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[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

Sunday, November 8th
Day 161
Evening

I'd been on the road for a month before I scented a town up ahead. When I saw the “Welcome to Excolo” sign I think I almost cried I was so tired of walking, but then I burst out laughing when I saw the population part crossed out several times and “oh fuck it”written in black paint over the numbers. Sounded like my kinda town. I've put enough distance between me and them, besides, I don't think they'll bother trying to track me. Justin might, the selfish prick, this whole thing is his fault. I mean, is a little self control and consideration too much to ask for? He better hope he doesn't find me or I'll show him the real meaning of bitch.

Its been days since I've changed, or eaten for that matter. So when I catch the scent of food being cooked, my stomach grumbles. The smell leads me to a place called “The Miskatonic” Stuffing a hand in my pocket I sigh, pulling out what I have. Almost out of funds. But lucky me, there's a “Waitress Needed” sign in the window. Now that I can do. I go inside, talk to the owner, do a little test run serving some food. (holy shit she's fast and that green wall..yeeeah.) When I leave, not only do I have myself a job, but a little more cash in my pocket too. One job isn't gonna cut it though, winter is coming, no crops, less money to spend on dining out. I head towards Silk Road to see whats there and freeze in front of the bakery, hoping what my nose tells me is wrong.God, please not another one. Opening my mouth,I inhale deeply. Its too faint to tell for sure, but I'm not gonna go in to check. Fuck That. Now I need a drink. Wonder what the legal age is around here? Oh well, never hurts to try. I nearly burst out laughing when I ask a man passing by where the nearest bar is and giving me an odd look, he points down the road and says”The Tavern of Hell is right down there, just past the Sacred Whore.” He smells like he bathed in rum, so I take his word. And “Sacred Whore?” and“Tavern of Hell”? What the hell kind of town is this?

I find the tavern right where the man said and coincidentally, also has a now hiring sign. Not many people inside as I give the barman a smile and take a seat at the bar, and order a beer. No funny looks or questions, he brings it right to me. I think I like this place already. I smile again and thank him, asking about the open job. ”My name is Thomas. You'll have to talk to Verdandi, the owner about the job. She should be around soon."”He says and I thank him again, telling him I'll be right here as I look around the room. This should be a good place to scope out the townsfolk and get a better feel for the place.Holy shit is that a jukebox over there? That and electricity. I must be in heaven.

[OPEN] [CLOSED]

Comments

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

Verite gives me a fake glare, making me laugh and stick my tongue out at her as I give her arm a playful shove. What? I'm helping her get what she wants! Though neither of them strike me as the type that has a hard time getting laid when they want to. Both girls continue flirting and though I'm not really into girls, its cute to see and god knows I flirt with everyone usually. Especially after that mention of werewolves in town. Good to know but still, So not cool. I was hoping to find a town without them.

I smile at Verdandis' challenge for Verite and then Verdandi turns her attention to me. Dammit."Oh, and don't think I've forgotten you. If you drink two more shots, and don't cough, I'll make one of the boys clean the restroom for the next week instead of you. And believe me, you want to win this one because I'm convinced that some of the men that use our restroom, can't aim for anything." I laugh again, "I'll just enjoy my cider while you two decide."

Can't even stop my lips from pulling back as I smile and nod at her this time, accepting the challenge. Might not have to play drunk after all. Grabbing both glasses, I draw in a deep breath an hold it, knocking each one back quickly. Oh god it buuurrrrrns Then with a grin,still holding my breath, I nick Verites' mug of cider and use it as a chaser. Setting it down I flash Verdandi a wide grin with a wink. Never said we couldn't chase em.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Verdandi smiles at our answers, We'll have one soon then. There's a few in town who really enjoy them and I'll invite them too. We'll make an afternoon of it. I bet an afternoon of drinking Verdandi's liquor easily turns into spending the evening doing more of the same.

Melania sticks out her tongue at my mock-glare and gives my arm a playful shove. I grin. And Verdandi laughs. Then fills two of the shot glasses with firewhiskey and puts them in front of me. Oh dear I think I'm about to be in trouble.

Two shots? Oh, we can't have that either.Your turn,

Then she leans in and says in a low sweet voice practically in my ear,--and don't worry. I have an excellent hangover remedy, upstairs. I'll send it with you later, along with with something special for being so helpful.

Her voice raises up again as she issues a challenge, If you can drink these two shots plus a third, without coughing, then the next time you come in, I'll pay for your drinks, and a friend's. If you can't, then you'll owe me something, a small favor.Is that fair? Her smile is mischievous as is the small glance at her ends of her hair.

Oh, I'm definitely in trouble. I can feel the warmth generated by thoughts of 'upstairs' and 'something special'. Even if I win this challenge I'm gonna be tipsy if not outright drunk.

Then before I can get an answer together, verdandi's grinning wickedly at Melania and challenging her as well. Two shots n' a chance to not clean the restroom. And Melania takes it.

With a grin that's almost feral, she snags the shots,takes a deep breath an pours both down her throat. Then, still grinning she snags my drink an pours some of that down as well. Her grin widens and she winks at Verdandi as she sets the mug down.

No coughing this time. Holy shit! I think I'm way out classed at this table. I blink and smile at them both. "Yeah. That's plenty fair. guess it's my turn for real." I line up all three shotglasses in front of me and reach for the bottle of whiskey. "There better be some of that cider left..." I say to Melania as I pour my shots."Or I'll have to send you to the bar to get me another."

I take two deep breaths in quick succession to prepare for this; an then before I can lose my nerve, I grab the first shot. Down it goes.

Bloody hell that burns! I c'n feel the tears streaming down from my eyes but no coughing. Crap.I hope my makeup isn't ruined. The stuffs waterproof but only up to a point.

Time for the second one. I manage to get that one down as well, but have no idea if I can manage the third. I try but the need for air gets me. At least I manage to keep the drink down. When I can breathe properly I reach for the cider.

[norn-verdandi.livejournal.com]

Melania takes up my challenge first and her face screws up after downing each shot. She's not a quitter though as she smiles prettily at me and reaches across the table. Stealing Verite's cider, she chases the shots with it and gives me a sassy wink. Oh! Now she's flirting with me and I laugh brightly as she's drank more alcohol than I originally dared her to without coughing. "Nicely done. You've just dodged restroom clean-ups for the next week."

Verite's turn and she downs the shots, one after the other, holding her breath the whole time through the first two. She's turned a bright shade of red that sets off her hair and her eyes are wet as she reaches for the third. If she makes this one, I'll be very surprised and sure enough, she's coughing and choking as I hand her a bar towel to cough into. She gave it a great try and I slide the glass of cider her way as I smile and say, "That's was better than I expected. You do have some tolerance to you."

Setting the bottle of Violet Charm wine in front of her, I continue, "This wine matches your hair and it would make me happy if you took it as a consolation prize, for being a great sport. And this too," as I lean forward and kiss her cheek. Chuckling, I add, "And now you owe me a favor. Would you mind if I waited on it? I'd like to think about it first," I say as I flash her a sweet smile.

Recalling that last week was a holiday, I turn to both girls, saying, "Did either of you attend the masquerade last week? The Tavern was a-twitter with news of how much fun it was and I'm sorry I missed it but a friend needed me. I did provide the liquor though so I was in there in spirit," and I chuckle again. Dorian said the punch was a rousing success and I'm interested to hear what they thought. "How was the punch?"

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

Verdandi laughs after I finish the shots "Nicely done. You've just dodged restroom clean-ups for the next week."

"Oh thank God,"I sigh.Cleaning those bathrooms would be an experience in hell with my sense of smel.leaning back in my chair, I wait to see if Verite follows my lead. "There better be some of that cider left...Or I'll have to send you to the bar to get me another."

Oh good, she is gonna chase them. That's some strong shit, hopefully she'll be okay. Hell, my throat's still burning. Shrugging, I give her a big smile, "I live to fetch," I laugh. There should be enough left in that mug anyway.My eyes widen as Verite finishes two of the shots, eyes watering as she holds her breath, then she loses it on the third. Yeah, she's gonna be hammered, and from what I can tell they're gonna need some time alone.

"That's was better than I expected. You do have some tolerance to you." Verdandi says and I nod in agreement. Downing them quick is the key. Verdandi is giving her the purple bottle for her good try, the asks "Did either of you attend the masquerade last week?The Tavern was a-twitter with news of how much fun it was and I'm sorry I missed it but a friend needed me. I did provide the liquor though so I was in there in spirit,How was the punch?

I shake my head, "I didn't, Just made it to town today,"I say, looking at Verite to see what she has to say.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Melania's eyes are wide as I down my shots. Good. I think I impressed her. She laughs and says, I live to fetch,

Verdandi hands me a bar towel and the mug which still has some cider in it. I dab carefully at my eyes but the makeup still smudges a bit despite my best efforts. I manage something like a smirk as I down the cider. oh God my throat feels raw.

Verdandi's sunny smile and her praise, That's was better than I expected. You do have some tolerance to you. make me feel like it was worth it.

She also gives me the bottle of violet stuff.This wine matches your hair and it would make me happy if you took it as a consolation prize, for being a great sport. And this too, An she kisses my cheek. I know which one I value more.And now you owe me a favor. Would you mind if I waited on it? I'd like to think about it first, Damn that smile. I'd give her just about anything she asks for when she flashes that smile around. I nod. She can take all the time she needs. I can feel the whiskey burning inside me.

Verdandi changes the topic, Did either of you attend the masquerade last week?The Tavern was a-twitter with news of how much fun it was and I'm sorry I missed it but a friend needed me. I did provide the liquor though so I was in there in spirit,How was the punch?

Melania says she didn't go, wasn't here in town yet. Then she looks at me. I giggle. "Yeah. I went. Punch was great." That wasn't all that was great at that party but I ain't talkin' bout THAT. Not right now. Be kinda rude of me or somethin'.

"Missed one heck've a party, Lannie," I smirk; "You too Ver-verdandi." Damn that stuff hits hard.

[norn-verdandi.livejournal.com]

Melania and Verite joke back and forth and I'm happy to see them getting along so well. Melania's new to town and it's always hard for some people to make new friends. Today, I've made two and I'm tickled as I kiss Verite's cheek. Her smile's drunk for sure and I smile and giggle with Melania before Verite agrees about letting me wait to choose my favor.

Favors are vows, especially to a goddess and I smile again, remembering how well the last one served me. I ask about the party and Melania says she didn't go and I squeeze her hand in sympathy before turning back to Verite.

She did go and answers, "Yeah. I went. Punch was great." From the smile on her face, I'd say more than the punch was great and she continues, giving a tipsy smirk to us as she continues, "Missed one heck've a party, Lannie. You too Ver-verdandi." Oh, she's drunker than I thought and I lean forward to check her glazed eyes. She's not going to fall down yet and since we're still sitting, I'm won't worry.

Smiling brightly, I look at Verite and say, "Sounds like fun." I squeeze her arm, encouraging her as I continue, "Tell us all about it. What costumes did people wear and who was there? Could you tell who was who? And what did you wear?" In my excitement, I start throwing questions at her and I slow down and take a breath, laughing as I add, "Stop me if I'm asking too much, or too quickly. I get excited and it just seemed like people had a lot of fun. Did you meet anyone interesting?"

Looking to Melania, I ask, "Lannie? Lana? Hmm, I think Verite is on to something here and speaking of possible nicknames," I turn to Verite again, "Is there anything shorter than Verite I could call you. My friends mostly call me Verdi and you should too." I include Melania as I continue with a smile, "Both of you. 'Verdandi' is too long to yell across a bar quickly."

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

Verite says the Party was fun but there's more to it than that and I give her a double take and smile at "Missed one heck've a party, Lannie Lannie?
Its a nickname I've had, just haven't heard it in awhile. Verdandi leans forward, looking deep into Verites' eyes and for a second I wonder if she's gonna full on kiss her right here. If they want alone time, I can always bug Thomas to show me around, feeling the drinks some now, maybe find an empty room upstairs to pass out in. But she doesn't kiss her, she just leans back, smiling big and bright, squeezing Verites' arm,asking her to tell us more and launching into a bunch of questions.

"Yeah, "I nod,"Details!"I laugh, "We want details." I say smiling at her. details might tell me more about the people in town. Never hurts.

"Lannie? Lana? Hmm, I think Verite is on to something here and speaking of possible nicknames.Is there anything shorter than Verite I could call you. My friends mostly call me Verdi and you should too." I include Melania as I continue with a smile, "Both of you. 'Verdandi' is too long to yell across a bar quickly."

"Verdi it is then," I smile,"For me, either or is fine, I've been called both and worse," I laugh, looking at Verite to see if she's got a nickname she likes.

Continuedhere. (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/290050.html)