closed stater // ellen & julianna || @bochrum
the brunette never used to drink, on special occasions with her husband or family. that soon slipped into occasionally as the war broke, increasing as worry for her husband and brothers to return home. she found herself drinking more when word came home, her youngest brother had already been buried but her husbands body was there on the battlefield. drinking heavily most nights till her mother set her straight, this was the life he wouldn’t wanted for her. that thought had sobered her up, didn’t touch so much as a drop till she came to moscow. by then she knew her limit and to not dwell on the dead.
she found herself on some odd weekend nights, a small glass of something dark that had more of a bite than she could handle. despite closing herself from those around her, she did miss the sound of laughter. “i’ll have a little bit more of this.” a full glass and she would be kicking herself. she met the barmaids eyes before giving her the coins
' coming up , ’ she replies with a quick nod , practically spinning around to grab the bottle , always one to move quick on her feet . soon enough the drink is poured and nell cups her hand over the coins , sliding them off of the bartop into the pocket of her apron to be deposited into the register when she had the chance .
once the coins are tucked away , she looks back up at the woman , quiet and new and thus full of possibility in the barmaid’s eyes . she wanted to know the story , if there was one , certainly before someone else figured it out . ‘ where in poland are you from ? ’ she questions , having placed the accent , giving the woman across the bar a light smile , friendly in nature . she follows her question with information of her own , offering an exchange . ‘ my cousin’s from lodz . ’

















