I'll just live on in the Dark

[motherflocker.livejournal.com]

WHO: Anyone heading to the Iceberg Lounge
WHERE: At a damn fine building downtown
WHEN: 12/12; Night
WARNINGS: Will be edited if necessary.
SUMMARY: Opening night!
FORMAT: Whatever you want! Tag yo'selves in!



Walking into the bar is like walking into a wide open room, but the dimmed lights never seem to be bright enough to catch every detail in one swoop. To the far right wall is the bar, and a long bar it is, with bartenders lining it spaced by about five feet or so in between. Nobody actually sits at the bar, of course. The bartenders are there to make drinks for the servers. While both the bartenders and server girls wear tuxedos, the women's are made for the intent to actually catch the eye, of course. Fishnets replace slacks, dressshirts cut much lower than necessary, and tophats on each woman's head. They grin, and flirt, and make their way, but the moment a hand drifts too far, there's the legion of bouncers who line the walls, watching for any infraction. The Penguin is, after all a chauvenist, but he is no pig.

The middle of the wide area is devoted to tables, an endless sea of white clothed tables, each one a unique and different ice sculpture in the center. Each one unique, lit from beneath with a light that lets an almost wet light radiate from each table.

And of course to the left is the stage, performers that never cease to move, or sing, or whatever is up for the next part of the night. Breaks between each are sparse, quick, and the music never becomes too loud. And the stage, it is lined with penguins. A bit of irony, perhaps, but Penguin wouldn't begrudge his prior career as a gotham rogue. Perhaps he even reveled in the reminder. Out there for everyone to see.

Regardless, there would be no grand plots or schemes tonight. Just a party.

Comments

[hexappeal]

Maybe. Every time I think I have, I hear something new.

[She peers to the side. Something about a guy with scars...] I haven't seen you around before tonight. [She's trying to appear disinterested, waiting for him to offer information instead of asking for it outright.]

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

I'm new to the area. Haven't done many of these social events before. I think this is the part where I'm meant to offer your a drink, is it not?

[hexappeal]

So you aren't an imPort, then. [But he's cute, so.] That's what you're meant to do if you'd like to remain in my presence, yes. Otherwise in a minute or two I'll pretend to see someone I know and excuse myself.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

I best get a move on then. Drink of choice for the night?

[hexappeal]

[That is the way to win Zee's heart -- or at least see what she's wearing under her dress.] Merlot.

[When the order is placed, she turns toward him, finally.] Zatanna.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Brandy.

Jim.

[hexappeal]

[Because he's pretending to be, at least. She takes his hand into a firm grip and gives it a shake before retracting hers (making sure to slide her fingers across his palm at the same time, of course).] A pleasure, Jim.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Don't I know you from somewhere?

[hexappeal]

[How disappointing that she doesn't act this way toward him as he is normally...]

You might. My name is recognizable in that it's... unique. If you are a fan of magic, that might be how you know me.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Ah, of course! The Zatanna. I'd been meaning to see one of your shows. My father was quite the magician himself, or at least he liked to think so.

[hexappeal]

[She tilts her head forward; a genuine act of modesty.] I'm afraid I've been working on a project, so I've not had many shows recently. That'll change in the new year, however.

--what did he specialize in? Illusions? Escapism? Contortionism?

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

I'll have to keep an eye out for your reappearance.

Oh, he wasn't much of anything. Card tricks mostly, did a few weddings and parties, but never anything beyond that. It was more of a hobby for him.

[hexappeal]

[...why doesn't he want to see her perform? :(] It won't just be in Vegas this time, either.

[She nods her head, listening to him explain.] Ah, well, there's nothing wrong with that. Magic's a good hobby to have, I think.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Ah, marvellous. It wasn't anything like yours, that's for sure. I hear what you do is real magic.

[hexappeal]

[But how will she ever get his approval???] Sometimes. I usually like to keep it out of the stage act -- except for the finale. I've always found magic to be challenging and fascinating.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Must be quite the spectacle.

[hexappeal]

I try to keep it interesting, but I enjoy little tricks as much as I do grand illusions.

[She clears her throat.] --but, ah, enough about me. What is it that you do, Jim?

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

I'd rather hear more of yourself, but if you insist...

I'm self-employed. Tend to retreat off to the mountains in the winter to teach skiing. Other than that there's little of interest.

[hexappeal]

I do insist. [Sort of. She's not being pushy in the slightest.] Oh? So what is it you do when you aren't teaching?

There must be something worthwhile. Boring men are no fun. [She sheepishly laughs.] Which I suppose could be considered a redundant statement.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

I'm a gambler. Some call it professional gambling. Not sure what I call it, myself. Started at a young age and got the bug.

[hexappeal]

I know a guy like that. [He's banned from every place he's ever been. She brushes a bit of hair behind an ear, a strategically demure move.] So you've got the luck -- that's a sort of magic, at least in my world.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Is it really? Lady Luck does tend to smile favourably upon me, if you believe in all that. Can't say I do. I believe in odds and the stack of cards, or the weight of a roulette ball, algorithms, percentages and all that follows.

[hexappeal]

It is, yes. Though I wouldn't quite call it Lady Luck. Just being in the right place at the right time for it all to work out. Though I'm sure those things also factor into it, particularly here. [That was part of John's magic.]

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

There must be something to it all. Some are born with it, it seems.

[hexappeal]

Hard to say. Magic doesn't exist inherently in this world.