Xaviers!

The Raven's Crest hadn't been much redecorated from it's previous decor and given that it was not quite super late, it was more restaurant busy than night club busy at the moment. Tereza had been more restless and busy than usual all day, which she chalked up to nervousness about her date with Sam. She'd checked and double-checked the weather. For once it was supposed to be clear with a full moon rising late in the evening, so there would be plenty of light for a nice walk when they got back to Maldon. Until then, nothing to do but enjoy the club. The doorman opened the door for them when it was their turn to enter and, as they stepped inside, Tereza glanced nervously at Sam.

((The club is open!))

"You'll be fine," Sam smiles to her.

"You look great, really."

I hope so. "It's just a lot louder than I was expecting," Tereza says, rubbing one of her ears. "Drinks first or dance floor first?"

"You're the last person I'd expect to be complaining about loud music," she chuckles.

"Maybe a drink would help your nerves?"

"It's possible," she says. "How about I find us a table and you go get us some drinks?"

"I'm guessing vodka?" She smirks.

"You know me so well," Tereza smiles before wandering off to find a table.

"Creature of habit," Sam chuckles, heading over to flag down a bartender.

The bartender was talking to a woman behind the bar, but broke off to take her order. "What can I get you, miss?" Miss Carlisle is watching. Do this right.

The woman looked in Sam's direction and something about the look sent a shiver up Sam's spine. Sam couldn't pick up any thoughts from her, but she finally gave Sam a cordial smile.

Sam somewhat unsuccessfully suppresses a shudder but recovers quickly, managing a bewildered smile for the woman before turning back towards the bartender.

"A screwdriver and a Guinness, please."

"Sure thing," he says, starting to put the drinks together for her. The woman emerges from behind the bar, moving over to Sam. She's wearing a long off-the-shoulder dress of some material that shimmers in the light. "I love your hair. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Erica, Erica Carlisle. You are?"

"Well it's just... what I've got, aye?" Her brogue coming through a bit more from the nerves.

"I'm Sam. I'm guessing this is your place?"

"I am the primary owner, yes. Some others have stakes in the club, but I've made it my personal mission to see to its success." She eyes Sam a bit more, "Let me guess where you're from. It's something of a hobby of mine."

"What, the accent doesn't give me away?" She chuckles.

"Oh, it's far more complicated than that," she says, eyeing Sam. "Your accent says Irish, but you carry yourself like you are out of place. That makes you more likely native Irish than the daughter of immigrants. Chelmsford is hardly a tourist destination, which means it is unlikely you're here for a visit or a vacation. You're a little young to be completely out on your own though, which means you have some sort of overseer, even if it isn't exactly an iron fist. Altogether, that leaves only one truly credible possibility. You're from the university in Maldon."

"That's not usually what people mean when they ask where you're from," She quirks a brow.

"Most people are terribly short-sighted about where they are 'from'. Sum of experiences, my dear." She grins conspiratorially, "A secret though. It didn't hurt that I noticed you coming in with the young woman with the glowing blue lines. She either had to be a mutant or she pays her tattoo artist a fortune."

"You did advertise the place as mutant-friendly."

"Oh, it is," she says, "I'm happy you decided to come." The bartender returns with the drinks and offers them to Sam. Erica speaks before he has a chance to, "Owner's opening week privilege. Your first drinks are on the house. Hopefully it'll be the start of a wonderful evening." There was that smile again that seemed to be cordial and smug all in the same expression.

"Thank you. That's... very generous, really."

"I'm sure it will be," she nods as she starts away from the bar.

Tereza is sitting at a table, her back to the wall. She waves Sam over, "Lucked out and got this table. Good view of everything."

"First drinks are on the house, it seems."

She slides the screwdriver over.

"I decided it was too early to drink it straight."

"Yes, it might be good to be aware of what's going on." She takes the drink and sips, "Not bad. The bartender knows his stuff. The DJ still needs to rethink his volume."

"One of the owners is cruising the crowd, apparently."

"Just opened and all, so I suppose there's not that much unusual about that." She sniffs at the drink, "Smells good."

"It's got orange juice. It's vaguely healthy," she smirks as she sips her stout.

"It's like I'm sitting here eating fruit," she grins, taking another sip. She seemed to be relaxing at least slightly.

"I'm leading you down the primrose path to umbrella drinks."

"That's at least a third date thing," Tereza says with a laugh, scooting closer to Sam.

"Oh dear, am I moving too fast for you?" She laughs.

"Umbrella drinks is a big step," she smirks.

"Dresses and fruity drinks. People will talk."

"I'm obviously going soft."

"You can punch things later, to compensate."

"Or at least growl at it menacingly."

"You have been a bit... growly, lately. Stressed out?"

"A little bit. You were gone and the stuff with Viv..."

"I hope that's... working out, now. You look like you're having a better time, at least."

"I'm getting to hang out more with you, so that's a good thing."

"As opposed to just listening to me snore."

"...don't tell me if I snore."