From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 17:17:41

Evie watched from the lap of a regular customer as the twins Patience and Prudence, two of Hotel Mosaique's most popular attractions, finished up their signature act. It was one of Evie's favorites, a catchy, sweet little song and dance that he couldn't help but sing along to. It put him in a good mood, and he was smiling - regretfully, of course - when he had to excuse himself from the Official he'd been keeping company with so he could take his turn up on stage.

He was greeted by cheers and friendly calls as he took the stage. Evie responded with a graceful little wave and blew a kiss to the audience as the curtain rose behind him, revealing his spellbound violin waiting for him as well as all the other instruments he'd need for his set. He lifted one hand, and the lights came up, the instruments rising and preparing as if held by invisible musicians. He let his eyes roam over his captive audience with a little knowing smile, holding that breathless moment of anticipation. And then he began with one of his more popular songs.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 17:27:01

The twin's song was sweet and had Chai humming it absently after they'd finished. He finished up his third drink and shook his head against a refill for now. It was only moments before another performer took the stage.

This one was male, with silvery colored hair - that alone was striking enough. But his voice. It was not what Chai expected, the voice that came out of him. It was deeper and richer, and rather stunning in comparison to the light sweet girly voices of the twins just now. The audience, the regulars, they knew what the sing was the moment he struck up the beat, but Chai was left out of the loop.

He didn't want the song to end, but less than five minutes later, of course, it had, and Chai found himself applauding, clapping loud and hard, though he could hardly compete with the whistles and cheers in the room.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 17:47:11

Evie was preening. He loved to entertain and his audience was most certainly entertained. He basked in the applause and attention as he worked through a few more songs, his hair changing with the mood of the song, until finally he left the stage after finishing up with a raunchy tune, hair bright red to match.

Flushed and glowing, he practically bounced down the steps. Several people commented on his performance and propositioned him as he passed, but he dodged any serious advances - for the moment at least - with gentle teasing and empty promises. He was making a beeline for the bar, parched and desperate for a drink. Reaching his destination, he leaned gracelessly against the polished wood as he requested a soda water and schnapps from the bartender.

He made an unconsciously alluring picture, draped as he was across the bar, sipping at his drink and toying with the cherries he'd filched while the bartender hadn't been looking. Sucking on a cherry, he waved at a gentleman who requested him often and considered his options for the evening. It wouldn't be long before he'd be approached again, but he was in a particularly mercurial mood. He wanted fresh blood...

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 18:15:15

Chai watched at first in surprise and then in delight as the pretty entertainer's hair changed from song to song. It was bright red when he finally stepped down off the stage, to whistles and catcalls. Chai managed to pick out a name, "Evie," called out, but the now redhead moved through the crowd toward the bar with few distractions.

Chai couldn't help but watch him move. His clothes were just as eclectic and colorful as his hair: powder blue boots, dark trousers, red suspenders, and a bright purple sash.

Chai's so-called friend had left him alone, crossed the room of his own accord, and was busy chatting up Patience and Prudence, who smiled and giggled at whatever he was saying. Chai wrapped a hand around his empty glass, wondering if it'd be far too obvious if he decided to go refill that drink right now. He didn't move, not yet, but he was still watching Evie.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 18:33:07

And Evie was watching him. It wasn't usual for anyone to be sitting alone, not at Hotel Mosaique, so it was that simple fact that had Evie zeroing in on Chai's table. And then on Chai himself. His brows lifted in surprise as recognition hit him; no way would he forget a face like that.

Smiling, Evie grabbed his drink and side-stepped a fellow who'd just opened his mouth to proposition him. He had a target now, someone to interest him for the moment if not the evening, and he made his way over to Chai's table. Inviting himself to sit, Evie plopped down into a chair with a bright, welcoming smile. "Hello."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 18:36:50

The moment their eyes met Chai flushed and looked away, a little embarrassed at having been caught staring like an adolescent. But he looked up again just as Evie started making his way over. Chai swallowed and blinked at him. "Hi," he responded, his voice a little rough from alcohol. And then he cleared it, flicked his eyes at the stage, and back at Evie. "You were wonderful up there."

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 18:42:18

"Thank you," he said graciously, a little smile playing around his mouth. There hadn't even been a hint of recognition in those dark eyes. "I'm glad you liked the show." Evie sat back, swirling his drink in his glass. "I haven't seen you around before. Are you new here?" He knew the answer to that, of course, but small talk was a necessity in his trade.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 18:46:48

As far as Chai knew the young man in front of him was a complete stranger. Chai shook his head, eyes dropping back to his empty cup which now had both hands wrapped around it, fingers interlaced. "No, this is the first time I've been here. I came with a friend but," Chai gave a small sound that could have been a chuckle, "I think he found the twins more interesting than just talking to me." Not that Chai blamed him. He wasn't the most talkative person about, though he was doing a decent job right now with Evie.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 19:06:16

Evie glanced over to where he'd last seen the twins and grinned as he saw one on either arm of a guy who must be Chai's friend. "Well, I can't fault him for his distraction. The twins will show him a hell of a good time." He returned his attention to Chai, sipping at his drink. "Which isn't to say you don't make an interesting companion. I wouldn't be sitting here otherwise." Before Chai could recover from that sideways compliment, Evie added, "So stranger, what's your name? I'm Evie in case you missed it." Doubtful.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 19:15:48

Chai's cheeks were warm and he was incredibly grateful for the ambient lighting that likely hid his blush. "Oh, I'm sure they will." Chai wished he'd already refilled his drink so he had something else to focus on while he spoke to Evie. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Chai." It was far easier to say that than his full name, and more often than not, he gave his nickname rather than his full name.

He looked up again, fixed dark eyes on Evie's face, and for a brief moment, thought he looked the slightest bit familiar. And then it was gone, in the wake of that stunning red hair framing his face. "And yeah. I figured. That that was your name. I mean couldn't help but hear the crowd calling your name." His lips twitched a little like they wanted to smile.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 19:59:48

"They are an enthusiastic lot, aren't they?" Evie said, his amusement obvious in his voice. "Well, Chai, it's a pleasure to meet you." He barely kept himself from tacking on 'again' at the end of that sentence. "If you don't mind my prying, is there any particular reason why you're sitting here by yourself? Most people come here looking for company. Your friend seems to have found some. What about you?" Evie stirred his drink lazily with a finger, his voice unconsciously slipping into a more intimate timbre.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 20:05:04

"They have good reason to be. You're very good." Chai replied, at the same time feeling both more comfortable and more nervous. "No, no reason really. I mean. Well," and he found himself rather unable to look away from Evie again, "company seems to have found me, so I guess that's not really an issue... I mean. I'm not sitting here alone anymore, right?" He managed to look away, only to catch a waitress of sorts and finally asked for a refill on his drink, and then his eyes were back on Evie.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 21:18:00

Evie waved away the compliment with a cherry stem. He knew he was good and didn't bother with false modesty. Instead he focused on Chai and his nervousness. Almost all first-timers had a degree of anxiety, but he'd never pegged Chai for the nervous sort. But then, a lot could change in six years.

"No, you're not here alone any more," Evie agreed with a secret little smile. "But the question is, are you just after conversation or are you looking for a bit more in the way of companionship?" He slid the cherry stem between his lips as he let Chai consider the question, idly twisting it with his tongue.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 21:36:23

Chai couldn't help the nervousness. There was always an element of worry, that his particular tastes would somehow get back to his grandmother. It's what kept him, well, so anxious, even though this wasn't the first time he was visiting a house of questionable repute.

But that wasn't why he was here tonight. He shouldn't even be here right now honestly... His eyes widened just a little when he took Evie's meaning loud and clear. "Oh. I- no. I mean I was here for the entertainment." Which didn't really answer the question, honestly. "The performances. The music." Although the moment the word were out of his mouth, he wished he could recall them.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 21:58:20

"Ah," Evie said slowly after pulling the knotted cherry stem from his mouth; it was tied not once, but twice. Strange how that should disappoint him a bit. He smiled despite it. "Well, there will be plenty of entertainment for you until the twins let your friend go." A glance aside showed him that his brief reprieve would be coming to an end soon; someone was making his way to their table, intent in his face. "Unfortunately, I'll probably be busy for the rest of the evening. Pity. I was enjoying myself."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 22:13:54

Chai bit the inside of his cheek, his eyes falling on the cherry stem. That sent his mind off in dangerous territory. "Rather, I think he's not planning on leaving with me," Chai replied, glancing over at his friend again. He was making no motion to return and looked more that ready to stay hours into the night, if not in the company of one or both twins, perhaps someone else.

Chai, however, was going to have to leave and the thought most assuredly disappointed him. "I was too," he replied honestly to Evie's statement, his lips curving in another near-smile. "Maybe next time, I..." Maybe next time he'd come seeking companionship, specifically Evie's. When he had the time and opportunity to stay more than a few hours.

He trailed off to finish his drink and looked regrettably at Evie. "I'm sorry. I'm... going to have to leave soon." His hand moved as if to touch Evie's and stopped short, his expression rueful.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 22:34:46

He noticed the hesitation, but didn't address it, just let his lips quirk up in a little half smile. "That makes two of us," he said simply as his prospective client for the night drew closer. Evie rose, planning to meet the gentleman before he reached the table. Before things had a chance to get awkward. But before he walked away, he looked down at Chai with a funny little smile and a shake of his head. "You really don't remember me at all, do you?"

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 22:53:29

Chai almost found himself standing as Evie stood, but he was halted by the cryptic comment. "What?" His brow knitted in confusion and he looked up at Evie, blinking in surprise. "I'm sorry... Do- do I know you?" It didn't seem likely; how could he forget someone who looked like Evie?

Then again he had had that brief moment of thinking Evie looked a bit familiar. But he couldn't call anyone to mind that had that look, that style, that flair, and so he was at a loss.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 23:10:50

Evie's smile widened slightly. "You did, at one point, but I look a bit different than I did then. Maybe this'll jog your memory." He used his magic then, on Chai only. It was Chai alone who saw Evie change from the flamboyant entertainer he was into the rather staid, proper student he'd been six years ago. "Remember me now?"

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 23:17:16

The slow illusion had Chai standing in surprise, eyes wide again. He knew that face now, knew the form, the clothes, the person from years ago. But he hadn't been this flamboyant Evie then. He'd been proper Evelyn Wilheard, a student at Salem Academy four years younger than Chai. A student he'd tutored in wand magic about six years ago.

"Evelyn?" Chai's voice came out a startled whisper. "You. You look so different now..." He couldn't say better though, and he certainly wouldn't say worse. Evelyn was every bit as attractive as Evie, but Chai could scarcely believe they were the same person.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 23:32:52

He let the illusion fade, banishing his former self in favor of his true persona. "The one and only. And I'll take that as a compliment," he said with easy humor. He took a final sip of his drink and set the glass down. "I have to get back to business now, but like you said..." He smiled that little smile of his. "Maybe next time. We'll catch up."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/30/2007 23:39:16

Chai nodded for a full four seconds before remembering how to speak. "Not maybe. Definitely. We will," he said rather intently, his voice suddenly smooth and compelling. It slipped from him unintentionally, but the moment he realized some of his suggestive ability had trickled out, he nearly covered his mouth to stop himself speaking.

He bit his lip once more, the minor pain clearing his head, giving him back the control that had started slipping. "I will be back, Evie," he promised, as the younger man made ready to leave. He remained standing, and would leave, only after Evie had melted into the crowd.

	From: pretty_peculiar	Date: 07/30/2007 23:44:55

Evie stood where he stood for a moment, unaware of the thread of compulsion in Chai's voice, only certain that they'd be meeting again soon. And then he found himself blinking as if waking from a daze. The smile he offered Chai was open and warm. "I look forward to it, Chai." And with that, he headed off to meet his customer, hair lightening from candy red to blond as he walked away. He managed to glance back only once.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 07/31/2007 00:05:23

Chai watched him walk away, sorry to see the bright red go, though the blond was almost as nice. He hadn't intended to make coming to Hotel Mosaique any kind of habit, but between the entertainment, the atmosphere, and Evie, he'd be certain to return. "Me too," he replied, after Evie was well out of earshot. Not long later, Chai left, his friend so deep in his cups - and the twins' - the other man would likely not notice Chai's departure.