|
|
Post by foalish on Jul 1, 2018 19:55:36 GMT -6
 Under Dark
Lydia & IsobelaPost Chapter V Late-Evening/Night Meetings least expected, perhaps for the better. |
|
|
|
Post by foalish on Jul 1, 2018 20:16:38 GMT -6
❀ L Y D I A ❀
"We weep for what we don't have."
WC: 329 | Post 1 New found freedom was perhaps a bit of a devil’s gift when it came to her. Lydia took too much liberties, especially right now where she would probably be better off staying back, actually focusing on her job. But the first time left to explore was bound to be thorough; it wasn’t exactly her first time exploring without surveillance, but it was one of the first times she wasn’t expected back by some overbearing family member that made it worse to come home late than not at all.
At the moment, she was like a dog, sticking her nose into places she probably shouldn’t, trying to get a good idea on everything on the street that would go unnoticed in the busy bustle during the day. There was a lot of small, hidden gems she’d have to check back on, when they were actually open. Small shops hidden in corners or down a menacing looking alley in the dark. She was being a bit too relaxed, not hesitating to step a hoof too far in a place that looked too dark. Despite her snooping, she practiced it with poised elegance that she’d naturally mastered after years and years. Even when aimlessly wandering, she looked like she had a purpose behind all her actions; perhaps someone who stared at her long enough would notice how she turned around and gave the slightest cues of curiosity. A trained eye could pick up on her ruse.
It wasn’t a large sign by any means, but it was something that caught her attention right away. Mainly the ‘open’ description on the sign. One of the few places awake at that hour - so with careless excitement and curiosity, she followed the sign. It wasn’t long or far before she was lead to the small and quaint little area, clearly meant for a performer or two. She didn’t hesitate to sit down and get comfortable and wait for whatever was going to go on.
|
|
|
|
Post by perfectkawa on Jul 1, 2018 23:52:51 GMT -6
Isobela
Talori Entertainer
Post 1 | 321w
Behind closed curtains, she always got butterflies.
Not the nervous kind, but the kind that bubbled up in her stomach when she'd had too much tea, flooding her veins with excitement and lighting up ruby-tinted eyes. The kind that carried her so high she felt as though every step towards the stage brought her closer to the clouds and to the sun, lifting her so effortlessly that she could swear she really was floating. The kind that supported her and steeled her every nerve so that, when those curtains did move, and she caught the attention of the crowd, she was cool and composed in front of the audience, slowly trotting towards the mic at the end of the stage, her hips swaying with every cloven-hoofed step.
They were with her now, settled deep in her belly, as the unicorn's gaze swept the small gathering of horses before her, settled around tables and bar tops. There was some chatter, but it mostly came to a stop as she wrapped one foreleg around the metal stand of the mic and brought it just a tad closer to her face, a smirk already playing on her dark lips. "Hello, dolls," she purred, tipping her chin up just a bit. "Have you all missed me? I hope you're behaving tonight, we've got a real good treat for ya..."
Bela allowed the audience to chatter again, some regulars whooping and calling when she removed the mic with her teke and began to walk along the edge of the stage with it. Ruby eyes met gold, though, and she paused for just a moment to take in the other horse- a striped mare. Her brow cocked and she gave the female a wink, then continued into her routine, music starting up somewhere in the back to accompany her vocals.
It had been a night like any other, but Isobela had a feeling that might change soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by foalish on Jul 2, 2018 0:36:17 GMT -6
❀ L Y D I A ❀
"We weep for what we don't have."
WC: 626 | Post 2 The place was small, but a few other horses were already settled in, while also she caught one or two more enter after her during the down time and the silence before the show. Lydia didn’t pay them much attention, although she did let her eye wander a bit, browsing the crowd around them. They all looked like average horses, which didn’t seem threatening. Little to worry about, it seemed to her. She didn’t feel off put by the place and that was good enough for her to stay put. It wasn’t a massive place either like he dad enjoyed going to when searching for entertainment and song; it had a feel to it that Lydia wasn’t familiar with. It felt a bit more quaint; a place that her dad wouldn’t be caught in within an inch of his life. That put a smile on her lips and she sank a bit deeper into her chair, her smile from the satisfaction that would make no sense to anyone but her.
She nodded to a waitress who looked her way a bit later, flashing a fancy smile and a gentle but firm voice once they approached. Within seconds, they were gone for her light order. Another thing that would make her dad frown, if not yell - gave her a bit more satisfaction to the cake; a little never hurt, despite what common customs said. So she smiled a thank you as they returned with a small glass of Champaign, waving them off in dismissal with a kind word and another smile.
She hadn’t missed the voice that had started on stage as she took the first sip, turning away from the help staff, to gaze on stage. It was a smooth voice, who was used to preforming, just by the sound of it. She put down her glass on the table before she was able to get a look at them, and immediately as she did, she didn’t know what happened, except that her own breath hitched in her throat and she felt her soul leave her body. After a sharp inhale and a gentle cough to clear her throat, she gave a soft fake smile in case anyone looked her way for the very mild disruption.
She was very glad she had put her glass down.
As the audience started a soft chatter between the performer’s actions, Lydia instead took the distraction to look anywhere but at them, her gaze shyly turning to browse over the horses around her. She suddenly felt very out of place - a bit too hot, as if the seat was slowly cooking her. It was probably her own embarrassment, even though no one seemed to bat an eye at her. She shuffled uncomfortably a bit deeper into her seat. She let her gaze wander a bit again, daring to look at the horse. Stealing a glance, the only thing she seemed to be able focus on, as if more was dangerous, was her feet - which were striped. Was she part zebra? For some reason, that fact seemed very interesting. Consuming even. Scarily so. So she didn’t let herself try and dwell on it too long, fear of coughing again and boiling in her seat. So she let her eyes wander in search for a different distraction and - oh.
Oh, oh no.
There was a very distinct shiver that ran down her spine as their eyes met, and they - gave a wink. Lydia picked up her glass again took a big, long sip.
Would she be more of a distraction if she got up and left right now, or if she left drunk? She wasn’t sure, but it suddenly seemed like she was bound to figure out.
|
|
|
|
Post by perfectkawa on Jul 2, 2018 1:14:25 GMT -6
Isobela
Talori Entertainer
Post 2 | 339w
Being a regular, Bela, of course, got paid for her performances. It was modest pay, she figured, but what the bar gave her was only a small chunk of what she took home- the real money lay in the customers' grubby little hooves- haphazardly tossed on stage, or gracefully removed from their open grasp with a smile and a nod. The song continued, and Isobela slowly made her way down the short stairs from the stage to the open floor, winding her way through tables to bat her lashes and pick up tips.
Hustle, dance, sing, hustle, dance.
She wasn't normally so drawn to individual customers, and, maybe it was just the shot she'd taken backstage talking, but something about that well-decorated zebra across the room was just calling to her. The song reverberating through the room was a slower one, not as sensual as most but definitely not lacking in that department, and every murmured note brought her closer to the table she sought. By now her target was clear, red gaze unwavering from the other mare as she shifted in her seat, the bubbling glass of champagne on her table seemingly having become her best friend for the night. The items within the little pocket sewn to the inside of Isobela's dress jingled as she approached the lone mare, circling her table once when there were no lyrics to be sung, and she finally gave pause just behind the other's seat, her voice dropping on the next hushed note she pressed into the air beside the hippocampus' ear,
"Oh, how I've been waiting for you~"
Her voice hitched on a giggle, and she hurried back up to the stage to finish the show, knowing if she focused too much on one customer (and a mare, at that!), others might start getting suspicious. As the routine ended, Bela found herself crossing her forehooves and taking a final bow, promising an even better show the following evening, before she exited backstage once again, making way for the next performer.
|
|
|
|
Post by foalish on Jul 2, 2018 1:56:37 GMT -6
❀ L Y D I A ❀
"We weep for what we don't have."
WC: 413 | Post 3 Lydia downed the drink pretty quickly, and without looking away from the show, she singled to the staff for a refill to her small glass, taking no time to continue sipping on her drink. Her eyes fell to the bottom of her glass a bit way through the performance, probably because she couldn’t stare any longer at the moment. She had noticed how some seemed to be leaving tips, but she didn’t even think about doing the same, stricken with the sudden inability to move. Perhaps if she stayed still enough, she’d blend into the seat and no one would notice her. She really, really was way out of her element and she had no idea why.
She looked up as her glass was being refiled for the third time, in a very short span - ignoring any concern someone might have from any potential drinking. It wasn’t much alcohol, anyway - meant for sipping just a bit. Although she wasn’t able to start downing the glass because she was suddenly sitting still, solid, as if frozen by Cascade herself. Any hope for being ignored was lost as the performer approached, coming straight for her table.
Lydia set down the glass, because she was either gonna shatter it, or drink it all in one sip. It was the only movement from her, other than the sharp breaths and he trailing eyes, watching cautiously. There was a prickling up her spine as she watched the mare move next to her; as if she were facing a predator, and she’d be dead if she moved.
She only stiffened more when she felt the other’s breath right next to her, whispering something in her ear, which she didn’t even bother to listen to. Her breath came out as a strangled mess.
When the horse left her side, she looked away, managing to finish the small drink in record time. She looked over at the staff, who looked a bit confused, but she held off of waiving them; she would only be tipsy at this point and she wasn’t gonna push any luck.
It wasn’t until they left the stage where she was able to properly breath again. The moment she could, she stood up, paid for her fair and left from the way she came, doing her best to remain calm and collected until she heard the door close behind her. Being out of her element really messed with her head, thats what she told herself.
|
|
|
|
Post by perfectkawa on Jul 2, 2018 2:18:01 GMT -6
Isobela
Talori Entertainer
Post 3 | 404w
There were a few muttered praises backstage, and someone ushered another shot to her, but, otherwise, Bela was left to collect her belongings in peace. She usually hung around for a while after her shows, staying back to watch her colleagues perform, and encouraging them with all of her heart. She loved this place more than almost anything, and was glad to work with the horses she did, but something else was drawing her away that night, some incessant need to get out as quickly as possible. Haphazardly exchanging cheek kisses with a few of her coworkers, the unicorn changed into more street-appropriate wear (though, of course, she was only going home after this, but she had an outfit for everything), gathered her things into a pouch nestled around her neck, and left through the back door, breathing a small sigh of relief when the cool night air hit her face and flooded her lungs.
Shaking her head a bit, Isobela rounded one corner of the building that occupied the space above the bar, heading into an alleyway that would take her to the front stairs. Her gaze tilted upwards to focus on the stars above- she usually walked home with some of the other dancers, so it was nice to have this moment to herself. Her performance tonight had been decent, but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in herself for letting a pretty mare distract her from the job at hand. Her next show definitely would be better, she'd make sure of it.
Coming around to the front street, Bela quickly halted in her steps when her gaze fell on the very zebra that had caught her attention inside, looking... well, not too different than she had before. She was prettier in the moonlight, though, the unicorn noted, a flush creeping up her neck now that the other mare wasn't hidden in dark lighting and crowded around a bunch of other horses. The night sky complimented her already pale coat, and Isobela had to force the smile on her face as she finally took a few steps closer. "My apologies if I spooked ya back there, love," she laughed, one large ear tilting back a little. "You just seemed new, so you caught my attention, is all."
That's what she'd continue telling herself for the rest of the night, at least, and even long after the two mares parted ways.
|
|
