Hurricane Vida

Vida Storm. 23. Bartender.

[hurricane-vida]

Just a Favor

[hurricane-vida]

Vida entered the office and took a seat in one of the guest chairs facing the desk. “Thank you for taking the time to see me today. I understand that you must be very busy.” She carefully pulled a folder and legal pad from her bag. She offered the folder to Regina. “This is information on a program at the college. It focuses on business majors and is very exclusive. And between you and I, I think the professor is a bit sexist.” She tucked a loose strand behind her ear before continuing. “I’ve completed all of the other prerequisites.My GPA is a 4.0 and I’ve passed all of the prior classes. But, I still need a letter of recommendation. I was hoping that you’d be willing to write one for me.”

[hurricane-vida]

Book Advice

[hurricane-vida]

Vida laughed as she imagined Elissa marching up the steps to hand deliver the letter. “I can just see you doing that.” She warmed under Elissa’s praise and stood a little taller. “Thanks for the pep talk and all the help.” She took the list and tucked it safely back in her bag. “I really do appreciate this.” She offered a small smile before turning to leave. “I’ll see you next Friday. And now, I’ve got a date with our Mayor.”

[hurricane-vida]

Date Night

[hurricane-vida]

When he spoke, she felt her shoulders stiffen and her eyes burned with the threat of tears. Part of her had been expecting that. But, when he pulled her close, her shoulders slumped in relief. He wasn’t leaving or taking her home. He was still here. Something that felt an awful lot like acceptance washed through her and she was glad she’d told him. She blinked a few times before speaking. “Thanks for that. But, this isn’t a one way street, you know.” She threaded an arm around his middle as they walked. “Tell me about you.”

Originally posted by originalhbicrebekah

[hurricane-vida]

"Sounds lonely." She wrapped her arms around on of his, pressing into his side as they walked. "I'm sorry about your parents." She couldn't imagine what she'd do of she lost hers. Being away from them was one thing. Them just not being there? Jesus. She shuddered to think it. "But, I'm glad you ended up here. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here right now. So, as much as it brought you misery, I'm glad things turned out like this. Plus, they made you who you are." She glanced up at him. "And that's not depressing at all."

[hurricane-vida]

Shutting the Bar Down

[to-change-my-fate]

hurricane-vida‌:

“I feel like your mom hates me more every time we talk. Probably thinks I’m leading you down this dark, dangerous road. Gates of hell, thy name is Vida.” She chuckled at her own joke as she surveyed the rowdy customers. “Yeah, thank God we’re almost done. Whatever is in the water is making people act extra stupid tonight.” She made a quick drink for someone that flagged her down. “So, other than wasting your life away in this dump with me, what’s new?”

Mara poured another two drinks and slid them down the bar.  “Uh, that’s probably because she hates you more and more every day.” She turned to Vida.  “Though, in her defense, you are definitely leading me down a dark, dark path…” She said, placing her hands on the curve of Vida’s hip and allowing it to slide down as she passed behind her again.  She topped off an old man’s whiskey at the end of the bar, and when he muttered under his breath at her, she fired back, “Look, Frank, like I tell you every week…If I were trying to poison your drink, I would’ve done it by now.” She raised the bottle at him.  “Drink up!” She said, turning back to Vida.  “You’re right, people are even crazier than usual tonight.  Still, I’d rather be here than with the boys.  They skipped their nap.” She said, giving Vida a pointed look that said it all.”

[hurricane-vida]

"Damn, and here I thought I was making progress with her." She shrugged as she mixed obnoxious drinks for the girls giggling in the back. "Guess there's no use in trying." She set the drinks on the waiting tray for the waitress to take and stepped behind Mara. She allowed her hands to slide around her hips, fingertips digging in just slightly. She leaned in until her lips brushed Mara's ear as she spoke. "Which means I can lead you down even darker paths." She pulled away as a new customer approached the bar. Her head turned at Mara's remark about the boys. "Ouch." She fished a beer from the cooler and twisted the top off before sliding it across the bar and taking the bill he laid on the counter. "Bet you're glad you're staying with me tonight."

[hurricane-vida]

Book Advice

[elissa-aaron-blog]

hurricane-vida‌:

“That would be great. Any idea how soon they should be in?” She listened carefully as Elissa spoke about taking the shop over, grateful for any little crumb she could offer. She felt bolstered by Elissa’s support and decided to proceed as soon as she could. Vida nodded. Of course. Why hadn’t she thought of that? “Thanks. That’s actually a really good idea.” Remembering something else, she reached into her bag again and pulled out a form. “One more thing and I completely understand if you don’t want to do this. But, there’s a program at school and it’s very elite and requires a million things. Is there any way you could write a recommendation letter for me?” She placed the form on the counter between them.

“It should only take a couple of weeks.” Elissa said cheerfully.  “I hope that’s soon enough.  Unfortunately they’re a little rare.”  She took the letter from Vida and looked it over.  “Wow.  Vida, this is very impressive.”  She smiled.  “I’m glad you’re going out for it, and I’m happy to write you the letter, though I doubt my opinion will carry much weight.  I think you might have a better chance of mentioning this to the mayor as well.  After all, what program could turn you down with a letter of recommendation from the mayor herself?”

[hurricane-vida]

"No, a couple of weeks is fine. I wanted to order them early just in case." She mentally checked it off her list and glanced at the letter. "Yeah, the professor running it only takes like five students. But, I really want this. As much as I love being a bartender, it's not what I want to do forever and I think maybe this is a little extra something that will get me going." The suggestion about the mayor wasn't a bad one, maybe she could make one trip and kill two birds. "That's a good idea. I'll definitely bring that up to her. But, your word means more than you think and I just want as much positive on my application as possible." She smiled mischievously. "Plus, I want to know what you'll say about me."

[hurricane-vida]

Book Advice

[hurricane-vida]

“I actually came in for a couple of reasons. I need a couple of books for one of my business classes.” She rifled through her bag until she found the list that she’d made the night before. “And I was hoping that you might have something on taking over a business. I mean, I think I know generally what it entails, but I am mostly clueless about the legalities and all that.” She tucked a loose strand behind her ear before continuing. “I’ve been kinda playing around with the idea of buying the bar. I know that probably seems crazy, but I want to at least look into it before I abandon the idea.”

[hurricane-vida]

"That would be great. Any idea how soon they should be in?" She listened carefully as Elissa spoke about taking the shop over, grateful for any little crumb she could offer. She felt bolstered by Elissa's support and decided to proceed as soon as she could. Vida nodded. Of course. Why hadn't she thought of that? "Thanks. That's actually a really good idea." Remembering something else, she reached into her bag again and pulled out a form. "One more thing and I completely understand if you don't want to do this. But, there's a program at school and it's very elite and requires a million things. Is there any way you could write a recommendation letter for me?" She placed the form on the counter between them.

[hurricane-vida]

Just a Favor

[glasswallmayor]

hurricane-vida‌:

Vida walked up to the door and knocked timidly. She had no idea what she was doing here. The mayor didn’t have time for this, right? She had to have other things to do besides write up some glowing recommendation on someone she barely knew. Vida had only ever seen the mayor a handful of times, but this was important. She had to try. She knocked again more firmly and waited.

Originally posted by wonderlandgirlforever

Regina was so tired of dealing with the town council and their complaints about the adjustments to the electric grid. She needed a break and was about to leave her office to go on a walk when she heard a knock on the door. She moved over to her desk and checked her appointment calendar, nothing for that hour. The knocking continued but louder this time. With a slight frown she walked over to the door and opened it. The mayor was surprised to find the bartender girl from the local tavern standing before her. “Can I help you?”

[hurricane-vida]

When the door swung open, Vida simply stood there for a moment at a loss for words. The mayor was a bit intimidating, larger than life, and had a badass vibe to her. She considered saying this was just a mistake and heading on her way. Her feet shifted nervously, but she fought to make her voice steady as she said, "I was hoping for a moment of your time, Madam Mayor. I had a few things I wanted to discuss with you." She finished with a smile, hoping that would help her case.

[hurricane-vida]

Just a Favor

Vida walked up to the door and knocked timidly. She had no idea what she was doing here. The mayor didn’t have time for this, right? She had to have other things to do besides write up some glowing recommendation on someone she barely knew. Vida had only ever seen the mayor a handful of times, but this was important. She had to try. She knocked again more firmly and waited.

[hurricane-vida]

Book Advice

[hurricane-vida]

“I actually came in for a couple of reasons. I need a couple of books for one of my business classes.” She rifled through her bag until she found the list that she’d made the night before. “And I was hoping that you might have something on taking over a business. I mean, I think I know generally what it entails, but I am mostly clueless about the legalities and all that.” She tucked a loose strand behind her ear before continuing. “I’ve been kinda playing around with the idea of buying the bar. I know that probably seems crazy, but I want to at least look into it before I abandon the idea.”

[hurricane-vida]

Book Advice

Vida opened the door and stepped into the book shop. The comforting smell of ink and pages drifted to her and made her sigh. She looked around but didn’t see anyone around. She rang the bell lightly on the desk. 

[hurricane-vida]

Shutting the Bar Down

The bar was crazy, even for a Friday night. Must be a full moon. Vida thought as she made what seemed like the millionth cosmo. There was no way that many people drank cosmos. She pulled her own glass of bourbon out. She’d been nursing it all night between quick rounds of water. She watched the waitress deliver her tray to a table full of giggly girls with empty glasses littering the top. Doing a quick count, she made a mental note to close their tab for the night. The last thing she needed was for some silly girls to get hurt when they were just trying to have fun. The sound of the false bar top hitting the counter made her turn. She grinned as she finished off a draft beer and handed it off. “Thank God you’re here. I thought I’d have to work with the new girl and the thought alone was enough to want to drown myself in the tub.” She rested her elbows on the counter in the middle of a very welcome lull. “How’ve you been?”

[to-change-my-fate]

Mara set her back down in the usual spot behind and counter and moved behind Vida to grab a rag.  Her hand brushed the small of Vida’s back as she moved past.  “Sorry.  Would’ve been here sooner, but mom was lecturing me again.  Something about wasting my potential by working here.  So, you know, the usual.”  She took a moment to look around the bar before shaking her head and wiping at a sticky puddle near the end of the bar.  “Man, you weren’t kidding.  This is a madhouse.”  As soon as she had finished with the bar towel, she was waved over by a frustrated looking man.  God, shouldn’t he be in bed by now?  The older crowd usually funneled out no later than 10 and it was nearly three hours past that.  She quickly appeased him by topping off his whiskey and made her way back to Vida.  “Hey, at least it’s almost over, right?”

[hurricane-vida]

"I feel like your mom hates me more every time we talk. Probably thinks I'm leading you down this dark, dangerous road. Gates of hell, thy name is Vida." She chuckled at her own joke as she surveyed the rowdy customers. "Yeah, thank God we're almost done. Whatever is in the water is making people act extra stupid tonight." She made a quick drink for someone that flagged her down. "So, other than wasting your life away in this dump with me, what's new?"

[hurricane-vida]

Shutting the Bar Down

The bar was crazy, even for a Friday night. Must be a full moon. Vida thought as she made what seemed like the millionth cosmo. There was no way that many people drank cosmos. She pulled her own glass of bourbon out. She’d been nursing it all night between quick rounds of water. She watched the waitress deliver her tray to a table full of giggly girls with empty glasses littering the top. Doing a quick count, she made a mental note to close their tab for the night. The last thing she needed was for some silly girls to get hurt when they were just trying to have fun. The sound of the false bar top hitting the counter made her turn. She grinned as she finished off a draft beer and handed it off. “Thank God you’re here. I thought I’d have to work with the new girl and the thought alone was enough to want to drown myself in the tub.” She rested her elbows on the counter in the middle of a very welcome lull. “How’ve you been?”

[hurricane-vida]

Date Night

[hurricane-vida]

Vida laughed dryly and looked down at the sidewalk. “Wow. You just dove right in there, huh?” She wasn’t upset, but she didn’t know if she was brave enough to have this talk just yet. Better he find out now than later on down the road and hate you for it. “Truth?” It was a stupid question, but it slipped out anyway. “MY story’s pretty boring. I’m an only child. My parents are still married. Both of them worked, still do. I was …” She drifted off as she searched for the words she wanted. “Moderately popular. I had one boyfriend in high school. We were friends that just sort of transitioned to more. I ran track and I was good, really good. But, um, I got hurt. It wasn’t bad. I just twisted it a little at a practice.” She cleared her throat and felt the ghost of pain at the memory of what came next. “I wasn’t cleared for the next meet, but I couldn’t not compete. Mid-race, I felt something tear loose. My whole leg just collapsed. Tore my ACL. Went through surgery and rehab. But, I’ll never be able to run like that again.” She twisted her hands in front of her and avoided looking at Damien. “I sort of spiraled after that. Drugs. Drinking. Et cetera. Broke up with my boyfriend over a stupid fight. Graduated and moved here. Sobered my ass up for the most part. I still drink, but not like I did.” She finally chanced a glance at Damien. “And that’s probably the most depressing story you’ve ever heard. I just killed the mood for tonight, right? You wanna change your mind?”

[as-stubborn-as-you-are]

Damien kept walking along beside her, but he noticed the change in tone and braced himself for a serious opening-up type story.  He listened solemnly until she had finished and when she looked at him, he smiled kindly.  “Yup.  Way too much baggage for me.  I’m taking you back home right this minute.” He chuckled and pulled her close to his side.  “Come on, everyone’s got a past.” His mind flashed back to Vlad, the first person who’d been able to see him as more than just his baggage.  He would always be grateful for that, and he certainly wasn’t going to judge Vida for mistakes she’d made in high school.  Lord knows he had done some things at that age that he wasn’t proud of.  And from the sound of it, she’d been punished enough.  “I’m not in a position to judge anyone.”

[hurricane-vida]

When he spoke, she felt her shoulders stiffen and her eyes burned with the threat of tears. Part of her had been expecting that. But, when he pulled her close, her shoulders slumped in relief. He wasn’t leaving or taking her home. He was still here. Something that felt an awful lot like acceptance washed through her and she was glad she’d told him. She blinked a few times before speaking. “Thanks for that. But, this isn’t a one way street, you know.” She threaded an arm around his middle as they walked. “Tell me about you.”

[hurricane-vida]

Date Night

[hurricane-vida]

Vida laughed dryly and looked down at the sidewalk. "Wow. You just dove right in there, huh?" She wasn't upset, but she didn't know if she was brave enough to have this talk just yet. Better he find out now than later on down the road and hate you for it. "Truth?" It was a stupid question, but it slipped out anyway. "MY story's pretty boring. I'm an only child. My parents are still married. Both of them worked, still do. I was . . ." She drifted off as she searched for the words she wanted. "Moderately popular. I had one boyfriend in high school. We were friends that just sort of transitioned to more. I ran track and I was good, really good. But, um, I got hurt. It wasn't bad. I just twisted it a little at a practice." She cleared her throat and felt the ghost of pain at the memory of what came next. "I wasn't cleared for the next meet, but I couldn't not compete. Mid-race, I felt something tear loose. My whole leg just collapsed. Tore my ACL. Went through surgery and rehab. But, I'll never be able to run like that again." She twisted her hands in front of her and avoided looking at Damien. "I sort of spiraled after that. Drugs. Drinking. Et cetera. Broke up with my boyfriend over a stupid fight. Graduated and moved here. Sobered my ass up for the most part. I still drink, but not like I did." She finally chanced a glance at Damien. "And that's probably the most depressing story you've ever heard. I just killed the mood for tonight, right? You wanna change your mind?"

[hurricane-vida]

She shrugged. "As well as I can be. If the owner doesn't stop hiring stupid girls just because they're pretty, I might strangle him. Other than that, nothing to complain about." Absently, she wiped her side of the bar down started drying glasses. "I wish I could just buy this place."

[hurricane-vida]

Date Night

[hurricane-vida]

Vida smiled and shook her head at his comment. "Well, I'm glad you approve. You don't look so bad yourself." In truth, he looked nice, like really nice. She was almost surprised. Not that he ever really looked bad. This was just different. She could see the effort he'd put in. And, it was for her. The thought made her blush just slightly. She gathered her things and made her way toward him. Of course, Shadow chose that moment to come prancing down the hall. He saw Damien and let out a low growl. She scolded him. "Shadow! Manners!" The dog stopped and dipped his head for a moment before settling down to watch them intently.

She smiled sheepishly at Damien and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. "Sorry about that. He's not really used to other people being here. This is kind of just our space." She linked her arm in his and led him out the door before turning to lock it. "Ready to go?"

[hurricane-vida]

Vida shrugged at his money comment. "I don't need the money. And I think our game would just be a lot better without all of that. Besides, my truth isn't worth all that." True, she didn't like the thought of being bought. But, the real reason she didn't accept his terms was that she didn't have that kind of cash to just throw around. Looking down, she sipped at her glass and stubbed out the cigarette. But, she laughed imagining him stubbing his toe. She could even see the nightstand shattering through the window pane in a fit of rage. She tried to hide her expression, almost certain she failed. "That is quite the awful start." She conceded. She thought for a moment before taking her turn.

She cleared her throat before speaking. "I'm assuming that the day starts at midnight for this little game." Turning to face him, she continued. "At midnight, I was still cleaning up from the last shift. Some stupid little girl that must've seen Coyote Ugly and decided to give it a go. I had to throw her ass out because she was drunk and trying to dance on the bar, which left me manning the bar all alone until we closed down at two."