Eleanor stumbled through the front door of the Cackle Tabernacle, feeling less than graceful at the moment. It was only the fact that her two companions were likewise inebriated that she didn't feel like a total fool. "Hey. Hey, what about the... the boys?"

Velvet and Maggie both looked understandably confused for a moment. "Which... boys?" Velvet said with just the slightest bit of worry.

"Your boys. The other Lords of C'lamity. Eye-Sin and Rococo?" she muttered while gesturing vaguely with her hand. "I still haven't met 'em yet. They must be... busy. Busy little beavers. Bees. Whatever."

Driving was clearly not an option, so they made their way carefully together down to the subway. Maggie chuckled with a mysterious smile – her usual MO. "Crimes. They do a lot of crimes, so they operate at weird hours. Not that I can really judge, I guess."

She still hadn't really worked out how to tell when Maggie was telling a big joke and when she was actually being serious. If she had to guess, that was probably on purpose. "Like... actual?"

"Like actual" Velvet replied, immediate and serious. "Eizen thought he would support his sister Edna as she went through nursing school by playing the stock market, but it turned out he was pretty awful at doing it the right way. Before long he was broke and slumming it with us. But at some point he realized he could use his notorious bad luck to his own benefit. He made a new name for himself as the Reaper of Wall Street, hired out as a kind of mercenary to invest in stocks to purposefully crash them. Over time, he branched out into other stuff. Likes to be weirdly noble about it though, giving most of the money to charities and the like. As if he's some kind of modern day Robin Hood. Still, he's a good guy. Always on the move."

Maggie nodded sagely as they stumbled onto a train pulling into the station, forced to stand and hold desperately on rails and loops to keep from falling over. "Rokurou used to work as a bouncer while he was living with us. The reason he moved out, making room for you, is because Eizen hired him as muscle. Which is ironic because Eizen like... already has muscles. Dude can look out for himself. But try as he might, he can't be in two places at once." She winked with an even more mischievous grin. "You didn't hear it from us, but rumor has it Roku's family back east is all Yakuza. But he fucked up a mission or something and he got exiled. So now he's working with Eizen to make a name for himself."

Eleanor suddenly felt like she had during her first few days at Casa Calamity. The others were criminals? She certainly wasn't one to judge them, if anything it made her feel intimidated all over again. Still, Jesus had spent his time with all manner of people, so perhaps this really was where she was meant to be. "...what about you two? Did you ever... I-I don't know... help with... crime?"

Velvet shot her a look, glanced around the train, then locked onto her eyes one more time. Right, public place, idiot. Maybe keep it down.

The blonde was far less serious about it, keeping that same look, so pleased with herself. "Absolutely not. I would never participate in such a thing. I'm frail and helpless, and completely incapable of doing anything criminal."

Even if she wasn't totally capable of following every single conversation she held with her roommates, this one was pretty clear-cut. Velvet and Maggie were good people, occasionally kind, and at least doing their best to make their way in the world. But perhaps there was more to them. She wanted to know the details, but now was clearly not the time to press for info. Besides, as the next stop came up, Maggie beckoned them off the train toward their destination.


The dance club was... Well, it was a dance club. Even having never been to one before, Eleanor could tell immediately that this place was pretty standard. Dim lights, lots of colors and flashing, heavy bass, tons of warm bodies pressed in close together.

Maggie was clearly in high spirits because she paid for all of their covers and wouldn't take no for an answer. As soon as they were in the door, she spun around on her heel. "I have to use the little girls' room. Meet y'all by the bar in a few minutes?"

Velvet shrugged and started walking in that direction as well. "The amount we drank, I might as well join you. Eleanor had the right idea, going back at the Tabernacle."

She waved to them before turning her attention on the bar. She most definitely didn't need any more alcohol in her system, but a bottle of water sounded like a damn good idea. Before she could catch the bartender's attention, she felt someone gently tap her on the shoulder three times. "Excuse me, I noticed you trying to flag down a drink. I somehow ended up with two, would you like this one?"

The set-up was so obvious that she almost felt insulted. But she also knew enough horror stories to know that she had to be a little careful here until her friends returned. "Why thank you. That's very kind of you...?" she motioned to him, leaving an opening for him to give her a name.

"Zelos. And you are?"

Eleanor made absolutely no move to actually reach for the drink, leaving it sitting right where it was. "Eleanor. It's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is all mine, Ellie~"

Oh god, I think I might actually vomit. Jesus protect me. "Eleanor, please. I don't really go in for nicknames."

As if waiting for her cue in the wings (which might not have been entirely inaccurate), Maggie appeared out of nowhere, putting a protective arm around her shoulders. "Nora! There's my girlfriend." Unlike before, this lie was a comfort rather than an embarrassment. "Chatting up this nice young man, I see." She thrust her hand out rather aggressively.

The disappointed charmer took it and shook it slowly. "Zelos. I was just introducing myself, really. I'll get out of your hair."

"Nonsense!" Now Velvet was joining in on the action, slapping him forcefully on the back. "It would be rude to part ways so quickly."

Maggie used the leverage she had from their team effort to get in closer. "I want to be very clear. If you have any kind of ill intentions for Nora here, I will personally ensure that your balls and your eyes have switched places."

While he was distracted, Eleanor casually reached into her purse and retrieved a tiny strip, dipping the end of it into the glass. It changed colors, which was a shame really. Zelos seemed like he could have been a nice enough guy. She tossed the strip, then pushed the glass toward the bartender. It 'accidentally' tipped over the edge and spilled everywhere. "Maggie! Be nice. Zelos was offering me a drink and everything. Here..." She gently separated their hands, then immediately grabbed his as tight as she could. Given their height difference, she conveniently had to stand right on his foot, putting all her weight on his big toe, leaning up to his ear. "And if I see you so much as approach another girl in here tonight with a suspicious drink, my violent friend here won't have time to save you. I will drag you out back and end you myself. Slowly. Painfully. You will beg for death."

Just as quickly, she was off his foot, bouncing back with a cheerful wave. "It was nice meeting you!" She grabbed both her friends' hands and hurried toward the middle of the dance floor.


"This is just pathetic. I mean, I know you spent your childhood in church and all but really. Just sad. You need a crash course in dancing like a human being." Eleanor didn't really have time to argue with Maggie before the girl moved in behind her, planting her hands on her hips without a trace of self-consciousness or shame. "You're putting too much focus on your shoulders. Don't get me wrong, they're near your boobs, and some girls can work them like champions. But we're doing the easy stuff for now. You wanna move your hips more, it looks great and it keeps you feeling more grounded."

"Um. O-Okay..." There really was no process in her brain that would help Eleanor in this particular situation. She didn't have it in her to be rude enough to shove her away. She wasn't sure how to actually play along in a fun way. All she could really manage was to just kind of dumbly nod her head and follow her instructions.

As promised, there was something rather natural in moving her hips in time to the music. Granted, she did have Maggie's hands there to guide her. But they were just as much a distraction as they were a help. It was equally strange to realize that her friend's body was pressed in fairly close to hers, to the point that Maggie's hips were directing her almost as much as her hands. Honestly, the overly religious part of Eleanor's brain felt almost guilty to be taking joy in the experience. It never would have occurred to her that Maggie was just as pleased with things.

Even Velvet was having a little laugh at the absurdity of it. And frankly, that made it all worth it, because Velvet definitely deserved to laugh more. It was tough to tell over the loud music, but Eleanor had no doubt the sound was as delightful as the way her face lit up.

Maggie suddenly began gesturing toward Velvet excitedly, and with some hesitation the woman slid in place in front of her, back pressing against Eleanor's front – effectively creating a little dance train. This left Eleanor stuck in the middle, not that she was complaining. Two gorgeous women dancing against her? How could she possibly find anything wrong with that, even if they were her roommates and friends too. But with all the shake-ups in her life, perhaps a few more shake-ups wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Velvet's hands brought her back to reality, taking her own hands and guiding them to her hips. Yes, this was most definitely a new experience for her.

The song came to an end, and Maggie performed a rather impressive switch-up, twirling Velvet around so that the two of them could share the next dance. Eleanor would have been happy to just stand aside, but apparently that wasn't good enough. Each took one of her hands and tugged her back in close. Eleanor couldn't help the little giggle of delight that burst out of her as she danced over to them.

That was the happy pattern that continued for a while when something unexpected changed it all. Another song had just faded out, and the three of them were looking a bit worn out. Which was right about the time Maggie planted her hand on the back of Velvet's neck. Eleanor could only watch in amazement as the blonde pulled her into a passionate kiss. It was not just a drunk-girl kiss, if she had to guess.

Still, somehow, Velvet actually managed to surprise in return. She pressed a hand to her own lips, staring silently at Maggie for a moment or two, then suddenly rushing for the front door. Maggie wasted no time at all, grabbing Eleanor's hand and rushing after her. They weaved their way through the crowd, swimming upstream until they were able to slip through the door and into the night air. Velvet was already long gone, nowhere in sight, having probably caught a taxi or train back home. Maggie turned to Eleanor looking legitimately sad for the first time since the two had met.

"I knew I should have kissed you first. Stupid, stupid Maggie..."

"Hey, it's okay, we'll catch a cab home and then-" Eleanor's brain caught up to what the other woman had actually said, a few seconds late. "...wait, what?"