[Ace's] crash into me [tag; Natasha]

“Whatever you say, on a good day with me sober I would be counting this as a win.”

Dom’s laughter filled the air as the pool stick was rested on the table, the sleeves of his sweater up to his elbows. Here he could be the man who had been marked. He could be the sympathizer who played both sides because here everyone knew the man behind the stories. It had been in these walls that the man had found his footing, in these walls that he’d meet the one woman who would break him. A strong had grabbed the glass of beer from the edge of the previously used table. “Well, come on then.” He called out as he took the stairs up to the bar area two at a time. His smile lit up his face as he stepped into the room, the atmosphere as homey as ever. There were men shouting about Quidditch in a far corner, a conversation that looked far too dangerous to join. The bar was nearly without a single seat. DOM!!! came the voices of those who knew him, a hand rising to wave as he slipped between tables and standing bodies, headed straight for the bar. His hands rested there before he glanced back to see if his pool playing buddy had followed him. “This..” he reached out to pull the man to the bar, “guy drinks free all night. Remind me to never wager free drinks again.” A light pat and a quick finishing of his drink Dom moved towards the offices.

Once more before he could disappear into the back someone called out to him. He laughed, nodded and grabbed a waitress, pointing out the grinning red haired man across the room. “Take him upstairs, his information is already in the system.” He moved before she could speak, peeking his head in at his cousin, adoptive son, and head of the Regan family. Dom knew the job would weigh too heavy, so he’d allowed himself to be passed over. This suited Aeric better he had done wonders to change the family's reputation around. “Take a break.” He stepped back as the other man stood to join him, just off the edge of the bar. His body resting against the frame there, brown eyes spotting her through the thick of the crowd. She seemed far too elegant a woman to be in a bar no matter the atmosphere provided, it made him thoughtful.  He could see her eyes drifting – watching – as she sipped from her glass. He glanced as he felt Aeric stand beside him. “It's time for a family meeting. While the children are away at school.” His voice was low as he looked about the laughter and conversation that filled the bar. “Speak with your sisters about their role along side you.” He pushed off the wall, hands sliding into the warmth of his pockets. “It's time.” He simply walked off to leave the other man to think.

This time as he moved towards the bar, there was no laughter or acknowledgments, just the simply rise and fall of his breath in time with his measured steps. He glanced one more at the woman all in black the crimson of her lips stark against her smooth skin. In a way she reminded him of Darina, elegant and poised but adaptable. Darina. His hand lifted as he reached the bar and moments later his regular glass of brandy was sat in front of him. The glass was lifted showing the inked number under the line of his pinky, a reminder that he was a father. A father who's child had been stolen in the night by a woman he loved. A father who’s child had nearly fallen prey to the threat that nearly brought his family crumbling down. He was a father that only saw his son during the course of the school term, but still he was a father. His glass came down with a soft thud as once more he looked in the woman's direction. He’d been drinking pretty heavily and despite his near drunken state he was still functional enough to offer her a smile as she looked in his direction. He kept his gaze on her long enough for her to know he was interested before turning to finish his glass, pushing the empty clear crystal forward to be refilled. “You don't look like the bar type.” He called out to her as he leaned forward to look pass the few people between them, smiling once more. Maybe she would turn his night around. Maybe.

@Natasha Dobrowa

She had just ordered her second drink when he walked in. It felt different than with all the people that came before; it was almost as if the room lightened up a bit with his bright smile. She watched with a quirked eyebrow as he moved through the room, greeting people, waving. He seemed to know many wizards in the room, so Natasha figured he was probably a regular customer. She watched him as he moved, her eyes sneaking over his figure and his clothes without any significant expression but still a particular interest. Her hand lifted so she could take a sip of her drink, being careful not to leave any red prints on the glass from her lipstick. She shifted in her seat, smoothing out her black skirt from leather the woman had on since she got to work in the morning. Her black shirt was loosened at the top, and she had her Horus' eye bracelet wrapped around her thin wrist. Bloody red nails tapped the counter, when she put the glass back down, her eyes following the stranger.

The man stalked for a quick moment to the bar, however to the other side, too engaged with everyone around himself rather than looking around. Not that she wanted him so badly to look at her, more like the opposite, she was fine observing. She liked to look at people and read them, figure them out. What else to do in a bar than drink and watch the surroundings, if she usually had no interest in the male (often not even the female) population that passed around her and sometimes even tried to engage in some conversation with more than apparent intentions. Don't get Natasha wrong, she loved attention from a man and the intimacy itself as well, but she hasn't felt any spark since Kristian died. It was like he had taken all her love, the attraction she could feel and sexual desires with him to the grave. It had been already nine years. Nine bloody years and she was still on her own. She knew she should find someone. She knew she shouldn't leave the hole in her heart consume her. She knew she was lonely...but there just hadn't been anyone she was interested in that way. It wasn't the look that did it usually, although she had to agree the man her eyes were following was indeed nice to look at, from the physical side of things he was certainly her type; however, it wasn't the appearance which did it for her.

Natasha watched as the attractive stranger disappeared from her view, entering the office shortly as he managed to get through the crowd of people from whom many wanted his attention. The woman turned on her bar chair as the object of her interest got lost in the office, making her think that he might not only be a customer here. It took him a few moments before he reappeared again. This time as he headed for the bar, she could feel his gaze on her. She had always had the sense, could tell, when someone was watching her. And she saw from the corner of her eye it was him. He seated himself only few chairs away, getting a drink. She looked at him as he raised the glass to take a sip, her body stiffening slightly when his head turned, and their eyes met. He smiled, and Natasha found herself unable to look away. She licked her lips, then chuckled as she looked away to take a sip of her alcohol before speaking. "It's a good place to relax after work." She shrugged, looking back at the stranger with a smile of her own. "Plus a good place to meet interesting people." Her lips quirked into a something more - playful.

Her eyes narrowed when a figure slid into the seat next to her, shadowing her view, breaking their eye contact. An obviously drunk and a very arrogant looking man had taken place next to her. With a flirtatious wink her way he ordered himself a drink, before leaning a little closer. "Hey, beautiful, what's your name?" He grinned, making Natasha frown. His breath was a sin on its own, and she had a tough time not to cringe visibly. She hated guys like this, so full of themselves and suggestive. The way he was looking her over was disgusting, she was tempted to hurt him but didn't want to get kicked out. She came here to enjoy a calm evening after a stressful day at work; the drunk man wasn't on the list. Her nails tapped the counter again as her head tilted, something dangerous shifting in her vibrant eyes, almost like a silent warning.

"I'm not interested, идиот." She deadpanned.

He looked thoughtful before his eyes roamed around the near crowded bar. It was a good place to find oneself at the end of a hard day's work. Hell, he would be a regular if the business wasn't family owned. “It does have a cozy atmosphere, doesn't it?” He gave her a smile and his eyes held a glint as he looked at her. “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing. All kinds of mysterious people come and go through those doors, I'm just glad I get lucky enough to meet them.” His brows knitted as someone blocked her from view and the sigh that left his lips was heavy. His hand rose to the bartender in indication that he wanted another drink. Standing the man adjusted his sweater and then ruffled his hair a bit before walking over to slip between the woman who'd caught his eyes and her new problem. “Thanks for keeping her company.’

Dom turned to look at the man who looked beyond offended, giving him a few sharp taps on the back. “run along now, I'm sure there are some drunk women somewhere that will find you appealing. This one sadly is way out of your league.” he told himself this we a kindness he was giving to the other man, sparing him the embarrassment of the rejection that would break him. His attention turned back to this woman who's lips drew his eyes, so stark and red against her soft pale complexion before taking the rest next to her. He nodded as the glass was sat down for him giving her a smile that brightened his eyes and dimpled his cheek. “Some people can be so rude.” He joked softly in reference to her now stumbling drunken distraction.

“So, tell me...Mrs.?” his head tilted as he asked subtly for her name. “Why haven't I seen you here more. I like to think I know the regulars and you...you stuck out like a sore thumb for me. I've seen beautiful women inside these walls but none have grabbed my attention from across the room.” He admitted softly as he turned to lift his glass for a drink, wondering if she was truly out alone or just looking to lead a man along for her own enjoyment.

“This bar has quite a nice atmosphere, I agree,” she hummed, playing with her half-way empty glass. Although Natasha never went once into the same bar, she could tell by the first glance this establishment was way more relaxed and calm than many other. She would've planned to came back hadn't it been for her decision to visit this bar only this time. It was a rule to her. True, she wasn’t in Russia where almost every living person knew her face from newspapers and basically every social Wizarding media that existed, however, that didn’t mean someone couldn’t recognize her. Natasha didn’t want problems again. She had enjoyed enough of troubles connected to her own persona, all she desired now was peace and quiet intimate life. She wanted to be left alone; no more media, no more fans, and especially no more stalkers. Or drunk suggestive and smelly man for that matter, like the one that just blocked her view.

The man smiled as an answer to her words. He bloody smiled, making Natasha raise her glass to take a sip of her drink. Her hand twitched, she wanted to reach for her wand and hex him. She wanted to crush the glass over his head and then make him say 'hi' to the bar counter, maybe lose a tooth or two along the way. Wouldn’t really do a big change to his appearance, anyway, she thought. The Russian was pleased enough when she didn’t have to move a finger, the mysterious companion taking care of the drunkard by himself. She smirked at the comment about her being out of the smelly man’s league.

“He wasn’t rude,” the woman chuckled. “Inappropriate, shameless and arrogant, no way,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She stared at the handsome stranger, the corner of her mouth twitching before she laughed softly. “He smelt,” she announced, crinkling her nose adorably. “Holly Horus’ eye, his breath was like a damn graveyard,” she groaned, emptying her glass in one swift movement. She let the burning sensation wash through her throat and wrap her in its warmth. She was proud to be able to handle her alcohol. This definitely wasn’t her first drink. 

“Natasha,” she introduced herself, offering her hand with a soft smile. “And you might be, my charming savior?” The Russian smirked, inclining her neck slightly to the side, a bit like a curious cat. Very elegant curious cat. She was being playful, but her strong presence still oozed a heavy calmness, somewhat stillness as if the happenings around her couldn't influence her. As if she was untouchable to the outside world, a spirit from the other side of the world which decided to visit for a moment to taste the atmosphere here. A spicy and also a bit fruity odor twirled around her as well, from her cologne.

Natasha ordered another drink, taking a small sip as it was delivered to her, smiling to herself as her mind drifted away for a second. She looked back at the man, corners still turned up, spark in her vibrant greenish eyes. “Are you here so often that you claim to know all the regulars?” She quirked her eyebrow, although it was obvious she didn’t mean her question absolutely serious. The former Quidditch player waited for his answer before speaking up again. “I’m here for the first time,” she admitted, shifting in her seat. “I like a change of scenery,” Natasha smiled mysteriously. “Tonight, this bar ended up grabbing my attention….and who knows, I’m starting to think it was for a reason.” As if to give her words more meaning, she trailed her gaze over Dominic before meeting his eyes again. “However, I am sure that through these doors come many exquisite women all through the day. I can’t be that different, can I?” She said, with a hint of flirtatious undertone, however, her words still held a heavy truth to her own mind. It was obvious she didn’t feel like believing to be more beautiful than other women. She knew she had looks, however, “one's beauty cannot be claimed as above someone else’s.” The Russian smiled. “Everyone’s their own.” She moved in her seat to cross her right leg over the left one graciously. 

Natasha didn’t miss how her companion’s look seemed to stray to her red lips.

“Dom,” he smiled as he leaned to kiss the back of her hand as it was held it for him to hold, noting the soft feel of her fingertips against his palm. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Natasha.” it had been a whole since he had been out and come across a woman he had to talk to. It was a strange feeling, one the former Death Eater wasn't quite used to. He'd felt it in his past before but each time he'd been left alone and foolish. If he was a smart man he would stray away from the women who has such an effect over him, thus he wasn't. He was just as any other man who just had to have what had caught their attentions. He looked up as a fresh drink was sat down in front of him causing the man to finish the drink next to it so the glass could be taken. “Thanks James.” He slid a coin across the bar as a tip for the man who seemed to know just when to top a person off. He was a good worker, had been for the near 20 years he'd been working for the family.

Dom gave a chuckle that was followed by a nod before his head inclined back towards the offices. “I know the guy who runs this place.” no need to tell her that Aeric was family, after-all he knew nothing about her other than her name and that she was beautiful. There was still a threat against his family and even in his inebriated state he had enough mind to remain tactical. “So, I'm here quite a bit. I do hope this first time has been treating you well.” his lips twitched a bit as he spoke, the liquor warming him blood as well as his heart. He was feeling rather playful, happy almost. It had been a long time since He had felt such a thing but then again it had been years since he had taken a drink. Sometimes breaking the rules was a good thing or at least at the moment they served to be. “I think,” he began in response, “it was for a very good reason.” The smirk settled on his lips as his eyes once more washed over her.

“You're right. Beautiful women have walked through that door.” His gaze drifted to the door and he could see the visions of his past loves walking through those doors. He could hear the bells of their laughter and the small melody to their voices. Dom knew the kind of women who came to Ace's, he'd loved more than one. “Yet, here I am drawn to you from across the room. So, even though everyone may be beautiful in their own way, you are far more appealing to me than anyone else.” He was an honest man, when it counted. His left arm shifted as he felt the ghostly burn that reminded him that he had once been a man of many lies. A man that had crossed lines most shouldn't. He was a man who was not paying for his crimes. Dom had made a lot of choices in his past and he was sure he would in his future that he regretted. Each held a lesson of their own, regrettable or not.

“Are you visiting for business, pleasure or both?” Now was time to get to know the woman in front of him.

"Dom," she tasted those words on her tongue, "I'm guessing Dominic, when addressed fully?" She added, although she already guessed his answer. The Russian blinked as the man leaned down slowly to her hand. Her heart stuttered in surprise as she felt the fleeting touch of Dom's lips on the back of her hand. Natasha held her breath for a second, gazing intensely at Dominic. There weren't that many men with such a behavior - especially to be found in a random bar at night. It caught her off guard, although she didn't let it show, instead let a warm smile spread over her lips. Her eyes glinted in the light of the room as she withdrew her hand, folding it neatly over her lap.

She watched as Dominic addressed the bartender by his given name, making her the more curious about how often the man visited this place. Her curiosity was satisfied a little upon revealing the fact he knew the owner of this place. If he was his friend it would make sense Dominic would often spent time in here. She nodded, accepting his answer, not needing to push for anything more at the moment, even thought she wanted to ask more. Step by step, there was no need to rush, they had the whole night ahead of them. "I'm quite enjoying my time here," she answered Dominic, "although that is partially because I happen to have a nice companion." She supplied almost warmly. She felt a bit more at ease from the alcohol; and was a little less guarded and cautious than would have normally been. "The Fate wants what it wants," she joked, laughing softly.

Natasha couldn't stop the slight burn in her cheeks as they gained a soft shade of red then. She wasn't used to such a forward behavior from an attractive man anymore. Someone, who seemed daring and blunt but still held a decency that didn't make his compliment uncomfortable. She was used to being called beautiful or pretty, that was true, it had been majorly her beauty which sparked so much attention during her career, while she was still playing Quidditch. However, this man didn't know who Natasha was. His words had been honest and almost painfully intimate, because Dominic hadn't been stating a fact, he was stating his own opinion, his own attraction in a clear yet gentle way. It was what made her heart beat a little faster - he reminded her of Kristian, yet he was nothing like him. Kristian had been shy, more introverted and silent man than Dominic appeared but he had always had his way with words too. Natasha almost forgotten the feeling of how it felt to be affected by man's words in such a positive way.

"I'm flattered," she said softly, giving the man next to her an honest and relaxed smile. "The feeling is mutual," she then decided to admit, because why shouldn't she confess to being drawn in by him, if he had been so open in the first place. Compliments and feelings weren't only for women. She wasn't sure what to expect from this evening or this man, but she seemed far more inclined to find out than would have been any other day. It had been far too long since she felt like this. She didn't want to ignore it.

"You mean London or precisely this place?" She expanded his question before answering to both. "I'm visiting this place for relaxation, however, I would say London is both and more. I actually moved here and had been living in London for a while now. I come from Kyjev in Ukraine, but I've lived majority of my life in Russia." She explained slowly, holding his gaze while she spoke. She looked away only for a moment to take a sip of her drink before turning back to ask a question of her own. "Am I assuming right you are British and therefore you had attended Hogwarts? May I ask which house?" She wanted to know a little more about what kind of a man he was, even if it was a very tiny piece of the whole puzzle his answer would offer. She wasn't to judge the other, she was simply interested.