Making a Fool of Myself

[Alexandra Lawson]

Although not a natural extrovert, Alex's bubbly, off stage demeanor and affinity for laughing at even the worst of jokes, coupled with her diminutive stature quickly endeared her to her fellow staffers at Dirty Little Secrets.  From the moment she stepped on stage during her audition, she's garnered a reputation as the shy girl who seemed to come alive when a microphone was put in front of her.  Within just a few weeks she'd grown comfortable in the club and often found herself milling about hours before the club opened.  Alex loved the atmosphere of the place.  It was sultry yet classy.  Nice, with just a little bit of naughty mixed in.  It didn't hurt that she was often allowed to play around with the sound equipment and hang out with the house band.

It was early afternoon, well before the club was due to open, and Alex was on stage clad in just a pair of jeans and a large, over size t-shirt that proudly proclaimed her as being '49er Faithful'.  Alex's attire was a far cry from the slinky dresses she poured her slender form into during her evening performances and, in many ways, that contributed greatly to the light, breezy way in which she tested out the microphone.  When a twangy, funk beat erupted on stage Alex immediately broke into a soulful rendition of the chorus to Earth, Wind and Fire's 'September'.

The beat didn't last, though, as the band faded out, leaving Alex laughing as she turned toward the musicians.  These were the moments she loved the most.  Simply hanging out with people she felt were far more talented than she could ever hope to be while they just stayed loose, playing around with new rifts, beats and tempos.  Suddenly, a familiar, upbeat tune erupted from the stage.  With an eye roll and a wide grin, Alex regarded the band.  "Are you serious?"  She said into the mic, the only way she could speak over the sound of the music.  "You really want me to?"  She asked, glancing back toward the musicians behind her.  A couple urging nods were all the answer she needed.

With a slow exhale of breath, Alex turned back toward the microphone.  It was one of those large, metallic pieces reminiscent of the early big band era of music.  Slender fingers wrapped around the mic as Alex silently counted the timing of the song before leaning forward, letting the words drift from her lips as she sang.


I feel good
I feel nice
I've never felt so
Satisfied
I'm in love
I'm alive
Intoxicated
Flying high
It feels like a dream
When you touch me tenderly
I don't know if it's real
But I like the way I feel inside


The words flowed easily.  It was a song Alex had known by heart since she was a little girl.  Even the high pitched whistle that punctuated the end of the verse exploded from the tiny girl with a previously unseen energy and fervor.  It was one of her mother's favorites and always reminded her of home.  Alex's eyes closed but there was no hiding the broad, warm smile that had spread across her face.  It didn't matter than no one was really paying attention or that her attire was hardly befitting that of a pop diva.  Alex simply relished in losing herself in the music.


You've got me feeling emotions
Deeper than I've ever dreamed of
You've got me feeling emotions
Higher than the heavens above


As the music behind her began to fade after half a song, Alex pulled back away from the mic and gave an embarrassed laugh.  Her hands came up to her face, almost attempting to hide away from the few club employees that had paused long enough to watch the little display.    A comment from one of the bad members brought out another laugh and a playful swat on the arm from the redheaded girl.

Without any ceremony or applause, Alex hopped off the stage, casting a playfully scornful glance over her shoulder at the musicians who had so easily coaxed her into making a fool of herself.  Her head head shook as she crossed the the showroom floor and headed up to the bar.  She wasn't old enough to drink, of course, but the place wasn't even open yet.  "Excuse me?"  She called, her voice soft and polite as she  stood on her tip toes in an effort to peer over the bar in hopes of flagging down one of the bartenders who were getting ready for the busy night.  "Can I get a glass of water?"

Nikolai Volkov

[Nikolai Volkov]

If there was one thing Nikolai absolutely loved about American culture, it was definitely the music. So as the band started picking up while he was cleaning out the different mugs and getting all the drinks ready, he actually paused and turned to listen. It was one of the younger singers, particularly the shyer one. Alex was her name, or so Nikolai had heard. She was good, very good, and the large Russian enjoyed hearing her sing. As she sang along to 'September,' Nikolai actually grinned, tapping his foot as he went back to his duties but stilled listened. And then at the end, another unfamiliar tune came on, and it seemed to be coaxing something out of the girl.

In the end, she started singing another tune and Nikolai chuckled low in his throat, happy with the band's persuasiveness. It was a beautiful song, and the girl seemed to be singing it from her heart. So when it ended shortly, he felt a little disappointed, but was still happy. He went back to checking up on the alcohol when he heard a voice behind him. As he turned, he noticed it was the singer. She was asking for water, and Nikolai was only happy to help. He grabbed her a clean glass and filled it, placing the drink down in front of her with an easy smile. "Here. You great singer." He complimented in his thick accent, chuckling

[Alexandra Lawson]

As the mammoth mountain of a man turned to face her, Alex recoiled in utter surprise. The bartender absolutely towered over her. She was just a speck of dust on the carpet compared to this behemoth. "Woah." She said, eye wide as she looked up to him. It took a few seconds for her to realize he was speaking to her and she immediately flushed a faint shade of crimson.

"Sorry." She said quickly, flashing a smile up to him. "I hadn't..." She began to explain then decided honest is the best policy. It wasn't as if she'd be pointing out anything the guy didn't already know, or hadn't gotten used to hearing long ago. "You're really tall." She blurted out. Not even a second after the words slipped passed her lips did Alex regret them. "I'm sorry!" She exclaimed again, obviously getting flustered within mere moments of meeting the bartender.

"Thank you." Alex reached out and pulled the glass toward her and offered up a bright, yet humbled smile. It was probably in her best interest to simply shut up for the moment, lest she continue digging herself into an awkward hole. "I'm Alex." Of course she couldn't follow her own advice. "I started a few weeks ago, I haven't met everyone yet." She was going to modestly let the little comment about being a great singer slide. Alex never was one for accepting praise easily. It always made her feel uncomfortable.

[Nikolai Volkov]

Of course, when the girl saw him, she reacted a lot like most did and immediately was dumbfounded by his height. It never failed to amuse him, and Nikolai smile as he was entertained yet again by the Americans' reactions to him. And then the girl got all flustered with embarrassment and Nikolai couldn't help but chuckle. "Is fine. Most react same way." He told her calmly. When she blurted out the obvious that he was tall, Nikolai grinned and decided kid with her a bit. "Yes. Breed them strong in Russian." He joked. He just couldn't resist using that line.

She accepted the water with a 'Thank you' and then introduced herself. Nikolai nodded to her as he continued setting up and taking stock. "Nickolai Volkov." He said, holding out his massive hand for her to shake. She was very, very small in comparison to him. Even smaller than most people. But she seemed nice so Nikolai didn't want to scare her. "Been here same amount. Not long." He added with a small smile

[Alexandra Lawson]

"Alex Lawson." Alex replied, accepting the handshake, her eyes widening in amusement as her hand was swallowed by the meaty paw the bartender had extended her way. Silently she mused the two of them already had something in common when it came to their respective heights. While Alex wasn't nearly as short as Nikolai was tall, she'd garnered her share of jokes, comments and remarks over the years. It came with having reached a peak height of barely over five feet when she was fifteen and simply not growing anymore. "And ee breed them tiny in California." She said in what would probably go down as one of her worst attempts at humor. Ever.

The obvious question for Nikolai floated around in Alex's mind. She studied the bartender for a moment, her brown eyes taking in his features before she spoke. Thankfully she didn't get lost in her own mind and stare creepily at him for a long while. This time, at least. "How did you end up here of all places?" She blurted out with little tact. She immediately regretted the overly blunt question, though she suspected that was also an inquiry the massive Russian was used to fielding. After all, Kalispell, Montana wasn't anywhere people moved to willingly. At least, not those who weren't connected to the Academy in some way.

[Nikolai Volkov]

It was funny how small her hand was in comparison to his own. This one was especially small, but Nikolai guessed their extreme heights were something the two shared in common. Instantly, he felt protective of the girl. He was already protective of all the dancers, singers, and waitresses in the burlesque club. It was his job as a bouncer to ensure their safety from any particularly nosy or bothersome customers. But he especially felt protective of this Alex just because she seemed kind. And for someone of her height, she seemed to have the courage of a giant if she could so easily approach him. He could respect that in a person, no matter the age.

She seemed to study him in that moment, and Nikolai had a feeling he knew the question that she would ask. How did he end up in Kalispell? She said it bluntly, but seemed to immediately regret her words. It only made Nikolai smirk in amusement. He went back to work as he answered her question, getting everything ready. "Wanted peace. Quiet. Drove many places over U.S.. Found Kalispell and decided I stay." He answered with a shrug. "You?" He asked in turn

[Alexandra Lawson]

"That's new." Alex mused, mostly to herself even if the words did get blurted out for everyone to hear. It wasn't every day someone claimed to have been wandering around the country and found themselves here of all places. Why Montana when there were so much better parts of the country to live in like Northern California. Or Southern California. Or the Bay Area... California. It just didn't make sense. Though, Alex figured different people were looking for different things in the places they decided to settle in. At least, given her age, she didn't have to field questions regarding her own reasons for being in Kalispell.

"Oh, uh..." Eyes widened and words came out in a brief stutter. Most just assumed someone her age had grown up in Kalispell, or that her parents lived there. Nineteen year olds rarely got the chance to choose where they lived and, even though Alex had a perfectly good reason for being there that wouldn't, in anyway, run the risk of letting out the poorly kept secret of what went on in the school residing just outside the outskirts of Kalispell, it took her a bit of fumbling over herself to get the answer out. "I, uh, go to college at Bellefonte." She said with a nod, figuring it was probably best to leave out the whole being recruited by the Academy because she could set things on fire by waving her hand thing.

[Nikolai Volkov]

Nikolai raised an eyebrow in amusement at the girl's musings. He could see how it must be a little strange. To be honest, Nikolai had no idea how he had stumbled across Kalispell. It had truly been through a stroke of luck that he found the place. And then one look at its remoteness and peaceful state, he had decided to stay. No one would bother him here. Too much at least. It helped that he usually scared half the residents of the town anyways.

The girl seemed a little flustered when Nikolai turned the question on her. It was suspicious, but she hadn't pried into his personal life. Nikolai wasn't about to pry into hers. He waited patiently as she seemed to debat with herself before mentioning something about attending Bellefonte. That made the big Russin blink and turn towards her. "Bellefonte? You too?" He asked. Then he broke out into a bit of a smile. "Do you know Robyn Summers?" He asked curiously. If this Alex was a friend of Robyn, all the more reason he would want to protect her

[Alexandra Lawson]

"Yeah." Alex said with a faint nod and a sheepish smile. There had been no reason for her to grow flustered over the question, after all, if it was curious that someone from Russia had found their way to Kalispell it wasn't too far off to wonder how she, having been born and bred in California, had ended up settled in the city as well. "I'm starting my Sophomore year at the university in the fall." She said, her demeanor quickly growing more at ease as it became apparent Nikolai wasn't going to pry and push. It wasn't as if she had much to hide, her 'special ability' notwithstanding.

"I don't." She replied with a frown. Alex had a small cluster of friends she adored but it was just that, small. She could count on one hand the people in her life she interacted with on a daily basis and everyone else seemed to meld together into one abstract being Alex found herself too distracted to remember. Or, at least, that's what she told herself. In truth, Alex had a horrible time remembering names. And faces. And conversations. And what she had for breakfast that morning. "Is she a friend of yours?" Alex asked, head tilting slightly as she peered up to the hulking mountain of a man.

[Nikolai Volkov]

The girl seemed to relax more, which was good. She informed Nikolai that she was going to be a sophomore, which made Nikolai smile somewhat. "Know what interested in?" He questioned curiously. Robyn had been interested in becoming a detective, although Nikolai didn't pick this girl out for that sort of thing. He wasn't really sure what to place her as. Although he did think she was a good singer. She could easily land a job doing that.

"Ah." Nikolai said, looking a little disappointed that she didn't know Robyn. But oh well. It was a school. Sometimes you didn't meet everyone. Nikolai could understand that. But when Alex asked if Robyn was a friend of his and said 'she', Nikolai burst out laughing. it was a booming sound, and he shook his head once he calmed down. "Yes. He also at Bellefonte." He emphasized with a grin. "Wants to be detective. Want me to be cop. Said I scare criminal into submission with appearance only." Nikolai said with a chuckle.