"That does seem to be the case," Sam laughed, not above admitting when she was out of her depth. It was obvious simply from the way she was dressed that the leather club hadn't been on her agenda for the night. "Angie promised a fun night out, and I didn't think to ask for specifics. I honestly didn't even know this club was here. I've probably driven by it a hundred times, but never expected..." All<i>this</i>. Her gaze flicked from a woman being led through the crowd on a leash to a man wearing what looked like leather ears to... Angie. A good friend would be concerned by Mikie's warning, so what did that make Sam? "That's Angie. She... I know she's, um, had a thing with a few different guys over the past month or two. I don't think she wants a relationship any more than he does."<br/><br/>A gentle touch drew her attention back to Mikie and her smile softened. "A five," Sam answered without giving it much thought. Was there a scale that could measure her attraction to women with short mohawks and tattoos and leather boots? All too easily, she slipped off the tall stool and picked up her drink to follow Mikie, looking back at Angie only once. The redhead seemed to know what she was getting into, so Sam left her to it and welcomed the invitation to join Mikie's group.<br/><br/>"Hi," she smiled at the group, staying a little behind Mikie as the introductions were made. Knowing it was easy to forget names, Sam looked at each person as she repeated cheerfully, "Bobbie, Louise, Rickie. Nice to meet you!" Taking the empty seat between Bobbie and Mikie, she tilted her head curiously at the word 'collared'. Before she had time to ask about what it meant, however, a hush seemed to fall over the crowd and draw their focus to the state.<br/><br/>"What is... He won't be able to breathe at all?" Sam seemed surprised by the idea, but not exactly horrified. She leaned close enough for Bobbie to hear as she lowered her voice, not wanting to disrupt anyone, "What happens if something goes wrong? A mistake? Everyone makes mistakes. She won't let him suffocate, right?"<br/><br/>Rickie was the one to shake their head, confidently asserting, "Never. Marie is responsible for taking care of Marcus. It might not look like it, but her entire focus is on him right now, assessing how he's handling the scene. He can't use a safe-word because of the mask, but they'll have a gesture worked out - two finger-taps or four raised fingers - to indicate he needs to stop. If he does, Marie knows how to quickly and safely end the scene."<br/><br/>Samantha's looked at the crowd, the couple on the stage, the group around the table. "Is it...<i>bad</i>if he needs to stop?" It was hard to pinpoint what was concerning her, and she tried to explain, "When the, um, romance books talk about punishment, is that what happens if he uses a safe-word or gesture?"