It was odd to Roxie exactly how many of these clubs were around New York City and yet had nearly all the same clientele. She had been working as a freelancer bouncer for a couple years near, a minor job to help make the money stretch every month as well as allow a useful outlet for her abilities. Though she had to pull her punches, there was a distinct pleasure it slinging a 6’5 muscle-bound drunk over her shoulder and hailing him out the backdoor with only the swiftest of kicks to his butt. Most were either too busy partying for her to notice, or were so drunk that they would pass it off as a hallucination or babbled like madmen. Either way, Roxie didn’t fear it. So long as she didn’t break bones, she could let loose a little.

Tonight she was called to the “Prancing Po’ Knee”; some cheap knock-off themed bar based around “The Lord of the Hobbit Trek Wars” or something like that. It should have been a pretty low-key place. A few nerdy people awkwardly dancing, maybe a C&C (Caverns and Creatures) game going in one of the corner booths. But this place had such a hipster vibe that it tended to pull in the wrong intended crowd. It didn’t help that they made their drinks a bit stronger either.

Roxie sighed. She tried to dress normally in a regular black suit but management was adamant that all employees must wear something to signify them as such. Begrudgingly she slipped on the green, felt cloak with the leaf pin attached to the front. God she felt like a dork but at least it was money. So for the last two hours, Roxie has been patrolling the edges of the dancefloor, her eyes glancing between drunken faces left and right. She already had to kick out a pair of people for trying to brawl tonight but for the most part, it was pretty quiet.

There was only one annoyance she had to deal with…

“Hey! Umm...y-you know what? The…” Ahem. “...the fires of Mount Doom are not as hot as you.”

Roxie sighed and rolled her eyes. She turned to face the owner of the world’s worst pick-up line. He was shorter than her, a feat surely, and nervously looked down at a little black book where the offended phrase had been written. He wore thick glasses, had short, black hair, and wore a very cheap suit of plastic armor. She stared at him, watching as he awkwardly move from foot to foot. When he wasn’t getting the hit, Roxie leaned over and whispered firmly.

”Go away.”

“Yes ma’am!” the nerd said before he slipped away and disappeared into the crowd.

Roxie grumbled under her breath. How much longer was this shift?

Kristoph Karlson was dead.

Well, okay, he was not dead yet, but he was going to die. Not as the consequence of a mission gone wrong, but at the vengeful hand of his ex-partner. The ginger could enjoy his new position and the responsibilities it came with, but how dare that bastard rope her into the misery by making her the PR Representative of SUPER?

It was the perfect storm of pains in her ass. Sabine was the one to keep an eye out for potential public messes involving zealous agents or thuggish soldiers. When those fires inevitably came up, she was the one handling press releases and going on television—a former covert agent on bloody television. Hard to go back to her old job when she was the face of SUPER. This was not even broaching the problems of indirectly dealing with the pain that was Devon Hadden and reporting to Kristoph, the man responsible for her suffering.

So yeah, Kris was dead and living on borrowed time.

In the meantime, Sabine was going to do what she could to handle actual agent work, despite her position. They were short-staffed, so it was pretty much necessary. Fortunately, Sabine knew what she was doing. A copper blonde wig, fake freckles, some makeup alterations, and a set of glasses helped create a new look that would not be immediately recognizable to anyone who had not spent a considerable time analyzing her appearance.

There was a low risk observation assignment Sabine claimed involving a mutant bouncer. The reports pegged her as a mutant, and while there was no definitive evidence, the rumors of a diminutive woman tossing around meatheads like ragdolls sounded promising. A power that was potentially dangerous and entertaining? Of course she went for it.

She had checked the schedule of one of the clubs this “Roxie Rose” worked at, and as much as she begrudged it, the logic of showing up on a themed costume night would help her blend into the dorky madness. Sabine would not go outlandish with her wardrobe, but she did pick up a hooded cloak with a scarlet crushed velvet appearance. Most costumes were a bit much, but cloaks had a mysterious appeal to them and it was a shame they fell out of fashion somehow.

Most of the night was spent keeping far enough from the target to arouse suspicion, all the while sipping her drink, (a Diplomat, slightly sweet and light enough on the alcohol not to impede her,) and dodging socially awkward onlookers. The night was moving without incident, which was good and bad. No incident, no mess. On the other hand, no incident, no confirmation of a dangerous mutant. Also, boredom.

Sabine decided to spice things up; it was not unusual to engage potential targets, after all. She slowly started closing the gap between them, though not obviously and not all at once. She organically ended up close enough to hear Roxie dealing with a truly godawful pick-up line.

The nerdy admirer was shooed away in fear (impressive,) leaving Sabine to chuckle, looking to draw attention to herself. ”I’m so sorry,” she started, choosing a Carolinian accent that was not too distinct or overpowering, but clearly different from her press persona, ”but that was painful. Are the lines better or worse on themed nights? That was garbage, but it was creative,” she pointed out lightly, hoping to paint herself as a friendly ally against the creeps of the night.

Roxie was used to this. She was used to guys hitting on her, but never so awkwardly. She wasn’t uber picky either. So long as someone seemed nice, and had a decent face, she could easily allow herself to few rounds beneath the sheets. After all, it wasn’t as if she stuck around for long after that. People served their purpose for her and she moved on with her life. That was it. But tonight she simply wasn’t about it. That guy was just far too awkward for her and the pick-up line alone was enough to set off every warning bell in her head.

Once he had disengaged, Roxie sighed and returned to her post. slipped across her chest, she kept her eyes on the dance floor. Elves, dwarves, halfings (she was irritated she knew the terminology) were dancing with abandon. So far it seemed like a pretty light night. For as easy as it was, Roxie didn’t like to pick people up by the scruff of their neck and toss them out on their butts. Sometimes she just wanted to be an average Joe, working an average job, and return home to her average apartment.

After the man had slipped away, she turned back to the bar to retrieve her sealed bottle of water. As she did she caught the appearance of flash of red out of the corner of her eye. She didn’t pay it much heed, however, as the owner of the scarlet garment seemed more intent on her drink than anything else. So Roxie was about to turn back to the floor, and the rest of the interior of the establishment, when she heard the soft laughter.

Turning she stopped as she looked at the woman sitting nearby. This was certainly a step up. The woman was actually gorgeous. Blonde hair, olive skin, it made a smile inadvertently slip across Roxie’s lips. This was attention that she certainly didn’t seem to mind.

>>”I’m so sorry...but that was painful. Are the lines better or worse on themed nights? That was garbage, but it was creative,”

She smirked as she sipped her water. ”It’s worse when there’s flop sweat involved.” Truly. ”I agree. Some points for creativity but it hardly becomes original when you’ve heard it at least four other times in one night.” Another smirk as she gave the woman a quick glance and turned her head to the dance floor. ”What about you? Have you been referred to as ‘Preciousssss’ yet?”

Bars and clubs were actually great places to do undercover work, regardless of how obnoxious or overwhelming they could be. It was hard to pay attention to one person in the crowd when the lights were low, the music was loud, and bodies were moving freely. Even in a one-on-one situation, it was hard to pick out minute facial features or tells of a wig, particularly when a target had a wandering eye.

The way Roxie smiled when she spotted Sabine, a wandering eye was not out of the question. She was making a friendly approach, but Sabine knew the benefits of using flirtation when possible and appropriate. With women, the odds were less than with men, and Sabine’s understanding of the art was based on study rather than instinct. Flirting always struck her as forward and intrusive by nature, though she did enjoy the potential of a back-and-forth, so she was not oblivious. She could recreate flirting, she could recognize it, but it was almost always an act.

It was not something she would rule out with Roxie, but she was not going to jump the gun. Women like Sabine got plenty of smiles, so she would play it by ear. For the moment, she was a woman seeking solidarity with another woman amongst awkward male nerds. ”Well, Tolkien would surely be disappointed with them for their misleading displays of borrowed creativity.” Ignoring how much of Tolien mythology was repurposed from existing mythology; she doubted Roxie would call her out on that.

Some men had looked Sabine’s way, but she could actually be honest in answering the inquiry. ”Not yet, actually. Some people say I have an air of unapproachability which must be on full display tonight. Hard to believe, right?” Sabine was, of course, practiced in keeping people at arm’s length when necessary, and she could not spend her whole night spurning suitors.

”So I was dragged out here by a nerdy coworker I’ve misplaced, but how about you? What gets a gal like you to done such a fetching green cloak?” Sabine smirked and took a careful sip of her beverage, maintaining eye contact with the target.

The night was looking up. As Roxie leaned against the bar, her eyes fell over the woman who was sitting next to her. She was beautiful. Truly she was. She carried with her an exotic look that Roxie just couldn’t help but appreciate with every glance. Even the red cloak suited her, despite this not really being her deal. Honestly the bouncer was curious as to why she wasn’t being surrounded by adoring fans. Then again, maybe she was just more practiced at keeping the general, and wheezing, populace away. Kudos to her if so.

>>”Well, Tolkien would surely be disappointed with them for their misleading displays of borrowed creativity.”

Roxie smirked. Her eyes returned to the dance floor briefly, following the signs for people who tended to be the most irksome in bars. There were a couple who were drink far more than they should but it wasn’t necessarily enough to turn the dancer’s warning lights on. Rather she was merely gave him a passing gaze before she turned, her elbow against the bar as she gave the woman her full attention. She could spare to focus her attention for a few minutes, right? Especially when looking over such a gorgeous sight.

She tried to share some common ground. Someone as pretty as her surely must have had her fair share of nervous glances and clumsy lines. It would have been too strange if the opposite had occurred.

>>”Not yet, actually. Some people say I have an air of unapproachability which must be on full display tonight. Hard to believe, right?”

With a arch of her eyebrow, she snerked and shook her head. ”You? That hardly seems true.” A fleeting glance over the woman, not enough to be completely unsubtle but it was there if it were being looked for. ”Maybe you’re just waiting for the right person to talk to?” Another warm smile. ”I can attest that seem very approachable.”

Roxie pulled back. Right now it was just a friendly conversation with some lightly hinted flirtation. But this was a bar. Alcohol was flowing. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, just in case this woman was merely engaging in coy words but with no intentions of actually following through.

>>”So I was dragged out here by a nerdy coworker I’ve misplaced, but how about you? What gets a gal like you to done such a fetching green cloak?”

”Oh I’m sure your friend is around here somewhere. Only so many places they can hide. Maybe they’ve hooked up and making out with someone on the stairs?” She snorted. Ridiculous right? Like who does that in this day and age? When the question was turned back to her, Roxie glanced down and chuckled. She had almost forgotten she was wearing it. She reached up, touching the leaf-shaped broach before turning back to her new found friend. ”Oh. I’m working.” She reached under the cloak to grab the lanyard and badge. She lifted it, showing her picture, along with her name: Roxanne Rose. ”I guess the cloak is just part of the uniform?” She shrugged and then offered her hand. ”Name’s Roxie, by the way. Figure I may as well introduce myself since you already saw my name.”

Sabine was often annoyed living in a world of sexual beings. It was not their faults; it was the way they were wired. It was her first year of college when Sabine figured out she was not like her colleagues. The women around her were drooling over handsome men or voluptuous women. Everyone was figuring themselves out and learning their types. Sabine, meanwhile, was realizing her type was “Not Applicable.” She played around anyway and determined sex was fine, but there was no one that got her “in the mood” to engage in it.

Sometimes, she felt like an outsider, but sometimes that worked to her advantage. She knew, shallowly, that she was easy on the eyes. Being attractive left some people with their guard down and made it easier to approach someone without much resistance.

People also assumed her mind might be occupied with the same things everyone else was, and that was fine. She giggled at Roxie, shaking her head at her assumptions. ”Well, you’re making quite the assumption. I’m pretty sure I approached you, didn’t I?” She was not going to directly address the idea that she was ‘waiting for the right person,’ letting Roxie make her own assumptions.

Sabine did not have to concern herself too much with her missing friend, since they were as much a work of fiction as the material of the night’s theme. She did draw out Roxie’s job, which was moving her in the right direction. She was shown a work badge, reminding her of what she already knew: Roxanne Rose. Maybe Sabine was biased, but she liked alliterate names. She accepted the hand with a warm smile. ”No sense in holding your cards once you’ve shown them. Fair is fair, though: Diana Dancer.” It felt so good to use an alias again; it made her feel tingly inside to be someone else.

”So what do you do here, then?” she asked curiously. ”Inattentive bartender? DJ off her shift? Professional charmer tasked with engaging and occupying the time of the patrons?” Well, on second thought, that last one sounded like the job description of an escort. ”I’m not all that familiar with the ins and outs of a club, clearly.”

Roxie knew who she was going to hang out with for the night. Even if this led nowhere, the woman was interesting and quite pretty to look at. There were worse things that could go on this evening so she was going to take this opportunity to engage in someone at least somewhat fun. Besides, the woman was saying all the right things. It wasn’t like Roxie was getting any kind of standoffish attitude from her, nor were her sweet words being met with any kind of discomfort. For the bouncer that was her clearance to proceed. And proceed she shall.

>>”Well, you’re making quite the assumption. I’m pretty sure I approached you, didn’t I?”

She smirked, tilting her head a bit as she watched the woman. ”And I couldn’t be more pleased about that,” she grinned. A small shrug of her shoulders followed. ”Maybe you’re the kind that would rather take charge than wait for someone to come to you?”

A passing thought, little more…

Roxie decided that she would introduce herself. It was a bit silly to do so now since she had her name tag out on full display (along with her interest) but it was just polite. So she greeted the lovely blonde with her name and a tender smile.

>> ”No sense in holding your cards once you’ve shown them. Fair is fair, though: Diana Dancer.”

Her hand slipped into hers. She couldn’t feel much through the gloves she wore but Diana seemed to have a stronger grip than she would have guessed. Roxie found this exhilarating as she shook her hand. Diana, pretty name for a pretty lady. The name was so unique, as well. It wasn’t as if it were something she were going to forget either. Especially not when the song over the speakers suddenly began to play Alton Jon’s “Miniscule Dancer”. It was probably the closest to kismet or a sign from above that Roxie had ever experienced.

”Diana…” she practically purred the name. ”...so nice to meet you.”

>>”So what do you do here, then? Inattentive bartender? DJ off her shift? Professional charmer tasked with engaging and occupying the time of the patrons? I’m not all that familiar with the ins and outs of a club, clearly.”

She giggled. Diana really was a sweet one. After taking a small swig of her water she inched a little closer to make their conversation more private, and to so that they didn’t have to shout over the music. ”I bartend, just not here.” She replied. ”Actually...I’m the security.” She nodded out to the dance floor, milking the air of strength and mystery that the position usually carried with it. It could be impressive to certain parties. ”I’m working the floor tonight. Just making sure that people are having a good time, but, you know, not too good of a time.” She leaned in and smirked. ”Otherwise I’ll have to get rough.”

Interacting with Roxie, it was initially easy to think that the reports about her missed the mark by a wide margin. The woman was no pushover, clearly; she had a tough air about her. She was also tiny, friendly, and there was a kind of honest charm to her. The kind of woman you assumed held “No bullsh*t” as a motto. She was pleasant, flirty, and not the type you would peg as a bruiser who tossed bikers out on their asses.

Fortunately, Sabine’s motto was “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” That lesson was easy to remember when Sabine herself spent so much time slipping in and out of new covers. Most people meeting her would not picture her as a government agent. Some of that was carefully constructed impressions, but she was also naturally petite. Sure, she was fit, but people would guess “yoga and jogging” long before “combat exercises.”

Sabine would reserve her judgments, not jumping the gun. In the meantime, there was no harm in enjoying the conversation.

>> ”And I couldn’t be more pleased about that. Maybe you’re the kind that would rather take charge than wait for someone to come to you?”

Sabine smiled at the assessment. Diana smile was broader. In a way, Sabine was not the one enjoying the conversation, but for that reason, she enjoyed it more. Acting natural did not come naturally to Sabine, funnily enough. It was much more dynamic and fulfilling to play the role of someone else, with Sabine piloting in the background.

In this instance, Diana was pleased because, unlike Sabine, Diana was not asexual, and Roxie was reveling in her attention. ”Who knows? It could be that. Perhaps I just like to control my destiny. If I wait for someone to approach me, I could end up talking to a hobbit comparing me to a mountain.” She grinned, leaning against the wall beside Roxie. ”If I approach, I can end up talking to the prettiest girl at the bar,” she admitted lightly.

The two women shook hands and Diana heard the song playing over the speakers. She rolled her eyes; somehow that song always had a habit of following her around. She said nothing, choosing instead to laugh, shake her head, and return her attention to Roxie.

>> ”Diana… so nice to meet you.”

Oh, Diana really liked the way her name sounded on Roxie’s lips. She liked it enough that she did not shy away when Roxie moved a few inches closer.

>> ”I bartend, just not here. Actually...I’m the security. I’m working the floor tonight. Just making sure that people are having a good time, but, you know, not too good of a time. Otherwise I’ll have to get rough.”

Sabine appreciated the confirmation; at least now she knew not all her intel was trash. The job was right, though she should not take that as proof of the mutation, or at least not the scale of the mutation. More observation was going to help a lot.

Diana was just fine with that. She quirked an eyebrow and giggled. ”Security, eh? So does that mean if someone gives me trouble tonight, it’ll be you who sweeps in, cloak flapping in the wind, to rescue me and defend my honor?” Diana looked out over the crowd. ”Though admittedly, if you try that tonight, you might just look like you’re bullying someone out of their lunch money.”

Okay so Roxie was a bit more encouraged than she thought she would be. Normally these nights tended up as attempts to fend off unwanted advances or setting her sights on one person to bring home and work to forget the shittier moments of her life. But it seemed that the formula was turned on its head when Roxie herself was being so obviously eyed for attention. And it wasn’t coming off from drunken, slurred words or nervous attempts to impress her, it was just a pretty woman looking for a flirtatious smile -- the bouncer was all too eager to give it.

Diana. It really was a sweet name, the kind that rolled tenderly off the tongue. When she asked what it was that Roxie was doing here, she almost felt a little nervous about explaining. Not a lot of people took her line of work seriously, some guessing that she was some equal opportunity hire or others thinking the job was too ‘manly’ for someone with her face. It didn’t take much to show them the error of their assumptions, but it was enough to scare most away for the evening. The few that remained, well, they only did so so they could tell a story.

But Diana? She wasn’t running. As a matter of fact, she almost seemed a little spurred on by the revelation. Instead of disbelief or a shudder of fear, the other woman leaned a bit closer; an action that Roxie more than welcomed.

>> ”Security, eh? So does that mean if someone gives me trouble tonight, it’ll be you who sweeps in, cloak flapping in the wind, to rescue me and defend my honor? Though admittedly, if you try that tonight, you might just look like you’re bullying someone out of their lunch money.”

Roxie chuckled. ”I’m not sure that much theatricality will go into it…” she said as she lowered her voice, giving the room a quick glance. ”...but I would me more than happy to defend your honor.” She leaned back again, smirking. ”But yes, if anyone gives you trouble,” She waggled a balled-up fist. ”Just let me know. Pretty woman like you should be allowed to enjoy her night…” A small, devilish smile. ”...unmolested.”

After a long day working an office job, sometimes it was good to get out and break out of your shell. Diana endured a shift from hell enduring what could sometimes be a tedious job. Taxes? Accounting. Yes, that was her line of work, and while she was good at it, things could get dull in the off season. It was better than the oppressively busy leadup to Tax Day, of course, but Diana still deserved a night off chatting up a pretty woman at a bar.

In the background of her mind, Sabine was weaving together Diana’s identity. The easiest way to act like someone else out in the field was not to act—it was to be. Diana’s personality, needs, goals, and backstory were all forming her into a cohesive, real person. She was the one at the bar; Sabine would just be the presence in the back of her head tugging on strings and guiding Diana when appropriate.

Sabine wanted Roxie to be comfortable with Diana, and Roxie was taking the cautious steps toward flirting, getting bolder when Diana validated the efforts. That was fine; Diana thought flirting was fun and a great way to unwind. She had always preferred women to men; for every amazingly attractive man, it felt like there were dozens of beautiful women. Diana knew what she was attracted to and what it was like to want someone. Roxie was firmly in the “attractive” category.

Roxie still left her curious though; what path brought a lithe, pretty woman to work in security? Sabine knew, but Diana did not. The slightly taller woman did not shy away as Diana closed the distance a step. Good. She assured Diana that she would be well taken care of, though that did not sate her curious nature. Her mind liked to solve puzzles, and Roxie had pieces Diana was missing.

She grinned at the wording of Roxie’s promise. ”Well, let’s not be too hasty. Who knows how I want to enjoy my night?”

She took one more step and the music felt quieter now that she was closer to the woman before her. She sipped her drink and raised her free hand, casually placing it on Roxie’s bicep and giving it a soft squeeze. ”So what’s your secret? Martial arts? Boxing? Or are you just tougher than you look?” she asked behind a mischievous grin. Sabine wanted some more confirmation of what Roxie was capable of.

>>”Well, let’s not be too hasty. Who knows how I want to enjoy my night?”

Roxie was so on board. She loved this flirtatious repartee. Even if the night didn’t pan out into anything worth wild and this was just another drunk girl pretending to be interesting, Roxie would still take it as a win. Of course she would prefer the evening to end with little roll under the sheets, she would be fine with just a few memories of sweet words being uttered between them. Besides, it made her evening go by faster and she wouldn’t have to be in this ridiculous cloak and leaf-enamel pin. But she wouldn’t make any hasty judgments yet. The night was still plenty young…

The music began to switch over to something slower and the crowd responded by breaking off into pairs. Roxie kept her eyes on the scene, but not before she glanced back to see Diana pressing just a little bit closer. She could always feel the purr forming in her throat but she drowned that particular kitten with a sip from her water bottle. The other, however, was quickling coming to attention as the gap closed between them.

It was then that she felt it, that small, inquisitive grip as it squeezed her bicep. Roxie smirked a bit, lifting her arm and offering the woman another flex of her arm as she tested out the density of her musculature.

>>”So what’s your secret? Martial arts? Boxing? Or are you just tougher than you look?

Roxie turned, her hip pressed against the bar as she gave Diana her full attention. A coy smile on her lips she began her explanation. ”A little of everything,” she admitted. ”I used to be a dancer, actually. That alone has some pretty harsh workouts. But throw in some boxing, a little MMA training, and…” she whispered in Diana’s ear. ”...some natural born toughness, and you have the recipe to make.”

She didn’t care to really talk about herself, but Diana’s question was vague enough that Roxie could view it more as a chance to praise herself and flirt further. But she would quickly take the opportunity to turn things around, giving Diana a soft once over before responding.

”What about you, hon?” She asked. ”What’s your secret to keeping so...shapely? Yoga? Pilates? Or just blessed from birth?”

Sabine was surprised by Diana’s forwardness. She had played the role of direct, bold people before because those were the personas that got things done. Diana was just so enthusiastic about getting closer with Roxie. She was the kind of personality Sabine was unsure she could pull off, yet there she was, flirting with a beautiful bouncer near a bar at a club.

Thankfully, Diana was effective. Roxie was playing into it, offering an arm flex that was admittedly impressive. Both women were exceptionally fit, clearly, though Roxie did divulge the secret to her security success. She did not use the word, but the implication was there.

Diana’s eyes went wide with surprise, but not bad surprise. There was some shock, but she was not horrified. So she was a mutant; she did not seem dangerous. Diana was clearly more naïve than Sabine because she could afford to be. ”Natural toughness, eh? If I catch your drift, then I guess there’s more to you than meets the eye. Interesting,” she purred.

Of course, fair was fair, and Roxie had her own questions about Diana’s body. The office-worker bit her lip, but it was all a front; she was not as modest as she let on. ”Running, a little bit of yoga, good eating—for the most part. I also take self-defense classes and I might toe the line of being a gym bunny,” she admitted. ”We aren’t all born with ‘natural toughness,’ after all.”

Diana displayed a moment of hesitation. ”I’m not looking to be rude. I guess I can be a worry wort at times, but your… you know. Is it the kind you have full control over?” She smiled, trying to offset the invasive question. ”You know, if someone was hypothetically tangled up with you, would they walk away with all pieces intact?”

That was, after all, what Sabine was here for; she needed to know how much of a threat Roxanne Rose was on the streets unchecked. For Diana, that was easier to ask about in the context of a steamy meeting of intertwined bodies.

>>”Natural toughness, eh? If I catch your drift, then I guess there’s more to you than meets the eye. Interesting,”

Roxie could see that little twinkle in Diana’s eye. Normally she didn’t talk about her mutation. It tended to put people off. They didn’t like the idea of being around someone who was stronger than them, at least abnormally stronger. Some women got a kick out of it, even some men, but for the most part it never really worked out well for her. Since then at most she would allude to it to try and gauge someone’s reaction. Most were pretty dense but then there were some people, like Diana here who wasn’t running away. That was a plus.

The purr curled up Diana’s throat as she stepped a little closer. She full had Roxie’s attention now, who had turned to face her with aa brilliant smile on her face. She was supposed to be working but it was too hard to concentrate when a pretty woman like this was giving you complete undivided attention. It was what spurred her on to return the question. After all, Diana was gorgeous and utterly fit. What did she do?

>>”Running, a little bit of yoga, good eating—for the most part. I also take self-defense classes and I might toe the line of being a gym bunny...We aren’t all born with ‘natural toughness,’ after all.”

A sly smile slipped across her lips. Diana was a coy and teasing one, with a particularly wondrous choice of words that filled the bouncer’s mind with scantily clad outfits and fluff-ball tails attached to the bottom. A nip of her lip kept her imagination from running too far.

”Maybe not…” she grinned. ”...but you’re certainly doing well enough as is.”

She took a sip of her water and cast a glance out over the dance floor. It was a quick glance but it was all she needed to ensure that everything was still fine. It would be her luck that at this point in a successful seduction that someone would try to force a dance or get a little too belligerent on the dance floor. Needless to say, she wouldn’t have appreciated that.

Appeased that all was status quo, her attention returned to lovely companion she was quickly making “friends” with.

>>”I’m not looking to be rude. I guess I can be a worry wart at times, but your… you know. Is it the kind you have full control over? You know, if someone was hypothetically tangled up with you, would they walk away with all pieces intact?”

It was a little odd of a question but something that she probably shouldn’t have been too surprised out. Though she didn’t give a lot of details as to her mutation, it was still enough to make someone pause. She was trying to seduce Diana so maybe it should have been expected that she would have some...concerns. Still, while it was a bit forward, she couldn’t fault the woman for trying to get a few facts.

Reaching over, her gloved fingers found Diana’s hand upon the bartop. A delicate index finger moved across the woman’s bare hand, slipping gently between her fingers, over her knuckles and along the back of her hand. ”Trust me, sweetheart...after so many years, I’m more than careful.” A teasing smile. ”Tender...even.” But afraid she was beginning to overstep her bounds, she retracted her hand and a more serious expression colored her face. ”Would that be too…risky forr you? I mean...I’d get it. Really.”

Diana had Roxie’s attention, which was how she liked it. Maybe she was playing herself up a bit, but she deserved this after a long day. Her boss, Kris, told her she needed to relax and get herself out there, and though she was not usually the one to approach a woman at a bar, she was doing a pretty good job.

Occasionally, Diana noticed Roxie breaking eye contact to survey the dance floor before returning to her. It was nice to see the dutiful security woman was vigilant; Diana would have felt guilty if a fight on the floor escalated because she was too much of a distraction. Flattered, but guilty.

As exciting and appealing as Roxie was, she was still a mutant. Diana had nothing against mutants, per se, but she did know how dangerous they could be. All it took was one bad date with the wrong mutant and you’re stuck with a burn mark or worse. Before moving forward, Diana wanted to be sure she could feel safe knowing Roxie had control over her powers. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Sabine was curious about that as well.

The gentle sensation of Roxie’s finger tracing between Diana’s fingers sent her stomach fluttering. Roxie had experience; from how she said it, Diana could assume she had plenty of experience. Was she the next in a long line for Roxie? Was that even a problem? She was there to loosen up, and she was feeling loose around Roxie.

Perhaps not the best phrasing.

Unfortunately, Roxie pulled back and Diana realized she had left the other woman thinking her mutation might be a problem going forward. Diana shook her head quickly, wanting to put a stop to that. ”Oh, it’s not a problem at all. I’m sorry. I guess I’m just nervous. I… well, I don’t really do this.”

Diana took Roxie’s hand gently into her own, smiling. ”You’re making it easier, though. Fun even. Thanks, Roxie.”

Roxie wasn’t shy. She hit on people aggressively and often, especially when it seemed that there would be some reciprocation. Even if flirtation just stayed that, a briefly exchange of coy words, it was still an action that Roxie was not shy with. But that wasn’t to say she didn’t take another’s feelings into account first. There was always a bit of danger, of getting too wrapped up in the moment. Roxie, after so many years, did have an expert control of her abilities, but she couldn’t blame Diana for feeling a bit of trepidation.

Trying to ensure that she was listening to the other’s fears, Roxie quietly inquired if this would be a problem. She preferred to be upfront with these things rather than built up hopes for the evening only to have it come crashing down in awkwardness. If this was truly a fear that would haunt Diana for the rest of the night then Roxie was going to respect that.

>> ”Oh, it’s not a problem at all. I’m sorry. I guess I’m just nervous. I… well, I don’t really do this.”

The bouncer smiled. Diana was so adorable. As she said, it was clear that this was something that she didn’t do often. Maybe it was the thrill of the moment, or a shake up from her routine, but whatever the case, Diana seemed almost committed to seeing where this evening went. For as straightforward as Roxie could be, she could also be a rather understanding guide whenever the situation called for it. And it certainly seemed that Diana needed a gentle, guiding hand for this.

”Please, don’t apologize,” Roxie beamed. ”I prefer upfront honesty than trying to navigate it alone. And, really, if any any point that you’re uncomfortable, just tell me.” Her smile grew softer. ”I don’t bite.”

A hand found its way into hers. The gesture was sweet and one that the ex-dancer felt a small flutter course across her skin. Her normal pattern would have called for her to try and check out early and get home, but she needed to tread carefully and not overwhelm or scare Diana off. Instead she just gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

>> ”You’re making it easier, though. Fun even. Thanks, Roxie.”

”I’m happy to oblige.” A quick glance around and Roxie turned back to Diana with a smile. ”Would you...care to dance? I think I can break away to share in one.”