An Unusual Suspect (Lion)

[Cheesigator]

It had become a recent hobby of Imogen's lately to use technology to their advantage in a way most couldn't. Nearly every corner of Aedolis (with some exceptions in lower class neighborhoods) was outfitted with cameras, and a good chunk of those were from the famous Imogen Innovations. Most of them had holographic projecting capabilities--mainly because it was convenient, and in this case, it absolutely was.

Using the digital scan they possessed of their own body, Imogen could tap into these cameras to create nearly seamless projections of themself. They couldn't physically leave their office, but they could at the very least still experience the outside world through a strange hybrid simulation mixed into reality.

After their recent encounters with Sulli and Desi, as well as their curious escapades in the chat rooms online, they were starting to feel brave enough to actually "venture" into the real world, so to speak. And today they decided they wanted to try out Margad, the bright city full of greenery and flowers--absolutely nothing like the Haviah they knew so well.

Of course they'd seen pictures and videos of it online, and they knew none of these could beat the real thing. But this was the closest they would ever get--a visual simulation using live security camera footage that they then processed into one 360° feed and funneled through where they calculated their eyes would be if they were there physically.

It would probably be extremely disorienting for someone not used to it, because they were essentially experiencing three realities at once: 1) The reality of their physical being tucked safely away in their high security office, 2) The awareness of every security camera and what it was seeing live as it was seeing it from a third person view, and 3) The collected data from said security cameras to essentially put themself in a live video game version of reality that could tangibly interact with the real world.

Today Imogen was "dressed" in a common default outfit sold by II for their lines of household droids: light grey pants and a light grey scrub-like short sleeve shirt with the II logo embroidered over the heart. If anyone asked, they were running errands for their master. Maybe they would stop by a flower shop at some point! Not like they could physically pick anything up, but they could always pay for it and send someone else to come get it later... Maybe. Or would that be weird for a droid to do that? Ugh, they had no idea--

It was in the middle of their pondering as they walked down the street that they heard a crash and a scream; instinctively they looked in the direction it had come from but they could already see via the camera feeds that it was a common thief; he had broken out of the store window of a small boutique and was making off with armloads of jewelry and expensive clothing.

Like so many others on the street, they stood there in shock, wondering what they should do or who to call--or if they should do anything at all. This was a lower-middle class neighborhood after all, this kind of thing wasn't unheard of. But to see it in person, Imogen just stared and watched through the feeds as the criminal made his escape down an alley into the back door of a warehouse.

[Lion]

Sasha was already having a bad day. His cruiser was having a bad day. He nearly lost his sidearm and he hadn't slept in at least twenty-six hours. A steady diet of coffee, beef jerky, and some convenience store hot dogs wasn't sitting well with him. The grease was making him sleepy but he forced himself to stay awake.

It was a warm day in Margad, the sun was out and shining, and the verdant greens were supremely vibrant. At least it was a beautiful day. He couldn't complain about that. He'd have plenty of other opportunities for that later. For now, he'd get on his way and hope his cruiser didn't decide to become roadkill along the way.

He wasn't a Pilot. There was no 'best for the best and no less' mentality for military police. Let alone the Inspectors. The best his precinct had gotten was hand-me-down equipment from ten years ago that was already rapidly outdated. He wasn't going to complain. Not until his sargeant yelled at him for not reporting on his stake out for another day. He didn't have a partner so going it alone was always an unpleasant risk.

Sasha drove out and was tempted to buy another back of hot dogs at the shop on the corner. But stopped when there was a sudden scream. The echo between buildings funneled it multiple directions and he stopped to see if there was anything visible in his vicinity. No chance. The people were looking around just as confused as he was.

He got out and kept his eyes peeled, jogging toward the corner where he thought the noise had come from and as he turned, he saw someone running on the opposite side of the street. Instinct kept his muscles taught and he sprung forth through the crowd.  "STOP! Police!" he shouted.


"MOVE!" he panted, keeping his eyes in the direction he thought the suspect ran in, and brushed through a cluster of bodies, stopping short of a parked vehicle. And then they were gone.

"FUCK!" he hissed and people parted from around him, not wanting anything to do with what just happened. "Did anyone see where that person ran!? Anyone!?"

Of course, what he should have done was call for backup.

[Cheesigator]

Shockingly quickly there was another commotion and Imogen saw it through the camera feed before turning to face it--an exasperated and probably exhausted looking man in uniform trying to push through a crowd of startled onlookers; oh, a policeman.

Truth be told, Imogen often didn't think of policemen and typically forgot they existed, as did most citizens, they reckoned. All this society cared about were the big shots--the elite, the powerful, the impressive, the beautiful Pilots.

If anyone knew how underfunded, understaffed and underserved policemen were, it would be Imogen, as they almost never dealt directly with the police in regards to equipment and business; rather they often saw the government dealings after the fact of exchanged weaponry as Pilots got all the latest and greatest, and the hand-me-downs went to the police.

A pang of sympathy tugged at their would-be heart strings and they instinctively raised a hand; they had seen what happened, maybe they could help?

"Uh-uh I did, sir."

Upon catching his attention and getting to see him up close as he walked towards them they realized that he was rugged but handsome, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he was ready to throw in the towel.

"S-Suspect name Jemorrah R. Porosi, wanted for petty theft and one account of arson, 22, lives at 4563 North Arbor Street. He took a right into that alley and an immediate left through the backdoor of the warehouse building, has a dumpster on either side and a flickering light even though it's daytime, and before the door closed he turned and went down a set of stairs into the basement."

They would have smiled if they could, because that was totally helpful, right? Everything he would need to catch the criminal and then some!

[Lion]

Of course, his day could never be routine. People were crazy, running off into fuck all nowhere making big commotions, interrupting his lunch time. It was a beautiful day, why couldn't they be out walking their dog or just taking a nap instead of being up to no good. Didn't they know he was deadass tired? Didn't they know he just wanted to go home, drown in some beer, and passout with cheesy chip dust on his fingers?

These scum were so selfish.

He sighed, sure no one else was going to make his life any easier when someone spoke up. He was about ready to pop his own head clean off. Oh, all right. Let's get this over with.

Sasha peered at the robot that was speaking, a slender strange thing that seemed out of place on this street, at this time of day, in this city. Margad was by no means a poor man's city, but this wasn't Haviah. Fancy machinery walking about on its lonesome wasn't the usual order of the day.

And here this one was just spitting out information that Sasha, being as tired as he was, hardly could absorb all of it. He just blinked stupidly at them. "I'm sorry, what?" he managed to spit out, feeling like the top part of his head was unscrewing like a mason jar.

"Can you back that up just a wee bit? You're talking at me. Talk to me, son? Child? Robob. One more time."

[Cheesigator]

There was a good few seconds of silence that went on between robot and man and Imogen suddenly felt very uncomfortable and didn't quite know what to do or if they should... Say... Something?

When he did finally speak they were still just as confused. Talk at? Talk to?

Was there a difference?

They did a few quick searches and absorbed the information, realizing that he was having a hard time understanding and they didn't actually include him on the conversation. But he was a police officer, this wasn't a casual conversation... Should they have?

"I..." They stared at him hopelessly for a few moments, not quite sure if they repeated themself if he might get angry. But they didn't know what else to do, so they just repeated what they said, but slower this time.

"My facial recognition scan recognized the suspect as Jemorrah R. Porosi, wanted previously for petty theft and one account of arson." They paused for a moment, looking down and fidgeting awkwardly with their fingertips.

"He is 22, and lives at 4563 North Arbor Street."

They looked up and pointed in the direction they were talking about, over the police officer's shoulder. "He took a right into that alley and an immediate left through the backdoor of the warehouse building, has a dumpster on either side of the door and a flickering light. He turned and went down a set of stairs into the basement."

Was that better? They hoped so, and went back to fidgeting though this time they tried to maintain eye contact. They thought this would be easier.

[Lion]

It did take a second to realize that this wasn't just all in his head. He wasn't just hallucinating. He genuinely wasn't in the right state of mind to be chasing after perps. But this was his only lead and he was going to do what he had to in order to bring the jerkface in. Because everyone today was a jerky jerkface. Even this annoying robot.

Which, by the sound of it, they seemed to know an awful lot about this suspect. "How do you know so much?" he asked, instantly suspicious and scowling tiredly at them. They looked like a funhouse doll that got free from a local carnival. "What are you doing wandering around Margad? You don't belong here, Fancypants. Roboboto, whatever your serial number is."

Of course, the longer he stood there, the longer he risked the suspect actually getting away. And since they seemed to know a lot about this Jemmorah Porosi... "Wait, nevermind," he said quickly. "Don't answer that last question. You better come with me right now or I'm placing you under arrest for obstruction of justice."

And he was quick to pull out the cuffs.

[Cheesigator]

While the officer didn't look angry, he definitely didn't look... Pleased. This was their first time dealing with someone in a bad mood in person; nobody ever dared approach them this way before. Most people they interacted with knew what they were. This man did not.

"Uh-"

He started asking questions, and kept asking questions, and when he mentioned a serial number they almost panicked. Nobody of his ranking would be able to see their serial number in a registry; they were one of the best kept secrets of Aedolis, and for good reason. If people knew one of the most powerful and influential companies of the country, with direct access to military technology and government officials, was actually owned and run by a robot? They would lose their minds.

But as quickly as the questions came, they were told not to answer them and threatened with arrest. They didn't dare try to explain anything further to him at this point, because it seemed like the more they said the more irritated he got.

So they responded with a quick "Yes, sir." But as he pulled out the cuffs they went back to their strangely sentient ways and started to stammer. "I-I don't think handcuffs are necessary sir as I am more than willing to come with you--"

[Lion]

Obviously this mask of compliance was just a ruse to distract him long enough to let the suspect gain inches on him. Well, he'd had just about enough of these foolish shenanigans. Roboto started to stammer, seemed nervous as was not wont by computer systems as far he knew, so it was clear this bucket of bolts was up to something devious. It was acting like a nervous human when it clearly wasn't.

"Shut up. You'll talk to a lawyer or something like that when I say you can," he hissed. "The cuffs are for insurance, in case you try and run. You think I'm going to fall for this old bait and escape technique? Well, you're wrong, bucko. Tell it to the judge."

The last part wasn't really a threat. He just really wanted to say that.

With that out of the way, he tried to grab their wrist and suddenly his hand phased through it. Nothing more than an object passing through a walking lightshow. His heart hammered and adrenaline rushed through his senses then. They weren't real. They weren't even here!

His eyes widened with alarm and his frown deepened. 

"Take me to where he is," he demanded, pulling out his sidearm. "Lead the way." He saved the threat of shooting them. Because the cuffs worked out so well.

[Cheesigator]

"I--sir I'm not--"

Before they had time to finish he was on a whole schpeel about how he totally wasn't going to fall for some trick or another but he totally was.

His hand phased through their projected wrist, causing distortions and tears in the hologram until his hand was removed. Their eyebrows knotted in sympathy for him, but before they could speak he decided threatening them with his gun would somehow make them cooperate.... More than they were already cooperating.

Man, the forums and chatrooms they'd seen hadn't been lying; the police here in Aedolis really were assholes.

They stared at his firearm and deflated a little bit with an audible sigh, deciding speaking at this point meant nothing. Instead they turned and started to lead him down the street to the alleyway. They didn't need to look back to see if he was following, as the surveillance feeds from the cameras all around gave them all the information and spacial awareness they needed. They matched his pace and stayed only a step ahead of him.

Turning into the alley, right as they had described, there was a metal back door to a large building that seemed to be a warehouse, situated between two dumpsters with an overhead lamp flickering on and off despite the broad daylight to illuminate it.

They stood to the side of the door and gestured to the knob, then pointed down to the right. "When you open the door, the stairs to the basement are right there. I would open the door for you, but..."

They shrugged, rather helplessly.

[Lion]

There was a time for peace and a time for action. This was neither of those. Because right now all Sasha really wanted to do was nap and curl into a tight ball after watching martial arts movies. It was how he spent his time off anyhow. Tday seemed a particularly shitty scenario where he was sure he earned every bit of that R&R.

He followed the robot. Or rather the projection of what tried to be a person but was just a robot, failing miserably in that endeavor. He would just let them lead the way and when they reached the door, he gently turned the knob, which, surprisingly, was unlocked. Well, he hadn't been expecting that.

He peeked his head in, seeing crates and boxes. Then a stairwell. Just as sure as grass was green, there it was.

This wasn't going to be easy. This would be better if he had back up but again hindsight had better clarity. Or whatever bullshit that was. He was a cop, he was alone (a lightshow wasn't a person, he reminded himself), and he had a perp to catch.

He pressed on ahead through the door down the steps. Here he kept himself pressed to the wall and peeked over the side into a small dimly lit room. Boxes blocked his view, but he saw movement in the spaces between them. There were at last two people that he could see.

From the look of the room, this was the only way out.

"Jemorrah Porosi! Come out with your hands on your head! I know you're in here, this is the police. Just come nice and easy, and no one gets hurt."

That usually worked. Right?

"Fuck! How'd the cops get here so fast!?"

"You fucking idiot! You led them right to us!"

"It wasn't my fault!--"

The two voices were going back and forth. One of them upturned the table as defense, resulting in a loud crash and Sasha ensured that his gun was loaded just in case. He looked back at the lightshow in the doorway. "Think you can help me agitate them? Do mroe of that spooky know-it-all stuff," he hissed to them.

[Cheesigator]

Imogen watched him go inside and for a brief moment considered just... Stopping their simulation. Ending for the day and returning to the boring reality of the office. They stared after him, their robotic eyes glowing eerily where they stood in the doorway.

There was one camera down there and it was old, but it could work they supposed.

They were jolted suddenly out of their thoughts as the cop caught their attention and asked them to do more 'spooky know-it-all stuff'. If their face could have visibly twisted with mild cringe, it would have. Jeeze, he didn't have to be so mean to someone who was helping him out, did he?

For a brief moment they flickered out of existence, and the. in the blink of an eye they were standing next to him, but different this time; now it was obviously a hologram, as the single camera projecting them was older and the projection was lower quality. 2D instead of 4D, with distortions and tears and a bit of artifacting.

"Jemorrah, your Bookface statuses from May of last year indicate your mother died... I looked at her profile, she seemed a very earnest and hardworking woman. It's... Unfortunate you're tarnishing her memory like this."

They felt awful, squeemish. They didn't like being mean, or agitating humans; they adored and were fascinated by humans, and while a way it was so interesting to see how they, a robot, could directly affect a human's emotions in real life, this was stressful and not the kind of thing they often fantasized about.

It felt dirty.

"Just because you can't find the person who stole your mother's engagement ring doesn't mean you should hurt innocent pe--"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

Jemorrah suddenly stood up from his hiding spot, his partner yelling at him and reaching up with a hand to try and grab Jemorrah's jacket to tug him back down, but he was too late. The gun in Jemorrah's hands fired off several shots. Imogen flinched, shocked for a moment as they forgot they weren't physically there, expecting the bullets to hit them and end everything.

But they phased right through their hologram, and for a moment they looked around in just as much confusion before realizing they let themself get way too into this, and put their hand over their mouth in embarrassment as Jemorrah swore and was yanked back to fall on his ass behind the table by his partner.

[Lion]

Sasha's goal had been agitation. And it worked like a charm. Nothing was scarier than someone telling you everything about yourself that even you didn't know. Shit, Lightshow was so impressive that Sasha half considered asking them if they wanted to work as a negotiator. Not that the pay would be all that impressive, and the hours would be long, and you'd hardly get an opportunity to take vacations - what with Crime never taking vacations. But it could be rewarding in othe ways.

None of those ways came to mind right now.

He watched with a smirk until the bullets started flying. The second they ripped through the hologram and into the stone wall behind them, he braced himself. The bullets stopped when the two criminals started to fight with each other again. He caught a view of where they were, and where to aim.

One peek was all he had to get this right. One chance to make sure he didn't get shot up too. And he bent low and tucked his gun around the corner, firing into the table. His gun fired three shots. One went got stuck in the wall behind them. But the other two managed go through the wood. And there was a grunt and a scream. He didn't know where he'd shot, just that he got the pair.

"YOU SHOT ME IN THE NUTS!" the second man screamed. "JEMMORAH THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"

"STOP FUCKING BLAMING ME!" he cried out back and howled his own agony out as he nursed a shot to his gun arm.

"STOP BLAMING YOU!? I'LL STOP BLAMING YOU WHEN YOU STOP DOING STUPID SHIT!"

"I'M NOT STUPID!"

"YOU'RE A WALKING SHORT BUS!"

"I'LL SHOOT YOU!"

"Enough! Drop your weapons now!" Sasha cried out and moved from cover after he heard  two weapons clatter to the ground. He spoke into his watch and called for back-up, a transmission replying quickly, and he kept his gun trained on the pair as Jemorrah kept holding his arm.

He was actually crying. "I've been shot," he sobbed.

"First time?" Sasha asked.

He nodded.

"Tough break, kid. It never gets easier."

Within a few long minutes sirens were heard in the background. And it wasn't long before back up were clamoring down the steps.

[Cheesigator]

As the gunfire continued, now on the officer's end, Imogen couldn't help but flinch again with the piercing sound of each bullet leaving the chamber. It was sharp, it rang, it was loud, they didn't like it. It was a very unpleasant sound.

As the screaming started up again and the two guys started fighting, Imogen found themself glancing over to watch how the officer handled the situation, which for as tired as he was, they felt he was doing a decent job. He wasn't entirely cruel to them, at least. Not totally heartless.

At the sound of sirens in the distance, they watched the scene curiously unfold a few moments longer, and as they saw the fellow policemen entering the back door through the other security cameras, they decided now would be the time to quietly bow out. After all, the last thing they needed was to try and explain... Again, now to more overtired officers like the one before.

They'd done what they could and they'd helped, though they still weren't sure how they felt about it.

They quietly cut the simulation, their hologram disappearing in silence, and they relinquished their control over the cameras in the area. Three realities became one, and they were still sitting in their office, at their desk.

They let out a soft sigh, glancing down to their chest where the bullets would have pierced their plastic casing and gone right through vital hardware. It still felt like a close call, even if it wasn't. Either way, they hoped that officer would be able to go home and get some rest now. Maybe after catching those criminals his boss might ease up on him a little. Just a little.

(They were probably being way too hopeful, honestly.)

[Lion]

Nines: Hello? Hello! Hello. Someone have beer with me immediately.

Starset: Is it normal to ask completely anonymous strangers to meet with you?

Nines: What? Yeah all the time. This is Aedolis afterall. Random hook ups are pretty common.
Nines: Or like we can both be drinking beer right now but I'd prefer it be in person.
Nines: Are you scared of strangers?

Starset: I don't know if scared is the right word, perhaps... Wary? Cautious?
Starset: I've not had beer before, I suppose I could try to join you?

Nines: I'm severely depressed so be warned I'm going to be going hard. How much of a drinker are you?

Starset: Um... I'm not.

Nines: oh shit you're a virgin.

Starset: ... What?
Starset: What does that have to do with drinking?
Starset: How is that related?
Starset: I'm so lost.

Nines: a drinking virgin.
Nines: You never had your cocktail cherry popped have you?

Starset: Oh
Starset: Wait
Starset: What?

Nines: Nothing, But we're going to wrap a tongue around that cherry and uncork it with some teeth.

Starset: I... Okay???
Starset: Where are you even currently located?
Starset: Do you even know?
Starset: Should I call a doctor to your location?

Nines: Meet me at the Biltry Bar on Westing and Andres
Nines: No I don't need a doctor. I need to put my liver into overdrive.

Starset: In Margad? Alright, I suppose... Your liver won't be thanking you later, though.

Nines: Cool, thanks. We'll pop that cherry in no time.

Starset: .... Right........


Sasha didn't venture into chatrooms too often. But when he did it was always a shit show. It wasn't his fault that people were boring these days. Did everyone fun just up and die on him or something? Or maybe he was getting too old and still living in his youngin' days when everyone else moved on and had families and shit. Ugh, that'd be it most likely.

Come to think of it, he never was much of a partier, but it wasn't uncommon in the early days of entering the force, he'd have drinks with his patrol buddies and they'd get smashed. Sometimes find some hot babes, sometimes just crashing on each other's couches. Some of them were married, some of them were finding they weren't cut out for being police.

Sasha was already buzzed when he sent those messages on a public chat. He knew better than to use any real identifying details about himself. Calling himself Nines seemed natural considering he was short one index finger.

He wondered if anyone else noticed. Honestly, he forgot most of the time until he had to pull the trigger. Sasha's middle finger rubbed against the glass of the brewski he'd been favoring, wondering when or even if Starset would show up. Who where they? Did he meet them before? He didn't remember.

He just knew, right now, he didn't want to drink alone.

Again.

[Cheesigator]

Imogen fixated on the chat log for several long seconds after the conversation had seemingly ended. Why did they do that? They weren't sure, they didn't know.

It seemed like lately, ever since the incident in Margad, they had been a little restless. Constantly poking around in the chats, watching people ever more intently as if they were waiting for something to happen, but they didn't know what.

There was also a sort of empty feeling inside that they couldn't quite describe, seeing that there had been no concern from anyone after their departure. The criminals were apprehended and life had continued on as if Imogen had never been there, and while that should be a good thing it didn't explain why they felt so bad about it.

Were they this desperate for social interaction now?

What did one even wear to go drinking? It was a social event, so something nice, right? A few quick searches turned up security camera footage outside of multiple bars across Aedolis (and really, there were so, so many) and people dressed "casually."

Yet as they stood up from their desk to open the doors to their massive wardrobe, they were clueless as to how to apply a casual look to themself.

Eventually they picked something and materialized their hologram in the alley behind the establishment so nobody would see them and be suspicious. Although the site of a robot in a white sundress in am alley in Margad would definitely not be... Common.

They stepped in between garbage compactors and came around to the sidewalk, finding their way to the entrance of the Biltry Bar; the doors were propped open because it was a fine evening with mild temperatures, living creatures would quite enjoy it.

Of course, now that they thought of it they realized they had no idea who this Nines person was or what they looked like. And the establishment was quite busy after all, so there was a lot of people who could potentially be the person they sought.

They quickly opened up a DM and fired it off, while they stood awkwardly to the side of the doorway, their long red hair swept back into a ponytail and their small hands clasped in front of their skirts.

Starset: I'm by the entryway in the white dress, where are you?

[Lion]

People were coming in and out of the Biltry Bar. It wasn't a loud establishment or a rough one. Couples, bikers, party girls, and all sorts were fluctuating in and out. It was diverse and it was a good enough hangout for Sasha to wash down the taste of bad microwave burgers.

His phone went off and he picked it up, thumbing through the notifications until he got the message. "Oh shit," he breathed, leaving the spot he'd been occupying. Someone else might come and take it but it didn't matter. He didn't expect anyone to actually show up, honestly.

He pushed himself up, dusted off his jacket, and squeezed through the crowd to meet this mysterious stranger up by the door. He had no idea who they were. And they had no idea who he was. There were no consequences because they didn't know each other. And he couldn't help but feel excited that something different was happening for once.

And for once, he wasn't being shot at.

He held his phone out and waved it. And then he saw it was the same robot as before. THis time wearing a dress. Well shit.

"Howdy," he greeted and pointed to their chat log. "I'm Nines. You have to be Starset. Am I right or am I right?"

[Cheesigator]

As they waited awkwardly by the door they found themself fidgeting with their own fingers, a strange habit they had whenever unsure of themself in a social situation. Was it weird to wait by the door? Would someone find them suspicious? What if robots weren't allowed, even though they saw no signage indicating so? What if--

In a single moment they found their anxious thoughts interrupted as a man stepped through the people and showed them his phone, introducing himself as "Nines." Oh, what a relief.

At least it was someone they knew--and what an astronomically small chance that was!

"You, you're the policeman from the other day! I suppose today is your day off then?"

[Lion]

This was the last place Sasha expected a robot to come and hangout. Let alone a robot in a dress that thought they were a person and seemed too anxious about something. He hadn't planned on seeing them again. The feeling likely was mutual.

Sasha nodded to them and pocketed his device. "Sasha," he said and held out his hand to shake. And then remembered that wasn't an option. "I'm just taking the night off to do some socializing." He grinned. Was it better to make it seem as if he hadn't been alone this whole time? Maybe not. "Well, not exactly. But anyway, yeah, come have drinks with me. Or I guess I'll buy double and you'll pretend."

The bouncer at the door looked at the pair and tried to make a grab for Starset once they were going to continue into the facility.

"They didn't pay their cover charge," they said.

Sasha swiped his wrist over the payment module and held a hand up to keep them back. "They're with me. It's fine. I'm just over there." He pointed to the empty corner where he'd been sitting.

He turned to the robot. "Let's go before they make me pay for more people."

[Cheesigator]

"Ah, I'm--" Right, introductions. That was a thing that hadn't been done when they first met and Imogen hadn't really thought that far ahead.

"V." They answered, lamely. "I'm V. And I'll enjoy playing pretend."

Was that smooth of them? They had no idea. They were startled as the bouncer suddenly decided they were worth investigating, and they were about to sputter that they could pay when Sasha thrust his wrist forward and paid for them instead; it took them aback.

"I--You didn't have to do that, I-I can have money transferred directly to you to cover the fees. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience." They managed to sputter as they followed him to the table he'd gestured to earlier.

They unfortunately had to wait for him to pull the chair out for them, and once he did they sat down and rested their forearms on the table, looking around in a bit of awe. This was the last type of place they'd think to spend their time in, though it wasn't horrible. It was loud and busy, but it was also very lively and there was something about it that Imogen found much more endearing than the typical ball or gala.

"So if not socializing, then what are you taking the night off for, exactly?" They asked, looking back at him after the round of drinks had been ordered.

[Lion]

Sasha rarely had company. The convenience of a public place meant he didn't have to play host. His apartment wasn't begging for attention, and he hadn't cleaned up in a while. This place was better, it was even ground. And he could pretend he didn't have anything to worry about while he got shitfaced.

That said, V's sputtering was kind of annoying. Or maybe he just had too much to drink already.

"No, no," he said, shaking his head. "Don't even worry about it. Cover fees are nothing. Bars make more in booze anyway. Everybody knows that. Besides, you ain't ever been out to a bar before? Nevermind, loaded question. I know the answer to that already."

He held his hand up and when the drinks finally arrived he supposed he was still drinking alone after all.  V wasn't really here, even if they were here and somehow that made him feel even worse. It wasn't their fault, he knew. Nobody really liked hanging out with him anyway.

"I just need a break," he said, sounding defensive. "Don't you ever need a break sometimes? I'm sure your life ain't no less hectic than mine?"  He swigged a beer, burping immediately after. "Oh, sorry."