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]

I can't stand those people who broadcast their entire lives on television or expect to be famous without some sort of consequence. If you've invited it into your life, you have to accept the downs to it. [She waves her hand, taking her drink.] Anyway, ah.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Quite.

Did you bring anyone with you tonight?

[hexappeal]

I brought a friend with me. [She very deliberately chooses to use the word "friend," here.] He was recently ported in and I figured that it would be a good way to help get him integrated with the City.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Nice of you. More of us need a friend like you around.

[hexappeal]

If you were an imPort, I'd have taken you. [Leaving that purposely ambiguous, heh.]

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Pity. Will you take me now?

[hexappeal]

[A pointedly puzzled look.] What do you mean?

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

I don't really know anyone. Knew to the area and all. I could do with an escort in my time of need. Just for a little while longer.

[hexappeal]

I don't mind hanging around or whatever, but if you're offering to treat me as an actual guide -- [Note that she doesn't use "escort," here.] -- I'll have to decline. Otherwise, I've been a little busy with a project of mine, but I wouldn't mind letting you tag along for the more interesting bits.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wouldn't dream of taking up much more of your time, just a drink or two more, that's all.

What sort of project?

[hexappeal]

I don't mind that, just not... every day, all day. [She'd never suspect he was James...]

Something like a circus mixed with -- you don't have it in this world, but The Magic Castle. It was a great magician's club! Full of old books and artifacts and the occasional class. They'd have dinners and a show a night. [She leans in, biting her bottom lip; sly smile still visible. This might be the most genuine show of emotion that he's ever seen from Zatanna. She looks excited, in her element.] But I'm thinking bigger. Full Vaudeville routine! Sword-swallowers, fire-eaters! Sort of like an amusement park for the strange and wonderful! I've already got the space, I'm just looking to fix it up and figure out exactly where I'm going with this.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

I don't have that sort of time anyway.

That sounds like quite the show! Is there anything I could do for it?

[hexappeal]

I'm afraid I'm not allowing any sort of investor and am carrying the burden of most of the cost on my own shoulders. This way, it'll be exactly what I want, how I want it, you know? [No one can slide in and make suggestions that she'll have to take into consideration, no one will throw massive fits when she doesn't add their girlfriend or third cousin to the line-up.] Though if you've got any strange skills...

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Understandable.

As for strange skills... Nothing I can think of.

[hexappeal]

No Enterology for you, then, huh?

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Not if we want to keep all my limbs intact, no. Quite a dab hand at card tricks though, something passed down from my father.

[hexappeal]

And let me guess, part of that's why you're a gambler, huh?

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

Hmm, something like that. I'll admit to be kicked out a fair few casinos in my younger years.

[hexappeal]

So you've learned how to be subtle and get going before there's a "do not let this man at your table," sign at every casino in the world, huh? Good for you. [Oh, be still her beating heart...]

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

The trick is never to stay at a table or a casino for too long. Never out stay your welcome. Even when doing well purely by chance, I've found myself being politely shown the exit before too long.

[hexappeal]

I'm flattered that you think I don't know these things and you feel the need to explain them to me. [She loves it when a man doesn't think that she's a crook. ;;]

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

My apologies if I seemed patronising.

[hexappeal]

Not at all. There was no sarcasm in that statement.

[doubleoohbaby.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm starting to like you even more.

[hexappeal]

Careful, there. [She peers at him from the corner of an eye.] Care to continue this conversation on the dance floor?