At The Club

With the aid of Lita’s directions, they reached the club’s neighborhood in good order. It was a relatively quiet area but John felt a heavy energy hanging in the air as Vivian’s car slowed to a stop in a parking lot, Estelle’s slipping in next to them a moment later. Looking out the window before getting out, John let his magical senses spread out, searching for the source of the energy filling the area.

Over the entrance to the parking lot, he felt a large sphere of gently pulsing energy and John couldn’t help but try and see what it was.

Obscuring Spellnode
One of many focal points of a large spell network stretching over the area. This network causes those with no usable mana to ignore or dismiss inhuman physical qualities.

“Well, that explains why Goe, Tok and Lita can just get out of their car like that,” Aeolia said from her perch on John’s shoulder, pointing out the window to where their fellow club goers were getting out of their SUV. Unlike back when Lita welcomed them to Higaisha, her ears were fully exposed. Of course, John also noticed her outfit, particularly how her green top and cream pants clung to her skin.

“Then there’s no reason for us to stay in the car,” Teri said as she opened the door before extending her hand behind her. “Ready, Kiera?”

The shy bluenette nodded and lightly touched Teri’s palm for a moment before following her out of the back. As they did, Verida’s form seamlessly manifested between them, exiting the car as if she had been there the whole time.

“That’s getting easier for you two,” Vivian noted as she slipped out of the car.

“I’m glad it is,” Verida said. “I hate being a burden.”

“Y-you’re not a burden,” Kiera protested.

“If nothing else, it’s a good way for us to improve our abilities,” Teri added, looking around the area with an excited gleam in her eyes. John smiled fondly as he watched her take in the mostly mundane area. What for him was an unremarkable neighborhood was something the humaboo goblin had wanted to see, if only to say she experienced it.

“Something about this spellwork feels familiar,” Estelle remarked as she moved towards the nearest node. “But I can’t place it.”

Observe just told me what it does in a sentence. No mention of a caster,” John informed the witch.

Estelle hummed frustratedly as she stared at the spot the node occupied, her bottom lip between her teeth. “If I had some of my equipment… This is going to bug me.”

John pulled her into a hug. “I’m sure it’ll come to you. And we can come back here later if it keeps bothering you.”

Estelle’s annoyed expression melted into a small smile. “I suppose it’s not a mystery that needs solving right away. Tonight’s supposed to be a night off to have fun.”

“And fun we’re going to have,” Tok’s boisterous voice rang over the lot.

“You could stand to have a bit less fun,” Tamia remarked. “The Hiding isn’t perfect. Drawing attention isn’t really advised.”

“Not like there’s anyone around,” Tok protested, even as his volume decreased to a normal level.

“Best to not risk it,” Goe said. “It’s good to see all of you again.”

“Right back at ya,” Beth eloquently shot back before anyone else could return her greeting.

“Yes, thank you for inviting us,” Vivian took a more diplomatic approach.

Goe waved her hand. “I think after yesterday, some time to just unwind was needed.”

“I have good ideas sometimes,” Tok said proudly.

“Yes, you do.” Goe smiled at Tok. “Now, guess I should give you some ground rules before we head in. Obviously, no fighting. Drinks are relatively affordable so don’t go overboard.”

“We’ve already had a bit of a discussion on that point,” Senka said, glancing over at Beth. “We’re not going to overindulge. One or two at most.”

“Just try to stick with that,” Goe remarked. “The bouncers aren’t anyone to sneeze at.

“Got no plans to get into a fight,” John said. “Had enough of that for the time being.”

“There’s going to be music, but there’s some spaces set up to cut the noise down if you need a break from it,” Goe continued. John noticed that Lita seemed relieved about that. He figured she wouldn’t appreciate loud noises all that much.

“Sounds like you’ve been a frequent visitor,” Vivian pointed out.

“I’ve come here a few times,” Goe said. “It’s not really an ‘open to the public’ type of place. Which is how I know it’s a safe place for us to unwind.”

“Does that mean there’s not going to be a lot of people there?” Anita asked.

“There should be an okay crowd,” Goe answered. “As far as I know, there isn’t anything major going on, but it’s been a bit since I’ve had the chance to come down, so that could change. And the club’s large enough for there to be some less populated rooms, like I said before.”

“They got darts too,” Tok added.

“Well, sounds like it's a good time all around,” Senka said. “When are we going in?”

“Told you that you wouldn’t get through all of your spiel before they asked where the club was.” Tamia grinned down at Goe. “You owe me the first drink.”

Goe pouted before sighing. “Guess I was being a bit thorough.”

“Is there anything of utmost importance we need to know before going in?” Vivian asked. “Since it seems you had a whole presentation prepared.”

“The only real important thing is to not be too loose with your magic,” Goe answered. “Don’t cast anything on anyone without their consent.”

“It’s a good thing we aren’t the type to try and curse people,.” Aeolia smirked.

“If you were, I don’t think we would have started a partnership with you,” Goe remarked, returning Aeolia’s grin.

“Glad we’re all on the same page,” John said. “So, the club? I’m not sure how long us standing here will go unnoticed, even with that anti-looking magic.”

“As long as we aren’t drawing attention, we’re good,” Tamia replied, her tone full of confidence. “But I think we are dragging things out needlessly.”

“Right, right.” Goe brushed her hands on her jeans. “Just a little bit down the road. The barrier’s tied to the first red building.”

Goe took the lead and John found himself walking next to Lita, with Estelle on the other side. John let the witch be the first to engage the tall cat girl.

“So, was Lara too busy?” Estelle asked. Though she was mostly asking Lita, she said it loud enough that any of the others could answer.

“Lara’s not a fan of loud music,” Tok answered. “Actually, it’d be fair to say she’s not a fan of relaxing.”

“She is a bit of a workaholic,” Goe added.

“S-she means well, but yeah,” Lita threw in her two cents somewhat timidly and John began to wonder if Lara didn't want to come due to her hang ups on them, or him specifically.

‘But that would mean leaving Lita to our tender mercies,’ Senka thought to John. ‘Unless she believes Goe and Tamia will be enough to shield her from our perversions.’

‘Somehow, I think they might be trying to push us together,’ John remarked. ‘I don’t think Lita picked out those pants herself.’

‘Then I guess we’ll have to pay for Goe’s second drink or Tamia’s first.’ Senka laughed. ‘It seems at least one of them is gunning for us to pick her up.’

‘Let’s not put the cart before the horse,’ John cautioned. ‘I really don’t want to go down this road if Lita’s being forced down it faster than she feels comfortable.’

‘I agree there,’ Senka thought, pure seriousness replacing her flirtatious tone. ‘But I wonder just how much faster they are pushing her. If they are true friends, I doubt they would be doing this to the point of causing her stress.’

John chanced a glance at Lita and Estelle. The witch was engaging her in light small talk, asking about anything interesting she saw in the caves, and Lita was answering, the slightest of smiles on her lips. Perhaps all Lita needed was a small push to be more outgoing. It was certainly better than the circumstances that brought about his own increased social skills, video game mechanics aside.

‘Doesn’t mean she’s ready to jump into whatever we’re calling our relationship,’ he privately thought. ‘Or that we’re ready either. Still need to figure out how to tell everyone I love them.’

John let those thoughts out of his head. Worry about that later. Tonight was about having fun. He could deal with everything starting tomorrow.

The club’s mundane facade came into view quickly, a simple red brick building, and Goe marched ahead and slipped into the barrier with no noticeable difficulty. They all followed after her in good order.

You have entered the Siren’s Call Barrier

In an instant, John was inside a stone room with a tall arched ceiling, the distant thuds of dance music coming from further down a number of tunnels. A number of people milled about at the entrance, most hanging out by a number of bars inset to the walls, knocking back drinks and talking to the bartenders. The lights were set to a dim glow, giving the whole area a kind of cosy, intimate vibe.

“First impression good?” Goe asked with a smirk.

“It certainly seems like a large establishment,” Vivian answered. “I’m guessing there are a few dance rooms?”

Goe nodded. “A few. Some play more techno, others hip hop. Something for everyone.”

“Sounds like we’re going to have a good choice of where we’re going to cut loose.” Beth grinned, lightly bumping her shoulder against Anita who looked twice as excited.

“Don’t let us hold you up,” Tamia said.

“Come on, Anita. Let’s cut up the dance floor,” Beth declared before dragging the dryad girl along with no resistance.

“But we don’t have knives or anything,” Anita said. “Oh, Senka, come with us. We might need help.”

“It’s a figure of speech, babe,” Beth explained. “We’re not really going to break the floor. But, Senka, if you want to come, we’re open for a third. Or more.”

“Perhaps later,” Senka chuckled. “I think I want to look around a bit more.”

“‘Kay,” Beth shouted back at them before she and Anita took off at full trot to the one the dance floors.

“Think I need a bit of liquid courage before doing anything like that,” Tok declared. “Anyone up for a round? On me.”

“One shot shouldn’t knock me over,” Aeolia said confidently.

“I’ll have one if you’re offering,” Estelle chimed in.

“That’s two. Any more takers?” Tok asked, looking at the remaining group.

“Goe’s got my drink,” Tamia smugly said, drawing an exaggerated glare from the dwarf.

“I think I’ll abstain for now,” Teri remarked.

“M-Me too,” Kiera added. John figured they didn’t want to risk messing up Verida’s manifestation, a position supported when the goddess herself declined the offer.

“I think I’m going to make sure Beth and Anita don’t get into any trouble,” Vivian said. “I didn’t like the glint in Beth’s eyes.”

Her intention known, the redhead followed after their wayward pair.

“What about you, John?” Tok directly asked.

“I suppose it’d be rude to reject the offer,” John replied. “Got to try it once at least.”

“Pencil me in for one too,” Senka added. “If they have something for beings like me.”

“They should,” Goe remarked. “Pleanty of elemental based folk around. And there probably are some with fleshy bodies that can drink mana based drinks too.”

“Wonderful,” the spirit said.

Attention fell to Lita as the last to give their drinking choice.

“I’ll, um,” she waffled, fingers nervously fidgeting.

“You don’t have to just because some of us are,” John quickly said.

John knew that being the first to give her an out would only fuel the fires of romantic tension, but he knew how being the introvert in a group, even if one had to consider a classroom of mostly strangers as a group, could go in terms of being pressured into something distasteful.

“I t-think I’ll hold off for now,” Lita squeaked out, her eyes finding John’s, a look of profound relief shining behind her glasses.

“Fair enough,” Tok said with a soft smile. “We’re here to have fun, not to force anyone to do things they don’t want to. And right now, I feel like knocking one back.”

Tok took the lead and began marching towards one of the bars. As the group followed, John found himself hanging towards the back, slipping next to Lita.

“T-thanks,” she muttered.

“It’s no problem,” John whispered back. “I know what it’s like to be put on the spot like that.”

For a moment, Lita looked like she was fighting herself, then, hesitantly, she said, “I don’t think I can see that happening to you.”

John felt his ego swell slightly at her belief in his ability to navigate social situations.

“I’ve not always been so sure of myself,” he confided. “Hell, a month ago, I would have never even considered being in a place like this.”

As John and Lita chatted their way to Tok’s choice of bar, a pair of red eyes watched from the reflective surface of a clean piece of glassware.