The bar was getting louder by the minute. More nim poured in, the music picked up, and the magical showing off got increasingly more dramatic and sloppy.
[Can't just sit here looking suspicious,] Melisa thought, eyeing the shot glass in front of her. [I'm alone. I can't really pretend I just ran into this place, since it's so tucked away. Realistically, the most likely reason I'm here is because people told me about this place and, well, I'm here to check it out. I can pretend to be shy, but... well, that would only buy me a little time.]
She nodded to herself.
[Time to blend in.]
She knocked back the shot, immediately regretting it.
[Oh, Christ. Holy SHIT what is this? Distilled dragon piss?]
"Another!" someone shouted, sliding up next to her. A cute nim girl with curves that reminded Melisa of Isabella's. "Come on, you look like you need it!"
"Hehe... I guess I could..."
