[Friday, October 17th. 11 PM] [Christian finds himself sitting at the bar of Chokers & Capes, a costume-themed club in the East Village, thanks to a fake ID and a particularly lax ID check policy. He's waiting to meet up with the girl who slipped him her number after the fight with the Disco Ninja.] [Chokers & Capes has been around for decades, and had always had a costume theme. In the '90s, it become a predominantly goth bar, but after a couple of wildly-popular superhero-themed nights, it's changed to the point where the bar is pretty evenly divided between goths, superhero cosplayers, and miscellaneous costumed folks. A perfect place for a young man in a mask not to stand out.] [They were supposed to meet at the bar a little after 10:30, but apparently she's running late as Christian keeps an eye on the entrance. She said she'd be hard to miss, and sounded genuinely excited over the phone, so hopefully the night won't be a wash.] [Mini Start] * Christian 's sitting at the bar, with a rum and coke in hand, keeping a casual eye on the entrance, but more checking out the club scene and those on the dance floor. He's in full costume, of course, because it's a theme club, so that means sunglasses, black patterned bandanna, denim jacket, jeans and belt, and gloves. Underneath his jacket, he's also wearing a game-over mushroom shirt. Looks like he might be going for a new theme here. [Christian sees numerous people in gothy outfits, along with people in more traditional superhero outfits. Scanning the crowd, he sees a zombie American Dream, a female Disco Ninja, and a couple of other super outfits that he recognizes.] * Christian checks out the female Disco Ninja as he sips his drink. Is she hot? [Fairly. The fact that she's wearing a white Travolta-esque blazer with little more than a bra underneath is surely helping her popularity.] * Christian keeps watching. Especially if she's dancing, idly scanning the club as he does so. After he finishes his drink, he calls the bartender over. "'ey! How 'bout a fill-up over here?" [The bartender, dressed as a goth with a brightly colored mask and cape, wanders over with a fresh rum-and-coke, and eyes Christian for a moment. "What're you supposed to be, Super Bruce Springstein?"] * Christian eyes the bartender. "I'm the guy who's fuckin' payin' for the drink. Now can I get a fill or not?" [The bartender smirks, points to the fresh rum & coke mentioned in the last batch of description (which is right in front of Christian), and wanders off with Christian's empty glass.] * Christian grabs the drink with a tsh, giving the bartender a dirty look for a second as he leaves before starting on his drink. [As Christian takes a sip, a tall, pale, skinny man in sunglasses, a black bandanna, denim jackit, jeans, belt and gloves, with a video-gamey t-shirt, comes up to the bar to get another beer.] * Christian keeps down a snort at that and just lets the guy get a beer without making eye contact. [The guy gets his beer, then turns towards Christian and glances down at him. "Man, put some effort into your costume. You don't look a thing like him." Shaking his head, he wanders off into the crowd with his beer.] * Christian smirks and adds under his breath. "Don't know who you're talkin' 'bout. I'm fuckin' Super Bruce Springsteen." He downs his drink and then lets out a breath while checking his watch and the door. [From behind, Christian feels warm breath in his ear, and a soft voice whispers: "Sorry I'm late, studly."] * Christian chuckles and doesn't turn around just yet. "What? Didn't confuse me for the other guy? He's cute too..." [A tanned, bare arm drapes over Christian's other shoulder and rests languidly on his chest. "Please. I know super when I see it."] * Christian turns around slightly and wraps an arm around her shoulders, looking up at her and giving her the full once over. "Like a sixth sense or somethin', huh?" [Christian turns around, and finds himself staring into an intricate Mardi Gras-esque gold-and-silver bird mask, cover the woman's forehead, eyes and nose. Gold lipstick covers full lips, and long, dirty-blond hair spills down to shoulder-length.] [The woman steps back, wearing a shiny gold halter top that barely comes down to the bottom of her rib cage, and a gold miniskirt that could pass for a belt in many parts of the world. Gold knee-high boots complete the main part of the outfit, along with small, shimmering bird's wings (obviously fake) jutting out from her back.] [She does a slow turn, showing off a lean, athletic frame. "You like?"] * Christian chuckles as he checks her out. "Hard to get the shine right, ain't it?" * Christian drops his arm and pats the seat next to him. "Why don't you let me get you a drink first off?" [She tilts her head, smirks, and deposits herself on Christian's lap, draping an arm around his shoulders. "Margarita, please."] * Christian laughs and calls over the bartender, ordering a margarita, then turns back to her. "Fuckin' hell. You do this with all first dates?" ["First time with a real-life superhero. Figured I'd better rise to the challenge, hmm?" She takes the margarita from the bartender as he hands it off, takes a sip, then puts it down on the counter. "So what's the life of a big-time superhero like, hmm?"] * Christian chuckles. "You tell me, "Horus." What's it like bein' a super chaser?" [She playfully whaps Christian on the shoulder. "Be nice."] * Christian gives her a mock wince and rubs his shoulder. "Ow.." He chuckles. "Seriously though, I thought we were here to have fun. There'll be time later for a life story. You dance?" [She takes a couple more sips of her drink, then grins. "Of course. Lemme just go freshen up a bit, and when I come back I'll show you one of my super powers."] [She sliiiiiiiiiides off of Christian's lap and towards one of the bathrooms, blowing back a kiss.] * Christian raises an eyebrow at that but doesn't comment, watching her go and giving a low whistle under his breath before finishing off the drink he had from earlier. [Two seats down from Christian, a man sits down at the bar. He's about six-and-a-half feet of bronzed thews, with a furry loincloth, fuzzy boots, and some sort of pelt on his head. He order a Yingling.] ( EDIT orders ) * Christian watches the dance scene as he waits, leaning his elbows on the bar and stretching a bit. [Christian feels something bounce off of his head from that direction. Looking down at the bar, he sees a pretzel laying there.] [Christian turns his head, but the man is gone. The bartender, though, comes up, and hands Christian a folded napkin. "Guy said to give this to you."] * Christian looks off to the side then picks up the napkin and opens it up, looking at it ["It says: "I AM UGG THE BARBARIAN WHAT THROWS PRETZELS AT HEADS OF PEOPLE WHAT MAKE TIME WITH GIRLS DRESSED LIKE SKANKY VERSIONS OF TEAMMATES! HA HA HA!"] [His penmanship is surprisingly good.] * Christian lets out a breath and crumples up the napkin. And here he thought it was important. [The woman returns, and tugs on Christian's arm just as a loud, peppy Eurobeat song comes up. "I love this song. C'mon!"] * Christian laughs and gets up quickly. "Alright, alright." He gets up on the dance floor with her, looking pretty pleased to be with a skanky version of one of his teammates. [They dance! The woman moves pretty well, though her tuchas seems to be bumping and rubbing up against him an awful lot. She must just be nervous.] * Christian doesn't seem to mind it, grinning a bit, and putting up his own whirlwind dance performance himself. Not super enhanced, this one, but still pretty good. He takes her back to a quieter corner of the bar so they can talk. "Not bad. Not bad at all." ["You've got some moves yourself."] * Christian grins. "Obviously not my best, but don't get to always go out so much." He has a seat and then looks at her, leaning his elbow on the bar. "So wanna tell me a little of what caught your eye then?" [She smirks. "You're hot. You're a superhero. Figured I'd give it a shot."] Frequent this bar often? It's a pretty good costume. Though bet the real Horus would kick your ass for it. * Christian orders up another drink. ["Been here a few times. I work in costuming on Broadway, so I'm pretty good at this sorta thing." She chuckles. "I'm sure you'll be able to protect me just fine."] * Christian snorts and grins. "Probably. Horus is fuckin' scary when she's pissed off though. But I doubt she'd be the type to hurt civvies much. So you're in the clear." Broadway though, huh? Bet you learned a few dance moves from there. You sing too? [She grins. "Yeah, I've got a set'a pipes on me. Still wanna be an actress, or just a singer, but costuming pays the bills, y'know? While I wait for my big break."] * Christian smirks. "Not a dancer though?" [She giggles. "Not the kind they do on stage."] * Christian chuckles lightly. "You start gettin' on the table, I'm pullin' ya off, I swear." [She throws an ice cube at Christian. "Not that kind, either. You're bad."] * Christian laughs and throws his arms out to the side as the ice cube hits him in the chest, leaning back slightly. "What'd you expect from this get up? Some goody two shoes mild mannered tie-wearin' preppy?" He settles back down a little and leans forward again. "Nah, I ain't all that bad once ya get to know me. Nothin' like that pissant prick, American Dream." He lets off a sigh. "No disrespect to the dead an' all, but guy's a motherfuckin' prick." ["He was that bad?"] * Christian leans forward and looks at her slightly. "Well, what did you think of him from what you knew about his television appearances?" ["Hard ass. Arrogant. Came off like a bit of a dick, yeah. But the guy was a hero for years, right?"] * Christian lets out a breath. "Yeah...probably." He straightens up a bit. "Power probably went to the guy's head. That bit of a dick went pretty much all the way down from what I saw." He shrugs a bit. "Can't say I knew him all that well just comin' on the scene, but from some of the people who knew him, seems to be pretty accurate." [She nods, and opens the small clutch bag she has on the table. "You smoke?"] * Christian chuckles. "As sure as that outfit of yours is." [She pulls a pack of cigarettes and a lighter out of the clutch, and closes it as she stands up. "Then come outside and keep a girl warm, hmm?"] * Christian stands up and puts an arm around her waist as he grins at her then walks with her. "Sure thing." [As you walk out of the club, you're greeted by the flashes of cameras from a dozen or so papparazi photographers, along with a few video cameras. The woman hugs tight against Christian, and beams. "Hi everyone! My name's Jeanette, and this is my good friend, the superhero known as Shockwave!"] ["He's a big supporter of mine, and you can be too! Just go to my Facebook page... my name's JeanetteStar, one word... and check out my songs! You'll love 'em as much as he does!"] [She leans in an plants a soft kiss on your cheek as she whispers. "Smile for the cameras, studly."] * Christian slaps his forehead. "Shoulda seen that one coming." He pushes her away. "Real smooth." [She takes off her mask, and winks at Christian. She's really quite pretty, though Christian's not really caring about that so much right now. She turns back to the crowd. "Shockwave has to run, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you have!"] [She turns back to Christian, gives a little wave, then goes back to her adoring public.] * Christian clenches and unclenches his fist a couple of times. He looks ready to break a few cameras, but figures that'd probably be even worse publicity. Christian mumbles, "Fuckin' skank is right. Fuck it..." He walks off. "Nice of you to believe whatever you hear from a costume club, eh?" [The cameras flash a few times as Christian walks off, as Jeanette continues to hold court.] [Mini End]