Disclaimer: Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon was created by Takeuchi Naoko, and published by Kodansha. The anime was produced by TV asahi, Toei Agency, and Toei Animation. As this fanfiction is written purely for the entertainment of the author, she makes no material profit from it.
Barflower
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Malachite couldn't remember how he'd let Nephlite talk him into visiting the bar. He didn't drink, he didn't smoke, he didn't like conversation, and while he did like pretty women, most of the hostesses were too made up to appeal to him. In fact, aside from the rather spectacular girl sitting next to Nephlite, it was shaping up to be one of the most disappointing evenings he'd had since being recalled to Tokyo.
Nephlite's hostess, sadly, was a vast improvement over his own, who chattered inanely while casting vague looks at the green-eyed woman next to Nephlite, and somewhat less vague looks at an otherwise occupied, red-haired man at another table.
"Is something wrong?" Malachite asked, when her attempt at re-filling his (not yet emptied) glass resulted in more scotch landing on the table than in the glass itself.
She managed to flush and blanch at the same time - a rather interesting accomplishment, Malachite thought, which was more than he could say for her chatter - but it was the woman next to Nephlite who answered him, her accent thick but clear and not difficult to understand.
"Don't think too poorly of Koan," she teased, her voice like honey and her eyes catching - and holding - his. "She's just so awed by your aura, it's a little difficult for her to concentrate. Ne, Koan?"
Her words were accompanied by a light giggle and next to her, Nephlite broke into a laugh. "Should I take insult at that," he asked, amused. "Or is it that you're made of sterner stuff than poor Koan-chan?"
"I wouldn't presume to tell Nephlite-san what to think."
With a delicate shrug of her shoulders, she smiled softly, more restrained than Malachite had seen her all evening. Her eyes met his again, and she picked up Nephlite's glass, taking a small sip before turning back to the man who sat next to her.
"Saa," she murmured, "either you're going to have to share with me all evening, or let me have one of my own. I'm getting thirsty."
It was a transparent line, but Nephlite only chuckled and ran a finger down her wrist. "You have good taste, Zoycite. Expensive taste," and even Koan joined them as they laughed over that, "but good."
Expensive indeed, Malachite thought to himself as he watched her, though he doubted Nephlite would be nearly so amused when it cost him a bit of pride. Somehow, he had the feeling it would be worth it.
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Author's Notes:
Happy April Fools!