[Mingle] Sunday Night, Asphodel Bar

[windupgadget]

Despite the popular draw of alcohol, the local bar didn't see much regular service. If people wanted a good time, with lots of food and karaoke, they went down to that one place down near the port, and ordered a drink there. And besides that, only a small handful bothered at all, when it felt like everybody worked every single day. Who had the time?

Except this weekend the whole town had gone off its rocker, and if there was anything all of them could use, it was an escape. Unfortunately, it was having questionable results. The later it got, the more people screamed at the games showing on the televisions, or sobbed into their cups, or just outright punched someone who looked at them the wrong way.

Too bad the staff looked too frayed themselves to bother kicking the last sort out.

Comments

[blackshadow]

"You came to the right place then," he sighed, almost wishing he was tipsy enough to need to rub his head. Not thinking sounded so good right now...

"You might want to have some water when that bartender comes back, though."

[windupgadget]

"-is that a big thing when you drink?" She really didn't do this enough... Well, maybe not.

But she rubbed her face, then looked up and down the counter anyways. "If he doesn't show up soon, someone better check the bathroom or something."

[blackshadow]

Had she never drank with anyone before, or just with people who didn't care about hangovers? Etienne's face twisted into a scowl as he nodded. "It is if you want to keep drinking without getting hungover..."

He gave a quick glance behind him - where was the bathroom anyway? - before shrugging. "But yeah, if he doesn't get back soon..."

[windupgadget]

She grimaces at the very mention. "Then I better, if I'm going to make down to the shop in the morning." Though just curling up in bed for the foreseeable future was... Not the worst thought.

She looks back- Just in time to duck a bottle flying and shattering an admitted ten feet or so to her left.

[blackshadow]

Etienne nearly jumped, cringing. Working in the morning, not getting hung over, whatever. That was not okay.

"I think we should get going before you have other reasons not to go to work tomorrow."

[windupgadget]

"-that sounds good."

Is it sad to hug a wall as she slides off the stool and slinks out of the bar fast as possible?

Too bad, she's doing it.

[blackshadow]

Given the atmosphere, Etienne doesn't see it as all that sad. He'd be the same way if he didn't have enough pride to just march out of the bar alongside her.

"Let's find a diner to hideout at..." he whispered to her.

[windupgadget]

"One that's quiet?" Okay, high high standards, but if the goal is to find a place without glasses flying-

It's at least safe enough to stand in one spot outside, at least, and she lets out a sigh... Only to do a rather over-the-top double take and cry out, "I left my form in there!"

[blackshadow]

One that's quiet sounded just find to Etienne, and he wouldn't mind just going to one if she didn't suddenly flip out.

"Forget about that! You can pick up another one!" he snapped. He placed a hand to her back just to dissuade her from running back for it.

[windupgadget]

"But- Then they might ignore my claim just for losing-"

Okay, fairly that didn't make sense but it's still suddenly hard to keep talking, though whether that's from trying not to cry or a panic attack-

Either way, Shiki's tragically easy to push forward, protests or not.

[blackshadow]

And Etienne had no problem nudging her out of the bar and back on to the cold streets.

"You know that has to be illegal," he scoffed. "Just pick up a new one."

[windupgadget]

She'd point out the same could technically be said of the whole mess she was in in the first place, since she paid to insure her mail orders. But the fight went out of her, once she hit the chilled, so instead Shiki tugged her coat tight and stumbled along, glancing back at the bar.

"-what now?"

[blackshadow]

Etienne calmed down as well now that the fight was behind them and there was a nice, sturdy door between the drunk patrons and the two of them.

Sighing, all he could do is shrug. "Whatever you want to do... But we can head to a diner to let you cool down first.

[windupgadget]

"A proper night's sleep would help..."

But no, that was unlikely, now that the noise and mess of the bar had undone any calm the drink might have granted her dreams. Better to follow Etienne's advice, and so she nodded and looked about for the closest place to walk.

"Right. I still need to get that water..."

[blackshadow]

She was right about both those things, but he was still a little worried about her. He should probably walk her home if she doesn't sober up after a few glasses, too... Ugh, he was not planning to spend his Sunday night like this.

He kept his hand on her back and gingerly guided her onto the sidewalk. Of course they were still sort of icy even after being salted... "Right. Let's get a snack to help you along while we're at it..."

[windupgadget]

Shiki gives a blind nod, her attention switching to the ground in front of her as she slowly follows his lead. (And not all from still being down. The more she watches where she steps, the better.)

But - a good pause later - his words properly register and she gives a dazed stare his way. "Hey, what about you? You- still want a drink, too?"

[blackshadow]

He had completely forgotten that he went out to drink to forget in the first place until she mentioned it. "Maybe," he sighed. "I can just pick something up at the store if I have to, though..."

[windupgadget]

"-sorry." Sure, the ruckus back there was likely to blame, but it doesn't stop her apologizing for it.

Or giving a watery laugh as they search the streets. "If it makes you feel better, it didn't help much."

[blackshadow]

As luck was usually on their sides, most of the storefronts were dark and uninviting, but at least they were the only two drunk people wandering on the street at the moment. Talking was a good distraction from the rest of the night, though.

"What were you trying to do?"

[windupgadget]

"I don't know" was the automatic reply, but she sighs, digs her palm into her eye, and looks out into the street.

"Just, relax. Get a good night's sleep."

[blackshadow]

"There are probably better ways to do that..." Then again, he wouldn't blame her for making that choice. She wouldn't be the first person to.

[windupgadget]

She chuckles out a shuttered laugh and smiles, finding some form of humor there. "Oh, I've tried others. But I'm getting a little desperate- And today didn't help. Who knows what I'd see after that."

[blackshadow]

"What happened?" he asked, turning his head to try to see her face. What kind of desperation was she feeling?

[windupgadget]

"-nothing," she said, yet it was hesitant, and stuttered with the struggle to explain. But she tried again, realizing her own mistake in wording, since what she fear with was.. "Nothing, I see nothing. But I can't stay asleep, and when I wake up-"

She was clutching her own arm, and when her fingers started to ache she let go and waved the hand in the air instead, motioning at her throat as the panic and drinks loosened her tongue. "I can't breathe, and I jump out of bed because it feels something's pulling me apart. But there's nothing there."

[blackshadow]

His eyes grew wide as she continued. Is that a kind of sleep apnea? That was the only thing he could think of; if it was just a nightmare, there'd be nothing she could do about it. His hand moved to her shoulder to hold her in an awkward, loose, side hug.

"You need to see a doctor. If you can't breathe...it could be really serious."

It's around this time that Etienne realizes that he doesn't even know her name.