What Am I Doing?[open]

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Jocelyn walked into the club and stood just past the doorway looking around. She had been sitting at home completely board, and she figured why not do something new, something that is soooo not Jocelyn. So here she was. Doing something that Jocelyn never would do. Clubbing. Her light brown, auburn hair hung loose at her shoulders, wavy and free. Her top was a cute halter top that she had only worn once before. Then she wore her tight pair of jeans that clung to her curvy figure. She hesitated not sure what to do first. She figured: bar. She walked through the crowd, a few men looking at her up and down. She gave them a polite smile but moved on through them.
She finally reached the bar and let out a big breath. She plopped down on one of the bar stools and waved her hand at the bartender, ordering a rum and coke. A simply drink for she didnt know anything about alcohol. She took a sip and made a face, a bit stronger then she would have liked, oh well. She drank at home a little, but it was wine at the dinner table. This was totally new to her.
She looked around, legs crossed over one another, sipping her drink and listening to the music. A bit shy and alone.

[Kali]

"Hey Jo!" Kali exclaimed happily from behind the bar. She had been refilling the mini fridge with an assortment of beers and wine and other alcoholic odds and ends, like olives and lemons. She wore her black dress and the high-heels that she hated. Kali would have much preferred to wear comfortable jeans and a t-shirt, and no shoes at all. But such things weren't allowed in the dress-code here at work. She had to look nice.

"How are you?" she asked, chuckling a little. The answer was plain on Jocelyn's face. "You look nervous." Kali looked out around the dance floor, keeping an eye on everyone's drinks and making sure that no one was in an immediate need of a refill. She half-hoped to see Ryan in the crowd, but knew that he probably wouldn't be. The more they shown their faces in town, the more dangerous it was to stay. But this was Kali's job, here at Oceana. She would see him back at the cabin, she knew. It was just that she hadn't seen him all day long that bothered her. She had come here straight from Uncle Sam's, and simply changed in the bathroom here.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Jo jumped when spilled a drop of her drink on the table top when someone screamed her name. She choked down her latest sip and turned to look at who it was.
Kali!! Oh I am so glad to see you! Yeah, Im nervous as hell. That obvious huh? Well I never go out...so here I am.
She didn't want to say that part of it was because she was lonely. And not that Kali didn't help...but she wanted someone special. Like what Kali has with Ryan. A relationship. She blushed at the thought, that she was so desperate to go clubbing.
So. How do you do it? This loud music, drunk men, and, well everything else.
She laughed and looked around. She saw many couples dancing, hips together, well, everything was together. She looked away blushing a bit. She sighed and downed the last of her drink. She could feel the alcohol pulsing through her veins, she wasn' drunk...yet, it was just there.
She tilted her now empty glass towards Kali, silently asking for another.

A guy sat next to her on the bar, ordered a drink and then seemed to just notice her. Her of course, eyed her up and down, and spurted out a pick up line. Jocelyn grimaced and turned away form the guy, mouthing a little 'help' to Kali. She laughed lightly...he was the the type of guy she was looking for.

[Kali]

"I just give them their drinks and their on their way." she smiled. "When they make comments, I'm happy to inform them that I've already got a man." Her grin spread as she thought of Ryan. He was officially her boyfriend now, so she could say what she liked. She found it fun to refer to him as her boyfriend. It kept the men away, and brought her heart a little closer to his.

She poured Jocelyn her drink, and then one for the man. Kali had to hide her smile now at the look on her friend's face. She gave Jo a questioning look to make sure that she wanted help getting the man, and not sending him away. People at the bar, both men and women, always sought help with both of those things. Catching and escaping.

Kali looked from Jo to the man. "I'll tell you what," she said to him. Her eyes went to the dance floor. "Take her out there, and your drink is free." she told him, trying not to laugh as his eyes sparkled with delight. A girl and a free drink, this was his lucky day. Kali looked back to Jo, wondering if she had done the right thing.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Jo smiled at Kali. She admired her, nothing seemed to phase her. But when she said she had a man and all, Jo's smile faded. Jealous. Yup, she was jealous. Well, maybe envious. She took a big sip of her drink and closed her eyes as the alcohol slid down her throat. She hoped it would give her more courage to meet a guy, and maybe have it work out.

When Kali spoke to the man, telling him to take her out dancing, Jo almost died. She couldn't dance, well, not good anyways. She gave Kali a panicked look, glanced at the guy, who was a bit on the older side...maybe a bit too old for her. Early 30's she guessed. She gave Kali a playful roll of her eyes and turned to the guy. She gave him a fake smile, but he didn't notice. Before she could do anything else, he grabbed her hand and lend her to the floor. He immediately went to the grinding type style of dancing...his hands on her hips, pulling her closer, his leg between her legs. His hands moved all over the place, and even seemed to find a parking spot on her butt, with a squeeze here and there. Jo gritted her teeth, but the man needed his free drink. When the song was about to end, she pushed herself away from him and headed back to Kali.

Yup, not my type of guy. Yuck, did you see the way he, like, man-handled me? I felt like a piece of dough that he had to need. My ass has never before been squeezed like that. But I can tell you this, if I had like the guy, my butt would have liked the squeezing.
She knew this was the 'confidence' that the drinks brought on, but she liked it. Being able to say whatever was on her mind and not have to worry if it sounded ok. After all, she was tipsy, wasn't her fault.

Does Ryan squeeze your ass like that? You know, like 'your mine' kinda thing? I think its cute when your dating the guy. Or a cute slap on the ass.
She laughed trying to picture Kali and Ryan joking around like that. But even though Kali works at a club, she got the feeling that she was very old fashion. She did need to loosen up a bit.
You know, I noticed what happened when I walked in on you too. You got so mad at him. Kali, guys do that. I think you should loosen up a bit, im not saying doing something you aren't comfortable with, but give him a break if he goes too far. you know?
She took another sip of her drink.

[Kali]

Kali watched them dance, scowling slightly with distaste. Poor Jo, Kali thought. But then again, that was what most of the men at the bar were like. Selfish. That's why she didn't like it. Women never got any physical respect.

But Kali couldn't help but laugh at what Jocelyn said when she came back. "I saw." she told her, shaking her head a little. "Most of them here are like that." Kali choked a little as if she had swallowed a bug when Jo asked if Ryan did that to her. "No." she said, shaking her head again. "I don't like that sort of thing. I think that dating should be for getting to know the people for who they are. Kissing and such is good," Kali smiled a little. She loved kissing Ryan. "But anything having to do with a woman's body should be reserved for a husband." She shrugged. "That's by belief, anyway."

Kali listened as Jo spoke again, about what had happened at the cabin. "Yeah, I know I was mad at him. But he unbuckled my bra, Jo. And he knows that this is my first relationship, and I move slowly." Kali spoke just as freely as her friend did, even though she hadn't had anything to drink. "I did try and look at it from his point of view, though." she continued. "He isn't used to girls like me. He used to be player, he told me. And knowing this, I know that he's been trying to slow himself down. His efforts are obvious, and he's been nothing but a gentleman." Kali praised him. "The reason I was so upset with him was because, I viewed it kind of as a trespass, I guess." the woman shrugged. "Or something untrustworthy. He embarrassed me, and I was shocked." Kali explained, then spoke a little more quietly, her voice happy. "But you won't find a more trustworthy man out there. I know he won't do it again. He's falling in love with me, and I with him."

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

So...if he were your hisband he could slap your ass and give it a squeeze?
Jo asked with a tease and a laugh. She gave Kali and playful wink and took another sip of her drink. She listened to Kali describe Ryan and couldn't help but envy her again. It does sound like they are falling in love with each other.
I know he is. Falling for you that is. I think he would jump in front of a moving bus to save you, Kali. You're lucky. I so very much want that. To fall in love, and to, well, have someone. But, I guess with my line of work thats pretty hard.

Jocelyn looked around the bar and saw a few cute guys who appeared to be single. She gave one a shy smile, hoping it didn't come out as shy as it had felt. But it did. He moved on to a more 'confident' woman. She sighed.
I suck at this.
And then she cracked up laughing. Whether it was the booze, or because she felt like laughing instead of crying, she wasn't sure. She adjusted her shirt, pulling it and making sure it was tight enough before she turned back to Kali.
Maybe I should get a job here. I'd get to meet guys all the time. Maybe I could meet a Mr. Nice Guy Hunter.
She uncrossed her legs and let them hang off the bar stool, swinging in a very sweet innocent way. She got an idea. She spun around to face back to Kali.

Help me. Help me know what I'm doing wrong. You see girls pick guys up all the time and vice versa. Half the things people do may not be your style, but you know the style. All of the styles.
She stammered on, eyes bright leaning over the counter with the new found hope.
Well, you don't have to. Weird huh? I can take on Hunters, fight, get shot and stabbed at, sneak in and out...but guys? Phew way over my head.

[Kali]

Kali chuckled a little. "Yeah, I guess. Sure, why not? If he were my husband, he could do as he pleased with me. If he wanted to slap my ass, I wouldn't oppose." Kali laughed now. This was incredibly odd.

Kali listened as Jo laughed, trying to figure out what was so funny. But she smiled and chuckled a little, so it wouldn't look like Jo was laughing by herself. "You aren't doing anything wrong, Jo." Kali told her. "The people who pick up, or get picked up, are always back three days later here at the bar, crying because it didn't work out. Or just drinking away their sadness. People aren't really themselves here, Jo. You see him? That's whiskey. And that one? Rum. Him there? Corona. Lots of it." she pointed to different men around the nightclub. But when she looked back at Jo, she decided that she had to say something positive. She didn't want to ruin all of her hopes. "But some of them are good people!" Kali added, then thought for a moment or two. "Take Rick for example," she said, pointing to a man serving drinks behind the bar as well, just a few feet away. "He's a good guy." Kali sighed. She really wanted to help Jo. "Alright, then." she said at last, giving in. "Be a bit more confident. They're people too, and just people. They can't really do anything to you. Most of them don't bite." she teased. "Find someone who you can talk with easily. All you need is a good conversation. This way, if you like him, you can go up from there. If not, then it's just a conversation, and you can sneak away. Some guys like it when you reach out and touch their arms or their chest when you talk with them, flirty kinda. Compliment their muscles, or use a pick up line." She took a moment to think, trying to find some lines that she had heard. "Like, 'I've looked for a man with a VCR and I've finally found the perfect one.... thats a Very Cute Rear by the way.' ; 'Can I have a picture of you so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?'; Or, reach for the back of their shirt and glance at the tag and say 'Just what I thought, made in Heaven.'; 'I thought about introducing you to my sister, but I’m not that generous.'; 'Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?'; 'Your legs must be tired, because you've been running through my mind all night.'" Kali recited. Those were the cleaner ones, anyway.

[Aras|Ofelia]

"How about 'I wish I were your first derivative so I could lie tangent to your curves'?" Ofelia smirked at the two girls and took another sip of her martini. It didn't matter that that line was more appropriate when delivered by a guy. "I'll be impressed if you - or anyone else here - actually get that one."

She turned to her companion. "Ten bucks if you go up to her--" she gestured arbitrarily at a random woman out of earshot-- "and say that. Extra five if it actually works. Or if she slaps you."

Her companion examined her carefully before stating flatly, "You're drunk."

Finishing her drink, Ofelia signaled for another one. "I don't need you to tell me that." A pause. "All right, so maybe I told you to tell me. I did bring you along for a reason." It was always good to have someone sober around. Aras just happened to be the only one available tonight. As long as he didn't indulge in alcohol - and he wouldn't, because she knew he was the type of person who would do as he promised - she could become as inebriated as she liked. Or maybe not too inebriated, because she didn't trust him quite that much yet, but at least somewhat inebriated.

Elbows on the counter, she rested her head on her hand and surveyed the surroundings. Dancing, drinking, music--a typical night. Odd that a town as small as Noatak had such a successful nightclub. Maybe there wasn't much else to do after sunset. Her eyes came back to examine the two friends once more.

"Kind of sad that you're trying to pick up guys here. Are you really that desperate?" Another smirk.

Giving the girls an apologetic look, Aras wondered why he had agreed to this--or rather, why he'd agreed to do Ofelia a favor without first finding out what it was she wanted.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Jocelyn laughed at Kali, surprised and not at the same time how many pick up lines she knew. She really only knew like two, maybe three if she was having a good night. She sipped her drink, knowing she was getting a little buzzed, but at least she could still know what was going on, so she was not drunk yet.
I guess I could try that. But I think I'll do better if I hang out at the grocery store, and casually bump into some guy. Or the pharmacy?
She laughed, thinking of the hollywood movies that portray two perfect people meeting in the store, and then having them both be each others soul mates. Most likely, wouldn't happen to her.
You know I have always heard that once you stop looking, you meet someone. Maybe I should do that. Stop looking.

She heard a few comments somewhere around her and saw a girl. Jo raised an eyebrow at her, but her face changed to shock when she made the comment about her being desperate. She was. But it stung a bit more when a complete stranger said it. Her eyes drifted to the man next to her and saw his apologetic look. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Kali.
Nice people huh?
She said with sarcasm. Maybe she should just go home. She tilted the glass back and finished off her second drink. The glass clanked and she placed it on the bar table, and as she looked around she realized she might have been a bit more buzzed then she had originally thought. And downing the last of the drink was probably not the best idea. At least it was a smaller town so she could easily walk home.

She stood up, wobbled and sat back down. She gave one chuckle that was like 'of course'. She put both her elbows on the bar and looked at Kali.
I think I have had enough. When do you get off? And what time is it?
She normally wore a watch, but it didn't really go with the outfit she was wearing. Her eyes once again drifted to the girls companion. He was cute, very cute. He had that adorable look to him, yet the mystery and seriousness, yet the..well he seemed to have everything. The perfect package as far as she could tell. But he was, of course, taken by the girl no doubt. She gave him a smile, and to her surprise it came out flirty and confident. She tried to keep the shocked feeling in and not let it show.
He is sooo cute.
She whispered to Kali. Jocelyn could already feel the heat rising to her cheeks; great.

[Kali]

Kali's head shot up to Ofelia. "Are you really that much of a bitch?" she snapped, glaring. No one insulted her friends, not without getting an earful from Kali, at least. But she had to stop herself there, reminding herself that this was work and Ofelia was a customer. But apologies would not come from Kali's mouth. Not tonight.

She took the glass and set it on the tray of a passing waitress, knowing that it would make it back to the kitchen to be washed. Kali looked at Jo when she spoke, and couldn't help but smile a little. "I could say something to him, if you want me to?" she offered, with a look that promised she wouldn't send her off to the dance floor again. "You know, like I said. Get a conversation started."

[Aras|Ofelia]

"Are you really that much of a bitch?"

"Let me think about that one." Ofelia stared off into space, one finger tapping rhythmically on the counter--the very picture of one deep in contemplation. "Why yes. I think I am." She flashed a saucy grin at the two girls, then turned back to Aras. "Or is it 'I think, therefore I am'?"

"No, that's Descartes."

"Hm." Her drink had arrived; without further ado, she took another gulp of the liquor. It tasted crisp and sweet, but the alcohol burned as it slid down her throat. Ofelia knew that when she stopped noticing the taste it would be time to head (stagger) home, so she figured she could still handle a couple more glasses.

As tipsy as she was, she did not miss the coy, flirtatious smile the desperate girl - that was how she had labeled the bartender's friend in her mind - gave Aras. She let out an amused cackle, nearly upsetting her drink in her intoxicated mirth. "Looks like you have an admirer, Aras," she crowed loud enough for the two women could easily hear her. Ofelia didn't care - or maybe it was intentional. She herself wasn't certain. Either way, the fact that they could hear her made the scenario all the more amusing.

Her grin only widened when Aras raised an eyebrow at her and shot another apologetic look at the bartender and her friend. "My offer still stands, you know. Might as well make ten, fifteen extra dollars since you have to put up with me tonight anyway."

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Jocelyn's jaw dropped. This girl was so rude, it shocked her. The cat inside her growled and hissed, wanting to scratch the pretty girl's face. Jo herself almost jumped off the bar stool to punch her in the face. She gave a polite smile and turned back to Kali, trying her best to ignore them.
No. I don't think I want to even talk to a guy who has that for company.
She took the last sip of her second drink and put the empty glass down on the bar. She uncrossed her legs to cross the other one over on top and turned to survey the rest of the crowd. She had given up trying to find a guy here, especially with a rude audience.

She pulled out her cell phone to check the time; 11:45pm. Jo usually went to bed around 11, unless she was doing something 'work' related. She looked at Kali and asked,
Do you get off work soon? Because I'm getting tired and I think I'm going to head home soon. But before I go...
She reached into her purse, pulling out a pen and a note pad. She wrote her number down on the paper and slipped it to Aras.
If you ever decided to dump this one, give me a call.

She turned back to Kali and did a little flip of her eyebrow, as if to say, 'see? I got some balls...right?' She laughed lightly, knowing the alcohol probably helped a bit.
If you get off at 12, I'll wait and we can walk home together.
She zoned the other girl out...for she knew if she let it bother her too much, she would have to punch her in the face. And although Jo was a thin girl, she could pack and punch for she had to do it often, 'work' related.

[DesperateDark]

Oh God, why am I doing this!? Aurelia stepped into the overly crowded night club/bar, squinting at the lights that flashed. The music was generic techno stuff that practically blared over the speakers, and it was much, much to her distaste. It was getting a bit late into the night, so people were getting more then a bit drunk.

People jostled her as she picked her way through the large crowd of intoxicated humans. The only, and she meant the only, reason she had set foot in this place was that she owed her good friend, Reyes, big time. About a month or so ago she had sent him to The Silent Rose because he said he wanted to try something new… Like that would end well; he ended up being chased down by a crazy waitress and attacked by a Hunter. Thankfully, Ryan was there to save both their butts, so she told herself that she needed to repay him as well.

Anyways, she had come here because Reyes said he needed to speak to her about ”something important.” Whatever that important was, it couldn’t have waited until the bar was less busy or they could fine a saner place to speak. As Aurelia continued to weave in and out of the crowd, she couldn’t help but notice a flicker in the corner of her eye. Turning to look, she caught sight of somebody that looked very familiar.

First off; how many Asian women were really in this town? There was her, Aurelia Locke -- who’s real name she preferred not to share --, and there was Ofelia, the other reptilian Hunter. Oh yes, it was Ofelia, of course. At least there was one person in this whole place that could share her misery until Reyes arrived.

…Or maybe not. She was either really drunk or stoned off her rocker by the time Aurelia arrived at the bar. A lot of things were happening at once when she got there; the girl with brownish-blond hair had slipped a piece of paper to the guy next to Ofelia, probably her phone number. And there was the guy who seemed to be looking at the bartender and the girl contritely, so he was probably with Ofelia.

Aurelia looked back and forth between the four people, trying to decide whether to just leave and find a table, or stick around to see what happened. At last she decided, and opened her mouth to speak; “Ofelia, odd meeting you here, huh?”

[Aras|Ofelia]

Detecting the hostility from the desperate girl, the mamba opened its mouth to reveal the ebony-black roof, a potent warning to those who crossed its path. Settle down. You know we'd miss a hippopotamus in this state. The girl's smile was clearly forced, Ofelia noted even through the haze of alcohol; despite her seeming complacency, the girl was probably resisting the temptation to slap her. It was an entertaining thought.

"If you ever decided to dump this one, give me a call."

An incredulous pause, during which Aras looked more than a bit bewildered--followed by Ofelia's hysterical laughter. "You think--" More guffawing. "She thinks we're together. As in, nán péng yiŏu and nŭ péng--" Burying her head in her arms, Ofelia collapsed once again into laughter.

"You'll have to forgive her. She isn't this bad when she's sober." So it was a bit of a lie, because Aras knew she could be pretty much the same without the help of liquor (not including the part where she erupted into hysterical laughter), but he didn't want this escalating into some sort of catfight. Reminder: find out what Ofelia wants before agreeing to it. The vulture nodded in vehement assent.

“Ofelia, odd meeting you here, huh?” A new voice, calm and temperate.

Everyone (except Ofelia, who had to lift her head so she could see more than just the polished countertop) turned their heads at once to get a look at the newcomer. It took a moment before recognition dawned; with a wave of her free hand, Ofelia gestured for Aurelia to take a seat next to Aras.

"Odd indeed. Everyone knows Asians can't hold their liquor, so what are we two doing here?" She tried to recall what had prompted her to come to Oceana but gave up almost immediately. Whatever the reason, it was too much trouble to figure out tonight. "Aras here's my drinking buddy, except he isn't really, 'cause I'm the only one who's supposed to get drunk tonight."

Said man gave Aurelia a weary half-smile. Ofelia appeared to consider her a friend, because her greeting did not have the snide tone she had used with the bartender and her friend. She did not express any embarrassment at Aurelia seeing her in her drunken state, but the lack of concern itself may have been a result of the tipsiness. And maybe it was just him, but why did he seem to be surrounded by Asians recently?

"--and I don't actually know who these two are. The one seems to like to lash her tongue at her customers, and the other is really desperate--so desperate that she gives Aras her number even while assuming we're together." Looking over the rim of her glass at Aurelia, she asked, "What brings you here tonight? I'd tell you why I'm here, but I can't seem to recall at the moment."