But the Goldeneye was transformed at the holidays, which made the loveliness of it even more lovely, especially with the additional assorted treatments for the gala.

A red carpet had been rolled out along the steps of the wide staircase which enticed patrons to enter the bar area a half-story below the main entrance.

All the tables except the booths had been moved to the main level and lined the railing that overlooked the lower level. In place of all those tables was an intricately designed dance floor.

While the bar was still functioning at its normal capacity without Mitch, a disc jockey had set up his equipment and was expertly using the Goldeneye's impressive sound system to its full advantage. He and the stand-in bartender seemed to be getting along famously. It came as no surprise; the disc jockey was sinfully handsome and the bartender -- a girl who didn't even look old enough to be drinking alcohol, let alone mixing and serving it with such panache -- made the most out of her sexy little Santa's-helper outfit. They were playing around with a small bundle of mistletoe.

Approaching the staircase to head to the bar, Tegwen paused long enough to glance at the ceiling. The beams criss-crossing it were adorned with lit-up garlands. And yes, there they were, systematically hidden amongst the decorations: bundles of mistletoe. She hoped they were all faux, being that they'd been doused in ultra fine pale green glitter.

The dance floor was a veritable minefield of mistletoe. Tegwen wanted her date to take advantage of the old Christmas tradition, not that it even really -- technically speaking -- applied to her.

Her hopes, however, had quickly been dashed considering Steelbeak had no interest in looking anywhere but at her. Judging by his unabashed attentiveness, she and Rachel from Ralph Lau-wren must have done something right.

"Let me buy you a drink," Steelbeak told her, taking her by the hand and leading her down the red carpet staircase.

It was all he really ever did when they were together, not that she was complaining. "I would love that," she replied just loudly enough to be heard over the stereo system.

The dance floor was empty and the speakers presently blared White Christmas.

While Steelbeak flirted with the bartender, Tegwen paid a visit to the disc jockey.

He gave her a lingering once-over, his eyes settling about a foot south of hers. But Tegwen smiled. She was quite used to that response. Besides which, if she didn't want the attention, she would not have selected a dress that put her chest so prominently on display. Attractive nuisance or not, they were an asset and should have been used accordingly.

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