Welcome to Gaia! ::

Something had been a bit different lately; the usual haunts weren't giving him what he needed, in connection or in experience, so after looking at some of the newer places, he happened upon a music venue that had opened up earlier in the year.

It felt fancy, something that would no doubt be fitting for the Onox name, if he cared enough about what they thought. It was a new place, at least, and one where he hoped nobody would remember any one-night stands with him. The last few bars he had been to left him with people trying to figure out what had happened, so he had to dip.

So when he entered the Gilded Encore, he made his way over to the bar to see what kind of food or specials there were while some sort of open night mic was getting set up.

----------------------------------------

With things having settled regarding Agatha, Desiree felt it was safe enough to venture to the venue with Liam to check on things and make sure it was running smoothly, even if Melody or Aloysius weren't there.

It was one of the busier nights, so as soon as she checked in as her civilian self, she dipped behind the bar and checked on the status of how many of the cups were left ready for use. It looked like the supply was in good standing, so after another few rounds, she came out to meet back up with Liam.

"Seems like everything is running smoothly on its own; the setup went well, it seems."

As more people flooded in, Rafayel caught sight of what he could only describe as a hunk of a golden-haired man sitting further down the bar. The only issue was that they seemed to be talking to a woman who worked here. So out of curiosity, he scooted a bit closer, trying to listen in to see if he might have a chance with the blonde.

At the mention of food, he smiled and interjected himself into the conversation. "Oh, ma'am, do you work here? I had a question about some things since it was my first time here." And with that winning smile, he looked over at the blonde as well, then too.

"And are you a regular? What would you recommend? The drinks I've tried seem luxurious so far, I might let the family know." Looking over the menu slightly while leaning it towards both of them so they might offer any input. He also slid in that tie of the Onox family; they didn't need to know he was estranged, aside from the funds he had, not that they were a small amount either.

The only issue he had so far was that he seemed more tired than usual, but it had been a busy week for his job, the large family gathering he had to prep meals for left him living on site for the week, so this time off maybe came with that exhaustion. A pity, but he was still going to try shooting his shot because it would be just the right thing to help him relax after it all.

--------------------------------------------

Desiree was glad that Liam had noticed the cup difference, even if there were only a few non-tagged cups. Since all the employees had pins, she made sure that Liam had some way to avoid exhaustion. "I think a few up-and-coming students, but otherwise I'm not sure. Melody seems to have her eye on one or two of them for future opportunities." Sighing slightly, she still hated the woman, but she couldn't deny that Liam still worked for the witch, and she did make good investment decisions when it came to talent.

When she felt a nudge and an interruption, she caught herself almost hissing, a fact that, if she had her ears out, they would be flattened at the rudeness of this person.

But as they spoke and she got the hint, a realization hit her, and she internally cursed at both Melody and, for once, Aloysius's participation in high society.

"Ah you must be an Onox, of course." She smiled and put on her best customer service posture.

"I do work here, I'm one of the shareholders, as it were. I'm glad you find our drinks up to standard. Liam here can help with the food since I find it hard to recommend any one entree. It may take a few visits to see which you like best."

Nudging Liam as indiscreetly as she could, to have him follow her polite lead even as she soured at the fact that this man was trying to hit on the blonde.

Oh, so this woman knew who he was, or at least his family. That little thought had him smile lightly, even if now they might realize he technically wasn't old enough to be drinking what he was unless you believed the fake ID he was using.

"Oh well I will say this is a lovely place, the decor is very high-end." It might be a bit too nice compared to his usual haunts but that wasn't really a bad thing. As long as he could get something nice to drink and find someone to wind down with in his time off work.

The mention of dense foods didn't really pique his appetite, but as he looked over the menu, he did see some pan-seared fish, which might be light enough for his tastes. With the fact he was feeling a bit tired, he didn't think a salad would be enough alongside his drink.

"I'll keep that in mind. Do you come here often? It'd be nice to talk with you and hear your opinions on things." At least long enough for him to sus out if he had a shot. Scooting in a bit more as the shareholder seemed to check their watch and then move back behind the bar, he didn't look up to follow where she was going. At least she was gone for now.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watching as the man kept getting closer to Liam, she wanted very much to hiss at them. But when she felt a familiar buzz on her wrist, she looked down to check her watch. The timer was nearly up for this form, and she internally cringed.

"I recommend you try whatever you feel like most. We do change things out seasonally as well. But if you'll excuse me, I need to attend to some things."

Giving Liam a look to let him know to keep his eyes on his phone, she dipped behind the counter and then back into the staff entrance. With her phone out, she grumbled and felt the world grow larger as she ended up back as her normal fluffy self. She didn't like that someone was trying to bother Liam, but what she disliked more was that Liam was seemingly oblivious to it.

While she considered what she was typing out to him, she felt something odd, and it prompted her to begrudgingly dip back out unseen and low to the ground. The staff here knew about her as a mauvian and made sure to keep from stepping on her, but as she reached behind the bar, she felt that unfortunate feeling again.

A potential senshi, sitting right next to Liam. And then a choice. The last thing she wanted was for them to try hitting on Aloysius but maybe.... just maybe... it might work for her getting another mirror senshi to be motivated. At least it might placate one or both of them.

So with a few hurried taps, she hinted to Liam to get the man to go outside, perhaps the side alley where they had more staff exits. And with another sigh, she grumbled and added that they might need to look for a mirror.

Looking over the menu, he was a bit surprised to see the blonde standing up and moving their chair back. "Oh?" He questioned.

Setting the menu down, he missed the other looking somewhere as he tucked a bill down to cover what he had drunk so far, plus a tip. Maybe it was a bit presumptive to assume he'd gotten them this easily, but after all, his name was a good way of getting people to follow up on his advances.

Following them through the venue and out one of the side doors, he looked at them with a curious tilt of his head. The tone wasn't what he expected, and it left him antsy, digging his nails lightly into his arm as he looked at them. "Is this about my ID? Or am I not dressed well enough for the venue?"

He hadn't been the most well-dressed, but he'd also just gotten free from work. However, it wasn't as if his clothes were ragged or dirty, just a little more club-like than what might fly at this place. But he did reach to pull some of his shirt down to cover a bit more of his skin.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Desiree kept tucked behind the pair as she followed them out, already thinking about what she needed from subspace to get things ready. Once outside, she was sure of what she'd felt earlier. Without all the other people, she knew this man was a senshi, well, could be a senshi, and she nodded to Liam from behind them.

What she didn't like, though, was the change in demeanor or the smell of iron she could pick up coming from the man. It wasn't the first time she'd seen someone do that, but it didn't mean she liked it either way.

"Yes a mirror, though I have a feeling this one may not have as much trouble as the other. Their ID is fake, so in a way that works better." Stepping out from behind the pair, she pawed over to stand between them, looking between Liam and the nepo baby. From what she knew of the Onox's the only son was Liam's age, and this one was younger... so she was at a loss on that. That wasn't the most important issue at this moment, though.

"What do you think, Liam? After all, you will have a hand in helping him with things."

Hopping up the man and onto Melpomene, she purred at the tactic they used. How Aloysius had managed Portia must have sunk in, and she couldn't be more pleased that they'd taken the same strategy here.

"Because this one's magic will work." It was a quick little comment as she hopped back down to the floor and took on her more human-like appearance. Already, she was pulling the things out of subspace while looking over the man.

"So it seems, little Onox, that you're not being quite truthful. But we're not the police, and you have a bit of talent we can help you access." Looking at Melpomene now, she pointed to his henshin.

"Just a bit of magic, and a little responsibility." Though from what she could tell, this one's magic would be interesting enough, she might want them to be more active in things.

"But you do have a choice, of course. Though I think it would be best if he and I kept that fake ID and those pills you were going to slip into a drink from being reported to an officer." Narrowing her eyes, she knew she'd smelled something on them, but even if it was a bluff, she had an idea this one didn't want any more attention on themselves.

--------------------------------------------------

Rafayel found himself more confused, and as another name he vaguely recognized came out, he found himself staring as the blonde in front of him changed. Had he drunk a little too much already? Or maybe it was just the exhaustion from work and the big sugar design project getting to him.

"Whoah whoah whoah you're gonna break the mir....or?" He sputtered as they grabbed him, and a cat hopped up to follow along. But it had sounded like the other woman? What the hell was going on? Did they drug him? It was weird to be on the recieving end of such things but when the cat changed back into a person, but one with ears and a tail, he rubbed at his eyes with his one free hand.

"What... the ********? Magic?" But he didn't get much time to question it before he reached for his back pocket and felt the small tin of pill there still as the woman brought them up.

"I... I was just taking the edge off after a week of work, I wasn't doing anything. " Pulling his arm back, he stepped back, but when he hit the mirror, it didn't let him back through.

"s**t... okay so... what do I have to do?" Because he didn't like being stuck in this all too bland, liminal-looking space.

"True, but you've not been hit by the backlash yet." She grumbled before following them both along. The newest prospect seemed to follow as well, albeit hesitantly.

"Not the manor, though, but perhaps the second home since it's returned to just being a place for music lessons or quick stops." Since Sakura had moved out recently.

Once the golden mirror was in sight, she turned back to face Onox. "Infestation, something quite nasty indeed." And if this person was as rotten as she had a hint of, it would make sense.

"Come on then, I have your pen nearly ready then we can head out." Tapping her foot on the floor, she held up a mostly assembled pen and pointed it at them. "Leitner, it's time to step through the mirror."

--------------------------------------------

With nowhere to go but forward, he followed them down the hall and past many other mirrors, at least until they all entered a large open room with a golden mirror in it.

The fact that the legal repercussions were being brought up bothered him; he didn't like blackmail, even if he'd used it against others before. If he really wanted to, he could figure out a way to avoid any repercussions, but the mention of power did sound nice. That and if he could hop through a mirror and end up somewhere else, that would make getting out of a sticky situation without being followed.

The cogs worked in his mind, confusion washing over him both at the woman calling him something else and the mention of a bug problem. It didn't sit right with him; it brought up those memories of how his family had reacted to things.

"I... okay." Stepping forward, he looked at the golden mirror before feeling a hand on his back pushing him through. "b***h!" Cursing as he tumbled, everything moved around him, and when he found his footing and stood back up, he had to brush something off his forehead and heard the sound of chains.

Blinking and looking down, he noticed that his clothing was different and everything felt different. He could almost feel the two people standing by him, that overwhelming feeling as if they're presence had weight to it.

"What... the ********?"

Looking back up, finally, he felt that name on the tip of his tongue.

"Leitner?... Oh I..." Pulling his arms in to hold himself, he really didn't like the way this felt. It gnawed at him, and if he focused, it felt like he could almost feel bugs crawling over his skin.