Fandom Distorted Mirror [IC]

[MyrtenRose]

In simplest terms, the Ace of Spades was a shithole of the highest order. Where Mantle's seediest gangsters and lowlifes came to ogle the pole dancers, harass the serving girls, sniff powder in the bathrooms (some didn't even bother going to that length of discretion) and otherwise engage in their criminal affairs, which didn't make for the friendliest atmosphere or patrons. The sleazier among the latter were the types who were insatiable even with the dancers on full display, and every single member of the party's fairer sex who walked in found themselves unwilling recipients of some ugly leers from many of the room's tables. They even reserved a few wolf whistles for the ones they liked most, and Yang and Winter in particular drew a chorus of cheers and cries of "GET ON STAGE!" from a smokier table towards the very back practically as soon as they walked into view.

The shadier side to Mantle, as nasty as ever. Those wandering eyes, the catcalls...ignoring them all was probably for the best. That said... "Save your eyes and your thoughts for the actual clientele, boys!" Robyn yelled back, equal parts a demand and a warning, though she left it at that and ignored any replies that came unless any of them dared actually approach her. Raven shared much of the same sentiment, reminded heavily what the tribe of bandits and killers she'd grown up with were like on their leisure time. It was not a welcome reminder, though she said nothing as she blocked all that crap out to the best of her ability.​

"Tsk tsk. What the fuck, Cobalt? Are all your little minions even old enough to be in here?" She hissed, thought it wasn't the spiteful kind as she stared long and hard at the Rainarts in particular. Rather, it was almost encouraging, as if the woman got a jolt of adrenaline at the mere thought of them saying no.

"20 is old enough to be here, right?" Nora wondered aloud.​

"...The thing."

"..." She ignored that, turning to someone more likely to give a straight answer sometime soon than Cobalt and who looked less uncomfortable being here than Winter. "What the shit's that mean?"

"THE FIGHTS!"​

 

[Gus Gungus]

The shadier side to Mantle, as nasty as ever. Those wandering eyes, the catcalls...ignoring them all was probably for the best. That said... "Save your eyes and your thoughts for the actual clientele, boys!" Robyn yelled back, equal parts a demand and a warning, though she left it at that and ignored any replies that came unless any of them dared actually approach her. Raven shared much of the same sentiment, reminded heavily what the tribe of bandits and killers she'd grown up with were like on their leisure time. It was not a welcome reminder, though she said nothing as she blocked all that crap out to the best of her ability.

There was a long pause, followed by a much more confused yell at Robyn's back. "AREN'T... AREN'T WE THE CLIENTELE THOUGH?"

"20 is old enough to be here, right?" Nora wondered aloud.

"Depends how good your fake IDs are." The woman rasped indifferently, showing she didn't really give a shit.

"THE FIGHTS!"

"KEEP your voice down!" She hissed with sudden urgency, eyes narrowing as she cast a furtive glance across the room and leaned on the bartop with both palms flat. The sheer violence in Nora's eyes sure was something, but one look at pint-sized in pink didn't exactly leave her convinced as she sharpened her tone with even more scrutiny. "You?"

Her stare turned to Gretchen. "And you."

Then back to Cobalt. To say she looked skeptical was an understatement.

"These are your so-called contenders? You know a buncha trainee huntresses aren't gonna make it past the prelims, right? You're all in for a bloodbath. The only person here who looks even a little cut out for the pits is that guy."

She jabbed a thumb over to wherever Grey was standing.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

"KEEP your voice down!" She hissed with sudden urgency, eyes narrowing as she cast a furtive glance across the room and leaned on the bartop with both palms flat. The sheer violence in Nora's eyes sure was something, but one look at pint-sized in pink didn't exactly leave her convinced as she sharpened her tone with even more scrutiny. "You?"

Her stare turned to Gretchen. "And you."

Then back to Cobalt. To say she looked skeptical was an understatement.

"These are your so-called contenders? You know a buncha trainee huntresses aren't gonna make it past the prelims, right? You're all in for a bloodbath. The only person here who looks even a little cut out for the pits is that guy."

She jabbed a thumb over to wherever Grey was standing.

Raven blinked, surprised she was not included either, but didn't throw up any childish pouts or looks of annoyed anger like the kid was or her surlier bandit counterpart might have. "We didn't come here to be judged before we even started, alright? Now can we get going or what? Besides, appearances can be deceiving."​

 

[Gus Gungus]

Raven blinked, surprised she was not included either, but didn't throw up any childish pouts or looks of annoyed anger like the kid was or her surlier bandit counterpart might have. "We didn't come here to be judged before we even started, alright? Now can we get going or what? Besides, appearances can be deceiving."

"Weren't you in a wheelchair last time you came in here? You miss it that much? Or you looking to upgrade to the coffin this time?" She retorted to the more experienced huntress with obvious amusement, not one to forget a face. Her shrug was casual, willing to let it be their funerals as her shoulders quaked and she stepped around to the side of the bar, holding open the curtain with one hand and beckoning towards the darkness within invitingly with the other.

"Hey, what do I care, right? It'll be your funerals, tearful eulogies and grieving families. But you're wrong, wheels. Invitations to these things don't go out to just anybody. The HBIC has to know you're worth the spot first, or the whole thing loses its shine. So you bet your flat ass you came here to be judged."

Her shoulders quaked with a heady giggle, eyes that were just a bit too large for the face they occupied flaring that little bit wider with vicious amusement at these peoples' willingness to throw themselves to the meat grinder.



"Or should I say, to have your fortunes told. This way. One at a time, please; rest of you relax, have a beer, drink in the locale. Tip one of the girls enough and they might be extra nice to you. Enjoy the ambiance."

Winter had no intention of doing any of those things, and immediately cut right to the front of the line to affix the woman with a curt squint as she walked by, vanishing into the dim-lit shadows within. The woman snickered again as she sized her up, an indulgent shake of the head and tut-tut noise given before she followed after, allowing the curtain to fall shut behind her.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

That jab about ending up in a wheelchair, or worse, was answered only by a roll of the eyes. The rest of it had practically no response, Raven just letting it all be absorbed as it was and when all was done being said, she refrained from any of those suggestions and instead just took up a spot leaning against the closest wall and awaiting her turn, just as eager as Winter to conclude her business here.

Of course other me came to this dump.

Robyn, on the other hand, did take the offer to relax. Namely, by going straight for the bar and speaking to the bartender straight away. “Three measures of Gordon's; one of vodka; half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it over ice, and add a thin slice of lemon peel.”

Nora for her part sidled over towards Gretchen. “Should we find a table, maybe? Get something to eat? I’m hungry.”​

 

[MidwayLives]

"These are your so-called contenders? You know a buncha trainee huntresses aren't gonna make it past the prelims, right? You're all in for a bloodbath. The only person here who looks even a little cut out for the pits is that guy."

She jabbed a thumb over to wherever Grey was standing.

Grey was busy muttering to himself about potential strategies.

When he got pointed out, he turned his head.

"Bloodbath?"
​

That jab about ending up in a wheelchair, or worse, was answered only by a roll of the eyes. The rest of it had practically no response, Raven just letting it all be absorbed as it was and when all was done being said, she refrained from any of those suggestions and instead just took up a spot leaning against the closest wall and awaiting her turn, just as eager as Winter to conclude her business here.

Grey shook his head at the offer of a drink or two.

It may have calmed his nerves. Even possibly lowered his inhibitions.

'...No. Need to feel tense. Pent up energy I can let loose on my opponent.'

He settled against the wall, his arms folded across his chest.

Waiting....

​

 

[Gus Gungus]

Robyn, on the other hand, did take the offer to relax. Namely, by going straight for the bar and speaking to the bartender straight away. “Three measures of Gordon's; one of vodka; half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it over ice, and add a thin slice of lemon peel.”

The only other bartender on duty, a shifty looking fella with greased-back hair and a check suit presumably intended to conjure some sort of air of distinctive class, just gaped at her in the wake of the request, mouth hanging open wider than a hangar door.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Toots. Doll. Babycakes. What kinda Atlas cosmopolitan yuppie bar you think we're runnin' here, hah? You wanna beer or glassa somethin' neat, or what?"

He straightened his tie, appending the question a moment later in a more deferential tone. His voice was weirdly familiar, like he'd been on TV before or something. Weird.

"Er, that is to say... I can try if that's really your drink, miss Hill. Say, what's a local gal like you call somethin' like that, anyways?"​

 

[MyrtenRose]

View attachment 728275

The only other bartender on duty, a shifty looking fella with greased-back hair and a check suit presumably intended to conjure some sort of air of distinctive class, just gaped at her in the wake of the request, mouth hanging open wider than a hangar door.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Toots. Doll. Babycakes. What kinda Atlas cosmopolitan yuppie bar you think we're runnin' here, hah? You wanna beer or glassa somethin' neat, or what?"

He straightened his tie, appending the question a moment later in a more deferential tone. His voice was weirdly familiar, like he'd been on TV before or something. Weird.

"Er, that is to say... I can try if that's really your drink, miss Hill. Say, what's a local gal like you call somethin' like that, anyways?"​

Well that's a shame. A damn criminal shame. Hmph. Robyn kept her thoughts to herself and only briefly flashed a dismayed frown at hearing that. "I suppose I'd call it too good for this place, apparently. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, but it's fitting, huh? Don't sweat it, though. If that's too much for you, I'd settle for a whiskey on the rocks." Robyn narrowed her eyes slightly in a scrutinizing manner, looking at the guy more deeply. "Say...I know you from somewhere?"​

 

[Gus Gungus]

Well that's a shame. A damn criminal shame. Hmph. Robyn kept her thoughts to herself and only briefly flashed a dismayed frown at hearing that. "I suppose I'd call it too good for this place, apparently. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, but it's fitting, huh? Don't sweat it, though. If that's too much for you, I'd settle for a whiskey on the rocks." Robyn narrowed her eyes slightly in a scrutinizing manner, looking at the guy more deeply. "Say...I know you from somewhere?"

He shrugged obligingly and set out a glass with ice, uncapping a bottle of the middle-shelf stuff with a flourish and pouring out a generous amount.

"Baby, in here everyone knows everybody, but nobody knows nothin' if they don't pony up first. Ya dig?"

The glass was slid over to her, though his attention seemed preoccupied as from the corner of his eye he caught those same creeps down the back getting handsy with one of the servers; a girl not much older than the likes of Yang or Nora, though she did an admirable job biting the bullet and enduring it. He sighed, though it was juxtaposed with a low growl.

"...But since you're the hometown hero n'all, you can drink for free. Long as you listen to one little piece of advice; If you're really thinkin' about jumping into the pit? Don't. Not to knock your much-touted huntress acumen, but if you don't have a semblance good for a fight you're fixin' to get killed."​

 

[MyrtenRose]

He shrugged obligingly and set out a glass with ice, uncapping a bottle of the middle-shelf stuff with a flourish and pouring out a generous amount.

"Baby, in here everyone knows everybody, but nobody knows nothin' if they don't pony up first. Ya dig?"

The glass was slid over to her, though his attention seemed preoccupied as from the corner of his eye he caught those same creeps down the back getting handsy with one of the servers; a girl not much older than the likes of Yang or Nora, though she did an admirable job biting the bullet and enduring it. He sighed, though it was juxtaposed with a low growl.

"...But since you're the hometown hero n'all, you can drink for free. Long as you listen to one little piece of advice; If you're really thinkin' about jumping into the pit? Don't. Not to knock your much-touted huntress acumen, but if you don't have a semblance good for a fight you're fixin' to get killed."​

"Forget it then." Robyn replied. She moved her head to follow his side-eyed gaze to that scene going on over that way. A scowl near instantly formed, her distaste for that obvious to all. One hand reached out to briefly raise that glass to her mouth for a quick sip before it got slammed back onto the counter. "Appreciate the free drink, and the advice, but I'll take my chances." She remarked in a tone that made it clear she wasn't gonna back down, just because her semblance wasn't combat handy. "Now, 'scuse me a second." She stepped away from the bar and over towards those creeps who were harassing the girl. Maybe it was more a job fit for the actual bouncer but like hell was she just gonna sit and watch that happen without doing anything.

"Hey! Listen up, fellows, because I'm only going to say this once. Hands. To. Yourselves. Got it?"​

 

[Gus Gungus]

"Forget it then." Robyn replied. She moved her head to follow his side-eyed gaze to that scene going on over that way. A scowl near instantly formed, her distaste for that obvious to all. One hand reached out to briefly raise that glass to her mouth for a quick sip before it got slammed back onto the counter. "Appreciate the free drink, and the advice, but I'll take my chances." She remarked in a tone that made it clear she wasn't gonna back down, just because her semblance wasn't combat handy. "Now, 'scuse me a second." She stepped away from the bar and over towards those creeps who were harassing the girl. Maybe it was more a job fit for the actual bouncer but like hell was she just gonna sit and watch that happen without doing anything.

"Hey! Listen up, fellows, because I'm only going to say this once. Hands. To. Yourselves. Got it?"​

The server just rolled his eyes when he copped the meaning of her stride. Sure was always a fun time whenever they got pro huntresses in here.



The air in the snug was so noxious it practically stung the eyes, maintaining the integrity of smoking laws apparently not high on the Ace's agenda. All the revelry, groping, and general douchebaggery that typically accompanied thugs getting drunk came to a screeching halt the moment Robyn made her demand; the barmaid herself was equally frozen, save for the pair of tanuki ears that flicked in apprehension as she bounced her gaze helplessly from the huntress to ringleader of the men getting grabby with her.

"It's... it's not a big deal," she said timidly, looking more mortified at the scene she was making than anything. The man spat as his friends all rubbernecked over to him to see what the play was, and his confidence emboldened them when they saw him sizing Robyn up with an obvious lack of concern.



"Who says it ain't?"

His arm was encircling the girl's waist, and as he sank back further into his seat like some kind of conquering chieftain he drew her closer to him; almost to the point that she had to sit on his lap or risk losing balance.

"Seems we got a white knight in the building, boys. Funny, considerin' you ain't gonna do shit. 'Sides, she likes all the attention, dontcha sweetheart?" He gave her a sharp pinch, which almost provoked a hiss the faunus had to bite down on to keep from escaping. She slowly nodded, however, and the man's toothy grin grew even wider without him ever taking his eyes off Robyn.

"See? So howsabout you mind your own business and walk your cute little ass back over there before ya get hurt? Oops, did I say ass? I meant request."​

 

[MyrtenRose]

The server just rolled his eyes when he copped the meaning of her stride. Sure was always a fun time whenever they got pro huntresses in here.

View attachment 728424

The air in the snug was so noxious it practically stung the eyes, maintaining the integrity of smoking laws apparently not high on the Ace's agenda. All the revelry, groping, and general douchebaggery that typically accompanied thugs getting drunk came to a screeching halt the moment Robyn made her demand; the barmaid herself was equally frozen, save for the pair of tanuki ears that flicked in apprehension as she bounced her gaze helplessly from the huntress to ringleader of the men getting grabby with her.

"It's... it's not a big deal," she said timidly, looking more mortified at the scene she was making than anything. The man spat as his friends all rubbernecked over to him to see what the play was, and his confidence emboldened them when they saw him sizing Robyn up with an obvious lack of concern.

View attachment 728443

"Who says it ain't?"

His arm was encircling the girl's waist, and as he sank back further into his seat like some kind of conquering chieftain he drew her closer to him; almost to the point that she had to sit on his lap or risk losing balance.

"Seems we got a white knight in the building, boys. Funny, considerin' you ain't gonna do shit. 'Sides, she likes all the attention, dontcha sweetheart?" He gave her a sharp pinch, which almost provoked a hiss the faunus had to bite down on to keep from escaping. She slowly nodded, however, and the man's toothy grin grew even wider without him ever taking his eyes off Robyn.

"See? So howsabout you mind your own business and walk your cute little ass back over there before ya get hurt? Oops, did I say ass? I meant request."​

"You must not have heard me." Robyn's tone was, perhaps surprisingly, apologetic as she stepped closer to the one who established himself as the leader. Her expression showcased the same mood. Her eyes shifted for a moment towards the server. "You have a job to do, you best go do that. I think there's some customers over there." She waited for the server to go, even helped pulled her free of the sleazy guy's grip if it was necessary. The second she was no longer in his presence? Robyn took her place by sitting on the guy's lap herself. "Here, let me put it more clearly." She whispered in an almost sensual way, one hand rising to cup his face...right before her facial expression shifted into a far harsher look in an instant, and that hand suddenly felt a lot more rough as she SLAMMED his head into the table. Her elbow propped up against the back of his skull to keep him pinned there for the moment as she eyed the rest of his entourage.

"Did you fellows get all that, or do I need to say it again? I'm open to it." ​

 

[Gus Gungus]

"You must not have heard me." Robyn's tone was, perhaps surprisingly, apologetic as she stepped closer to the one who established himself as the leader. Her expression showcased the same mood. Her eyes shifted for a moment towards the server. "You have a job to do, you best go do that. I think there's some customers over there." She waited for the server to go, even helped pulled her free of the sleazy guy's grip if it was necessary. The second she was no longer in his presence? Robyn took her place by sitting on the guy's lap herself. "Here, let me put it more clearly." She whispered in an almost sensual way, one hand rising to cup his face...right before her facial expression shifted into a far harsher look in an instant, and that hand suddenly felt a lot more rough as she SLAMMED his head into the table. Her elbow propped up against the back of his skull to keep him pinned there for the moment as she eyed the rest of his entourage.

"Did you fellows get all that, or do I need to say it again? I'm open to it."

The waitress was nonplussed as she was extricated from the man's group and urged off towards the bar, but seemed reluctant to depart even with Robyn's ushering, still looking on at the scene in horror and consternation. The idiot at the table and his friends actually seemed to believe she was coming onto him when she sat down instead, but their enthused whooping quickly turned to shouts of anger when she slammed his head down and they all drew weapons on her at once, the man trying to recover from the pitched yell he gave when it happened by shifting it into a macho growl in the last three quarters with middling success. His hand blindly clutched at the table, searching out a bottle or glass he could use to swing back for the huntress's face. "B-BIG mistake, you nosy b-"

"Ma'am, I'm gonna have to ask you to come back over this way with me."

It appeared the bouncer had finally arrived, a terror of muscle and frills that loomed over the table ominously. She turned her boom to its primary occupants first.

"Gentlemen, please put your weapons away. We'll send over a round of drinks in apology for this incident and to show we value your patronage here."

Then she shifted her glare back to Robyn, clearly intent on only giving her a few moments to comply of her own volition.​

 

[MidwayLives]

It appeared the bouncer had finally arrived, a terror of muscle and frills that loomed over the table ominously. She turned her boom to its primary occupants first.

Grey was so caught up in his thinking that he'd completely pushed the incident out of his mind.

It wasn't until the Bouncer's arrival that he once again glanced over.

'She's..;quite muscular...'

​

 

[Gus Gungus]

The curtain behind the counter was drawn back, and the bartender from before returned with satisfied eyes and a jittery glee to her step. She stood with her back to the darkness beyond, no explanation offered or intended to be as to why Winter had not returned as she smoothed back her disheveled hair.

"Next?"

"Me, me!" Cobalt volunteered delightedly, rushing forward to follow suit.​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

The last resistance member who was going to throw down in the pit fights was a late arrival. Well after the others had filed in, the doors swung open as Yang pushed her way in with a calm smirk. She'd shed her usual huntress outfit for one far more familiar to the bars and clubs of her own Remnant, save with the addition of a long black glove that disappeared in the outfit's sleeve, hiding one of her arms entirely. Her eyes briefly roamed across the patrons, briefly narrowing at one patron in particular, before she scoffed and strode towards the bar itself with a predatory confidence. Any similar treatment to Winter she got on entrance was met with a knowing grin that showed a little bit too much teeth and from eyes that were too vibrant of a red.

She slid onto a stool a noticeable distance from the others and rapped her knuckles on the bartop a few times to get the bartender's attention, though saving any words until she saw how he reacted.

 

[Gus Gungus]

The last resistance member who was going to throw down in the pit fights was a late arrival. Well after the others had filed in, the doors swung open as Yang pushed her way in with a calm smirk. She'd shed her usual huntress outfit for one far more familiar to the bars and clubs of her own Remnant, save with the addition of a long black glove that disappeared in the outfit's sleeve, hiding one of her arms entirely. Her eyes briefly roamed across the patrons, briefly narrowing at one patron in particular, before she scoffed and strode towards the bar itself with a predatory confidence. Any similar treatment to Winter she got on entrance was met with a knowing grin that showed a little bit too much teeth and from eyes that were too vibrant of a red.

She slid onto a stool a noticeable distance from the others and rapped her knuckles on the bartop a few times to get the bartender's attention, though saving any words until she saw how he reacted.

Completely unrelated to the fracas in the corner, most the tables Yang ended up catching the more salaciously inclined eyes of fell into an uneasy silence when she shot them that look. One or two occupants of the groups she passed closest to en route to the bar even thumped their cohorts before they got too carried away with their catcalls, eyes full to the brim with terrified recognition as they started conferring with them in hushed tones; whatever was said apparently potent enough to make entire tables of hardened criminals decide to get up and leave without finishing their drinks, pale as ghosts. If the rapt demand for his attention bothered the man behind the bar overmuch he didn't show it, save for a resigned sigh as he tore his gaze away from the situation brewing with Robyn while Cookie handled it and sidled down the bar towards her, polishing a mug with a dishrag that really didn't look clean enough to be polishing anything with.

"I hate this. What is this, huh? Am I supposed to say who's there?" He mimicked her knuckle-rapping against the bar with a sarcastic air as he drew near, though a flicker of something ran by his features the moment he locked eyes with this chick, blood crimson as hers were. Nah. Couldn't be. He effortlessly reconjured his wheeling-and-dealing confidence, slicked back his greasy hair and slid the mug under the counter, throwing the rag over the shoulder of his suit.

"'Nother new face tonight, eh? What, you with the colorful cats Cobalt dragged in too? What'll it be?"​

 

[MyrtenRose]

The waitress was nonplussed as she was extricated from the man's group and urged off towards the bar, but seemed reluctant to depart even with Robyn's ushering, still looking on at the scene in horror and consternation. The idiot at the table and his friends actually seemed to believe she was coming onto him when she sat down instead, but their enthused whooping quickly turned to shouts of anger when she slammed his head down and they all drew weapons on her at once, the man trying to recover from the pitched yell her gave when it happened by shifting it into a macho growl in the last three quarters with middling success. His hand blindly clutched at the table, searching out a bottle or glass he could use to swing back for the huntress's face. "B-BIG mistake, you nosy b-"

"Ma'am, I'm gonna have to ask you to come back over this way with me."

It appeared the bouncer had finally arrived, a terror of muscle and frills that loomed over the table ominously. She turned her boom to its primary occupants first.

"Gentlemen, please put your weapons away. We'll send over a round of drinks in apology for this incident and to show we value your patronage here."

Then she shifted her glare back to Robyn, clearly intent on only giving her a few moments to comply of her own volition.​

Robyn swung her head over at the bouncer, impressively jacked as one should be, and nodded, signifying her cooperation with the demand. Her hand lightly patted the back of the ringleader's head. "Thanks for the talk, my good sir. I trust we shall not have to have another. Enjoy your drinks." She flashed a thin smirk before sliding away from where she sat and moved to stride back towards where her own drink rested, though her eyes looked towards the bouncer. "Sorry about that, if it helps. Had to step in." ​

 

[MyrtenRose]

The curtain behind the counter was drawn back, and the bartender from before returned with satisfied eyes and a jittery glee to her step. She stood with her back to the darkness beyond, no explanation offered or intended to be as to why Winter had not returned as she smoothed back her disheveled hair.

"Next?"

"Me, me!" Cobalt volunteered delightedly, rushing forward to follow suit.​

Damn it, too slow...​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

Completely unrelated to the fracas in the corner, most the tables Yang ended up catching the more salaciously inclined eyes of fell into an uneasy silence when she shot them that look. One or two occupants of the groups she passed closest to en route to the bar even thumped their cohorts before they got too carried away with their catcalls, eyes full to the brim with terrified recognition as they started conferring with them in hushed tones; whatever was said apparently potent enough to make entire tables of hardened criminals decide to get up and leave without finishing their drinks, pale as ghosts. If the rapt demand for his attention bothered the man behind the bar overmuch he didn't show it, save for a resigned sigh as he tore his gaze away from the situation brewing with Robyn while Cookie handled it and sidled down the bar towards her, polishing a mug with a dishrag that really didn't look clean enough to be polishing anything with.

"I hate this. What is this, huh? Am I supposed to say who's there?" He mimicked her knuckle-rapping against the bar with a sarcastic air as he drew near, though a flicker of something ran by his features the moment he locked eyes with this chick, blood crimson as hers were. Nah. Couldn't be. He effortlessly reconjured his wheeling-and-dealing confidence, slicked back his greasy hair and slid the mug under the counter, throwing the rag over the shoulder of his suit.

"'Nother new face tonight, eh? What, you with the colorful cats Cobalt dragged in too? What'll it be?"​

Yang waited with her wrist against her cheek, eyes locked onto the bartender with a patient smile as he made his way over, only to break it with a snort at his reply.

"You serve your mom with that mouth or just service her?" Yang drawled in a tone that didn't seem nearly as offended as the words she shot back would've implied. "This-" she repeated the knock with a goofy level of enthusiasm before her smile finally dulled into a frown "-means I hoped you were smart enough to put two and two together like half the bar already has and realize anything I've gotta say's above your pay grade, hotshot. Not exactly a high bar to clear there if some of those customers are stupid enough to try and white knight for the meat getting paid to be here." She added with a a bit of the grin creeping back in at a sideways glance towards Robyn and the bouncer. She cupped a hand around her mouth as she called over

"SHE'S NOT GONNA FUCK YOU FOR THAT, HERO~!"

She rolled her eyes before she crossed her arms and rested her chin on them with said eyes closed.

"Tell boss lady the dragon wants a word. She can finish with whoever the hell 'Cobalt' is first, but don't make me wait too long, kay? Oh, but first-" she added as she cracked on eye open.

"Somethin' sweet to drink. Don't disappoint."

 

[MyrtenRose]

"SHE'S NOT GONNA FUCK YOU FOR THAT, HERO~!"

 

[Gus Gungus]

Robyn swung her head over at the bouncer, impressively jacked as one should be, and nodded, signifying her cooperation with the demand. Her hand lightly patted the back of the ringleader's head. "Thanks for the talk, my good sir. I trust we shall not have to have another. Enjoy your drinks." She flashed a thin smirk before sliding away from where she sat and moved to stride back towards where her own drink rested, though her eyes looked towards the bouncer. "Sorry about that, if it helps. Had to step in."

The shady guy snarled and made a half-swat for her as soon as she let go to save face, but it missed the mark wildly. On purpose. Though appeased enough by the offer of drinks to stow their guns away, the men were left in considerably dimmer spirits as the hulking bouncer led Robyn and the waitress back over towards the bar, well and truly sobered by such a humiliating showing on the part of their leader.



"...You had her runnin' scared, boss."

"Shut the fuck up."

Once they were back by the bar, it was perhaps a surprising development that awaited Robyn as the waitress suddenly shoved her against it with strength enough to infer the treatment she'd been subjected to by the thugs' grabby hands wouldn't have been long for the world had she put any active effort towards stopping it.



"What the hell, lady? WHO ASKED you to do that?! I need tips from bozos like that to feed my kid! You think a single one of those guys is gonna tip anybody tonight after you killed their buzz like that?!"

The bouncer, identifiable by a hilariously dinky name tag pinned to her chest reading 'Cookie', nodded her agreement.

"We're all well aware of the clientele we tend to attract here, miss Hill. If any of our girls didn't think they could handle it, they'd quit. If it ever goes too far, we make sure they're all more than capable of handling that too. Your good intentions are why I didn't throw you out just now, but you'll only get the one warning."

Yang waited with her wrist against her cheek, eyes locked onto the bartender with a patient smile as he made his way over, only to break it with a snort at his reply.

"You serve your mom with that mouth or just service her?" Yang drawled in a tone that didn't seem nearly as offended as the words she shot back would've implied. "This-" she repeated the knock with a goofy level of enthusiasm before her smile finally dulled into a frown "-means I hoped you were smart enough to put two and two together like half the bar already has and realize anything I've gotta say's above your pay grade, hotshot. Not exactly a high bar to clear there if some of those customers are stupid enough to try and white knight for the meat getting paid to be here." She added with a a bit of the grin creeping back in at a sideways glance towards Robyn and the bouncer. She cupped a hand around her mouth as she called over

"SHE'S NOT GONNA FUCK YOU FOR THAT, HERO~!"

She rolled her eyes before she crossed her arms and rested her chin on them with said eyes closed.

"Tell boss lady the dragon wants a word. She can finish with whoever the hell 'Cobalt' is first, but don't make me wait too long, kay? Oh, but first-" she added as she cracked on eye open.

"Somethin' sweet to drink. Don't disappoint."

"THANK you!" Came the barmaid's dull exclamation at Yang's input, flapping her hand in the blonde's direction without looking at her. Cookie the bouncer did, however, and that was where her gaze remained as one look at the red eyes, covered arm and fluffy blonde hair of their latest in belligerent patrons had her lock eyes with the bartender, his own lips agape as they both reached the same conclusion at the same time.



"Y-you're pullin' my leg, right? You mean you're...?"

His face went as white as the checkered patches on his suit as he frantically took the actual time and effort to root out a clean glass. Inside, his mind was racing, even as Cookie made her way over to the backroom curtain with one final glance at Yang before she lifted it and hunched her humongous frame to disappear inside.

"...S-somethin' sweet, somethin' sweet... aheh, heh, y'know how many wise guys walk in here lookin' for sugar in their drinks? Ahh, n-not that there's anythin' wrong with that!" He scrambled, his efforts at keeping up the chatty barman persona somewhat hampered by his obvious terror at the potential ramifications of sticking his foot in it. Some OJ, tequila and strawberry grenadine were splashed together with a helping of ice, the resulting concoction slid across the countertop with a 'ta-da' flourish as he took a suspiciously large step back.

"Sweet as a Vale gal in the summertime! I c-call it, uhh, the Fruity Sunset. Just don't go expecting any little umbrellas or nothin', ya dig?"​

 

[MyrtenRose]

Once they were back by the bar, it was perhaps a surprising development that awaited Robyn as the waitress suddenly shoved her against it with strength enough to infer the treatment she'd been subjected to by the thugs' grabby hands wouldn't have been long for the world had she put any active effort towards stopping it.

"What the hell, lady? WHO ASKED you to do that?! I need tips from bozos like that to feed my kid! You think a single one of those guys is gonna tip anybody tonight after you killed their buzz like that?!"

She....just let the shove land, ending up pressed against it with surprising force. She wasn't going to hit back or anything, obviously, but despite the waitress's irate mood and that shove, Robyn only smiled. "About that..." It was as good a segue to what she had planned to do next as any could be. Robyn's hand slid into one of into her pockets and when it came back out, it moved so fast that it was a blur as she pressed it into the waitress's hand. Quick for a purpose, as she didn't want any of this place's seedier customers to see it and get any ideas. Wouldn't put it past somebody in here to try and take what wasn't theirs. By it, she meant the 600 worth of lien that she gave to the waitress. "That should help a little." She didn't wait for any reply though, her eyes already looking over to the bouncer.​

The bouncer, identifiable by a hilariously dinky name tag pinned to her chest reading 'Cookie', nodded her agreement.

"We're all well aware of the clientele we tend to attract here, miss Hill. If any of our girls didn't think they could handle it, they'd quit. If it ever goes too far, we make sure they're all more than capable of handling that too. Your good intentions are the only reason I didn't throw you out just now, but you'll only get the one warning."

"Understood." She held up her hands slightly, in a placating manner. "I'll just leave them to it next time." If it happened again while she was here, anyhow. Her hands lowered, and one reached out to pick up her own drink to sip at it.​

"THANK you!" Came the barmaid's dull exclamation at Yang's input, flapping her hand in the blonde's direction without looking at her.

She snorted. "You don't have to thank me, I didn't do anything special. And even if I expected thanks, which again I don't, it certainly wouldn't be that kind, ma'am. Just trying to do what's right, no thanks necessary." Robyn briefly gave the waitress a faintly apologetic smile before she turned away to let said waitress get back to her job.​

Cookie the bouncer did, however, and that was where her gaze remained as one look at the red eyes, covered arm and fluffy blonde hair of their latest in belligerent patrons had her lock eyes with the bartender, his own lips agape as they each reached the same realization at the same time.

"Y-you're pullin' my leg, right? You mean you're...?"

His face went as white as the checkered patches on his suit as he frantically took the actual time and effort to root out a clean glass. Inside, his mind was racing, even as Cookie made her way over to the backroom curtain with one final glance at Yang before she lifted it and stooped her head to fit inside.

"...S-somethin' sweet, somethin' sweet... aheh, heh, y'know how many wise guys walk in here lookin' for sugar in their drinks? Ahh, n-not that there's anythin' wrong with that!" He scrambled, his efforts at keeping up the chatty barman persona somewhat hampered by his obvious terror at the potential ramifications of sticking his foot in it. Some OJ, tequila and strawberry grenadine were splashed together with some ice, the resulting concoction slid across the countertop with a 'ta-da' flourish as he took a suspiciously large step back.

"Sweet as a Vale gal in the summertime! I c-call it, uhh, the Fruity Sunset. Just don't go expecting any little umbrellas or nothin', ya dig?"

Huh. Fisticuffs's little show of pretending is really getting to them. Her eyes shined with just a hint of amusement as she observed the bartender in particular, though she didn't actually comment on it. She did, however, speak. "Hey, what's the best meal you have in this place, by the way? Something to go down easy with this?" She raised her drink up.​

 

[Gus Gungus]

She....just let the shove land, ending up pressed against it with surprising force. She wasn't going to hit back or anything, obviously, but despite the waitress's irate mood and that shove, Robyn only smiled. "About that..." It was as good a segue to what she had planned to do next as any could be. Robyn's hand slid into one of into her pockets and when it came back out, it moved so fast that it was a blur as she pressed it into the waitress's hand. Quick for a purpose, as she didn't want any of this place's seedier customers to see it and get any ideas. Wouldn't put it past somebody in here to try and take what wasn't theirs. By it, she meant the 600 worth of lien that she gave to the waitress. "That should help a little." She didn't wait for any reply though, her eyes already looking over to the bouncer.

The woman's features went through a rollercoaster ride of emotions as Robyn forced the lien into her palm, unable to hide a double-take at the amount. Surprisingly, however, the one they finally settled on was grumpy, tanuki ears flicking in disgruntled indignation.



"Y-yea, well, now I just feel like I'm gettin somethin for nothin'... I don't need your pity, y'know. Dontcha at least want a dance? For 600 I'll even letcha touch. Like I said, it's no big deal."

It was more reflective of her financial state than anything that she nevertheless palmed the cash, tucking it between her modest chest for safekeeping.

She snorted. "You don't have to thank me, I didn't do anything special. And even if I expected thanks, which again I don't, it certainly wouldn't be that kind, ma'am. Just trying to do what's right, no thanks necessary." Robyn briefly gave the waitress a faintly apologetic smile before she turned away to let said waitress get back to her job.

"I WAS THANKIN' THE LADY WHO DISSED YA, NIMROD!!!!!!!" Though her outburst was genuine, the way she was still lingering gave the sense she was almost reluctant to go back to serving the establishment's more typical punters. "...W-well, since ya meant well I guess it's fine... once the new Atlas bylaws come through I'll be able ta quit this crummy job'n finally get my huntressin' license, anyways. I'll never understand how that politician lady managed to get the bigwigs up there t'vote in favor of payin' emergency infrastructure tax to us nobodies in Mantle. Who knew a Schnee could be so woke, right?"

She hovered a moment or two longer when Robyn turned away, but assuming the offer of a dance wasn't accepted sighed and took the cue to get back to work, grabbing a tray and heading off to collect empty glasses.

Huh. Fisticuffs's little show of pretending is really getting to them. Her eyes shined with just a hint of amusement as she observed the bartender in particular, though she didn't actually comment on it. She did, however, speak. "Hey, what's the best meal you have in this place, by the way? Something to go down easy with this?" She raised her drink up.

"Pretzels."

He barely acknowledged her dumbass question, so focused was his attention on not offending Yang in any remote way, shape or form.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

The woman's features went through a rollercoaster ride of emotions as Robyn forced the lien into her palm, unable to hide a double-take at the amount. Surprisingly, however, the one they finally settled on was grumpy, tanuki ears flicking in disgruntled indignation.

"Y-yea, well, now I just feel like I'm gettin somethin for nothin'... I don't need your pity, y'know. Dontcha at least want a dance? For 600 I'll even letcha touch. Like I said, it's no big deal."

It was more reflective of her financial state than anything that she nevertheless palmed the money, tucking it between her chest for safekeeping.

"...….."​

"I WAS THANKIN' THE LADY WHO DISSED YA, NIMROD!!!!!!!" Though her outburst was genuine, the way she was still lingering gave the sense she was almost reluctant to go back to serving the establishment's more typical punters. "...W-well, since ya meant well I guess it's fine... once the new Atlas bylaws come through I'll be able ta quit this crummy job'n finally get my huntressin' license, anyways. I'll never understand how that politician lady managed to get the bigwigs in Atlas t'vote in favor of payin' an emergency infrastructure tax to Mantle. Who knew a Schnee could be so woke, right?"

She hovered a moment or two longer when Robyn turned away, but assuming the offer of a dance wasn't accepted sighed and took the cue to get back to work, grabbing a tray and heading off to collect empty glasses.

"No, what I meant was I wasn't--nevermind." Robyn just shook her head, though she turned back to face the waitress. Her lingering was not lost on Robyn, and the huntress leader briefly glanced over the rest of the place. It wasn't that hard to imagine why. When she turned back it was with a hard to read look. "Our kingdom could always use more huntresses, so it's good to hear that." The face that it was Schnee doing so, however, was what had her expression briefly troubled. She shook that off as best she could and spoke again, though it was only so that the waitress wouldn't have to reluctantly go to deal with the rest of this place's current occupants. If she had to witness somebody do this, so they wouldn't have to deal with worse people, then so be it.

"Wait. A dance...wouldn't be bad. Don't read too much into that." ​

"Pretzels."

He barely acknowledged her dumbass question, so focused was his attention on not offending Yang in any remote way, shape or form.

"Oh." She replied over her shoulder. Well that was definitely out of the question. Pretzels weren't good enough, especially given the shady nature of this place.​