[ action | OPEN ] we realize happy endings are not for everyone, they're not for us

[black_black_heart]

Who: Tannusen and/or whoever!
Where: Genessia City - Velvet Lust (Please read that link if you're gonna tag in!)
What: A general Velvet Lust catch-all post. Back-tagging in the future, and back-dating now or later are both fine.
Warnings: Will add as/if needed.

🌟 OTAs, and closed threads between people who aren't Tannusen are also welcome! (Please note it in your subject line, so I don't barge in!)
Fighting, sexual harassment, or trash-talking of the LGBT nature of the patrons are all things not ICly allowed in here. Characters (or NPCs!) who step out of line will be removed from the premises.

A. [OPEN - anyone who is ICly an adult, kids simply aren't allowed inside]

It was night-time, and Velvet Lust was open for business. Tannusen could be found either at the bar downstairs, sitting on one of the stools instead of helping pour drinks, or upstairs at that bar trading commentary with the snarky bartender on duty. Either way, he was drinking tea.

B. [OPEN - anyone ICly under-age, or who just wants to]

Day or night, if anyone lingered for long enough just outside of the bar, it was going to eventually draw someone's attention.

C. [LOCKED - Velvet Lust staffers]

Before the bar opened for the night, Tannusen could be found on either floor of the establishment. Stocking things, fixing something, or... even lounging around as a tiger. Staff were always allowed to come and go for several hours before opening time.

Comments

OTA

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou was a regular at Velvet Lust. Most often, he was upstairs enthusiastically shaking his ass to the music. Off-beat, sometimes... did he do that on purpose? No one knew for sure.

But, he was also fond of sake.

And sometimes fond of less... noise.

So, tonight he was downstairs, seated primly at the bar with a warm bottle and a saucer cup before him, cheerfully chatting up Bob the bartender in between delicate sips. The patron to his right wasn't terribly interested in talking, but the seat to the left of him was empty. How long it'd stay that way was anyone's guess.

A - OTA

[generalgrievous]

The tall alien cyborg had entered the establishment and while looking somewhat out of place, he also looked a little lost.

In fact, he was looking for somebody in particular and he had heard a rumour that he worked here. Namely the droid known as K-2SO. Instead of asking anyone at once to find out whether the droid was in fact working there or on duty tonight, he stalked around, eyeing the patrons menacingly.

[black_black_heart]

Look, there was one person in the multiverse who actually scared Tannusen. Maybe two, if you counted his ex-wife on occasion.

This cyborg was neither of them.

If someone was stalking around like they owned the joint, Tannusen was sure to hear of it.

Thus, Grievous was stalking around... and then after a little while, the pooka stalked along just behind him. Hands clasped behind his back, the long coat of his current fancy suit swishing faintly against the backs of his legs. Tannusen had even gone so far as to affix a serious expression on his face.

Patrons who had been nervous, before... now there was a slight murmur of laughter among the regulars.

[generalgrievous]

The laughter caused the General to halt - his own long cloak pooling behind him - and he look around with narrowed eyes. Was that directed at him?

He spoke to the room as a whole.

"What is so very funny?"

[black_black_heart]

No one here was going to give the Faerie up and ruin the game. Several people grinned, but no one pointed out the man who'd also paused just behind the glaring stranger to mock-glare about as well.

Look, this was apparently what was happening now. It was in vogue. Tannusen was trying it out.

Was he going to start moving again?

The giant cat in human skin waited to find out.

[generalgrievous]

For a long moment he did glare at those who were grinning then he let out a frustrated growl and began striding across the room, occasionally glancing around. He was clearly looking for somebody or something.

And obviously not finding it as he continued to search.

[black_black_heart]

Aaaand Tannusen resumed marching along behind him on strangely-silent boots.

One of the wait-staff joined in behind the boss. Very casually, just finished dropping something off and then kind of... ended up behind them both. If the stranger didn't catch on after that, a minute later one of the regulars joined in as well, though he didn't bother to try to look serious.

It was turning into a bloody conga line, now.

[generalgrievous]

He didn't notice for a little while longer but then he turned abruptly and saw the bunch of people far too close to him. He took a step back, looking defensive. His clawed hands grasping the air at his sides as if he's a cowboy about to reach for some guns in a duel.

"What is this?" He demanded. "Are you following me?"

A - OTA

[k2so]

Kay has changed jobs very recently and, while he can be found in Velvet Lust, he's still memorizing the bar's design. He comes back to his usual place after making sure no one was causing trouble or in need of help. He spots the cyborg quite quickly, if only because it's a rare sight.]

General Grievous, how unexpected to see you here.

[generalgrievous]

[It took a good bit of searching but finally, there the droid was.]

I have been looking for you.

[k2so]

Then look no more, here I am.

[Kay sounds cheerful. Not because he's particularly happy to see the general but because he happens to be in a good mood. He likes his new job, you see.]

How can I assist you?

[generalgrievous]

It wasn't anything of a critical or urgent nature. I need to know how often you are working and when you can be available.

[k2so]

My shift changes but I work as much as I can because we need the money. Mostly at night and during weekend. I can probalby leave if there's an emergency.

[He figured that he can just talk to Tannusen if anythign happens.]

A

[tevinteraltus]

Dorian really didn't know what he'd expected from a place called Velvet Lust. Wait, yes he did. It was a brothel, correct? No? An upscale gentleman's club with nothing to offer him aside from better than average drink?

No...it wasn't that either. There were several attractive men about the lower bar, a dark-skinned man smiled at him as he entered, and he returned the flirtatious smile with one of his own, but the weight of the rather large file he'd compiled under his arm reminded him he had business to attend to before pleasure.

He recognized Tannusen from the conversation they'd had and the mage moved to the bar, clearing his throat before taking a seat on the stool next to him, placing the inch-thick folder before him before turning and smiling at Tannusen. The lighting overhead glints on the bits of sunstone sewn into his clothing, as well as his shining metal accents and buckles.

"Good evening. I come bearing gifts. You Tannusen, are you not?"

[black_black_heart]

And there was a pair of women at the end of the bar who couldn't more clearly be on a date, feeding each other bar peanuts in some kind of amusing game between the two, and stealing sips of each other's drinks. Cute as hell, really. Tannusen had been watching them a little here and there, not gawking of course, but always pleased as punch that the downstairs bar was considered a nice, safe place.

Upstairs, Velvet more than earned its name. Down here, it was all very warm and mellow.

"That would be me," Tannusen confirmed, his attention shifting to Dorian accordingly. The pointy-eared platinum blond was pretty easy to spot, he knew. He eyed Dorian up and down with a growing smile, which only slightly stiffened when he noticed the folder.

Ah, right. That. Yeah.

[tevinteraltus]

Dorian slid the file across the bar in Tannusen's direction. The title, he'd penned in elegant script in the title field was simply On Heaven and Other Such Divine Destinations by Dorian of House Pavus.

"A bit heavy for reading at a tavern, though, I'd say." He cast his gaze around the bar, taking in the sights and catching the eye of that bloke he'd seen when he walked in again. The man's lip twitched upwards in a smile and Dorian's did the same in response before he took a breath and looked back to Tannusen.

"This is...quite the establishment. I've not seen it's like before." Because looking around, he was beginning to glean its purpose, and there was something like warmth in his chest around the idea. A place to be comfortable, welcomed? Was that too much to hope for?

[black_black_heart]

"People can mean a lot of different things, when they say that about Velvet," Tannusen noted almost absently, resting a hand on the file.

[tevinteraltus]

Heavy business, that file was meant for, and Dorian knew it. It was one of the reasons he was decided to keep the conversation light. He didn't expect Tannusen to read, or even begin to peruse, the report here, in the bar.

"Ah, yes. Well, I simply mean...this place seems to cater to a...certain clientele." He cast his gaze around the bar once more. "In my homeland, such things are...not spoken of in polite society, let alone given their own place to exist."

[black_black_heart]

"Well, it's a gay bar," Tannusen sighed, and picked up the file to hand to the bartender. "Put that in the office, will you?"

Best he's not just staring at it, isn't it?

"I mean, we let straight people in here too, of course, but it's supposed to be a safe space for the LGBT community. So if some straight cis idiot talks trash about it, we throw them out."

A [Closed for Tannusen]

[reachnotflexibility]

It's been a couple of nights since the incident at the circus and Garrus wants to check up on Tannusen, make sure he's doing okay. Because despite what he said about being unharmed, he had looked like shit. He's also hoping to learn more about this Szelhamos and his connection to Tannusen.

It takes a few minutes for him to find the man, who fortunately looks like he's not tending bar tonight. He orders a drink before taking a seat at the bar next to him. "Tannusen, I'm not sure if you remember me. I'm Garrus Vakarian. We met the other night?"

He's trying to keep it vague enough that unwanted listeners won't know what they're talking about. This is a private matter, after all, but one he felt should be handled face to face. "How are you feeling?

[black_black_heart]

There's not a speck of blood to be found on the pooka, and his immaculate, subtly-pinstriped white suit is a far cry from the ragged black robes he'd been found in just outside of the circus grounds.

Tannusen glances over when the guy sits next to him. His too-blue eyes are perfectly focused, now, even if the easy smile that graces his lips doesn't quite reach them.

"Yes, I remember. The drugs wore off in time, all is well enough now."

[reachnotflexibility]

Garrus' gaze hardens for a second while he tries to ascertain whether or not he's telling the truth. He does look like he's doing much better. Hell, had he not been there he probably wouldn't even suspect the man had been such a mess then. He nods after and takes a sip of his drink.

"And your head? And don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. I saw the blood." Why he had kept it hidden in the first place was beyond him.

[black_black_heart]

"I'd already healed the damage to my scalp before you arrived," Tannusen shrugged one shoulder, "but it's a repairing spell, not a clean-up spell. A human scalp is very thin and fragile and easily-cut."

And a Faerie one wasn't any better. Not his when in human form, at least.

[reachnotflexibility]

Garrus knows nothing about magic, so he's just going to have to trust that the man had that taken care of. He nods, accepting it. "Glad to see you doing better. I was wondering if you could tell me more about what happened with Szelhamos? Does that kind of thing happen a lot, him poisoning you?"

He knows Tannusen says he poisoned himself, but he's pretty sure that's bull. Guy must have tricked him or forced him into doing it.

[black_black_heart]

Something about that wording just amuses Tannusen to no end. It gets a chuckle out of the pooka, and he rests his chin on the back of one hand, wrist bent sharply so that his fingers curl against his own throat, his elbow on the bar.

The tiger's watching Garrus like he's just the most precious thing ever.

"You make this sound like domestic abuse," he points out, "but I'll play along. I'm not pressing charges, officer."

Hey, he's from Earth.

He's a biker.

An ex-carnie.

He's dealt with cops in some form or other, before.