[OPEN] Are there some aces up your sleeve? Have you no idea that you're in deep?

[totallytrustworthy]

Date & Time: 8/ 5
Location: a less than reputable local-run bar
Characters: Chloe Frazer and YOU POSSIBLY
Summary: Chloe's Exsilium birthday! One year spent in this place means it's a good time to get into a fight or two, right?
Warnings: Punching. So much punching.

Easy, big guy. Trust me, it's all just a misunderstand-- [Chloe clips her attempt at diplomacy short: opting for the more appealing route of keeping her head fixed firmly on her shoulders as she flattens herself-- palms pressed against the wood of an old, barely standing bar table and what scattered playing cards are left in unorganized heaps along its beer-soaked surface-- just as a glass bottle whizzes right past the top of her forehead to catch (and shatter) on the edge of the booth behind.] --ing.

[There's a pause. A beat for the bar's patrons to play a game of connect the dots where point A is Chloe Frazer, point B is a somewhat average game of cards and point C is a volatile meltdown resulting in one of the larger local sorts hurling insults and glass at a notoriously disreputable conwoman. Clearly she's the innocent party.] Or not.

[And from there on out, the booth and table are abandoned; barrier set aside in favor of mobility. Or more accurately, in favor of an all out brawl. Something Chloe's capable of holding all on her own, of course, but there's the matter of closed spaces and less than friendly faces and really, it's the right thing to do to lend a hand to a girl in need, isn't it? Come on. Chivalry can't be as dead as they say it is.

Besides, all things considered, it's technically her birthday.]



[ooc: Feel free to jump in and lend a hand or prod at her once she's bashed a few skulls and is cleaning up the mess, much to the dismay and disapproval of the locals! In fact, everything she does is just in poor taste. You should probably stay far, far away.]

Comments

[alittlesweptup]

[Receiving a note that Chloe's off playing (which isn't the proper word for it at all - not when she's usually fair to good at it) at card shark isn't terribly surprising news, though it's the sort Charlie finds himself strangely pleased to get wind of. If she wants to run a few easy scams and call him round to spectate, he's not going to complain. Doubly so if it means he has an excuse to mull everything over a pint.

What he doesn't expect is to shoulder his way through the door of the grimy bar and find himself on the edge of an all out brawl. It's all flying fists and broken bottles, an unholy racket of clattering furniture. Charlie can just make her out over the press of stranger's shoulders, scrapping along with her fists (and teeth probably; likely a few knees to groins and a boot or two where boots definitely don't belong).

Charlie pauses a moment, yet to be swept up by the turmoil. It'd be easy to step out, let her do whatever she likes, and wait for her to either be thrown out on her ass or run everyone into the ground. Instead Charlie takes a moment to push his sleeves up before he cold clocks the nearest bloke with a vaguely threatening expression and wades out into the fray in her direction.]

This doesn't look much like cards!

[totallytrustworthy]

No? [She might not be saying it, but yeah, all right, seeing him turn up when she's ankle-deep in it is a change of luck she'll gladly accept. When she's done returning the favor of a solid jab to the chin (sending the poor bastard to her right stumbling off against the bar) Charlie wins himself the brief flash of one very lopsided grin.]

Shit, what've I been playing all these years.

[alittlesweptup]

[Christ. That flash of her grin makes his widen sharply, ducking as someone takes a swing at him--] Someone's going to have to teach you how to do it properly. [--and popping back up to land a blow to the same bastard's ear, setting the man reeling. It's a cheap shot, but bars are made for them.]

[totallytrustworthy]

We'll schedule a few lessons later, professor. [The gap between them's closed, easily, and Chloe takes the opportunity to drop her weight, shift the angle of her stance, and put down the brute Charlie's just done in with a perfectly precise kick to his knee.

Just a little insurance that he'll stay down for the count.

--not to mention being closer to the ground, out of sight and well below the fisty-regions of the crowd, sets Charlie up as the main target instead (after all, one massive, well-trained thug is a much more immediate threat) which means she's free to double back over towards the table, and all those eagerly abandoned marques...]

[charming_jerk]

[Johnny is usually the guy starting the bar fights, but lately, he's been a good boy. Mostly because most of the bars in town won't even let him in anymore, due to his obvious looks as a Transport, and the fact that he's trashed half of them already.

Also, the training he's been getting from Coby has made him so much stronger lately, that he was legitimately concerned about turning an old fashioned fun bar brawl into a murder scene.

Now the one night, in the one bar that actually let him in, a fight has to start. He was sitting alone in the corner, hood of his jacket up so hopefully the less-tolerant wouldn't have noticed him. Just having a quiet beer after unwinding after training, then some pricks had to gang up on a lady. Nope, not standing for that.

A white hand suddenly reaches out and grabs the back of the head of one of the brawlers near Chloe, and suddenly the man is shoved face-first through the table as it shatters from the impact. Johnny simply drops him and peers at the rest of them from under his hood.]

Anyone else?

[He shoots a glance to Chloe. Your move, lady.]

Sorry for the delay! I was on vacation :')

[totallytrustworthy]

[the sound of fractured wood catches her attention while she's busy wrestling with one of the thicker brutes, and it's not until she lands a solid punch under her opponent's ribcage (sending him down stumbling, clutching at his side in pain) that she has a chance to glance over in the direction of that unexpected distraction.

And she spots the table-- the wreckage-- and some poor bloodied sod curled up in the middle of it, someone mostly (possibly?) human looming just a foot or so off, staring presumably in her direction from under the shadow of his hood.

Jesus Christ, she's going to die.]

No, mate. No, I think I'm good... [Or she was, at least, before backing cautiously away from Johnny leads her right into the thug she'd nearly decked moments ago and he decides to grab for her arm in an attempt to start up round two. Right, well, so long as she doesn't pick a fight with the newcomer, she supposes she's got a shot at getting out of this in one piece.]

np!

[charming_jerk]

[The guy who got smashed through the table is out cold, and the few other men around it had frozen for a moment to take in what just happened. But as soon as the guy makes a move for Chloe, the others leap at Johnny. He grins wickedly. Guess they didn't learn their lesson. Johnny's always been fast, and he manages to dodge one of them while the other practically jumps on top of him. They hit the floor, but a moment later, that guy is tossed at a wall, where he cracks the drywall and hits the floor with a yell. Ignoring the other guy for now, he turns to see how Chloe is handling her foe, and if she need help.]

ohh lord

[justgo]

[Tess has been nursing a drink outside the bar, preferring a breath of fresh air compared to the stuffy, overrun nature that local bars usually prefer. It's just enough to get her head clear, but maybe halfway through the beer she hears the crash of glass, looks over her shoulder through the open doorway. She waits a few minutes, wondering if the trouble is really worth getting into a fight.

Turns out it is, which is why she leaves her beer by the door and moves in casually. It's when she spots someone waiting for his go that she taps him on the shoulder. It's how she sucker punches him, and throws herself into it.

Somewhere in the struggle she stumbles back to regain her footing, looks over in Chloe's direction.] Hope this isn't a private party.

I think you mean 'oh hell yes' c:

[totallytrustworthy]

[She's a bit preoccupied with the skirmish when Tess cuts in, hands full with a pair of cocky twenty-somethings that she's doing her best to keep from backing her into the nearest corner.]

By all means, [they're not toting about rifles; it's hardly a life threatening scenario so much as it is a happy accident, but spotting a familiar face amongst the crowd is a welcome stroke of luck, and Chloe's more than happy to share the load. There's only a slight pause as a particularly swift right hook grazes the side of her jaw. Oof.] --help yourself.

my fingers got away from me whoops |D

[justgo]

[A wince of sympathy for the almost hit before she's getting a hold of her bearings and ducking to avoid the same fate. Just a nod before she's going for a low blow, shoving her knee right inbetween the offender's thighs. Then it's a punch to knock him down and she moves on to the next person.]

So what'd you do? [She isn't saying it's her fault, but...]

[deadelfwalking]

[It's getting hard for Koltira Deathweaver to enjoy a drink in peace these days. The locals are less kindly than ever, especially to someone who looks so obviously out of place. He's been doing his damnedest to keep his aggression in check, as usual, but when he walks into tonight's randomly selected bar and sees Chloe about to get hit, he just can't restrain himself. It's one thing to go after Koltira; it's quite another to go after his friend.

He stalks through the agitated crowd, not minding their glares or mutters for once, and reaches to grab the elbow of the man about to swing his fist at Chloe's face.

Koltira mutters as he digs his gloved fingers into the man's skin, pressing right down against the bone, his soft voice full of rasping threat.]

That's no way to treat a lady, my friend.

[totallytrustworthy]

[For once in her life, Chloe's not scoffing at having someone else step in on her behalf. That she could handle any of the trouble aimed in her direction is a given, but handling a livid target isn't high on the list of things she'd like to happen in her day, and any help Koltira can offer is help she'll easily accept.

Koltira's current victim, on the other hand, isn't nearly as pleased. That he turns on his heel to attempt a low jab at Koltira's side with his free hand in revenge is pretty much the world's worst surprise.]

Wouldn't if I were you, mate--

[deadelfwalking]

[Definitely a poor decision on this guy's part. Koltira's not in any mood to deal with insolence; ordinarily, he would have pushed his attacker to the ground and let it go, but not tonight. Tonight, he just grabs that jabbing hand by the wrist and squeezes -- hard enough that the bones start to break.

He keeps his speaking voice neutral.]

Step away, or you will find it very difficult to enjoy any kind of drink ever again.

[bloodsnap]

[She hears the fight starting before she sees it -- if there is one thing she can thank the curse for, its her ability to sense trouble brewing. Kaelyn's head picks up from her drink just in time to spot Chloe getting swung at once. Twice. Once more people start to use the excuse to jump in, she knows its only a matter of time before someone opts to swing at her as well.

That would not turn out well for them.

Rather than wait for the fight to come to her, she'll try and end this on her own terms, slipping off her stool after finishing her drink so that she might slip through the throngs of people throwing fists and flipping tables in order to catch a man about to crack Chloe over the head with a bottle.]

I know its poor taste to crash a stranger's party--

[The worgen pauses as the man turns on her and she's forced to step aside to allow him to get in a fight with the person behind her when he misses his swing. So long as she doesn't get hit, she's certain she can keep from transforming even here.]

--but these folk ain't playin' fair.

[totallytrustworthy]

No one ever does, love. [While Chloe can't spot it from the mess she's managing on her end, the assumption that the newcomer's on her side-- that she's assisting in some way-- is there from dialogue alone. She catches an elbow with her shoulder, stumbles, and uses the momentum of it to turn on her heel and return the favor (with interest) to the snarling bastard's forehead.

Mischief relatively managed, Kaelyn earns a quick once over from Chloe. ]

[bloodsnap]

[Kaelyn is most definitely making a point to dodge rather than attack -- perhaps a little too well for what her victorian-esque attire might suggest. She closes the distance between her and Chloe swiftly while there's an opening, catching a fist coming for both of them with a glowing green hand. Whatever spell it might be, the bar thug seems to calm down almost instantly.

She doesn't let go of him right away, if only to hide the way her nails and fingers lengthen from the attack its brushed off with a charming (and slightly awkward) smile.]

Lose a bet, did they?

[theconsummateconman]

[After the past hour or so spent chatting up the bartender, Victor concedes that she's just not in the mood for company tonight. He decides to order one last drink before closing his tab for the night when suddenly the dull roar of the bar erupts into a cacophonous frenzy. Sully swivels on his stool to see what all the hubbub is about when a bottle shatters at his feet.

Startled, he stands, ready to defend against any more incoming projectiles. Instead he sees none other than Chloe Frazer, playing cards scattered around the ground, and a couple of pissed off thugs.]

Well tonight might be interesting after all...

[He stands and approaches Chloe, planting a supportive hand on her shoulder, ready to help her deal with the riff raff.]

Damn, whatever happened to good old-fashioned strip poker?

[totallytrustworthy]

Who says that's not what we were playing? [It's a joke, but she's grateful for the sound of his voice. Means she doesn't have to go this one alone. Particularly when one of the lot goes right for Victor's throat in an effort to knock him right out of the way.]

[theconsummateconman]

[Victor chuckles heartily, Chloe's gung ho attitude proves infectious as always.]

I don't know, I've done some pretty crazy things, but even I've never played strip poker in a bar while it's still open. Either way, these assholes are clearly a coupl'a sore los-ACK!!

[A pair of hands attempt to wrap themselves around Victor's throat, but Victor manages to punch the assailant in the gut, allowing himself a window for a quick reversal, ending with the stranger in a headlock. Sully shakes his head and calmly addresses the man choking in his arm.]

Tsk, tsk. How goddamned rude. Can't you see the lady and I were having a conversation?

[The guy starts to go limp, and Sully slaps him twice on the cheek to bring him back.]

Apologize!

[It's more of a series of gasps and half curses that escapes from the jerk's mouth, Sully rolls his eyes and offers Chloe a playful smirk. Well, I tried. He grunts laboriously and grabs the man's collar, tossing him into a pile of toppled chairs. Sully rubs his shoulder, rotating his arm to loosen up, before turning back to Chloe.]

I'm guessing this is about more than a few sour bets?

[tearsinnajar]

[The expectation that the evening would come to blows had long been floating somewhere in the back of Elena's mind, so it's not a terrible surprise when a fight breaks out behind her while she's up to get drinks.

Great, here we go, she thinks to herself, leaving said drinks on the bar and weaving into the chaos to keep some of it off Chloe's back. Perhaps the woman brought it on herself, but that doesn't mean she deserves a bar-brawl beating.

It's been a long time since Elena's thrown a proper punch, as her fist is quick to remind her. A man's jaw does not make for a nice cushion for the bone and tendon of her right hand, and she swears through the pain.]

You couldn't just play a nice game of go fish or something?

[That's as much admonishment she can give to Chloe between blows.]

[totallytrustworthy]

[The sound of Elena's successful-- and somewhat painful-- punch doesn't miss Chloe's ears. Neither does the mild chiding that follows. Given the circumstances, the fact that they're up to their ankles in ballroom blitz, it's enough to spark a wide, cheeky sort of grin. Some days it's just nice to get a slap on the wrist from someone who's always been good for it.]

Bit hard to win-- [Chloe stops mid-sentence to clothesline an oncoming brute, throwing the bulk of her weight into it and turning her voice a touch hoarse from the strain.] --a month's worth of salary playing that, don't you think?

[tearsinnajar]

Uh-huh. [Elena keeps a ready stance, fist throbbing, and watches Chloe tear into the thug. It's unsurprising that she has a knack for this sort of thing. She probably gets into bar fights all the time.] I think you just like looking for trouble.

fasionably late as always (on both accounts)

[assworthsaving]

[He is indeed late. Drake wasn't sure about coming in the first place but Elena chided him for even getting that notion in his head. And, well, it's not like he still had issues with Chloe, no. Not entirely. They are at least on amicable terms since their little mishap where they ended up trapped together, though the whole mess with Flynn is still something that hangs over him...

But one he temporarily put aside. Besides, spending some time together, trapped, injured, and nearly helpless, made him realize how much he missed his old friend's company. And just for this particular occasion he went ahead and got her a little something.

Hence why he's late.

When he arrives at the entrance to the bar carrying a medium-sized box, he stops when he notices the eerie silence on the other side of the door. Weren't bars supposed to be rowdy? His suspicions get the best of him and he reaches for his gun, holding it out as he shoulders the door open.

And what he sees when he steps inside both explains the silence and freezes him in place as he surveys the bar. Or what's left of it.]

Whoa--

[Unconscious bodies of the bar patrons are scattered everywhere along with broken tables, glasses, plates, to name a few. Those that remained conscious looked like... well. They looked like they just lost a fight. Or were involved in the one that broke out in here.

Man. He really could've used a good brawl. Drake shoves his gun back into its holster and approaches Chloe amidst the damage, stepping over a few bodies along the way.]

Did I miss the cake?

Fashionably, really!

[totallytrustworthy]

[Chloe's busy dusting off her trousers by the time he lopes onto the scene, and if the glance he gets looks proud in any way, shape or form, it's because she is.]

And the party favors-- unless what you're holding is a stand in.

he's wearing a slightly clean shirt for the occasion

[assworthsaving]

[He made a mock sigh of disappointment, though took note of how proud she seemed before shaking his head.]

Not exactly. [He held up the box (that contained a grappling hook) for her to take.] Something told me you might be able to put this to use.

[The gift is partially meant to tease her for falling through the floor in that building they both got trapped in, and partially as an actual gift. Could come in handy in a place made up of rundown buildings, right?]