Team FUBAR M7-8

"Wow, wonder who is performing tonight..?" Kilowatt asked, looking to Hops for an answer.

"Apparently a real looker~! Some lovely Espeon that will be dancing for the crowd. She's got this long flowing hair, and beautiful brown eyes. Oh, and she's apparently working with a cute Zoroark that seemed pretty keen on using illusions to enhance the performance." Hops described the performers, causing CJ to nearly choke on his sass.

"N-Noa's performing!?" CJ coughed out, eyes wide. He couldn't help but remember that moment in the woods, the encounter between Mia and the Espeon that so tightly held his heart.

"Oh, you know her?" Hops asked, sounding a little overly-curious.

"Yeah, she's his girlfriend." Kilowatt answered, snickering a bit.

"Oooh, now I see why your friend nearly fell out of his seat." Hops grinned in amusement, seeing that CJ was already over to the edge of the stage, abandoning the conversation entirely in hopes of seeing Noa as soon as she would step out from behind the curtain.

"Aaaand he's gone." Kilowatt snickered, knowing how attached the Lucario was to Noa.

"Lucky guy, looks to be head-over-heels for her if I had to guess." Hops grinned, heading back to work. Kilowatt merely leaned back in his seat, observing the stage.

CuJario, keeping his eyes alert as he observed the stage had his ears back. Did Noa miss him? Would she see him when she walked out on stage? Would she forgive him for not being able to succeed with ending the hostage situation in a safe way? So many questions raced through his mind that it was obviously wearing the Lucario down. He had so much to do, and so many things ahead of him, now was not the time to be giving up.

Slowly opening, the curtain rolled out as Noa stepped out onto stage; a spotlight embraced the curves of the Espeon, giving her the entire café's attention as the crowd grew quiet. The music started out slow, her movements equaling the pace. A silence fell upon the audience, only to be filled by the hastening beat. With each increase in speed, the shakes and waves of the Espeon's dance quickened.

Her eyes, closed during the beginning of the performance, opened only to land on the questionably-fortunate Lucario. All of a sudden, CuJario found his body being lifted up—Psychic! Noa lifted him over to the stage, his entire being flustered and in a tizzy. He was set right next to her on the stage, the spotlight growing to encompass the couple.

"N-Noa, what are you doing…?" he inquired, as she stepped around him slowly, her tail moving around with her. "I-I don't know how to dance…" he admitted under his breath, although it seemed she didn't hear him, for she spun him around quickly once and stopped him just as fast, staring at him straight in the eyes. The blush across his face darkened, the spotlight's dull glow unable to catch it.

No further words were exchanged with the couple once the music changed to a beating, smooth tune, causing the entire café to be swarmed with energy and glee. The two were swept along in the liveliness, making the Lucario smile along with his partner. Even though his uneasiness was overcome, he still didn't move much save for a gentle swaying, letting Noa do most of the movements: some hops, some steps, some jumps, a twirl or two.

As the song began to end, many put into their dancing the last of their energy, Noa included. Even CuJario felt encouraged to move a little more by bouncing slightly on his feet. Like all things, the song had to come to an end, leaving the guests of the café invigorated and quite talkative. CuJario, having been swarmed by a few friends of his, recalled that Noa was there. He was about to include her in one of his conversations, but the Espeon had already slinked backstage without a word to him. His ears went back a bit out of slight disappointment, but he figured she had better things to do than hang around, as much as he wanted her to.

Roa's illusions were next, captivating the audience in enigmatic imagery, but CuJario's mind was lost on his time with Noa. That had been the very first time he felt happy when on stage like that, especially when dancing was involved. It left him somewhat dreamy, Kilowatt looking on with a furrowed brow. Great, his partner was gonna be in La-La Land for the rest of the night. He so didn't want to put up with that. He felt happy for the guy, though—about time he spent a little while with his girl.

After the show was said and done, Noa finally reappeared from backstage, Roa not with her. She approached CuJario and Kilowatt, inquiring: "Did you all enjoy the show?"

Kilowatt was the first to reply: "Yeah, seeing CJ that flustered was pretty fuckin' awesome." He had a snarky grin plastered on his lips.

"I-it was a…pretty unique experience," CuJario stammered, still shell-shocked from the experience.

Noa giggled lightly, her eyes lit with glee. "Glad to hear." She turned her attention onto the Lucario: "Would you care if I decided to come along with you on your trek home?"

CuJario was finally jolted out of his stupor by that request. Without any hesitation, he answered: "Y-yes! I don't mind at all!"

Again, Noa giggled. "Well? What are you waiting for, then? Might as well get on our way~" With that, she started to leave.

CuJario frantically looked from Kilowatt to Noa, then gave a nervous shrug and bolted after his love.