Happy Hour

[ash_imperfect]

Asher was minding his own business, walking past the bar when a napkin folded up into an origami crane fluttered past his face. Catching it relexively, he unfolded it, read the note upon it, and looked at the bar

Comments

[ostro_goth]

Here is one amused Ostrogoth. Teja is rarely amused, but a vampire tending bar? And not any vampire, this one.

"Greetings, Asher," Teja says. "So you had that duty inflicted upon that as well, even though you may not taste what you serve others."

He looks at the specials board.

"I would start with elderberry juice, honey, and strong spirits, warmed slightly, to make something looking like blood and palatable to mortal man," he remarks.

[ash_imperfect]

"Greetings to you, too, Teja." Asher smiles at him, leaning on the bar. He gathers the ingredients for Teja's drink together, gesturing to a stool at the bar.

"Will you sit with me? If I am to take over from Bar, then at least I should have some company."

[ostro_goth]

Teja sits, swinging one long leg easily over the high stool. "I will," he says. "The drink would need a name, though. All those drinks have them."

[ash_imperfect]

"It is your creation," he points out, "I believe it should be you that names it."

[ostro_goth]

"Then I name it Old Goth Blood," Teja says, still somewhat amused.

[ash_imperfect]

Asher grins, serving up the drink and placing it in front of Teja.

"Very well," he smiles. "It's an excellent name."

[ostro_goth]

Teja takes the glass, and drinks.

"And an excellent drink, also," he says.

[ash_imperfect]

"I'm glad." He watches Teja drink.

"And how are you, mon ami?"

[ostro_goth]

"You were right," Teja says, suddenly smiling. "My Charlie returned the other day: - only two weeks had passed for him!"

[ash_imperfect]

Asher smiles widely in response.

"See," he replies, "all it took was patience, cher."

[ostro_goth]

"I think I can live with that -- seeing him every few months only, but knowing that at some stage, he will return, and love me," Teja says. "We Goths are proud of our loyalty."

[ash_imperfect]

"And rightfully so," Asher nods firmly, reaching across the bar to squeeze Teja's arm. "He is lucky to have you, dear friend."

[ostro_goth]

"I hope he will continue to think so," Teja says. "His world is very different, and I fit not upon it."

[ash_imperfect]

"There are many of us here," he murmurs, "who would not survive more than a moment on another's world." He shrugs. "All that matters is that you both have here, and that you love one another."

[ostro_goth]

Teja is quiet for a long time, looking into his drink.

"Yes," he says then. "We do."

[ash_imperfect]

"Good." If not, he might have had to do something unpleasant to Charlie.