest. It was as though it were okay to say anything, as if there weren’t  any consequences for the things that just slipped out. There was an impish nature that could not be squashed in Lara, but she meant well and when it came down to the real stuff, she was dependable. “I don’t doubt you though. Is this something we need to worry about?”  Until told otherwise Lara would continue as normal, as though nothing had happened because ultimately this wouldn’t affect her unless it affected the rest of them.

[zebani-x]

calvinxlucas​:

-

      “ Ouch. ” He wasn’t dissuaded. The easy smile that he slid onto his lips didn’t falter. Cal shifted in slight, turned himself to be more conversational as he leaned against the bar top, fresh drink in hand. He even toasted in her direction before swallowing the contents of the drink back —whether it was mean to be sipped and enjoyed would live in the aether for the rest of time. The glass would have clinked if it wasn’t for the waning bass, and Cal turned his attention back to his gracious hostess. “ So you provided me alcohol to keep me from passing out from dehydration. Makes perfect sense. ” It didn’t, but if it’s what she wanted to assure then he’d buy into it. There was no hint of disagreement in his tone, just that amused something in his expression.

      The club worked on many fronts for him - a means to relax, but he’d done more than his fair share of picking up company for the night (and the night only) within its confines. If she had been sincere in her insult he wouldn’t take it personally —he didn’t strike home every time he swung at the bat, but striking out just meant trying elsewhere. When she spoke again he turned his attention to the dance floor, considering it for a moment against the smooth transition of music from one song to another, even a slight cant to his head as if he were some cartoon for children to enjoy. “ I’ll accept your offer. You can make it up to me, for hurting my feelings a few seconds ago. ”

      Shit-eating could best describe the grin that curved his lips. He offered his hand out to her, the offer to escort her out into the throng of bodies —he’d push his way through with her attached and see them to a spot that felt right. “ We’ll see if you can keep up, hm? ”

.

Her logic was flawed, but there was no real thought behind it other than the excuse to strike up conversation, or what little there could be as their voices were mostly drowned out by the music. “No one said it had to make sense.” she quipped back followed by another final long sip of her drink before placing the empty glass back down.  Although she remained in place with her side leaning against the bar and elbow resting on top, her head turned towards the centre of the main room where they stood. Her eyes followed the trail of his gaze to the packed-out dance floor.  It was still considered early and the crowd wouldn’t disperse for a while, but that only it made it more appealing to Lara – to be in the thick of it, feeling the energy of the crowd as each beat brought them to life.

There was a moment where she wanted to stick out her bottom lip and pout as if to mock him, but she refrained the expression. Instead opting for a slight eye roll whilst that light-hearted half smile remained.  He was accepting her offer so she decided to roll with it since his grin appeared to reflect her own mischievous nature back at her.

“Oh I can keep up,” Lara assured in a confident tone. She pushed off of the bar before she placed her hand in his. “You might have been here a few times this week, but I guarantee you haven’t lived on this dance floor as much as I have.”  This wasn’t a challenge for her, for him maybe, but for her she was just searching for someone to have fun with, a fleeting moment just for one night.  

[zebani-x]

jabberwocksx​:

closed starter : @hellshalo​

when/where: tate modern + after plot drop 

if there as one thing cassian was a pro at – it was dealing at the various clubs around london. even ones in … jolly rogers territory. it was fairly easy, especially when many of the customers had drank half their body weight in alcohol. made them more willing to make bad decisions, it didn’t help he would always offer to try it with the first timers. call it being invested.    ever since veronica passed away, his evenings were spent at the red rose, at any of the clubs or strangers apartments. not being able to spend a night in an apartment that still had all of her belongings. 

“i think this is the first time i’ve seen you … without a strobe light flashing in your face.” a light chuckle as he leans against the bar towards the back of the event. let it be cassian to be acting so .. unbothered by the news that had just dropped.  a lot of things lately didn’t bother him like they used to, it was worrisome to everyone but him. placing the empty bourbon glass on the counter, hues looking over at lara’s. “so, who’s holding down hell’s halo?” the jabberwock motioning for another drink. “you think we can ditch this shitstorm and head over there?” 

.

“I hope you’re not too disappointed.”  Lara brings her hands up to either side of her face as if to frame it, a playful smile on her face showing she doesn’t take herself too seriously in present company. As her hands drop and she sits back in the bar stool she continues. “I don’t need to babysit the club every night. It’s in capable hands.” As it always was when Lara wasn’t there. The beauty of paying someone to do most of the work allowed her to enjoy the club for what it was. It also gave her time away to do other things, and the other things weren’t normally art exhibitions, but that was where she found herself this current evening. It was the first time she’d also seen Cassian outside of Hell’s Halo. As much as exhibitions and art wasn’t on her list of interests, she didn’t expect it would be on his either. “Why, are you bored already?” Lara asks, small falling into an almost knowing smirk.

[zebani-x]

corinaxmarroquin​:

-

      “ Is anyone surprised that the mayor is corrupted? ” Amusement tinted her tone more than it should have, the corners of her lips upturned. “ I’m more interested in the shit that stirs up because of it. ” Rina hung around like bees to flowers, nearly draping herself over Lara’s shoulders. She could play the part of an accessory well (and had, on a few occasions), though that wasn’t the role she fulfilled tonight. The closeness Rina and Lara shared was well-enjoyed, something gentle to consider in the rough and tumble world they lived in. Despite that, despite the buzz around them, she stood maybe too-close to her friend, leaned against her shoulder to read the screen instead of pulling her own phone out.

      “ Poor cousin. ” An after-thought, thoughtless comment. It wasn’t a widely known fact, but there was little that Lara didn’t know about Rina anyway. There was something electric about the energy it brought, though. She could ride the high of it for the rest of her life, if it was possible. “ He looks so happy in the photo, too. Imagine being that happy being a criminal? ” 

  .

"Sixteen years ago, I would have said I’d be surprised." That level of corruption within the government was only in the movies, not reality, or so she would have thought when young and naive. Lara tilted the phone for Rina to have a better view of the article splayed across the screen.  Closeness was never considered to be a nuisance or invasive. Rina was one who knew Lara all too well.

"Imagine," Lara's eyes lit up with something similar to amusement at the thought. It didn't take much for her to imagine though, her life had hardly followed the straight and narrow path. Perhaps it would have if certain unexpected tragedies didn't derail her plan as soon as adult life had begun. It was hard to imagine that she may have been a straight A student, perhaps entering a career revolving around software development or data analysis. Thankfully her skills and willingness to learn in any environment was what made her successful after the crooked hand paid her that first visit. That, and she was desperate. But she was happy, she had no regrets. “You’re not happy?” head turned towards friend she questioned with concern.

[zebani-x]

aoife-liddell​:

Aoife was one of not many who didn’t bother to take out their phone and check what the fuss was about. If she had to guess it wasn’t something she wanted her nose in. If it was anything too pressing she’d surely hear about it later anyway. A roll of her eyes and she went back to her drink momentarily until someone opted to speak up. “Everyone always wants money. It’s always about money,” Aoife pointed out. The rich wanted to be richer and the poor killed themselves to get even a little. For her money wasn’t a huge deal. If she was sinking too much then her parents swooped in with the save. At least they did until recently so she wasn’t sure if that stood anymore. “It’s the kind of thing that stirs the pot for a minute and then it’ll die down like it didn’t happen. Then it’ll be paranoia city again. I’m not worrying.”

.

“That’s the media for you. A vicious cycle designed to make us live in fear. They’ll soon move onto the next big scandal.” Lara wasn’t worried, at least not as much as she probably should be about the repercussions of the latest news. Until directly impacted she’d hold off on worrying because panicking now would achieve nothing. Besides, shit rolls down hill and it had a long way to roll before reaching her.  “Being motivated by money isn’t always a bad thing though.” she commented, almost as if she was being defensive over the comment, perhaps it started to touch a nerve. “I can’t help but wonder what this was worth though.” Lara added as a brow quirked, attention still focused on her phone.

[zebani-x]

eilidhodea​:

Eilidh was never one to keep up with the news, in fact the only reason she hadn’t deleted the app of off her phone from the word go had been to get the football results for any matches her beloved Celtic played that she didn’t get to catch on tv. But still, like everyone else in the place, her phone lights up — all bells and whistles — and unlike everyone else, Eilidh greets it only with half a shrug as she slips her phone back into her bag.

She doesn’t care. Didn’t even really look at it all long enough to have more than a passing idea of what had just happened, certainly had no idea. But then everyone was talking about it and even those she knew to be fun were all pulled in by… well whatever had just happened.

“Okay but like what does it all even mean, like who even cares?”

  .

Lara reacts with a small laugh to Eilidh, and overall realized how oblivious she must be to all that is really going on around. It’s cute if not a little naive in Lara’s opinion, but perhaps that was because she was so embedded into that life that she couldn’t help but notice it more. Until she’d met the boss of the Jolly Rogers Lara had been just as oblivious, but that was such a long time ago now, she almost forgot what it was like be unaware of the city's criminal underworld.

“I think it means some powerful people have just been exposed for being naught boys”  Lara clicks her tongue as she shakes her head, her eyes still on her phone as she takes it all in. “Some people care, I guess. Politics not your thing?”   She adds before taking a sip of the champagne flute.

[zebani-x]

thecrookedhand​:

Once the shock began to were off Eliza could feel some rage beginning to build. Or at the very least frustration. So when she heard Lara speak she just scoffed holding onto her wine glass slightly tighter. She’d spent the majority of the time as The Crooked Hand under this alliance and although she’d begun growing bored this wasn’t how she expected it to go. “Mm, I suppose quite a few people will be looking for who it is.”

.

Lara’s eyes darted straight up from her phone and in the direction of Eliza. Realizing she may have said the wrong thing around the wrong person she immediately locked her phone and shoved it back into the pocket of her jacket. A small smirk came to her lips as Eliza spoke, as if it was a challenge for Lara. "I mean, I could dig around a little if you need me to.” Lara was quick to offer up any sort of help. Sure she’d love the glory of being the one to have uncovered such juicy gossip, but in the end this could effect them all. “There is bound to be a digital paper trail, even just a little one." - An email sent to the source, a transfer of funds, payment for proof of such agreement existing - if Lara could find a hint it could lead to the leak.

[zebani-x]

thomas-yamada​:

“Really? You wish you were responsible for exposing that?” If it had been kept a secret for so long, hadn’t it been for a good reason? Sure enough, discretion was not fun, but this was all they had to do to avoid jail time. Now, what would become of them? Police officers would become nosy again, the government would make it a priority to hunt them down and there wouldn’t be one corner of London for them to hide in. But apparently that was ok.

He didn’t even care that much about it. As far as he was concerned, chaos was a lot more interesting to get lost into than a series of rules.

“Sorry, it has been a long shift,” he pressed his lips together and gave his face a vigorous rub. “Ugh, this day really is the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it?”

  .

It stirred the pot, created chaos. Something akin to a grenade being dropped whilst Lara was standing on the side-lines, watching on as it detonated in front of them. Sure enough she would eventually feel the blast, but she wasn't the one who was in the direct vicinity of the explosion, so she wasn't fazed by it one bit.  

A sideways glance was cast in his direction as the corner of her lips pulled up into a smirk. "To this kind of dirt, yeah, why not." Lara shrugged as if the contents of the news were irrelevant. Lara was more impressed with whoever had uncovered the agreement and curious about how they'd found it. Something like this would have been buried deep, uncovering it would be something that someone like her would take pride in.

"Don't worry about it.” Lara let it roll off her back, understanding that since the news broke tension would be high among most people. “It’s not all that bad.” She added as she raised her champagne flute, “I missed the food, but at least the champagne is decent.”  

[zebani-x]

calvinxlucas​:

-

      There were some places that Cal went to escape. Too much noise in his head had him prone to irritability - it did not bode well for anyone caught in his direct line of fire, and too often sequestering himself in his home resulted in going stir crazy. He’d traveled to Germany once, briefly, and fallen in love with the music scene there. Clubs that came alive at night, thrumming with deep bass and neon lights, a life outside of the busy-ness that any one of the members might have known in their day lives. Suits had been shirked and traded for mesh tops, maybe body paint if the night called for it, something more free and less akin to the ball and chain way of life. He’d brought that feeling back home with him, chased it like it was liquor needing to be quelled with a sweet something after, and made it familiar.

      He liked it here. A one-time trip to test the waters had turned into habit … never a set schedule but whenever he had the time to spare and the desire to lose himself in music … to be someone else. He occupied space somewhere on the floor, lost in the sea of bodies all shifting and moving in rhythm to the ever-changing music. If he closed his eyes he could imagine the feeling of those songs as they changed and became something else, the transition a period where he could hear himself breathing until it all picked back up again. By the time he waded back to the bar at any given night his hair was slicked against his forehead, soaked for the body heat and effort it took to keep up with the music (but god, he loved it, he was alive). Like now, where he traveled from the floor to the bar to wet his whistle and get some liquid in him that wasn’t escaping from any exposed piece of skin (and with a fishnet shirt it was quite a lot). 

      “ Close, ” he answered, loud-enough to be heard over the song but not quite at the point he needed to shout, “ Maybe add a few more visits to that, you’ll be closer. ” Drink was easily accepted, he nodded in thanks before taking a mouthful and setting the glass back down. Thirsty was an understatement —he looked like he’d been through it, as if he’d occupied a space on the floor since the club opened that night and only now stopped to give himself a break. “ You buy everyone you see here often a drink or am I special? ”

.

Repeat customers were good for business – a telling sign that she must be doing something right to draw people in night after night. The aesthetic, the atmosphere, the bar choice along with the carefully selected dj’s or the occasional live act all had a part to play in making her club. The dj’s were often hand-picked by herself, though she had to take some other opinions in to broaden her own small range of favorites.  

Lips pressed into a line an almost sympathetic look shined in her eyes as she looked back at him. “You’re not special,” she spoke as she shook her head to answer him, “You seemed to really go for it on the dance floor and I can’t have you passing out in my club. It’d bring down the atmosphere. I’m just making sure you stay hydrated.” Lara finishes as her glass comes back up to her lips, the curve of a more playful smile barely hidden behind the edge of the glass as she took a long drink of the dark rum watered down by the soda it was mixed with.  

There were those dear to her who would get drinks free of charge. They were the people she would surround herself with more often than anyone else, people that she respected and trusted, whether that be through years of friendship earned or common experiences that brought them closer.  Usually, Lara would be with them in the area sectioned off to the side, slightly elevated to see over the crowd, an area large enough to dance as the beat to which ever dj's set was playing vibrated through the floors. Her VIP section couldn't be bought into, rather it was a place that had to be earned. She let very few in to that section.  

Her reason hidden behind puckish remark needn't stay hidden. She had noticed him on the dance floor and whilst making her observation she thought he looked to be having fun, perhaps someone she could have fun with. “If you’re heading back there, do you want some company?”