[Finished] For Your Entertainment

[Sazra Peo]

It was a steamy night in the Orchid Lounge. A firebender and a waterbender had just had a brief drunken go at each other and it left the atmosphere powdered in smoky moisture. As if the air inside wasn’t think enough with its usual smoke, heat and beverage scent. They had been pried apart, much to her disappointment, and been taken out. Clearly her evening wasn’t entertaining enough and the near finished drink she had in her gloved hand was in need of refreshing. Clothed in burgundy silks, a short top and knee-length, tight pants, adorned with golden patterns that ended in elegant swirls, she sat alone at a table and surveyed the crowd with bold eyes of liquid fire.

The firebender practically lived in the Orchid Lounge. Although it was her day off, she usually worked here, as a dancing, flirtatious and charmingly inviting waitress, or just dancer, depending on the evening’s need. Various people passed by to greet her as they came and went, satisfied regular customers or occasional friends. None of them seemed to have time to engage with her fully, which displeased her greatly.

A touch of bitterness nuanced her golden orbs. She didn’t like sitting alone at her table and if she could only find a suitable target she would proceed to spice the night up for herself. Keeping to herself wasn’t her style. Without meaning to, she grew a little thoughtful. She had lived in Republic City her entire life and yet, there seemed to be no one by her side in any reliable capacity. All of her relationships were on some level of superficial and she was fine with it on the most part, but every now and then she seriously considered truly opening up for something more.

Sazra blinked, realizing the brief slip into thoughtfulness and looked at her glass. What were they spicing them with these days?

[Totomi Hojo]

Totomi entered the Lounge and looked around. He didn't go to far in, after all he may have been a relative newcomer to the city but he had learned that if you see two people being taken out of a building, you don't go running in head first. Or he could just be overly cautious, either way he took a nice long look before deciding to enter... Well he didn't actually decide.. More like a big burly man shoved him aside trying to get in.

Regardless of the circumstances of his entry Totomi carefully made his way to the bar He scrunched up his nose at the smell.. It wasn't the worst thing he had ever smelt but it still had the power to offend. He sat next to a woman and gave her a quick glance. He noticed what she was wearing and slowly looked away. Then he looked at his clothes and saw that they were pretty much a tell tale sign that he wasn't Mr. Rich. He was wearing his only pair of boots, a pair of pants that bunged up around his ankles some, and his shirt was just your average shirt... Though it had the green of a Earth Bender on it. He turned and looked around the Lounge again and pushed his glasses up on his nose. The place was new to him. This was the first time he had actually had enough time to enter a place like this.

When the bartender asked if he would like a drink he said that he's like time to think about it. He didn't actually know what to order... He had nothing against this type of drink... More of a lack of knowledge about his options. He noticed that he was getting used to the smell. And he felt that it would be ok to at least say something to this person next to him... He looked back out at the Lounge and took a deep breath and said. "You get used to the smell after a while, eh?"

[Sazra Peo]

Sazra had chosen to abandon her table in favor of sitting at the bar, to place herself more out in the open, more casually approachable, for most people found it daunting to strike conversation with someone sitting at a table. It implied asking for permission, it brought up the possibility of being rejected and pointed away, so the bar it was. No sooner had she finished her leftover drink that a man sat within proximity, wafted a gaze her way and then inspected himself and she did too. He seemed to her, at first glance, to be the embodiment of unpremeditated, with his casual wear in the most scandalous local in Republic City and that unbothered air about him. His eyes were brown, she had noticed. Sazra never forgot a pair of eyes and they were the first thing she noticed about anyone.

He apparently needed time to ponder his choice of poison and she chimed in after him. “More firebrandy for me, Jeh,” she winked at the bartender she knew all too well, her coworker when she was on duty. Theirs was a complicated acquaintance, if you asked her, for she had seriously flirted with him on many occasions but he seemed torn between returning the attention and remaining neutral. It was no matter, however, as she hadn’t put much feeling into her antics. When the stranger beside her addressed her she smiled openly his way. With the scent of firelilies in her clothes and hair she was actually contributing to the chemical mixture in the air and she knew what he meant.

“I love the smell,” she admitted simply, her bright orbs openly studying his face, the way a little stubble painted his chin, the glasses he wore that made the shape of his eyes harder to outline. “I take it you’ve never been in here before,” she assumed, curving her posture more towards his direction, one of her elbows on the bar and her other arm had the hand placed onto her leg. She wasn’t yet sure if she wanted to dedicate her attention to him tonight. Something had to be done about that.

“So tell me,” the bartender came back and placed the firebrandy into her hand. She acknowledged his service by tapping the glass once before bringing it near her rouged mouth as he disappeared into the background. “What are you looking for?” Her question was said seriously and her eyes were intense.

She took a sip of the honey-red liquid in her hand.

[Totomi Hojo]

Totomi noticed the woman ask for a drink....... Firebrandy was it? He was still new to these drinks and there names. "I'll take one too." He said raising his hand. He looked at the woman and the bartender... He had the feeling that they had something between them, but he thought he would leave it be. After all he was in unfamiliar surroundings, it was probably best if he didn't force his way into anything.

When she said that she loved the smell Totomi took a sniff. "It does kinda grow on ya." He said with a light smile. When he took the sniff he noticed an other smell.......... Firelilies? He didn't dwell on that thought. He looked the woman over and could tell that she probably had a way with men.. Or at least that she got quite a few looks from men. "No I'm new to this place." He said gesturing around the Lounge. "I've walked by countless times. But this is my first time in." He added.

He looked at her and thought about her question. What was he looking for? He had just been passing by. But now that he was in here. He had to think. "Well I guess right now I'm just trying to find a place to sit down." He said with a grin. He looked around again then looked back at the woman. "I'm Totomi." He said offering to shake hands and turning his body to her. "You are?" He knew that some might say he was coming on alittle strong. But he felt it was the best way to get to know others. Also he wanted to have a conversation. And maybe he would meet this woman again? When the bartender brought him his drink he smiled and thanked the man. He then started to fumble around in his pocket trying to pull out some money to pay for the drink.

[Sazra Peo]

He had sniffed the air after her comment and his disposition towards the smell became a lot more welcoming. Smoothing a crease in her top was all she could do to distract herself from being amused. She kept up a friendly smile that bordered on flirtatious. It was hard to help it. He admitted experiencing the Orchid Lounge for the first time and one of her eyebrows curved up. She watched him from under lowered lashes. “The whole place has a way of growing on you. Like vines taking a fence by surprise,” she showed a half-grin as she glanced around almost thoughtfully. “The fence never protests…”

Her question was approached with actual consideration. Okay, that was a plus. Normally people either gave her a strange look for asking something so unspecific or countered with some cheesy pick up line that made them all the more boring. “You’re already sitting,” she pointed out, one of her slender fingers pointing at his stool, but the twinkle in her eyes hinted she was just teasing. She knew what he meant, sometimes you just went places without thinking, hoping the situation would give you inspiration, and if it didn’t, you could always just observe and think and have a better approach next time.

His hand was extended and her golden eyes flipped down to it. The gesture was a new trend and she couldn’t help but wonder where it originated. Taking his hand, she shook it with firm elegance, and then let hers brush through her dark brown locks. “Totomi,” she tested the name, a faint smile curving her lips, before answering his question. “The magnificent Sazra, but they call me Sazra for short,” she announced with a flourish of her wrist and then laughed a short laugh. Gosh, she had to stop doing this, but that really had been her stage name as a child performer. She battled the rush of memories and returned her attention to him.

She cupped her drink in both hands. “So what talents do you have, Totomi? And how come the Orchid Lounge has never experienced the pleasure of your presence before today? Where are you from? And lastly, what would you do if this was your last day alive and you knew it?” Sazra wasn’t your conventional company and she didn’t intend to be. She was going to ask whatever she pleased, do whatever she wished and if her company didn’t appreciate it, they could always leave and allow her to move onto someone else.

[Totomi Hojo]

He smiled at her fence metaphor. "Yeah I guess your right. It never does." He said with a fond grin. "You sound like someone I knew once." He comment with a look that suggested fondness of the memory she had brought to the surface. It wasn't everyday he met someone who would talk like that. Well at least not everyday since arriving in the city.

He let out a laugh when she commented that he was sitting. "Well I guess I have to go now." He said jokingly then he grinned when he finally got the money to pay for the drink out. He put it on the counter and then took a sip of the drink... Then tried his best not to spit it back up. He finally swallowed it then set the glass back down carefully. "That'll take some getting used to" He said with a slight cough. Then he noticed her reaction to him offering to shake hands. "Sorry I've..... Traveled." He said explaining his action.

"Sazra?" He said trying to wrap his mouth around the new word. "Well Sazra its nice to meet you." He said grinning at her self-introduction. "I'm just Totomi.... Or 'Hey you'" He said jokingly. "I'm sorta on the modest side when it comes to my name." He added with a grin. He didn't' realize he was grinning, as a matter of fact he rarely knew when he was grinning or smiling.

"Well I'm a handyman right now... Just doing odd jobs." He said. "I'm trying to find a actual job though. So that's why I haven't actually been in here." He said he then had to think. "I'm an Earth Bender for one." He said in response to her question about talents. "And I can dance and play a few instruments rather well." He added.

He had to stop and think about her last question though. "Well I'm not sure......" He paused and thought some more...... He was running dangerously close to becoming philosophical. "I guess I would go out and enjoy what time I have left." He said after about a minute.

[Sazra Peo]

There was a look in his eyes that made her freeze up on the inside but she made no moves or expressions to display her discomfort. She reminded him of someone. She didn’t like reminding people of other people. Or at least, she didn’t like the potential for closeness. Lustful looks she could deal with, but fond ones? No Sir! It scared the fireferret out of her. Maintaining a smile and calming herself from irrational reactions on the inside, she gave in to her curiosity instead. “Who?” It was prying, she knew, but that’s how it was with her.

His laugh made her relax, and she quirked an eyebrow at his jest. “What. If you leave so suddenly I’ll have to never talk to you again,” she parried with her own humor, then gestured to the money he left on the counter. “You usually pay when the evening is over, makes it easier for the barkeep.” The little things you picked up on by working in the business. Her eyes narrowed in teasing suspicion. “Or are you seriously planning on leaving already?” She took no mind to why he had opted for that gesture.

“Likewise,” she returned and took a new sip of her drink. Her mind was becoming hazy. Luckily, there wasn’t much difference between her behavior when she was sober and when she became drunk. She was naturally unrestrained and not exactly drunk yet. The previous small glass she had had previously not enough to break through her developed tolerance. “Hey you,” she repeated, amused. “I’ll know how to greet you now.”

She nodded once to his mention of jobs. Everyone was there when they relocated. Well, almost everyone. She smirked at his excuse. “When I decided to go for employment and stop profiting from the support of my parents I came straight here.” Looking away from him and to the door, she remembered coming in with that thought in mind, freshly eighteen, two years ago. It seemed like such a long time ago. He confessed being an earthbender and her attention returned to him. How typical. There was something about earthbenders, they kept cropping up into her life. People in Republic City couldn’t be judged by clothing, so she had taken no hints from his attire.

“You can dance?” She seemed pleased. “Now that I’ll want to see sometime. What instruments do you play?” Sazra had no talent for music, although she appreciated it and part of her job was dancing. He seemed to be struggling with her last question and she watched him intently. When his reply came she crossed her arms and looked offended. “So you’d need to leave to enjoy your last day alive, at least I have no illusions about how much potential you give my company.” She was serious for a moment but then started laughing. That had to have been her worst attempt at prissy pretentious female. “Sorry, couldn’t help it.” She waved it aside, but added casually. “Not what I asked though, I wondered what you would actually do, and with whom… and all.”

She became spontaneously thoughtful, pondering her own question. What would she do if this were her last day alive… The mere beginning of the thought made her feel quite empty.

[Totomi Hojo]

He grinned and waved his hand in the air. "Oh just the village elder." He said then he picked up a old wise man act. "He always spoke in riddles and metaphors." He pushed his glasses up on his nose both because he needed to and to complete the act. "It always took me two to three days to understand what he meant." He said finishing his act grinning. "It was just the choice of words you made." He finished.

He looked at the money he had placed on the counter. "Oh... I'll remember that next time." He said then he looked at the drink. He wasn't sure if he'd be getting another one of these drinks again.... What was it called again? It was clear to him that next time he ordered a drink he would need to remember what it was called. "No I'm not planning on leaving yet." He said. "I just got here." Then he pointed towards the door with his thumb. "Plus those two benders might still be out there." He added.

He just then noticed the flirtatious air about her smile, he simply kept his upbeat grin on his face. He didn't always enjoy it when women would go after him... Which is what made him feel ok here. This woman didn't seem to be trying to get him to go out... Though her smile made him somewhat uneasy. But not enough to ruin his mood.

He chuckled abit. "Yes hey you will do just fine." He replied to her comment. He really did get called that from time to time. Though he always reacted faster to his name, or anything that sounded like his name for that matter.

He listened to Sazra talk about how she got her job. He looked at her then around the Lounge. "So you work here?" He asked, Totomi took another look around the Lounge. Now that he thought about it this place didn't seem all that bad...... Or was the drink having an effect on him? He hoped that wasn't the case.

He nodded. "Yes I can dance... Not well mind you but I can dance." He said. When she asked about what instruments he played he shrugged. "String based instruments mostly." He said. "I've tried other kinds but I'm better with string instruments." He said taking another glance at her. Then when she commented on his answer about how he would spend his last day alive he had to stop and think. "Well I don't really plan my day that much... So I highly doubt I would plan my last day alive either." Then he paused and looked at her with a curious frown. "What are you getting at?"

[Sazra Peo]

The village elder. The wave of relaxation that hit her was absolute. “I’ll take that as a great compliment then, it’s not often I’m compared to wise, old men,” she smiled a smile of gratefulness. She rarely shared that side of herself and people rarely even noticed. What they noticed was a pretty face, an easy smile, and she was adept at jumping into that role. “I’ll be sure to choose more words like those in future.” She raised her glass as if in silent personal toast to that and took another sip of firebrandy. It burned down her neck and made her feel alive.

She lifted a hand to meet his clarification. “I was only kidding.” When he referred to the benders she sighed a little, the memory of her lost entertainment still somewhat unpleasant. “Yeah. I was half tempted to go after them and see if they finished each other off. It was quite the show. But brief.” She shrugged, making no effort to hide the fact she enjoyed watching violence. “It wasn’t like they were aiming to actually kill each other,” she added as an afterthought, since he didn’t know her, and he might take that the wrong way. She was in no way promoting senseless butchery, but everyone needed a little slapping every now and then. It would remind them they were just as human and vulnerable as everyone else.

He asked if she worked here and she nodded. “Waitress and performer,” she added with a wave of her hand. Finishing her drink she started feeling a little drunk. The sleepiness was the first thing she noticed, then there was the way everything didn’t seem as clear as it could be, then there were… other things.

She gave a little nod to his modesty or sincerity, whichever it was. She could dance also. Very well. She saw no reason to say that. “I’ve never had a voice, or a hand, for music,” she admitted with some regret. Within moments he was giving her a frowny look. So he couldn’t imagine what he would like to do, nor could she, actually, so she shouldn’t judge. Death was so final and she had so many things to do before she died, she couldn’t possibly contain them within one day, and there was no one who meant enough for her to instantly think of them. She considered whether to answer his question or not.

Inebriation made her answer. “I’ve been wondering if I would be interested in casually sleeping with you since you started talking to me. If I were to die tomorrow, the prospect of it would be an option to me.” She shrugged and watched him from the corner of a golden eye, wondering if her frankness would offend or drive him away. In truth, she had wondered that almost every night about a lot of men and here she was, still just wondering. Her mind threw up a little flashback of the Pro Bending earthbender she was still sort of seeing occasionally, even though he had not contacted her in over a few months. Their open relationship was becoming tiresome, but she appreciated the simplicity of it.

[Totomi Hojo]

He smiled abit. "Yeah I guess your looks might drive that kind of comment away." He said jovially. He looked her over again and smiled again. "Yeah words like that might not be too bad an idea." He replied

He nodded lifting his his glass considering taking another sip. "I know you were.. So was I." He said. "Though I don't like the idea of walking into a fight." He said with a grin. "I may be an Earth Bender but I'm not a super aggressive fighter." He added with a smile. He looked around the Lounge. "Well judging by the looks of this place... They were just blowing of some steam." He looked around. "In more ways then one." He added with a grin.. He took another look at his drink and thought about taking a sip. He didn't really like the feel he got the last time he took a sip. He smiled slightly. Here he was having taken a drink a few minutes ago and he was acting like it was months ago.

He looked her over when she confirmed her line of work. After a few seconds he said. "Well you sure do have the look." He looked at her with a grin.

"Well it took me awhile but I got music eventually. I've never performed for anyone before though." Then he paused. "Well actually I did perform once at the harvest festival in the village I spent most my life in." He said. "But it was a small group... And a small part."

He finally decided to take another sip and had gotten a good amount in his mouth when he heard her mention sleeping together. He coughed the drink back into the cup in surprise. "Wait what?" He asked quickly looking her over again. He really didn't expect this. Sure she was a very attractive woman... And he felt good about the offer. But still he didn't expect it... "Well I guess I would..... Now do you really mean this? As in are you actually asking if I want to? Now?" He asked cautiously.