Tuesday Night Dance 101 (Ali & Open)

He took his cup of coffee and caught a glance toward the table with the guy who was watching Ali. Oddly, he didn't seem annoyed by that. She was a pretty girl, he couldn't be rude or jealous of every man in the bar who had a thing for her. He was here for her safety, though. And the one person in the room he wasn't concerned about handling herself should there be an issue was Griselda. So he wasn't paying that much attention to her, just the table with the guy watching Ali and frankly, he was intrigued by the dancing of Victoria. He knew the woman slightly, but he had never spent a whole lot of time with her. One of the many reasons he found her fascinating.

Rachel was still moving as Victoria danced, it was getting harder to move through the crowd, as they seemed to try to move closer to the dancer but she was managing well. No spilled drinks, she kept serving the drinks, making it back to Erik's table, serving the group and then off to another set of watchers. A surprised grope but she didn't drop her tray or look to see who did it she just kept moving, but she wasn't sure if that was a good sign for the rest of the night or not.

She flashed a smile when Rachel kissed her shoulder. Really, it didn't take much to boost her confidence. Just that little gesture had her smiling again, in no time flat. And she was able to tear her eyes away from Victoria for a moment to spare a glance toward Erik's table. Little boosts of confidence. Maybe.

When her dance finished, she didn't actually stop to take a bow. She simply moved away from the dance floor with a slight smirk on her face. The challenge was written there. 'Bring it, little girl' was the look she was giving to Griselda. Friendly challenge, honest injun.

When she reached the group of women that were waiting their turn on the floor -- a lovely little blonde was up next -- she sat down at a nearby table, not even looking to see if it was occupied. The queen was holding court.

He sat down his drink to clap and even whistle for Victoria when she left the stage. He gave Abigail a smile and a wink.

Ali looked around as the dance ended to see if any of the VIP's needed refills, a new drink or wanted anything before she went to start refilling the "muggles" drinks as the next dancer went to perform, that wasn't the black haired lady.

The bar back was doing very good, but the girl really was clueless, she didn't notice anything odd about anyone around the bar, thank goodness she hadn't hit up any of the VIP's because Ali obviously had them taken care of or she'd of asked them all about their drinks too.


Erik went to move towards Griselda, to see when she was going to perform, Mathieu was talking to some other lovely ladies by the table the guys were at, Dave too was having fun flirting, but Ray was watching the bar. The other guys the brought were having fun too.

He was sitting with his back to the bar, so that he could see the ladies as they performed. And, well, anyone else in the bar. It was an old combat habit. He wasn't particularly thrilled with the way the kid kept looking at the bar. But it wasn't like he was going to start a mess up in Griselda's place. That's just asking for trouble and boons and he just didn't want to get into that. He did give the kid a sideways stare once, though, just in case he got any bright ideas.

Annnnd then he had to stop himself from covering his face with his palm when he saw the other kid walking toward Griselda. Thank God Chase isn't here to see this, was his only thought.

The blonde took her turn on the floor. What was funny was that she was almost as good as Victoria had been*.

For her part, Griselda turned a smile toward the approaching Erik, waving him over to the side and away from the group of girls, who were once again giggling about the dancing that was happening.







(*5 successes)

Erik smiled at Griselda, "Hey Griselda, you look so beautiful this evening." he said so honestly it hurt, he went to hug her hello and there was no other girl in the club but her. "When are you going to perform?"

Ray met Medwyn's look with a sneer that was sort of a smile but his eyes had the reflection of "no one home" that wonderful so called "modern" creation of a creature that didn't view others as well humans at all, but as things and an odd sort of well challenge seem to been made or met from the meeting of the looks.

The door man was starting to have some issue's keeping people out, so one of the security staff that worked in the club, went to the door to help him keep the numbers down and call in more staff for the parking lot. It seemed the word HAD gotten out about what was going on this evening.

Really, that just intrigued him. Medwyn was and always would be a soldier first. He may be doing the doctor thing now, but he had always been a soldier. What Ray couldn't have known was his true age...or the fact that he had been a soldier for Germany in the 1940s. No matter what it was that Ray was thinking, Medwyn had likely done worse -- even in Ray's lifetime. It made him amused.

So he met the sneer from Ray with an amused smile and just to put the cherry on the sundae, he lifted his coffee cup toward Ray in a salute that said 'Yes, I see that you're looking at me. What?'

Since she had waved him over, when Erik went to hug her, she stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around him. It was nice to be wanted, really it was. His honesty may have been painful, but she took it. And more importantly, she cherished it. It didn't happen much anymore, not in her world. And at the moment, she wanted nothing more than to shelter Erik from pretty much everything. She hugged him tightly, a little more than friendly, even turning her head to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"There's one more after this one before me. Then we'll do a group thing to end the dancing."

"I can't wait to see you dance." he said with a whisper in her ear before he let her go. He gently made sure she was on her feet before he let go of her, "I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner on Thursday, just you and me?" he asked softly in her ear, then stepped back to let her have her space and time before she answered him.


Ray raised his glass to Medwyn, thinking it was funny he was willing to put the little "girl" on the line but the game was a foot, it wouldn't start tonight but soon. It would be on and well, may the best man win, and well he always won with another tight "smile' that was more a sneer at Medwyn, with a glance as Ali worked behind him.

Mathieu looked to see where Ray was looking and hit him on the arm, and the two men started talking with the other guy seeming to give Ray a talking too, with his head shaking no and Ray just having a cocky look back at the other man.

Of course, he thought the whole thing was uproariously funny. He had absolutely no concern about Ali leaving him for the kid. Not even because of the blood bond. The kid was a kid and he could be forty and would still be a child. To the Brujah, there was no game. So he found the whole thing funny.

And it actually made him laugh out loud when the other two kids started in on the kid. He just couldn't help it.

She was rather nimble, as Erik well knew. He didn't have any trouble sitting her back on her feet, but there was absolutely no hesitation on her face when she gave him a bright smile.

"I'd love to have dinner with you," she said honestly.

Oh, this was perfect. She had her choice, really. She rose to her feet and threaded through the ever-growing crowd. Easily enough, she had enough grace to sidestep anyone who might have gotten in her way. And within moments, she had moved to the table with the boys, pulling the chair that Erik had vacated on his way over to talk to Griselda and sidling in to sit down next to Ray.

Ray looked at her "Lovely dancing this evening Miss." he said with a polite the tone almost nice but the edge of arrogance was there and he'd not grown enough to get it gone.

Mathieu had a touch of Cajun blood in him, something felt like a white hot poker was just dropped on his grave so he politely offered to go get the next rounds, and paused to see if the lovely lady wanted something or not before he very politely (Oh Southern Boys and their charm) left to get those drinks.

And Dave well he had a cute girl he was still talking too, he knew the hottie dancer wasn't there to talk to him.



Erik looked at Griselda, "What time, where and what type of food, or can I surprise you?"

The woman looked at Matieu and nodded -- "Shot of Fireball, please."

Then she turned back to Ray and leaned close to him.

"Thank you," because she, too, was polite. Tzimisce and their hospitality. Then she smiled at Ray softly.

"You know, your friend is going after a woman with a boyfriend, don't you?" she asked with a casual gesture toward Erik. And then a glance toward the bar. "And apparently, you have a thing for a taken one too, hmm?"

She leaned in a little closer to Erik.

"You can surprise me, but no Italian. I'm allergic to garlic and oregano, they both make me break out in hives. Which is very unattractive. What about around 8 on Thursday?"

Mathieu nodded to her, then headed to the bar, did not pass go and didn't look back. The bartender was a sweetie and she'd cheer him up.

Ray leaned towards Victoria, "He needs to live and learn, but I'll let him know. And I have been told, but I see no ring on her finger so she's still single." nodding towards the bar. "What's your interest in the two girls?"

Erik grinned from ear to ear as she said yes, "Where should I pick you up? And do you like curry?" with a hopeful look at her.


Ali saw Mathieu walk up to the bar, she walked over to him and started to get his groups usual orders done, "And anything else?" with a grin at him.

He just shook his head "Impressive memory, and a shot of Fireball for the lady." nodding to whom was at his table.

"Ah that one's on the house" pouring a shooter instead of a straight shot for him.

"Thanks Pretty Lady." with his Southern Charm on full volume and the easy smile at her.

"I'll take cash or your card to run a tab." with a chuckle cause really she'd been bartending to long to fall for an easy smile and smooth charmer's like Mathieu.

She leaned closer to Ray and actually took his glass to take a drink from it. Because that's just how she rolls.

"You don't know the half of it, dear. The redhead is my younger sister. I make it a point to know who she has working for her and when she's getting herself into trouble."

She batted her eyelashes at Ray with a slight smirk.

"But, you know, if it's her finger you're looking at, you're looking in the wrong place."

Her tone was still conversational, friendly even. They could have been talking about the weather for the way her tone changed.

She looked up at Erik and grinned. Because she had to look up to pretty much everyone.

"I do! And how about you meet me here? I'll have to come in and get a few things set up for the Friday rush, so I'll be here around 7 anyway."

Erik glowed as Griselda and her finalized up the date, "Then here Thursday night, 8 o'clock and curry it is." with a very happy grin at her. "I can't wait, but first to see you dance." gently going to hug the petite red head.

Ray looked at Victoria, "So the redhead is your younger sister, good to know." He then glanced back towards Medwyn, then Ali and Mathieu talking, looking her over to see what jewelry she was wearing. He watched them for a bit then he saw the necklace, when she flipped her hair back, and then pinned it up quickly with some hair sticks.

"The silver choker?" looking at Victoria with a raised eye brow, and a look that said he could do so much better.

Ali and Mathieu settled up, she went back to working the bar, and he took a deep breath heading back to the table. He saw Victoria and Ray talking together and to him that was nothing but TROUBLE. He gave her a smooth smile, "Here you go Miss." setting down her drink, then the refills for the guys. He kept an eye on Erik, but didn't interrupt him and took his seat back and looked back at the current dancer trying to enjoy the show.

When the drink was set in front of her, she flashed a bright smile to Matieu. "Thank you," she said, perfectly polite.

Then she looked at Ray and actually rolled her eyes. "Please tell me that you're not as innocent as you currently look."

Rachel checked her ear bud, Sean was operating the cameras and he was letting her know that outside was packed, he called in the weekend security to start working it due to the sheer numbers that were there this evening. She looked towards the closest camera with a nod, agreeing and then went back to cocktail waitressing to keep the booze flowing, while the blonde performed.

She was honestly thinking about seeing if she could find a way to pay the Prince to summon Chase to come home if that wasn't some "off with her head" offense and tonight wasn't a night to discuss it but the way things were going something was going to have to break soon or shit was going to hit the fan.

She hugged Erik again, looking quite happy herself.

"I'll be ready, promise."

Because girls are always late. Then she gave him a wink...and then her face kind-of fell as she looked over and saw Victoria sitting at the table with the other boys.

"Oh, boy. Here we go," she muttered and just decided to ignore it.