Blessed with a curse. [[OPEN]]

[RUEBEN JAMES DAWSON]

I KNOW I SAID MY HEART BEATS FOR YOU.

It wasn't that Rueben thought he was better than everyone. He simply was. He had that whole package that the ladies adored, and to be frank, he had plenty more. Whether it was the looks, fame or wealth, the twenty-four year old had it all. And the thing was, it wasn't due to luck, or some other nonsense that the other less fortunate so fiercely believed in. It was the way he held himself, see? It was the way he handled life. Rueben didn't just live life; he lived it. There was a difference, that most people ignored. Rueben knew things that others did not, and saw things that others chose to be blind to. He noticed those minute details, and knew how to use them to his advantage. The Shade was a selfish, arrogant, successful and manipulative man, but above all, he was brilliant. And this, was something he also knew.

The silk black shirt tailored to snugly fit his muscled body had been chosen to match the intensity in his eyes, the first two buttons undone in a classy and stylish way, but not overly so. Finished with a pair of equally dark pants and even darker shoes, the over all combo had successfully managed to pull off a dangerous edge to Rueben's appearance, and from the way he held his head high, you could tell he was aware of it. Hardly glancing at the two strong, but extraordinarily thick bouncers guarding the entrance doors, he swept past with the air of someone who mattered, walking with a slight swagger that radiated arrogance. He made his way to the bar, his mouth curled into a knowing smirk, his movements smooth and practised. Rueben was a regular at Lumino, but from the way he acted, you would have thought he was the owner.

Taking a seat, he caught the bartender's attention and ordered a scotch on the rocks before turning back to his side, his expression turning to one of lust as he leered at the barely clad dancing girls to his left. Resting an elbow up onto the bar, his eyes flickered across the room, waiting patiently to see that special lady who would receive his attention tonight.

I WAS LYING GIRL, IT BEATS FOR TWO.

[CASSIE KING]

Cassie delicately flitted across the dance floor, using her dancing background to her advantage. She didn't normally like the over-crowding of the club scene, but Nell had called her up that night and told Cassie to meet her there. So far Nell hadn't shown up, but Cassie didn't care. She could have fun all by herself, plus she usually caught the attention of some decent fellows almost everywhere she went. Cassie lifted her arms above her head and swayed to the music as her silver, dangerously low-cut mini dress caught the shimmering lights of the club. She felt a prescence behind her and soon enough she felt some one pressing into her and gently grabbing her upperthigh and swaying with her.

What the hell? Cassie thought to herself as she swayed with the strange man, Might as well enjoy myself if Nell isn't going to show. A song later and Cassie soon grew bored of dancing with the man who obviously just wanted to get with her right then. During a break between the songs, she used the moment he took to readjust behind her to disappear into the crowd. She headed straight for the bar and sat down across a pretty lovely guy. She turned towards the bartender to order a coke, she never drank on nights she had to drive home, and immediately turned back to eye the guy next to her in which she thought was a tactful manner. Before she could decide if he seemed like a nice guy to talk to, the bartender intterrupted her thoughts and snapped her back to reality. Oh, thanks! She said as she accepted her drink.

Slowly she brought it to her lips and sipped only the tiniest amount from the drink, and all while eying the perfect specimen beside her. It's ohkay Cass, he'll probably think your freaking nuts and you won't have to worry about speaking to him ever again! She thought to herself, Might as well give it a go.... Slowly, she turned to the guy and smiled at him like she just suddenly noticed him there. Hey, I'm Cassie. She said rather cheerfully, And might I say you look rather stunning?Fuck Cass, you fucking effed the whole night up you're so cheesy she thought to herself, her smile wavering oh so slightly as she waited for the gorgeous man to notice her and maybe reply.

Note: sorry, kind of awkward

[RUEBEN JAMES DAWSON]

I KNOW I SAID MY HEART BEATS FOR YOU.

He twirled his glass between his fingers, his eyes locked onto the figure of a dancing redhead a few feet away, her brunette friend grabbing her waist and grinding her hip into hers, their bodies moving in synchronized movement. Rueben lifted his glass to his smirking lips, too distracted to notice the blonde perched to his right. She ordered a drink, but her words slurred to murmurs in his ears, too entertained with the steadily increasing group of females dancing to concentrate on the one sitting beside him.

"Hey, I'm Cassie. And might I say you look rather stunning?" Rueben glanced to his side, raising a brow in wonderment. That question was directed at himself, yes? He paused for a moment, taking in her appearance before deciding to answer. So far, he could see no visible flaws, and she was pretty, in that odd, model-like sort of way. He mentally shrugged, glancing at the dancing bodies before turning his body to face Cassie. She'd do.

His face broke out into an arrogant smirk, and he leaned forward subtly, his fingers crooked around his glass. "Why thank you, Cassie," he murmured, gazing at the girl with a smoldering expression, "you also, look incredibly dazzling tonight." His voice was as soft as silk; years of womanizing had perfected his skills, and he honed in on them without mercy whenever he could. "But wouldn't your partner feel jealous that you offer me such compliments?" He asked, a pleasant smile on his face, his eyes amused.

Rueben glanced at her drink, noting the dark contents as a non-alcoholic drink, and he shook his head. "Cassie, that won't do. Surely you would want a more, intoxicating drink?"

[/b] He smirked again, before turning to the bartender before she could react. Nodding to his right, he said, "One Kamikaze for the lady,"[/b] he ordered, raising his glass back to his lips and finishing off the drink, before sliding the glass towards the bartender. "And one more scotch on the rocks for me."[/b][/justify][/blockquote]

I WAS LYING GIRL, IT BEATS FOR TWO.

[/blockquote]

[CASSIE KING]

Cassie's cheeks grew pink as she blushed at his compliment. Wow no one ever called me dazzling before. She thought to herself. His every word lingered in her ear as she soaked up his hypnotizing voice. She blushed again when he mentioned the possibility of her having a partner. Oh no, she replied in the most alluring voice she could muster, it's just me, no one else in the picture. She smiled at him in a mischevious way, hinting at her reason why.

Cassie, that won't due, surely you want a more intoxicating drink. He said to her, but before she could even open her perfectly made-up mouth to say anything he had already motioned for the waiter to bring her a kamikaze. Wow my favorite, how did he know? She smiled to herself as she wondered how he could possible be so perfect. Well, if you really want to know, I tend to try and not drink when I'm escorting myself home. She informed him, But, she quickly added, seeing as you've managed to order my favorite drink, I might as well enjoy.

She flashed him a flirtatious smile once she was done explaining. So, might I ask, what is your name? She asked, cocking her head to the side a little. I'd say you're a pretty handsome stranger though, but still I'd like to get to know at least you're name. Shamelessly she flirted with the gorgeous man who was still unnamed to her. She took the moment of lull in the conversation to fully appreciate the handsome stranger who had so kindly bought her a drink. She sucked her breath in ever so slightly, unsure if he had heard her, as her eyes greedily took in his beautiful features.

His stunning body overwhelmed her. His features were absolutely perfect with just a hint of danger, excitement and lust in his eyes. Scanning over his delicious muscles, Cassie took note of the way he held himself like he was some one important and worth her time. And damn did he know how to make a girl want him. Cassie's heart started beating faster as she came to the conclusion that his features and dark demenure meant he was a shade. Great, she thought to herself, just my type of wild.

[RUEBEN JAMES DAWSON]

I KNOW I SAID MY HEART BEATS FOR YOU.

"Oh no, it's just me, no one else in the picture." Rueben smirked as she blushed, knowing full well that she was falling for every word. They always did, in the end. He widened his eyes in exaggerated shock, using this opportunity to lean even closer, his lips parting slightly to go with the act. "You're alone? Well, that is most definitely a crime," he almost whispered, gazing into her eyes, "how could anyone leave a woman as beautiful as you on your own?" He paused, letting the silence sink in for effect. With a dramatically heroic flick of his hand, he spread his arms to portray himself in his full glory, another arrogant smirk settling on his lips. "If you don't mind, I'll gladly keep you company throughout the whole night."

[/b] He winked at her, making clear his intentions.

The bartender poured their drinks and with a nod of his head, Rueben took the Kamikaze and offered it to Cassie, before taking hold of his own glass and taking a drink."Well, if you really want to know," she began, " I tend to try and not drink when I'm escorting myself home. Seeing as you've managed to order my favorite drink, I might as well enjoy." He gave her an encouraging smile. "That's my girl."[/b] He smirked, before downing his glass and ordering another, before looking at Cassie expectantly, silently putting pressure on her to do the same.

"So, might I ask, what is your name?" She asked, before continuing before he could answer." I'd say you're a pretty handsome stranger though, but still I'd like to get to know at least you're name." He took this moment to lean forward and tuck a strand of hair which had fallen out of place behind her ear, purposefully brushing his fingers gently across her cheek. He lingered his hand against her face for longer than necessary, before drawing it back, a knowing smile on his face. "You can call me Rueben."[/b] He said, leaning forward and resting his elbows onto the bar.

"So Cassie,"[/b] he said, "how come someone like you comes somewhere like here on your own?" Rueben tilted his head in question, never taking his eyes off her.
[/justify][/blockquote]

I WAS LYING GIRL, IT BEATS FOR TWO.

[/blockquote]

[CASSIE KING]

Cassie's heart fluttered in anticipation as her current object of affection leaned in closer and gazed into her eyes. You're alone? Well that's definately a crime, how could some one as beautiful as you be left alone? It's very easy she said under her breath, enjoying the moment too much to bring up her feelings of abandonment. Waving away the fairly depressing thoughts, she turned her full attention to him as he made an arrogant gesture. Oh boy, she thought as she hid her amused smile behind her hand, and feigned the action of wiping imaginary liquid off of her face. She didn't want to ruin his ego before the fun had really begun. If you don't mind, I'll gladly keep you company throughout the whole night. Cassie cocked her head at this and gave him a sexy and mischevious look. Sounds like fun she seductively whispered back to him, not breaking his gaze for a minute.

The bartender came with there drinks, somewhat breaking the mood for Cassie. She took her drink and sipped it, then set it down and flashed another seductive smile towards her unnamed catch. Well, if you really want to know she said, beginning to explain the reason for her coke, I tend to try and not drink when I'm escorting myself home. She paused for a second, Seeing as you've managed to buy my favorite drink, I might as well enjoy. Smiling at him and staring back into his deep consuming eyes, she took another sip of her drink. That's my girl. He replied, downing his drink in a heartbeat. He stared at her, expecting her to follow suit, but she just smiled, laughter showing in her eyes as she continued to take momentary sips from her glass. She knew his game, but wasn't willing to play without making it somewhat challenging for him. It was the thrill of the chase.

So, might I ask your name? Cassie asked, realizing she had yet to learn his name, I'd say you're a pretty handsome stranger though, but I'd still like to get to know at least your name. Cassie sucked her breath in ever so slightly as he leaned in closer. His warm hand brushed back a strand of hair that had come loose from her up-do and lingered on her cheek. Her eyes fluttered as she slightly pushed her cheek into his hand, acknowledging his affection and accepting his caring touch. Her cheek suddenly became cool again as he drew his hand back. You can call me Reuben. He answered her, as his elbows came to rest on the bar. So Cassie, he continued, how come some one like you comes somewhere like here on your own?

Cassie felt Reuben's eyes on her as she opened her pretty mouth to respond. Mmmm, Reuben, what a lovely name, she paused for a moment, a smile spreading across her face, well, I do love a good night out every once in a while, but I'm really just here for some fun. A mischevious look spread across her face as she said this to Reuben. And might I ask, why the bar and not the dance floor? Or are you just one of those secretly uncoordinated guys who claims the bar is cooler but really doesn't want to make a fool out of themselves? She asked flirtatiously, playing all the while to his ego. She was eager to go and dance with him; the thought of being close to him, their bodies swaying to the beat, was almost intoxicating. Another sly smile crept across her lips as she awaited his decision, wondering if her little teasing had worked to prompt him to dance with her.