Mia introduces her friends while you're dining.

Anyone who's been in Downtown L.A. knows that there's a stretch of Figueroa Street, north of the L.A. Convention Center, where there are plenty of good eats available. Although it's quite expensive, you decide to go to an eatery across the street from the "Staples Center" arena. It's called "Tom's Urban Grill", a sports bar & restaurant, that can get real busy when a major local team is in action. Fortunately for you, it isn't that crowded, and it's a cool night outside, so you select one of the outdoor tables.

(A short time later, after placing an order, while enjoying a round of Coke.)

"Alex?!" You hear Mia's voice, and look up to see her, in her normal self, but also bringing some friends of hers--women you've never seen before. Next thing you know, you're getting a closer look at them, because they're approaching your table. To Mia's left is a slimmer, petite woman. From the looks of her, she looks like a Goth girl, because of the way she's styled her dark hair, as well as the piercing below her lips. To Mia's right is a curvy woman with dark hair, and it looks like she's been doing some corset training, because of the way her body gives a really nice hourglass figure. Other than that, you can't really see much with the low light under the night sky, and with the three ladies in their street clothes.

"Mind if we sit with you tonight?" Mia asks you. "You look like you can use some company after the long day."

"Sure, why not." You nod to Mia with a smile, and they take a seat at the table. Mia sits next to you at the four-person table, while the other two sit on the other side, with the Goth girl sitting directly across from you.

"So, Mia," you ask her, "who are these friends of yours?"

"Friends, fellow cosplayers, and co-workers at the strip club." Mia replies with a smile. "The Goth girl is Abbie, and the curvy one is Chrissy."

"A pleasure to meet you, Alex." Abbie gives you a smile, as the two of you exchange handshakes.

"Nice to meet you, Alex." Chrissy follows suit.

"How come you didn't bring them along, Mia?" You ask her.

"They were working at the strip club." Mia responds.

"Yeah, we were busy with the auditions of some potential new dancers." Abbie adds in. "If it wasn't for Mia being busy traveling from one comic con to another, then Chrissy & I would've had the day off. But we do have the weekend off, so expect us to cosplay with Mia."

"What are you planning to be tomorrow & Sunday?" You ask the ladies next.

"Tomorrow," Mia tells you, "all three of us are doing a group cosplay as 'Executive Assistants' from the given Aspen Comics franchise. I'll be Iris, Abbie will be Lilly, and Chrissy will be Rose."

"I can't wait to do that." Abbie speaks next. "Sunday, I'll be Catwoman."

"I'll be Leiliana from 'Dragon Age: Inquisition' on Sunday." Chrissy speaks next.

"I'll be doing a 'Star Wars' spin on Elektra on Sunday." Mia speaks last. "Again, it's for that special friend of mine, like my cosplay earlier today was for."

"Thinking about Eric again, Mia?" Chrissy asks Mia, which makes Abbie giggle.

"Well, you do act normally when he isn't at the club, Mia." You hear Abbie tell Mia. "But when he's at the club, you always try to wave to him, if not be more forward in trying to please him."

"Um," you ask the ladies, "who is this Eric person?"

"He's...that special friend of mine." Mia responds. "He also happens to be one of my favorite patrons at the strip club."

The food comes over, and you listen to the ladies gossip while you eat, and they do the same. You do your best to add in every now and then when you're not busy enjoying your meal, but you otherwise find yourself staying pretty quiet, while the ladies continue to gossip, and laugh. After awhile, everyone pays their share of the combined tab, but the gossip keeps on going, as some more non-alcoholic drinks are consumed. So when it was time to call it a night, you let the ladies leave first, who give you a big hug before they do. Then you take your leave, and return to the hotel to rest for a busy Saturday at the comic con.