+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++A chance encounter+++++++++++++++++++++++

"Lemme help you there, Pinky". A husky voice sounded near his ear from just out of sight. Legend jumped and whipped around quickly. Before him stood a tall broad-shouldered woman in a black leather jacket with spikes on the shoulders. She had small, rounded ears, a short shaggy pixie crop of candy-pink hair not all that unlike his own and black lips. She smiled with her chin slightly tilted down at him with kind grey eyes and wrinkled her nose at him playfully. He was momentarily stunned to silence. The woman gave him a once over bringing a tattooed hand to her chin briefly, and called to the bartender:

"Pink Cadillac. Salt rim. With a cherry garnish. Actually? make that two. Double Cointreau on the second please."

The barman nodded and set off on his task. The woman smiled warmly at Legend and quirked an eyebrow at him as she leaned against the counter beside him. "So…..." She purred "I don't mean to be rude but" and she made a gesture of reaching for his hair, stopping just short, eyes seeking his approval for her intent. Legend found himself nodding. She ruffled his hair. "I simply MUST know... what do you use?"

He was unsure what she meant by that and stayed silent, questioning eyes looking at her for further elaboration.

She continued, unperturbed, as she ran her fingers through her own short fringe. "See? I've had good color results with Arctic Fox, but the color seems to bleed so Much! Especially when it's fresh... I've used Manic Panic before and a few others, but the color always seems to come out too bright!" She made a face signaling her displeasure at whatever that meant.

"I-…" Legend opened his mouth not knowing what would come out.

"Pink Cadillac" The gruff bartender interrupted sliding an elegant-looking rosy-colored drink to his elbow. "Double Cointreau" He continued sliding a second one to the strange woman who took it graciously.

"Thank you, Stan… put 'Pinky' here on my tap. Whatever he wants." She winked at Legend as she sipped her drink. The music faded slightly for a moment before resuming as a booming voice proclaimed that the live how would be starting shortly, to the cheers of many from the thronging crowd.

"Well," The strange woman sighed. "That's my queue. Catch ya later." She downed her drink in one long pull before setting it delicately on the counter and stood up, beginning to saunter away when she stopped, turned slightly, and grinned coyly at him over her shoulder. "You know... Its bad manner to not give a lady your name when she buys you a drink."

He choked mid-sip and pounded his chest briefly to clear a cough. She smiled at him bemused. Waiting on his answer. "It's Le-…. Call me Link." He said and raised his glass to her in acknowledgement of her gesture. She nodded.

"I'm Winona." She said still smiling as she turned back in the direction she was heading and walked away, waving at him over her shoulder.

He watched leave, still sipping his drink. It was delicious; Sweet and tart and refreshing. Strong.

A few minutes later Legend made his way back to his posse who waited eagerly for news. He sat down with his drink at the end of the booth carefully setting the fluted glass on the table. This action drawing the entire party's interest.

"What is That?" said Wars, eyes alight, who was nearest to Legend on the end.

"It's called a- Hey!" He cried out when his friend simply took the drink to sample it. And looking deeply please, began to pass it down the row…. A Pink Camilac.. or something like that." He mumbled, mostly to himself watching the drink pass from hand to hand. Though no member of the group was greedy, taking more than a taste, there were nine of them and by the time his glass returned it was almost empty.

Wars nodded and smacked his lips in approval. He waved his hand over his head at a woman dressed like a black bunny wearing a small frilly apron glided by carrying a tray. He caught her attention. She came to their table in an impossibly smooth, graceful stop and leaned her considerable bosom over the table, still holding her tray aloft, as she smiled at the group. "What's yer poison Sugga'?" She said in that again unfamiliar accent.

Wars smiled brightly at her, not the least bit perturbed and threw his arm over a very red-faced Legend. We will have 9 more…?"

"Pink Camilacs." Legend mumbled. He looked over at his friends who seemed to have relaxed somewhat into the environment as surreal as it was. "A-Actually, make it ten." He looked once more at his now smiling friends. "Put it on… 'Winona's' tab…"

The curvy bar-bunny stood up and smiled at the gang resting a hand on her wide hip. "Comin' up Sugga'!" and she glided away ever-gracefully on strange, now visible wheeled shoes.

"Wars leaned in over Legend pressing uncomfortably hard on his shoulder. "So….'Winona' Huh? Sounds like a lady's name.."

All eyes turned towards the pink haired man whose ears burned and twitched in irritation. "She was just a- a kind person at the bar counter, ok?" Just enjoy your drinks..." He pouted to the general snickering of all.

Moments later the barmaid returned placing a pretty rosy drink in front of each of them. He hesitated momentarily when she got to Wind who looked up at her with an expectant expression. She seemed to weigh something in her mind and simply placed the drink down and continued down the row before giving a little bow and gliding away.

Wind's eyes sparkled as he took a draught before any of his companions even picked their up. He wiped his mouth and sighed in contentment. He stood for a moment bringing a hand to his face to amplify his voice. "Keep 'em COMIN Ma'am!" before he sat down again looking pleased with himself..

The whole group stared.

"What?" He asked suddenly feeling their eyes.

"Aren't you.." Began Twilight before faltering and looking to the others for aid

"A little young?" Finished Time, Eying the boy with mild disapproval.

Wind rolled his eyes, lips still on the rim of his glass. "Oh PLEAASE..." He snorted and pointed to himself; eyebrows raised. "Pirate? Remember? What? You think I can't hold my own? The only person that I've met who can outdrink me is Tetra…" He grinned mischievously, eyes scanning the group. "That girl is a BEAST. You guy's would be under the table." As if in emphasis the teen took a long pull from his drink and finished with a loud satisfied "Ah..."

With that Time simply shrugged and continued to enjoy his drink. The rest followed suit. Shortly after their second round was deposited at the table the lights began to lower as what could have only been the promised 'performance' prepared.