Apocalyptic New Beginnings

[stand_and_delivia]

Above ground? A haunted house attraction - and one which had done brisk business during the recent Hallowe'en season. Below? Ragnarok... A supernatural-friendly bar, for which the former provided the ideal disguise for whoever wished to attend.

Sometimes, there was an act booked. An act who would have to be introduced. Other times, like now, not so much. Which left the venue's four-armed entertainment manageress able to retire to a small booth off to one side. In one hand, a glass. In another, a chocolate biscuit. The lower pair idly shuffling cards, flipping them from one palm to the other.

It was the looming shadow which caused their owner to glance up.

"Hello, lovey," she greeted. British accent; not like most of those in Nevada. A little lower-class than one might expect of her, too. "What'll it be? Business or pleasure...?"

Comments

[valerie_vause]

Perhaps it was the honesty. Perhaps it was the gentle physical contact. Whatever it happened to be in that moment it resulted in an extra ten dollars, so that fifty was slid towards Livia with a vaguely cryptic smile. Kindness always did tug at her heartstrings whether Valerie liked to admit it or not. Regardless, the vibe from the woman across from her was genuine, and that made all the difference.

Strangers to one another and yet without any hesitation an invite to more was offered without so much as a single string and the blonde chewed on her bottom lip. In a bar full of demons she’d never been more accepted, then again, they didn’t know what she was and if they did… If they did…

“Livia I…” One, thick swallow was given as Valerie fingered the edge of the card with the woman’s name and number on it. Such a simple thing full of possibilities. Would she turn from her? Alert the others if she so mentioned what it was that she did on a nightly basis? Could she understand if a true friendship was to be formed? Did honesty really matter when they’d just met?

Yes. The voice in the back of her mind seemed to say.

Valerie tried to smile, she really did, but it came off as more of an apologetic cringe as she chewed the inside of her lips and looked around the place. The blonde let out a breath and finished off her drink in a few gulps, all the while carefully eyeing the woman across from her. She licked the remaining liquid off her lip and sat forward, voice a mere whisper as she spoke.

“I’m not just human and I’m not… Not quite a demon either.” Bitter, nervous laughter escaped then. “Well, I suppose that depends on who you ask. What I’m trying to say is… Despite being what I am, being here in this place it’s… Freeing. I like it, and I’m not ever going to cause any trouble here. I wouldn’t. It’s only fair you know because you’re… You’re giving me a sort of olive branch and I so very much want to take it, because honestly, I don’t really have friends and you’re pretty damn cool and would make a wonderful one, so uhm….”

Valerie could taste the copper tang of blood, a result of nibbling too hard at the insides of her lips but chose to ignore it as she took a deep breath and arched her eyebrows. “Yeah I really need another drink, can I get you one?” The tone was honest and hopeful.

[stand_and_delivia]

Fifty? Livia wasn't sure the girl necessarily seemed able to afford it, but with her advice having been given, she wasn't about to refuse it and smiled endearingly. "Aww, well... I'll just have to be obligated by duty and say thank you, kindly!" One pair of hands folding the sum up, another palm touching thte blonde affectionately to forearm and another fishing out a further chocolate-coated digestive. Some people had alcohol - she had these. "An' I wish you the best - I really do, poppet."

But Valerie's next actions... The four-armed entertainment manager could be forgiven for the increasing uncertainty with which she interpreted them. At first, just a friendly tilt of head, but then, as Valerie's own nervousness began to show, Livia was starting to suspect some variety of heartfelt confession. Or... Or a... Well, she wasn't quite sure what. It was beginning to puzzle her and brow furrowed in tainted confusion. Her own concern beginning to show with an apprehensive nibbling of the biscuit in hand. Expression quirking with worried curiosity at what might be at hand, as the girl...

"Oh!"

And, with a relieved chuckle, Livia's posture relaxed, exahaling a breath of air she hadn't realised was being held.

"Darlin', you don't need a declaration... Friendships just happen, hmm? But I wouldn't turn it down, neither," she winked, clinking fingernails against a mostly-empty glass. "It's called an 'Atomic Rainbow'... And you won't find it served in any of your conventional bars, if you're willing to try, yourself."