[Open] Show me your best shot

[Ali Ambrose]

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"Oh no no no. This isnt what I had in mind."

Chocolate brown hues glanced towards the curtain that was just a few feet away from her. It was an intimidating curtain, she had to admit. It was over twenty feet high where all the flaring lights were being held. Ali could see the lights going out into the crowd and lighting up the faces of customers waiting for the show that was going to be performed in less then five minutes. And the lead star was supposed to be Ali herself. But she didnt want to go out there and perform in front of people she didnt know. Hell, she got embarrassed singing in front of people she did know. She would always apologize and then rush off with a red face. This little vampire was not one for the stage. She liked blending into the back and not standing out. How ever, she didnt have much of a choice in this matter.

Her first time back to New Orleans and already she was having trouble. She had come into this show bar thinking she could sit back and relax but, sad feelings had over come her as she realized this was the city where she had met Landon. Her first love that had mysteriously disappeared. So she ended up ordering more beer and alcohol then she could afford and when that happened, she had no way of paying the owner back. So this was her payback. She had told him she would do anything to pay back the debt as long as she did it at night and she could get out of there before the sun rose. He had looked at her funny but then agreed. She figured he would place her at the bar and make drinks or at the least waitress and pick up dirty dishes and glasses. But nooo, he had to make her a blasted show girl! Her Ali Shadings was going to be a show girl!

"Your going to dance and sing darling. This is what I picked for your repayment. Now get ready. Your up in five minutes." The owner then walked away, leaving her standing in the middle of the back of the stage. The back up dancers were all to the right of her and dressed up to fit the show they were doing. Ali glanced down at herself and winced. This wasnt something she would ever wear on a regular basis. This was something Rose Decumbry would wear! But she swallowed and closed her eyes and just took a deep breath. She could deal with this. She could deal with the short frilly black dress with a bow to the side. She could deal with the grey eyeshadow and ruby red lipstick and the black eyeliner that made her chocolate brown eyes pop. She could even deal with the heels that were placed on her feet that threatened to trip her at any moment. But as she heard the curtain starting to lift and she glanced out at the crowd that was mostly male, her eyes widened briefly in shock. She couldnt handle this.

For a brief moment she looked around herself panicked and then closed her eyes once more for a few seconds. The music started and she could hear the crackle of the speakers. Finally a small tune drifted out and she snapped her eyes open and pasted on a sexy grin. She could do this. She had to do this. And thank god there was a microphone attached to her ear so she could move freely. Placing her hand on the brim of the fedora hat, she placed her other hand on her hip and swayed her weight between her left and right feet, moving her slightly up and down. At this point, the owner was lucky she hadnt fainted. And he was also lucky that she knew the song lyrics. What a disaster that would have been! But here came the moment of truth, she opened her lips that were covered with red lipstick and started to sing the lyrics.

"You had plenty money
1922
You let all the women make a fool of you

Why don't ya do right.....
Like some of the men do
Get out-a here
Get me some money too"

By this point, she had stepped to the front of the stage and winked at the hooting and hollering crowd of men that were grabbing at her heels. She bent down and ran her fingers through a mans tie and chuckled slightly, darkly, and then pushed him back. She sat down on her butt on the edge of the stage and tilted her head, letting her brown curls graze over her bare shoulder.

"Your sitting down wondering what it's all about
If ya ain't got no money they will...put you out

Why don't ya do right
Like some of the men do
Get out-a here
Get me some money too"

She slid herself off the stage gracefully and walked along the crowd and kept herself from smiling and yet fainting. She never in her wildest dreams would have done this willingly. And as she turned to go back towards the stage, she put a small sway to her hips. The back up dancers remained on the stage and did their little thing of dancing since they knew what the hell they were doing. When she reached the stairs, she took them one at a time and let the lyrics bounce out and finally as she was standing back in the middle she allowed herself to stay still for a brief moment.

"Why don't ya do right
Like some of the men do
Get out-a here
Get me some money too
Get out-a here
Get me some money too

WHY don't ya do right"

She turned, giving her back to the audience and then peeked over her shoulder with a small grin.

"Like some of the men.....................do............"

At the last do, she grabbed the hat from her head and tossed it out iinto the crowd and winked, blowing an air kiss. The curtain came down and once she was out of sight, her eyes widened and her cheek flushed to a pink color. She was never doing that again! Her debt was paid!!

[[Dani]el Conteo*]

After his last trip to New Orleans, Daniel was absolutely certain he would never visit the haven again. And yet here he was, wandering the streets as he often did - no matter what city it seemed. Though those that made their living in this particular citadel were the rowdiest he had encountered...and it drove him absolutely bonkers. What a fun word. Bonkers. A smirk slipped over the sultry curve of his lips, and he glanced at the drunken louts that tripped out of the nearest pub. Some sort of utterly insane music seeped past the door as it fell shut once again. Brows quirked at the alluring sound of a daintily feminine voice. How charming. There was a shake of anxiety in it...or perhaps that was of his own invention, but Daniel suspected this was either a karaoke bar or someone didn't like their employment choice. Suddenly curious, his path altered and he made his way into the establishment, easily maneuvering through the crowd to stand off to the side of the stage. Yes, in the feigned confidence of that gaze there lay a great deal of uncertainy. Other than that the spritely women was absolutely precious. Then again, Daniel reasoned most of his friends were women and perhaps he was becoming too well versed and used to deciding what he thought of them. Disliking the concept of being called a manwhore, oculus rolled and yet he still wandered in the general direction of the area backstage. As far as bouncers were concerned Conteo was disinterested.

Approaching the woman who appeared to be resuming normal respiratory practices. Appendages folded over the broad expanse of his torso as a both charming and entertained expression meandered over the lightly bristled curve of his lips. Squinting lightly he had already begun to shake his head. "You've definitely got guts, don't you?" It was murmured coolly under his breath, his smile unremorseful. So he could see her fear better than most, there was no reason to be upset truly. I won't tell anyone. Resisting the urge to examine her outfit further, a brow ascended with a chuckle. "Love the hat." Smirk.

[Ali Ambrose]

The curtain was tipped back only slightly so she could peek out into the crowd of people. It hadnt slimmed down like she would have thought as the time started to get later. Rather it grew to larger amounts of people. And she was glad she didnt have to do that again. Who ever the original show girl was, she gave her credit. This wasnt any easy job. Ali herself hated being seen singing. Let alone dressed like this. If one of her friends came in and glanced at her she was sure they would laugh. She never wore a dress unless forced into one. And even though she had argued against the dress in this case, she had lost that bet. And so here she was. A pale finger pulled at the choker around her neck that looked more like a buckle then anything else. She was uncomfortable being back here and so she turned around and planned to go change back into her normal attire of jeans and a shirt. And then she could get the hell outta here!

But as she turned around, she came face to face with the owner once more. The little man was short. Shorter then her in fact and she was only 5' 2" in height. Of course the heels made her a little taller tonight, but she glared at him and huffed. "I paid my debt. Now let me go." She told him and folded her arms over her chest. But when a smirk appeared on the owners face she had a bad feeling she wasnt done with this place yet. "Oh no you dont sweet thing. You still have more to pay off. But I wont make you sing again. Stay in the outfit and go bus some tables and take some orders. be a good dame." With that he walked off and Ali shot daggers at his back the whole time. She balled her hands into fists and then took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Calm down Ali. Pull yourself together. Maybe you can just eat him later on.

When her eyes opened again though she wasnt looking at empty air or the owner of the place anymore. In his place was a tall man with blonde hair and sharp eyes. She didnt know how to react to this person and she blinked a bit in confusion as he crossed his arms over his chest, very much like she still had her own arms, and spoke to her in a calm, yet cocky voice. She rolled her eyes slightly and then shook her head. "I dont have guts. I was terrified up there and I had to do it because I have to pay off the stupid debt to the owner." She told him and then raised an eyebrow as he told her he liked the hat. Truth be told, she had plans of just taking the fedora hat. She had a fedora hat fetish and on occasion she would wear her own that she owned if she knew the hat wouldnt get ruined. "Thanks. Goes with the outfit." She said with a small scowl as she looked back at herself. Yep. Still hated the outfit.

Glancing back out at the crowd she sighed and then looked to the stranger. "Whats the smirk for?" She then waved her hand in the air and walked past him. "Eh. Dont answer that. I probably dont want to know. And I have some orders to take."

[[Dani]el Conteo*]

The words back and forth between this unwilling entertainer and her supposed…contract holder…nearly made him snarl, in fact the sound bubbled in his throat only to die at his reasonable mind’s command. On a day where his humor was any less tolerant, Daniel would have rid the world of the bastard in a quick step forward and the snapping of a certain portly neck. As it was, the immortal’s frigid stare lingered in a predatory fashion as the scum waltzed past him, a soft growl coaxing the shorter being to stiffen and regard him briefly. Still, the female’s responding words were far more enrapturing than any piece of crap that happened to slink by and Dani re-focused on the spritely, who at that point induced a soft chuckle. No guts? Why do I still doubt that. He was certain beyond any doubt that she had as much balls as the next spunky lass, perhaps undiscovered moxy, he mused. Squinting at her reasoning a brow ascended. ”That seemed very little like debt and very much like blackmail to me. “ It was murmured dryly though he did not make any further remark on her situation. It was none of his business.

The expression of disgust she liberated upon receiving his compliment induced a reticent quirk of his brow, a silent interrogative. She didn't like dressing up? Honestly, Daniel could hardly blame her. Female attire was never something he had truly understood. Men were pretty simple to please. The less you wear the happier they get, nevermind these uncomfortable attempts to be stylish. The inquiry was not one he would have been able to answer and so when she released him from the obligation he was quite pleased. Only to have her work schedule delivered. His expession turned stormy and a snort sounded, glancing over his shoulder in a belligerent manner. "You're gonna honor the unfair orders of that sniveling dwarf?" It was worded with a doubtful expression, his brows pressed together in a frown. He didn't comprehend it. If she didn't agree to the terms then why follow through. He wouldn't have. He was not the sort that got used.

Clearly that was what was happening in this case, and really this petite lady could easily dispense of the pitiful cretin that stood and held her on this chain of self employment. It was foolish to entertain this little game of his any longer than necessary. In Daniel's opinion the man needed to be "spoken" to, in private quarters preferably out of earshot.
not done.