[color=tomato][center][h2]penelope honeycutt.[/h2][/center][/color]


Poppy shifted on the stool she sat perched upon, propping her elbow on the mahogany bar and her chin in her hand. With her free one, she self-consciously tugged the edge of her white lace dress over her thighs, pulling her denim jacket closer around her as a soft sigh of restlessness left her burgundy lips. The more she looked around the crowded establishment, the smaller and stupider she felt for letting Cassandra drag her out like that. If she'd wanted to go out for a drink, what was wrong with local pub? 

Truly, Poppy was certainly [i]not[/i] used to the nuances of the nightlife. Her definition of a 'nightlife' so far had been binging TV shows with her teenage cousin, until he'd get bored and waddle off to his room to play video-games, and she could finally have a few glasses of whiskey, or a beer. [i]Sometimes[/i] she'd go completely nuts and build up a nice buzz, before she had to sit and grade papers for her class of nine-year-olds-- their stories were wild and utterly ridiculous, so that was always fun. 

[color=lightsteelblue][i]Club Aether. I thought this was supposed to be a bar. Is it a club, is it a bar...What even is this place?[/i][/color]

The small woman felt like a underdressed fish out of water. 

[color=lightsteelblue][i]The music's quite good, I guess. I didn't expect Cass to be into metal.[/i][/color]

[color=thistle]"What'll it be, sweetheart?"[/color] one of bartenders gruffed. He was a big, orcish fellow, and yet Poppy wasn't nearly as intimidated by him as she was by every other sharp, streamlined person riddling the vicinity with their gorgeous intensity. She looked at the man with a polite smile, tucking a dark tendril behind her ear. 

[color=tomato]"Oh, I'm just... waiting for a friend for now--"[/color]

[color=mediumpurple]"POPPY!"[/color] Cassandra's shrill voice pierced through the the bubble her friend was struggling to establish, making her cringe at the unexpected auditory assault-- which was saying something, considering the music she had managed to overpower. In addition to the strawberry-blonde possessing a frequency sharp enough to lobotomise people, she had no shame or qualms about containing it in public. Cassie sashayed over to her friend, arms outstretched in anticipation of a hug.

[color=tomato]"What the hell took you so long? I've been perched here like a bloody canary for the past half hour,"[/color] Poppy replied through a forced grin, her lips pressed together as pale blue eyes evaluated whatever stare Cassie's entrance had gained them. [color=tomato]"And what's the occasion? I thought we were just having a pint--"[/color]

[color=mediumpurple]"Oh, sure we are, but there's karaoke here too."[/color] An odd, twitchy smile played on her scarlet lips as she pulled away from the hug. [color=mediumpurple]"Plus, a squad of Ethan Aster fangirls just lost their shit and bashed some lady in the head with a bottle."[/color]

[color=tomato]"Wait, [i]wha--[/i]"[/color]

[color=mediumpurple]"Oh, yeah. Stuff is going down back over there. [i]Whoo[/i],"[/color] she hollered, taking a seat on a stool beside her friend with ease. [color=mediumpurple]"Cops might be showing up soon. Honestly, Poppy, how have you been here for half an hour already and not noticed?"[/color]

[color=tomato]"I-- I was listening to the... um... the... yeah..."[/color] the raven-haired girl mumbled distractedly, trailing off as her wide eyes began scanning the space for any sign of the trouble in question. Meanwhile, Cassandra was trying to get the bartender back over. [color=tomato]"W-Well... is it safe to be here?... Is the woman alright at least?"[/color] 

[color=mediumpurple]"Probably."[/color]

[color=tomato]"You didn't [i]ask?[/i]"[/color] Poppy uttered in outrage. [color=tomato]"Cass, what the f--"[/color]

[color=mediumpurple]"Yeah, no. Why the hell would I get myself on the radar of a bunch of killer groupies?"[/color] the tall woman scoffed, crossing one leather-clad leg over another. [color=mediumpurple]"Anyway, Pop-tart, this kind of thing happens all the time. If I stuck my nose into every single scuffle that went down in places like this, I'd never fucking dance. I'd just be getting rides for people."[/color]

[color=tomato]"Brilliant,"[/color] Poppy murmured, squirming in her chair and resisting the urge to look around again. She bit her lip. [color=tomato]"... Look, get yourself a drink, I'm gonna be right back."[/color]

[color=mediumpurple]"You're kidding, right?"[/color]

[color=tomato]"Ah, just... I'll be just a minute. I've got to check this out. Maybe they could use the help."[/color]

[color=mediumpurple]"Pft, alright-- Miss Honeycutt to the rescue. Hey, we're doing shots when you come back, so don't take forever."[/color]

Poppy slid off her seat rather unceremoniously, pulling the skirt of her dress down again with an awkward tug, and bracing herself for the barrage of bodies she'd have to weave her way through. It seemed like everyone was either taller, or broader, or sleeker, and as she maneuvered through the endless silhouettes of people, she felt like she was lost in some kind of maze of dark, beautiful skyscrapers.