Upper Floor and Bars

[Minorikawa]

Visitors entering from the lobby will be led down a hallway that branches off towards its end. Those that continue forward will be taken to the main bar and dance floor while those that head to the left will be led to the lounge. However, between these two paths is a staircase that leads to the upper floor, splitting off to two separate bars. One bar is over the main bar and dance floor, allowing visitors to listen to the music at a somewhat lower volume, partaking in the energy of the club while focusing less on chatter.

The other bar is above the lounge and features chambers for any visitor to hop into and dance, making a show of themselves for all the onlookers. This is the only part of the club that serves food and is the third most quiet part of the club. Behind the main bar is an exquisite view of the city, and those in the lounge may be able to glimpse upwards to see up the skirts of some of any girls dancing in the chambers.

[Gardsorm]

[OoC: Continued from here]

===

It was a night and day difference to Dalton... Probably to Evi too. Once the pair ascended the stairs and navigated the halls, the thumping music almost felt like a distant afterthought. Having just come from one bar, he didn't think of trying to bring her to the larger one, even if that one would have given food... The fact that girls were actively dancing over there probably would have been distracting enough for him, and he didn't come up here just to think dirty thoughts about whatever business Evi had with him. The smaller bar was fine for now, especially because it was less populated due to lacking any offered food, and only offered a small noise decrease. He cast his eyes around, looking for a spot that looked reasonably empty, bringing her toward a seat before he sat down beside her.

"Phew... I forget how much it makes a difference being up here versus down there. Much easier to hear myself think, and you whisper." He moved a hand to rub the back of his head, inadvertently inviting a more awkward atmosphere once he realized it was just then again... But no, now wasn't the time to focus on that! He relaxed his arms and rest them on his knees as he leaned forward to look Evi in her eyes. "So, you okay there? You can still focus, right? What was it you were trying to tell me outside before we got into the club?" 

[Chiyako]

Ah. Much better.

Soft thin fingers gripped securely against Dalton's hand as he led the two away from what was probably the loudest part of the club, or at least what she hoped would be the loudest part. Music still existed, however now one could actually hold a conversation at a normal volume. For someone with enhanced hearing it was a very much appreciated shift. Here she might even manage to avoid a headache! Well, one not caused by alcohol anyhow.

When Dalton settled down into a seat Evi followed, sitting up on her knees in a spot next to the man. Their hands finally separated, her own moving down to smooth out her clothes. They were still neat enough but it felt wrong to not do anything with them in the moment. She offered her companion a nod in agreement. It made a big difference being here. She could hear herself think, and they could actually whisper to one another.

That might be good. Maybe it isn't necessary, but I don't know what sort of pull my target has here.

In any case it seemed to be just the two of them. Evi took a few moments to look around, ears tilting slightly while she listened for any unseen interlopers. Eventually her jade orbs shifted to meet with Dalton's gaze. Hands pressed against the smooth fabric of her seat, pressing while she sat up on her knees and leaned in closer to Dalton's face. The only hints of pink which lingered were remnants from her drinks. In the moment she didn't even think about what it might look like from another observer's point of view, let alone from Dalton's. No, she was just getting closer so that she could whisper.

"I can focus. Yes. You don't need to worry. I am not law enforcement."

Evi paused and took another quick glance around. Might as well get to the offer at this point, right? It was just the two of them. "Right now I am working as a PI. Infidelity case. Keeping an eye out for a specific person. They are supposed to frequent this place. I just need to catch them in the act. Simple enough, right?"

A finger raised, pressing gently against the man's chest. "Where you would come in is as an extra set of eyes. Also part of my cover. We stick together. Enjoy ourselves. Keep our eyes open. That's it. Nothing dangerous, or illegal."

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Ryoko stumbled off her stool.  But quickly got her footing back.  She could handle being this drunk.  She was not going to fall, or get sick.  She had her destination in mind.  She knew where they were going.  Good place for quiet, at least until the crowd got bigger.  She slowly made her way up.  Too late to hear Evi’s explanation, which would have made her more at ease.  But she still had another reason for being here.  And she hoped to succeed.  

They did choose the main bar, fair enough.  She made her way up the rest of the way.  But how to be less suspicious?  Granted she might not be able to get away with, especially while drunk.  But she had to try to make it look like she had her own reasons to be here.  And there was something convenient in that smaller bar!  Without looking at the pair, she walked uneasily over to one of the empty dancing chambers.  Should she use it?  Maray thought it was a bad idea, she was not sure, but she was considering it.

[Gardsorm]

"... Err, you're leaning in a bit-" Dalton began to speak, mild worry etched on his features as Evi leaned in for what seemed like a kiss. Oh crap, he should have heeded Maray's warning, the Cobalt Velvet really WAS too potent for her first drink. However, she stopped short at the last moment and only broke into a whisper, allowing the males' heartbeat to return to normal. He definitely wasn't waiting for a kiss or anything like that at all! But the mention of her not being law enforcement at least managed to make him chuckle a bit. "I wouldn't really be worried if you were, you know. There's something fun about imagining being put in handcuffs and treated roughly... By someone around half my size." He admitted, before he cleared his throat. "Although there's the off chance you could have tried busting me for real though, and I don't know how exciting that would be, but it would make the possibility of a chase kind of fun... Ah, I'm rambling, sorry."

However, what followed next three him for a surprise loop as Evi revealed her affiliation. She worked as an Investigator? Well, okay, so that was more exciting than he would have guessed, and more to it he had kind of befriended her... Wait, would she hold it against him for giving her alcohol? He hoped not. "You're... Not just yanking my foot here, are you? Well isn't that just peachy..." It seemed for a moment that there was a feeling of disappointment on Dalton's features, before he shook his head. "So you really were here on business... That's good, makes this a little bit easier."

And certainly much less awkward.

"Let's just say I'm sort of in the same boat as you then, working for a special operations unit in tandem with law enforcement to deal with... Let's call them unusual cases for now. I don't think an infidelity case falls under our purview, but I am off the clock right now... How I spend that time is up to me as long as it doesn't cause my group trouble. So, from one private sector worker to another... Let's say you have my collaboration." There was a slow nod, his gaze too focused on Evi to realize a certain someone has followed them upstairs. Enjoying themselves, nothing but cover... There didn't need to be anything serious about it. Maybe this was his chance to be a little audacious. He leaned in closer, moving a hand to brush her cheek, seemingly swooping in for a kiss... But he slid past her features, tipping his head up a bit to guide his lips to her ear. A soft, gentle, warm wind was felt as he whispered:

"What does your target look like? I might be able to get extra assistance with surveillance, if necessary."

[Chiyako]

A single mischievous flick ran along the length of the cat's tail. It was amusing to hear her drinking companion's heart race. Had he been expecting something else? Normally she wouldn't be up for teasing people, but the drink made her more open to such things. Maybe she could have a little bit of fun on this job. It would help her to fit in, right? Remaining stiffly sat up in some corner the entire night would only draw attention.

Can I trust him not to take advantage though? Heck, can I trust myself not to lose control?

Pink brightened further across her cheeks. It was another amusing image: the much smaller feline putting the Human in cuffs, chasing him, and taking control. Of course it was also embarrassing. Such a thought included her in a uniform. She could wear it well, but it also held certain connotations. That sort of thought could quickly swerve away into something more risque, and the idea that Dalton might have enjoyed it didn't help matters either.

"No. I am not yanking anything."

She resisted the urge to crack a joke at her own words, even within her head. The brief flash of disappointment written across Dalton's face was a little telling. He had been expecting something flashier, probably. Or at least something more risque. However his words somewhat contradicted this. It was confusing, at least until he started to speak about his own occupation.

Special operations? Huh. Is he really just here on his break then?

Evi nodded slowly along with the man's words. That would make things a bit easier. He was experienced not just in the way this club worked, but also in the same sort of field she was employed within! Better still, he agreed to work with her! Alas, they were not alone any longer either. Ears twitched and gaze briefly snapped over to the drunk woman from the previous bar. She was clearly following them. Why else would she be up here? Just to dance alone in some booth? Could she have been in on things with her target? That didn't really make sense, but every possibility had to be factored. Or maybe she was looking to hit on one of them?

Jade eyes snapped back over towards Dalton when he suddenly started to lean in closer. Ears perked up and face gained hints of red. Her entire body tensed. Was he going to kiss her!?!? It would help with their cover. Perhaps it wasn't a terrible plan, but she wasn't ready for that!

Huh?

A shiver ran down her spine and up her tail, resulting in an excited flick following the impact of Dalton's hot breath against her ear. Embarrassed heat was further exacerbated within one of her cheeks, cupped by one of the man's palms. For a brief moment she lost control, leaned into his grasp, only to turn her gaze away from him, a slightly pouty, slightly upset expression drawn across her face. Being teased was always embarrassing. How dare he!

One hand slid into her coat, producing a small device. Without even glancing down at it her fingers moved, having memorized where and when to tap upon the screen. If she had trusted him she could have sent an image through the net, but she didn't know this person well enough. Letting someone inside one's head could be dangerous.

An image flashed to life upon the screen. Holding it close to her body Evi flashed it upwards, hoping to give Dalton an opening to see it without others noticing. It was a man. Upper twenties or lower thirties. Muscular build. Tall. Slightly tanned with short cropped hair and a thick beard. Blue eyes. Black hair. Some sort of metallic cybernetics streaked across his upper left cheek, just below the eye, a hint that some sort of work had been done.

"His name is Julius" she whispered, eyes closing while she leaned further into Dalton's hand, offering an affectionate nuzzle. It was definitely only to keep up appearances. "His wife believes that he is cheating on her. She is probably correct if he visits this place. Probably an open and shut case but I need evidence none the less. For the divorce proceedings, I imagine."

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Ryoko was far enough she could not hear a lot of what was being said.  That suited her mostly.  Other than the concern over them being law enforcement and maybe looking for her, she was not too concerned with what they said.  She respected people’s privacy in that sense.  But no thoughts on whether or not she knew or had experience with the Julius Evi was investigating.  She might have been a natural person to ask though,  That said she was hoping to see something that was normally very private, but often not private in a place like this.  She was not watching them either just yet, still deciding what to do.  She said at the bar she was not much of a dancer, in addition to Marty’s opposition to this.  But Mary was opposed to hiring her, this still was customers to use.  The drunkenness was starting to have an effect on her, and there was not much of a crowd yet.  She did not feel like going back to Dai yet, she was hoping for something newer tonight.  Maray was potentially an option, but one that had to be paid for, and she had personal issues paying for sex, though it was not an impossibility.

Mostly she was just listening for sounds of the two trying to get away, or it becoming more exciting.  Should she dance though?  She had her doubts it would be that appealing.  But maybe one or both would appreciate it.  She was not doing it out of desperation after all.  It was a bit of an excuse to stick around them.  Could it be fun?  If she began to undress or completely undressed, it would maybe help, she had a body worth looking at at least, she had no insecurity about that.

She stepped into the chamber.  Took a deep breath.  She turned so she was facing the pair, though her eyes were closed, as she concentrated, trying to reduce the clumsiness of being drunk, though she could only partially succeed.  She tried to remember things she saw at home growing up, or watching videos, or other women here.  All her clothes were for the the moment, but her body began swaying, getting into the spirit, she would try to give it her own touch, if she had the chance to keep it going without interruption, or them wandering off.

[Gardsorm]

Something about her demeanor made Dalton feel as if the approach to talk quietly to her... Might not have been the best approach. He had been a bit more audacious and forward about it, and it was meant to be a little bit playful in a way, but her tail moved in small flicks in the kind of way an annoyed cat might lash its tail when something bothered it. 'Okay, maybe that wasn't the best way to approach the idea. Maybe you got her hopes up? Maybe you threw her off her guard... Maybe stick to just doing things directly going forward.'  He chided himself inwardly... But thankfully she wasn't too upset not to share information with him, so maybe things were still serviceable between them! He couldn't ruin this second chance then... She was sharing the image through her device, and in response, he tilted his head down...

Pressing it against her chest to make it seem as if he was nuzzling it, while his eyes glanced down at the screen. His eyes danced around the device's surface, recording the image in his eyes, before he nodded, sitting upright and wiggling his brows. "Okay, I've got it committed to memory." He smiled, allowing her to look close into his eyes, giving a glimpse at what looked like streams of data rolling across it... And for a fleeting moment, something darting past them. Maybe it was just a trick of the mind, however, as he blinked and nothing seemed to remain but normal eyes. "You know... Your eyes are much better to look at, I must admit."

He leaned in, staring to be a bit more daring... But rather than make Evi believe he was going to tease her again, he pressed a small, short kiss to the corner of her mouth, almost like an apology for what happened before. "It does sound open and shut... But it's always better to be safe than sorry. One thing I've learned of life in the city, not all cases happen to be that easy. Sometimes... A little more work is involved." It was difficult to tell if he was still talking about the case, or them as his hand pushed up just a bit against her rubbing cheek, enjoying the warmth as she nuzzles his hand. "Speaking of things not being all that easy... I trust you've also noticed we have company nearby?"

It was probably a rhetorical question, but it was better he made her aware in case she wasn't, of Ryoko's presence. At first he was a bit perturbed she followed them, but she... Legitimately started to try to dance. Evi could hear it, a quiet, pleased him emanate from his throat as he watched, unaware that he had shifted down below, before his eyes went back to his companion. "See, that's what I mean... Even dancing like that is good for me. Although this is the first time I've gotten to enjoy it, with company this close to me." His hands moved now, slowly finding her arms and running down along them to find her hands to hold. 

'Still there, Graf? That image I snapshot, use it and survey the area. Don't brute force yourself into any security, just use surface level camera imaging to see if we can't find Evi's person of interest.'

'Ugh, that sounds like work. I thought we came here to relax-'

'I'll allocate additional private space for you.'

'Son of a bitch, I'm in! No take-backs though.'

He was probably going to regret needing to add more space to his personal data space for Graf, but as long as it kept his companion pleased, he wouldn't mind in the slightest. Small price to pay to have an extra pair of eyes with a farther reach than he had... Plus it let him keep more of his focus on Evi than needing to constantly be in the lookout for a guy he might miss. Plus now there was Ryoko to observe... This was going to be an interesting night at the Garden. 

[Chiyako]

Now it was Evi who needed to worry about an accelerated heartbeat! Dalton was rather bold, pressing his head against her chest. Besides the faint softness which suggested that she was in fact a woman he could also feel the rapid thumps of her heart against the side of his head. She hadn't actually expected that sort of intimate contact! At least not this early in the night! Perhaps later when everyone became drunk, but by then she could wiggle her way away, provided she remained sober enough! Regardless her eyes lifted towards the ceiling, her way of distracting herself. Letting on how touch starved she actually was would have been too embarrassing!

It's not like I have much. It's fine. It's still easy enough to focus on other things!

When Dalton had straightened back up her eyes lowered again to meet the man's gaze. Her head tilted slightly when she noticed the digital traces within his orbs. She had similar workings, however these were far less obvious. Even so he appeared to enjoy her eyes. That was nice, although she wouldn't admit to such feelings.

Lips parted slightly to speak, only for her entire body to tense as Dalton leaned in and planted a kiss against the corner of her mouth! Technically still her lips! Heat erupted across her face, leaving the normally pale flesh a beet red color. Hands retreated to her legs, fingers gripping tightly at the fabric of her pants. Her heart beat loud enough to make hearing others more difficult. All she could do was nod in response to Dalton's words, and to close her eyes and nuzzle her cheek into his hand. A gentle purring noise even appeared to emerge from her throat!

This is dumb! Julius just needs to show up already! It's just affection! Just part of our cover!

It hadn't been the first time that she had been kissed and, much like every other time, she was not the one to initiate it! But it was a lot nicer than usual. Gentle. Not simply filled with lustful intentions. A surprise, and unasked for, but not forced.

"I n-noticed" she finally mumbled, doing her very best to recover but, alas, mostly failing. "I doubt they will interfere."

Evi's gaze drifted over towards the dancing drunkard. With so many clothes on it didn't really get the feline too warm. That was fine, of course, as Dalton was already doing a good job of that all on his own. She could have imagined the woman naked. That might have done something, however at the moment there was someone much closer and far more intimate with her. Hands trailed along her thin arms and down to her hands, forcing her to release her grip upon her legs. Instead they curled against Dalton's digits, clasping her own hands within his.

This is warm. Really warm.

Leaning in close Evi allowed her hot breath to wash over Dalton's ear, each whispered word an assault upon her companion's senses. "I suppose I could get closer if we need to really sell this. Sit in your lap. I don't know if that might encourage her. Or you, for that matter."

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Ryoko did not really have experience doing this, and was a little clumsy with the drunkenness.  But she was not completely awful at it either.  The examples she drew from were rather skilled, at least some of them.  Women who could have taught her when she was younger, if she was not trying to escape that life.  What would they say, if they saw her now?  What would mom think?  Thoughts she did not want to overly dwell on.  There was a different between being a slut and a whore.  That’s what she thought.  A subtle but important difference.  She might count as the former, especially in a place like this.  But she did not want to become the later.

She did not open her eyes yet.  Did not know how the other two were reacting to her little show.  It was mostly an excuse to stay nearby.  Work off some of her own energy.  But if they actually enjoyed it, that was a bonus.  She did not mind putting on a show for others, having eyes on her.  How long should the clothes stay on though?  She did not take anything off yet, but teased at it a little, and at what was underneath.  Hands touching herself, chest and hips, as she swayed, teasing at stripping, but not doing it yet.  Hopefully it was a nice sight for both, though she was not sure how much the woman would enjoy it.