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The air in the bar tonight was different. Venti could not really say what changed from his last visits, it had not been so long since he had started coming to the bar.
Maybe it was the music… The musician who was playing added a plus to the atmosphere of the room, different from the pre-recorded songs of the other evenings. He was not bad, far from it, but the urge to take his place pinched Venti’s heart.
Yes, it had been a while since he last had touched an instrument but he probably hadn’t lost too much. The memory of the chill he had on stage so many years ago left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He took his glass, wanting to take a sip of it before realizing that it was already emptied of its contents. He raised his hand to get the bartender’s attention.
Maybe it was the music or the man behind the counter. Venti had never seen him during his visits. Maybe he came on the wrong day? Or was it too late? Anyway, it wasn’t Charles, not that Venti was disturbed. The new bartender was fun to watch. Tall, flamboyant hair tied in low tail, giving the impression of wanting to be everywhere else but still serving his clients politely.
"Another!" he exclaimed once the bartender reached him. His smile is not enough to charm the man who looked at him suspiciously. "I don’t remember serving that glass. Not to you.” Venti blinked twice. “Oh, someone may have given it to me. It’s not a crime, is it?” "And how many drinks have you been offered tonight?" Asked the red hair dead serious. "Should I have counted?"
The man tried to hide the sigh that escaped him but he fail. It only strengthened Venti’s smile, he already loved that new bartender. "What about my drink?" A few seconds later, a new glass arrived in front of him. Impressed by the speed of the employee, the man with two-tone hair was take aback by the nature of the content.
"It’s water.” “On the house.” “The water is free.” Venti squinted his eyes. Maybe the Bartender wasn’t as good as he first though. "I saw you arrive in the earlier. It’s almost two o'clock. A little water can’t hurt you.” Ah, he didn’t say anything. The guy was just sweet. "Oh my, Mister has his eyes on me.” He teased with a grin, letting his head rest on his hand.
"No" replied the man behind the bar. “The safety of my patrons is important. I preferred avoiding bad publicity caused by drunk people.” He explained under Venti’s amused gaze. "Ooh, a true hero hind behind that mask of indifference!”
The bartender winced at the nickname given by his customer. Was it really one if he didn’t pay for his drinks? Well, as long as they were paid for.
"If I drink the water, could I get my cocktail?"
Taking the glass in hand, Venti studied the man in front of him a little more. The red hair’s gaze swept the room, looking for any excuse to get away from him.
Hmm, too bad. But he wasn’t going to force someone to talk to him, even though that person was the sexiest, most mysterious person in the room. Clearly, the best dressed too. The uniform had never looked that good on Charles.
Hm, he will recover. Probably.
The water seemed bland to him as it slipped down his throat. He turned his attention to the musician who announced his last music of the evening. A melody, too sweet for an early night in a bar, invades the space. He closed his eyes to better breath the sounds of the room.
"This evening’s artist is José.” “Hm?” The barman’s low voice pulled him out of his trance and Venti turned to him. He didn’t expect the other man to start the conversation again. Tonight was getting really interesting.
"Oh, I was just enjoying the music.” Venti took another slip of his glass. “This is the first time I’ve seen a live performance here. I thought I’d been here enough times to see everything from that bar. I was definitely wrong” he said, his gaze hanging over the body of the bartender.
“Musicians are invited to play only on Thursdays” The employee told in a plat tone, without emotion. “A particular reason to stick to Thursdays?” “Attract customers at day low.” “If it is a unique event, it should not be missed under any circumstances, should it not? Convenient to attract customers.”
A nod was the only response he received as the red hair approached other consumers. For the next few minutes, the employee was called on all sides by the partygoers who wanted a last cocktail before closing. While glass after glass were prepared, Venti’s gaze did not come off the hands of the young man who served them.
The technical gestures performed without fault hypnotized Venti without difficulty. These hands, they could dance on his skin with the same expertise. His fingers could squeeze his body with the same firmness they applied to this shaker.
The bartender returned to him between two clients, depositing a prospectus in front of Venti before returning to do his job. The latter, slightly surprised by the gesture of the man with the hair of fire, put an instant before reading the paper.
Audition for Angel’s Share. Every first Saturday of the month. Musician expected from 3pm. Last hearing at 6pm. Remuneration: 20.000 mora per full evening.
Ah, Venti knew what he’d do next Saturday.
He finishes his drink in one go. The time for him to go home has come! Zhongli would worry too much if he stay out too late. Not that this was the first time it happened, but his lovely roommate didn’t seem to understand that he would be better off resting instead of watching until he walked through the door.
"How do you get home?" The voice made him come out of his thoughts and he fell into the ruby eyes of the barman, so intense. "Hm, a handsome redhead walks me home? I live quite far away, and he doesn’t want any of his clients to get hurt.” “I can call you a cab.” The taller one said “My proposal is more interesting.” Venti added with a rictus. “A taxi will be here in a few minutes.”
A sincere smile appeared on the face of the youngest as he stood up. He walked towards the exit making a big gesture with his hand.
“See you Saturday, Mister bartender.”
Outside, the fresh air made him shiver. Maybe a cab wasn’t such a bad idea. He should probably tell Zhongli that he will be back soon and that he will have to pay for his taxi as well. Um, maybe it was a good thing he was so stubborn about watching until he got home.