Whumptober Day 26
Prompts List
Masterpost
Prompts: “Nothing like a relapse to rehash the kid who was scared.” Relapse | Drawn Curtains | Power Cut
Words: 300
Tag List: (message me to be added or removed) @fourwingedsnake @pigeonwhumps @mr-orion @scaewolf
@the-ellia-west @melpomenelamusa
CW: alcohol, lying
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Galina narrowed her eyes at the hunter slinking up to the bar, who seemed to pretend that if he didn't look her in the eye, she wouldn't recognize him. He quietly slid into a seat, and she let him have a few minutes of peace while she finished dealing with another patron before addressing him.
"My dear," she said, leaning against the counter, arms folded, "I thought we'd seen the last of you."
Draven groaned softly. "Galina, please don't start---"
"No, I'm gonna start. What happened this time?"
"Nothing---"
"Liar."
"I'm serious---"
"You get that look on your face. I've seen you play poker enough times to know when you're lying."
"Galina...."
She glared at him. "Majority of my patrons are hunters. I know you hunters have a drinking culture, especially after hunts. Even more after tough hunts. You told me you were gonna quit."
He sighed, slumping against the bar. "Gal, I just want a drink."
"If you actually wanted a drink," Galina countered, "you could've gone to one of the dozens of other taverns in this district. No, you came here because you want me to talk you out of it."
Draven's hands curled into fists. "I don't want to relapse again. I don't. I can't. I promised---gah... I have more people counting on me now. I don't--- I don't know what to do."
Galina tapped her fingers on the table. "Look," she said, "here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna make you a virgin---something so good you won't know there ain't any liqueur in it---and you tell me what's up. You get a drink, you get a chat, and you ain't relapsing, just visiting with an old friend. Deal?"
Draven exhaled slowly. "Good enough for me."
