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Post by Siryn on Feb 1, 2006 22:35:26 GMT -5
This is where all the best stores, restaurants, clubs, etc are located.
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Post by Polaris on Feb 6, 2006 22:22:02 GMT -5
Lorna ducked into the club, hoping to ditch Exodus since the man was known to not want to follow her into her more...interesting haunts. It seemed all he did was follow her around making sure she stayed out of trouble. Thing is, she liked getting into trouble at times and considering how terribly boring things were at home, this was her entertainment. Even Rogue hadn't been around in ages for her to harass.
She stepped inside further and smiled. Now this was more like it. The music was obnoxiously loud, the dance floor was crowded and already people were turning to look at her. And why shouldn't they? She was Lord Magneto's daughter and the much more noticeable one. Wanda was perfectly content to waste her life away in the palace or shopping, blending in as much as she could. Lorna craved the attention that being “famous” brought her. If she were to be completely honest with herself, it was only because she was looking to fill a lifelong void but she didn't want to be honest. Or introspective. Lorna just wanted to party and forget that tomorrow had to come eventually.
Her short, black leather skirt complimented her long flawless legs and the spiked heels at the end helped her height even more. The shimmery black halter top was almost pointless to wear in the amount it revealed and if Bennett had his way, he would have teleported her directly back to her room and demanded she change. Luckily, Lorna knew how to ditch him pretty easily. Her long green hair was left down to hang loose, slightly wavy from the recent shower she had. The only makeup she wore was a bit of mascara to darken her eyes and clear lip gloss.
Approaching the bar, she ordered a drink then turned to sit on the bar stool so that she could scan the crowd. In no time, she would have a few dance partners to choose from and her night would just be beginning.
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Post by Cannonball on Feb 6, 2006 22:55:14 GMT -5
A mission, sure, this would be a 'mission', a job as the casually dressed Red Guard member made his way, actually stalking Magneto's daughter. He wasn't in uniform, as sharp as it would have looked Sam Guthrie was not out to draw undue attention tonight. No, he was playing a game of sorts, one that had started from nothing more then a bet. Men talking about women was, often a colorful conversation, and rightly so while he was sharing the company of another couple of Magneto's elite, the topic's of the royal family followed. From there, the youngest daughter Polaris hadn't been a stretch.
Agent Guthrie hadn't made any wager, there was really nothing to win or lose, but he was going to play the game regardless. If he had a good time with the green haired royalty, so much the better.
He had been waiting as she ducked into a club, trying to escape Exodus. Wearing a pair of jeans, form fitting black t-shirt and his psionic scrambler hidden in a seam there was no sign that the blond man was anything of note. As Lorna slipped in though, he followed.
Guthrie wasn't known for being shy, overly violent perhaps in a fight, but not shy. The lady's club had done nothing to slow him and as she sat on her stool a young man was cutting though the crowd. He has short blond hair, held a single red rose in front of him, and glowed softly in the flashing lights. Sam was walking right for her, but the mass of people neither touched, nor slowed him.
"My Lady..." He addressed the princess in a long outdated but fitting manner and held the flower out to her, waiting for her to take it before he might go in. Once she took it, she had made some commitment in accepting his lowly company, and he could explain his game more fully. The young man's voice picked up in tone as he explained himself over the music.
"... My name is Agent Guthrie of the Red Guard, or Sam if you like... I have been given the task of accompanying you tonight." He leaned forward; closer, perhaps closer then would have been fully appropriate and smiled impishly. He was near her, a centimeter from her ear and his cheek nearly brushing hers. "... m'lady, I have been ordered to stay close to you... and it sounds like a most pleasant assignment."
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Post by Polaris on Feb 7, 2006 12:32:49 GMT -5
Lorna didn't even notice the young man making a beeline for her until he was practically upon her. There were so many people in the crowd that it wasn't a surprise she hadn't noticed him. However, the rose that was presented to her did catch her attention and Lorna looked up. It wasn't the first time she'd ever been presented with flowers but they usually didn't come from someone in a club. Usually it was from children that she met on the street or during a benefit of some sort.
Her eyes traveling from the flower to the man holding it, she thought he looked vaguely familiar. Then again, Genosha wasn't a very large island and although the city was fairly huge, it was entirely possible to notice familiar strangers. Out of habit more then anything, Lorna reached up and took the rose from the man's fingers and automatically brought it to her nose to inhale the fragrance. It couldn't quite compare to the palace gardens but then, not much on this planet could.
"My Lady...My name is Agent Guthrie of the Red Guard, or Sam if you like... I have been given the task of accompanying you tonight," he informed her with a smile on his face.
Agent Guthrie. Yes, she had met him a few times at various functions where the Red Guard was required to attend. Most of the time, they had seemed as bored as she was with the parties but either Bennett or Pietro would keep her from ditching the parties or mingling too much.
Lorna opened her mouth to comment on the idea that he was accompanying her tonight when he suddenly leaned in close, very close, and added, ”... m'lady, I have been ordered to stay close to you... and it sounds like a most pleasant assignment."
His breath was warm and not at all unpleasant against her neck as he spoke and Lorna turned slightly to face him. Catching his blue eyes with her green ones, she asked with a slight grin, “And who, pray tell, has ordered you to stay close to me, Agent Guthrie?” It was a challenge in a way. Not too many men ever had the courage to get that close to her and never had one been as bold as this. If he had truly been hired by her family to trail her, she would have to ditch him quickly.
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Post by Cannonball on Feb 7, 2006 17:59:13 GMT -5
Well, that was a good and fair question. It was also a question that he wasn’t going to answer, his sense of honesty wouldn’t let him lie outright to the pretty green haired woman, so, he had to do the next best thing; avoid lying and telling her the truth, that he was there of his own accord. Maybe it wasn’t much of a difference between a lie and clear avoidance of the truth, but that was a fine line that ol’ honest Guthrie walked.
So, smiling that slightly impish, evil little smile the young man tried to play the princess as a musician might an instrument. “Well, I wish I could answer that M’lady… but I can’t…” He couldn’t, because no one had given the actual word. “… Sometimes we get orders, and the source of them is restricted to all those but those of the highest military ranking, I mean no offence m’lady, but for your beauty and grace, you have no such clearance…” Yes, sometimes things were like such, and this wasn’t one of those times, he would give her something though.
“Anyone issuing such an order though, anyone thinking that I would keep you out of trouble, couldn’t know me very well… I suppose this time I should ask you to dance? As I was ordered to stay close...”
Oh yes, he wasn’t likely to keep her from much trouble at all. Still, he fought to speak out over the booming music and make a small request as he slid up to stand by the sitting princess’ side. “If I get to close, you may need to let me know. I just hope I am not a bother M’lady…”
Gently a hand touched the small of the young woman’s back, just the tips of a few fingers, hinting that she could if she wanted chase him away, or lead him out into the dance. Either way, she was in control of the good little soldier, to a degree.
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Post by Polaris on Feb 7, 2006 20:42:39 GMT -5
The impish smile remained on Sam's lips as he answered, “Well, I wish I could answer that M’lady… but I can’t…Sometimes we get orders, and the source of them is restricted to all those but those of the highest military ranking, I mean no offense m’lady, but for your beauty and grace, you have no such clearance…”
That was probably the biggest bunch of bull she'd ever heard but Lorna wasn't quite ready to call him on it. His audacity and creativity was amusing and it was possible he would be fun to hang around for a little bit. Until he lost his appeal.
Lorna mirrored Sam's smirk and replied, “My beauty and grace can get me far, Sam. Even information that you would consider 'confidential'.”
“Anyone issuing such an order though, anyone thinking that I would keep you out of trouble, couldn’t know me very well… I suppose this time I should ask you to dance? As I was ordered to stay close...” he continued.
Oh, yes, it was quite clear that no one had sent him here to look after her or he wouldn't have told her that. And he would be dressed in uniform and flashing his badge in her face. Young Mr. Guthrie thought that he was up to playing in her court? Well, the night was still young and Lorna was up to a bit of amusement. Besides, dancing and drinking was what she had come here to do and unless Sam intended on ruining his career and possibly his life, he wouldn't do anything to hurt her. It was about the only thing she could say for her father and brother's over protectiveness. Their names alone usually scared the crap out of anyone.
Lorna slid off the bar stool and replied with a smirk, “That's twice you have mentioned being ordered to stay close and I just learned your name two minutes ago. Just how strictly do you follow all orders, Sam?”
His fingers touched the small of her back and considering her shirt was completely non-existent in the back, Lorna felt them all too well. “If I get to close, you may need to let me know. I just hope I am not a bother M’lady…” he trailed off.
Lorna turned to face him and replied, “Oh, if you become a bother, you will most certainly know it. And if we are going to dance, please call me Lorna. I am 'off duty' so to speak.”
With that, Lorna made her way to the dance floor, having left her drink on the bar for the bartender to dispose of. The crowd parted for the well known, green haired woman and she found herself in the middle of the dance floor, the music pumping all around her and flowing through her body. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Lorna began to dance, her body moving in perfect beat to the music. It was a test to see if her young guardsman could keep up the pace.
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Post by Cannonball on Feb 7, 2006 21:35:47 GMT -5
Well, she wasn’t humble, but then humble tended to be understated, and understated in turn boring. As she asked how closely he followed orders though the young man’s smile actually widened a hair. What could he say of himself, what could he say that would be both be both true, and the still maintained degree of playful?
“Very strictly, though more then once my superiors have had to come down on me for my aggressive methods…” As soon as it came out, he had to keep himself from laughing at the horridly obvious sexual undertones. There was a hint, and wrongly so of an affair with one of the women ruling the Red Guard. Still, control ruled out, and the young officer didn’t crack, though he was on the edge.
She wanted him to call her Lorna, and nodding softly the youth seemed to conform to the request, or was it an order? Either way, he didn’t say a word as she slid from her stool and turned to face him. Now, they were moving, together the finger tips were tracing out small circles in the muscles of her back. They were playing over the skin lightly, teasing her as they migrated up and down a restrained patch on her lower back.
His fingers didn’t leave her the once. They remained on her as she led out into the middle of the dance floor. He hadn’t said a word in so many seconds, and then there was a warmth, as his body pressed up against her back. The fingers that had been on her back had circled around to her front and the off hand pulled her hair to the side. Agent Guthrie was bold; he kissed the back of Lorna’s neck and only after such did his cheek slide to her side and he finally agreed to something. If he had agreed to calling her Lorna though, it was a mocking admittance; quietly Sam said.
“Yes, m’lady…”
The warmth covering her back though had spread, and her whole body was glowing with a soft light. It was moving, vibrating with the music and the dancing of her partner. His pace was building, however slowly. The shield was binding them to each other, challenging the chance of escape, or attention to deviate from the touch of each other’s body’s.
His hands were on her, on her stomach, and snaking down, pulling himself into her, but then with a shift, he was gone. Leaning back the farm boy vanished from touch, only to return shirtless. It wasn’t skin and leather on cotton; it was skin on skin.
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Post by Polaris on Feb 7, 2006 23:40:38 GMT -5
“Very strictly, though more then once my superiors have had to come down on me for my aggressive methods…” he replied as he trailed off then looked like he had amused himself.
Lorna simply raised her eyebrows. She knew Mystique quite well, hell the woman was her honorary “aunt”, and although she could see some of the other women in the Red Guard “coming down on him” for aggressive methods, she knew it wouldn't be Raven. At least not in the manner he had insinuated.
They made their way to the dance floor and Sam's hand never once left her back. He stayed close to her, almost as if letting go would cause him to lose her and honestly, in that crowd, it very well could be the truth. The band was loud, the music was fast and Lorna wanted to move because the more she moved, the more she forgot who she was. Granted, the alcohol usually helped with that as well. Too bad no one else ever forgot who she was.
Once they got to her chosen spot on the dance floor, Sam wrapped his arm around her waist and rested his hand on her stomach. Then he moved her hair with his other hand and Lorna felt his hot breath and his lips on the back of her neck. He was definitely a bold one and it just reinforced her belief that no one sent him to “keep an eye on” her.
Suddenly, she was surrounded in a hazy light and Lorna realized she hadn't asked what his mutant ability was. Whatever it was, it kept the two of them close together and anyone else out. His body moved behind hers in perfect fluid motion, as if he could read what she was going to do next.
Sam chose that moment to pull back but before Lorna could look back to see what had happened, she felt him press against her again, this time his very obvious bare chest against her back. That took her by surprise and Lorna thought that nothing could take her by surprise after everything she had been through.
The music changed at that point to something slower and couples were breaking off into each other's arms. Although his force field was still tightly wrapped around them, she managed to twist in his arms and link her fingers behind his neck. Looking up into his face, she asked, “So, what are you really doing here, Agent Guthrie?”
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Post by Cannonball on Feb 8, 2006 0:12:30 GMT -5
The force field eased with the music. It calmed, containing then both but the motion of the edge against the skin had eased, and it caressed more then swept the body on some mutagenic tide. Moving hadn’t been difficult, but the chance that she might just suddenly try and escape, slightly reduced. Though, the barrier may have had less to do with that then the gentle stimulation.
Sam had thrown his shirt out into the crowd, and somewhere, someone had surely acquired an old, worn bit of cloth. He was better off without it; he could draw a little closer without. Lorna’s response though, that had reinforced the smile her partner wore as her body tensed for a moment at the feel of his chest bare against her back.
There they had a few slow moments of gyration, two bodies playfully melting into each other and edging towards what would be socially acceptable. Still, the music had changed, and his companion shifted to face him. Sam’s forehead dipped, to lean itself on hers, applying a soft pressure and hanging his lips just off hers. He was playing with her, daring her to reach that last little distance, and answering her new question.
“Smart girl…” The impish smile resurfaced and the good soldier’s hands ran down the princess’ back. His fingers met her leather skirt and dipped just below stoking the skin. He went lower, slowly, far enough to be sure she wasn’t wearing anything under the hide band.
“.. you have never had men want to dance with you? Want to kiss you, talk with you and learn every little thing about you? I saw you at one of your father’s dinners, the long ones, where he and Exodus make those speeches, where Agent Darkholme needs to kick me under the table to keep me awake… no offence to your father, don’t know the man, but I never liked speeches or fancy dinners…”
The young man took a slight pause, he sighed to himself as this could have well meant the loss of a very respectable position in the new world order.
“… Well, wanted to say something to you, but with your family there it was hard… so I checked the security briefings. Outlined your common habits, I hoped to meet you… m’lady…”
“Sorry to disappoint”
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Post by Polaris on Feb 8, 2006 8:24:58 GMT -5
Sam lowered his head to rest it against her, his eyes locked to hers, their noses lightly touching and his lips just a breath away from her own. “Smart girl…you have never had men want to dance with you? Want to kiss you, talk with you and learn every little thing about you? I saw you at one of your father’s dinners, the long ones, where he and Exodus make those speeches, where Agent Darkholme needs to kick me under the table to keep me awake… no offense to your father, don’t know the man, but I never liked speeches or fancy dinners…Well, wanted to say something to you, but with your family there it was hard… so I checked the security briefings. Outlined your common habits, I hoped to meet you… m’lady…Sorry to disappoint,” Sam finally admitted the truth.
As he spoke, Lorna felt his hand slide down the back of her skirt. Now, she'd been pawed at before but never quite so soon or quite so publicly. Either Sam had a death wish or he was braver then most men. It really didn't matter as Lorna unlocked her hands and purposely reached behind her to pull his hand out of her skirt. As far as she was concerned, they were still in the 'talking stage' of this little interlude. He'd have to convince her it would be worth her while to wander past that.
“Lorna," she muttered, reminding him of her name. "Of course men have wanted to do all that and more. However most of the time my father scares them off. As for boring dinners, I completely agree. I hide from them as much as possible,” she agreed as she made sure his hands stayed at her back and didn't stray. Once she was sure he would “behave”, she locked her fingers around his neck again.
“So, Sam, you managed to track me like a stalker. Should I be flattered or frightened?” Not that she would ever feel frightened. Lorna may not be nearly as powerful as her father but Bennett hadn't spent years training her for nothing. She could kill with but a mere thought, not to mention hold her own in a fight. However, she was still curious about this brave little guardsman so she continued to play the game. Not pressing forward as he was perhaps hoping, she didn't move to touch her lips to his but she also didn't move away from their intimate little posture.
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Post by Cannonball on Feb 8, 2006 13:43:47 GMT -5
The young guard didn’t fight his hostess in the slightest as she guided his hands back up to where they had sat, resting on her lower back. He let her put his hands where she wished, and smiled, even trying to look innocent in the wake of his bold, brash and overly cocky move.
Sam’s otherwise evil little smile tried to make itself look innocent, it wasn’t working as much as he may have tried. This time though, he did conform well enough to actually say her name without the formal term, though he near laughed at the single word.
“Lorna…” and what ever effort of innocence he had tired fell apart as he responded to the wants of other men. The impish little smile resurfaced as he noted his fear of her father. “Respect your father, I’m not afraid of him… so either I’m brave, stupid or some mix of both. Either way, this seemed something I had to do…”
He was being a ‘good’ boy, he was behaving for now, but clearly didn’t like it.
“Lorna, I like to think myself as a possible suitor, perhaps a friend, but never a stalker; but you will see me as you wish. Exodus seems to like keeping you on a short leash after all, I didn’t have many other choices to get close to you. You aren’t scared of me, are you; I would hope not Lorna.”
He leaned in a little closer, moved his lips a hair closer for a moment with the dance, trying to hide the little game he was trying to play.
“If you want me to leave, just ask.”
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Post by Polaris on Feb 8, 2006 15:57:35 GMT -5
As per her gesture, Sam moved his hand and put it back on the small of her back. At least he was willing to go along with what she wanted and not press too much farther then was “acceptable”. Granted, the fact that her entire back was bare didn't really change a whole lot but at least his hand wasn't down the back of her skirt. That would certainly cause quite the commotion if her family found out.
“Lorna…Respect your father, I’m not afraid of him… so either I’m brave, stupid or some mix of both. Either way, this seemed something I had to do…” he told her.
Lorna pondered his words for a moment and decided, “A mix of both, definitely. My father scares even me at times yet he's never raised his hand to me.” Although she had certainly given him more then enough reasons to in her lifetime. She had also never seen him lose his temper although she had heard rumors. There was no doubt in her mind where she got most of her personality from.
“Lorna, I like to think myself as a possible suitor, perhaps a friend, but never a stalker; but you will see me as you wish. Exodus seems to like keeping you on a short leash after all, I didn’t have many other choices to get close to you. You aren’t scared of me, are you; I would hope not Lorna,” he continued as he moved even closer to her.
Well, she did ask. “Afraid of you? No. Bennett does indeed keeps me close. He's been my body guard since I was a child and he's my best friend. However, he does hover and try to turn me into my sister. I'm not so sure about a suitor, Sam, but a friend sounds nice,” she replied. Actually, a friend sounded awfully damned nice. Someone who wasn't after her money or father's attention. It didn't hurt that he had definitely shown himself fun to be around and he was rather good looking.
As he moved closer, he gently said, “If you want me to leave, just ask.”
Even as he said the words, his lips barely brushed hers and his eyes challenged her. “If I had wanted you to leave, you would be gone now,” she replied, not moving her face any. “Do you always go after something you want so...boldly? Or am I a special occasion?”
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Post by Cannonball on Feb 8, 2006 18:12:11 GMT -5
Brave and stupid, he had joked at the chance that he could well be a blend of the two instead then either one or the other and she seemed to honestly take to the idea of his being somewhat aided. Sam had been somewhat disappointed by her estimation, but he didn’t argue and instead just smiled with a one word response.
“Likely…”
So, she wasn’t looking for a guy. Too bad, for a moment the young man actually looked pained, or he was playing though she had hurt him, and that seemed more likely. Still, a friend wasn’t bad, especially if she looked good in an almost not there leather dress and didn’t wear underwear. Ya, he could be friends with that, but it should have been clear that more then friends would have been better.
She wanted to be friends, fine, but the brash Mr. Guthrie moved to do something a little more then just tempt her. Now he was taking another little liberty, one that was something he apparent thought necessary.
“Friends, if you wish.” Agent Guthrie dared so steal a light kiss, to peck the green haired woman’s lips, which again give rise to his impish grin. His hand held her cheek, tried to guide her into the playful little kiss. He would have liked more, but it was an answer to her question.
Lorna was surely something special. After the fact, Sam stepped back placing a space between them. He had her hand in his and was backing away towards the door. Yelling now over the music Sam explained.
“Lets go somewhere quiet to talk.”
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Post by Polaris on Feb 8, 2006 20:27:53 GMT -5
For a moment, Sam actually looked pained at the fact that she suggested they be friends. She had known him all of an hour at most, he was going to have to do more then dance suggestively and try to put his hands down her skirt if she was going to take him more seriously. Now, if he had just suggested a brief fling, that would have probably been a different story all together.
“Friends, if you wish,” he simply replied. Then, as if to challenge her suggestion, Sam brought his hand to the side of her face and gently stroked it as he pulled her forward the short distance between their lips. His mouth grazed his lightly, teasingly, almost wanting her to change her mind. Then he pulled back and his hand reached down to find hers.
“Lets go somewhere quiet to talk,” he shouted to her over the noise of the crowd.
Lorna didn't reply, simply allowed him to escort her out of the club. She half expected Exodus to be waiting for her the second she stepped out of the club but he wasn't. Not waiting to be “caught”, she took the lead and looked to find someplace for them to go that was quieter. However, in the middle of the city, that was nearly impossible.
She tugged on his arm to catch his attention and said, “I know where we can go.” With that, Lorna created a magnetic barrier around them and lifted them into the air. Flying toward the ocean, it only took a few moments to cross over the city before landing on a private area of beach. The sun had set and it was dark but she was very familiar with this particular stretch of ocean.
Her fingers still wrapped in his, Lorna led them to a beach table with chairs. With one hand, she gestured to an area of sand that was a few yards away and with a bit of concentration, a chest came up from underground. Letting go of Sam's hand, Lorna walked over to the chest and brushed the sand away from the metal exterior. Opening the chest, she pulled out an already chilled bottle of wine and two glasses.
Coming back to the table, she set her little stash down and said, “This is the only property I have outside the palace. There is a beach house up that little pathway over there. Now, if you go around telling people this is here, I'll have to have you killed, you know.” The last she told him with a teasing grin. It wasn't a huge secret that she owned a beach house, just the location of the house was a mystery to all but a few. And seriously, if she wanted, she could probably have Emma Frost erase Sam's mind for her so he would never remember where it was. Lorna hoped it wouldn't come down to that.
((Cannonball and Polaris exit to The Handle))
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Post by Chamber on Feb 12, 2006 3:13:39 GMT -5
The tube trip had been too quiet and tense. Cassidy there sending them furious glares. If look could kill, he and Foley would have been dust an hour ago. Well, she was when she thought they weren't watching her. Jono could almost taste the prideful fury rolling off the redhead.
He had to admit one thing about Terry. Besides the fact she was cracking. She was plucky. Too bloody bad she had to use her pluck to try and prove she was better than every-bloody-else. She might be tolerable if she didn't.
Pity that, because she was talent. But a harpy, and there was plenty of totties out there who'd be more than happy to toss themselves at him without having to deal with the shrewishness.
Stepping off the train, the young Brit lit another cigarette, offering the pack to the two with him. Then he headed for the exit topside, for his favorite club.
Bedlam
Bedlam was likely a good name for the place. Dimmed lights, punctuated by the occasional black light or strobe burst, the smoke filled air not quiet obscuring the undulating bodies of the dancers crowding the floor. Most were dressed as he was, in black leather, decorated with silver jewelry and nickel studs. There was some red, gray, and even white, but the pallet of the room seemed to be dark, even eerie to those not accustomed it.
Jono stubbed out his cigarette on a nearby ashtray on the bar, checking to see that Foley and Cassidy had had the sense to stay close for now. Both of them likely looked out of place here, but he wasn't terribly worried. Josh could handle himself, and he'd brought Terry here for a bit of comeuppance.
Loud, fast guitars, driving rhythms, and a singer with a deep, almost sinister voice was the music playing now. Jono had to smile as he started towards the dance floor. He gave his 'companions' a mock salute and slipped into the throng.
Regardless if Cassidy got hers tonight, he planned on getting his. And he had his eyes on a few gels he'd seen during his initial scan of the crowd.
Time to dance.
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