[PRP] The Prince of Clubs [Autumn + Cerpin]

[Green Minuet]

When: Early in the evening, following Bloodfest
Where: Underworld, Chittentown

 

[Green Minuet]

Ⅱ Autumn Vikare

In the early hours of the night, the Underworld lived up to its name: dark, lonely, and as quiet as the grave.

Standing in the lobby next to the door, Autumn waited for her eyes to adjust to the gloom. Compared to the hustle and bustle outside the doors, the club seemed to exist on another plane of existence. Unless she strained her sponge clots she could hear nothing of the world beyond the walls. It was... unnaturally still. She felt as though she were trespassing, and every breath she took threatened to give her away. It was silly. She had been invited by the owner himself. Even so her pump biscuit pounded in her throat. Beside her, Caterpal's wings buzzed like a jackhammer. Without a word, Autumn scooped the lusus out of the air and pressed him to her shoulder.

Stepping out of the dark lobby hall, the yellowblood entered the main dance floor. She took care to watch where she tread. The floor was littered with garbage—spilt drinks, bits of food, glitter, cigarette butts, discarded clothing (namely hats and shoes), streamers, deflated balloons... too much more for her to identify. While the club might have been quiet now, clearly it had not been that way for long. Several of the tables boasted loose beetles, and several more had been stacked up with empty glasses. Near the bar, leaning against the counter, she spied a dustpan and a broom. A half full garbage bag slouched next to them. She did not envy the one responsible for cleaning the mess.

After taking several moments to peruse her surroundings, Autumn remembered what she had come for. Standing up tall, wings flaring, she lifted her chin. “Hello? Is the owner around...?”

Yamashii

 

[Yamashii]

The place was pretty messy lately ever since Tevini had left. Cerpin had his bar staff keep the place semi-tidy but she had been much more diligent than the rest of them combined. Not out of a desire for cleanliness but more so to avoid leaving any traces of themselves. Like fingerprints or hair samples. Cerpin sat at the bar, nursing a glass of juice. He would've liked to down a shot of something but there was too much to do to get buzzed these days.

A voice sounded from the door and he glanced towards it surprised. He hadn't noticed anyone come in.

"Hey, over here." He called out, waiting for the troll to come closer. His tired face softened into a smile when he realized who it was. He'd seen her around the swamp countless times during his visits and even more recently, at the Bloodfest Starlight booth. It was good to see Autumn out and about. Staying in that swamp felt so depressing, at least to him.

"Dropping by for business? Or pleasure?" He didn't mind either way. He could set up a timeslot for a performance or just hang out as he finished his meal. Cerpin wasn't picky.

Green Minuet

 

[Green Minuet]

Ⅱ Autumn Vikare

“Why not both?” Autumn replied with a wink and her characteristic charm. If Caterpal could have rolled his eyes, he would have. The yellowblood reeled herself in. Folding her hands in front of her, she sized up the purpleblood. He looked worn out. Too much partying maybe? He had always seemed like the wild type, and his chosen business model only reinforced that image in her mind.

“Actually,” she began, “I was hoping for something like a tour. If you're up for it~. I'd thought a bit on your proposal...” She left the rest of the sentence dangling in the air, an unspoken question. He had offered her stage time at his club, but she was uncertain if that offer was still valid.

Yamashii

 

[Yamashii]

Cerpin set down his glass, pulling himself up out of his seat. He looked immensely pleased at what she was saying. Things were starting to heat up at his club finally and a glamorous regular performer could be just what Underworld needed to set itself apart from all the other joints around. Granted, Autumn was still pretty young but... he could arrange her performances early on in the night before things got too out of control. He didn't want Byakko to hang him for his bad influence later.

"Well in that case, the most important thing you need to see," He motioned Autumn up the stairs in front of them and reached around the corner of the side of a wall, flicking a switch on.

The stage lit up, bright colorful lights twinkling down on it that illuminated the girl in a sea of pinks, purples and blues. A small mic overhead turned on that would amplify anything she said.

"What do ya think?"

Green Minuet

 

[Green Minuet]

Autumn Vikare

“It's beautiful...” Her quiet words reverberated around the auditorium. Standing in the limelight, Autumn was dazzled, physically and spiritually. She had pictured it in her thinkpan so many times before, but... having it right here in front of her, the light glancing off her eyelashes, the vast darkness ahead, the sound of her voice in the distance, the stage beneath her feet...

A part of her wondered if she was dreaming again. But then again, the audience remained empty.

Autumn glanced off to the side. Cerpin stood nearby, a little smug and somewhat excited, she thought. She performed a slow twirl, wings easing her off the floor and in a gentle circle. Motes of dust drifted down around her, lending magic to the lights. She hovered for a moment before landing on her toes.

“Such a lovely stage shouldn't be left alone to one person. Cerpin Sugall, would you do me the honour of a dance?” Smiling benevolently, Autumn extended her hand out towards the purpleblood. Her lips quirked.