Happy Hour... or maybe three...

[zinda_blackhawk]

Her second mission with the Birds over, Zinda Blake's decided to take some serious R&R. And the Blackhawk knows where she wants to spend it - at a place she hasn't visited in a long, long time. A place that holds a lot of memories for her, both good and bad. She pauses outside, looking up at the facade for a few moments

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[elfinlantern]

Behind the bar is something that might well cause Zinda some pause. Or someone, rather. There is a blonde with golden, slightly orange skin. And pointed ears. Currently, she's chatting with a patron, having just served them a drink.

The smile is the same as it was before.

[zinda_blackhawk]

The umbrella falls from her hand.

[elfinlantern]

Arisia doesn't notice at first. She's still standing there chatting, flirting, really.

[zinda_blackhawk]

It takes her a moment or two before she moves again, walking slowly towards the bar. Not sure that she's not seeing things. Hands find the brass rail that runs along the counter, sliding around the cold metal. A self-imposed wake-up call, if she's hallucinating. Her mouth moves, but no sound comes out - not that the words would be coherent right now, anyway.

[elfinlantern]

Arisia turns and sees her, almost not seeing her the first glimpse. And then she does see her.

And then Zinda is being tackled. "ZINDA!"

[zinda_blackhawk]

The Blackhawk stiffens for a second, startled by the explosion of movement from her hallucination ... then her arms tentatively find their way around the slender woman's frame. The brush of hair against her face, that familiar-yet-not scent that wasn't like anything Zinda had ever encountered before or since ...

"Lord have mercy ... Arisia, I thought ... "

I thought you were dead. I saw you, dead.

[elfinlantern]

Arisia buries her face in Zinda's hair and keeps her arms wrapped around the other woman, taking her time with the hug. She's always been more physical than a lot of people have been comfortable with, more affectionate that way.

"I know. I was." Pulling back, she smiles, a small smile, keeping herself close, "I was."

[zinda_blackhawk]

Very few things affect Zinda profoundly. You don't last five minutes in combat if you let everything get to you. This would be one of the exceptions. When Arisia pulls back from the Blackhawk, she'll see tears on her face as she gazes back at her, dumbstruck. "I ... when ... ?"

[elfinlantern]

"A few months ago. It..." Arisia pauses and reaches up to wipe her fingers across Zinda's cheeks. "It was complicated."

Arisia is sort of ... dumbstruck at how she could have let this reuinion wait so long.

[zinda_blackhawk]

A hand comes up to encircle the petite fingers in her own. She's confused and relieved and amazed all at once. And she can't help but note the warmth contained in the other woman's hand. Not like the last time, growing ever colder. Full of life. Alive. A lopsided smile tries its best to surface.

"Nobody told me ... "

[elfinlantern]

Arisia smiles at Zinda, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... We should have...." The elfin woman is blinking a bit, her eyes a little wet with emotion as well. Leaning forward, sort of struck by a moment of... something, she kisses Zinda on the cheek.

[zinda_blackhawk]

Zinda's expression is indescribable for an instant. Arisia will then find herself enveloped in a fierce hug, fresh tears springing forth. "Oh, hun ... " is all she can manage, her voice breaking.

[elfinlantern]

Arisia squeaks softly as she's hugged more tightly. She returns the hug but not as fiercely.

[zinda_blackhawk]

It takes a little time before the Blackhawk pulls back from her again. This time, though, she's smiling. Then she pulls out a handkerchief, faintly embarrassed. "Look at me an' my lack o'manners. I'm gettin' snot all over your cute li'l outfit."

[elfinlantern]

Arisia chuckles, "Worse things have happened, Zinda." The elfin woman grins and impulsively, and a little more easily this time, kisses the woman on the cheek and then heads toward the bar. As she does, she grabs the other woman's hand. "C'mon. I think you need a drink."

[zinda_blackhawk]

A wry chuckle bubbles up unexpectedly from the blonde as she allows Arisia to lead her. "I think I need a bottle after the shock you just gave me, sugar."