Tails of Alpherion: #003 Handsome Devil

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THREE

After spending nearly an hour splashing around and enjoying the visual spectacle with a few other enthusiasts, Sam makes sure to keep her promise to Najera. She manages to spot the pier where Tails and Sails is perched on and offers to go have a look before calling it a night. Najera immediately tries to talk Samantha out of it, but is unable to resist the sad eye Sam gives her. Najera begrudgingly relents, but deep down she is eager to see it up close and personal. Neon lights pulsate from the pier, matching the color of the waves crashing against its pillars. As they draw closer to the bottom of the venue, They both can feel the bass hitting them methodically. Najera's excitement begins to manifest and she can no longer contain herself. Samantha catches her swaying to the rhythm of the beat out of the corner of her eye. She laughs at her, but Najera doesn't care. She even tries to include Samantha but she vigorously declines, comparing her dancing to that of a blind drunkard and avoiding her grasp.

Najera finds herself at home in this sort of element. Najera pays for their access with soggy money and then tightly takes Samantha by the hand. She wastes no time in pulling her off to the side, going over a strict set of rules for when friends are out partying. These rules are universally known as "girl code", and Sam tentatively hangs on to every word. After the lecture, Najera guides her towards the ideal place for them to keep a clear line of sight on any exits or each other. It was not long after they had chosen a spot to dance that others began to show up to join, offering glowing bracelets and necklaces.

Samantha wastes no time in creating separation from them, making a quick retreat to give Najera and the other guests all the room they need. Samantha manages to find a nook in the corner of this massive rotunda. The music is immensely overwhelming and takes some getting used to, but so long as she can keep Najera in her sights she can remain calm and ignore her anxiety. As she timidly sits still and takes in the view, it does not occur to Samantha that she is sitting at the far end of the bar until the barkeeper introduces himself, mistaking her for a customer.

"Yo! What's up! Would you care for anything to make your night a little more upbeat?" He shouts over the blaring music at Samantha.

"Uh, no thanks, but I appreciate you for asking," Sam responds, never taking her eyes off her friend. Only a couple seconds pass by, and he makes his second attempt to strike a conversation.

"That one over there...she is your friend, right?" he presumes while wiping out a wet glass.

"Oh, yeah...I'm here with her." Sam nods.

"Oh, I see! So why not join her? Is dancing not your vibe?" he assumes. Samantha feels a little uneasy about attracting his attention away from his work, but she doesn't want to blatantly ignore him either.

"No, not really...I don't actually come to establishments like this," Samantha responds, finding the stranger's questions slightly bothersome.

She finally turns to catch a glimpse of the faunian speaking to her. She is instantly greeted by a charming smile that leaves her frozen solid. The handsome face of a young male panther meets her gaze, and he patiently waits for a response as he sets down the glass and leans against the bar. His tank top tightly hugs his toned physique and his fur possesses a sheen that can be mistaken for glass. Samantha opens her mouth to speak, but the first few words were dead silent. Realizing that she is mumbling rather than speaking over the music playing, she gives her head a quick shake and tries again. Regaining her composure in the process.

"Uh...if I'm taking up space...I will be more than willing to move," Sam says shyly.

"Oh nah, you're fine...uh, I mean, you're good. You can stay put!" He replies, trying to hide his face behind his hand shamefully. "My bad, that sounded so weak."

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