[Christian Savino]

[nospaces]

WALK SLOW AND LOW ON A TIGHTROPE

hope it lasts but you know, you never know, you never know...

[break]

[attr="class","quailfoot-text"]Margo had invited him out for a night at the Illusion Lounge. Like most outings with her, it'd been beyond wild and time had absolutely flown by. They'd tossed back shot after shot, danced, and performed a spirited duet of "You're So Vain" (until Margo fell off the stage, taking Christian with her by the neck of his shirt). Now he was seated by himself at the bar, nursing a healthy buzz and looking a little mussed as he waited for her to return from a run to the restrooms. [break][break]

"Where'd your friend go?" A voice asked, prompting Christian to look up from where he was absently scrolling his phone, the straw to his fruity, frozen drink poised idly between his lips. When he found the question's source — a slim-looking man leaned against the bar with a quirked brow and easy smile — he straightened. He studied the man's face for a second longer than was necessary before pulling his gaze toward the restrooms and drumming his fingers on the bartop. Margo had been gone for a hot minute, hadn't she? "Between you and me, she's probably getting sloppy with someone in the bathroom." It wouldn't be the first time and it wouldn't be the last. It was kinda Margo's thing. She was a wreck. And he loved her. [break][break]

The man smiled wryly and chuckled in a way that was too-obviously ingenuine (though well-practiced). He dropped his eye to the bar then, without lifting his head, glanced back up through his lashes. "Lucky them." Christian barked a quick laugh — just a single, drunken "ha!" — and shook his head. "Have you seen this club's bathrooms?" The stranger did it again — dropped his eye to the bar with a sly, sneaking grin as if amused or contemplative. Christian immediately got the impression it was an attempt at seeming mysterious. Coy. Probably the guy's go-to move when singling out potentials sitting alone. "No, I haven't. Would you like to show me?" [break][break]

Christian tipped his head with a slow blink, somehow both amused and flabbergasted at the stranger's boldness. He certainly got points for being forward. But... that was about it. "No, I don't think so," he said after a moment, turning back to his phone and taking another sip of his drink, suddenly disinterested in the man's otherwise okay approach. "I don't think I could ever be drunk enough for that." It was Margo's thing but not his. And, though admittedly somewhat handsome, Dude was not his type. The stranger moved the tiniest bit closer, propping himself more steadily against the bar. "Then what are you drinking? I'll order another." [break][break]

Christian smiled thinly, lifting his eyes back to Dude's face and giving another small, decided shake of his head. "Just take the no, man," another stranger piped up a couple seats down and Christian turned, first to appraise the other person, then to offer an amused, agreeing nod. When he swiveled back, the first stranger was already slipping away. Well... that was fair. Lifting his drink, he shot the second stranger a quick toast before polishing it off, wincing at the cold. Then he glanced again toward the restrooms. He supposed it was about time he asked a woman entering or leaving if they happened to see Margo passed out on the floor in her own vomit. [break][break]

That wouldn't be a first either.

[break]

all this time you're just tryin' not to lose it[break]
you can always learn to fly, you never do until you do it

Tag: Open![break]
Feel free to approach this however the heckie you want. [break]
Also feel free to incorporate Margo in any way if you want to as well.

[newclass=.quailfoot-text b]color:#3B3F88;font-size:8pt;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif;[/newclass]

[googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Annabelle Lucas]

What's goin' on on the floor?
I love this record, baby, but I can't see straight anymore

---

It hadn't been long since Annabelle moved to Los Eurosia. She still didn’t know many people, but a couple of the other dancers in the upcoming show invited her out to the Illusion Lounge. It was the place to be, and the place to be seen, they’d told her. It had been a grueling week of rehearsals all day followed by evening beginner ballet lessons, and that was followed by late nights as a cocktail waitress at a bar down the street from her apartment.

All in all, she kept her schedule packed, but it was necessary to afford an apartment downtown (even one the size of a postage stamp), without having several roommates. She’d been there, done that, and did not want to live with other people again if she could help it. Especially not strangers. In a pinch, she could call her parents for access to her trust fund, but she was determined to try to make it on her own merit. Even more than that, she didn’t want to waste what was supposed to be insurance for the future, if she ended up failing. Not that she intended to fail, but in a business as competitive as dancing, it just took one mistake or injury to blow it.

Once she arrived at Illusions, Annabelle looked for Lola, KC, and Jamie, but couldn’t find them anywhere. A couple text messages later, and she learned that Lola had the stomach flu and KC and Jamie had gotten into a huge fight, so none of them were coming. They’d all assumed someone else had texted her. Annabelle wasn’t bothered in the least. It wasn’t like she knew any of them very well to begin with, so she may as well salvage the night on her own.

Annabelle wasn’t alone for long before some cute guy came over as she finished up a shot. ”Next rounds on me. Make it two, please.” He ordered the shots with a cocky smirk on his face. Annabelle looked him over from bottom to top. Well dressed, tall with toned arms but not bulky, clearly he’d taken time styling his dirty blonde hair just so, and piercing blue eyes that held her gaze. Pretty boy cute.

”Alright.” She smiled, and clinked her shot glass against his before downing the floral, clear liquid.

”Oh my god, what is that?” He laughed, even as he scrunched his face in disgust. ”That’s terrible.”

”Elderflower liqueur.” Annabelle answered, amused by his reaction. It seemed to be an acquired taste.

”I should really learn to ask what it is before drinking it, huh?” He mused out loud. ”Okay, after thoroughly embarrassing myself, would you like to dance?” He motioned to the dance floor.

”Absolutely.” Annabelle let him lead her out, around raised arms and swaying bodies, until they settled into a clearing. She danced with him for several songs, then the group he had come with wanted to leave, so he reluctantly went with them.

When she was alone again, Annabelle took to dancing with whoever looked willing, moving between one person to the next pretty rapidly, no one really catching her attention. She paused for shots here and there, snagged a couple of phone numbers, put the wrong number in some jerk’s phone when he was being pushy about it, and just enjoyed herself.

She watched the stage, different faces and different tunes blending together. She thought about going up there, but it wasn’t as much fun when she was completely solo, she didn’t have anyone to bounce song ideas off of or to drag up there with her. She noted when a couple of hotties were up there singing, then cringing for the two of them when the girl fell and dragged the guy with her. Ouch. That had to hurt.

Annabelle went for another round of shots, then realized she desperately had to pee. It was the sudden need that only crept up after a couple shots too many, but couldn’t be ignored. She brushed her way past the crowd, thankful there was no line outside this bathroom. She realized why as soon as she walked inside. The floor was sticky and somehow slick at the same time, making walking high heeled shoes slip and slide, then decidedly stick in place.

”Ew.” Annabelle made her way in and out of an open stall, and over to wash her hands and refresh her deep red lipstick. While she was reapplying, someone walked out of a stall quickly, then out came the girl who’d fallen from the stage. Good for you, girl. Annabelle though, glad falling hadn't ruined the hottie’s night. She turned back to the mirror, finishing her lipstick and making sure it was perfect.

”Shit!” The girl went down, again, landing on the bathroom floor with a thud. Her shoe had apparently decided to give out, whether from the state floor or the fall she’d taken before was unclear.

”You okay, cutie?” Annabelle offered a concerned look, but it seemed like all the girl could do was laugh. The partner she'd been with in the bathroom had taken off already, and no one else seemed inclined to help her.

"It least it wasn't a totally wasted night!" She answered through her laughter.

"Here, let's get you off that nasty ass floor." Annabelle moved to help the other woman back to her feet.

"I loved these heels! I've been betrayed!" She declared, loudly, slipping out of both the broken shoe and the intact one. She didn't seem to be bothered by the strange substances on the floor, and went to take a step forward. "Okay, that hurts like a bitch."

"You're hurt?" Annabelle looked down and could see that her ankle was starting swell. "Oh, damn. You need help getting back out there?"

"Yes! Thanks for helping a girl out."

Annabelle wrapped an arm around the woman to steady her, and led her back out into the main room. She listened to her direction, pointing out where they should go as she hobbled along.

"There he is! Oh my god, BB you won't believe what just happened!"

---

Christian Savino
Let me know for changes, especially if i should change any of the Margo stuff.

[Christian Savino]

[nospaces]

WALK SLOW AND LOW ON A TIGHTROPE

hope it lasts but you know, you never know, you never know...

[break]

[attr="class","quailfoot-text"]Christian continued to keep his attention divided between the door of the women's restroom, his phone, and the people that slipped up to and then away from the bar close to him. He decided he'd give Margo just a little bit more time before he pulled someone aside to ask them to check in on her for him. [break][break]

About half of that time had passed when a man — looking slightly disheveled — pushed through the door and lingered there, adjusting his belt as he cast a (far too proud) look around. Christian's lips parted around the straw of his replaced drink, then promptly pulled into a grin as he chortled a laugh and shook his head. Again, he was hardly surprised. But dude was not Margo's best work. He'd have to have another talk with his bestie — probably as they crawled into his bed later that night, both dressed in his pajamas and groaning with relief — about knowing her worth.[break][break]

Assured now that it was only a matter of time before Margo freshened up and joined him, he looked more attentively at his phone, scrolling through messages. Fuck it, should he text Derek? He'd promised himself he wouldn't and he would probably have to send a shame-filled email to their shared ex about the relapse, but...? As he went back and forth — debating whether one night would be worth the weeks of smug animosity that Officer Sheppard would then ooze — he was saved from deciding by Margo's approaching screech (claiming he just wouldn't believe what had happened).[break][break]

"Oh, I bet I can," he drawled the words out in a cheery, sing-songy voice thick with amusement. He smiled down at his phone for a moment longer before rolling his head on his shoulders in the direction of her voice, preparing to fix her with a knowing look before he started to elbow and prod some good-natured fun at her. When he saw her, hobbling toward him while being supported by another young woman, his eyes rounded and the smirk dipped at the corners. He dropped his phone to the bar top and swiveled in his seat to face them squarely. "Or maybe. Babe, what...?"[break][break]

"Ow, ow, owiee!" Margo whined as she shoved her shoes at him and then allowed the woman to nudge her into the neighboring stool. A bit floored, Christian juggled the heels (noting one of them was snapped), then let them fall into his lap as Margo raised a long leg to prop her foot on his thigh. "Ugh, I need a Savino brother like totally STAT," she huffed, tossing her head back with a giggle only burdened slightly by a wince. Christian glanced down at her swollen ankle and sucked in a breath.[break][break]

It didn't look too bad. Honestly, they typically banged themselves up far worse on most nights out (if tumbling off the stage earlier was anything to go off). But it was obvious she was done dancing. He laid a hand over the ankle, testing the feel of the too-hot skin. Then he shook his head. "Girl, you are not getting in my bed tonight without washing these feet." They were gross. Margo snorted, wiggling her toes and sniffling. "Can I get some ice? Like, in a bag?" He asked a passing bartender, smiling wide in thanks when the man nodded and moved away. "And a round of tequila shots!" Margo called after him, conveniently forgetting her pain for just a moment. [break][break]

"Who's your friend?" Christian asked, lifting his eyes to the woman who'd helped her from the bathroom. Margo, as if abruptly remembering the woman's presence, reached out to snatch her hand, possibly afraid she'd try and slip away now that she'd been "delivered" to him. "Oh my god, I don't know!" She breathed, eyes wide as she searched the woman's face with urgency. "A queen helping a queen and I didn't even ask your name!"

[break]

all this time you're just tryin' not to lose it[break]
you can always learn to fly, you never do until you do it

Tag: Annabelle Lucas [break]
Omg, WHY do I want to make Margo (this beautiful bitch) into a PC. Empathy powers AND a wreck, plus — despite what Google says — she is AT THE VERY LEAST 6'0''?? Someone stop me. ;v; And lemme know if you need more!

[newclass=.quailfoot-text b]color:#3B3F88;font-size:8pt;font-family:Open Sans, sans serif;[/newclass]

[googlefont=Poppins][googlefont=Open Sans]

[Annabelle Lucas]

What's goin' on on the floor?
I love this record, baby, but I can't see straight anymore

---

Their destination was not far from the entrance to the restrooms, and Annabelle could only smirk, assuming the woman’s friend was well aware of what she’d been up to. His amused tone as he answered without turning told Annabelle that this probably wasn’t a first time occurrence. But girl was hot, and she had every right to go after what made her feel good. Annabelle didn’t sense any sort of judgment about it, so it seemed like she had herself a great bestie.

It made her miss Noel and Jason a little more than usual. They both had their own careers and lives, and she didn’t get to talk to either of them as much as she wished she could lately. Monthly group video chats just weren’t enough. Honestly though, these two reminded her more of herself and Jason then Noel and Jason.

Noel would never have even gone into that bathroom if her shoe stuck to the floor, let alone hook up with someone in there. She was way too prim and proper for all that, her family had instilled etiquette into her since she was a child and some of it stuck. It was always hilarious when Annabelle did something that shocked her, and then she thought about why, and the two of them would laugh about it.

Annabelle helped the woman over to her friend, and up onto the empty stool next to him. As she settled in, Annabelle lingered long enough to make sure she was in good hands. She was about to go back to the dance floor, but then the other woman’s hand was grasping her own before she made it more than a step.

”It was literally nothing. Can’t leave a cutie on the bathroom floor, right?” Annabelle shook her head, still smiling. ”Especially not one that nasty. Do they ever clean in there?” She laughed. ”I’m Annabelle.”

---

Christian Savino
DOOOOO ITTTTTT. I feel like she’d be so great. (I’m def not the right person to talk you out of it)
Anyway, lemme know for any changes! This is terribly short, so also let me know if you need more to work with.