16138/Another Night At the Lux

Another Night At the Lux
Date of Scene:	22 March 2024
Location:	Club Lux, Melville
Synopsis:	Just another 'Normal' night at Club Lux. A student gets in trouble. Logan asks some questions of Nick and Sinister getting some answers. And possibly more questions as a result
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Sinister, Wolverine

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Ah Thursday night. For college students with the mastery of their class scheduling, this is the true start to the weekend. And what better way to blow off the steam from their overpacked four day class schedule than to go out, party, get drunk, possibly stagger home with someone they met only to regain consciousness somewhere around late-Friday to early-Saturday with a pounding headache fueled by regretful decisions?

There is none better.

While not Friday night, the Lux has a respectable crowd of such persons seeking their fun, along with a young professional population networking for their respective businesses.

And then there is Nick. Seated at the bar, Beer set a bit to his right and a notepad directly in front of him. Despite the club sounds going on he seems reasonably focused upon what he is writ-

...wri-

Ok. Scribbling out.

Nick sighs, taking a moment to get another sip of beer.

Sinister has posed:
In some logical universe, this is not where one would find Sinister. Sometimes, the purview of Lux is tantalizing, the high fliers and the wheeler dealers seeking to get closer to the Light. But collegiates are all about the potential and a lot of hormones. This therefore, has the doctor sitting close by in the very back of his usual vulturing booth, where he sits with arms stretched to either side along the back of the apolstery, staring down the night through the green-tinged lenses of his lennon spectacles. It's the thousand yard stare of someone likely tuning out all the absolutely constant chitterchatter of the inebriated minds of youth... or he's thinking about how he'd control an entire continent. This is always a possibility.

A tall flourescent green drink sits on a coaster nearby, frosted and sweating condensation down the smooth planes of the glass, as of yet untouched. An ashtray awaits, a cigarette prepared, but as of yet unlit.

"You know, this is very like having to sit in a room full of first grade violinists who have yet to manage to make the strings sing. I'm sure there's a virtuoso here somewhere, but they all sound like badly played pennywhistles to me at the moment..." is muttered.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Perhaps it is the distance, or the sheer amount of chaotic thoughts. But there are some thoughts that aren't quite of the drunken mind. But, Nick's thoughts are not going over violin pieces. But there is the presence of a rhythmic beat playing in his mind.

A student shoves over to the side of him, making a slight thump against the counter as he orders. The rhythm playing in his mind ends up adding the sound in, blending it with the rhythm, It takes a few repeats of the thought before the tone gets massaged into the sound, improving the bass line.

The glass of Guinness sets down upon the counter, freeing up the hand to take the pen in hand. A series of notes get jotted down, recording the basic rhythm playing in mind.

Wolverine has posed:
Desperation brings about cheap booze. And cheap booze is at few places. That's where the Lux calls to many like a siren's song. It's why there are so manyy college kids. Cheap does not equal PBR, especially at the Lux. The owner, and his lover, would probably be offended by the notion of the place serving that swill.

Logan shows up at the place. He's not sure what brings him here, besides the booze. Logan's ocean blue eyes roam about as he moves thorugh in his simple jeans, a yellow flannelt shirt and the medium brown bomber jacket that still looks new even if it's starting to show the wear. He'll go through the standard procedure to get into the place. No cutting in line or pushing himself forward. Just nicea nd ordered, for now.

Sinister has posed:
"Well, I won't interrupt that process, it's liable to just leave you staring at me like I spoke gobbledigook..." Essex observes of the engrossed musician at the bar, shaking his head to himself. Attention roams, a brush here, a drowning out there, a change of desire in another, just because there are a few things he will not tolerate, despite being who he is. One does not do certain things in polite society, you see.

And then, he settles to looking askance across his bicep, through the crowds of bodies, the merry makers and the hopefuls, to settle with a brief, but intrigued tilt of the head. "Well, you probably aren't supposed to be here, are you?"

Yes, Lux has bouncers, has demons on the staff, but when it's mostly students, there's only the skeleton crew. Lifelong trauma /isn't/ what it's all about, no, no, no. Maybe they missed that clever little deceptionist.

A sniff is given, then another at a familiar kind of sweaty leather, flannel, woods and musk scent in the air. And that mind, perpetually slightly angry and permanently tinged with feral. "And what are -you- doing here?"

This to himself, because frankly, nobody would hear him right now.

Slowly he rises, makes his way firstly toward the strange mind he felt, rather than the bar and the inevitable angry Canadian.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick plays the rhythm over in his head until he writes it down fully but with the final stroke the sound drifts off into the background of his mind. Pen setting down, he reaches over to grab his drink, sipping it before he takes a moment to observe the gathered crowd.

Pale eyes observe the familiar doctor making his way through the crowd. Nick glances curiously towards the direction Sinister heads, trying to figure out who is being approached.

Wolverine has posed:
Logan makes his way through the line. And before long he's back in familiar surroundings. Despite any illwill toward the owner, Loigan has been here a few times.

dull blue eyes just drink in the crowd. "How many of these are lab rats," he says very low before even making it to the bar.

Sometimes Logan thinks Sinister's various ventures are just giant control groups. Something to tinker with. Soemthing to test on.

Before long he makes his way to the bar, "Beer. Imported. Leave the top on. I'll open it when I get it," Logan waits to get serve that drink.

Ocean blue eyes return back to the people to drink in the details.

Sinister has posed:
In some ways, Logan's not wrong. Pretty much everything Sinister does, has a purpose, a reason and an ultimate end goal -- the observer effect though is a known quantity and it might not necessarily enhance the end result if keenly made. So. There are nights like these, analyses that will no doubt be cogitated at four in the morning when everyone else is decently asleep.

But right now, Sin's on route toward one of the 'wallflower' spots by the men's washroom. Where the glassless people hang out; those whose lot is not the half-empty or the half-full, but those that never managed to catch the barman's eye in the first place.

He taps a young man on the shoulder, shaking his head and pointing toward the bar in silence. There's indignation on the part of the youth, who rightly is probably wondering who the hell this fellow is, right up until the hellfire gleam in the depths of Sin's pupils catches for a moment and he smiles THAT smile.

And so it's with a young man that looks like he SHOULD belong, that Sin arrives at the bar, lightly shoving the youth into a seat. "This one's one of yours, I think..." in the general direction of the Wolverine. Kid smells familiar, but does NOT look like /she/ is supposed to. A minor shapeshifter and mentalist, truancy was an issue BEFORE she got to the school. If only she could be taught, eh?

What's served? A bottle of Hacher Psorr -- a rather potent and very rich tasting german malt beer. In a bottle. With the cap still on.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Nick's attention moves across the crowd, a glimpse of another familiar face comes into view. A brow lifts in response but he quietly watches the shorter man approach the bar. He lifts his beer, taking another sip as he hears the order put in before he sets the glass down.

"Evening, Logan." The rocker greets the teacher. Pausing as Sinister brings over one of the clubgoers with an explanation to why.

It doesn't take long to figure out what's going on. But he can't really condemn them for doing what he did when he was much younger. Although, he has to admit it's a lot easier to sneak around when people don't really care what you're doing.

So with nothing constructive to add to what will likely be a dressing down of the hidden student, Nick gives a slight smile before occupying his mouth with more alcohol lest he say something off again.

Like mentioning attack puppies.

Wolverine has posed:
Logan is going to stay here for a bit. He'll give a nod to Nick. Taking the bottle of Hacher PSorr, Logan will pull out his keys. Attached to is a bottle opener, aka "The Key to Happiness."

"Psshhhht" the bottel goes as he removes the top. A moment later, he starts to take a pull from the drink. Breathing out, he savors how it tastes. Sinister and Lucifer don't sacrifice quality. He can agree witht hat at least.

"How ya been kid?" Logan will ask as he just decies to figure out why so many come here that are the ocllege crowd. Their tastes shouldn't be so refined yet.

Sinister has posed:
"Sit. Stay. Elsewise I shall tell you a cautionary tale about just who it was uncovered your sorry little masquerade," Sinister informs the defiant looking youth, who pales when 'she' realizes who is having beer at the bar. The swallow is visible and she melts into the regular kid she is, unable to concentrate terribly hard on maintaining her power. Sinister taps the bar. "Orange juice," with an indicator to the youth.

He settles himself on the bar stool then, giving a half-glance at Nick. "That's not the point," he says, to an observation and empathy on life choices that was never voiced but there's a snort as he takes up a cigarette and lights it without a second thought.

"That one's fielded at you, I think." The comment toward Nick, but he points to his eyes and toward the young truant meaningfully. Got my eyes on you.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As one of the seats near the bar is now occupied by student, Nick glances to the notebook in front of him. With a slight movement of the hand, he closes it shut before sliding clip of the pen along the cover.

When Sinister responds to his wayward thoughts, Nick blinks. "Well at least I didn't say it out loud..." He responds, giving probably one of the most half-assed defenses for having the audacity to have his own thoughts.

Pale eyes look over to Logan as the next words out of the teacher weren't directed to the student but apparently him. Sinister's confirmation gets a nod.

"I'm doing alright." Nick replies to Logan. "...I think we'd call this one of the quieter nights."

Wolverine has posed:
"Yep. Quieter," Logan says knowing this place can become quite the hot spot, no pun. His ocean blue eyes looking over everything as he works on his beer. He looks back toward Nick, Sinister's new "project" and eventually Sinister.

"So, this is as close as the place gets to bein' 'Normal.'" Logan just idly comments and takes another drink. Honestly, he's been here in a suit and on busier nights. To him this is laid back, metaphorical collar undone type of event for the Lux.

Sinister has posed:
Project? There is no project here, other than perhaps a long and protracted road to recovery for one student at Xavier's school. The nonchalance does give Sinister cause to stare a long moment, then to hit up his phone. "Janice, please bring around one of the cars. We've got an underage shapeshifter needs a ride back to Westchester, in one piece and with sanity intact. Yes, that means do NOT let her near the bouncers on their smoke break..." There appeared to have only been a 'boss' on the other end of the line, then a click when the woman hangs up.

"It's actually pretty normal here more often than it isn't. The vast majority of people that come here are just ... people. There's a lot of money to be made on the backs of people and Lucifer's rather good at it."

As is Sin, but we'll not mention that.

"You missed the last charity event. It's like we're trying to put this respectable face on."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Based from the lack of a reaction to the term assigned to him, it's apparent that Nick is not a mind reader. Or at the very least not eavesdropping. But the comment to the 'normal' statement gets him glancing back over to Logan. Pale blue looking to the waves. "Well, I've played in a lot of clubs and I'd be hard pressed to call anything that goes on in one 'normal'. But, I'd consider the Lux to be extremely high up there in terms of security. And other factors aside it makes it one of a few places I would feel comfortable coming to on a regular basis when I'm not working."

As Sinister brings up the last charity event, Nick nods, smile rekindled, "Oh yes. I know it wasn't like the adoption event but you should have come. But, there should be other events like it later, right?"

The last part of the sentence seems directed to another which is confirmed by Nick tilting his head back, exposing his throat as he looks to Sinister for an answer. Who better to know? Well, other than Lucifer.

Wolverine has posed:
Sinister does have a point about the money. Logan won't argue that one. His gaze just slips back to the people. He'll see the shapeshifter and shake his head. If Morph were around, maybe he could whip that student into shape.

That hope Logan had in the school again may be waning.

"Valentine's Day?" Logan might have gotten a flyer there. He knows there's a reason to be respectable. Lots of them, even ones he doesn't really think about. Hard to say what those oculd be, but he has some ideas.

"I've been to here a few times n' know the owners. Trust me, this is normal," he says to Nick and the comments about no club is ever normal. Logan thought maybe Betsy would be here, or even Rogue.

Sinister has posed:
In Logan's defense, they often are. Just not tonight. Although not Rogue, this isn't really her kind of bar.

Watching the student get escorted out, Essex relaxes a little in the wake of it, but only a little. There is a naturally surly disposition sitting not that far away, after all. THe question has him cogitating. "I think so. Although it's unlikely that there'll be anything happening for easter. It's not really in the cards, unless we strip everyone naked and dance the rites of spring, which I doubt most would wrap their heads around. Or maybe that's just me, finding it a bit gauche...." he glances at the dancers in their cages "...frankly I suspect some of the clientelle wouldn't even notice."

Clearing his throat, he nods to Logan. "The Heart foundation earned a sizeable donation and the club a decent tax write-off." There's always motivation, outside of altruism. Reputations and notoriety do have to be maintained after all. "That was the trigger for Betsy asking Nick the question, I think."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well that, and she had to borrow me for something already." Nick confirms, giving a slight nod. There was also the incident in the hotel room. But that would probably take some explaining if brought up so... skipping over that. "Hence the still deciding but already helping conversation last time around."

A hand sets on the countertop, gently tapping upon the countertop. "...Well, I'm spoken for when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Last time around at the shelter went by without incident so I can probably do the dinner prep again..." Nick pauses, considering potential holidays after Easter. "Is there anything of note before the Fourth of July?"

Wolverine has posed:
"Bring up optional clothin', it'll bring a crowd. Even if there's some weird ritual crap that's gotta be done fer it," he thinks it would bring out a crowd. The non-protesting, patron buying kind. Garish, or not, people like nudity.

And there's one of the reasons Logan thought of. That tax write off. His ocean blean eyes then slip to nick.

"What the hell did she ask?" Logan asks wondering a little bit more in detail. Betsy didn't ask for things unless she needed, or wanted them. Not in a too proud way. In his mind, she's a bit shrewd. Knows when she needs something and when she doesn't. It makes her requests matter. They don't come at the drop of a hat.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister keeps quiet for this one, eyes tracking onto Nick. The man shared with the terrible two-o, but that's not to say he'll share with everyone. Not Sin's place to proffer, is it?

His smoke is indulged, shaved to a cherry cone and he leans back, listening. For now at least.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick glances back over to Logan as he asks for details. Being that he knows Logan's involved with the group, it's "Well, she asked a lot of questions. Why I stopped playing larger venues, more info on Wade- But the one he's referring to is most likely where she asked if I'd be willing to consider coming on board in a more official manner. And If I would be so kind as to play professional niceties with a person of interest so she'd have time to snoop around his place."

He shakes his head, reaching over to his beer, "That one she put into motion before asking. So I guess she knew the answer to that one already."

Nick brings up the glass to his lips, taking a long sip.

Wolverine has posed:
Logan's just quiet on that one. Taking a pull from the beer. "I feel like we're chess pieces. Board's all set just waitin' fer the first move," and he will finish off his beer and set it down. He contemplates leaving for now. "Don't disappoint the lady. She can be fierce," he says matter of fact like then gives a nod of parting to Nick. A look will be given to Sinister, just neutral. Sinister gets justa kurt nod. At least its' prgress.