The Curious Explorer (A WolfXDale Production)

Hiko sat in his car outside of what looked like a fairly benign bar and club. "Stonewall" was buzzing in neon lights above the entrance. He supposed this was as good a place as any to begin exploring...the city that is. Hiko was new to the area, recently employed as a PhD candidate at one of the myriad universities in the city. He didn't want to waste any time getting to know the area, so he'd decided to explore some of the local nightlife. He figured he'd just find a few bars, grab a drink and maybe end up finding a nice place to return to. The problem was, he hadn't really made many friends yet. He didn't know anyone here so he kind of had to go alone. He sighed and stepped out of his car, closing and locking it behind him as he headed into the bar.

The music from inside was rather loud, but that didn't bother him. Back in his undergraduate days, he'd quite liked going out to places like this (well, not quite like this, as he would soon discover).

There were some extravagantly dressed individuals floating around, but mostly the dance floor was packed with regularly dressed people just enjoying a friday night. The city was certainly more...cultured, than the place he'd attended undergrad. He slid onto one of the barstools and caught the barkeep's attention. "Something dark and on tap, if you've got it, please." he said softly. His smile was gentle, lips soft and pink. His hair was short, tousled but straight and his physique was that of a wiry young man, perhaps a swimmer or else a runner (although he had done neither competitively).

Lance had been working at Stonewall for a few months now and he was quite used to see anything inside the old brick barrack that now was the bar. It was the community's night center and he knew everyone, maybe not by their names, but spotting someone new from his place behind the bar was easy. Lance saw the man as he came closer and sat on the stool, he walked over him as he was called, wearing his normal smile along with bright hazel eyes and spiky blonde hair. The man seemed lost, and it was clear he'd never been at a gay bar, but didn't look nervous or anything, it was more like he was starting to adapt. He nodded at the order and went for it, quickly coming back with the man's drink "Here you go." Lance winked to the man and left to greet a few friends, he bent over the counter to talk, his black sleeveless shirt and flexed arms now showed a constant and dedicated exercise routine. Nothing more than a hobby, it was his way to keep himself occupied during day while he wasn't at the bar.

From the beginning, Lance thought the man was good looking, but he didn't had time to approach him and talk, it was a busy friday night, besides, if the guy didn't seem too comfortable or loose, he wouldn't go and try to get a forced introduction, and, he already had his favourite acquaintances to call during his breaks, for going for a smoke or anything else, Lance always had company.