Stranger In The Club

	Some days, people simply have entirely too much to do. Some days, people have too much stress in their lives. Students, of course, are among those number, and deal with stress throughout their lives. So, of course, the only thing for people to do in that sort of situation is to find a way to de-stress from the daily life of studying and figuring out what to do with their assignments that they may or may not have done correctly.
	What better way to do that than going to the club, getting drunk, and dancing the night away? Well, for some, the one thing they want to do is get away from the club, not go to it. With barely a sound, though, a certain fox, mutt, and deer are doing their best to prepare for the night onward. Their shift had just started a moment or two ago, and they were busy with preparing to welcome in as many people as they can. The night sky was darkening more and more with each passing second, and by the time the front doors open for the arriving crowd, the fluorescent purple from the sign flickering on when the light sensor makes its way into the darkness.
	The mutt, currently behind the bar, smiles at the sight of a number of people making their way into the place. He ends up pulling his apron down to smooth it out from its usual bunch-up routine. Judging from the look on his face, he was looking forward to tonight. More people means more drinking, and that means more work for him to do. Next to him, a female fox with purple fur, long tails, and an apron-covered t-shirt starts to scrub and clean a glass whiskey tumbler. She looks like she’s about ready for the night as well.
	“Hey, Syps, you feel ready for tonight? Iffin’ you’re not, I can try’n pick up the slack.” The fox smiles for a moment, gives the mutt a sidelong glance, and leans over before lightly jabbing her elbow into the mutt’s side. The mutt, on the other hand, winces, smirks, and returns that elbow.
	“No way! I wanna get paid, too, you know? Besides, shouldn’t I be asking you that, Orren? There’s no way I’m passing up an opportunity to get paid, and you know it!” And like that, the mutt reaches up to his head, and grabs the tip of one of the green horns on top. Draconic ancestry is certainly something, not like anyone is complaining, after all. The fox simply smiles for a moment more before putting the tumbler she was scrubbing off to her right side, onto a rubber mat. Ready and waiting for someone to use.
	“Heh, don’t you worry none ‘bout me, Syps, honey. I can hold my own! I’ll need to meet the pillow after, though, but I’ll be fine for now!” And like that, she quickly reaches into the soapy-water sink in front of her, wraps her hand around another piece of glassware, this one being a wine glass. After quickly taking it out of that hot water, she quickly up-turns it, and gets to scrubbing. In no time, the glass shines and gleans in the bit of light coming from the back of their station.
“Hey, Pine, got a couple of things for you to put up!” The mutt calls out towards the room, and a second later the head of a deer with yellow and white fur raises its way out from one of the many booths on the far side of the wall. A second later, he scrambles out, reaches onto the table, and picks up a large black plastic bin filled with glassware.
“C-Coming!” And like that, he hefts that bin into his hands a bit more than before, and makes his way back towards the bar. After making his way there, he sets his bin down, and tugs on his own apron. “Uh… we supposed to get a lot of business tonight, or what?” The mutt smiles for a moment, and places a clean glass onto the bar top.
“Well, from what I know, tonight’s the last week of the University’s exam week, so a lot of people are going to be celebrating. Er, uh… a lot more than usual, I mean.” And like that, the mutt reaches down and grabs a glass that was soaking in the water in front of him. He opens his mouth to say something when another voice cuts him off.
“Yoo-hoo~! Sypsie, Orren, Piney~!” The three behind the bar turn towards the entrance to their space, and are greeted with the sight of a canine with blue fur, a smile on his face, and a bit of a blush on his cheeks. The mutt and the deer blink before a blush of their own washes onto their cheeks. The fox, on the other hand simply smiles, waves back, and sets down a half-cleaned glass.
“Bluebri! C’mon over here so you’re not in anyone’s way, now!” She smiles for a moment before the canine covers his mouth for a split second and makes his way towards the trio’s direction. Though, just a moment later, the sound of music starts to thump its way through the walls, causing the canine to stop in his tracks, turn his head back towards the door, and do a double-take to the bar. The fox simply smiles, and waves the canine away towards the entrance. He’ll come by when he wants to, after all.
The canine, at that point, makes his way towards the entrance once again, disappearing behind the semi-soundproofed wall that leads into the opposite room. With that done, the mutt, fox, and deer quickly get back to work on cleaning and getting ready for a busy night.

The canine, on the other hand, was happy to enjoy himself after a long day of classes and studying. He came here to have fun, after all, and fun was something he knew all too well. He smiles for a moment at the sound of the intense music coming from the large speakers on the opposite side of the room. Those always had enough volume to get the job done, no matter what song was playing. He could always feel the booming beat of the music in his chest while he was here. Nothing else could compare, could it?
A quick cursory glance gave him everything he needed to know - people were out on the dance floor, packed like sardines in a tin, and were dancing their worries of classes and tests away. The canine smiles for a moment before doing the only thing he came here to do - join them and dance his worries away. And like that, he starts to dance his way into the mass of people, making sure to lose himself as best he can in the beat. Song melds into song, beat gives way to beat, and before long, the canine opens his eyes to meet a pair of ice blue orbs.
The owner of those orbs, what looks to be a male deer with midnight-blue fur, cyan spots, and hips that could make every girl within ten feet jealous shimmies along to the music, but opens and closes his mouth… The canine, on the other hand couldn’t hear a thing aside from the beat of the music in his ears. He furrows his brows for a moment or two before waving the blue-furred deer over, and then pointing off towards the far side of the room.
After a quick glance, the blue-furred deer smiles, reaches over to grab the canine’s hand, and starts to drag him over towards the doorway through the dense crowd of people that were busy with trying to get their hips shaking to the beat. After pushing through and emerging from that crowd only semi-molested, the two of them make their way through the door, the deer immediately letting out a sigh.
“There we go, then… How you doin’, cutie? Hope you don’t mind me pullin’ you away and stuff. Care for a drink?” The deer smirks for a moment, and jabs a thumb behind him towards the bar, the mutt and the fox behind it working as hard as they can while trying their best to look sane. The influx of customers seems to be moving their way in the right direction, though, judging from the amount of people that have made their way to the bar itself. At the moment, the mutt is busy with making a drink, while the fox was busy with serving someone else at the other end of the bar.
“Well, I guess I could. Hehe…” And like that, the deer and the canine start to make their way towards the far end. As if on cue, the mutt makes his way towards the pair, a bright smile on his face. Once the canine and deer take their seats, he speaks up.
“Well, hey there, you two. What can I get you?” The mutt leans on the bar top for a moment, making sure to glance between the two of them.
“Sypsie, you know how I am, right? Appletini for me, and whatever this dashing little casanova wants to drink.” The canine smirks and softly plants an elbow into the deer’s side, causing him to chuckle for a brief moment or two before leaning onto the bar himself.
“Well, iffin’ this little cutie’s gonna be like that,” He jabs a thumb towards the canine. “Then I’ll have a banana daiquiri, if you’d be so kind.” He sits back onto his stool after that, and gives a sidelong glance to the purple-furred canid next to him. “So, you got a name, then, or do I just have to keep callin’ you something else?”
“Hehe… name’s Bluebri, but Blue’s just fine.” The canine plants an elbow onto the bar top as well, and turns himself so that he wasn’t as uncomfortable. “Y’know, Sypsie, I really think you guys need to replace these stools. They feel kinda lumpy, if you ask me.” He looks across the bar, to the mutt who was spinning and jabbing bottles into a cup. After quickly capping it and shaking it up, he pulls out a glass from the bar’s underside, puts it onto the bar top, and quickly fills it up. Once that’s done, he quickly makes his way over towards the back wall, and starts pulling down bottles. After giving them all a single spin in his hands, he starts to pour enough into yet another metal cup.
“So, you come here often, then, Bluebri? Hehe… you know, I gotta say, you got some sweet moves out there. Makes me wonder what else you could be good at, you know?” And like that, the deer uses his fingers to walk his hand over towards the canine’s elbow, soon “walking” his way up towards his shoulder before trailing a finger against the canine’s chest. The canine in question simply smiles, and cocks a brow before speaking.
“Well, always, always. Can you blame me, though? Place is awesome, save for these lumpy chairs, you know?” He gives a brief down-up towards the seats. “That, and this ol’ buddy of mine works here, so I don’t have to worry too much on something like bad staff or anything, you know?” He points a finger towards the mutt, who by now has finished mixing and shaking those drinks. He brings over the pair of glasses, and sets them down onto the counter.
“Awwwright, folks, hope you enjoy! And, ah, you need anything, you let me know, alright?” The mutt behind the counter smiles, gives the two of them a wink, and quickly goes off to help someone else at the other end of the bar. As if on cue, the purple-furred vulpine from before makes her way over, a glass and rag in her hand.
“Aw, lookie here! Looks like lil’ ol’ Blue found ‘imself some eye candy! What’s your name, sweetie?” She looks towards the deer for a moment, making sure to lean in a moment or two to hear over the cacophony going on around them.
“Wexly. Though, you and him can call me Wex, if you’d like.” He gives the fox a quick wink before continuing on. “You two natives, or can I assume you’re all just here to have fun like me?” And like that, the deer quickly reaches for the right-most glass, picks it up, brings it to his lips, and quietly sips at it for the time being.
“Well, what a cute name for a cute deer.” The canine smirks at that point, reaches for his own drink, and sips at it as well, making sure to let out a sigh after a moment or two. “Though, unless you’re here for Midterms, I dunno how long that could work out, you know?”
“Well, how ‘bout that, then! Just perfect. Finished my last one today, Advanced Marketing Strategy, that sort of thing, yeah? Though, uh… had a little trouble finding it and all. Transferred here last semester for a scholarship.”
“Well, now, isn’t that somethin’! Hope you’re adjustin’ enough, honey.” The fox smiles for a moment or two, reaches over, and pats the deer on the shoulder. The deer, though, cocks an eye towards the fox, and lilts an eyebrow for a second.
“Oh, don’t you worry none, honey, gettin’ used to things ‘n all is a part of the experience, innit?” The deer smiles once again, and looks towards the canine across from him. “‘Sides, hangin’ out in Rauser Hall isn’t so bad, is it?”
“Oh? Rauser’s the party hall, isn’t it? How’d you get a room there of all places, then?” At that point, the canine smiles, and rests his chin onto his palm for the time being. Every now and then, he grabs his glass, and quickly sips it while listening to the deer’s words.
“Th’ one an’ the same, you know? Certainly is, from all the noise and stuff coming from the basement every other night. Not that I’m complainin’, mind you, hehe.” The deer smiles once again, and quickly brings his glass to his lips before downing the rest of his drink.
“Well, now, looks like little Wexxy can handle his stuff! You want anythin’ else, honey, or are y’ good for the time bein’?” The fox smiles, puts her hands onto her hips, and stands there for the moment, only remembering to grab the deer’s empty glass a moment or two later.
“Nah, nah, I’m alright, miss. Thank you, though. That bein’ said, though, you mind me tellin’ y’all a little story from the depths of Rauser?” The canine’s eyes widen for a moment before he leans in, a smile on his face.
“Oh, do tell, you cute thing, you!” At that point, the deer’s lips turn upward into a smile before he starts to speak.
“Well, hold onto yer’ seats, and open yer’ ears, I got a hell of a tale to tell ya’. Now, a couple of weeks ago, there was a party to celebrate some of the new pledges to one of the frat houses, right? Well, apparently, they needed to down some weird shit from every little bottle in one of the dorm rooms to join and stuff. Anyway, they got this huge-ass mixin’ bowl, filled it with everything you could find in every little mini fridge and vending machine in the place. It smelled foul, lemme tell you.” The deer smiles for a moment, and looks to the fox for a split second, then quickly turning his gaze to the canine.
“Well, apparently, one of the things that was mixed into that huge-ass bowl was some extra-strength laxative.”
“No! You’re kiddin’!” The fox plants her palms onto the bar top, a wide smile on her face.
“Swear on my left leg and my right arm! Every single one of ‘em ended up shittin’ their guts out over the course of the night! Why’d’you think there was that little ‘flu epidemic’ bulletin in the newsletters a while back?” The canine quickly covers his mouth with his sleeved hand, and starts to chuckle into his palm.
“Hehehehe… oh, that’s evil! Did they catch the guy that did it?”
“Nah, nah, one of ‘em was from outta town, liked to go on benders and stuff, thought that he could ‘spice things up’ a bit. Dumbass, he was, but it didn’t bother me any! Hah!” He sits there for a moment or two before looking towards the entrance to the dance floor. “Huh. Music’s stopped for the night. That might be my cue to make like a tree and leave.” He turns back towards the canine and the fox, a smirk on his face. “Miss, you got a napkin and a pen on ya’, by chance?”
At that point, the fox blinks, nods, and reaches under the bar to pull out a small drink napkin before reaching into her pocket. A moment later, she sets that napkin and a blank ink pen onto the counter top.
“Here y’go, honey. You leavin’ somethin’ to remember you by, or you just wanna play Pictionary?” She chuckles for a moment before the deer takes those items. After quickly scribbling a string of seven numbers onto that piece of paper.
“Iffin’ either of you wanna have some fun with me here, or at Rauser, you just text me and I'll set you up somethin’ fierce! Hell, I’d be down for it, too, iffin’ you let me! Hah!” And like that the deer stands up from his seat. “Thank ya’ for a nice night. Now, I gotta get things settled in for now. Gotta rest my head, call myself some ride sharin’ and such.”
“Yeah, cute stuff, she and I’ll keep you in the loop. Now, you get yourself home so you can sleep off that buzz, yeah?” The canine raises a brow for a moment or two before quickly reaching for that napkin. Though, before he can grab it, the fox snatches it up, folds it up, and puts it into her apron pocket.
“Yeah, honey, you keep yerself on the straight and narrow, and we’ll be glad t’ have some fun with ya’!” And like that, the deer smiles, winks at the both of them, and starts to wobble his way towards the door for the time being. As soon as he makes his way through that entrance, the canine turns to the fox.
“Oh, I think we’re gonna hit him up for some fun really soon, don’t you think, Orren?” At that, the fox puts one of her arms across her waist, and props her other arm on top of it.
“Oh, honey, I wanna stuff ‘em fuller than you the other night. I bet that ass he’s got beats yours outta th’ water.”
“Oh, honey, don’t you worry about that, I can tell that I’m winning in that regard.” He smiles for the time being, and starts to stand up from his own seat. “I’m gonna head on back to my dorm. You, Pine and Sypsie don’t have too much fun without me, will you? Hehe…” And like that, the canine starts to make his way towards the entrance as well. The fox simply lets out a small sigh, and starts to scrub the bar top with her rag once again.
“Oh, Bluebri… when are you gonna learn that I’m the one that’s winnin’ in that department, huh…? Oooh… these plans are a-churnin’... Hehe…”