capeandcowllogs | I'll just live on in the Dark

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

I don't have that sort of time anyway.

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

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...

Understandable.

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

No Enterology for you, then, huh?

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.

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

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

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...]

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.

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. ;;]

My apologies if I seemed patronising.

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

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

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

I think I can manage that.

[Zee loves dancing. Just... not so much the sort at fancy parties. She sets the remainder of her drink down and, in a unladylike fashion, moves so she's standing before him, holding out a hand.]

[The music is danceable, but not exactly... the usual club sort; perhaps it's just for tonight, but it seems to be meant to be classy (like the party itself). Zatanna has, briefly, considered using magic on the live band to make them play something like Burning Down the House, but each time has wisely decided against it.]

[She isn't playing nice for his sake, however. Mostly for her own. She's not looking to draw too much attention to herself tonight, magical or otherwise.

She makes certain to slide his hand to her hip, smiling the whole while like she isn't devious in the least.]

[She begins to slip closer, but is hesitant to rest her head on his shoulder (so she doesn't); it's a perk other Jims would be able to enjoy, if they were here, though...] You seem familiar, somehow. [It might just be a bad pick-up line.]

Really? Have I been in your dreams?

[It must be nice, not being threatened or hit or yelled at yet...]

And here I was beginning to think you were above that sort of pick-up line. [Suddenly, looking faux-horrified.] It seems I've been mistaken.