[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

Club Nirvana thrummed with life. Every beat blasted from the sound system shook with the dance floor. It was a busy night. From his perch on the second floor, just outside his office, Elias watched as the crowds twisted and grinded up against one another. They jumped with the beat, pulsating passion and fire. In one direction, there was a stage where the bulk of the lights flashed out into the crowd, and above them the DJ sorted the club's playlist. In every other direction away from the dance floor there were tables and bars for the patrons to eat, drink, and enjoy one another's company. Back rooms bristled with intensity, and on the second floor, VIPs gazed on, voyeurs to the night's heat.

Below, in the hidden club below Nirvana, the Hibernacula, shadows and villainy traded in information and secrets, but the two clubs were functionally isolated. One veiled the other, but each ran almost independently. Today, the owner of both clubs, Elias, chose to remain above. Though he was a savant in the way of trade and secrets, he preferred the fire shared between the crowd above. 

He was waiting. For what? He wasn't entirely sure. Something to spark his curiosity, to catch his interest. He would need to undergo field operations again soon, courtesy of his benefactors, so he wanted to enjoy the moment. To feel the present pulsating in his veins, and setting his soul ablaze. So, on his second floor perch, the Wish-Maker waited.   

OWL

[Lilith Touyama]

It was a dark night, much like any other night on the streets of Shinjuku. This night the villainess idol found herself wandering alone in search of a club—but not just any club—something that would fit her mood just perfectly and perhaps put her in contact with people who could get their hands on privy information. Information such as the identity of the shadowy people who haunted her companion, Rhea, and any leads on the whereabouts of Lilith’s father; it had been quite some time since she had thought about him, but she still wanted her true justice. Lilith wasn’t foreign to the club, even if she had her own reasons against drinking, which stemmed from her father, but she did love to have fun, and the thought of dancing, finding answers, and maybe a touch of chaos was too much for her to say no to. It was a night out, and she would be dressed for the occasion. Due to the nature of this club, it wasn’t exactly easy to find, and as such, she had been to numerous clubs within the area, and she discovered that it wasn’t the club she was searching for; needless to say, things got a bit chaotic. But Lilith was now almost certain that she had found the correct location. She wasn’t aware if the clubs had given a general description of her to one another as a precaution, but even if they had, she was prepared to deal with that if need be. Arriving at the door of the club she would be met by a bouncer. "Is there a cover fee to get in?" Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

One drop after another fell into the ice of Elias's eyes—the latest upper passing between hands on Shinjuku's streets. Of course, his was the cleanest, purest concoction. Only the best would do. He wanted elation and electricity dancing behind his eyes, not to collapse among the muck and rabble. He pocketed the dropper and latched onto the railway, looking again below. 

The DJ switched up the pace and fell on something more to Elias's liking. But, the firework show lighting up the Wish-Maker's brain did little to abate a listless soul. How could one hold such high ambitions yet remain so disillusioned with the world? Where was it? The spark. The kindling that would set his soul ablaze and see him back in action? Everything around him was just so - dull. 

Meanwhile, outside, the bouncer heading up the main entrance looked Lilith over. Two thousand yen. That was the cover charge. But there wasn't a rule around the world that wouldn't bend for the right people. Let the cuties in. They drew in more customers. Made the club even more money. Still, he had a job to do. 

"No cover for you," he started, "but I'll need to see some ID before I let you in." 

That was a rule that wouldn't be bent or broken tonight. Luckily for Lilith, the bouncer was no expert. Any half-decent fake ID had a chance to see her slip inside without trouble.  

OWL

[Lilith Touyama]

Standing just outside the door, Lilith could faintly make out the sounds of music coming from inside. Dare she say she was almost excited to enter the club just to have a bit of fun? As the bouncer gave her a small once-over before speaking, she would have to cover her devilish grin with a slightly more appropriate smile in response. She would give him a slight nod, tucking a few strands behind her ear to uncover the side of her face as she dug through her purse to find her forged identification. Although she was here looking for specific information, the amenities that she had access to due to her own circle were by no means lacking. Among her fans was someone who often made high-quality fake identification cards that could easily pass as real. “Is it no cover for just me? Aw, it makes me feel special.” Lilith would respond playfully as she would pull out a fake idea, claiming her age to be twenty-one as well as a similar but different name to her actual name: Lilliana Tominaga. She had a plethora of fakes to suit her needs, and she tried to never carry more than one at a time. Pulling out the fake, she would hand it to the bouncer. “Here you are.” After handing the bouncer the ID, she decided it wouldn’t hurt to see if she could manage to pull a bit of information about the venue from him. She would hum a bit while looking at the outside of the building; the sound was fairly well dampened by the building, so there wouldn’t be any worries about excessive noise complaints. And it seemed to be rather clean outside, so there were no complaints about the place bringing in rodents or other unwanted pests. “Busy night?” It was a general question, but this would help her gauge the general patronage once she had gotten in; if his response was busy and the place was packed, then they saw their fair share of traffic. By that same token, if the place was fairly empty and the bouncers responses were busy, she would know that they didn’t really see much traffic. Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

The beat pulsed through the club with all the patron's hearts. Misery and joy in equal measure, weaving between bodies and mingling with souls. But no matter the vibrations, none of it reached Elias's spirit. The numbness persisted. 

"Daisuke," Elias called out.

A middle aged man speaking with a guard by the office doors broke from his conversation and approached.  

"Yes, sir?" Daisuke asked. 

"Keep an eye on things. I'm heading below. If the Hibernacula requires my attention, contact me. Otherwise, handle it." Elias commanded, turning to a spiral staircase that led tot he floor below. 

"You've got it, boss," Daisuke confirmed, turning back to the security guard. 

Daisuke was competent enough. He could handle typical operations. He wasn't ready for the Hibernacula, but the club below had its own staff to fill in for Elias while he handled the front, Club Nirvana. The Hibernacula traded in far more valuable commodities, information and assets, and catered to more dangerous clientele, but without Nirvana's operation the Hibernacula would be exposed, hence the balance which was Elias's duty to maintain. He oversaw both clubs. Not tonight though. Tonight, he was testing the goods firsthand. 

Meanwhile, the guard outside eyed the ID, then passed it back to Lilith. "At this time, it's always busy, sweet thing," he replied, waving her in. And he wasn't lying. Business was flourishing for Club Nirvana. It was slow enough during the day, but at night? The place was always packed. Something Lilith would see firsthand in just a moment.  

OWL

[Lilith Touyama]

Just as she expected, the bouncer would pass her fake identification. Taking it and returning it to her bag, he would answer her question, claiming it was always busy around this time, but in the end, Lilith would be the judge of that. Giving him a small smile as he waved her in, she would walk past, looking back at him as she gave a bit of a flirtatious wave as she passed by. "See you inside, maybe?" Lilith was a manipulator at heart, and she could do so even without the use of her quirk, and it would always work in her favor to have a little bit of extra muscle at her beck and call. Upon entering through the first set of doors, the sound of music that was once muffled became louder and louder. Pushing the final set of doors open, she would be met by a rather busy club, just as the bouncer had said. She was inside the nightclub, but now came the hard part: she would need to find someone who would possibly know if this was the special club she was looking for and where to better start than the bar. Moving through the crowd of people to reach the bar, she would do her best to not only blend in but also try to get a general feel for the clientele. It seemed to be a fairly decent mix of people. Observations would also extend to the bartenders as she finally made her way to the bar. Waving over one of the bartenders, she would place her order and, of course, ask a question. "Hiya, can I have a Virgin Margarita? Thank you. And does this bar have a VIP area?" Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

Elias stepped foot onto the lower level of the club. The entirety of the establishment was tile and dark gothic decor. Sleek blacks and dim reds layered over almost every surface. Though its patrons came from all walks of life, the club was to be kept clean and perfectly maintained at all times.

At its heart was the dance floor just before the stage, currently hosting the DJ and his equipment. The tables circling the dance floor were loaded up, though not as packed as the dance floor itself. Before he took part, the Wish-maker needed a drink.  

Elias neared the bar, the crowd parting before him. Though it wasn't common knowledge to Nirvana's every guest, the regulars knew the man for who he was. Nirvana's lord and master. Some offered greetings, others asking to buy him a drink, but Elias waved them off with a passing smile and many thanks. As if he ever had to pay. 

Though unintentional, Elias came up on Lilith's side, flagging down the bartender as well. Fate weaved the oddest threads, those beyond even Elias's understanding. He hadn't a clue about the company he now kept. 

"Why yes, yes it does, dear. VIP tables are all upstairs, overlooking the dance floor. I couldn't recommend it enough," he said, overhearing her question. "Arata, break out some of the Hibiki," he followed with a drink order of his own. 

"On it, boss man," Arate replied, turning to fetch the whisky Elias ordered while also prepping Lilith's drink. 

Elias would turn halfway toward Lilith. "This your first time visiting the Nirvana, dear?" 

OWL

[Lilith Touyama]

Lilith was sharp, but in a setting such as this, she had far too much to pay attention to to notice Elias as he approached, but even if she had, she would have assumed him to be just another well-dressed bargoer. His answer to her question had admittedly peaked her interest, as her eyes would shift for a moment to the VIP section up above. She could only assume from its placement and his comment that the view must be exceptional, but more importantly, that would be where she needed to get to in order to find her answer, or so she thought. Turning her attention to Elias, she would give him a good once-over. He was older than her, but not by a considerable gap; his attire was well kept and intricate, showing that he had a fair amount of wealth to his name. And although Lilith wasn’t a drinker, she did know of the selection, and his taste in alcohol was also top-notch. It didn’t all fall into place for her until she heard the bartender refer to the man as ‘boss.’ In that instant, Lilith realized that she wouldn’t need to find a way to climb the proverbial ivory tower—not with the king of the tower right in front of her. Even if he wasn't the actual owner, he would be well enough informed and a high roller who could get her close enough. Putting on a warm invited smile, Lilith would turn her attentions to Elias. "Yes, first time here. I take it you're a regular?" Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

She was a certainly a fetching little thing. Young, but much more so than himself. Most thought Elias nearly a decade older than he actually was. It was all in how the man carried himself. Square your shoulders and walk with a purpose; the world would all too eagerly bow. 

"You could certainly say that, dearie," Elias answered. "I'm Elias, Elias Kamiya. And whom do I have the pleasure of properly introducing to the Nirvana?" He said, offering his hand. If she took it, he'd plant a kiss on the dorsal side of hers.

The beat blasted from the speaker system and washed through the crowd. It was gasoline poured over the passionate burning in each of the club's patrons. A voracious beast lived within the confines of these walls. It was called human and wanted everything. 

Was Elias human? He wasn't sure, but he certainly wanted for that fire. Distractions, distractions, distractions. Maybe this one would prove entertaining. The substances pouring through him now got his heart pumping, yet his mind was sharp. Focused. 

Both drinks were set on the bar top. Once the introductions were made, he wouldn't hesitate to grab his glass and sip the whiskey he was waiting for. The burn wasn't enough, but it was something. He was confident Lilith would approve of her drink as well, but he couldn't help but watch for her reaction. Alcoholic or no, he believed in the NIrvana's product.  

OWL

[Lilith Touyama]

As she could expect from his attire and the way he carried himself, Elias was a gentleman and presented himself to be nothing more than a man of class. An offer of his hand was genuine but quite dangerous. If Lilith had ill intentions in mind, a touch would be all that she would need, but if her suspicions were right about this bar, she would need to be on her best behavior. She would reach out, taking his hand, and kiss its dorsal before turning her hand to her lap. “Lilith Toyama. Nice to meet you, Elias.” She still wore her smile as she spoke, all the while listening to the music playing in the background before taking a quick glance at the people in the crowd, enjoying every note. Behind the softness of her eyes were the constant thoughts of chaos: what would happen if she would simply breathe deep and flood this room? But she wouldn’t give into it just yet, not as long as she had questions and certain curiosities to keep her occupied. The bartender was swift to return with their drinks, something that Lilith would take note of as she watched Elias just as swiftly lift his glass and take a sip, with herself following suit and taking a sip from her own glass as well before setting it back down. The taste was impeccable, much better than she was used to when ordering such a drink. With fast service and a great selection, the call of madness was slipping ever further from her mind. “You seem like you’re pretty well informed here; how much would a trip up their cost?” Like many clubs around, every VIP had its price, and it would only be natural that Elias, whom she believed to be just another elite member of this establishment, would be fully aware of this. Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

A smile curved across Elias's lips. "I assure you, the pleasure is entirely mine," he responded. And that's exactly how he would have it. The world at his fingertips. 'If it feels good, if it tastes good, it must be mine.' It was his lifestyle personified. If one subtracted his more destructive deeds on behalf of his benefactors, Ouroboros. 

Another searing sip of his whiskey and the Wish-Maker turned away from the bar, looking up to the VIP arena. It was costly, but not for the king of this domain. And yet, he had an even better idea. 

"That wholly depends on who you know," he answered, his eyes still locked on the level above, "fortunately for you, you know me. Come," he stated more than asked, then started through the crowds again.

And if Lilith were observant, she might catch the crowd parting before him. A messiah walking among man, one might think. If she did follow, he would lead her toward and up a spiral staircase with a guard waiting at the top. Elias didn't require any sort of proof. The guard simply stood aside for his superior and his guest. 

Rather than follow the path to their left, which led to the VIP seating, Elias veered right toward a door with two guards posted out front. One opened the door for his employer, and Elias entered. This was his office in Nirvana. Ebony bookcases and chairs, a snakewood desk. Red velvet trappings and curtains drawn to each side of a floor-to-ceiling window behind his desk, which overlooked the club. 

"Technically not the VIP area, but I assure you the view is unmatched."

Below were the writhing dancers and eccentric guests, the energy and lifeblood of the club, but it was the light show that caught the eyes of those who entered this place. The dancing and refracting of overhead light fixtures and scintillating beams made for the most beautiful manmade attractions.   

OWL

[Lilith Touyama]

Lilith couldn’t help but find a portion of her smile to be genuine; there was something about Elias that she found interesting, but she couldn’t find the words to describe it. It was enough for her to decide against the route of quirk to extract information. His response was enough to warm her smile a bit more, as she would also take another sip from her glass. As the duo would take another sip from their drinks and Elias would turn his attention to the room above, Lilith’s eyes would meet his glass before looking at her own, then quickly scanning the crowd again before giving her glass a small swirl. Her attention only returned to Elias as he spoke again, and just as she hoped, he would offer to bring her up to what she believed was the VIP room. Taking her glass with her, she would be ready to follow closely behind; with such a crowd, she would need to keep closer than normal to him. “Perfect, lead the way.” To Lilith’s shock, Elias would not be hard to follow as he made his way through towards a staircase. The crowd would all stand aside, leaving a favorable wake, before returning to their own devices. It was easily something to catch her attention, as she would eye the patrons while passing. As they made it to the foot of the staircase, she would turn back to observe the crowd one final time before ascending. Was this some kind of practical joke? Or perhaps the effect of Elias’s quirk? At the top of the staircase stood two guards who merely stepped aside without speaking as the duo walked past. She would eye them both for a moment, almost expecting one of them to attempt to stop her, but that eventuality never came to fruition. Met with a hallway, Elias would go right, and as she continued to follow, she couldn’t help but look to the left of the hallway. Finding the self at another doorway guarded by the silent sentries giving way to an extravagantly furnished office. The view down from this area was impressive, but her mind was elsewhere. "The view is amazing from here. I take it that you're not the average bargoer?" Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

Elias continued to watch the lights dance. They mesmerized the patrons below into a trance of ecstasy and euphoria, which in turn loosened their wallets and purses and pumped the club full of life and light. Cyclical, like the snake devouring its tail. 

"Hm," he nearly chuckled, "yes, you could say that. I am neither bargoer nor average by any means." He allowed the words to hang in the space between them, his eyes unmoving from the dance floor below.

"I am the owner of this establishment, dear," he offered some modicum of truth.

Club Nirvana, as well as the Hibernacula below, were both under his care. On paper, yes, he was the owner, though it was at the whim of his benefactors that he came to possess this little slice of heaven. In the end, what did it matter? He played the part they wished and reaped the rewards. 

"So, if I might inquire, what is it that brought you through my doors this fine evening?" He asked. 

The office was no stranger to patrons with pretty faces, but the desires behind their eyes were more numerous than the stars. One could never know, not even Elias. Some wished for the Wish-Maker's blessings, others only wanted for Elias' undivided attention, and there were those, of course, that wanted him dead. There was an electric thrill that coursed through his veins in those moments before he discerned which it was. Moments like this. 

OWL

[Lilith Touyama]

With the sounds from the club floor deafening, Lilith awaits his response. With the treatment he was receiving, it was clear of his status, but this office was surely not meant for everyone’s enjoyment. The time between her question, be it an easy one to assume, and Elias’s response felt as if the silence had lingered on for just a bit too long. With a witty remark and yet another pause, Elias would answer the question; he was in fact the owner of the nightclub. Lilith found herself almost in a state of wonder about how lucky she had been to so easily find the owner, but this seemed to be a difference in managerial styles, as where Elias was claimed to be well mannered and observant, others were loud, obnoxious, and surely in a substance-induced stupor. The ones under the influence were much easier to manipulate, but for this meeting, she had a feeling that no manipulation would be necessary. “Just the person I was looking for!” Lilith would respond by taking another sip from her cup. Her smile was still apparent, and she had a strong feeling that her search for the information was finally at its conclusion. She would listen on as he spoke, asking a question of what she was looking forward to as her eyes would narrow just slightly, her smile still unaffected as she would make her way closer to the bookcases, tracing her fingers along their edges before taking another sip of her drink and answering his question. “I heard whispers of a place that services a special clientele with all kinds of little goodies. Information, items, connections to other people, and dealings. Have I found the place?” Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME Lilith Touyama

The unknown. In any other place, Elias dreaded those variables that lay beyond the veil of uncertainty. Information and control were his tools, the game he played. But here, in his domain, ushered in beside a single person, one individual entity, it was welcome fun. 

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. Maybe I know of such a place, but hypothetically, if I did, I would almost certainly require a commodity of value to assure the safety of such a place. If I knew of one, of course," he spoke the playful truth. 

The Hibernacula was the club below the club, hidden beneath Nirvana. There, Japan's criminal underbelly traded in arms and secrets, and its security was beyond reproach. Keeping it safe was Elias's topmost priority at all times, and no cute face was going to enter freely. No one got in without being vetted, and their less-than-legal clientele knew it. If one was at stake, they all were. Mutually assured destruction was the den's most foolproof security net. 

"I would need to know who it is you are--who you really are, and what it you're looking for, of course," he spoke more plainly. "Collateral is the name of the game. It's the only grease that keeps the cogs turning." If she couldn't appreciate that, Nirvana's services were still at her disposal, but the HIbernacula would be beyond her reach. 

OWL