Felix was tentative about drinking after hours now that the pier was crawling with so many partygoers. His usual haunts were flooded with scores of people, and he wished things were back to the more familiar speed he was comfortable with. After avoiding the bars for a few days he finally broke his resolve and decided to brave the sea of unfamiliarity for a much-needed drink.
He was happy to be able to sit at his usual bar seat, and after a couple tall cold ones in him, he took to chatting with the barman and some of the patrons enjoying the nightlife. Now visibly relaxed Felix seemed to transform into a social butterfly; laughing, chatting, and even dancing without a care.Â
As he spent some time amongst the crowd he thought he spied a familiar face amongst the many strangers, nodding and waving himself away from his current conversation in favor of greeting his friend. As he bobbed and weaved between the bodies he noticed the hand of the person dancing with Eileen almost wave briefly above the glass in her hand, not thinking much of the small gesture until he noticed her dancing slowing up and her holding her head. Knowing something was wrong, but in his current slowed state of mind not quite what, he approached a bit quicker.Â
Making a show of gently grabbing her arm and trying to guide her away from the suspicious stranger, brows raising at her retort and shaky constitution. Finally realizing how urgent and potentially dangerous the situation was, Felix released his grip on her arm and moved his hand to rest gently on the small of her back. Leaning in so she could hopefully hear him as he slurred over the beating music, âEileen, itâs just me. Is it time for us to go home, yâthink?âÂ
His eyes flickered briefly up toward the man who was hovering over the situation, the alcohol stirring a boldness as he continued. Speaking a bit more loudly so hopefully, the gentleman could hear and be rightfully deterred, âYouâve had a bit too much, dearest. Time for us to go.â
Wasting no time Felix gently guided the both of them toward the exit, waving briefly to the bartender to place both his and Eileenâs drinks on his tab before they left.
The familiar voice caught her attention, taking the time to actually look up to see who it was who had taken her arm, âFelix?â she mumbled, making sense of some of his features through the flashing lights and blurry vision. It took a moment for her to process what he was doing exactly as he insinuated to the crowd that they were some kind of item and started guiding them out into the cool night.
Still a bit unnerved by how she felt, part of her wanted to think that he did something to her, that was why he was guiding her away so quickly. Though even in her confused state, she knew that didnât make any sense. She hadnât seen Felix all night and he hardly seemed like that kind of a person. The blonde leaned into him, trying to keep her focus on making one foot keep moving in front of the other, ââm noâfuckinâ drunk, Felix...â she slurred firmly. Eileen hadnât meant to sound so rude or hateful, but she was in a frustrated and confused state. Poor Felix simply was the only person she could take it out on. Though whatever guise she mightâve been able to keep up was quickly lost as she tripped over her own feet, holding onto her friend before she could completely eat dirt.