Topic: Excerpt from Act II: The Paragon, Changing of the Seasons
FractalDactyl started this discussion 13 years ago#28,045
Anika softly walked through the dried muck and grime coating the alley, filth left over from the last time this place had flooded. The streets begged for a good storm to roll in and wash it all away, at least until the sewers overflowed and flooded the place once more. She hugged the wall and kept tight to the corner as she peeked out to the building across the street. The Season Bar, a two bit excuse for a club with terrible food and music that was even worse. Sadly enough, it was one of the "gems" of this section of the city. It wasn't hard to stand out, though, especially when muddy streets, dilapidated buildings and overgrown lots were your only competition. But the place saw enough activity, whether it be someone who just needed to get out of the house or some kids of questionable age trying to get their hands on some booze. Generic club music echoed from the door as the bouncer opened it up once more for another crowd of guests. Anika had always thought she would never find herself in this kind of hole-in-a-wall joint, but then again, she didn't decide other peoples' schedules.
At this time of night, The Season was in full swing, but one special guest had yet to arrive. What would a guy like the Paragon be doing hanging out in a seedy place like this? Doesn't he have somewhere better to be? The woman pondered, keeping her eye out for the man in question. Normally she might find him at an expensive gentleman's club or perhaps a high-class restaurant, but it appeared that the backwash of the city was his guilty pleasure. Lucky for her though, because she wasn't exactly dressed for any of that. A girl could get into this place wearing grungy sweats if she wanted to, as long as her chest wasn't completely flat. Anika had become tired of waiting, and then, as if on cue, a limo cruised down the street, making a clean stop in front of the club. Both the vehicle and the shiny white-suited man stepping out of it stuck out like a sore thumb, but he liked things that way. The Paragon wasn't much for subtleties, even in a place where it took very little work at all to be noticed. It was too bad she had to slink around like this, because she wasn't much for subtleties either. She watched him and the two women he was flanked by enter the club, laughing the whole way in. It did not take much more than a pretty face and maybe something on the side to be the Paragon's company for the night, but that was a dangerous game to be playing. Sure he could fill your pockets but he could also easily replace you. Running through a mental checklist, she crossed the street into the club.
Anika waited on one side of the dance floor. The place smelled like sweat and vomit and it made her sick. Her water was practically empty, so she was left to chew on the chips of ice that remained. Finally, the ass hat danced into view. As usual, the Paragon was soaking up all the attention. Another piece of eye candy was pressed against his side already, and the two girls he had entered with were nowhere to be found. It took all of her willpower to stay in her seat and let him make the first move. I can't be too hasty around this guy, I'll get myself killed. She cracked her knuckles and got up from her seat, moving to fold herself into the crowd. "Just be cool, Anika, be cool..." She muttered under breath as she hid among the rest of the people on the dance floor...