Jun 02 07:49:03 106 PA
From Chronicles
The club is a liberal mix of modern and classic styles with a dark, warm lean to the hardwood and metal decor, dressed up with velvet and leather. Set up about the stage with attached DJ station and dance floor at the center, the entrance is set to one end of this, the bar to the other. The entrance itself is tightly controlled. There are always two well dressed people at the front, a bouncer to check each person coming in and another watching the drum and closet lockers that hold all patron weapons.
A broad , semi circular stage extends from the center of the widest wall, rising two feet, with lights rimming the edge and hidden in scaffolds high above. A rich red velvet curtain lies ready to sweep about and veil the stage itself from view. The DJ booth is set up right next to the stage, set into the same wall. With a thick window and biometric locks on the two side doors, one to the stage and the other to a set of stairs down, the equipment within is secure. Within a C shaped desk and racks hold the sound equipment, all linked into a central computer. All done up in sleek, dark cases, mixing well with the warm, wood paneling of the booth's exterior.
A dance floor is central to the club, laid out in a broad circle before the stage. Laid out in a semi circle opposite the stage side of the dance floor are a series of round tables, with smaller two person sized ones at the edge, with larger four person tables in the next row and a few grand six to eight person tables on the outer edge. All staggered to make for the best view for all to the dance floor and stage. To one side of this central focus is the bar, a broad affair taking up much of the shorter wall in width. The bar itself is a mix of modern and classic, with the simple, elegant hardwood design of the bar itself mixing with the display of alcohol behind it, opaque plastic shelves lit from within to highlight the wide selection of common and uncommon liquors for sale. The barstools themselves, lined up in a neat row, mix dark metallic stems with comfy red leather seats.
Late at night and the club is beginning to empty out. A few regulars are persistent and lingering on, as is Maya. She is settled by the bar, elbows either side of the large purple drink, her plaits dangling either side of her face, her hands resting on her cheeks. Staring into space, her face is thoughtful, but no sign of anxiety or anger in her hazel eyes. The overtures of the evening dancers were ignored earlier and so she is alone.
Denied other loitering options, and not yet ready to retire for the night, Leonard returns to the watering hole of champions. He steps for the bar, a lingering smile upon his lips that only widens as the thoughtful and plated Maya is noted in the thinning crowd. Without a forewarning wave, he alters course slightly and quickens his pace, angling for a blindsiding hug. Turnabout is fair play, and fun, to boot.
Maya is blindsided, and slightly startled, a shocked squeak breaking from her. Maya realises who it is quickly though and returns the hug wholeheartedly, her grin lighting up her face. "Idiot." She murmurs, tilting her head back to look up at the man. "You're out late." She makes no effort to disengage herself from the hug, cheerfully accepting it.
"I've heard that one before," Leonard chuckles and relexes the embrace after the affectionate squeeze, "and you're here, as well. It's an enjoyable outing, at least. Credit for your thoughts?" He is quiet relaxed and comfortably chipper. Perhaps hugs are, indeed, the cure.
Maya settles back on her stool, reaching behind her for her drink, holding it in both hands as she gives him a mock serious look. "Only worth a credit?" She takes a slurp of the drink, watching him over the brim of the glass. "Only thinking about morals, and different places." A one sided shrug and her gaze drops to the glass.
Leonard smirks, bemused rather than snarky. "I had to start the bid somewhere... Any particular moral or place?" A brow arches in query and announcement of his casual intrigue before he adds, "I hope you're not still fretting over Ema and yourself."
"You had a credit's worth." The comment is loftily spoken, her chin lifting slightly, despite the mischief in her eyes. "In every place, there is a difference in the acceptable morals and ethical behaviour." She comments, lowering the glass to watch him thoughtfully. "In some tribes, it is perfectly reasonable and acceptable for a man to have several wives. Here, it seems acceptable for anyone to have multiple partners as long as they are honest about it." Slipping easily into scientist mode, her face is thoughtful.
"That can vary somewhat between individuals," his shoulders roll slightly, as vague as his note, "but I can see the practicality behind the enjoyment. Even here in the city, life is dangerous, and opportunities might not have the chance to be repeated. I admit that I thought it unusual at one time, but I was also ignorant of the subject, then."
She regards him thoughtfully, her forehead wrinkling. "It is true that people who live in daily danger tend to be more flexible in their morals." Maya is musing this, leaning back against the bar, her forehead wrinkled. "So I don't understand. You thought it was wrong of Seb to try and persuade me with information to sleep with him but it was alright to use a spell on someone? Explain the difference?"
Leonard exhales a sigh that does not drain his light mood and his head shakes slightly. "It was an ...example, and not an attempt for abusive adventures. Also, as Ema and I already made amends, the moral debate is rather moot."
Maya studies his face thoughtfully, her forehead wrinkling. The pair are at the bar, Maya seated with Leonard stood beside her, her back to the bar. "I...see." The reply suggests she doesn't really but she shakes her head, dismissing the topic. The hour is early in the morning, the bar emptying slowly, leaving the die hard regulars alone. "I don't really but I think you don't want to explain and its late." She grins then, stretching with a lazy yawn, eyes half closing.
"Not for the umpteenth time, no." It's a wearied admission and not a retort from Leonard. Her stretch is observed with both polite concern and casual appreciation. Both widen his smile to its prior dimensions. "Would you care for an escort home? The club is closing soon, anyhow."
Maya responds to the weariness, sliding from the stool, her face sympathetic. She offers the man a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting an affectionate kiss on his cheek. "I guess. I turned down the other offers..." She comments, leaning back to look up at him, her grin widening. "But I've got Vixen staying at my place." The latter in the form of a warning.
And those who work the night shift. Sebastien's less dressed up than usual, his chest hugged by a navy polo that tucks in to white slacks. His eyes hid behind yellow-tinted sporting glasses, and he presses his way towards the bar. A speckle of rain dusts his clothing, a portent of what one might expect outside, as he catches a glimpse of Maya hugging Leonard. A small smirk touches his lips, and he dances back a few paces to eye the pair.
Leonard returns the embrace with arms about her waist. The warning provokes a nod yet not even a flicker to his smile. "I'm aware. It doesn't mean that I won't attempt to enjoy your company whenever and however you might share it. You are a delight," A lean in to return the kiss upon her cheek, and then his head continues a touch further near her ear and his words quiet, "and I try to be optimistic." Or bold, as another brief brush of his lips is aimed beneath the ear, at the spot of neck he believes she favors. Not that his recollection of the past, inebriated moment would be entirely accurate.
His recollection appears to be accurate because she shivers slightly, just enough for him to feel and, if someone was watching closely, to see. For a moment, she stays put and then, the movement natural enough, she slides back on her stool, reaching for her drink, held in front of her, between them. "Friends, Leonard." A gentle reproof, the woman oblivious to Sebastien's presence.
The young Sebastien eyes tat move, his gaze on Maya as it happens, and with an eyebrow quirked he smirks. Slipping back into the crowd, the glimpse of blue and white's obscured by the tangle of bodies as he works his way towards the dance floor away from the pair. Giving Maya room to have her fun.
The shiver is felt, with Leonard acknowledging it via a momentary firming of his hold. He doesn't linger nor cling, however, and readily allows her to slip free as she wishes. Not even her clarification of status is rebuffed, but his confimation is just as gentle, and potentially open. "Friends."
Maya narrows her eyes at him for a second before she grins, shaking her head. "I don't think it is flattering that you try and sleep with every woman you know." The gentle comment is spoken as she takes a slurp of the drink, before she points at him. "Friends only, Leonard. Sticking to my rules." The drink gets put down and Maya slides from the stool. "I think I best walk myself home."
"I don't, Maya," he attempts to clarify, even if her momentary peer and comment do invoke some surprise from Leonard, "and I'll not break your rules. You do make testing them quite the temptation, of course." A friendly smile and nod trail her decision and pending departure. Her change of heart on an escort is not pressed. "Maybe another time, then?"
The grin fades a little and Maya gives Leonard a considering look, the pair stood beside the bar, Maya's drink abandoned on there. "What tempts you? If I knew what did, I could stop doing it." One hand has fallen down beside her, her fingers fiddling with the pleat of her skirt. "Another time." Acknowledged with a nod, and she waits for his reply.
Flare slips into the bar not quite in the hurry that she was the other day, the hurry that called her away unexpectedly right after she got here. She makes it through the doors and heads over towards the bar, dipping her head to the two there, almost saying something but not quite sure.
The fading is mildly contagious, and Leonard's demeanor softens. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, or somehow ...less. You shouldn't change anything, Maya." He does realize that nudges can go too far, even if he normally does so only after the fact.
Maya's doubt is written on her face, her forehead wrinkling upwards, but she shakes her head firmly, giving the man a quick grin. "I should get home." The complete avoidance of the topic isn't subtle, nor is the way she leaves, turning away and moving quickly across the dancefloor.
Flare purses her lips for a moment and then sighs softly. She reaches the bar and orders a drink before turning and watching the departing Maya and then back over to Leo.
Leonard /had/ attempted a realization before the fact. Now that seems highly debateable. He watches her brisk departure and then turns to acquire himself a drink before last call.
Flare looks over at Leo as her own drink arrives, "Problems?" she asks as she takes a sip of her drink, sitting comfortably and running a hand through her crimson hair.
Leonard turns at the question and his smile rekindles upon Flare. "Just some establishing of borders between friends. Nothing dreadful." He would hope. The arrival of his own drink is prompt and he takes a sip of wine before asking, "How are you this fine evening?" Not entirely correct, as it's after midnight.
Flare shrugs, "Well enough I think, establishing of borders.." she repeats the last part and seems to be mulling it over in her head for a moment, "oh." she looks away for a moment and then back, "So...other than that, what are you up to?"
"Now?" Leonard looses a chuckle. "Likely finding what other troubles or fun might gravitate in my direction, and eventually home to bed. Maybe even some combination of the two. What of yourself? Out to enjoy, I hope."
Flare cocks her head to the side, "Or combination of the two?" she raises a brow and then chuckles, "Well out to enjoy myself I guess you could say, maybe if I am lucky find someone fireproof." she giggles just a little.
Leonard nods and lifts his glass in a light salute to her before taking another swallow. "I am working to aid you in your search, but in the interim, have you considered someone courageous rather than inflammable? Or foolish might work as well. I can easily imagine more than one risking the flames for the heat, so to speak."
Flare cocks her head to the side, "I.." she looks down, "don't know if I could go through it again, though nothing ventured nothing gained they say." she looks back up and shrugs, "I suppose if I could find one willing to risk it."
Leonard regards her over his drink a considering moment, then takes a long swallow. "Dependent upon how much you wish to gain, I would be willing to venture." His smile turns decidely wry. "I've been burned in every other sense, as of late, and I find the risk nearly as alluring as the rest of you. Of course, I don't wish to upset any more friendly boundaries, either." A brow arches in silent query.
Flare looks at Leonard, "willing to venture.." she says as she looks at him, "Well you have seen me almost completely naked." she says and then laughs a little. "What are you getting yourself into." she takes another long drink. "I did enjoy the show," Leonard's smile evens out into something chesire, "so I have some idea of what I might get into. The remainder may be unknown, but I do like an adventure." One last sip and he sets his wine aside. "A friendly offer, without worry of regret on your part, as I'm well aware of the risks."
Flare cocks her head to the side a little again though she does blush, "Glad you enjoyed it." she says softly, "Well suppose we can see what happens."
Leonard notes the blush and softens his smile. "It looks as if your cheeks might ignite, already. I suggest a walk to cool them." He then offers his hand. A comparatively simple gesture of trust or courage, given all the other implications, but it's given all the same. "Whatever happens, I expect the view will be quite lovely."
Flare hasn't had a lot of people flirting with her in a long time so the words do have a strong affect on her. She nods and reaches over to take his hand, "Aallright." she says a bit softly.
Whatever fear or flinching she might expect, Leonard does not display it. Instead, her hand receives a squeeze of reassurance. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as you said. Don't let fear keep you from anything. It's a miserable way to live, Flare." With that, he'll seek to escort her out for that walk in a firm, but not overzealous, manner.
Flare lets him lead the way, walking along with him and smiling just a little, "Fear and memories." she shakes her head and nods, "maybe can make new ones."
