June 16 - Moscow Nightlife

[Lora Zalesky]

She nodded, smiling, and danced closer to Gideon than she had so far, enjoying the sing out of spite.

"Nice moves."

[Gideon Rede]

"I had a good teacher," Gideon smiled, "She's patient even when I step on her feet."

[Lora Zalesky]

She kept the dance going until the end of the song.

"Okay, I think I could use a drink. For several reasons. What about you?"

[Gideon Rede]

"Nothing wrong with have one or two," Gideon said, "Possibly three."

[Lora Zalesky]

"Terrific. Follow me." She took Gideon by the hand and led him through the crowd over to the long bar, which was just as colorful and rave-y as the whole general atmosphere of the place.

<"I'll have a Screwdriver,"> she told the bartender.

[Gideon Rede]

<"Greyhound,"> Gideon said after a moment, "Might not be standing at the end of the night if we're going to start this early."

[Lora Zalesky]

"But I am going to need a few drink in me before I can put up with...oh, speak of the devil." Lora looked over Gideon's shoulder, seeing Maxim approaching the bar with a couple of goons.

[Gideon Rede]

"He even tried to even the odds a little," Gideon said as he looked over at Maxim.

[Lora Zalesky]

<"Lora! Long time no see, old friend."> If Gideon hadn't gotten a good look at him before, he would now. He wore mostly black, which was to be expected. Long sleeves, gloves, pants, the whole nine yards. But why he covered so much of himself wasn't too hard to figure out. His skin was scarred down one whole side of his face, as though he had been burned. The burn continued down below the collar of his shirt. <"And you even brought a little friend back with you.">

<"Maxim. Just as douchey as usual, I see,"> she replied, smiling sweetly.

[Gideon Rede]

"He fall into a fire pit?

Gideon didn't seem perturbed by the scars, but kept quiet for the moment.

[Lora Zalesky]

No. Those were my doing.

<"What's the matter? Did you not like the music?,"> he asked them both.

[Gideon Rede]

Remind me to stay on your good side, dear.

<"Dancing is thirsty work,"> Gideon said not actually answering the question.

[Lora Zalesky]

<"Good answer! Oh, I like this one, Lora.">

<"Okay, you've had your fun. Now run along and fuck off.">

[Gideon Rede]

<"Take her advice,"> Gideon said before finishing off his drink.

[Lora Zalesky]

<"A guy can't get a drink at a bar? The last that I heard, that was still legal.">

<"Then order your drink and stop talking to us.">

<"Suit yourself. I'm sure we'll meet again while you're here, anyway. Bartender! A round a Shustov for me and my friends here.">

Whatever he meant by that, Lora didn't like the sound of it. Once there drink orders were finished, Lora walked off from the bar. "See why I like him so much?"

[Gideon Rede]

"Bit full of himself," Gideon said, "Probably thinks he's a smooth operator."

[Lora Zalesky]

"He is very effective at being annoying. And creepy." She involuntarily shivered.

[Gideon Rede]

"And yet you ended up with me," Gideon smiled.

[Lora Zalesky]

"Right. We should just go find Yulia again. Let us head back that way."

[Gideon Rede]

"We'll talk about it later, eh," Gideon said, "Probably a good idea. She's probably worried we did something foolish."

[Lora Zalesky]

"Tch, I usually have more reason to worry about her," she said, grinning as they headed back into the crowd.