please excuse I don't mean to be rude [Tesla]

[tricksthetreat]

She didn't want to say she'd planned things perfectly because no matter how much you plan, how much you know, things still go wrong. Still, her hut was clean, the jeans were tight, the top was cut low and the wine was some of the best she'd snagged from Rapture. But she didn't bother with the candles, she had limits and that was one cliche too far

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[thedevamper]

Nikola had dismissed the note at first. Really, he had much more pressing work to be doing but then well he was curious. And curiosity killed the cat but never Nikola. Besides Nikola he was always in the mood for playing a few games with a worthy opponant and maybe 'slipping' a few times with information. Keep her curious, keep her interested. The fact that Trixa had also offered wine, well she just kept sweetening the pot which made him curious but not an idiot. She was after something. A woman after his own heart.

Adjusting his cufflinks on his shirt, Nikola knocked on the door and braced himself against the frame. Smirking, he waited for Trixa to answer. This was certainly going to be an interesting night.

[tricksthetreat]

The knock was perfectly timed and Trixa smiled. He took the bet, the curiosity won and that was something Trixa now knew she could bank on, a fact confirmed if you would. The curious were always good to deal with because with a minimum of effort they could be depended on following wherever you wanted to lead them. And she had some specific directions in mind for one Nikola Tesla.

Opening the door wide, she kept her smile at a smirk, and with perfect lightness she welcomed him him in. "I see you got my message, I hope you don't mind meeting here, it's a little more private than the bar."

[thedevamper]

"I did, I have to admit I was a little curious as to why you wanted to meet... privately to discuss business." Nikola replied. Nikola glanced down, eyes lingering on the cut of her top before he flashed her a wicked smirk. Someone was making an effort, interesting. "As you know I have no secrets."

Lies, dirty little lies she would easily pick up on. Nikola was beginning to understand Trixa a little better. A woman after his own wicked little heart. Nikola brushed close to her, entering her hut before looking around. Now, there was a possibility he hadn't considered.

"So, down to business or shall we have a little... pleasure first?" Nikola said glancing the wine before looking at Tricksy with an appropriate leer.

[tricksthetreat]

Lies, indeed, and they made Trixa chuckle. He certainly was being up-front about his dishonesty, wasn't he? And his interest for that matter, as she watched his eyes and made no move to avoid him as he entered. If he expected her to flinch, he had another think coming - this was a woman who had let the demon that killed her brother sleep in her bed, try and seduce her, and while all the clothes stayed on, she let him tease and taunt all the while knowing she was going to eat him alive.

But Tesla didn't know that, did he?

Crossing to the open bottle, she poured him a glass of his own. "You think we have to separate the two? What I'm proposing could be quite enjoyable to you if you're willing to make the most of it."

[thedevamper]

If people expected him to be honest about his own dishonesty, strangely enough they tended to trust him more and never thought to check that his plans didn't have second, third and fourth motives and plots behind them. It was a tactic that had worked for decades with Helen, with James because even when they knew he would always have an ulterior motive, they never thought to double check for his ulterior motives motive.

"No, I've combined business with pleasure before usually to both parties mutual satisfaction." Nikola said, smirking and watching her pour before accepting a glass. It wasn't as good as his but well, Nikola had a way of acquiring what he wanted. And he never took anything less than the best. "But what exactly am I making the most of?"

[tricksthetreat]

"Your fellow islanders. I'm inclined to put you in a position where come of them might owe you something."

She clinks the edge of her glass against his, moving to a nearby chair and sinking into it. Leaning back, she crossed her legs to watch his reaction as she sipped her wine. She didn't expect him to give much away, he was far too experienced for that, but how he took the offer might be telling.

[thedevamper]

Nikola touched his glass against hers, listening to the clink before considering her offer. An interesting proposition and definitely one he'd been thinking about in regards to Helen but that was small, the island oweing him something now that was intriguing to say the least.

"Really? And what would I have to do to have the island indebted to me?" Nikola asked nonchalant as he reclined in the chair and took in her offer.

[tricksthetreat]

"Win."

Taking another sip, she tilted her head a little as she continued, watching his reactions carefully. So far, so good, she wanted to see how her luck continued.

"I'm putting together a little game, poker most likely, where people have the chance to win each other... or rather, their time. In service of you." But really, in a place where there was no cash, no currency, no rules, the only thing of value was each others' time.

[thedevamper]

Nikola's smirk, twisted minutely at the corner of his mouth. A tell. For someone who smirked so much he certainly had variations of smugness and this one was hidden pleasure. Nikola was very good at poker and all cards games, he had spent a number of years in Gentlemen's clubs persuading businessmen after all to invest in his work.

"Interesting. Who else are you thinking about inviting?" Nikola asked, eyes looking Trixa over a little heatedly. "After all some people's time won't be as valauble as others."

[tricksthetreat]

"I think that's for me to know and you to find out, isn't it?" Trixa noted the tell and grinned inwardly, looked like she might have hooked him. That was good, and encouraging for the rest of her invitations. Although, not all would be delivered in such a manner.

She just wasn't that kind of gal.

Leaning forward, she tilted her head a little, expression meeting his with a smirk of her own. "A girl has to keep some secrets, after all. But they're all like... us - to varying degrees."

[thedevamper]

"What? Keen patrons of the... arts?" Nikola asked amused , eyes lingering on Trixa's chest as she leaned forward. Licking his lips slowly, Nikola smirked as he took a mouthful of the wine and watched Trixa heatedly and curiously. She had definitely played him, he was entirely aware of that but sometimes it was good to allow others to think they had the upper hand. "I suppose if you'll be there to keep me company then well, I could reschedule my appointments to attend. What's in it for you arranging this though? A percentage of the take I assume or are you doing this out of the goodness of your heart?"

[tricksthetreat]

"Yeah, the arts."

It was always dangerous, playing against someone who knew the game, who knew full well what you were up to and approved, if not admired, setting a bar to be jumped over. Of everyone on the island, Tesla was the only so far she felt merited the effort. And the way he looked at her, definitely a bonus.

Finishing off her glass, she stood to get the bottle and pour herself another, brushing close to her guest as she did so. It was a dance, once she intended to enjoy for the evening. "I'm just the hostess, I'll provide the refreshments and mediate any... disputes that arise." The goodness of her heart really didn't come into play. This was entertainment. Seeing the damage a group of devious individuals could get into when encouraged to work together.

[thedevamper]

"Are you expecting many disputes?" Nikola asked, wondering if he should perhaps bring weapons of a sort. He always had his mind which usually got him out of most trouble and if not he could always have a back up plan of Helen rescuing him. Nikola smirked, glancing at Trixa as she brushed against him. "Just so I know what attire to wear. Wouldn't want to get blood on my best suit, now would I? If there are going to be... disputes."

Nikola slid out of the seat, standing close behind Trixa reaching around her to take the bottle from her hand. "I thought you might need a hand."

[tricksthetreat]

"Not during the game, but sore losers will be sore losers. I should think you can wear what you like." After all, Trixa didn't anticipate the fun to start until afterwards, when the players all realized exactly what it is that they really wagered. Assuming, of course, that some of the winners would give in to their baser instincts

[thedevamper]

"Or nothing at all? It's not going to be one of those games, is it? I'm afraid I'm a little too old to be playing Spin the Bottle or Strip Whatever, although if you wanted to play it privately..." Nikola murmured, his voice trailing off as he smirked.

Nikola looked into her eyes, watching her watching him. It was fascinating meeting your match in so many ways and Trixa, whilst she wasn't a match for him in the lab, outside of it? Oh, yes definitely. No wonder Helen was friends with her. No wonder he was quite... charmed by her.

"Perhaps I just like having control... of the wine." Nikola replied, finishing pouring her a glass. "And maybe I just wanted to see what you would do if I were to come here and stand so close to you."

[tricksthetreat]

"No, it's not one of those games, I'm not from that part of Vegas." Rolling her eyes, Trixa fell silent, letting him pour the wine he was so desperate to control. It was all he'd be able to, she reasoned, she could afford to give him that.

Without an answer, she put the glass to her lips, sipping the ruby vintage as she held his gaze. She wasn't known for blinking, she'd elevated bluff to an art-form more than once, to the dismay of demons and gods alike and this? This wasn't a bluff.

"Have I satisfied your curiosity... yet?"