The chapter title is the prompt :))

PLEASE READ THE FICS IN THIS SERIES BEFORE READING THIS! THANKS!

This one is kinda a sequel to the prompt "Don't look" with Panther, Em, and Sun. I highly recommend you read that before checking this one out!

Em liked showing up early on the nights she had to perform; that way she could mingle with the club-goers, and get a little drink at the bar before she had to go on stage. One might say it was dangerous to be tipsy while doing her rigorous act on such a tall platform, but Em preferred the word exciting.

The twenty-one year old fox pushed through the front door of the club, sending a wink to the bouncer as she walked past, "How's it going, Robby?"

"Same old, same old. You know the routine, Emmy!" The gorilla gave a big grin, "But you do know you can enter through the back door, right? Would be much easier, y' know."

"Well of course." She smirked sweetly, "But then I wouldn't get to see your beautiful smile~"

Robby blushed and bashfully looked away, although his expression immediately soured as a few teens, who were attempting to sneak inside, entered his vision.

Em couldn't help but snort at the sight. Guess things really don't change around here.

Continuing on into the main room, she danced her way through the crowd. It wasn't as rowdy as it usually was, since it was still rather early in the night, but there was still a distinct group gathered on the dance floor.

She trusted her memory more than her vision as she navigated herself towards the bar; standing on her tippy toes to see where she was going. Damn tall people. This is the only time when I get excited to wear my big ass performance heels.

Finally, with the wooden countertop in sight, Em ducked under a flamingo's leg and pushed her way to the front of the group. Y'know, if I was in my fancy getup and it wasn't so dark, these people would probably recognize me as tonight's talent. Hell, I bet the guys would be lining up to kiss my feet and buy me a drink!

Heh, if I had a foot fetish that might actually be fun... The fox adjusted her corset as she looked up and down the bar; searching for a free seat. But I can think about that later, first I gotta find a seat…

From where she stood, all of the stools were full, so with a sigh, she continued around the bar; it was circular shaped, with a big mirrored pillar standing in the middle, reflecting back all the fancy party lights onto the bartenders. Maybe on the other side, there's a stool or two.

"Hey, Foxy lady!"

Em's ears pointed at the nickname, and her eyes immediately fell to the friendly-looking lioness a few feet away sitting on a stool, attending to a margarita.

"Ah, Lylla! What a lovely face to see." The arctic fox grinned and closed the distance, giving Lylla a quick side hug; making sure to avoid her fancy drink, "You didn't happen to come for my performance tonight, did you?"

The lioness shook her head and smiled, "No, but it's a lovely surprise! I can't wait to see what you have stuffed in that corset of yours!"

"Oh, nothing more than the usual goods." Em winked jokingly, dramatically adjusting her chest fur. "I have a feeling you'll love the song I'm singing, I know I do~"

"As long as it isn't country, I'll be peachy!" Lylla roared with laughter, putting down her drink in the process so she didn't spill any on her short dress. "Speaking of things you love though, while I was doing my usual cruise around, I saw someone of interest on the other side of the bar."

"Someone of interest you say?" Em blinked, before giving in to a wide smirk, "Are you trying to set me up on a date again?"

"Well, he did look like your type with that fancy jacket of his," The lioness joked, "But I was thinking more about business. Seemed like exactly what you were looking for."

Em's gaze hardened, and she glanced at the pillar; if she had x-ray vision, she'd probably be able to see this mysterious man, "Huh, you don't say… Thanks Ly, I'll look into it."

"No problem at all, Foxy. I'll see you on stage!"

Em reached forward and gave her friend another hug, "I'll wave if I see ya!"

With one final goodbye, she pulled away from Lylla and continued her way around the bar; her mind now set on seeing this man herself. First thing first, find this guy, size him up, and if things look good I'll have a quick chat with him. And then I get my drink. God, what a night.

It didn't take for her to circle around the bar and get to where Lylla saw the man; this side of the club was much quieter, and other than a couple of people around the counter, there wasn't much of a crowd. Perfect, now it should be pretty easy to find this guy. Lylla did say he had some sort of fancy jacket…

With that in mind, the fox got to work scanning the stools. Vest. Suit. Hoodie. Vest. Vest. Jacket and helmet. Shirt. Hoodie-

Em blinked.

Wait...jacket and helmet?

Letting her gaze fall back to the mysterious figure clad in a golden helmet and a dark, long rubber jacket; the woman felt her eyes widen. Oh. So that's who Lylla was talking about…. lovely.

She knew that man.

How could she forget?

It was almost four years ago, in the Pureheart valley. Sun...that cliff… God, I was such a novice. Em bit her lip. And him! Panther, or whatever Sun called him, he kicked Sun's ass! I mean, he sure has the skill for the job I'm thinking and I suppose he did save me… but he's obviously dangerous as well. Is this a risk I'm willing to take?

She watched as the bartender slid a scotch glass toward the feline, the mysterious brown liquid sloshed inside as he stopped it nonchalantly with a gloved paw.

...but if this guy really wanted Sun dead, he'd be dead, right? So he can't be that bad… Plus, he kinda sounded like the tightly wound type, and those kinda guys are always fun to tease.

Suddenly, images of him gently pressing her face into his chest while she was wrapped around him came to mind. She snorted. I mean, he only did that to stop me from freaking out from my fear of heights so we wouldn't fall from the cliff and both die...but still, I think I have to go with my gut feeling here. He's worth a conversation. Let's see if this "Panther" guy wants a job.

And hey, if he says no, maybe he'll be open for a date. I always was curious about what he hid under that helmet of his…

With her mind made up, Em took a deep breath, fixed her fur, and strutted over to the bar; her eyes set for the empty stool beside the masked feline.

Let's see how this goes.

"Is this seat taken?" She asked smoothly, in a way that meant she was gonna take it no matter his answer.

Panther didn't respond, not even turning to look at the fox; although Em could tell he was using the mirrors behind the bar to assess her. Hm, smart boy.

"I'll take that as a no then." Em hopped onto the seat, using one of her hands to flag down one of the bartenders, and the other to point at the feline's drink, "I'll have what he's having."

The bartender took the order and left, leaving the two once again alone, or as alone as you can be in a crowded club.

Panther seemingly glanced to where the bartender went, before his gaze fell back to his glass; which he hadn't even bothered to take a sip of yet. His shoulders were tense, and his tail was lashing.

Guess he doesn't like company. Em smirked.

"...So, do you remember me or are introductions in order?" She asked softly, glancing over at him with a raised eyebrow; her own fluffy tail flicking.

The feline's gaze fell to the bar top, and he gently swished the liquid in his glass around; cupping it in both his hands.

Just as the silence was becoming uncomfortable, and she opened her mouth to fill it, he sighed.

"...Now, how could I forget you." Panther said, his voice coming out slightly mechanic thanks to the helmet. "I had to pick white hairs off my jacket for weeks after our little meeting."

He finally looked at her, his mask reflecting the pot lights from above the bar, "Not to mention the price of fixing my arm." Panther lifted his right hand off his glass and weakly made it into a fist. "It still feels a little off, even after all this time."

Em suppressed a frown at the memory of how he had broken his cybernetic arm while saving her, instead laughing softly and leaned forward; twirling a piece of her bangs in between her claws, "Hm, well, I suppose I'll have to find a way to pay you back then~"

Panther fell silent once again, and he stiffly looked back at his drink; tail lashing, "Unless you're offering money, I'm not interested."

Em laughed, just in time for the bartender to return and place her drink in front of her; matching perfectly with Panther's. With a happy sigh, she picked it up and leaned forward to clink it gently against his own.

"Well, as lame as it sounds, I hope a thank you toast works in the meantime." She smiled, finally raising the drink to her mouth and letting it slip past her lips. I wonder what he ordered anyway.

Em got her answer as an indescribable sweetness fell over her tongue, one that she wasn't prepared for nor did she enjoy.

Letting out a grunt, as if she were going to spit it out; Em raised a hand over her mouth to force the drink back. Finally, after a few seconds of battling herself, she forced herself to swallow the sickly sweet liquid.

"Ugh…" She stuck out her tongue, forgetting about her goal to appear feminine to Panther, "What the hell… that was wretched!"

A noise came from the taller feline as he spectated her ordeal. It was difficult to make out with the robotic filter of his helmet, but it sounded awfully like a chuckle. Heh, so I guess he isn't that stoic.

Panther turned back to his own glass, before lifting it up to look at the liquid; the amber soda seemingly glowing bronze in the light, "It's root beer."

Em hesitated, furrowing her eyebrows. He's… drinking pop? Um, that's unexpected.

"Uh...why?" She began, "Don't you want something with a punch to it? Isn't that why you're at a bar?"

Panther shook his head, "I'm here to scope out potential work. If I were to consume alcohol, during any potential altercation, my battle prowess would most likely be limited."

"Well, I suppose I can understand that, but why get root beer? Can't you just drink water or maybe a ginger beer? That's alcohol-free."

Panther stilled, "...I don't enjoy bitter things." His voice was noticeably quiet, and if Em didn't know better, she'd say he sounded embarrassed, "Besides… I like root beer."

Em raised an eyebrow at that, "But it's so sweet!"

"That's why I like it."

The fox scoffed, "So you have a sweet tooth." She glanced at his glass. That's kinda unexpected. I mean, the only people I know who unironically like that drink is… kids.

"Say, how old are you anyway?" She asked curiously. I mean, he must be old enough to get into the club. But I suppose he may have a fake ID…

It was now Panther's turn to scoff, clearly finished with the more personal conversation they were having, "I'm old enough to realize a girl like you doesn't talk to a guy like me unless she needs something."

Suddenly, the feline raised his free hand to his helmet, clicking a button on the side; it made a whooshing noise as if some air was being let out. Lowering his gloved paw to the bottom of his headgear, directly under his chin, he unexpectedly lifted it a few inches off.

Em's eyes widened as his muzzle came into view, although the rest of his face continued to be covered.

Using the paw that wasn't holding his helmet up, Panther raised his drink to his mouth and let the sweet liquid pour in; until the glass was empty. He swallowed the root beer without much of a second thought as he licked his lips; placing his glass back down on the bar top and sliding it toward the bartender.

"Another one, please." He asked, making Em almost jump out of her seat in disbelief. His voice without the filter… it's so soft.

Before she could ask to hear him speak again, Panther finally lowered his helmet back into place; as it made a confirming clicking noise as it locked into place.

"So, what is it?"

Em jolted at the sound of his usual robotic sigh, her mind still full of thoughts of his soft voice, and the image of a tongue darting out to lick the soda from his lips, "P-Pardon?"

"As I said, it's not every day a girl like you comes up to me. You must want something. What is it, Ms. Fatal?"

"Ah, yes, well…" Em cleared her throat, gently shaking her head as to push those thoughts to the side, "I wished to ask you about a potential partnership."

"...Partnership?" He questioned; she could imagine his eyebrows beginning to furrow.

"Outside of performing, I'm quite well known for my knowledge of gems, jewels, and all those kinds of goods. And that includes ones in fables or myths as well, kinda like that good old Ruby Pureheart we both know so much about." Em smiled, "Recently, I got a tip about a gem that was believed to be stolen centuries ago, turning up in the hands of some well-known pirates."

"And let me guess, you want me to help you steal it back so you can sell it for a fortune." He snorted.

Em shrugged, "Actually, I was planning on giving it back to the clan it was stolen from. Apparently back in the day, it was quite dear to them. Besides, I don't really care about the money, I mostly just do this as a hobby."

Panther hesitated, "...I suppose I misjudged you."

Em laughed, giving him a big grin, "Don't worry, happens all the time. People tend to think I'm the greedy type I suppose."

Panther glanced away, tapping a finger on the bar top, "I wonder why…"

Decidedly ignoring the sarcastic remark, she continued, "I do want to get the gem back to its rightful owners, and as you guessed, I want you to be the muscles in my plan.." She brushed her bangs out of her eyes, spinning her bar stool so she faced Panther, "I'd be happy to talk about the details in my dressing room after my performance. That is, if you're interested."

Panther fell silent for a few moments, continuing to drum his fingers on the counter, "...I suppose I would be open to hearing more about this plan."

Em grinned widely, feeling a wave of relief wash over her, "Great! I guess that makes us partners."

The feline physically bristled at that, his posture tightening, "I haven't agreed to anything yet, I will make my mind up after we see each other in your dressing room."

"Oh, tomato tomahto." She giggled, jumping off her stool. "I'll see you after my performance then, yes?"

Panther nodded, just as the bartender returned with another root beer in hand; placing it on the counter in front of the feline.

"Alright then." Em smiled, "Hey, if I see you on stage, I'll blow a kiss~"

He glanced at her, his tail flicking, "Go for it, I don't care either way."

With a laugh, she waved and turned away, "I'll see you then."

He didn't reply, just turning back to his drink.

That went well. He really is quite the character… The fox glanced back at him. I have a good feeling about this one…

"Actually…" Em began, hesitating, before walking back to his side; hands behind her back. "I'm back~"

"What is it?" He asked, turning back to face her. He didn't seem surprised to see her back so soon. "Did you forget something?"

"Oh, well, I just realized I can do a better thank you for saving me. That toast was rather drab."

Panther cocked his head to the side and she had to stop herself from squealing. How cute!

"So you've decided to give me money after all?"

"No… I have something else in mind."

Before the feline could question her, Em leaned forward onto her tippy toes, forcefully pulling his head down so it was eye level with hers; placing a gentle kiss on the muzzle of his helmet, just where his nose would be.

Panther's shoulders went rigid, and he raised his hands as if to push her away, yet he never did; only staying still in her gentle grasp, his tail falling motionless.

Eventually, Em pulled away; reaching forward to boop him on his metal muzzle, "Save me again and next time I'll give you one without the helmet. How does that sound?"

The feline was silent, his posture still unnaturally motionless, and his hands still raised.

"I...I…" Panther managed to mutter out, uncharacteristically shaken.

Em couldn't hold it back this time as she cooed, "Don't hurt yourself, dear~"

That seemed to awaken the feline from his shock, and he finally lowered his arms; his free hand almost desperately grabbing onto his glass of root beer. Once again, he went through the trouble of unlocking and pulling up his helmet over his muzzle; showing off that small part of his face once again.

Only this time, spread across his cheeks and muzzle, was a bright scarlet blush.

Before Em could really digest what she was looking at, Panther chugged his drink and slammed both his helmet back into place and his glass onto the table.

"Is… is that all, Ms. Fatal?" He questioned, his voice breathy; tail twitchy.

"...Yeah, that's it." She grinned, turning away to hide her own blush, "See you later, for real this time!"

"R-right." He muttered.

As the fox turned away, her sights set on backstage, she couldn't help but giggle to herself. Under that helmet, he really is just an awkward blushy boy.

The image of cyan eyes, an orange scarf, and a shaky grin fell over her.

Man, I really do have a type, don't I?