Chapter Text
Shaking moonlight in the fluttering night, distant melodies swaying on repeat. Sweet giggles and hushed tones, slight ‘clink’ sounds of jiggers touching. Lights of all colors subtly changes, entertaining the atmosphere of the room, preventing it from ever getting weary. The vibrant purple flickering sign of the place could be seen through the reflection of the window. Along with all-sized puddles on the road and streets as result of a past storm, now only the fog and cold.
One probably would never have guess such a description was referring to a small bar room in a dark, stuffy alleyway. But the said bar was never quite as dreadful as the place it resides in. Unlike the loud, crowded fellow bars, energized by drunk and mindlessly violent people. This one was certainly different, the blonde thought.
Between all the parties and celebrations her colleagues have thrown, she never quite particularly enjoys any of them. In fact, the majority she found frankly is a bother. Still, to her, it was crucial to attend social activities, even if she disliked it so. It is what she’s expected to do, what she has to do to keep up the social status.
But there was a place that intrigued her out of all the others.
The night was just like any and the party was all the same, dull and meaningless. Always full of alcohol and blaring people. Though the choice of place was peculiarly different this time around.
It is a rather generous sized bar, quiet and hidden away in the mist of the night. There aren't many people, hence the choice of place.
Annabel found herself quite enjoying the activity for once, even if she doesn’t drink.
Perhaps a pleasant breezy place is enough for one night.
Or so she thought.
Her train of thoughts drifted as her gaze altered from her chatty new found acquaintance to the bartender table and onto the person themself. A sudden spark of amusement and slight mischief lit up within her as she gazed upon the person in front of her.
Stood a few steps away from her is a ravishing tall raven-haired figure. Whom she has figured is the bartender of this delightful place. Her monochrome hair stands out most as it holds two colors, black with white peeking out from underneath, clinging onto the back of her neck. It's short and disheveled, tied up into a small ponytail with a white ribbon. She dressed in a formal black suit with a chalky jabot in place of a cravat. Despite being paper-thin, she has quite a strong figure, perhaps hinting at a past active time. Her face held a calm and charming stoic expression with the tiniest smile hinting at the talking customer sitting at the table, eyes still focus on the drink she's making.
One with enough alcohol in their system would easily mistake the mysterious figure for a charming gentleman. Why Annabel almost did just that if it weren’t for the fact that she is sober. Though, even without a drop of alcohol she could feel the heat that’s getting to her face, possibly showing through the redness of her cheeks.
Her breath almost stopped when her rather crude stares finally got caught by the stranger, glancing up from the yet to be made drink to the dumbfounded flustered girl who was staring at her from across the room.
Rosy pink eyes meet ocean blue. At that moment, Annabel could’ve sworn time slowed down just a little. The gaze they shared was the kind of look you would give when glimpsed something important you’ve lost a long time ago. As if they have always known each other, as if some cruel fate has parted them a lifetime ago. As if in another life, they were something, something important.
And just for a second, Annabel swore she saw the same impression in those mesmerizing ocean eyes.
Flinched into reality and out of her head, Annabel hastily turns away in embarrassment like a kid being caught red handed. And perhaps also to hide her now beet red face.
What was that? She thought, confused and unsure of what to do next.
Thankfully, the girl she was conversing with finally caught up and questioned the matter, being a distraction for her to tear her mind away from what had just happened. Though she seemed a little upset, and rightfully so from Annabel’s obvious lack of interest in whatever story she was telling.
She simply decides whatever that was is enough for one night, so she waved the girl off and left the party shortly afterwards. But stopping her mind from thinking about that night from then on was particularly impossible.
She tells herself that it’s the place that intrigues her, that captivates her. That it’s the atmosphere of that night, that it’s the non-existent alcohol in her system that messed with her.
But deep down, she knew the truth was impossible to disguise, as absurd and unusual as it is.
Tonight, the impulsive urge to come back to that place solely for the chance to glimpse the mysterious bartender again won.
It’s a Saturday night, free from any school work and social events. Annabel found herself standing in front of the bar once again, only this time with an entirely different purpose.
She took a last deep breath before going in, catching a brief attention of a few people, though the bartender didn’t seem to notice. The place got even less people this time, only a few customers were there. It’s awfully quiet and peaceful, the disco light seems to be dimmed and gentle this time, unlike the last weekend’s party.
It didn’t take her long to head towards the bartender table where all the seats were empty.
It was merely to order a drink, of course, nothing more.. Right?