2019-08-31 - Body Shots at the Platinum Cabaret

While people were flowing into the place Ico would have been at the entrance. Greeting people and making sure everyone seem to be at their best behavior. Promoting amateur night as well, and for anyone unaware, for whatever reason, letting them know it's body shots night now.
Today clad a bit differently than usually, as he has skipped the blazer to fit in more with the tone and feel of today. Wearing a buttoned down black shirt that is slim tailored, leaving top two buttons opened. Along with dark blue jeans.
It isn't until things slow down a little bit that he finally comes further inside to check on the patrons. Wandering around near tables and offering smiles and sitting with some to make sure that they are okay before heading onwards.

Mae walks out of the dressing room, dressed only in an overly large Platinum Cabaret t-shirt. She makes her way to the bar, ducking around groups of people. She leans against the bar, a grin on her face as she tries to get the attention of a bartender. "Can I have a few bottles of water for the back room? Nobody filled the fridge back there, and it's gonna turn into a catfight if we don't have refreshing water between sets." She eyes the growing crowd and looks amused. "You guys are probably going to make some good money tonight with this crowd."

Park still lets Lyric take the lead with the DJing, only filling in for the most part or taking requests to relay. Now that she knows there is a club uniform, she hasn't come dressed as a schoolgirl, but rather in the tiny booty shorts and tight t-shirt; the latter so tight she feels she might actually have boobs tonight. A sip from one of the many bottles of water up at their rostrum - not stolen from backstage! - as she dances around to the beats. "So full!" she grins to Lyric. At least someone sort of explained body shots to her, probably someone at college, and she hasn't brought a Nerf gun.

Since she'd arrived early, Lyric had been wearing a pleated skirt and a crop top but now that the business was opened she had changed into her work uniform. (In the @desc) Now she's at the DJ booth pumping out songs with a beat one after the other all the while programming the songs the dancers had requested for their sets. She's wearing headphones but one is folded back so she can hear something other than the music. As Park approaches, she smiles at the newly employed DJ. "Are you planning in doing any of the body shots?" The smile turns a little lopsided and she motions towards Ico. "I think he may be interested." Looking up she catches sight of Mae and gives her a thumbs up. Hers was ready, just needed the go when she was ready. They always saved the best for last though. So many other unfamiliar patrons and she glances over them all, watching the door to see who all enters.

Dominic has been standing outside the club for the past 10-15 minutes. He's been meandering back and forth at the corner of the building smoking a cigarette. He's already had one shot of tequila and knows it's probably going to be a long night of more shots and who knows what else.
Once the cigarette is burned down to the filter, he lifts his foot and bends his knee so he can stub the cherry out on the bottom of his raised shoe. Heading towards the door, he tosses the spent butt into the trash can beside the entrance and then heads inside.
The steadily pounding music fills his ears and the moving lights assault his eyes, forcing him to nearly close them for a second but they're quick to adjust. Heading over to the bar, he orders a beer and rests his elbow against the surface so he can get a good look around the room and look for someone he knows.

It isn't till things slow down some that a wiry young man wearing a bright colored jacket enters. Turquoise colored sleeves and the colors of an electric sunset slathered across the torso, Blake reaches up to unzip it most of the way down. Underneath the jacket, he wears a deep red button down with a black and deep purple floral pattern. He sports charcoal colored jeans and sunfaded once all black chucks, down to the vulcanized rubber. A pair of shades are lifted to perch on his head and then he reaches to sweep a lock of hair out of his eyes to survey the scene. There's something slightly odd about the man's gait as he walks to the bar. That is, he keeps one arm completely still.

Despite some threat that he wouldn't make it out, Poe comes through the doors of the building - he hits Ico with an easy smile before drifting into the room proper.

He's wearing a black muscle shirt and over it a white long sleeved mesh top, it's left entirely unbuttoned. Beyond that he wears black jeans which are painted onto his legs and comfortable black shoes. He moves comfortably through the growing ground, a natural and bright smile on his lips while blue eyes bounce from face to face.

The bar will be the first stop. Lubrication is important.

Into the breach another comes, so to speak, with Dylan stepping through the entrance readily. He's dressed with a white t-shirt whose sole bit of decoration wasn't likely purposeful, a faded, pink hand print of paint that hasn't quite managed to get all the way washed out. Brown cargo pants create a relaxed look, with one of those oversized pockets holding what is likely a small book. A pair of keds sneakers completes his outfit, shoes that are well worn but still servicable.

Wide eyed, that blue gaze soaks in the ambiance, and he is clearly of the same mindset as Poe. It's towards the bar that he begins to head. It's that expressive face that has settled into an easy smile, a warm and friendly look cast to any who glance his way.

Mae grabs the waters offered to her by one of the bartenders and starts to head backstage, stopping to chat with a few people as she tries to navigate the crowd. The waitresses are starting to circulate with trays of shots, flirting and doing little dances to try to get people to buy or better yet, body shot with them. She passes by Lyric and stops to have a quiet word with her, likely to request a specific song for her first set. Once she's satisfied, she pats the younger woman on the shoulder and continues toward the backstage area. Maybe she's up first tonight?

Cheek kisses in greeting for Lyric before Park's cheeks go pink at the thought of her involved with body shots. "I don't think so" she giggles, "Though the 'table' would be very flat." Her eyes follow Lyric to Ico and her eyes go wider at the suggestion the drummer would be interested in such activity with her. And another brighter shade of red appears. "Stop it!" A cheerful thwap of Lyric's shoulder. "You're his inspiration. He told me so." A mature poke of her tongue at the fellow DJ before she is waving at Mae and her brief appearance. Seeing that Lyric has everything under control, Park points apologetically towards the back. "Bathroom break. Right back." She may be a little nervous.

Antonio makes his way out of the club's back office, heading toward the bar with a vodka martini already in hand. There's a smirk that plays across his lips, and a cordless microphone in his free hand. "Alright, alright, alright! Get your shots going on, and remember to tip your bartender and tip your girls. Who's ready to fluff some ass tonight?!" The club owner's words cut over the music that pulsates from the sound system.

The lights sparkle and shine in Greg's dark Aviators as he makes his way into the club. Swathed in his usual oversized, musty-looking drug rug, he pauses on the threshold with his hands thrust into the gut pocket of his hoodie to scan the room. Whatever he finds, it must satisfy, because he slowly saunters over to the bar to order a double shot of tequila. He pays cash up front for his drink, cradling it as he turns to look for a good seat and just take in the local boob joint for the first time.

Ico offers a smile and a nod to Poe as he spots him. Letting him wander in. Gesturing to the bar for him. Bowing his head. "Hello." Offered to Dylan as he moves towards where he is. He will offer waves and smiles to the others that come in as well. "Feel free to go find something to drink, if you need anything let me know and I'll see what I can do." Gesturing to a good open spot if he want to sit and enjoy himself. Dancing around some to the music. Spotting Zoiya and heading towards her as well. "Hey there. Let me know if you want me to do an intro when you step on." Chuckling a he hear Antonio, giving a bit of a cheer.

Something akin to hero worship settles on Lyric's features when Mae stops by and she leans in to listen, a smile and a thumbs up gesture. "I'll get it set." Doing that right away, slotting it in where it'll time perfectly with her stage arrival. The kisses surprise her and she laughs, glancing over at Park. "I learned how to do them, you don't have to have a table, all things considered." She doesn't follow the bassist's gaze over to the drummer, just shakes her head. "We just write songs together. It's not like that. We're not like that." A nod offered as Park escapes to the restroom.

"Hey," Comes Dylan's singular greeting towards Ico, a upnod of his head offered in a friendly gesture as he passes by. His eyes follow the fellow for a moment, and more so towards the others he talks to, Zoiya watched for an interested moment, before Antonio's announcements garners a lopsided smile. He seems more than content to stick to the bar, leaning against it as his order follows a similar cadence to Greg's. "Shot. Tequila."

Crossing one foot over the other, Dominic leans heavily against his elbow on the bar and exhales a sigh that is drowned out by the combination of the thumping music and the announcement erupting from the speakers. His head drops a bit when he lifts a thumb to press against the side of the bridge of his nose, his eyes shut tightly. When his eyes open once again he looks up to see two familiar faces wandering through the crowd and towards the bar not far from where he stands. His expression shifting to a more friendly appearance, he smiles and lifts his chin towards Blake and Poe, speaking up to be heard over the noise, "Gentlemen."

Antonio takes a puff of his floral-scented vape, producing the e-cig from the jacket pocket of his suit before retaking the microphone. "Half price drinks for the next hour. Get tipsy and get tippin', y'all. If you're checking her out, you gotta make it worth her while." The boss takes a sip of his martini, his eyes sparkling with something that suggests sheer satisfaction, if not outright elation.

The door to the back opens and a tall, grey-haired woman slips through. Love's dressed in black from head to toe--a plunging halter and low-rise skinny jeans leaving throat, sleeves, most of her chest tattoo and much of her belly and back on display. Her makeup is dark, black lipstick, black eyeliner highlighting her pale grey eyes, long gunmetal hair pulled up and out of her face in an artful knot atop her head. She wears a long rosary as her only decoration save some mixed metal & leather bracelets. In heels, she stands at six-four, and so it's pretty easy to spot her moving through. She circles around the front of the bar headed for the far hatch, but slowly.

She's not dressed like a dancer, save the shoes, and could easily be mistaken for a patron. She's not behind the bar yet!

Blake is settled at the bar, not too far off from Dominic, so when the man shifts, he's noticed pretty easily and the greeting isn't missed. "Hey," he grins and then orders scotch, neat. He watches the people working, and curiously also the patrons that have shown up to such an event. When his drink arrives, he takes out a tab on his card and takes a small sip.

"Dominic." Poe says, mouth splitting into an easy grin when he spots the man, tossing up a hand in a wave while he navigates his way down the bar to settle in near enough to him to actually speak without yelling constantly. "Fancy meeting you here. Hopefully things go a bit more smoothly tonight than breakfast. You always have to be careful around breakfast. Troubling time of the day. I spent a decent number of years just skipping the entire morning and it slides you right by breakfast in the same motion. Problem. Solved." He taps on the bar to grab the attention of someone serving and orders himself a Dark and Stormy to get started. It's not shot time yet.

His gaze flips over to spot Blake not too far away and his smile fades a little.

Girls and booze and good music, what's not to like? Ruiz shows up once things are in full swing, the off duty cop attired in one of his usual casual ensembles: dark tee shirt, dark BDU-style cargos tucked into half-laced combat boots. Curly hair slightly askew, two full sleeves of ink, and a half-spent cigarette scissored between two fingers as he shoulders his way to the bar. Unobtrusive, the spot he claims near the end. Love catches his eye, because she is one tall drink of water, and how couldn't she? Blake, who's nearby, gets a brief glance like he vaguely recognises him. But a greeting's eschewed in favour of placing a drink order. Tequila, of course.

One becomes a bouncer when you have the muscle to back up the mouth. Occasionally, that muscle is good for other things as well, like supplementing the barback on a busy night. Having heard about the ploy (or screech) for water backstage, Cristobal has restocked there before coming out from the back room with another case hitched up on his shoulder and a box of vodka bottles underneath the other. He barks a quick, "Coming through." To cut the crowd and slide behind the bar.

It's all the people that Dylan watches as he picks up his shot, but he's in no rush to down it. That's all because of the interactions at the bar between Blake, Dominic and Poe that has captured his attention briefly, a twinge of one corner of his eye coming at the noise of the place as everyone waits for the main attraction. His free hand drifts down towards the pocket of his pants that has that book before he catches himself, slapping those fingers down upon the bar instead. It's jsut barely that he catches Love out of the corner of his gaze, and her? She draws a look of recognition, one brow lifting high in curiosity. Up his shot is lifted in a silent salute towards her once she sees, all before it is finally downed and enjoyed.

The club owner shoots an appreciative look to Cristobal, casting his gaze over toward the DJ booth and then to the stage. Swirling his vodka concoction in his glass for a moment, Antonio swigs again, his smile remaining firmly planted on his lips. "Gonna be a real good night. Real good."

Greg spots some familiar faces in the crowd as he makes his way to a seat. He gives a discreet wave to Blake and Poe each in turn, slouching down into a chair and taking a small sip from his tall shot before setting it aside. For now, he seems to be in observation mode, but he's there. For anyone keeping score at home, he doesn't seem to show a lot of interest in the dancers or topless waitresses, instead really watching everyone else in the place. Casually, though.

The lights in the club dim as the song cues up, Zoiya struts out from behind the curtain not a single stitch of clothing on her lean body. A cheer goes up at her nudity, even though it's hard to see anything in the low light. A single focused spotlight sweeps across her inked body, making silver glitter sparkle across her body. She starts dancing to the song, not a bump and grind like most stripper sets, no -- she's letting her body roll and bounce to the strong rhythm, showing off her ability to dance.

Her hands push into her wild hair, shifting it away from her shoulders before she gives the crowd her back, dancing along with the pre-chorus. She raises her hands in the air, letting her hips shift back and forth, turning to face the audience when the chorus drops, bouncing as she sings along.

Cuz everybody dead as fuck!

As soon as the word 'dead' is said, black lights turn on to show the pale skeleton drawn down her body in pale blues and ghostly whites. She starts to dance more provocatively now, her hips rolling as she grooves to the beat. Her nudity is still irrelevant, between the darkness and the black light, few glimpses of her naked body are seen. Despite that, tips are still being tossed on the stage, and someone even reaches out to try to stroke a hand up her calf.

The black light goes off, and she continues to dance, closer to the rail with the light sweeping over her glittering form, there is more to see. She nudges the persistent touchy dude away and starts to dance toward the chorus again, and everyone is expecting the black light and skeleton this time, a cheer going up when the change comes. She bounces, showing off the bones drawn over her body.

The song starts to ease off and she finishes dancing, gathering her tips before she starts to bounce toward backstage, tips quickly gathered.

How many is a few?! Lyric looks over at the offers of the bills and over to the owner, not wanting to detract from the girls. For now she points them in the direction of the dancers and the waitresses. She had her job to worry and and cues to prepare for so the girls weren't missing a beat, literally, when the time came for their performance.

His eyes turning to greet Poe once again as the man approaches the bar and begins talking about breakfast avoidance, Dominic listens to what he has to say but turns his gaze back to Blake. He watches the guy for a few moments in an effort to illuminate any odd behaviors. Nothing out of the ordinary aside from just how ordinary he's acting. Ah well, fuck it.
He looks back to Poe and grins, "Breakfast and that house sure as shit don't mix." He takes up his bottle of beer and takes a long drink as the lights of the club dim and Zoiya enters the stage. He leans back against the bar and nurses his beer as he watches the dancer. Once she collects her tis and heads backstage, he puts the drink down long enough to applaud the show, whistling loudly.

Ico doesn't really hear anything the two DJs are talking about. Though he will offer a wave to them both. A thumbs-up to Love as she passes. "Have fun." He offers to her and smiles. A brief cheer for Cristobal as he comes walking through. Moving towards the side of the stage as the music starts. Gesturing for people to get comfy and enjoy the show. Moving to set a hand on the touchy dude's shoulder, just getting him to chill some, with a smile on his lips still. When the song finishes he moves towards the bar while cheering and whistling.

Love glances across the bar just in time to see Cristobal shoulder back behind the bar with some vodka bottles for the night to come. "He carries too." She pauses on her way to wave to Mae, blowing her a kiss. She lifts a hand and waves toward the DJ booth too, blowing Lyric a kiss. A couple of patrons who look like they could be drinking more get an arm touch and a quiet word before she moves on. Eventually she'll come to the far end where Ruiz sits, but first she passes a few other barflies she knows. "Tequila seems popular tonight."

She pauses in her slow rounding to turn and watch Mae's performance as the music changes.

"Aww yeah. Let's hear it for Mae -- splash that cash on the stage, gentlemen." Antonio's voice echoes over the sound system as the set draws to a close. Remaining at the bar in his dark tailored suit and bright pink necktie affixed in a Windsor knot, the club owner sips his martini at a steady pace.

Zoiya walks out from backstage, wrapped in a colorful silk robe with butterflies painted on them. She sidles up to the bar, and tries to get Love's attention to get a quiet drink before things get really busy, the paint on her body seeming to be gone or at least wiped off for now. She eases onto an empty stool, crosses her legs and grins. "One of the pink things, please? Probably going to need a few of them before all is said and done."

Park's back, bouncing up to the DJ booth. "Did I miss anything?" she asks Lyric with a grin before looking over the crowd. "Gosh. So many people. How awesome!!" She's do a quick check of the setlist though she knows that Lyric has everything in hand. "If you need to take a break or do that shot thingy, go ahead." Despite Lyric's earlier teasing, Park is pretty sure she won't be asked for a shot.

Poe turns to watch Zoiya, leaning back comfortably against the bar while she does her performance. It's a good dance, which seems to always be the case when it comes to Mae. "Looking good." He says, mostly to Dominic because he's really the only person within earshot. "I'm starting to think it's not just breakfast at that house. I'm living in the other half of the duplex and have been over there a few times and things are never quite ... " He shrugs. Normal? Who likes normal anyway. He scans around the place, making brief eye contact with Dylan before continuing on.

Love lifts her hand and gestures to the bartender currently behind the bar for a sugar packet and a lime. She takes a lean at the bar, patron side, and asks of Mae, "Wanna do a little demo to get these shots moving?" She says something else quieter, hand still held out. Shortly a lime and sugar packet are plunked into her upraised palm.

Dylan watches from the bar as Mae's performance is given, head bobbing in time with the music. It's the dark light part that seems to have him mesmerized, brow furrowing, some idle thought tucked away for later. Once it's all over, his empty shot is pushed back across the bar, his head shaking a touch when asked if he wants another.

"He also slices, dices, and makes thousands of julienned fries." Cristobal rumbles at Love as he clunks down the case of vodka and then rips open the packaging of the water and dumps it in the cooler. He also nabs an empty liquor bottle, knocks a few nicks in the TABC label with a bottle shark, and then he's heading out from behind the bar to make sure that Mae's return to the floor doesn't incite anything more than people making it rain.

Ico does move to the bar, getting some water before gesturing to Cristobal to keep an eye on one of the patrons that seem to already have drunk a bit much. "Nice dance up there, Mae." He offers as well before moving around a bit. Turning to Love. "Once things slow down, can I have a kamikaze?" He asks and smiles.

Mae lifts her brows, giving Love a long look before she nods. "I think we can do that, sure." She taps the robe and smirks. "I'm naked under here, so if you're gonna get me messy, let me know because you're not ruining my favorite robe." She blows Ico a kiss at his compliment and slips to her feet, moving toward the tall, inked bartender. "Get Antonio to announce it so we get people's attention." She glances toward the boss, chortling softly.

"Gentlemen, ladies. May I impose upon one of you for a shot of tequila?" Love calls, probably audible to easily the far half of those seated at the bar. She glances along the length of it for a full shot glass that seems poorly guarded. "Don't worry, Mae. I need your belly and your mouth only." She grins. "I do shots that are less likely to dribble all over the floor."

Love glances over the bar at Cristobal. "Does he? He cuts me up a couple of limes and he can have whatever drink he wants." She murdered his credit card last shift. Maybe this one will be kinder.

The moment Mae steps onto the stage, blacklit and gyrating provocatively, Mae commands the attention of the swarthy, heavily tattooed fellow seated at the bar. Ruiz's dark eyes squint up in a slight smile as she finishes her performance, and once his drink's arrived, he turns away finally to collect it in his hand and tip it toward his mouth for a quick swallow. "You look good tonight," he comments toward her as she passes him by. A glimpse of someone or something moving behind the bar causes his jaw to tighten almost imperceptibly, but his attention shifts away shortly, and back to his drink.

"Alright, folks. You know what you came here for -- BODY SHOTS!! Get your asses over toward the bar and get thirsty. And don't bring your girlfriend, unless she's cool and all." Antonio's voice echoes again over the pulsating beat of the music, and he salutes both the dancer and the bartender with a raised martini glass.

Blake looks back to Dominic and nods. "I usually just grab cereal and hide in the basement man." He doesn't notice Greg at first. That guy's way over there! Or does he just not respond? It's unclear. When the cry for body shots is called, Blake pushes off and heads toward where Greg is sitting and settles on the arm of one of the chairs nearby. "Hey...Working?"

Ico smiles and shifts to stand, hearing what the plan is. Waiting to hear Antonio announce it, while Ico himself move to try and keep things civil. While also getting people pumped up and excited for the body shots. Whistling and moving about. Gesturing to those already at the bar. "Go for it before things go too crazy." Offering a pat to Dominic's back in passing.

Greg lifts his glass for another sip of the tequila, smirking to himself as he watches Blake come up. He sets his glass aside, grinning. "I'm always working, family," he says. That grin slowly morphs into a smirk again. "My dude, you were a fuckin' tank the other night. I'm surprised the coma subsided so soon."

Mae moves up to the bar, flashing a grin before she starts to push away shot glasses, regular glasses and wallets. "Scuse me boys and girls." She murmurs, hauling her ass up on the wooden surface. She lays down on the bar, grinning over at Love. "Alright, fuck me up best bartender." She says, raising her arms over her head. "No touching boys and girls, we're just demonstrating, it's all very professional." Sorry to the people who have temporarily lost their drinks!

"Uh-huh." Cris comments back to Love without really realizing what he just volunteered for. No, his attention was out on the floor as it's meant to be, locking for a moment on the police Captain at the end of the bar. There is an amused snort before he's glancing back and then realizes what he's asked to do. As people seem to be behaving themselves, he goes to make himself useful with some fruit.

Love hops up onto a stool and leans over the bar. "Boss, can I borrow your mic?" She sits on the bar's surface. She leans over to steal Ruiz's untouched tequila shot, then gets up onto the bar.

Antonio dutifully offers the microphone out toward Love with a smirk, shooting her a wink. "Awww yeah. We got the hottest bar in town now, y'all!" He gulps his martini and casts his eyes over the gathering crowd.

It's with a keen and interested eye that Dylan watches as Mae hops up onto the bar, up and until the point in time that the place becomes quite crowded, given the things that is about to unfold. This, it seems, is just too much for the fellow, managing to slide his way out and free after slapping down enough bills to cover his shot plus a healthy tip.

Lyric remains at the DJ booth but she watches the body shots and shakes her head to Park. "I'm not doing that I don't think. That isn't how I was taught." She goes back to the music, but checks how the body shot thing is going so far, a quick look around at the patrons. When one of them leaves, she frowns a little and looks towards Ico with a light shrug.

Ruiz's drink is appropriated by a tall, tattooed woman whose drink slinging skill might just have him a little awestruck. He seems ok with the theft, but only barely, and settles in to watch the demonstration. Eyes on Mae, eyes on the blue-eyed bouncer futzing about behind the bar. He rolls his jaw, and looks back to Mae, gaze steady, posture languid as he absently thumbs the business end of his unlit smoke.

Love takes the mic, "Thanks, boss." She grins and what she says next goes out over the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between. If you're shy because you've never done a body shot, or worried about a little mess," she speaks, walking down along the surface of the bar toward may, careful of all the drinks in her path. "This is how it's done."

"First, you find a beautiful dancer and ask the pleasure of her participation. Mae has already agreed. Consent is important." She kneels on the bar by the tattooed stripper, already laid out on the bar as she is. "My lady." She offers the shot class to Zoiya's mouth to hold.

Mae looks amused, laying there while she waits for Love to take her body shot. She raises her eyebrows as a mic is requested, folding her hands under her breasts as head turning to greet a patron who's personal space she's just completely appropriated. "Hey, having fun?" She spots Ruiz and when he gazes her way, she aims a cheeky smile at him and then sticks out her tongue. Love holds out a shot in her direction so she tilts her chin a bit, takes the shot glass in her mouth and keeps it steady.

Blake slips down into his seat with an ease about him that the man did not have at Greg's party. "I figured." He reaches up to pull his shades off of his head and tuck them away in his jacket pocket. "Me? I'm here on familial support duty," he says with a gesture toward Zoiya. "Yeah, well I've got...practice. You know?" his lips twist up into a smirk as he watches the sex ed like educational demonstration going on.

Once the body shot starts up on the surface of the bar, several drinks are shoved down the bar in his direction. It just so happens a fresh shot of tequila ends up right in front of Dominic. He casually reaches out and grabs the glass and dumps the liquid down his throat and quickly replaces the empty shot glass before anyone notices. He also finishes his beer with haste and glances towards Poe with a nod, "Smoke time." He touches the tip of his finger to his forehead and salutes as he steps away from the bar and heads towards the door, fishing his pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

Ico cheers Love and Mae before continuing to work. Noticing the one that is heading out. Trying to get a full shot to head his way. Moving over. "Hey free drink. Feel free to use it to get a body shot." He suggests with a wink, trying to get him to stay. If possible. Though then he moves along, having done what he can. Grinning and shrugging to Lyric in turn now. Moving back to the bar. "Cris, let me know if you need any help." He offers. A few whispered words to those watching Love and Mae. A few jokes and nudges before moving along. A grin and wink offered to the two women if they look his way.

"I was raised to not even acknowledge places like this" Park giggles to Lyric. "I guess it would be bad for our career if we had people claiming that they drank shots off our bodies. Though, these days, maybe it would be a boost?" She also spots the man leaving, frowning as well, before turning back to the show. Park looks confused. "I didn't know there was an oral involvement. I mean, obviously, you have to drink it with your mouth, but I didn't know you had to hold the glass in your mouth. That's probably painful, having your mouth open that wide, in that shape, for too long."

"You should make a habit of coming by to practice, dude," Greg comments. "I don't really know many people here and it sucks to party alone, you know, fam?" He shrugs expansively. "What else are you gonna do around here?" Taking a cue from the owner of this fine establishment, Greg produces a vape pen from his hoodie pocket to take a breathful rip from it. Coughing, he offers it across the small table towards Blake.

Love holds up the mic. "Just like any other shot, friends, you lick, sprinkle, lick, shoot, and suck." Easy, right? "Acceptable areas vary dancer to dancer." She leans over Mae, makes a show of licking her collarbone slowly, sprinkles a little sugar, leans down to lick it off. She has to lean way over, tall as she is, which is a show on its own. She's one wrong move from a different kind of display. She leans in over Mae, to take the shot from the dancer's mouth, hands free, hands steadying her on the bar to either side of Z's shoulders. Her black-lipsticked lips close on the glass and she straightens, tipping her head back to shoot it.

Love removes the glass from her mouth with one hand, and lifts the lime to suck it, hands up and out to her sides. Et viola. "Tip your dancers, because your dancers tip us and our DJ."

Love offers Mae a hand up.

Cris' eyes flick up at the offer from Ico, and he cuts one more set of wedges before jamming the knife into the cutting board so it sticks into the block of plastic tip first. "Yeah, man. Take over for me. I need to go do a round in the VIP lounge, and make sure there's no dick out."

Ruiz can't really be blamed, surely, if he isn't entirely minding having Zoiya sprawled out a few inches away from him. He knows the rules, though, and doesn't touch. But he does allow his gaze to crawl over every inch of her naked, inked body. Because it would be a little rude not to. Then Love leans in to do her shot, and he watches the show with dark, hooded eyes. Appreciative, in every sense of the word. When it's over, he draws a breath and tugs a crumpled bill from his wallet. It's folded lengthwise and tucked into a pocket of Zoiya's robe, along with a whisper close enough to her ear for his beard to catch on strands of her hair.

Lyric just watches and then smiles at Park. "I asked my friend to teach me a few days ago so I'd know. That wasn't what he taught me. The salt or sugar on the neck or collarbone sure. The lime wedge went in my mouth and the shot went.." She gestures to her ample cleavage. "There. That was interesting also. And the lime thing can turn into a kiss where the shot glass can't." She doesn't speak very loud, just enough for her fellow DJ to listen. Hopefully.

"I feel like they've been here practicing all day." Poe remarks, but then realizes he isn't really talking to anyone because Dominic went out for a smoke. Ah well. He pushes away from the bar as the crush of attention is something that can be handled without him clogging up the space. He drifts over toward where Blake and Greg are seated, glancing between the two men. "You two over here in the titless corner?" He asks with a bit of a grin, turning a chair around and dropping down into it. His eyes still hold a healthy amount of caution while he regards Blake.

Park politely follows Lyric's gesture to the cleavage, realises what she is looking at, and quickly turns her head away while nodding to the story. "So you didn't like it then? Since you don't want to do it here." A beat. "Oh my gosh! Did you kiss them? I guess here you don't want the patrons kissing you so they put the glass there instead?" A shrug at the mysteries of life.

Zoiya sits up carefully, not wanting to knock anything off the bar, hopping down before she holds a hand up toward Love for a high five. She pads around the bar to be a customer again, hoping she can get a pink drink to sip at while she waits to go do her set. She leans next to Ruiz, leaning in to have quiet words with him, before she turns her head to speak louder to Love. "That was an amazing demonstration. What are you going to do for amateur night hmm?"

Ico nods as he changes spot with Cris. "Yeah, wouldn't want them flopping about." Is agreed. Sliding over to cut limes. Singing along with the music some, and dancing around when he need to move. Occasionally looking towards the show at the bar. Setting up the limes for easy access. Once there is a good pile he will slip off with water. Offering a glass each to the DJs. "Keep hydrated." Offered and then off to offer the same to some resting dancers backstage before he comes back to the bar. "Water?" Asked of Love and Mae, once they are done. Continuing on the limes. "Anyone need anything?" Asked, mainly of the coworkers.

"I will. My work keeps me...away from people, so.." Blake just takes a sip of his scotch and watches everything from afar. "I don't even fucking know. I just moved here myself." Suddenly Blake squints at the older mexican man at the bar. "That guy looks familiar..." he murmurs when Poe comes into sight. He looks down at his chest, "Yeah. Titless." He smiles to the man.

"Oh I liked it. And I did kiss him. I kissed him a lot." Lyric laughs and gives a roll of her shoulders in a loose shrug. "I'm just not going to lay on the bar in front of everyone and do that. Probably a reason I'm not a dancer either. I'll dance at home or on the beach as long as I was alone with someone, but I guess I can't make myself dance in front of others. I really think Mae is the best though. I wish I could be more like her."

Love hands off the mic to Antonio before she drops it, which is a distinct possibility if she waits, as five inch heels and a bartop aren't her usual adventure. She returns the high five with a laugh. "Bartending." She glances at the stage, then slides that gaze back to Mae. She dismounts the bar carefully, hopping over the bartender's side, and keeps her feet and ankles intact. Win!

Love notices Ico cutting up the limes as Cris has escaped for Willy Watch in the VIP. She thumbs up to the host, mouths thanks, and takes a minute to get her bearings back there.

Ruiz looks up at the murmur from Zoiya. A flickered smile, which fades a moment later as she adds something more. He glances toward Antonio for a beat or two, then back to the fresh drink that's been set down for him. A big shoulder goes up in a half shrug, and he murmurs something in reply before downing a slug of the liquor. "Who the fuck are you?" he demands of Blake, once he's swallowed.

"Like falling through a crack in the world," Greg tells Blake. "You slip through, and you end up here." He lifts his shot and finishes it, setting aside the empty glass with a muted sigh as Poe joins the table. Greg gives him a welcoming smile. "The tits are fine and all," he observes in an unimpressed tone. "I like them a lot better when I can do something about it. What's good, fam? You folks got home okay." It's not a question; they're here, alive.

Mae gets to her feet, leaning in to give the grumpy police Captain a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going for my next set.." She grabs a bottle of water from Ico and blows him a kiss. "Save me a pink thing for when I come back out!" She stops though, watching another stripper do a body shot with a patron, laughing as the man fishes the shotglass out of the stripper's cleavage. Hot. She uncaps her water as she makes her way backstage.

Park grins at Lyric's admission of kissy stuff. "You might have to dance on stage though" she points out. "At least move a bit since you'll be the focus. We could even do dance routines or something. Not all the time, just every now and then." A solemn nod about Mae. "Yeah, I wish I could be more like her too. So confident, courageous, and...buxom." A shrug at something that will never happen before back to the shot talk. "Do I know your friend?"

"Not exactly the place for it, you know? A lot of tits here." Poe pauses, turning to look toward Ruiz and he frowns slightly at the tone the older man takes with Blake. "Who the fuck are you?" He questions in response. "Everyone's here to have fun, man. Don't whip out the asshole card this early in the night." He adds, before turning his attention back toward Greg.

Ico does smile and nod to Love. If he catches any of the conversation between Park and Lyric when he ran over with water, he doesn't seem to react much. Raising a brow as he look between Ruiz and Blake. Just to make sure that everything is okay. Gesturing to get people to be ready for the next set. Sighing as he moves to be near the arguements. "Gentlemen, relax and focus on what we are all here for." Hopefully Zoiya is arriving on stage soon, to distract them all.

"Thank you," Blake responds to Greg saying the tits are fine and all, especially after he just looked down at his own chest. Then suddenly that guy he was asking about is here, above him. He looks up at the caustic response and stands up to his full height of...well, 5'7". He's /still/ looking up to Ruiz, his head cocked to the side, a little smirk playing at his lips. "I don't know. What he said," he says with a jerk of his head toward Ruiz.

"Alright. Let's get ready for our next set, folks. Treat your bartender right, treat your girls right." Antonio's voice carries over the PA system as the booty hip-hop music pulses constantly. His smirk remains as he finishes off his martini, pushing the glass forward for another.

"Oh but I don't kiss and tell. You may know him, you may not." Lyric smiles and glances towards the bar. "I've got Mae's next song ready, do you want to watch over it? I'll go get us a drink. Anything you want in particular?" The headphones are removed and she fluffs her hair. "I'll just get you what I'm getting." With a mysterious smile she bounces over to the bar and leans her elbows on the edge, offering a smile to Love and any other staff and patrons who look her way. She waits her turn though.

Ruiz isn't really looming, though he did climb to his feet at some point to get a closer look at the stage. Which seems to have brought him in closer proximity to the 'titless corner' as some have taken to calling it. Poe gets a chuckle, and his hands held up in a gesture of surrender. "Puedes calmarte. It was a simple question. You all have a nice night." Is he going to start shit? Not tonight, it seems. Off he goes to find an out of the way table to settle in at, and watch the action.

The first order of business behind the bar: pull two shakers and her martini-making gear. Love grabs a bottle of her favorite vodka along with several other bottles. Four martini glasses are filled with ice and lined up to chill while she mixes. She scissors a jigger between her fingers and calls, "You got it, Mae!" She splashes lime juice, vodka, and triple sec in one shaker full of ice. The other is vodka, raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice over ice. She starts with the raspberry shaker, capping it to give it a good twenty second shake over her shoulder.

Love dumps the ice from two of the glasses into the sink, shaking out the excess water. She uncaps the shaker, fixes the strainer to the top, and pours deep pink liquid into the two glasses, both a variation on a French martini.

Ico smiles and nods to Antonio as he announces. Waiting for things to calm some, or hope that they do at least. Then moving to the bar next to Lyric, waiting for his own turn for a drink as well. "Seems like you both are doing well up there." He suggests and smiles.

After having a couple of cigarettes along the side of the cabaret, the door opens and Dominic re-enters the club. He heads back to the bar to order another beer and then spots Blake and Poe now sitting at a table. He heads over and posts up beside the table, looking between the guys at the table and the folks nearby. He inhales sharply and runs the pad of his thumb across his nose and takes a pull from his beer as some situation is coming to a resolution. "The fuck was that all about?" he asks to Poe and Blake while thumbing over his shoulder towards Ruiz.

"Neither do I" Park nods to Lyric . "No kiss and tell." No kissing either. "I'll take care of it" she eagerly agrees about the music, grabbing her Pikachu ear headphones to place over one ear. A surprise drink would sound worrying to the old Park but she is a rebel these days so she gives the thumbs up to the idea, even if Ico just brought them water. Thanking him with a shy smile before he is off again.

Zoiya's swaying walk mirrors the beat as she steps out on stage, a mock stern look on her pretty face. She's wearing a nun's habit, an iridescent black string bikini with a ruler tucked into the side ties of her swimsuit bottom, resting against her hip. When the words to the song start, there are some hoots from the crowd, and she starts to sway to the beat, pulling the ruler from her hip to slap her ass as she turns to sway, giving her back to the crowd.

The chorus starts and she raises both arms over head, holding the ruler as she bounces to the music, dancing close to the rail so that folks in the crowd can tip her. Someone grabs briefly at her ass and she swats him with the ruler, turning to strut away from him and that side of the stage. Her fingers toy with the ties on her bikini top, pulling them apart slowly.

Even he would martyr his mama to ride to hell between those thighs...

Another cheer goes up as she pulls the top away from her skin, bouncing so that her breasts jiggle, the barest hint of glitter on them. The ruler comes down to slap against her thigh and she laughs, easing down to her knees to press her hands together, an impish smile on her face as she rolls her hips toward a man holding out a twenty.

She steps off the stage as the song starts to wind down, wiggling her ass in a few laps, faux spanks a man with her ruler, and then leans in to shimmy her breasts in his friends face. The crowd is on its feet and she's laughing loudly, having a great time. The song eases off and she is on her way backstage, only stopping to pick up her bikini top, blowing a kiss before she disappears.

The second shaker gets the same treatment from the bartender. Love shakes the metal vessel until the outside is ice cold to the touch. She watches the exchange between Ruiz and Poe, brief as it is. She watches them all for a moment, even as the off-duty cop prowls off to his own table. Her pale gaze keeps moving. returning to the stage when the music changes again. She looks down briefly to strain the Kamikaze into two chilled martini glasses after she dumps the ice from them.

Greg stands up when Blake does -- he might be a new friend, but blue got your back, boi. He looks all the happier for it when the situation dissipates peacably, though, and he reaches into a pocket to fish out a bill and flag down a waitress with it. "Can I get some more shots for the table please?" In this environment, the exuberant and polite "Thank you!" that follows his request might earn him a look or two.

"I don't really know. Grandpa there has a stick up his ass by the look of it." Poe remarks, watching Ruiz wander away to another table and gesturing fro Dom to join them in titless land. "He just wanted to sass Blake and I don't really see that anyone needs that kind of attitude when we're all enjoying a relatively PG evening over in this corner." So, he glances around an catches sight of Park, trying to see if he can get her attention with a wave. "Hi Mee!" He calls out to her.

The offered vape pen was easily forgotten in the contentious moment. "Never seen that guy before in my life. I mean, had deja vu but..." Blake nods to Poe and Greg, his eyes dropping for a moment in thanks of the backup. "Maybe I'll meet him in the alley again right? If I'm lucky?" He chuckles at his own odd comment and slips back down into his seat, watching Ruiz move back to his own area.

"Ico, please take care of that." Lyric motions towards the trio that continue to keep the disruption going even after Ruiz had moved off. She says nothing else, but looks towards Ruiz then Poe and the others with a slight frown. "They've already moved apart."

Ico applauds as Mae gets to her show. Enjoying and moving along with the music. Applauding her as she finishes. Nodding though at Lyric's words 22. Moving towards the trio. The shots that were ordered is on it's way but he takes over the tray to come and serve it to them. "Gentlemen." He offers and smiles. Serving the drinks to them. "Can I help with anything else? And I do hope you're enjoying yourselves." Offered with a sweet smile.

Love stands behind the bar watching the show, sipping one of the 'pink things,' which would be a tart, sweet, tropical flavored martini, a hellishly pink creation that's de-effing-licious. Another one waits on the bar next to her for Mae to finish her sinful little set. Silver-colored eyes turned to the stage, the tall bartender grins when the cheeky performance ends in scooping up a bikini bottom.

Greg chuckles as he slides a shot across the table to Blake. "You're a fuckin' wild man. Don't sweat that dude, man, drink this." Poe gets a shot slid over in front of him too, and Greg nods his agreement with the other man. "Seriously. This..." he describes the general area of the table, taking up his shot, "is the fun pacifist portion of the place, where people just get fucked up and have a good time. No fuckin'..." he trails off, shrugging. "Just, no." Shaking his head at these fools, he scoops up his shot and drinks it. "Zero chill," he tells Blake and Poe in a tone of regret while he fishes out an extra bill for Ico. "Thanks dude," he tells the man as he hands over the tip.

Mae walks out from backstage, dressed in a pair of black booty shorts and a club t-shirt. Her hair is gathered into a braid and she's barefoot. She makes her way to the bar, settling down a grin turned toward Love. "Drink?" She scans the rest of the club, obviously looking for certain people and when she can't find them with eye contact, she pulls her phone from inside her shirt. She sends off a series of texts and hums softly to herself. "I forgot to get the rosary off of you." She murmurs, huffing out a sigh. "Next time."

"Ico. Man. We're great. Great show. Thank you." Poe says when he comes over to the table. Perhaps Poe had still been bitching a bit, but just to the guys sharing his table. He wasn't escalating things in any way after the other man wandered away. He was comfortable and enjoying himself. "I wish you could join us, honestly. Are you always working or come here just to hang out sometimes? We should hang out."

Completely unaware of any possible trouble, her eyes on the porn remake of 'The Nun', Park dances around at her post. An occasional glance at the music to make sure all is going well; Lyric set it up so it will be perfect. Applause as Mae finishes before her eyes scan the dimly lit room. One day there will be as many people to see the band she is in! Though, hopefully, Park will be able to wear more clothes on stage.

"Thank you," Lyric murmurs to Ico. Trusting him to do his thing, she leans her elbows on the bar and smiles at Love. "Can I get one of those Coconut Rum drinks on ice with pineapple juice? Both for me and one for Park. Ico wanted something but I really don't remember the name of it."

Ico bows his head, "No worries. Enjoy yourselves, and I do hope all will be kept well." Smiling and nodding to Poe. "Most often here to work, but I am probably not against relaxing here as well." Is said with a chuckle. "If things slow down I might come by to check on you all." He offers with a playful nudge. He will move off then. But will have made sure to bouncers to just make sure that there won't be more trouble between the two groups. Not seeming specified to either party, but to the arguement in general. Sighing as he return. "Love, can I get a Kamikaze?" Perhaps having missed if she made it for him earlier. Stepping up next to Lyric, where he was earlier. "So, if I am missing anything, just poke at me." He offers to all of them.

Ruiz might be trouble, or he might not. The full sleeve tattoos say one thing, but the fact that he's sidestepped the little confrontation that was brewing with Blake's friends suggests he's here to chill tonight. He looks fairly capable of defending himself, either way, though his attention's on the stage; it seems he's completely written off the strange kid that was staring at him earlier.

Love slides the pink martini over to Mae, leaning against the bar. "Next time I'll bring it over, make it part of the show." She grins and turns her attention to Lyric. "Sure, babe. Ico... hm." Then the host's there to order up his drink. "Sure, I just mixed one for Cris, but he seems to have disappeared. This one's yours, still chilled." A tart martini is a still-cold glass is passed to Ico with no wait!

The tropical drinks Lyric requested are a quick mix, coconut rum and pineapple juice layered over ice in a highball glass, garnished with fresh pineapple wedges. She's a moment making them, then they, too, are slid across.

Dominic shrugs and takes another drink of his beer as things seem to settle down. He looks from Poe to his lap when his phone buzzes in his pocket. He fishes it out and checks his notifications and then smiles, tapping on the screen for a moment. He downs his beer quickly and glances at the others at the table, "I need another beer. You guys need anything from the bar?" He looks from Poe, to Blake, and then Greg. "My treat," he offers and hangs long enough to collect any requests before he turns and wades through the crowd towards the bar. Walking up behind Zoiya, he leans in close and says, "Hey there," making his voice sound much deeper than usual. He grins and steps around the dancer and leans against the bar, "Damn fine job tonight."

Ico ahs and nods to Love as he is given Cris' drink. "Thanks! And you are awesome as usual." Looking to Dominic, nodding agreeingly about Zoiya's work. Turning to Lyric as he sips his drink. "If you need anything, feel free to call out." Then to Mae and Love, "Same to you."

"Yes. Yes, I need something else to drink, Dominic. If you see someone around who is easy on the eyes and wants to lay here on the table we can make it less titless. Otherwise, just the drink will work." Poe tabs Dominic on the back when the man wanders off to get the drinks and swings his eyes back to Blake and Greg. "I mean, we are at a strip club. And I missed most of Mae's set because I was distracted. That's frustrating." He focuses on Greg. "Wouldn't business be better if you were working the floor or just figure people know where to find you?"

"Appreciate it," she says to Ico, as he makes a customary offer of assistance. She doesn't take him up on it just now, but she's appreciative just the same.

Love pours a rocks glasses of Patrón, lets it chill over an ice sphere in the glass, then sends it off in the hands of a waitress for Ruiz's table.

She drops sugar cubes in the bottom of several other rocks glasses, tips in bitters by drips to saturate them. A moment later, soda water and a wooden muddler make short work of the softened cubes. Bourbon and ice follow, then a finishing skim of orange peel across the rims to leave behind some fragrant citrus oil. Like she expects at least three people are going to order an old fashioned in the next four minutes.

Mae tilts her head toward Dominic, a smile on her face. "Thanks." She says quietly, nodding toward Love when she comes over with a pretty pink martini. "Hey Love, this is Dominic. He's a pain in my ass." She glances at Dominic and flashes him a grin. "This is the girl who's gonna go skinny dipping with me one night, it's gonna be fun. Sadly you're not invited, I think it's gonna be girls only." She rests her elbow on the bar, cradling her chin in her palm. "I should go find some table dances or something."

Greg grins slyly, settling into his seat and digging his phone out of his pocket. "Man, people know who I am and what I do. It's good enough just to be here. Besides, this is Antonio's house... I need to show respect." A few taps on the surface of the phone -- too nice to match the way he dresses -- summon the familiar blue light as the friendly neighborhood street pharmacist checks his digital queues, as it were. "I guess if I'm being honest this is half work, half pleasure. I can afford to enjoy myself." He looks up from the phone to flash a proud smile between Blake and Poe. "That business idea... my boss went for it. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you. Maple, actually."

"Take your drinks back to the table, I'll handle Poe's request in a minute." Mae murmurs, giving Dominic a kiss on the cheek. She wanders away from him, walking toward the DJ booth. She pauses at a table, kneeling near Ruiz so she can have quiet words with him. She's looking toward Lyric and Park, and then she turns her head to regard him as she speaks again quietly.

"I am fine for now, thank you." Lyric shoulder checks Ico before smiling warmly at Love and Mae. "Thanks Love, Mae that was amazing as always." She straightens and gathers both drinks after leaving the price +tip for Love and heads back to the DJ booth where Park is. The drink is offered over and she leans against the wall, glancing at the group of guys then Ruiz, only one of them familiar to her mostly, even though she's lived here all her whole life.

"Hey," Dominic says with a smile and a nod towards Love, "nice to meet you." His brows then furrow as he looks to Zoiya and then shakes his head. Pain in the ass. "Skinny dipping, huh?" He glances back to Love and chuckles against the club's music, "How'd you convince her?" He shakes his head and looks back to Mae with a nod. He takes his drinks and nods towards Love again before he turns to head back over to the table with the others so he can distribute a round of drinks, "Drink up, dudes."

"Thank you!" Park takes the drink with her usual perky grin before enjoying a sip. Though 'enjoying' means one eye flickering and a shiver running through her body. "Very sweet" she smiles; she can hold her liquor like a slug can hold...anything. A wave at Mae's glance before a thumb up at the dancer's performances so far this evening. "I queued up some more cues" she explains to Lyric, "But you might want to check them out. Oh! I think we're moving in together...but we can talk about that later."

Ico chuckles and nods, "Good good. And once things get calmer I should probably give the shot stuff a shot right?" He asks anyone nearby. Even glancing between Love and Lyric. Before slipping the tip from the trio over to the bar's tip jar. Sipping on his drink while taking in the sights and keeping an eye on things. Talking with the occasional patron at the bar. Letting Dominic mingle with the others at the bar before he wanders back to his table. Offering a smile and a nod to him if he looks over.

Love salutes Lyric with the cash she left, "Hey, between sets, maybe some classic rock?"

"How's your night, Dominic, Pain in Mae's Ass?" Love is back to leaning on the bar after she shuffles several drinks out and takes a lean on the bar, serving herself an old fashioned to sip from a tiny cocktail straw to better preserve her black lipstick, not that it comes off on the straw. She laughs softly as Mae mentions skinny dipping. "Yeah, ladies only. The first time anyway." She nods to Mae. "I'm sure they're waiting for you. Who wouldn't?"

To Dom she says, "What makes you think it took any convincing?" She pushes off the bar as the guy retreats with his drinks.

Ruiz glances from the stage, to the dancer who settles in nearby to speak with him. A drink arrives at roughly the same moment; tequila, from a mysterious benefactor. Who's revealed to be the tattooed 'tender up at the bar, when he catches the waitress' arm to ask. She's released a moment later, of course, and he flashes Zoiya a smile. Brief, though it lingers in his eyes for a moment more. "I wanted a closer look at the action." And less people elbowing him, perhaps, though that isn't said. "Though I should go and thank your gorgeous drink slinger for this. Are you doing another set?"

Mae shrugs a shoulder, pushing to her feet. "Unsure yet. I could, but I was just going to try to pick up some body shots and table dances. If you want either, find me." She rests a hand on Ruiz's shoulder briefly and smiles in his direction. "Enjoy your drink." She walks toward the DJ booth, and leans against the equipment. "I'm going to have a hell of a tip for you two tonight, Park? Can you come with me for a moment or two?" She holds out her hand to the girl, a tilted grin on her face. "Lyric, play something bumpin' girl!"

"Really? Shit man, that's good to hear. Nothing stands in the way of good business. Nothing at all." Poe says, stretching out in his chair and watching Greg across the table. "How long to set something like that up? I mean, I know the real money is in other activities, but that seems like a nice legal fence on top of all the hard shit." His voice is low enough that the entire room can't catch this. It's loud in here, right? "Where is Dom with the drinks?" His new best friend Dom who he totally didn't want to beat up yesterday.

Love presses her hand over her heart dramatically as cash hits the tip jar courtesy of Ico. She bows her head slightly in appreciation and smiles, then heads off down the bar to hit another round of beer refills. It's not long before she's back in an idle position, nursing her Old Fashioned. In a lull, she sneaks out from behind the bar.

"You got it!" Lyric calls back and puts on her own headphones. With a grin to Park, she hits up a song that will likely get more than a few groans. "Just a friendly reminder. Unless you have permission of course!" She calls out to the patrons before playing a song.

There are a few groans but some actually get up to dance and she nudges Park. "Go nab Ico for a dance?" Giving her an option. "Unless you're not interested?" Then she sees Mae and she grins, encouraging Park to go on with her. "I'll get this one changed in just a moment."

Blake looks over to Greg and smirks, "Fantastic. But on Maple? Okay. I guess that's good for business." It's just...further than that dispensary right across the street. "I'll have to visit when I get some dough. " He knocks back the rest of his scotch and then his shot. He tracks Ruiz as he talks with Zoiya and goes about his business.

"Lyric is doing all the work" Park grins to Mae, gesturing to the woman in question in case it has been forgotten what she looks like. "Come with you?" Park's eyebrows rise in surprise. "Don't you have dancing to do? Oh...is the bathroom blocked again? It wasn't me, I swear." Still, she takes the offered hand and removes her headphones before an embarrassed pout at Lyric with talk of Ico. "He's working" she replies; obviously she totally would have asked if he wasn't. Then it's off with the sexy dancer.

Yes, Love is headed for the ladies room with a drink in her hand. Hopefully the bathroom's not blocked. She's in the tightest skinny jeans she owns and, unlike some of the patrons, she uses the facilities to actually, you know, use the facilities.

"That's the idea," Greg tells Poe, pretty quietly, while he scratches at the back of his neck and looks around, sketched out. He laughs though, softly, and nods. "It's... pretty fucking brilliant, if I do say so myself. All the right wheels get greased, and I can be open before you know it. I'm meeting a guy about the storefront tomorrow." He grins over at Blake. "Stop in for sure. Even if you're not buying, I'll get you stoned out back." He flashes his best smile. "You'll have to check us out anyway. I'll have different strains and products and shit than the one on Elm -- you'll have to shop us both."

Ico winks to Love, "You're doing the heavy lifting." He assures her. Chuckling as he hear the song that Lyric starts up. Chuckling and dancing along a bit, nursing his drink still. Keeping an eye on the bar until Love returns from the facilities.

Mae pulls Park over to the table with Greg, Poe and Blake, standing behind, wrapping her arms around her waist. "Park, these three are friends of mine, and I was thinking we should do a body shot with one or all of them, what do you think?" She gives Park a grin and a slight tickle. "Thoughts?" She waves at the three in the titless corner, invading and brings tits to the masses. "Hey guys."

"Mee!" Poe says, his smile bright, turning to face the victim- er woman that Mae had pulled over to the table with the three men. They'd met the other night, of course, though it had been a pretty brief thing. He furrows his brow and looks between the two women. "Wait, is Park looking to have a body shot done on her, or is she looking to take one of of me? Or - " He glances toward the other two men. "Blake? He's be a fine body to shoot."

Ruiz pulls his phone out as it starts buzzing, and composes a quick reply. His drink is polished off with two long swallows, and he slides the empty glass onto the tabletop before easing to his feet. Break between sets, which means time for him to pop out for a smoke. A quick glance about, furtive, before he ambles for the door.

What everyone misses out on, but everybody in the bathroom hears: Love cursing a blue streak because her zipper's stuck and she's in the highest of heels you can walk in without a corner or a music video. Things get interesting when her foot hits a wet spot on the floor and she almost drops her drink, but recovers at the last minute, merely spilling bourbon on the toilet paper dispenser. "Fuck."

"Trying to," is breathily uttered from the next stall.

Love doesn't say anything for a while. "... Dude. Not looking for a status update. If you have to try, you're doing it wrong." She goes about her business, and as she's leaving, trying to get the zipper back into place one-handed, she says, "You should also be breathing way heavier than that. Now I'm just sad about your rendezvous." Micro drama from the ladies restroom complete, the bartender washes her hands thoroughly and returns to the club proper.

Before Blake hears Poe or maybe he does, Blake stands up, not responding to any of the men or the women that just arrived. He walks out the door the way that Ruiz went without so much as a goodbye or a look back to the table.

If Park had wandered over here by itself it would still be the titless corner but she has a Zoiya hugging her from behind and making all kinds of propositions. Her wide eyes expressing her surprise as she is momentarily at a loss for words. And Poe just confuses her more - who's zooming who? Though it doesn't look to be Blake as he disappears with steely determination rather than having anything to do with Park and body shots - she's used to that kind of thing. "Oh, Zoiya should definitely be involved" she nods to Poe. "She is so much better at it and has the body for it and, gosh, look how gorgeous she is."

Greg looks up from his phone to notice with some initial startlement that tit-free corner has ceased to be tit-free. "Oh hello there," he says happily. "How's it going, Mae?" he greets the familiar woman in the same chipper tone. He quirks an eyebrow as Blake suddenly takes off. "Looks like maybe he's shy. That's... probably not going to be good, right?" he asks Poe. "Your boy's on some dumb shit."

"Park, no no. This is your bodyshot darling. I've had enough." Mae nudges Park forward, flashing her a grin. "And hey, if you do a bodyshot with them, we can do one after." She winks at Greg and nods. "Doing pretty good babe." She glances toward the exit, watching Blake leave. "He'll be fine, right now, though if I hear any screams I'll grab the baseball bat." She gives Park a squeeze and says something quietly in her ear.

Poe hesitates, almost standing when Blake gets up to leave the building - but then he slumps back down into his seat. He wasn't his babysitter. Not officially. "He'll manage. I walked the fucker home last night so he wouldn't get beat in and I can't follow him around every step. Sometimes you have to take a few punches to learn some things." Blue eyes swing back to Mae and Park, waiting to see if they resolve the hesitation.

Park nods slowly to Zoiya's whisper before smiling apologetically to Poe. "I have never done one before but if you want to." Her smile warmer now. "I might need a little instruction though" she adds, mostly for Zoiya's benefit. "Oh gosh, do I need to take my clothes off?" The look on her face suggests she thinks that no one should have to suffer that. Certainly not paying patrons.

Ico does look to Mae and Mee as they wander towards the trio. Shifting a bit where he stands. An amused grin on his lips. Though he might catch some of what is said from the ladies' room. PRobably not all though. Chuckling a bit. Gaze following Blake as he step outside. Letting the bouncer out front keep an eye out just in case. Bringing over a few more shots to Poe's table. Noticing the slight hesitation perhaps, "Want one?" Asked to Mae and Park both. Though he will slip aside then to take care of others. Moving to where Love is. "Did everything go okay in there?" He asks with a grin on his lips.

Greg lets out a small, low laugh at Park's reluctant schtick. "True that fam. He's a big boy." He shifts his grin to Zoiya. "Thanks for coming out to the house. I hope my little party wasn't too much. My shit's usually a lot more low key." He shrugs, with his best charming grin. "Sometimes you gotta let it hang out though, right?"

Poe honestly looks surprised, a grin curving his lips and he gives a brief shake of his head to Park's question. "You don't need to take your clothes off, Park. It's just for fun. Here." He pushes back his chair and shifts some drinks around on the table to make a bit of space. He grins toward Greg - "Don't mind if we use the table for a minute, yeah?" He figures that the fellow won't mind. "This is it. I've got a shot here. You watched the little show on the bar earlier? We'll go the same way. Unless you'd rather I drink it out of your navel?"

"We'll come hang out again, Greg. Your place was nice. Hopefully my boys aren't over here causing you any trouble." Mae moves to lean against the table, arms folded over her chest. "You don't need to take your clothes off, just open your shirt a little bit, show some cleavage and smile. It's fine." She give Park a bracing pat on the arm, picking up a shot and settling it between her breasts. "Anyone want some tequila?" She raises her eyebrows and waits to see if there are any takers."

Love is just finishing her drink, lingering about mid-club while she does so, when Ico makes an inquiry. She snorts and says, "Doubltful," under her breath, then clears her throat and mhms. "You bet." She salutes him with her glass. She'll probably head back to the bar here in a moment.

Greg, not prone to hesitation, steps up to thrust his face into Zoiya's ample cleavage and take the shot. "I was getting thirsty," he tells her around the glass before he takes it out of his mouth and sets it down. "No baby, my place is a shit hole. But I'm going to get it fixed up. It won't look like a rape shack, soon." He produces his vape pen for another good rip, coughing, and glances around in the hope that everyone realized that was humor.

Ico chuckles at Zoiya's words, "If no one else does, I will." He threatens, trying to urge people perhaps. Turning to Love. "Well, sometimes you just gotta roll with it. Cheers." Finishing the sentence as they reach the bar, so he can grab his drink. Downing what¨s left. Paying for another drink then, "Dark & Stormy? Please, sweet Love." Offering puppy eyes. Though it is brief, as he look out around the place. Seeing how people are doing. Throwing a look towards the DJ booth as well, though she seem to be holding down the fort well enough.

Mae doesn't look at all surprised to find Greg's face in her tits, she props her hands on her hips and flashes him a grin when he comes up with the shot glass. "Thirst no more, honey." She snorts softly at his words and rolls her eyes. "You could always come over to our shit hole, it's actually not bad. Set up a kiddy pool in the back so I can get wet whenever I want." She takes a seat at the table, makes a pouty face toward the vape. "Some for Mae?"

"I don't have any cleavage" Park points out to Zoiya before sucking on her lower lip a moment. "I do have a navel though" she helpfully points out to Poe before pulling up her t-shirt a little to prove it. "I'm not sure I can keep my mouth open that long to hold a glass" she giggles innocently before clambering onto the table, all gangly limbs and nervous wriggling. T-shirt pulled up above her stomach. "This right?"

Love continues on beyond the bar. "You got it, babe," she says as Ico asks after a drink she made for him the other day. She washes her hands one more time, clearing a few empties before she bends to retrieve a chilled ginger beer, and the other bottles necessary to mix this spicy little drink.

Love scoops up a highball glass of ice, a shaker full of ice, and pours to shake everything but the ginger beer. She tips the shaker out into the glass, adds most of the ginger beer, gives it a gentle stir to chill it and garnishes with a piece of candied ginger on a skewer. She pops a piece of candied ginger into her mouth just as she slides the drink over to Ico. "This one's a little stronger. Let me know what you think?"

Poe laughs. "You do have a navel." He's grinning while he waits for Park to get her situated on the table, eyes shifting to watch Greg snatch up the shot glass from Mae's chest like a properly thirsty man. Good on him. Why wouldn't you do that? Once Park is situated across the table he takes up one of the shots that was pushed off to the side and shifts himself above the woman's body. "Just try to stay still or it will get really messy." He says to Park, meeting her eyes briefly before tipping the shot carefully onto her body without any more delay. The liquid pools and clings there for a half a breath and Poe leans down and wraps his mouth around the skin before it can escape, sucking the tequila into his mouth and standing back up to swallow the shot away, leaving Park's body mostly clear of the liquor. "That's the whole ballgame, Park!" He says, grinning brightly and offering her hand to sit back up.

Lyric has just been playing tune after tune, even taking requests when someone had one and there was no dancer on the stage. Pre-requisite is it had to be party music. The beats are thumping and Lyric is into it, dancing around behind the booth, sometimes singing, just generally having a good time.

Ico ponders though. "The next one, make it something hot. Like tabasco or something, but still tasty." He suggessts, letting her ponder that while he drinks the dark & stormy. Wanting to give her a challenge perhaps. Watching her making it though, a grin on his lips. "Thanks." Reaching out and taking a sip. "Tastes great. A bit more kick to it, but I don't mind." Offering some tip. "As I've said before, you spoil us." Looking to see how it is going in the, formerly, titless corner. Which seem to have a lot of activity now. Chuckling. "Seems to be going good over thre as well." Then to Lyric, gesturing to see if she wants another drink. Then back to see how Park is doing, seeing how nervous she was.

"It's important to stay hydrated," Greg observes wryly as he holds the vape out to Mae. "Especially on those hot summer days. Yeah, I'll have to come see your spot. I owe you, right?" He grins as he watches Poe giving drinking lessons. "You're doing great," he offers in an encouraging tone. For which ever of the two need it, really. Perhaps both.

Mae takes the vape, chuckling as she takes a hit from it. "You owe me?" She hands the vape back, settling curious eyes on Greg. "If you say so, honey. If owing gets me a visit, it sounds great. Just text me when you're in the neighborhood." She scoots out of her chair, leaning a hand against the table. "If you need anything else, get my attention." She runs a hand up and down Park's arm, grinning at her, and Poe gets a brief wink. "Thanks babe." She pads toward the bar, leaning against it. "What tomfoolery is going on over here, is someone making yummy drinks, and if so, can I try one?"

Love makes her way down the bar with a few glass bottles of beer, distributing them along a little cluster of regulars who only have eyes for the stage or the scantily clad dancers making the rounds. She salutes Ico with a pair of bottles in her left hand. "I'll think up something interesting."

Keep still, Park, you can do this. So, of course, she's stiff as a board as the cold liquid is poured on her navel. Doing her best not to shiver a little. "We wouldn't want it mess...oh!" Park's eyes wide as she feels a mouth on her stomach now. "It kinda tickles" she giggles...while also trying not to move her body. And then it's done? Park looks down at her stomach and everything seems gone. "You must have been thirsty" she notes logically. "Wasn't there supposed to be some licking?" Park takes the hand and slowly sits back up, swinging her long legs off the table. That wasn't too bad - though she didn't have a stranger buried between her breasts like Zoiya enjoyed. Since she has Poe's hand in hers, she politely shakes it - which is what you do after a body shot, right? "Nice to meet you."

Ico smiles and nods to Love before grinning at Mae when she step over. "Dark and stormy, but a bit stronger." Offering it to her. "And challenged Love to make a spicy drink." He says and seems amused. "Good night so far?" He asks, cash wise most likely. A gesture towards Park, "How did she do?"

"I didn't have anything to lick. I mean - you have plenty of lovely parts to lick, Park. I mean I didn't have any salt over here and it seems a bit much to just lick at you just for the sake of licking. That's going a bit beyond the spirt of the body shot." Rules about these things, right? Don't want to cross boundaries. He squeezes her hand to return the shake, thinking that's a great way to conclude the little experiment. "Truth of the matter is it's a pretty inexact science. I think people usually go with whatever they can get away with - but you and I are buddies." Seems that means they're not in the category of arbitrary licking. "If you're getting another drink, Park, let them know I'll pick up the tab. Thanks." He adds, releasing her hand and dropping back into his seat. "You're welcome to join us if you'd like." He adds. This isn't just a Lick and Go operation.

Zoiya smiles at Ico, taking the drink and sipping gingerly at it. "Shit that is strong." She sets it down, pushes it gently back toward Ico, shivering for a moment. "Spicy? Haven't ever had a spicy drink." She glances toward Love and then back to Ico when he speaks again. "Good night." She agrees, crossing her legs as she gets comfortable. "Park did great, she didn't spill the liquor, didn't bruise a customer and hopefully is making one hell of a tip."

"I'm good for now," Lyric calls over to Ico at his question. She gets some songs set and walks over to the bar with the remainder of hers from earlier. Sliding into a seat, she tells Love, "I am about to go. Park can take over. I just want to walk before it starts raining."

Ico chuckles and nods to Zoiya. "A bit strong, yeah." Looking to Park with a nod, "Awesome." Then Lyric is coming along. "Oh? Want me to walk you? I'm pretty sure there won't be more people coming in at this hour." He offers. "I think there are a lot of spicy drinks. I have had a few shots that are spicy. And I think bloody mary can be spicy if you want."

Listen, Greg isn't a total pig. He's not. But after you do a shot out of a woman's tits, if you don't watch her closely when she walks away, you're doing this all wrong. "I'll text!" he promises with a smile, twirling the vape pen idly in his fingers. He spaces out for a minute until from somewhere in the aether the word 'tip' penetrates his cerebrum, pun intended. He digs into his pocket and starts winding bills out onto the table; it must amount to fifty at least. "Thanks girls," he says, loudly enough that hopefully Mae will hear it wherever she's wandered off as well. "Well shit, man," he says as he looks back to Poe. "I think it's about time for me to see what other trouble I can get into tonight, fam. What are you getting into later?"

"Oh...yeah...nothing to lick" Park nods innocently, even looking a bit sad at Poe not having the full experience. Buddies? She is spending a lot of tonight looking surprised. Though she is soon grinning. "Totally friends." It's not as if you'd let a stranger drink from your body. "I will let them know about the tab" she nods before jerking her thumb at the DJ station. "I have to let Lyric have a break but maybe I can come back later?" Greg's money she will pick up for Zoiya before heading back to the bar enroute to playing music again. A blushing look at Ico on the way past.

Love putters around behind the bar pawing through the collection of bottles, looking to see if there are any fresh chilis or peppers. Ultimately she finds a blood orange and juices it, eating the quarter she doesn't use. Into an ice-filled shaker goes some agave, the blood orange juice, and what looks like about eight ounces of whiskey, before she shakes it up. She uncaps the shaker and adds in something fresh chopped, which may or may not be a whole jalapeño.

Did she remove the veins and seeds? It's a mystery! She gives it a few more shakes, only a few. She strains that into a couple of rocks glasses full of eyes. The drink strains out a beautiful, deep maroon-berry color over ice. She splashes a little of the dregs into a shot glass to sample it in a minute.

She leans on the bar and asks of Lyric, "Have a good night?" She nods, "I heard it's supposed to storm like a mother tonight. Be safe, yeah?" She rests a hand on the bar.

"Friends. Truth. I'll be here all night." Poe agrees, eyeing the table and reaching out to find another shot. He also watches Greg's gesture and digs into his own pocket for couple crumbled bills, tossing them into the middle of the table with what the other man had added. "I'm going to make myself comfortable here, Greg. Good to see you again. Don't be a stranger - I live on the other side of the wall from Mae, so if you come over I'll likely catch you. Just going to sit tight and make sure Blake gets back in one piece." And that's what he does, dropping the shot into his mouth and turning to watch the room.

Mae blows a kiss toward Greg when the money is dropped off and she watches Park make her way to the DJ Booth. Somewhere, the boss lets everyone know that it's last call. It's getting to be that time, and clean up is gonna be a bitch. She aims puppy dog eyes at Love, hoping for some kind of creative drink. Maybe something spicy.

"Oh I did have fun. I love music a lot. It's not so far to the trailer park from here." Lyric is quick to reassure. "I have walked everywhere since I was old enough to go places on my own. I'll be fine you make sure Park gets home safe. I'll see ya later." She lifts a hand and playfully tousles his hair before waving o the other employees and going towards the door.

Ico offers a smile and nod to Park as she moves past. "Looking good." He offers as he drinks some. Ico is holding his own, but he might have had quite a bit, maybe a few with some of the patrons earlier in the night as well. For now he is at least coherent and not wasted. Drinking up more of his drink. He will keep an eye on Poe while he is here. He's been a good customer so far after all. Then finishing his drink as the new one is finished up. "Looks interesting." Is offered to Love. Smirking some, "Is last call for us as well?" He asks in a lower voice, leaning some on the bar. Looking to Lyric as well, "Ok. Shoot a text when you're home." He compromises. Grinning and nodding about Park. "Will do." Smirking and nudging her gently as she play with his hair. "See you later."

Greg groans softly as he rises to his feet and stretches. "Shit, it's going to rain?"he asks unhappily. Not ready to take it on faith, he pulls up the weather app on his phone -- and swears softly. "I need to buy some fuckin' wheels," he mumbles to himself as he rocks the hood on his sweater up and makes his way to the door. He doesn't make it all the way before a random townie intercepts him for a bit of business, and the entrepreneurial Greg is happy to oblige as long as the townie is willing to follow him as he makes his way out into the night. Two painfully white fingers can be seen hurling the good deuces in parting just before the waiting darkness of a Gray Harbor night swallows him whole.

Park waves to Lyric as the latter heads off - in that hero worshipping way of hers. Now she just has to make sure the music isn't fucked up before the place closes. Should she wipe her belly? Is that body shot etiquette? Time to dance as the tunes play and some other strippers attempt to make a quarter of what Zoiya will make tonight.

Love watches Lyric go, leaned on the bar. "It always sounds like you're having fun." She smiles after the pale-haired DJ,

The bartender picks up the little shot glass of whatever she just made, holding it between her fingers for a moment. Her fingernails rest on the rim, and she considers the rich color. Love gives it a sniff then tips it into her mouth. She slides one of the small glasses to Mae, and one to Ico. They get to be the sweet-spicy drink tasters. She just tried it, but her expression betrays nothing. She does seem to have a rather varied library of drinks in the pink family, though. "Try this. It's called Hot Blooded."

"You know that 90s movie where they were like it can't rain all the time?" Love's eyebrows go up. "Yeah, it really can." And it does.

"I don't mind the rain so much, it's a lot more fun cuddling in the rain." Mae picks up the glass, takes a drink, and exhales slowly. "I like it." She licks her lips, takes another sip and nods agreeably. "So where do you come up with these drinks? Do you watch a podcast or something, I saw one a few weeks ago, but I suck at .. anything that requires making things." She waves at Park as she passes, moving toward her DJ stand. "I can't wait for amateur night."

Ico nods and reaches out for the drink. "I should start calling you Morrigan." He offers, "Quite a wizard with drinks, and easy on the eyes." He offers. "Was going to say Merlin, but not sure how that would translate." Smirking a bit at the bartender's words. Raising his glass to Zoiya, "Shall we Mae?" Though she already tastes it before he get to, so he follows suit. Nodding. "Indeed, quite nice." Another nod of agreement about amateur night though. "Should be fun."

Love mms and slides a few glasses into the dirty tray to be cleaned later. She agrees, "I would say the rain is definitely fantastic for that." She mms again, pausing to wash her hands before she touches anything else, given the jalapeño she chopped. It takes two washings to be sure most of the oil's gone from her hands. "I used to have some books on making drinks, but most were learned on the fly traveling. Athletes put it away like you would not believe. You can make a drink with basically anything. It's a little scary sometimes."

"Amateur night should be really entertaining to watch. I bet we sell a lot of liquid courage." She laughs. "Everybody loves the Morrigan."

"The one night I can take it easy, you know?" Mae takes another drink and lowers her lashes to gaze at Ico. "I should have waited for you, I'm sorry." She props her cheek on her palm, swirling the drink around as she glances around at the thinning crowd. "It was nice to get out and about tonight, but I'm looking forward the the gym tomorrow. You guys have any plans?" She gestures out toward the exit, smirking. "I think I might stop and get breakfast on the way home tonight."

With the music sorted, and some classic rock in there for Love - though no 'Hotel California', NEVER 'Hotel California' - Park bounds over to the bar as the crowds start to thin. "I hope Mister Antonio is pleased by the turn out." She still has the drink that Lyric brought her. "This is very nice" she smiles to Love. "Oh, that person I did the body shot for, he was going to pay for my next drink. Not sure when that will be... How is everyone?"

Ico grins and shakes his head to Mae, "It's fine." He assures her. Sipping a bit more. "Everyone do." He agrees with Love about Morrigan. "So see, already fitting." Offering a smirk at that stupid half joke. "Food sounds good. Figured I'd make sure Park get home as well though. But I could do with some breakfast." Looking to Park as she join them. "As per suggested, I should make sure you get home okay. But we were thinking food first?" Seeing if she wants to eat. Shrugging some about how eveeryone is doing. "Doing quite well." Looking to the others. "And all three of you were great. I did have to tell some people to behave themselves thanks to you all." He suggests and grins.

Love leans against the bar again. "My plan is basically to take off these shoes and never wear them to work in again." Seems like standing in those shoes was a bad idea. Not like you can kick your shoes off behind the bar. Sticky floors. "And sleep. Been up since six. One day we're gonna grab breakfast together, Mae. One. Day."

The bartender smiles to Park. "Thanks for the rock, babe. I'm happy to buy you a drink if he's not around to do so. Gotta take care of the lady in charge of the music." She pours a little line of shots, tequila, and provides some of the fresh sliced limes, salt and sugar for those with a preference for one or the other. Some orange slices are mixed in too. She chooses one and raises it to her co-workers. "To your health, sweets."

She elects to do a shot with sugar, licking it off her hand. She shoots the tequila and follows it with that orange slice, biting it free of the peel.