[right][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjE0Mi5kZmEwMmEuVEdsc2FYUm9JRU52YzNSaC4wAA,,/prettigel.italic.pn[/img][/right]
[right][color=gray][sub]LOCATION & TIME : SWAN SONGS, MONDAY EVENING[/sub]
[sub]INTERACTIONS : Aria - [@KatKook] , Marinalia [@PrinceAlexus][/sub]
[sub]MENTIONS : Charles - [@Tyler Night] [/sub][/color][/right][hr]

[i][sub]Early morning.[/sub][/i]

	
	The night before had not been a pleasant one for Lilith or anyone at the club. While there were a couple of shady clients that always lingered in the club, they had never really experienced anything beyond a fight outside or someone getting kicked out for being rude to one of the dancers. Lilith wished someone had been kicked out last night. Lilith had started her shift earlier than usual to make up for some lost hours from last week. There were a few men and fewer women down on the floor as they mostly talked or watched the dancers on the stage. Lilith was set to go up after Ruby. It was Friday night, so Lilith expected the club to start flooding with clients after seven or eight pm after everyone got out of work. No one had expected a giant party to storm the club unexpectedly. Kenny. The main bouncer had to check every single one of them for anything before they made their way in and that had taken nearly thirty minutes. On top of that, some of them were already drunk and causing some of the usuals to feel uncomfortable.

	Lilith went up just as the large party settled around the stage. She had been wearing her favorite earth green outfit with lace panties and black heels. Nothing too flashy but enough for the regulars to enjoy. She started her routine like always, just dancing for a bit before making her way to the middle pole. Everything was normal until a few people who were part of the party began to offer her stacks of money. Like full on piles. Not just of dollar bills but twenty dollars. 

	She had never seen so much money being thrown at her, like ever. She earned enough cash to get her by, but holy shit was what she saw yesterday was a lot. Lilith didn't even know what to do. She just continued with her routine while taking the stacks with a wink and a giggle. She thought she had hit the jackpot until a scream broke out in the middle of the party. She almost didn't hear the guy because of the music, but she clearly saw it.  

	One of the guys who had offered her money had gotten stabbed right between the ribs. Then everything happened so fast. Some people ran out, others ran for the guy with the knife, and others just stood in shock. Kenny was inside in a flash and was telling everyone to calm down. Lilith, on the other hand, just stood there in the middle of the stage as she watched the guy trying to put pressure to the wound. He had light brown curly hair and tanned skin. He must have been in his mid-thirties or early forties. 

	The night ended early. Some of the people in the party had caught up to the guy and held him down until the police arrived. Lilith had stood there until Ruby helped her collected her earnings and guide her to the back. The dancers were asked a few questions then they were escorted out of the club by the police. At some point, Lilith had made her way home with her bag full of cash. 

	By the morning, it all felt like a dream. 

	Like usual, Lilith got up to get ready. Usually, she went on morning runs around the harbor but today was special. She needed a new outfit for her dinner with Aria, the cute girl from last week. They had texted a bit over the week after they both had been unable to go through their dinner plans after the event at Swan Songs. They had agreed to go to the Food Festival tonight, and Lilith had been freaking out since then. Charles, the guy who had offered her a ride, had even offered a private dinner. Lilith felt that was a bit too personal and had agreed to it if Aria and her had the first dinner in a less private setting. 

	Dinner. It felt more like a date. Lilith supposed it was a date. 

	Lilith has been looking forward to this all her week, but it seemed like the incident from last night had shaken her up a bit. She was still exited, of course, but she felt a bit discouraged at the fact that her mood had been spoiled. She didn't want to ruin the date because of her. Maybe some shopping would help her cheer up and get rid of the image of the guy in her head. 



[i][sub]Morning to Evening[/sub][/i]
	
	Coffee was first on the list. After sliding into a short yellow dress with white and blue flowers on it and a cute lace cardigan, Lilith made her way to the closest coffee shop she could find. Sleep had not come easily to her after the club last night, and she had lost a few hours. Nothing that a shot of espresso couldn't fix. Maybe a bagel too. Or two.

	Lilith was waiting in line behind a girl with what seemed to be some sort of uniform. She had dropped something, and Lilith leaned down to pick it up for her. The girl's arm brushed against her leg, but she just gave the shorter blonde a charming smile as she handed her the hat. 

	[color=goldenrod]"Don't worry about it, cute stuff."[/color] Lilith had said to her, noting the nervous smile she got in return. Lilith smiled to herself, proud that she could make dome people nervous and lose their cool with just her looks. [color=goldenrod]"Nice accent, by the way.[/color] She had said just as the blonde finished her order and left the line. Some casual flirting never hurt anyone, in her opinion. The girl was cute, and Lilith couldn't help herself, though, Aria was a lot cuter. 

	The rest of her morning went by without a hitch. She went to Central Point to shop for some clothes and a new purse to distract her from last night and the date later on. At some point, she had texted Aria and asked her what her favorite food was and what she was looking forward to trying. Even teased her that they should go into the food eating contest. She bought new shoes, some more lace outfits for work, and a nice leather jacket for later. Might help her with some of the incoming cold. 

	By the time of the date rolled in, Lilith was a nervous wreck. She kept on checking her phone for any updates, kept fixing her lipsticks, and kept tugging at the yellow dress. The new leather jacket did little to protect her from the crisp air, but at least it was cute. She had to look cute for her date. 

	Why was Lilith acting like a school girl all over again? It was just a date with a friend. 

	[center][color=goldenrod][i]Hey, I'm here already. I'm by the entrance, can't wait to eat some food![/i][/color][/center]

	Lilith sent the text to Aria and shoved her phone into her new MK purse. At least the anxiety of the date was overtaking the need to get her fix and the whole ordeal from last night. With a big breath, Lilith leaned back against the light pole she was standing under and closed her eyes. She could just reach into her bag and get her little stash and just do it behind one of the stalls. It would be quick, and it could help her calm her down, at least just for a bit. 

	No no. She had to stay sober for her date. At least until it was over. Instead, Lilith pulled out a pack of menthols and light one of the cigarettes. This would at least her help calm her down while she waited — just a bit.