cold noses and free Mimosas

[sweets_soldier]

[Mihael's been sorta lonely, so he's finally wandered out of the room he's chosen on the second floor to a bar on the fifth. It's a fairly large bar, relatively empty when he walks in; immediately, though never really one to drink, the soldier makes his way across the expansive room, walking right behind the bar and starting to dig through the

Comments

[chilichoc]

*Mel looks happier than she has in a while, and she gives Mihael a cheery wave as she comes in.*

Playing bartender on purpose, or did the mansion get you stuck there?

[chilichoc]

Around here? You might have to wait in line.

*She's touched by his vehemence about it.*

You know, you're not really that different from the rest of us Mellos.

[sweets_soldier]

I will not wait. I do not wait for such things as revenge, Melushka.

[He looks away.]

I am not a "Mello." I am Lieutenant Mihael Keehl, and I am only tired of a mass murderer killing thousands of good, innocent people, and walking around a vacation mansion by the truckload.

[chilichoc]

*Impatience only confirms her opinion, but she can't hold back a wince at his use of his real name, so very close to hers.*

You have to live with that, or it'll drive you batshit.

*She knows this from experience: you shoot 'em, they don't stay down.*

[sweets_soldier]

Then I shall be batshit. [He's unfamiliar with this term, but he's quite sure it's preferable to living with the maniac that is responsible for so many deaths worldwide.

Mihael makes no sound as he stoops, grabbing the enormous bottle of vodka and popping open the top, pouring some into a glass for himself, slamming the entire thing down before returning to making Melushka's drink. It burns a bit going down, but nothing Mihael's not used to by now.]

Might I have a sip of this chocolate drink, once it is finished? [He's curious, that's all - plus it smells amazing.]

[chilichoc]

*Mel watches, amused and not without sympathy. When she landed back here, she talked with a Matt about going crazy as a viable option for coping with her return, and she was less than half kidding about it.*

Sure.

What made you join the military? *It seems a more than unusual choice for a version of her.*

[sweets_soldier]

Oh, my first employment did not work out so well. [Mihael gives his drink a rather forlorn look as he pours himself another double shot of vodka. Leaving it alone a moment, he puts the finishing touch on Melushka's drink, passing it to her gently before taking a long swig from his own glass.]

[chilichoc]

*Mel tastes it and gives Mihael a nod.* Perfect. Try it if you like.

*She sets the glass back down between them and eyes him curiously. This seems evasive for him.*

And what would that have been?

[sweets_soldier]

[Mihael shakes his head; the subject at hand calls for hard vodka.

He takes a sip before answering,] I was a dancer.

[chilichoc]

*Mel doesn't laugh, but it's a close call.*

I take it you don't mean like Barishnykov.

[sweets_soldier]

[Mihael just slams down the remainder of his glass, flushing lightly.]

[chilichoc]

*Mel has to cover her mouth this time.* Sorry.

*She recovers somewhat.* Hey, no one can blame you for making a living off your looks.

[sweets_soldier]

I am afraid that was not the case, Melushka. I loved the job - [He stops to reach forward, taking her glass and sipping at it curiously. A smile spreads across his lips as he sets it back down and starts piling together another.] - Unfortunately, I was no good.

[chilichoc]

*Someone else might laugh again, but Mel knows all too well how it pains her to be bad at anything, even things she has no reason to be good at, like cooking used to be.*

You're a damn good soldier, though.

*She has no doubt whatsoever about that.*

[sweets_soldier]

Da, [he says, grinning,] I am.

[Mihael continues working on the chocolate alcohol, glancing at Mel.] And what, might I ask, is your profession, Melushka? [He gets the feeling that she's something quite similar to himself, though he's not exactly sure what or why he feels that way.]

[chilichoc]

I was a soldier too. *She takes a sip of her drink.* Just not in any organized military. In a holy war.