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

[stand_and_delivia]

A smattering of laughter left the woman's throat as Valerie made her initial insinuation. "Only if you want it to be," she clarified with a smile. "But that weren't what I was getting at, no. It's someone else... Whether it lasts is another matter."

Listening to the girl's admission, the packet of chocolate biscuits was slid her way. "Name's Livia," the brunette offered, swallowing from a glass held in one of her hands. "Sounds like you might need one of these more than I do," she sympathised and curled Valerie's hands in, giving both a friendly squeeze. "I'm just the messenger, love... But the message is good. If you're where you can help, then you can make a difference. And maybe if you make enough of one, someone'll help make a difference for you, too, hmm? Either that or you can start gettin' paid for it... Either works, I find!"

[valerie_vause]

“Ooh. Huh…”

Valerie’s features were a rare mix of puzzlement and embarrassment. Clearly the girl wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted, now that she knew it could go either way with whoever had been mentioned. Which wasn’t to say she wanted anything at all, the mere fact that there was alleged options, that was what made her stomach churn. For someone who wanted to live life while she could, she certainly played it safe. “Well that’ll keep the future interesting, I guess.” She added with a twist if lips, somewhere between a wry grin and a cringe of uncertainty.

“Thank you.” The blonde almost gushed from the offered biscuit and the reassuring squeeze of hands. Maybe the alcohol was starting to hit her. Pale fingers snagged one but before she took a nibble she added warmly, “I’m Valerie, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Then she did nibble at the biscuit, with a happy sounding hum as she listened to Livia. Now it was her turn to laugh, and she managed to cover her mouth just in time otherwise the poor woman would have been covered in crumbs.

“I don’t think getting paid for helping will ever happen but it’s funny to think about.” Actually it would probably fall under extortion if she sidled up to strangers being attacked and requested payment for dusting the bad guy. Still, at least it made her grin. “But you know what?” She asked Livia, regarding the woman softly as she took a small bite of her treat. “If you say the message is good, then I believe you, and that’s all that really matters, right?”

[stand_and_delivia]

"Course it is!"

Well, there were the not-so-small things in life, like needing to make sure your rent was paid, but in so far as one's general direction in life went, yes, that was what mattered. At least, going by what had been read on those palms, anyway; Valerie had a future here, should she want it. Her Slayerhood's destiny. A way to make a real difference in the world.

Quite what shape that difference would ultimately take, was another matter.

"'Sides, after all this, you'll walk out this door, decide none o' this matters and keep on goin' your own way, anyhow... You'll reach where you need to go. Just a bit of fun, this is, hmm?"