w a t c h i t ;

Tyler walked out of the loud club, cracking his neck to either side, rolling his shoulders back to release the tension built up on them. His set today had been hard to carry while still nursing the headache somewhere behind his temple, but he felt the happy buzz of accomplishment for having it done anyway. A little bit of fresh night air was all he needed to take in before he could go back inside and maybe order some drink that would make him pass out once he got to bed -- but his plans derailed deliciously once he saw Charlie outside, too.

He had purposefully been far away for the New Year's. Tyler had busied himself with replacing his own blood with toxic substances, and he'd found some other bed to climb into, for the sake of not making an idiot of himself chasing after Charlie when the clock struck twelve. As if that made any difference, though. As if his infatuation was any less obvious now, in the way a particularly secretive smirk spread onto his lips as he approached, or in the way he always gravitated towards the cheshire grinned man. "Haven't seen you in a while," he greeted, invading the other's personal space with ease as he stopped in front of him. "Happy new year. Did anything fun to celebrate?" It was just another dangerous game to play, to be asking what Charlie was up to, knowing damn well he must've been with someone else and how hearing that would send fire up his lungs; but Tyler was nothing if not an adrenaline junkie.

Rapunzel was absolutely terrified going into Wonderland by herself. She’d never done it before, but she needed to see Charlie, and he’d given her specific instructions on where to find him once she’d gotten there. He wasn’t answering his phone, though, and she stood like a statue in the middle of the room, unsure where to look or go. It was a sensory overload for her, and she was missing the one and only guide who she knew. She couldn’t even rely on any form of liquid courage after hearing from Charlie that she shouldn’t go anywhere near the drinks in Wonderland.

Suddenly, the boy she’d been watching dance while she waited on a reply from Charlie came before her, and Rapunzel froze. She couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not, but he certainly left her feeling embarrassed and unsettled. “Me?” she asked, looking around her to be sure that he was speaking to her. “I’m so sorry, I was just … you’re a wonderful dancer,” Rapunzel said over the music with a sheepish laugh. “I’m just looking for someone–would you happen to know where I could find Charlie?”

x

Some people almost made Tyler feel bad about wanting to mess with them. He could just about see how easy it would be to slip into this one's head, figure out whatever haunting garbage he could put behind her eyelids just to watch her squeak. With the big doe eyes and awkward laugh, he almost didn't want to do it, though. As it often went with him, the sentiment left as quickly as it came when the girl mentioned Charlie.

He leaned in closer then, eyes squinting. His smile stayed on, even if there was a nearly imperceptible sharpness to it now. If he were to open his lips any wider, perhaps she would be able to see the venom that threatened to spill down to his chin. "Charlie? Our good old Charles? You know him, do you?" He inquired, putting his drink down onto the counter, giving her his unnervingly undivided attention. Any pretty little thing interested in Charlie deserved to be known, afterall. "I can help you find him." Untrue -- he had no idea where Charlie was tonight, but that wouldn't stop him from spinning this girl around a couple times. "If you tell me about it first. How do you know him, hm?"

"There she is, my cup of ice cold water on a summer day, the wind beneath my wings, the one and only," Tyler greeted dramatically, as soon as he was within hearing distance of Daisy -- and, likely, also a dozen other people who were hanging around. Half of it was the joy in making a scene whenever he could, and half of it was the actual delight in having some free time to catch up with Daisy, just the two of them. There was a special kind of shady gossip that was always shared between the two that he couldn't find with anyone else, really, so it was safe to call her an inspiration at this point. "Cure my headache, tell me something awful," he requested, sprawling on the seat next to her, happy to rest achy bones on a day off.

Neither of the Hemlock siblings were exactly Tyler's cup of tea, but he didn't so much mind them. Tanner seemed to have the stronger opinions about the other set of siblings, and while Tyler was always inclined to have a protective streak for his brother and join in dislike anyone who seemed like a threat -- he was starting to see the other side of a lot of things. It was yet another distant reminder that they were growing apart, that they were no longer the two little chaotic boys who agreed on everything and lived in each other's minds. He tried not to think about it much.

It seemed easier to push away melancholic thoughts of his brother while he was at Wonderland, at least, always nursing a drink or focusing on work. Tonight, he'd joined the crowd just outside the doors for some fresh air, cigarette hanging from his lips. He patted his pockets down and, with a dissatisfied grunt, realized he'd left his lighter inside. His eyes searched for only a moment before they landed on the familiar head of dirty blond hair, and he swooped closer unceremoniously. "Got a fire for me, blondie?"

Barbie loved wonderland. It wasn’t a place she went to often, but when she allowed herself a night to get as gone as she could, this would be the place. Their drinks did something more then just your average over priced rum and coke sprinkled on ice cubes. Sipping her drink she felt her body start to just sway and relax to the music. These nights were rare, but mostly used to spark up some creativity , improve the way her business was running anything - just calmly and without dress. Creative brain flow. Barbie caught eyes with someone and gave a small smile as she was called out. “Well I would love to capture a photo, you could be my next muse for a make up line darling.” Shrugging her shoulders she took another drink. “As for the show, I may have missed it. Does it come with an encore?” 

x

Tyler had been in Wonderland long enough now to start recognizing the regulars -- the interesting ones, at least -- and this girl was a familiar face. Not as fun as some other regulars who seemed to cause trouble every week and cause havoc, but he could also appreciate the more quiet customers on occasion. Especially the ones willing to flatter him for free. His grin grew wider, one shoulder raising in a coy act. "Makeup is not my area of expertise, but I guess I am just that inspiring," he sighed, only half-joking, given the size of his ego. Her question about a possible encore got him to chuckle, hand raising to showcase his drink. "I wouldn't be drinking on the job. Sadly for you, no encore, but if you come back tomorrow, I'll be up there again."

New Year's had come and gone in a blur. Tyler had gone a bit too hard partying, as expected; in his haste to escape any sort of drama or risk dwelling in one too many sickening sugary thoughts, he turned to what he knew better. He got hammered. He couldn't even remember who had been his new year's kiss -- though he was positive he'd had one, the only lingering memory from that night being of sneaking away from someone's bed before the sun rose.

It didn't matter, anyway. He wasn't a superstitious man and he never cared for these silly traditions. He only cared for the fact that everyone else was also getting some that night, so he might as well join the fun. Now, the hangover was heavy on his shoulders, a weight he carried even a few days later as a distant ache on his left temple. It didn't stop him from taking his shifts dancing at the club, and it certainly didn't stop him from joining patrons at the bar afterwards, eyeliner smudged under his eyelashes and nursing a new drink in hand.

"Enjoyed the show?" He teased whatever poor soul had made the mistake of crossing eyes with him, smirk lazy on his lips. "I'll pose for a photo, it'll last longer."

TYLER TWEEDLE. 24. DANCER.