Being hired at a catering agency really shouldn't be so easy, honestly. Isla never had trouble with this sort of thing, but this company was suspiciously easy. For a company that caters to high end clients only, the millionaires of New York, you would think that they would have more requirements than clear skin and their waitresses to be aesthetically pleasing. Flipping the silver pen, she'd snatched on her way out, Isla felt her mood lighten. The prospect of getting her manicured hands on the coat that had haunted her thoughts in the months since first glancing upon it at her benefactor's art gala put a bounce in her step. Thank god for the service industry for having such a high turnover rate.
She may even get to pat down Donnatelles hunky date again, the poor man really did seem oddly miserable for someone hanging off the arm of a fabulously wealthy and gorgeous woman. But that was only a bonus to her overall goal, the coat and perhaps whatever trinkets she could pocket along the way were the main purpose of her little heist. Whistling a jaunty tune, as she strolled down the bustling street flicking her newest shiny acquisition into the air, she was truly excited for the first time in ages for a heist.
Isla found the requirements for her appearance for the charity benefit somewhat daunting, and if anything a bit sexist. A skintight black dress that showed more cleavage than she knew she had, black heels that were wholly unsuitable for doing more than sitting, and a black choker with a silver tag that read "Ruby". Don't judge her, she had to come up with a good name on the fly. She looked like a night companion more than a server, she thought as she piled her auburn locks into something that resembled an elegant updo. "The things we do for treasure," She muttered to herself in the poorly lit staff bathroom checking her lightly done up face.
"Never heard anyone call money treasure before, but I kinda love it," a girl in the same abysmally tight attire laughed as she swiped on some last minute lipstick. "I hate dealing with blood-suckers, but damn do they tip well," She whispered conspiratorially winking before she scuttled out of the dingy space. Isla found herself staring at the black door that lead to the staff area chuckling a little. 'Blood-suckers', huh? It is a charity drive for a blood bank after all, they were campaigning for more money AND blood.
There was a quick staff meeting, where Isla made note of the staff being all female and all dressed in the same tight black outfits. The loud girl from the bathroom smiled at her and waved enthusiastically, pushing the girl beside her away with more force than she looked capable of to make room for Isla. She couldn't help but be a little flattered by the show of preference.
"Treasure girl, stand by me!!" the girl shouted excitedly, her brown ponytail bouncing, she practically buzzed with energy. Only quieting when Isla slid into the newly vacated spot, she could feel the angry glare of the shoved girl burrowing into the side of her head.
"Call me Ruby," Isla said smiling a bit reservedly, having someone notice you overly was not necessarily ideal for thievery; but her instincts rarely lead her astray, and they were telling her that this girl may just be the perfect distraction. She was boisterous, and attention grabbing just what Isla needed to be able to grab the coat and be gone without being seen.
"Ruuuuuuuuby, HOW CUTE!! I'm Moony! I know its silly but my parents really loved the moon an-"
"Moony. Love it," Isla cut her off, sensing a tangent on the horizon. The girl practically lit up with pleasure, Isla would swear if she had a tail the girl would be wagging it. Moony gripped Isla's hand, as the manager began to drone on about their expectations and duties for the evening.
"Moony, Ruby, and Jessica will be on refreshments. Keep glasses full, and for gods sakes don't spill anything," the last bit was said through gritted teeth. Most likely due to Moony bouncing on the balls of her feet despite the impossibly high heels that made Isla feel a little wobbly.
Not long after that they were none too gently ushered into the ballroom that would host dinner and dancing for the affluent. With some relief after being gifted with a tray of some of the darkest wine Isla had ever seen, Moony had whimpered dramatically and let go of her hand.
"Don't forget me, my love!!" she howled as the manager dragged her away to her section. Isla couldn't help the good natured smirk that formed. That one was strange, Isla loved strange. She had a new plan B that was going to rely on the girls boisterous personality, a little playful and friendly flirting and she knew that Moony would be bound to spill a some of the dark liquid on her mark. She just hoped that Donnatelle would have the sense to drape the coat over the back of her chair. Sure it seemed like she was going through a lot of trouble for a coat, but once the urge struck she had to follow through.
She kept her eyes peeled for the raven haired mark as she wove her way through the slowly trickling in crowd dripping with jewels and coldness. She noticed a trend of honeyed eyed patrons with moonlight skin, and sticks rammed up their asses. Was this a family event? Donnatelle would blend in far too well here, but luckily for Isla the silver hair of her ever present arm candy not only stood out in a crowd, but his height made him stand above it as well.
Things seemed to be especially working out in her favor as Donnatelle flung the shining coat over the back of the spindly gold chair, sitting daintily as her lover pushed her chair in for her. Isla watched curiously as his elegant fingers caressed the fur of the coat rapturously, those obsidian eyes closing tightly. He seemed to want the coat as much as she did. Her eyes widened as Donnatelle whipped her head around and clawed her sharply clawed fingers into his caressing hands.
"You'll never.....have.....free.." The hissed snippets of words were lost in the noise the band starting to play and the crowd growing more and more boisterous. Even from her vantage point Isla could see the tick in his jaw, and the rage in the mirthless pits of his eyes. Perhaps there was more to their relationship than she knew. They would have to dance at least once, it was simply the way of these functions, it would be rude for Donnatelle to stay in her seat all night; and the minute that she was gone Isla would strike. She would take the coat, and if anyone questioned her she would claim to be taking it to the coat room for the Madame. If she felt too many eyes she would employ the bouncing and flirtatious Moony to cause a distraction. If she was lucky the girl may even cause one without prompting.
"-Smell fantastic," a voice like silk purred into her ear, as a cool hand caressed her hip.
"I'm assured it's a fine vintage," she said through a gritted smile, not letting some perv distract her from her purpose, as she thrust a glass of thick wine into the free hand reaching for her face as she deftly stepped away from him. Ignoring the surprised look that flashed across his symmetrical face. "Strange bird." She heard him grouse.
The people at this event couldn't get any stranger, she thought rolling her eyes. She'd met a lot of weirdos in her day, from a fence that lived in an underground lair to that one lady who spoke only in riddles and had a strange fascination with Egyptian artifacts. But these people, they were cold, entitled, and kept Sniffing her. Even now as she wound her way through the crowd in attempt to be close enough to her treasure to snatch it away, she could hear the occasional honey eyed patron taking a deep whiff of her. She wasn't even wearing any perfume, she did suppose it could be a failure on the part of her deodorant.
Slicking back a flyaway in attempt to disguise the dainty sniff of her, much to her relief, still meadow fresh pits. Maybe, they just like the smell of her deodorant then? Wobbling to a quick stop, Isla watched as one of the objects of her desire held out a callused palm to the object of her ire. He was taking Donnatelle away to dance. A rush of a familiar emotion swept through her. Jealousy. For the first time in her life, however, it wasn't jealousy over an object or food or even wealth; it was jealousy that Donnatelle's thin pale hand was being caressed ever so gently by his. It was enough to cool her want for the fur that had been at the for front of her mind for months, perhaps she would steal away this ever miserable man as well.
But even she, the woman who took whatever she wanted whenever she wanted, knew that human beings weren't possessions or a shiny thing to adorn yourself with. Even if that person had hair like starlight, eyes of obsidian, and a face that the gods themselves sculpted. She knew now was her chance, with a purposeful stride she closed in on her target. Excitement, and the rush that only came when she was taking things that belonged to others slithered through her. It sustained her more than any food she'd ever eaten, refreshed her more than any spa day or long hot bath.
For the first time since her eyes landed on the coat, her fingers were able to card through the short fur. Euphoria was far too simple of word to describe the sensations lighting through her receptors. For a moment she felt outraged that it was so carelessly draped over the back of the elegant chair. Isla decided it would either be worn or put in a place of honor in her nest. No one would be taking this treasure from HER.
Isla's eyes flickered around, quickly taking in her surroundings, catching the pretty blue of Moony's. The girl didn't look even look remotely surprised by Isla's caressing of the coat, hell, she even had a naughty looking smirk on her face.
She knew.
Isla had always had a great sense for these things. She could tell when she had been made when hunting out an item. It had been years since shed been caught so blatantly, and she couldn't believe that her success would rely on the discretion of a female whose only decibel setting was LOUD.