It was rare that Claire had a spare moment these days what with meal prep and investigating both Orkas and her mysterious powers, but tonight's dinner had been pretty easy to throw together and cleanup was minimal, so she'd chosen one of the larger chairs in the lobby to hang out in for the night. She'd assembled a small stack of books on the floor beside her and stretched out sideways in it, head propped up by one rounded chair arm while her legs dangled comfortably over the other. Wired for Power: The Algorithm of my Success wasn't exactly a page turner, but if she held it at the right angle it blocked out the day's menu posted by the front desk where someone had crossed out 'Taco Bar' and written in 'JAMBALAYA.'

The sound of footsteps approached as she turned another page and she could tell from the gait and the chatter it was Angel and his friend without even looking. She subtly adjusted the book so as to avoid any eye contact as they passed through.

"Hold up, Cherri" she heard Angel say, "There's one more person we need."

"Pfft, the Librarian?" Cherri scoffed, "Angie, c'mon, we're already being saddled with the Princess and the Bruiser. Are we clubbing or playing D ?"

Suddenly Claire's book was yanked away, causing her to blink, "Hey!" she exclaimed, swinging her feet around to sit up, "I was reading that!"

Angel kept the book held far above her head, two of his arms folded and the other shaking a finger at her. "No way," he said firmly, "you are not stayin' inside reading again. We're goin' out and you're goin' with us."

As Claire stood to make further protests, he gave her a critical once-over, "…actually we're going back to my room to get you club-ready. You can't go out lookin' like that with me. I have a reputation to uphold."

"Do I have any say in this?" Claire asked, not bothering to hide her exasperation.

Cherri snorted as Angel ushered Claire towards the stairs, "Considering those shoes? Fuck no."

With Angel and Cherri's disregard for personal space and invasive hands, it didn't take long to get her ready. There was some back and forth and flat out refusal of wearing certain things, but eventually a midriff baring black tank top with a heart cut out to show cleavage and a shorter than she'd like black skirt were decided upon. Claire did insist on still wearing black leggings underneath to much eye rolling, but after she agreed to let them do whatever they wanted for her hair and makeup they were happy enough to let it slide.

"I'm so happy you came out with us, Claire!" Charlie gushed as they bypassed the line at Consent, ushered in quickly by one of the bouncers. She wondered if it was because of Charlie's status or Angeldust's, both of them seemed to be the focus of the stares, whispers, and camera flashes.

"Didn't have much of a choice!" She shouted back over the sudden din. The music was so loud Claire could feel it pulsing in her chest in a way that made her heart seem like it was the one off beat. The lights flashed in disorienting colors and people threw their bodies around on the dance floor with wild abandon. The floor was sticky, and she didn't want to think too much about that, grimacing as they claimed a recently vacated table.

As Vaggie started to sit, Charlie grabbed her arm excitedly, feet already tapping to the beat, "Woo! Let's dance first!"

"Anything for you, Babe," Vaggie smiled, wrapping her arms around Charlie and spinning her towards the dance floor.

Cherri Bomb elbowed her way through the crowd, her arms full of differently sized glasses all spilling liquids of varying neon colors as she dropped them on the table, "Okay, I brought a little bit of everything so once the alcohol kicks in pick your poison and we'll really get this party started!"

"Fuck yeah!" Angel picked one up in every hand, downing the first two immediately. Cherri followed suit, taking a shot with a wide grin then offering one out to Claire.

"Thanks, but I'm good." Claire gave a slight shake of her head, trying to keep track of Charlie and Vaggie in the press of the crowd.

Cherri rolled her eye, "C'mon, Granny," she pushed the shot into Claire's hand, "You can't come here and not do anything! You look hot! Have a drink, some pills, fuck somebody, dance!"

Claire gingerly set the drink down on the table and distastefully flicked her now sticky, gloved fingers, "Someone should stay sober to make sure everyone's safe."

"Safe?! It's Hell!" Cherri scoffed, elbowing Angel in the ribs, "Angie, talk some sense into her, Imma get some more shots."

Angel eyed her while swirling a martini glass, "Surely one of those fuckin' books you've read was about dancing."

"I can dance, I just—" Claire began, before Angel suddenly grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her up out of the chair, steadying her with one of his other arms.

"Great! Let's do it then!" he said with a grin, not letting go and herding her towards Charlie and Vaggie on the dance floor.

The protest died on her lips when Charlie threw her arms around her with a 'wooo!' and started moving to the beat. Deciding to choose her battles, Claire gave in, letting Angel twirl her this way and that to the cheers of their friends. She wasn't a bad dancer, though the amount of people around them made her wary and every bump and accidental collision wore at her nerves enough that she excused herself after a few dances to go stand by the wall, arms folded.

She smiled faintly, watching the four of them interact so freely, clearly enjoying themselves. Maybe this was what she needed—a night around normal people doing normal things. Having fun. She'd had fun when she was alive, though it had never been a huge priority.

It was kind of nice.

As she watched them, a sliver of pink smoke slowly swirled its way around her shoulders, the end of it forming a little hand whose finger slid under Claire's chin and turned her head to the right where a figure stood in the shadows. They were tall and skinny, wrapped in a red coat trimmed with what appeared to be white fur decorated with blood red hearts.

"I couldn't help but notice you out there. Dancing with Angel Dust." he said through gritted teeth, striding towards her while knocking ash from his cigarette holder onto the floor. He leaned down to blow a puff of pink smoke in her face, "All night."

Claire waved a hand between them until the smoke dissipated, looking as unimpressed as she sounded, "I don't see how that's any of your business."

He spluttered with rage and drew himself up to his full, impressive height, towering over her, "He is my business," he sneered, "He works for me. I'm—"

"Oh, I know who you are, Valentino," Claire replied with a flat expression.

Instantly his demeanor shifted, shoulders relaxing and a wide smile crossing his face, "Why didn't you say so, are you a fan? What am I saying of course you are," he said brightly, waving a hand at her and stepping back to fold two of his arms across his chest as he took another drag from his cigarette, "You were just using him to get my attention, it all makes sense now!"

"Does it."

"Of course, of course, now let me look at you," Valentino replied, not really listening. He circled around her, pink smoke trailing after him, "Maybe if we cut and dyed the hair, had Velvette give you an entire—and I mean entire makeover, it could work." He came to a stop in front of her, still considering, "She's not a miracle worker but some people like that plain, average sort of look. There's a kink for everyone, you know," he leaned in close with a sharp toothed smile, "What's yours?"

"Karma."

Valentino blinked, confused, "Karma? How is that—"

"Claire, there you are!" Cherri interrupted, coming up behind Claire and glaring at Val, "The vibe in this place just took a serious dive so let's head out."

"Claire," Valentino repeated, rolling the name around distastefully on his tongue, "Ugh, even your name is bad. But we can fix that. Have Angel bring you by the studio, okay, I'm sure we can work something out."

"Oh," Claire promised evenly, "I've already got something in mind."

Cherri didn't give her the chance to elaborate, putting both hands on her back and pushing her away, "Don't talk to that asshole," she snapped, "C'mon, we're going to hit up a couple more places before dawn."

"Always a pleasure, Cherri," Valentino called out with a lazy wave of his fingers. But the only response was Cherri flipping him off as she pushed Claire into the crowd.

Hours and many, many drinks later, Charlie was babbling incessantly while Vaggie and Claire held her upright between them, half carrying her into the hotel lobby, with Cherri and Angel trailing after.

"Why aren't you shipping them? I am totally shipping them!" Charlie exclaimed, head lolling to one side.

Vaggie grimaced and shot Claire an apologetic look, "Sorry, when she gets drunk she sees love connections everywhere. It's great…until it's awkward."

Claire readjusted Charlie's arm around her shoulder to make sure the princess stayed on her feet, "Charlie," she explained patiently, "Alastor has zero romantic interest in me. I'm pretty sure the only thing he truly loves is his coat."

"And making deals to increase his power," Vaggie added, directing the trio towards the stairs.

"Don't forget watching people fail!" Angel chimed in.

"What about making people fail?" Cherri corrected, elbowing Angel in the ribs with a wink.

"Oh, that's a good one!" Charlie brightened, straightening up a little, "He loves that! And violence!"

"Do you see how we're naming things and not people?" Claire pointed out, somewhat amused despite herself.

Angel draped himself over the back of one of the armchairs, "Listen, the only difference between Claire and that lamp," he thumbed over his shoulder, grinning, "is when Alastor touches the lamp he wants to turn it on."

All four women stopped, turned, and gave him a glare.

"Oh, fuck you, haters, that was comedy gold!" Angel pushed off the chair and flipped them off with all four of his hands as he headed up the stairs, "I'm goin' to bed."

Cherri laughed and skipped a few steps to catch up with him, "Haha, wait up, fuckface, I'm crashing with you tonight!" She looked over her shoulder, offering the other three a wave, "Thanks for the fun times, ladies!"

"I don't care if all that's true," Charlie turned suddenly, pulling her arm away from Vaggie so she could grab Claire's face, squishing her cheeks up and staring at her with drunken intensity, "I want you both to be happy! And no one is happy alone, so you might as well be happy together!"

Claire reached up to take Charlie's hands and pull them away from her poor face, steadying the princess as she started to waver, "Aw, there is so much to unpack there that is unhealthy and wrong!" she said with a smile, "But you're so sweet and wasted, that lecture can wait until tomorrow."

Coming to the rescue, Vaggie scooped the unsteady Charlie up in her arms, "C'mon, Charlie, let's get you to bed."

"Just think of all the adorable little deerfoxes!" Charlie sighed, laying her head down on Vaggie's shoulder contentedly.

"Thanks for the fun night and that horrifying image," Claire grimaced, following them up the stairs and just missing the little clicking noise that indicated the lamp in the lobby turning on.

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