etraya | un: butterfly

I didn't really start this talk on a good foot did I? [she'd wanted it to come off like a casual question. of course it hadn't stayed as such. it wasn't really casual.

but she hadn't known what else to do, who else to talk to.]

Well let me treat you? Least I can do after having us talk about dying and depressing crap like that.

It showed that people care about you and are worried about the reasons for the question in the first place. There's always a bright side, right?

[He appreciated that people were free and confident enough to ask these sorts of questions.]

Well, considering everything is free, the treat is your company, hmm? I'll accept that. Name the time and place and I'll be there.

[it's true. the amount of people who did offer her kind words, tried to help...it did make her feel better.]

You're good at this. Ever consider public speaking instead of bar tending?

What's your day looking like? Gloom and doom in my apartment doesn't seem fun and having a drink sounds way better

Ha, I gave up inspirational talks a while ago. I only provide the service to friends. Let me check my schedule. Nope, aside from working over the bag in my place, I'm surprisingly free for the day and evening. A drink with a pretty lady would uplift the day.

Have you figured out a favorite haunt yet? I'll meet you there.

Won't even bring up disease and plagues.

I've been to both and I can't say I have a favourite. Why don't we meet at Harry's?

Completely serviceable. meet in a hour or is it too early for you?

[it's happy hour somewhere!]

I'll see you there in an hour. Don't worry, punctuality is one of my selling features.

[Maria had left early. she had said an hour but she had left half an hour because thinking anymore about this was going to drive her crazy. part of her concern, though, was she would cough in front of Vander. but she wasn't coughing all the time and again, it was easy to brush off as a cold. a tickle in the throat. at least until she could figure this stuff out.

Maria is at a stool right at the bar, nursing a bellini. it isn't that late and she feels like she should probably not be drinking a ton before it's even night yet. a bellini was an appropriate brunch drink.]

[As promised, Vander arrived at the selected destination ten minutes early, freshly washed, dressed and probably looking fifty times better (and normal) than the last time that they had encountered each other. He picked Maria out of the quiet relatively empty bar and made his way over.

He stepped over the stool next to hers and seated himself, leaning forward so that he could rest his forearms on the bartop.]

Bellini? Such a classic. Did I keep you waiting long?

A classic and you don't feel like a total lush drinking one at this time of the day. [she jokes and shrugs.]

Nah, no worries. I'm just the crazy person who had to get out of my apartment. Too much time by yourself is bad for you they say. What do you think?

Not usually a before noon drinker, huh? [He raised a hand to catch the bartender's attention and ordered himself a mimosa because yeah.

He regarded her, nodding his head in understanding. He felt her on that; without his usual routine and too much time to think, he wanted to be well out of the apartment at times. This was a good reprieve.]

Agreed. I figure I will need a job to pass the time soon enough. Exploring will only get me so far.

Usually not awake before noon. Late hours and all that. [so not to say she wouldn't be one.

though she has absolutely started drinking more.]

I was going to ask how you were settling in. Nothing too exciting?

Ah well, I can't claim to the same. Chronic sleep deprivation due to kids. [They were technically old enough to head out on their own, but he made a point of cooking breakfast.

He also was absolutely partaking in his own field a little more than usual. Speaking of, his drink arrived and he took a sip of the orange colored drink.]

No, I don't claim to be exciting. Two fights and met some kids who hate being treated like kids. Otherwise, getting a lay of the land. How are you getting on?

Yeah, I've heard that's a side effect of having kids. [there's something nice about that and her tone is a little wistful. not everybody was meant for things like that. oh well.]

Didn't see you as a bellini guy. Nice choice for a brunch date, though. [she raises her glass in a toast.] Fights, though? Whatever is going on with me can't be as interesting as any fights you must have gotten yourself into.

Oh yes, I can confirm. Even if I wanted to sleep, they don't yet understand the concept of being quiet in the house. Outside, yeah, they can sneak in and out of places. In the house? It's like a war is being waged over a pair of socks. [He sighed wistfully, smile on his lips that didn't chase the sadness from his eyes.]

Mimosa actually. Orange juice and champagne. Would you like a sip? [If they stayed here for a bit of time, he may consider a bellini. No, he wasn't that kind of guy, but he was also willing to indulge most drinks.] Someone wanted to put me in my place; it didn't work out well for them. Another person is... complicated.

[it's hard not to notice how that sadness shows in Vander's eyes. and there's not much she can say to chase it away.] Staying quiet is something you can do as an adult. Not as many people to tell you to shut up when you're a kid. [best to keep the talk light in regards to children, she thinks.]

Brave offer when I was asking about being sick. [she's joking but she does look fine. and she hasn't started coughing. it's the small things.]

I can't deny I'm not curious about the fights. Call me a gossip.

Ha, not many people feel comfortable telling me to shut up. [When one as big as he was, Vander tended to be able to get away with a lot more. That or little guys specifically tried to pick a fight with him. It was generally one of two reactions.] You'd think a fourteen year old would learn the meaning of quiet in their own house.

[He shrugged his shoulders at her comment. He wasn't worried about getting sick. Besides, she could use a straw.] If you were actually contagious, I don't think you'd meet for a drink. Besides, straws exist here I assume?

[He reached over the bar and plucked said straw from the container and offered it to her like a gift.]

Just people from my world. We tend to solve eighty percent of our problems with a fist fight. And the other twenty percent with a drinking contest that then ends in a fist fight. [A gross exaggeration but you know, it was bound to be amusing.]

[she has only talked to Vander twice but it is hard to consider the man threatening.] Your size has nothing on a fourteen year old and their inability to keep quiet.

[she does take a drink and hums in approval. before taking a napkin and wiping off the lipstick stain. she isn't a total heathen here.] All people in your world? This a custom of yours?

Apparently! It isn't right. [He made a point of lifting hand to press it dramatically against his own forehead, smiling hugely.] Is that what you were like when you were fourteen, huh? Speaking from all that youthful experience?

[He appreciated her cleanliness, but that was her straw now. It was a little too on point even for him to share a straw.] Just my city. I've been assured that most other cities aren't like that. We're a unique eclectic bunch.

Yeah, you could say that. I definitely wanted to get the hell out of my small town and never look back. [that was one way of wording it. not a lie.] Your everything feels so small and big when you're young, right?

But you're bringing the custom here, huh? Well. Who knows. Maybe it'll serve you well. Pretty sure we're going to be expected to all duke it out at some point. Last one standing sort of deal, you know?

Agreed. Did you manage to travel a lot? Or were you stuck in that small town of yours? You do seem worldly and wise. [She was so mysterious, so restrained. His curiosity only grew with each encounter.

He smiled at the idea of duking it out. He hoped it wouldn't come to that.] That would be unfortunate. I've been told that death doesn't stick all that well, but it comes with a cost regardless.

[she laughs into her drink.] I think the last thing anybody would ever call me is wise but thanks. [she certainly doesn't feel it!] Never did leave. Couldn't, really.

[there's a nod and she hums as she looks at her drink.] Everything always comes with a cost, huh?

Well, maybe they didn't see your wisdom because it was so youthful. [Look, he had compliments for days.] Couldn't, huh? I feel you there; I was poor most of my life.

[He nodded his head in reply, lifting his glass for a toast.] It does seem like it. So, mystery lady who indulges me, do you skimp on details for any particular reason? [He tried to soften the question with a smile.]

[she can see how he's a good bartender, that's for sure! she does consider using the poor angle but well, she's not gonna use that on Vander. he's been nice to her. no need to lie about something like that.] Life never really gives you a break, does it? Not really for anybody. [and that can be said of anybody, anything. rich or poor.

there's a smile in return at his question.] A girl has to have some intrigue to her, right? Otherwise, nobody keeps asking for more. Simple rule. But I guess in a place like this, it's a red flag. [and she's still not sharing anything.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

to action?

action;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject