Late for a Party

[Anya™]

A white form spotted with black slinked through the crowds, senses alert and muscles tense. She was supposed to meet someone here, but she doubted that they'd be here now. She was over an hour late. Great.. That's the last thing I need on my agenda. Getting yelled at, she thought sourly, her audibles laying back against her head. Her icy blue eyes darted around toward the back tables where her friend said to meet, but she didn't spot her. With a small feline growl, she stalked to the table in the farthest and darkest corner, one to suit her mood, and leaped on top of a chair. The snow leopard glanced around one more time, in case she was nearby, then shifted into her human form.

"So much for a party..." she muttered, leaning back in the chair and crossing her arms over her chest. Her ruby red hair curtained the sides of her face, giving a light to her icy blue eyes. Her outfit was the same as before--a white shirt belly shirt with short black sleeves. Across the front read "Pet me. I bite," with a smiley face right under the saying. A few holes and ripped threads decorated her deep blue jeans that she wore and she had a pair of black and neon green shoes hidden underneath the hem of the bottom of her jeans. Practically a rock princess who loved to sing and play her guitar.

[Cobalt]

Solo slunk into the club with confidant strides, sharpened claws clicking against the hard floor, the cheetah being the only cat without retractable claws. The long, drawn out spots on his boney back and larger size clearly defined the cheetah as to being of rare breed and uniquely only to the Trainer's Pet himself, the renegade Solo. Condescending looks were passed his way, glares of contempt or glances of worry. Within a few more steps he shifted into his human form which looked almost like his animal. Lanky, emaciated body, but with light skin and chocolate brown tousled hair. His glittering green eyes didn't meet the glances of those around, merely setting his sights on the bar.

"What are you doing around here, Solo? You spy; you don't deserve to be a shifter! Get out or I'll throw you out," was a scathing remark from one such brazen young man, intercepting Solo on his beeline for the bar. Slightly bemused by the remark, or just hysterical, he chuckled darkly with a devious smirk. He crossed his long, thin arms across his broad chest, flicking his head slightly to throw a piece of hair out of his vision. No matter how much an ass-kisser Solo was towards the trainers, he was on the shifter's side. In fact his alliance with them ran deep, a leader of a rebel syndicate before being captured. Admirable, even, however no one here would believe him.

"Jeez, kid, have a drink, chill out. Save it for the cage. Then you may show me all your fancy-ass moves and I will be in awe of your supreme... fighting... glory, is it? Oh goodness I'm only giving you a bigger complex. Now, excuse me, I have some catching up to do with the only thing holy this place gives us," he informed back with the most civil yet arrogant tone immaginable. He slinked past the tight-lipped roadblock, grabbing a drink from the bar on his way past before setting his sights on the back of the room where he could savor it in peace.

Sitting down at a table next to the one in the actual corner, which was taken by rocker girl with vibrant red hair, Solo set down his drink and took off the leather jacket he adorned, hanging on the chair back. Underneath he wore a simple semi-tight black shirt which exposed his chiseled shoulder-blades as he leaned with his elbows on the table. Swivelling one arm he brought the drink up to his lips slowly and drank a sip, watching a couple girls dirty-dance on the floor. He couldn't get over how incredibly odd this whole place was. Like an alternate reality in hell. Solo even half-fancied he was home by watching their behavior.

"Damn thing..." he said perturbed, trying to itch his neck in vain due to the large, tight iron collar which brought him back into reality.

[Anya™]

While scanning the crowd for the millionth time since she had sat at the table, she noticed a small commotion near the bar. Turning her head slightly to get a better look, she saw the two males. One was much younger, a rebel at first glance. She didn't like him. Sighing, she looked at the other one. He seemed to be powerful, like he knew exactly what he was doing, but he also looked arrogant and maybe selfish. But maybe her perception was wrong. He could be a total ass, but I've been known for my bad judgement too many time... she though, returning her gaze to the table. She fiddled with the bracelet on her right hand, hating it for being there. It makes my clothes look... dull...

When Ginger heard the slight rustle of clothes and the inarticulate curse. She glanced over at the man, icy blue eyes seeming too bright in the dark interior of the corner. Something about him just irked her. Maybe the way he stared at the girls on the dance floor or just... him. "You know, if you quit being an ass or maybe quick drooling, someone might actually come over and give you a good time," she said, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. It could be the truth, or maybe it could be that he didn't want anything, but she had to get it out in the open.

[Cobalt]

He contemplated further over the girls with his metallic green eyes, continuing to scratch his neck with an index finger. Solo's attention was diverted, however, by the girl beside him who he figured was directing her comment towards him. He glanced around a bit, yes, he supposed she was addressing him. His languid gaze turned her way, noting the brilliant blue flash to her eyes. Solo was perfectly calloused to such blunt remarks from people whom he had never met before. The red-head seemed certainly a firey one. Maybe she was Irish. He snorted bemusedly, turning his sights back on the dance floor as her remark washed off his back like water on a duck.

"There's no such thing, sweet-cheeks, as a good time here," he sighed with a sqeeze of condescending sarcasm, "Besides, I wasn't drooling. Been there, done that." A light smirk crossed his soft, square features, just enough to show his clever sensibility and fearlessness of altercation. Solo's eyes didn't grace over her, but she sat perfectly into his periphial vision. So, why does one who so obviously wants to stand out sit in such a dark and dreary corner? She obviously wasn't afraid to come right out and introduce herself with such an epigram.

[Anya™]

Ginger sat forward, flames leaping into her eyes. "Sweet-cheeks?! What right do you have to call me that? It's not like you own me, you know," she growled. She sat there, half turned toward him, half toward her own table, but she just had the urge to go over and slap him upside the head. But... she didn't. Instead, Ginger just stared at him for awhile longer, debating on what exactly to do. I could just hit him, maybe claw his eyes out and get it over with... or just throw a fork at him. Works just as well as long as it isn't dodged... she thought. Or ask to settle it in a fight. See if he's even as good at that as he is with words. It seemed a good idea to her, even almost made her leave to contact her trainer, but she didn't.

"And drooling is disgusting..." she said in a low mild tone. Ginger had crossed her arms again, her icy gaze either on the floor or staring out at the crowd, but she still held attention to the man. He really was arrogant and an ass, too. "Also, if you probably cut everyone some slack and acted just a bit differently, things could change for the better. I know, because it happened to me. But I'm sure you probably wouldn't want to take advice from a girl like me. I tend to be wrong sometimes, just like my sense of judgement."

[Cobalt]

A soft, dark chuckle emitted from Solo's throat as she suddenly became very hostile over the pet name he attributed to her. Well, she did have very nice cheeks --- her face, of course. On the subject of rights he had none really to speak for, it was just a common habit that rolled off his tongue whenever he met someone. It was only an equalizer, she did call him an ass. And you didn't see him getting all hot. Solo let it go without rebuke, being a slightly more magnanimous man than thought. He turned his head to view her once again, very amused at her hypocritical statement.

"You're telling me to cut some slack? Obviously you need a dose of your own medicine, sweets, or else you wouldn't be attributing generalizations to a man who you know nothing about; your judgement is obviously flawed," was his cunning defense. A single eyebrow was arched in a 'check-mate' stare, waiting for her reply or action. From the glares she was sending him before, it seemed as if she was right hot to kill him. Good thing Solo was the fastest animal around; even though he was direly good at standing his ground, Solo could always count on his amazing speed as a last resort to run from attack. At the moment he had no real lust for physical confrontations, contented just to drink his bottle and showcase his wit with snappy one-liners.

[Anya™]

Ginger gritted her teeth together, her nails digging into the palms of her hands. He was really nerve wracking and he was doing a good job at pissing her off. "I know my judgment isn't exactly perfect all the time, but it doesn't hurt me to think it and actually believe its right. I have no solid proof you aren't fully an ass or that you aren't arrogant, so what else am I supposed to think? All you've thrown out was witty remarks that you were probably winging just to get by," she retorted. Her head was beginning to hurt and it just wasn't pretty when she had a headache. Ginger was even half-tempted to shift into her leopard form and just run out to calm down, but she felt the need to settle this little argument one way or another.

[x-x not the best.. but I only had a couple of minutes to think of something.]

[Cobalt]

Solo turned away with an incredulous smirk plastered on his face. Someone was mighty hot tempered. But he truely couldn't blame her. Besides the fact that Solo was just being Solo, stress was high around this place, most people just dealt with it differently. She and the other kid seemed likely to attack or scathe. Solo was the more degradable type, while others sought to distribute their stress on others, he merely carried it all on his shoulders until the weight was no longer bearable. And when the weight went on mentally, the weight went off physically. Even though Solo was seemingly unaffected by it all, you could tell when he was stressed as his appetite dimished. Currently he had only eaten 8 times out of the seven days (compared to that of the normal person's 21 times in a week), never breakfast and occaisonally lunch, but mostly at dinner when he actually remembered he was to eat. And that's on a relatively uneventful week.

"Here," he turned, putting his half-drank bottle of beer on her table, "You need it more than I do." was his surprisingly kind and good-natured words. He was teasing, but quite serious. This girl really needed to loosen up. A soft smile replaced his smirk, turning away - however cautious, she might've been just tart enough to throw it at his head. Besides, Solo wasn't a big drinker. He enjoyed a bottle or two, maybe a shot here or there on bad days, but nothing close to an alcoholic. However he was a recovering smoker; he was forced to quit after coming to this place which doubtfully allowed lighters. Besides, he needed as much of his lungs as he could get.

[Anya™]

Ginger was about to hit him upside the head, but when he next spoke and gave her the bottle, she knew it wasn't sarcasm at all. Her look of irritation and anger was gone already, replaced by a more questioning look. She was surprised about how his attitude had change so quickly. Taking the bottle, she swirled it around a few times before taking a drink. Ginger looked back up the the man, eyeing him carefully. He could probably be asking nicely to leave him alone, yet she doubted that could be the case at all.

So maybe there is something different in the guy after all, she thought, glancing down at the bottle in her hands. Ginger took another drink, then brought her legs on the chair to cross them indian-style after setting the bottle down on the table. Propping her left elbow on her knee, she rested her chin in her hand, looking at him. "You don't seem the type to share or give," she said, sounding as if she was talking to herself almost. She couldn't really hide the notes of light suspicion and wariness, nor the small teasing note that seemed to wedge itself in between. "What's in it for you?"

[Cobalt]

"Not the type, eh? Heh..." a soft, clandestine grin crossed his soft, gaunt face, watching her drink with hesitation. He turned in his seat, actually bothering to direct his body in her direction, a minimalistic and subtle sign of respect and intrigue. He reflected on her comment a moment, Solo wasn't selfish unless he had some blood vendetta against you. So much for first impressions. He lifted his head slightly at the continuation of her words, running familiar in his head. People just couldn't take what they get without question. Not even a simple thank you. The light flashed in his eyes, quick to give her a lesson.

"Just the sweet satisfaction of hearing you stop ragging on me - which still hasn't worked. You're a bit nefarious, aren't ye?" the nonchalant tone returned to his voice; a smirk curling at his lips. Solo was a game, in essence. You choose the right words, you get the right attitude. But, it didn't lessen his interest in her anymore, more or less curious to see the action she would take. He was feline, afterall... In any case this little fire-cracker had a choice to make. She was teasing, afterall, and if she was still in a joking mood it probably wouldn't bother her.

[Anya™]

"Nefarious? Of course. It's in my blood to be evil. And for your case, I'm not ragging on you, I'm pointing things out aloud and directly." Her own quick grin spread across her face as she picked up the bottle and took another drink. Ginger couldn't help but make things out of proportion for other people, though she knew it didn't really work most of the time. Yes, so she was very irascible, but she didn't let that ruin the fun that she was having at the moment. He seemed to turn a new leaf pretty quickly and she was rather glad at the moment that she hadn't chosen to fight him.

With a sigh, Ginger let go of trying to ignore that little flash in his eyes. "I guess I should say a small thank you... So thanks," she said, a smile playing across her face. She held out her hand right after remembering a small important rule she always followed. If they seem to prove to have some kinda goodness in them, might as well introduce yourself and get to know them to see if that small light could be a flaw. "The name's Ginger, by the way."

[Cobalt]

Solo chuckled out loud, happy to hear her answer. She was funny, a little rough around the edges, but original none the less. And purposeful scathing had now vanished from Solo's intentions. Either that or he would have to carry a beer around with him whevenever she was around... Heh. Looking at her amiably as she appologized, he nodded with an 'appologize accepted' expression, that simple thanks being the most Solo had gotten in a very long time. It was funny, from bitchy to sweet in no time at all. Thank god for alcohol... Solo discredited himself.

"Sorry, I don't shake," he shrugged good-naturedly, glancing down at his hand with a slight contempt. Yes, it was a bit rude, but truth be told, Solo hated to be touched. Hate, or fear? The two went hand in hand and he'd just rather not. His green gaze met with her brilliant blues, ravishing, however he wouldn't come out and say that. A lot of things were left unexplained with Solo. Excuses just weren't his thing and most people just didn't want to hear it. "But it's a pleasure to meet you, Ginger. If you haven't heard the rumors already, I'm Solo."

[Anya™]

Ginger scoffed lightly, but a smirk was still on her face. "Fine. Be a party crasher. Don't come running to me when someone slaps you for being inconsiderate of their feelings. Well, I practically don't care about my own. I have no use for them in most occasions since I got here. I'm just a quick judge and hope that my predictions are correct, though half the time its fallible..." She trailed off, biting her lower lip briefly. Ginger then took another drink from the alchohol bottle, nearly finishing it. "I mean... Usually I'm not amicable. Someone always ends up pissing me off and I spaz out eventually and they go the medics afterward and I end up in some stupid room with a damn tranquilizer in my hide. I blame it all on the people..."

Ginger finished off the drink, setting it down on the table. She'd gotten comfortable around Solo already, maybe too comfortable. That was a bad thing about her--she could easily be backstabbed when befriended. She glanced at Solo, hands together in her lap. "So..... What about you? Or are you going to crash that, too? I won't force you, y'know." She was a bit on the cheery side and him not really telling about himself wouldn't kill her or hurt her one bit. Ginger would most likely try to joke about it, though her humor was way out of the window.

[Cobalt]

Solo grinned and shrugged; what else was he to do? Upon listening to her brief explanations, he came to the conclusion that still waters run deep. This place seemed to change everybody, contorting them for surival almost. She too was among that group, sensing a hidden sadness from her as it were, but a sadness she would probably never show or admit to; burying her emotions so no one would find them and tear them to pieces. Solo sighed at her sudden lightheartedness next, this was all a comic drama.

"Psssh... What's to say? I'm just the remnants of a once great man, lowered to the rank of an obsequious pet - how's that for poetry? If you haven't noticed," Solo tossed his head in the direction of the pugnacious young man from before, "I'm absolutely hated by everyone, and half the people don't even know why they hate me. Like you, yes you, for example; Miss Judgement. You were so sure I was salivating over those women for some action. Well, I told you I wasn't drooling. Explanations don't come often by me, I can't even account for half the things I do, but here's one: I was thinking to myself what an illusionary hell this place is where people are so gullible. In fact, pardon my angst, but I have no desire to be touched - and being a jack-off is just a part of my sudden masochist nature; I neither lie nor tell the truth. But I didn't use to be that way. As you have no need for your emotions, I have no desire for a caress. It's a survival tactic we use to prevent being hurt. My reflexes and speed are all I have to win fights; I'm only a cheetah afterall. Training myself to give up something I like in order to keep my life is mandatory. Shit, I'm rambling." was his cynical explanation, being quite open with her. For some reason he felt keeping secrecy was a hard game to keep up, relying on a 'don't ask don't tell' basis. However, it was slightly more than that. He felt somehow that she was trustworthy enough. But there was no big secret in Solo, everything exposed itself in the end.

[Anya™]

Ginger listened intently, though she sat as if she wasn't trying get every detail she could. When he spoke of how he didn't like to be touched, she arched a brow. "But.. what about getting married or dating or something? Did you throw that out the window just for your sake of survival? Yeah, okay, so I hide my emotions and everything, try not to let them get in the way, but it happens. Every now and then, I love to just let go of everything and act normal for a change. It's tiring to be on guard every single second of your life in this place. Living a solitary life, which it sounds like you have, isn't going to last forever," she said, starting strong at first, but her voice became quieter near the end. Ginger looked at him, her icy blue eyes studying his face, for a few seconds. "I'm not disrespecting anything you think is right. I'm only saying something that seems true to me and I'm not asking for you to change your thoughts or anything..."

Ginger stopped speaking, her gaze moving over to the bottle on the table, then to the crowd. For a few minutes, she was silent, contemplating on something. He had just told her what he was like, from the inside out, or at least close enough to it. "I know what it's like to be antisocial--and that's what you seem like, too--because I used to be the same way when I first got here. Yeah, I might not have been like it before, but I just hated everything and everyone. I did everything I could to make everyone hate me. But there was one person who wouldn't let it happen." A grin flickered on her mouth briefly as she talked about Anya, her friend. "She insisted that I stopped my childish game at once and learn to be more 'sofisticated' and 'adult-like.' I guess it was just her that made me the way I am, though I doubt I grew up very much from then. Since I don't go around being a complete bitch anymore in my spare time, I dedicate myself to singing songs and playing music on my guitar like I did before I was dragged to this hell of a place..."