15727/The Rain and Beaus and Brites

The Rain and Beaus and Brites
Date of Scene:	27 August 2023
Location:	Rain Beau Brite's Piano Bar - Manhattan
Synopsis:	Bunny has an unofficial fanclub (which Hellboy is hesitantly part of). Drinks are had, and the neu Beau is interveued.
Cast of Characters:	Bunny Macleod, Mark Grayson, Belinda Gutierrez, Gabby Kinney, Hellboy

---

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    Bunny had sent out her latest performance schedule to a bunch of her friends, with times and night themes when applicable. Tonight's theme at Rain Beau Brite's? The Eighties, a distant time forty years ago where the hair was big, he shoulder pads were bigger, and androids were in fact dreaming of electric sheep.

    The outside of the bar was *ALMOST* nonchalant if it wasn't for the fact that the lower part of the building was painted in Miami Pink and Teal, with RAIN BEAU BRITE'S PIANO BAR AND LOUNGE done up in brilliant neon. There's a seven foot bouncer with a three foot shoulder span and a Mr. Clean style expression at the front door checking ID's and making sure people were on the up-and-up. One guy is ejected from the line for wearing an Anti-Mutant T-shirt 'even though it's a joke, man!'

    They take their inclusion seriously.

    Inside, the piano bar looks like a weird combonation of a Homegoods Store and Oriental Trading had a hell of a night with a Barbie and Margaritaville-flavored unholy quadsome. THe booths are deep pink pleather, the walls are varying shades of teal and pastel purple. The bar is a deep, pacific blue saltwater fishtank, and there's a platform where the pianos and bands play, currently set up with a white and a black baby grand, two guitars, a bass and a drumset.

    There's a small DJ booth to the side where someone is blasting some 80's hair band metal, and people are singing along to the classic 'Cum on Feel the Noize' (Circa 1983) though the lyrics sung are replaced with 'KIDZ ROCK YA TOYS!' by the group that looks like they might have single-handedly restored Aquanet to prominance.

    There are all ages represented here, and a few obvious non-baseline humans. This seems to be a safe place.

Mark Grayson has posed:
Mark had promised Bunny that he would show up to watch one of her performances. After she shared her schedule, he didn't notice the other names on the list or more likely didn't recognize them, but he decided that he'd show up to cheer his date? girlfriend? undefined? on.

With it being 80s night, after some research, he decided to wear a long brown London Fog trenchcoat, a white 'Frankie Says Relax' t-shirt, black pants and high-top sneakers. His hair is done up - and besides the dozen white, yellow, and pink (mainly pink, lets be honest) flowers, he also has a boom-box he found at some thrift store.

Full on 'SAY ANYTHING'.

Of course, when he gest stops by the bouncer, he decided to take a chance, explained what the flowers were for, handed them over and paid the cover to the get the special 'Friendship Bracelet' entry pass.

Hopefully Bunny will get the flowers, as he goes to find a place to see the stage and places an order for a soda.

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
"...and he was being very disrespectful," the story continues as the music's volume allows. "He and his friends, all out and being Nazi-ish in front of a movie theatre of all things. Screaming and and waving signs and being cruel." Enjoying every second of regailing her listeners to her tale, Belinda Gutierrez cups her hands carefully around her tall glass and its heady colection of vanilla goodness and wholesome sugar sweet semi-liquid joy. Milkshake, for the win! "So, one did what anyone should do in this situation. Think through, reason out, consider carefully--"

Sip.

"....I punched him in the cojones. With GUSTO!"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Night out. Night out to see Bunny play dueling pianos, which was a rare and very exciting opportunity. Gabby had done her best to dress up and drag along a certain tall and broody guy who didn't get out as much as he might otherwise. Given the theme she'd opted for .... Digging out her old Laser Cat t-shirt, leggings with LEGGINGS, and a fanny pack. That might actually see some legitimate use, they came back in style, don't knock it.

The makeup though. HOT pink lipstick and enough eye liner that make it look as if she could be one of the girls in a Robert Palmer video. Somehow she manages to just pull it off as she makes her way through the line showing her ID which had gotten her in many a place, and offering over the fee.

"We're friends of Bunny's coming to see her play!" she informs cheerily with a glance over her shoulder at the big guy she was coming with. "Heard this place was inclusive. Better be," she adds a bit suspiciously but... then she did see the guy that got ousted grumbling down the block earning a nod. "Oh, good, awesome. We don't get out enough. Come on, Red!"

And with that she bounces into the venue pulling up a posterboard decorated with sharpies and glitter declaring 'BUNNY FAN CLUB' because of course she was going to have to embarass her.

Hellboy has posed:
The bouncer looks Hellboy up and down a few times. Swallows hard.

"You wanna see my ID, sport?" the seven foot tall demon asks, a hand in the pocket of his oversized coat. He's come along as Gabby's plus one, but he's a very, very large and noticeable plus one, even in this particular environment. He'd helped carry the posters in his coat when they were on the subway over here. Didn't want to get schmutz on them.

"This place looks like Elton John's rec room. The real Elton, not the doppelganger that lives there now. Poor bastard. Bernie Taupin's the meanest sorceror I ever friggin' met."

He lets Gabby do her chipper adorable fangirl thing while he goes to get a seat, nudging a waiter on the way. "Beer, longneck. Keep it comin'."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "Nah, man. Don't need to see yours." the bouncer states, and even lifts the rope so that everyone can get in good together.

    "... man that chick's got *weird* friends." he mutters.

    Inside, no one seems too peturbed by Hellboy. A couple people finger-gun at Mark. His flowers? Those are in a vase real quick, and one of the stage techs place it on the white baby grand. Some of the flowers are *missing*.

    The waiter looks to Hellboy.

    "Uh... we have seven different options. Do you want light, dark, red, pale ale, wheat ale, summer shandy?" he questions.

    And the lights in the place go down as the DJ fades out the music, and some people begin to move around on the stage.

    "Ladies and gentlemen -- and /apparent unofficially official fanclubs/." comes a voice from the overheads.

    "Welcome to Rain Beau Brite's Piano Bar and Lounge. As a reminder we are a highly tolerant establishment. We do have some bright lights and flashing strobes that can be used during our stage shows, Drag Brunches, and occasionally our video game tournaments. There may be loud music, rude language, sparkly clothing, glitter cast into the audience -- and Jimmy Buffet. Accordian use is /strictly prohibited/ in the restrooms, which have been converted to unisex rooms for the ease of anyone who's *ever* waited in line to potty in the ladies' room, which just means we added a couch to the men's room and switched out the signs. Please wash your hands and stay seated for the entire performance. There is a five dollar surcharge for any 'awoo', and as a reminder to Chad we have never and will never validate your parking or the size of your package. Seriously, that's weird. Go home. We will *never* play The Macarena, even on 90's night."

    "Tonight's performance by the Brite Stuff House Band will include -- Andrea Brandt on Bass Guitar, Thanh Petti on guitar, RRRRRosalinda Maria Sophia Ramirez-Jenkins on drums and possibly on recorder we haven't decided yet, Freda Caldwel on guitar, Irma Vargas on the black piano and synth, and for some reason a rabbit on the white piano."

     pause, and a piano roll comes out as a little light turns on over the piano's keyboard.

    "As a reminder, you can request songs for extra tips. Venmo to Hashtag TipTheRainbow with a note of what song you want to hear. Except the Macarena. And without further ado --"

    The lights come on. The band is dressed in appropriately 80's thematic gear, and Bunny is wearing a bright neon Cyndi Lauper-like get up -- along with a headband with bunny ears, and the rest of the pink flowers braided into her pink hair as the dummer and synth key up the undeniable intro to Holding Out for a Hero.

    "HELLO RAIN BEAU BRITE'S! HOW ARE YOU ALL DOIN'?!" she calls out, pulling up her mic closer as the band begins to rock out, complete with pink, yellow and sky blue lights.

(And music: https://youtu.be/LLgJ3JrtFTI?si=e8vFDMGiNVVdozYV )

Mark Grayson has posed:
While Mark doesn't fully grasp why people are finger gunning at them, he assumes because he's rocking the 80s garb. As his soda arrives, he takes a draw from it and looks around the dive bar, taking it all in.

That is until the lights go low, with the introductions of the band being made, he finds himself grinning like a loon. Yeah, that's the Bunny he knows. He takes a drink and leans back to listen to her rocking the ivories, before he gets an idea and gets out his phone.

A quick google search draws a groan.

"They're all love songs." he laments. And that is not the message that he is willing to send yet as he looks over songs with heavy piano from the 80s. Finally, his eyes flit across the screen and he lands on one. Opening the Venmo app, he taps away.

#TiptheRainbow $20 from #GreyEyeGrayson
Note: I'm Still Standing, Elton John

He's sure she has the chops for it, right?

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
The song begins, the music starts! Light and sound and-- a shockwave to keen senses. Sight and sound and scent! Focus: focus through the storm of distractions. Enjoyable, fun, and good environmental training!

Which is the *only* way she could convince Abuela of this being a reasonable idea. Though she sees Mr. Redd; she grins, ducking down to her milkshake with a giggle. Chaparoned from a distance? Who knows!

Music! And with a careful fiver slipped to the bartender, she grins, stretching her neck.

Time to prepare the 'awoo'!

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney doesn't bother to order a drink, really, other than a quick, "Hey grab me a Coke," request before she bounces closer to the stage. A quick sniff of the air draws her gaze over to Belinda, who gets a wink of familiarity and a grin as well, and then she's looking to the white babygrand on the stage. The one with flowers on it.

That earns a little lift of eyebrows curiously. Just as curiously she inhales again, deeply. Flowers. Who else here smelled of flowers? A few steps lead her closer to Mark just as he's slipping in his song request via phone and giving a tip.

"Hey. You're Bunny's new guy?" The voice comes out of the darkness near his ear. Mildly accusing. Mildly curious. Mildly just... spooky. Maybe she was hanging around the spooky types too much.

Hellboy has posed:
Hellboy leans down and gets his face real close with the waiters.

"Beer. I said beer. Nothing frou-frou. Hops and shit. If I see a little umbrella, I'm sticking it up yer keister. Oh, and a Coke for her," he says, nodding at Gabby. "Her you can give an umbrella if ya want."

Low lights are usually Red's friend. Although the people here do seem to be pretty accepting. Which is why he's allowed to go out now and not still living in a weird underground bunker in New England listening to a fish man explain Hegelian philosophy to him. Whatever the fuck that is.

Speaking of no idea what the fuck that is for Hellboy: Venmo.

He's just gonna sit here and listen to the music, cause that's what Gabby wants to do. And if he does what she wants to do, then she might go with him when he wants to go ride the rollercoasters. Quid pro quo and all that.

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    The bartender looks *very* confused to Belinda for the five dollars, opens his mouth, and then closes it, decides that it was put down purposefully by someone who brought outside food to the bar and didn't actually look old enough to be here -- so he takes the fiver and slides her a Shirley Temple on the house. Otherwise everyone's gonna want milkshakes, and they don't have a milkshake machine anymore... not since that event with The Boys and The Yard.

    "Threaten me again and you'll be ejected as nice as you please, big guy, fanclub or not." the waiter states back to Hellboy.

    He's a Manhattan Waiter at a very Gay and Mutant friendly club. They got nerves of steel and permission to bounce aggressive guests, and their Give a Shits are run out long ago.

    That being said, Hellboy receives two bottles of Yuengling. Gabby gets a coke with cherry syrup and an umbrella.

    Holding Out for a Hero finishes up, it's followed by a very poppy cover of "I wanna Dance with Somebody" https://youtu.be/r1oSnklvQIk?si=TRqRKxLYp2VPWmi5 with everyone singing along with "WANNA FEEL THE HEAT WITH SOMEBODY!" along with a couple rounds of the chorus without accompanyment other than clapping and foot stomping.

    There's a little back and forth as they go over song requests -- someone requested the Macarena. It's signed Chad <3 they have to explain their are contractually allowed to decline requests containing emojis with math symbols, as obviously everyone there can't do algebra and it just confuses them.

    One request does go through -- of course they're going to talk about Bruno. The pianists take a short break adding to the vocals, with all of the players clearly familiar with this song as they *all* sing -- except Isabel's part is backed by the drummer -- you guessed it -- on a gradeschooler's bright blue, sparkly, Frozen-branded recorder. https://youtu.be/CUbul4f8AX8?si=snv37OwCQ6Sd_4xS

    Bunny's face curls in amusement, and she goes "I think this is from the same guy who sent me the flowers -- Hi Mark!" she gives a bright grin at stage, and piano rolls right into Elton John. Except they make it Swing, with Bunny keeping the vocals on this one: https://youtu.be/v3uLLGE9oB4?si=vAvhAhqlZfoM1l0Q

Mark Grayson has posed:
The concert is going well. Really well. Bunny is every but as good as she hyped herself up to be. And she really is her best hype man. Mark had seen the Bunny Fan Club poster, but had not wandered in that direction for a simple reason.

Rule 7 of Dating Someone New - Allow your partner to introduce you to their friends. It's a huge faux pas to do it yourself.

Clearly Gabby Kinney did not believe in Rule 7.

As he finishes his drink and was about to order another - and just as Bunny calls out to him, thankfully she did not get him spotlighted in the process, though her call out does draw some wolf-whistles, that is when Mark feels something he hasn't felt in a long time.

Not since he launched a trash bag full of fast food waste into orbit.

The hairs on the back of his neck prickle and rise, his skin goosepimples and Gabby's announcement catches him off guard. As someone once said in a very famous dinosaur movie (see what I did there, Bunny?)...

'Clever Girl.'

"Ah, ahem." Mark manages, reminding himself sharply - you're just an average college kid! "I guess you are one of her friends?" This is awkward. He's only barely mentioned to his mom that he's got a date - much less any of his friends. "I'm Mark. As she well... just said. Hello."

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
Belinda perks! Foot tapping in time to the music, she grins cheerfully, smile brightening her features as she accepts the offered drink. "Thank you, sen-- er, sir." She gives the drink an experiemntal sniff, stealing a small sip from the straw, eyes curved away in thoughtful regard as she considers.

"...fruity!" she proclaims, beaming anew as she takes a second sip. Much longer, though still careful. She moves the second glass over by the larger cup, Temple and milkshake sitting together close at hand. Much more enjoyable than the bar nuts were. Sadly, made the mistake of trying them (all of them-- the whole bowl!), and regretted the salt content almost instantly. But, saved-- milkshake! And utterly grateful that the Rule against Outside Food was relented on, just this once. Meanwhile....

She might be the owner of one of the wolf-whistles for poor Mark. It's only fair.

....somehow.

Grinning cheerfully, she turns back to the Two Glasses, sip and slurp and sip.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Eeeexcellent. Gabby doesn't say that but goodness knows if Mr. Burns had an expression that said that, she was now wearing it. Impishly, and with amusement, as she slips to hop up onto one of the seats near Mark. The posterboard is still in hand but she lays it down on her lap for the time being to instead grin at him.

"Cool! She'd mentioned she was seeing someone new so it's cool you came out to see her here. There's a few of her friends around here," she points out with a gesture over to Belinda's area, then a nod toward Hellboy. Big ole Hellboy.

"Oh, right, sorry. Forgot to introduce myself," she holds a hand out toward Mark grinning cheerfully in spite of her earlier stalking. "I'm Gabby. Her ex-girlfriend."

"So Mark, have you ever seen Scott Pilgrim vs The World?"

Hellboy has posed:
In another time, with a younger Red, he'd have taken that waiter's attitude and rectified it by punching him through the wall. Demons aren't known for their kind temperaments. But Gabby wants to be here. So he's here. And he's not supposed to slap citizens around, so he doesn't.

Most of the time. But every demon's got his limits.

So he sips his beer and he keeps his mouth shut. Not his kind of music. When Gabby points to him, he gives Mark a big Hand of Doom wave and sips his beer.

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "All right, all right, thank you everyone, you're all so great so far! Comin' up on Band Break Time -- but let's have one more absolutely 80's riffing song."

    There's a little cheering "And we've got just the one -- but ah, Gus, our bartender tonight? You're not allowed to do any Parkour against the bar man. Not after last time..." Bunny states, and she turns on her piano stool so that she's facing the audience, taking up her microphone.

    The last song, if you dare... https://youtu.be/88iUchyd86M?si=EahlF_y1ex8F_wK2

    And then the house lights come up, adn the band exits the stage for a while to go mingle. The DJ picks up with more hair band staples (Pour some Sugar On Me), and Bunny disappears back stage before coming back out with her bright pink jean jacket on over her stage ensemble.

Mark Grayson has posed:
With Gabby settling in to the booth, Mark follows her eyes and then the hand as she makes introductions. He is well aware that Bunny is a mutant, so meeting any of her friends would probably fit the bill, and this is something he had gotten used to as part of Teen Team.

RIP Teen Team. Noone apps Invincible Cast. :(

Following her over to Hellboy, Mark returns the wave from the giant arm and asks, "He got a permit for that gun?" A momentary attempt at levity - because he's not talking about 'Good Samaritan', he means that giant arm.

"So, would you like a drink? I'm having... Pepsi, I think. Might be Coke. It is 80s night, so totally could be a blind taste test." It's New Coke, he just didn't realize that they had that here. Finally, with Gabby introducing herself, the pieces click. "Bunny spoke highly of you." Mark offers with a grin as Gabby settles into the seat. Now, truth be told, she did. But not much outside of that. He knows that the ex-boyfriend was a speedster. He found that out when Bunny was still dating him. But no intel on Gabby. So caution is called for as accepts the hand for a light if slightly firm handshake.

"Oh, you mean the movie they're remaking as an Anime on Netflix, or the video game? I'm usually a Stephen Stills main."

Does he know what she really means?

Probably.

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
Even in the backwaters of the deepest, driest New Mexico-- Rick Astley. Legends never die.

Snerking giggles break Belinda's composure as she falls from the barstool as the song kicks in and recognition clicks. Squealing with laughter from her impromptu floor-seat, the lady considers her five dollars well-spent, tilts her head back, and--

"Awooooo!"

A full-throated howl of laughter and joy, it carries for a few seconds in cheer and joy! As the song carries on, she rises from the floor, brushing her self off with a fierce, delighted grin, dipping her head to the bartender as she collects her drinks in hands.

"Thank you again, very much sir!" she exclaims, humming brightly to herself before she skips over towards the booth of Invincible Doom!

She spies a Redd. Big Redd! She waves (hand full of Temple), grinning anew as offers a quick wave. Peering closely. No smoking at the bar? She grimaces briefly, having heard of his predilection for such.

"Shall have to ask which salsa he liked...." she murmurs to herself, moving towards the table on intercept speed.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Yeah that'd be the one," Gabby agrees with a handshake given, before she sits back into the seat again. There was plenty enough going on at the moment with Rick Astley blaring over the speakers, and Bunny departing the stage as they came to a break in part of the show. She waves toward Bunny with a grin looking utterly not-innocent at all.

Belinda's awwoooo gets a laugh as well as a quick, "And there's our Moon Pupper!" Whatever that means. Then again she did howl.

Scooching out of the booth back to her feet she tilts her head at Hellboy questioningly as if asking if he wanted to join them. She knew he was mostly here because she'd asked right now, after all. Leaving him by his lonesome at the bar didn't seem very polite a thing to do. "

Hellboy has posed:
Hellboy greets Belinda with a 'wooooooo', which might be more Ric Flair than canine, but hey. After making momentary eye contact with Gabby, decides to join the general group. He does seem to like the Rick Astley song at least, bopping along with it a little bit. He wouldn't know what Rickrolling was if it bit him in the ass.

He'll try to jam in as well as he can without crushing anyone.

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "Soooooo when I got flowers and news that I had a *fanclub* in the audience, almost stage frighted my butt out the back door." Bunny gives a bright smile as she goes around, "Has anyone introduced themselves? Gabby, Mark. Mark, Belinda. Belinda, Gabby. Gabby, Belinda, Belinda, Mark, and I have no idea who you are big guy, I'm Bunny, good friend of Gabby's!" she introduces herself to Hellboy as he comes over to join them, and she takes a deep breath and slooooooowly lets it out.

    "Honestly that was the first time there were people like, I *know* know in the audience."

    She frets a little bit at her jacket, looking about to everyone and then, up at Mark.

    "Did... did you get a Boombox?"

Mark Grayson has posed:
The last time he heard a howl like that was at the Statue of Liberty, but Mark wasn't going to draw conclusions. Plus, he's still trying to keep a low profile. Sorta. "Cool. Which do you prefer, book, game, movie, anime?"

Yes. That is a smile, Gabby. Mark totally knows what you're trying to hint at. When Hellboy makes his way over, he tips his fingers against his temple in a greeting. "Hey, I'm Mark. Nice to meet you." And then there's Belinda and finally Bunny.

He's getting the sinking feeling that before the end of the night, everyone will know what Bunny already does.

But the mention of the boombox brings a laugh. "Yeah! You know, like that movie... it's always mentioned with 80s stuff, right? I don't think it works though. But you were awesome on the piano tonight! Loved the set. Should I buy you a drink? I feel like I should buy you a drink."

Then his attention swivels to the others. "So I met Bunny at a hot dog place. We got to talking and decided that we'd try going out. How do you all know her?"

Deflect, dodge, and redirection.

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
Belinda beams with joy as she waves to the others, setting her glasses down before she ambushes Bunny with a fierce, quick hug! "You were great!" she exclaims, eyes dancing as she tugs back, glancing down. "...did everyone from the 80's dress that way?" she asks, tilting her head quizzically. "I thought it was always cowboy hats and neon and rhinestones."

With a grin and a teasing wink, she turns back to the others, visibly fighting to keep her too-delighted grin firmly under control. "Friend from work," Belinda answers Mark's question first, tempted between shake and Temple-- settling on both, as she takes the glasses back into hand. "Well, part-time. We both do deliveries, so our paths cross sometimes. She runs things around, I sometime deliver sandwiches to places, we both do courier things... Part-time stuff, por un mayor."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney laughs a little bit at the introductions that are made by Bunny. "I know Belinda, Bunny, she's one of my crew," comes her own explanation however vague it may be. When Hellboy steps over, she moves in toward his side to lean against him with arms crossed over her chest. Intimdating badger! Rar! Or at least she made certain no one from the crowd was going to bump into her with him right there. It was super effective. "This is Hellboy," she introduces with a hand gesturing UP. "Also one of the team."

"As for where I met Bunny?" Gabby pauses a moment, thinking. "It was at a rally wasn't it?" It had been awhile ago so she looks to Bunny for confirmation on it. "Then she and Tommy and me, we hung out some and... Anyway," she utters while raking a hand back through her hair.

A quick look flits to Belinda at the talk of deliveries, and she looks back to Bunny with a small look of concern. "Bunny's also great at Roller Derby. You better learn how to patch up scraped knees," she points out to Mark.

Hellboy has posed:
"You can call me Red. Friend o' Gabby's is a friend o' mine," he says, taking a long pull from his beer. "She recruited me into her little band o' merry men not too long ago. I'm the one that does most of the shootin'," he says.

After the gun remark from Mark, he gives a bit of a flex of his jumbo sized arm, "Strength'll only get ya so far, though. It's all in the reflexes."

"Roller derby, huh? I always wanted to go see some o' that. Kinda like rasslin'."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "Oh, I haven't done Derby in a while, had to keep leaving practice, for -- innnncidental meetings for my other job." Bunny explains, "And yeah! I mean, I'm only eighteen so all I can really have are softdrinks. Made it really awkward when I started playing here when I was sixteen."

    And she gives a small smile over to Hellboy. "Glad to meet other people from Gabby's line of work. She always seems to know pretty much everybody! It's like everywhere I go -- aquatic princes, foriegn royalty, doormen at really exclusive clubs, Gabby just seems to have an 'in' everywhere. That's kind of how I got my other job. We met and Tommy's brother not-so-slyly recruited me." she gives a small grin, flexing her fingers a little. "Oh -- right ah, just ice water, in case they have me singing later. The next set's all hair bands so Trahn is going to handle it. He sounds *just* like the old lead singer of Journey, so there will *definitely* be some Don't Stop Believin' in the Near Future." she explains, "That's usually our closer." she chipperly states, "Everyone likes Journey when they've been drinking it feels like."

    And she looks at the table and takes a deep breath. "Mark stumbled on one of the guirella roller rinks, he's actually an extremely charming sorta guy. So... yeah. We're giving this a shot." she smiles back at him.

Mark Grayson has posed:
Listening to the stories from the others on how they met Bunny, Mark nods to Belinda. "So you work for her dad's company as well?" he asks curiously, just to verify that fact. Then his attention swivels to Gabby again. Not sure exactly how to approach the awkwardness of it all, he considers and offers. "Bunny speaks highly of you. I hope to get to know her friends better." His hands splay around his glass as he glances towards Hellboy and nods in agreement.

"She suggested that she'd teach me to skate. I was going to show her how to surf in return." And then Bunny reminds him of when they /really/ first met and his cheeks darken. "Oh gosh, I didn't realize what I had stumbled into you until you grabbed a hold of me!" he admits with a laugh, looking down into his drink. "She saved me from walking into the path of a skater."

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
Belinda grimaces sheepishly, giving an apologetic glance. "Independant contractor," she replies, blushing briefly. And listening with keen, rapt fascination! Silent vow-- new research project!

"Still in--" Her voice drops low, a softer murmur. "--high school, here. So, no work too distracting from what is needed. Mi familia is in New Mexico; here on scholarship and things."

She bites back a sly grin, eyes suddenly alive with fierce mischief. "But, hoping to learn to be a better knight in shining armor! Then, I can be dashing and save fragile princes from being run down by fiendish skaters!" She sighs theatrically, biting her lip over the a giggle threatening to break free.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney leans her cheek on her hand watching and listening to the exchanges from everyone. In spite of her energetic greeting and teasings at first, she's actually mellowed down at this point to just enjoying listening to the others around her. It's all drawn in--the sheer normality of it. Even if there were some mention of teams, and heavy hitters, and the like. The rest was just so... normal.

"Mm, well, you know where to reach me if you need help with anything that's in my wheelhouse, Bunny. And," she adds giving her a firm glare. "That includes the stuff from the other night. Sam got you taken care of, right?" She could follow up with Sam, or even Lydia, but her stern gaze is on Bunny here. No details are asked for, just a yes or no.

"Sounds like you two are hitting it off then, that's good. Now we just have to fight to prove your worth, Mark. Hope you don't bruise easy."

Her hands lift, knuckles cracking audibly while staring him down. It lasts all of three seconds before she lets out a snort of laughter. "Kidding. We ended on good terms I'm not about to go ruining things for Bunny." She does grin a bit wider though. "Tease mercilessly though? Sure."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    Bunny turns red. And her skin actually does get just a moment of that gasoline-puddle shimmer to it in the lights.

    "Yes. Sam hooked me up with an apartment in the Rossi building in Little Italy. Apparently it belongs to his ex girlfriend, so yeah, it's not awkward *at all*. And Lydia made sure I ate and I basically kinda cleaned her kitchen for her --" she turns to Mark "Lydia's a lesbian romance supernatural fiction writer," to explain who Lydia is, and then she breathes out "Rain Beau has a possible apartment for me in this building too, and I can *almost* afford it." she jokes.

Mark Grayson has posed:
Gabby's teasing reminds Mark of some of the stuff he was on the wrong side of when he was in high school, before his powers developed. He's able to read the room and realize it's teasing and he visibly relaxes. "I... heal pretty quick." he offers cryptically, before the attention turns to Bunny's housing woes.

"Great! I mean, if you can find a roommate, you could make it work?" he suggests. And then a pause.

"I didn't mean me." That for Gabby's benefit. "Because yeah, current situation sounds not awkward at all. I'm back in the dorms, with school back in session, but I've been thinking of finding a place. The commute from home is a pain when I'm visiting my parents during the offtimes."

Though Belinda's comment comes in and hits like a ton of bricks and he laughs, his cheeks brightening in a lighter shade of red. "Brave Princess Bernice totally saved me from a fairy floss forest and a mounted knight charging down on me, tis true."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    Bunny was in the middle of drinking something when Mark uses her real name.

    She coughs, sputters, and grabs for a handfull of napkins.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney takes a deep, deep breath when Bunny seems to be embarassed about this topic. She knew it was a touchy one but it was also an important one. "Yeah, I remember her, nice woman." She did indeed remember his ex, but for it being awkward... Well.

Her lips purse together, eyes rolling upward in the club a moment as if she could see through floors. "Mm. Have you seen it? Is it in good condition? Is there room for Beeper?"

All the questions come out quickly before she finally seems to remember she has a cup of Coke in her hands. A sip is taken, and she stares down at it a long moment.

Even the jokes of being saved by knights and such only earn a little smile from her as her thoughts are elsewhere. Maybe feeling guilty at the state she'd left Bunny in when they'd all split from Tommy's place.

"Fuck," she finally utters and shifts to unzip the fanny pack slung over her hip. Breifly rummaging around in it she pulls out an envelope that she thrusts at Bunny trying not to look red-faced herself in front of the others. "Here, just. Take care of yourself."

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
The quiet laughter fades as Bunny turns that warm shade of rose! Belinda winces in sympathy, nodding her head; all too aware of the limits of barely scraping by, she purses her lips ashe exhales a slow breath. Taking Mark's commentary to rally, she nods in return, eyes returning to their warmth. And utterly, UTTERLY, hiding any reply to the Utterance of the True Name!

For now.

"I am in dormitory myself," she admits, sighing in mock-sadness. "And then, maybe, college time, so... more dormitories?" She grins with a chuff, leaning down on her hands as she kicks at the table centerpole. "But may be able to travel, to visit home by then. It is very far away, but-- can call now! Every weekend, so not all is terrible." She grins as she casts Bunny a teasing glance.

"Will definitely have to see one day!" she adds, biting her lip. She casts Gabby a look as the Moment intrudes; she leans back with due solemn grace before the exchange.

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    Bunny pauses, and looks down at the envelope, and then she looks up at Gabby, and she shakes her head.

    "Gabby, I don't need it. I want to be able to choose things for myself instead of tumble about into situations. That was the whole reason behind leaving my dad's place, leaving a lot of my stuff behind even. And it's okay." she confirms, and she gives a bright smile. "Whatever you're feeling? It's okay to feel that way. But really... I'm okay, you know?" she gives a smile, and she pushes the envelope back.

    "I'll get myself an apartment. I'll get my GED and maybe enroll in one of the community courses online so my weird schedule doesn't affect it. And things will be good, for everyone." she states, and gives a strained smile.

Mark Grayson has posed:
"Sorry." Mark manages to squeak when he realizes he did the cardinal sin of speaking Bunny's true name.

However, when things become more serious between Gabby and Bunny, Mark watches the exchange and draws in a breath for nodding. "If anyone can, it'll be you, Bunny. And you have plenty of help for it, from the looks of it."

He gives Bunny's hand a quick squeeze and then moves to rise. "I'd love to stay for the rest of the show, but I have a paper I need to get done, but I didn't want to not show up. Text me later?" he asks of Bunny, before his attention turns to Belinda and Gabby. "It was nice meeting you both, I hope to get to know you better as well."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Bunny, I'm not saying you can't do that for yourself. By all means, DO that," Gabby states firmly. "But at least keep that in case of emergencies. When you're starting out, the least little emergency can throw all of your hard work out the window--Let this ensure that you can get where you're going."

"Maybe you'll never need it, but if you do, it won't put you back to square one."

Glancing over to Belinda and Mark as well she flashes a grin. "Nice to meet you both too. Sorry for messing with you a bit."

She pauses a bit to look at Bunny again with concern. "Please. Pay me back a year from now if you need. Just keep it for now in case."

Belinda Gutierrez has posed:
Belinda nods, a quiet smile as she reaches forward, placing a hand atop the others'. "But if you ever think you might need help..." she continues, trailing off with a nod. She squeezes both hands, releasing after a heartbeat's grace. "We are here, and asking for help when needed is no sign of weakness, for anyone." She leans back, eyes warm as she nods in agreement with Gabby.

"For emergencies," she agrees. "And if not needed? Can return, when all is well and stable."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    Bunny looks mortified. She reaches out in a quick movement and snaps up the envelope, and then just tucks it in her jacket as she gives a Meaningful 'we will have to talk later' expression to Gabby, and then looks at her very 1980's Mickey watch.

    "My next set's coming up. I'll shoot you a text when I get out and check up on that paper." Bunny gives a smile. "Belinda, good to meet you in person -- Gabs -- be safe, okay?" she gives a smile to her -- the same warning nd smile she gave to Mark the other night, and she breathes out, and hops up and heads to the backstage area to get ready for her next set!