"Your stalker's here, big dog." Seth, otherwise known as Esmeralda Sparkles, chuckled.

"He's not my stalker…he could be here for anyone. Except you, of course, with your tacky wig and crooked lipstick." Roman spat, beginning to work on his eyeliner.

His transformation to her, to Clementine Nebula, was almost complete. Just needed a dash of purple glitter to her beard, some eyeshadow and false lashes, and to properly style her natural hair, as she didn't need wigs given how much Roman had grown his hair out in the past year.

"My wig is NOT tacky…and unlike you my routine involves athleticism as much as it does being slutty, you slut, so forgive me if my lipstick gets a bit smeared." Esmeralda pulled her wig off with a huff, before sitting down next to Clementine's vanity. "…in all seriousness, Roman, be careful, okay?"

One more flick of the wrist to and the winged eyeliner was completed. "Would you calm the fuck down, seriously? It's just some random dude that scums around the club. If he causes a scene Enzo an' Cass will take care of 'em."

"Except he's gone as soon as he appears! He only shows up for your set and maybe the stage lights are getting to you, but I've seen him staring at you with this creepy stare, Rome, and he leaves as soon as you're done!" Clementine just scoffed, working on her vibrant, metallic purple eyeshadow.

"Maybe you're just jealous over the fact I draw in patrons that come for me exclusively. And that sounds like a personal problem to me, babe." Before she can finish putting on her false lashes, Seth grabbed at her wrist quickly.

"Please, I'm serious, like, deadly so…you don't see the way he looks at you…really focus on the crowd, he usually sits in the back left corner. Beard, shaggy hair, looks shady as hell and usually wearing a leather jacket. Just…please be careful, okay? What if he's some kinda gay basher, y'know?" Seth's big, brown doe eyes widened in hopeful concern.

"Okay, okay…" Clementine chuckled, pulling the smaller male into her hold and giving his forehead a kiss. "…I'll keep an eye out and be careful."

Tonight was a more simple routine, but often times those were the patrons' favorite shows. Clementine felt gorgeous in her crisp, velvet dress, bodice tight, heels nice and tall, and fake breasts heaving. She started in the middle of the stage, singing Marina and the Diamonds 'Sex Yeah', voice breathy and heavy when it called for it, light and flirty when necessary.

She was lost in her singing, swaying her hips and easily using the pole to her advantage, the hoots and hollers from the crowd just reinforced her confidence and sex appeal.

Clementine almost forgot about Seth's words of caution, the advice only striking a cord when she moved further up the stage, eyes scanning the farther back audience.

Then she saw him. He had a round face, ginger beard, and shaggy hair with a worn leather jacket. In another context she may have called him beautiful, fucking handsome as hell, but those eyes…crystal blue and so piercing. They were staring into her, past Clementine and Roman, deep into her soul in a way that terrified her.

She actually stumbled her words a moment, nothing she had ever done and those blue eyes wavered slightly, but kept strong and heated. So goddamn concentrated it sent a shiver up her spine, damn near stopped her performance right then and there.

"C'mon, Clemmy, baby girl!" A regular called from the crowd, giving her some strong encouragement and a reassuring smile.

It took a moment for her to get her bearings, but she continued her song just as the chorus started again, but her gaze couldn't help but filter through those thick, fake lashes and zero in on that strange man. The man in the distance rubbed at his collarbone idly, as if it was an old achy spot. But his heated gaze didn't waver.

There was also something glittery in the man's hand…something that looked suspiciously like a knife.

Despite the ovation that followed her performance, Clementine knew it was the worst she had ever put on. She quickly rushed to the back of the stage, heels thumping as she almost ran to the back dressing room.

"Seth?!" She called out, beginning to pull off her long, daggly earrings, undressing quicker than she ever had in the past. It didn't take long for her to go from Clementine to Roman, hands shook as he completely undressed, yanking the bodice open almost too impatiently, fake tits flying as he rushed.

Normally he'd spend a long time meticulously fixing his hair, taking off make up, and getting each grain of glitter out of his beard before he left, but he didn't even bother as he shrugged on his jeans and a tank top. "Seth!" He called again, hoping the other drag queen was just on the shitter or something.

He did NOT want to walk about to his car alone. Sure, he could probably get Cass to escort him to his car, but that would require him going to the front of the club. Which meant he could potentially run into murder ginger beard man. Not interested.

Roman finally managed to calm down enough to find his phone, finding a text from Seth.

'Sorry babe

Diner needed me to cover midnite shift

Be careful!'

"You fucking bitch." Roman grunted, quickly texting back a 'if I die its ur fault' before sending out another warning text to Enzo. He grabbed the rest of his things, hating how much his hands shook.

The fear just intensified as Roman made his way outside, the largest source of light in the back alley that lead to the parking lot his goddamn beard since Enzo forgot to call about the back lamp not working fucking again.

He rummaged around in his bag as he hustled through the alleyway, heart racing as he tried to find his keys to his shitty little beemer. Roman's heart kept speeding up, frantic as that icy gaze buried itself in his mind.

Just as he managed to find his keys and let out a sign of relief, there was a shadow at the end of the alley, tall and lithe and covered in a leather jacket and a small knife in his hand.

Roman was face to face with Clementine's stalker.