s h a d o w

affiliated with redthreadrp. fated with sukere. faceclaim : acnologia from fairy tail.

[skyqqe-blog]

sukere:

     His expression makes her squirm on the stool a tad in a guilty fashion. It’s easy just by looking at the man’s face that he’s not exactly INTERESTED in her preferred topic of conversation. It doesn’t help that he seems to be newer to town, and that his feelings towards the town’s legend don’t mesh well with her own.      In a way, it reminds her of the politics her father used to discuss back home. Certain folks were aligned in different ways, meaning that he’d have to change his tactics when discussing various topics with customers, employees, and others of the like. How careless of her to forget that not everyone else had such a… optimistic look on their future and how it ended up.       The brunette allows herself another quick peak at him once he’s finished speaking, her head lowering some whilst her face flushes out of embarrassment. 

     ❝ I– My apologies sir ! I… I often forget that not everyone has been in Bellevue for as long as I have. It’s been a few years, so I guess you could consider me a local.      I do ah, suppose you have a point. I think that in a way, people do have some control over their fate. People can act different than their norm and that can change things, but I guess that itself isn’t always a guarantee. ❞      She sighs some at that, the woman’s shoulders slumping in a tired way. It’s been a long day, maybe she should of just went home instead of coming here– Besides, there’s plenty of wine back home to drown her sorrows in.      Yet something keeps her rear pinned in that stool.      ❝ You said that you just recently moved here ? I hope this isn’t too forward of me, but can I ask what brought you here ?      I had a feeling you were a little newer, generally most everyone in town recognizes one another by appearance. This is the first I’ve ever seen you before…      I hope that wasn’t creepy of me to say ! I just know a lot of people in town due to both work and school. ❞

          "It’s-- You don’t have to apologize,” Damon mutters in the midst of her frantic speech, wondering whether or not she had even heard him. Half of him wishes she would leave, preferring to keep the bar to himself with the drone of the television and the radio buzzing in his head. He feels awkward, he doesn’t know this woman, and she doesn’t know him, but she insists on keeping her spot on that damned stool. She’s hardly moved since she got here, and it makes him nervous.

          And now she’s asking him questions -- prodding questions -- and his nostrils flare. Damn woman. He knows she’s just trying to be friendly, make conversation and what not, and his teeth clench at the thought that he’s supposed to do the same. He remembers the story he’s supposed to tell, and he opens his mouth to speak, but she keeps on going, and he wonders if she’ll ever honestly stop. Not wanting to appear rude, he lets her finish, feeling his eyebrows fall between his eyes in frustration.

          He places the glass he’d been meticulously cleaning for the past few minutes down on the counter and leans against it, eyes as green as the fresh grass of spring boring into her. Perhaps he could try this friendly thing, and since this woman doesn’t seem to be removing her rear from that stool any time soon, maybe he could have some fun of his own.

          “Family troubles. And that’s all you’re going to get.”

          A small smirk quirks his lips, cocky in nature, and it’s now that he finally takes a moment to get a good look at the woman before him. She is pretty, there’s no doubt about that... Maybe she’d turn out to be better company than he expected.

          As long as she doesn’t ask him for his life story.

[skyqqe-blog]

[ peeks in.

i’ve returned ( from the grave ) -- i was away for about a week on family vacation and now i’m back, and i need to do some shit tonight so i’ll be around! ]

[skyqqe-blog]

( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡): Does having somebody stroke their head make them feel relaxed?

Physical Detail Ask Meme | accepting !!

          Any physical attention to his head or hair will have him purring like a newborn kitten -- he’d never fully admit that, though. Scratch the man’s head or brush through his thick hair and he’ll melt into a puddle, almost literally. It will take a bit of time before he trusts you and allows you to get that physically close to him to attempt such a feat, however.

[skyqqe-blog]

Gemini

Send a space thing for questions | not accepting

Gemini: Favourite song?

Fallen by Volbeat.

[skyqqe-blog]

Deneb: Have you ever been out of your home country?

Send a space thing for questions | not accepting

          Damon currently is outside of his home country, having been born and raised in Denmark. However, prior to the events that forced him out of Denmark, he had never left the country of his birth. His uncle would leave frequently, mostly for business, and had offered a handful of times to take Damon with him, but the boy had always refused, preferring to stay put -- and to stay far away from his uncle as best as he could manage.

[warrioroflondonbelow]

Physical Detail Ask Meme:

Σ(ﾟДﾟ；): Have they ever sprained or broken their leg before? How about their arm? What was the story behind it?

╰(*´︶`*)╯: Do they appreciate hugs? Would they prefer to give hugs or receive hugs? What kind of hugs do they like to receive and/or give?

ಠಿ_ಠ: Do they look up or down when they are trying to recollect something?

ヽ( ´O｀): What is their body language like when sleepy? 

(Дﾟ≡ﾟДﾟ): When they are surprised by somebody do they physically jump? Scream? 

(⸝⸝⸝ ̑ ̑⸝⸝⸝):  Does their face get red after they drink?

(„ᵕᴗᵕ„): Does their face turn red when embarrassed? If so, how else do they react when embarrassed? (I.E. Shifting of weight upon foot, etc.)

( ๑‾̀◡‾́)σ»: Do they have a sensitive spot/s?

(〇o〇；): What is their body language like when they are stressed? Do they try and hide the fact that they are stressed? How do they recover from said stress?

ಠ-ಠ: Do they like it when people touch their hair?

(ﾉ≧ڡ≦): Do they like to show affection by physically teasing? (I.E: Shoulder punches, etc.)

♪⁽⁽٩( ᐖ )۶⁾⁾ ₍₍٩( ᐛ )۶₎₎♪: How are they like when they dance? Are they stiff? Fluid? A good dancer? Do they prefer to dance with a lot of others, with one other person, or alone?

ง ( ⌓̈ )ง: Are they physically strong when it comes to fights?

(´∀｀): Do they laugh when they get nervous?

ಥoಥ: How are they like when they cry? Do they just stream tears nonstop? Does their nose get clogged to the point that it’s hard to breathe? Is it easy for them to speak when they are sobbing? Do they hiccup when they cry?

ಸヮಸ: Do they lean back or forward when they laugh hard? Do they snort? Slap their knee? Do that seal-esque clap? Do they often laugh to the point that you can’t hear their laugh anymore?

「(°ヘ°): How does one calm them down when they are freaking out? Do they prefer physical comfort, or would they rather be left alone?

⊙.☉: Does their voice get an octave higher when they lie? Does it crack?

( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡): Does having somebody stroke their head make them feel relaxed?

(ꈍᴗꈍ)ε｀*): Do they prefer kisses on the cheek? Forehead? What about neck kisses?

(-.-): How should one wake them up? Do they get out of bed easily?

(ó﹏ò｡): Are there any foods that make their stomach upset?

[skyqqe-blog]

“You look tired.”

Questions/Comments to be sent anonymously! | not accepting

          “Wow, great observation,” he grunts under his breath, and a hand reaches up to scratch at the mat of hair that trails down his back. How long had it been since he’d gotten a wink of sleep? He doesn’t remember. He frowns as a yawn passes through him, his nose scrunched in a look of defiance.

          Perhaps it is time for a nap. A nice, twelve hour long nap.

[skyqqe-blog]

sukere:

     FOR ONCE…      Alice is silent, the young woman opting to allow the bar’s quiet atmosphere to drape over her almost as if it were a comforting blanket to a small child. If it weren’t something that was frowned upon, she’d probably lay her head down on the bar top right then and there… But that would make things awkward, and the bartender seemed nice, so she would rather NOT weird him out.      Instead, she murmurs a quiet ‘ thank you ‘ as her drink is delivered, slender fingers grasping the glass and bringing it to her lips. Alice had never been one for drinking, especially not something like she had now– She was more a wine-drinker, not this more hardcore stuff. With her mouth no longer so dry and the burn of the alcohol in her drink warming her, the brunette sits up just a tad bit straighter, one hand being lifted to run through her hair.      Once again, she’s thanking the stranger before her, a genuine look thankfulness settling on her face.      ❝ I’m not exactly fond of talking about others behind their backs, but… She deserves it. She just– She makes my spine feel like a steel rod’s been stabbed through it. Something doesn’t feel right, you know ? ❞

     Unable to help herself, the smaller wrinkles her nose dramatically, both hands now cupped around her drink. Falling silent then, she takes another quick few sips, feeling just a bit braver when it came to speaking to the man before her.      ❝ I hope you don’t mind me asking, but… Do you believe in the threads of fate, sir ? Or do you at least think she’s talking a whole bunch of nonsense ?      With all the news coverage, and everyone starting to doubt the legend, it’s getting to me. I-I mean ! I personally will always believe in the threads, but their new mindsets are so negative in a way. It’s sad. Everyone in today’s world has someone waiting for them, whether they know it or not… ❞      Equally dark eyes glance towards the pinky on her dominate hand, her gaze intense.      ❝ I just know it. She probably just hasn’t found that someone yet, so instead she resorts to stealing a partner. ❞

          To the small ‘ thank you ‘ he receives, he gives a silent nod, not willing to strike up any further conversation with his sole customer and instead, turns away to wipe down his station after the sloppy mess he made concocting her drink. He’d squeezed the lime a little too hard, causing droplets of juice to litter the counter. He hates when the counter gets sticky, the culprit usually being his own clumsiness or a customer who’s been served a few too many drinks for their own good and ends up knocking over a glass or two. Or three. He shudders at the memory.

          His ears perk at the sound of her tiny voice, almost reminding him of a tiny mouse, squeaking as it’s nose twitches with a scent it’s caught. Brooding eyes glance toward her, watching her lips move but hardly hearing much of what she’s saying, unsure if she’s talking too quickly and he’s just not able to catch that much English quite yet, or if he’s just choosing not to pay attention. Perhaps both.

          Now she’s really getting chatty, and he knows it would be rude -- and bad rep -- to not at least indulge the woman in her banter, so he turns fully towards her, tossing his now lime-coated cloth over his shoulder. His arms cross over his chest, jaw locked as he struggles to carry interest in what she’s saying. Didn’t she want him to change the channel to avoid this topic in the first place? A small huff through flared nostrils passes.

          “Can’t say I have much of an opinion about that one. I just moved here.”

          The man shrugs at her question and purses his lips -- what does he think about it? The threads of fate... Supposedly, they tie two individuals together, unbeknownst to the pair, and fate would have them spend their lives together. He scratches his chin in quiet contemplation before answering the girl.

          “Sounds like an urban legend to me. I like to think people should have control over that sort’a thing. Forge our own destinies and all that bullshit.”

[skyqqe-blog]

[ ugh -- i helped my dad with building our deck all day and i was gonna do some replies and day 3 of the 30 day development project, but i’m pooped. hopefully i can get some stuff done tomorrow.

also i know i owe some starters -- i haven’t forgotten !! i’ll get to those as soon as i can. ]

[skyqqe-blog]

30 days of development | day 2

What is your character’s relationship like with their family? Do they have any siblings? Are they close with their parents? If they don’t have a biological family, who do they consider to be their family?

          Damon’s biological parents died long ago, when he was only a few years old -- too young to remember them clearly. His parents were poor, but they loved their only son very dearly, and unfortunately they passed due to a strange, unknown illness that, strangely enough, did not plague their son. Thinking of only the best for their precious child, they gave him up to his uncle, his mother’s brother, in hopes that he would be well taken care of, and raised in the best possible environment.

          Sadly, Damon’s uncle was an abusive monster, torturing the boy both verbally and physically throughout his childhood and adolescence. As such, he hardly refers to his uncle as family, and prefers not to converse over the topic.

          Damon’s family came in the form of the gangs he grew to be a part of during his time in Denmark. Members would frequently refer to each other as brother or sister in a display of the iron bond that grew between each and every one of them. Their loyalty was unlike anything he’d ever experienced, and he grew to depend on them, until those he used to count on began to rely upon him instead.

          Now that his gang days are long over, Damon does not have much of a family left.

[skyqqe-blog]

30 days of development | day 1

What is your character’s full name? Is there a sentimental meaning behind it? Who chose the name? What is the etymology behind their name?

                             -- Damon Emil Andriksen

          In Damon’s family heritage, it is tradition that the sons are named after their fathers, and the daughters are named after their mothers. As such, Damon was named after his late father, Emil Andriksen.

          Damon is a Greek name, and is derived from the Greek word damazo, which means ‘to tame’. According to Greek legend, Damon and Pythias were friends who lived on Syracuse. When Pythias was sentenced to death, he was allowed temporary freedom on the condition that Damon would take his place in prison. Pythias returned just before Damon was to be executed in his place, and the king was so pleased by their loyalty that he decided to pardon Pythias.

          Emil is derived from the Roman family name Aemilius, which itself is derived from the Latin word aemulus, meaning ‘rival’.

          Andriksen is a traditional Danish last name, deriving from the words andrik, meaning ‘drake’, and sen, meaning ‘son’. Andrik is also a Slavic baby name, meaning ‘manly’ or ‘brave’, and is a form of the name Andrew.

[skyqqe-blog]

“You’ll find your place in this world.”

Questions/Comments to be sent anonymously! | not accepting

          He doesn’t particularly know how to answer this statement -- part of him wants to lash out, to claim lies and slander and to cast these words to the very depths of his mind as if they meant nothing to him. The other part of him ponders it in total silence, his lips a tight frown and his nostrils slightly flared. 

          To be completely honest, he never knew whether or not he ever would find his rightful place in the world. After everything he had been through in his past, he isn’t able to put a finger on where his life will be in the years to come. Everything is up to chance, his life having become a blank slate after he had moved from his home country, as events came without warning and the man simply had to learn to deal with it.

          Damon shrugs, shoulders slumping down lazily, his answer the same. “No way to tell, really.”

[sentencestarters-and-asks]

Send a space thing for questions

Planets: Life

Mercury: What’s your full name? 

Venus: What’s your first language? 

Earth: Where’s your home? 

Mars: What’s your sexuality? 

Jupiter: Do you have any siblings? 

Saturn: Any pets? 

Uranus: What’s your hobby? 

Neptune: When’s your birthday? 

Pluto: What time is it right now where you are? 

Moon: What are you currently studying/hope to study? 

Stars: Experiences

Sun: Have you ever had alcohol? 

Sirius: Have you ever failed a class? 

Rigel: Have you ever gone on a rollercoaster? 

Deneb: Have you ever been out of your home country? 

Arcturus: Have you cried out of something other than sadness? 

Betelgeuse: What’s something you can never forget about? 

Aldebaran: What’s something you care desperately about? 

Canopus: Have you ever broken a bone? 

Bellatrix: Have you ever been forced to lie/keep a secret? 

Alphard: Have you ever lost a friend?

Vega: What’s something you’ve done that you wish you hadn’t? 

Constellations: Favourites

Centaurus: Favourite holiday?

Orion: Favourite month?

Cassiopeia: Favourite book?

Delphinus: Favourite study?

Hercules: Favourite instrument?

Gemini: Favourite song?

Pegasus: Favourite place to be?

Libra: Favourite colour? 

Phoenix: Favourite thing to wear?

Aries: Favourite movie? 

Cygnus: Favourite weather? 

Hydra: Favourite sound? 

Galaxies: Love/Friends  

Milky Way: Who’s your oldest friend?  

Andromeda: Do you consider yourself social? 

Black Eye Galaxy: Do you believe in love at first sight? 

Cartwheel Galaxy: When was your first kiss? 

Cigar Galaxy: How’s your flirting skills? 

Comet Galaxy: Have you ever had to leave a relationship because someone changed too much? 

Pinwheel Galaxy: Would you date the last person you talked to? 

Sombrero Galaxy: Do you have a crush right now? 

Bode’s Galaxy: Have you ever had a secret admirer? 

Sunflower Galaxy: Would you date/make friends with someone out of pity? 

Tadpole Galaxy: Would you deny a relationship/friendship? 

Whirlpool Galaxy: Have you ever cried over a breakup? 

Other stuff: Wishes 

Comet: What’s your big dream? 

Asteroid: What does your dream life look like? 

Meteor: What’s something you wish you could tell, but can’t? 

Nebula: If you could undo one thing in your life, what would it be? 

Shooting Star: If you could bring back one thing, what would it be? 

Pulsar: What do you hope to do in the next 10 years? 

Supernova: What’s one thing you want to do before you die? 

Quasar: If you could spend the rest of your life with only one person, who would it be? 

Wormhole: What’s something you wish would happen, but know won’t? 

Black Hole: What’s the last thing you want to see? 

[skyqqe-blog]

“Why do you fight?”

Questions/Comments to be sent anonymously!

          The question puzzles him, his lips turning downwards into a low frown, eyes slowly blinking while he ponders to himself. Why does he fight? It isn’t like he has much to fight for, really -- his family [ or what remains of it ] was left behind in Denmark, and the same goes for anyone he’d ever really known outside of that. He is alone, at least for the moment, in this city of strangers and love -- the latter makes his skin crawl some.

          Even before his travel to Bellevue, there hadn’t been much for him to fight for besides his own life. Everything had been about survival, and hoping you’d manage to make it to your next meal. Even while residing in the confines of his uncle’s mansion, where food was plenty and those outside would think there wouldn’t be a worry in the world for the patrons of what was considered a palace, he had to fight. He had to claw and tear his way through every miserable opportunity, every interaction with his uncle and every chance to escape from his prison.

          He raises his head and simply shrugs, giving a plain and obvious answer. “Dunno. Don’t have much to fight for.”

[skyqqe-blog]

Deep Ass Starters.

Sometimes it's hard to get in depth with your muse and their backstory, because you can't figure out how to bring those things up with others. Here are a couple of starters intended to make things a little more personal!

"What's holding you back?"

"I'm not comfortable with this conversation."

"Will you /ever/ be comfortable with this conversation?"

"Let me in sometime!"

"It's not that easy, you know."

"Help me understand."

"It's hard to connect with someone when all they do is push you away."

"Why are you always so cold?"

"Why are you always so happy?"

"Are you really happy now?"

"Who hurt you this badly to make you this way?!"

"What, did your ex mess you up that badly?!"

"Why do you keep fighting it any time you feel?"

"It's a problem, I get it."

"This is all kinds of messed up."

"That's not exactly a good coping method."

"So what happened, with your parents, really?"

"What was your childhood like?"

"Everyone has at lest a little bit of mommy/daddy issues. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"My parents aren't exactly perfect models, either."

"You were bullied? What for?"

"Was it hard? Coming out, I mean."

"You can't just run away all the time."

"You can't just hide all the time."

"Are you still thinking about them?"

"I'm not the enemy here. But this makes me wonder who the real one is for you."

"Is the reason you're so cold and defensive because you feel threatened?"

"How long has it been since you last spoke to them?"

"You never talk about it, why?"

"How come you're so different around them?"

"It's like you don't have a care or worry in the world."

"You seem so perfect. I don't get it."

"What was your ex like?"

"I don't think I was ever good enough for them."

"Are you not comfortable being intimate?"

"Why don't you feel comfortable being intimate?"

"Letting someone see you that vulnerable, it's a scary thing."

"Are you scared of being hurt?"

"Have you ever been taken advantage of?"

"Why are you afraid of saying I love you?"

"I never understood how someone could say those words so easily."

"You're hurting others the way you've been hurt in the past, don't you think that's ironic?"

"You use people to make yourself feel better."

"I'm scared of being used again..."

"Losing someone isn't easy, but you're making it harder than it needs to be."

"How long has it been since you lost them?"

"You're too attached."

"I'm not attached, I'm just comfortable with what I'm familiar to."

"Maybe the real reason you're so controlling is because, deep down you'd rather have them in your grasp than lose them."

"Why did you ever break up?" / "Why did we ever break up?"

[memeroundups]

Questions/Comments to be sent anonymously!

(though off anon is fine too!)

“Is there someone you hold dear?”

“Don’t you feel any guilt?”

“You’re actually afraid to be alone, aren’t you?”

“There must be something you fear.”

“Do you have a home?”

“Is there someone you like?”

“Are you really expecting a positive outcome out of this?”

“Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Aren’t you happy?”

“Who do you despise?” 

“How do you sleep at night?”

“What do you think of kindness?”

“What do you think of hatred?”

“Why do you fight?”

“Why do you live?”

“How much blood have you spilled?”

“How much death have you seen?”

“Don’t you think your actions are reckless?”

“Don’t you know how much good you’ve done for others?”

“Can’t you tell they love you?”

“Can’t you see he/she would die for you?”

“Can’t you tell the truth for once?”

“You’re not tainted.”

“You’re not alone.”

“You’re awful.”

“You don’t think of anyone but yourself.”

“You’re an emotionless robot.”

“You’re just a lap dog.”

“It’s not over.”

“He/she needs you.”

“Stop lying.”

“Stop fighting.”

“Stop pushing others away.”

“You’re cruel.”

“You’re far too kind. Too kind for your own good.”

“You depend on him/her too often.”

“You’re overprotective, it’s stifling.”

“He/she is bringing you down.”

“You’re too timid, it’s easy to see you as a target.”

“You need to listen.”

“You need to speak up more often.”

“You’re weak.”

“You’re too proud.”

“Quit blaming others for your mistakes.”

“You won’t always be around to save him/her.”

“One day, he/she won’t need you anymore.”

“You can’t cheat death.”

“You can’t hide forever.”

“They’ll find out the truth eventually.”

“That person is only holding you back.”

“They’re too good for you.”

“You’ll be rewarded for your efforts if you keep trying.”

“It will get better.”

“You look lonely.”

“You look bitter.”

“You look tired.”

“You’re hiding a painful burden.”

“You’re perfect.”

“You’re beautiful.”

“You will always be worthless.”

“Your hands are too dirty, too tainted to be clean.”

“You’re lost in this world. Wandering without a purpose.”

“You’ll rise above them all.” 

“You’ll find your place in this world.”

“Eventually, someone will knock you off your pedestal.”

[skyqqe-blog]

sukere:

@skyqqe !

     THE SALTY GOAT.      She’d been here once or twice with friends from college, though they generally only had come here when the clubs were just a LITTLE too crowded for their tastes.      Alice blinks at the interior once she’s entered the little bar, her face heating up some out of shame. Why had she decided to come here ? There were plenty of other ( better ) places where she could EASILY find salvation– Her own home ( wait, she’d already been there and had found the quiet atmosphere to be unsettling ), maybe go and pop by the Coliseum to see her friend ( popped by there before coming here, friend was not there ), any place was likely better than a BAR.      Yet here she was, seemingly determined to find comfort out of a bottle or glass. The thought doesn’t sit well with her, the young woman’s eyes dropping to the floor.

     Oh…. Father would be so ashamed.      Not that it mattered much, seeing as he wasn’t here, and that the last time she’d seen him had been almost half a decade ago.      Huffing to herself, Alice hops up onto an unoccupied bar stool, the one closest to the bartender so that he doesn’t have to go out of his way to serve her.      Speaking of him– She does a double take, his appearance both intimidating, yet… Something she can’t place her finger on. Maybe it’ll come back to her later.      ❝ Could I have a mojito, please ? – Oh, let me get my I.D. for you as well… ❞      STUPID.      Shifting in her seat some, Alice digs into the tiny bag she calls a purse, and after a few seconds, the plastic card is slid towards him. Momentarily distracted, she then glances to the mounted television behind him– BIG MISTAKE.      How did she know that the local news would still be covering Bellevue’s latest scandal ?      ❝ I hate to ask this as well, but… Can you change the channel perhaps ? I’m a little tired of hearing about that woman. ❞ 

          Today had been slow. Too slow. Damon’s feet drag across the floor of the bar as he saunters, absently wiping a glass that has now probably been within his grasp for the past twenty minutes. The television buzzes above him, his ears barely detecting it over the even softer music that plays over the radio sitting on the end of the counter. He places the glass in its rightful place after deciding that it had truly been wiped clean of all stains and tosses his towel to the counter before leaning back against it, craning his head to see whatever the fuss is about on the news.

          The reporter’s robotic voice barely hits his ears, and the subtitles that seem to be about a minute slow are no help whatsoever -- half the time they end up a garbled mess, black boxes filled with pixelated text filling up half the screen. The latest news story seems to be the same every damn day, the woman who stole away the heart of a city official, something about rallies and scandals and the like. Damon scoffs and rolls his eyes, deciding that his time could be better spent making sure the alcohol that lines the shelves is perfectly in line.

          A bell rings, and his head turns. A customer? Perhaps happy hour starts a little early today. Emerald irises spy a lone girl, and they follow her silently as she makes her way to the bar and plops a seat right in front of him. She looks a little worn down, as if the day’s troubles had gotten the best of her -- those situations tend to be pretty common in his place of work. Though, she is pretty... He wonders to himself what a girl like her is doing here.

          He decides it isn’t his business, and so does not ask.

          “Right away.” His danish tone seeps through the words, and he makes an effort to glance down at her ID before preparing her drink. He spies a name, Alice, and slides the card back across the counter. Pretty name, too.

          He mumbles something about needing more mint leaves as he prepares her glass, making sure to remember this time to only bruise the leaves as he crushes the mint and lime before topping the drink with ice, rum and soda. Garnishing the glass with an extra lime wedge, he places the glass down in front of her, and almost walks away to wipe down his station before her [ tiny ] voice hits his ears.

          Humming his reply, he reaches for the remote and searches through the hefty guide for something else to watch, settling for a re-run of a movie that looks like it dug itself out of the 80′s. Good enough, he supposes.

          “Dumb broad, anyway.”