(Untitled)

[oldromansaint]

Surely you didn't miss Santino moving into the bar, bringing with him a draught of thoroughly warm air before the door closed behind him.

He sat at an empty table, people-watching.

Comments

[song_tra_bong]

She would never miss Santino's entrance, though the warm air following him in is a welcome accessory.

She pulls up a chair across from him. "Where have you been, hm?"

[oldromansaint]

"Italy."

He smiled.

"Have you been waiting for me?"

[song_tra_bong]

"Pining, perhaps," she says.

"Though not entirely waiting...Been up to anything interesting?"

[oldromansaint]

"Not particularly. And yourself?"

[song_tra_bong]

"Well, let's see..."

She puts on a contemplative expression. "Christmas went well, I have a house in Greece now, and New Year's was shaping up well until my ex-boyfriend wandered in here. As far as I know, he's still around, though I've managed to avoid him."

She shrugs. "Those are the highlights, amore."

[oldromansaint]

"The boyfriend who brought you to Vietnam?"

Santino's eyebrows went up.

Bad news.

[song_tra_bong]

"Mhm."

Mary Anne waves down a waitrat and orders tequila.

It's that kind of news.

"We haven't thrown punches yet, so I guess that's something."

[oldromansaint]

"Violence would be large step in a horrible direction, yes."

When the rat returned, he bid it leave the bottle and gave it money. Who says Santino isn't generous?

"Are you alright?"

[song_tra_bong]

She offers up a small smile, pouring her first shot.

"Annoyed--pissed, actually, but otherwise fine."

[oldromansaint]

"I can imagine. Has there been any other bad news?"

He isn't drinking, but what does she have to fear under Santino's watchful gaze? Aside from Santino himself, of course.

[song_tra_bong]

She shakes her head.

"That's been it, really. Had an influx of new arrivals, but that's hardly bad."

[oldromansaint]

Santino made a sound of agreement, offered a hand to her. Some kind gesture to hold on to.

"And your husband?"

[song_tra_bong]

She curls her fingers around his.

"Had a...talk with Mark, which I am sorry I missed." She smirks against her glass. "Other than that, he's been well."

[oldromansaint]

Santino feels some pang of sympathy for the man, Mark, imagining for a moment what it would be like to walk in to an alien place and find an ex-loved one married.

"I'd imagine that went well."

[song_tra_bong]

She shrugs.

"He didn't kill him. Or kiss him, either. Which would have bothered Mark more, I couldn't say."

[oldromansaint]

"I'd imagine the former."