I'm slowly discovering I'm one of those oh-so-annoying, "late updater" types. Do forgive me, all! And tons of hugs to all of my great reviewers! Loads of thanks to Momo-chan12, RedSkyes, and rikkaigakucrazygurl!
Of Talks Over Drinks
I guess I should consider myself lucky. I already knew what Nami didn't like, so I could avoid those things while in my chase of her. I wouldn't follow in old Jack's footsteps and just get her annoyed with me. It was a very helpful tool. Sometimes I wondered if she had sneaked in those facts on purpose. They sure were handy. But then I just told myself it was wishful thinking.
"No following her around while she's wandering…"I muttered to myself under my breath. "No showering her with gifts… No always trying to talk… No stalking…" I whispered this last part with a smile as I wandered down Main Street, passing the Blue Bar. It was early Summer now, and the scenery showed it. The grass of the countryside was golden but still managed to be beautiful while dead. The dirt of the road puffed extra easily from being so parched, and I absentmindedly remembered I would have to clean my shoes because of this when I got home. "Mom wouldn't like me messing up her rugs again…" I thought aloud with a sigh.
After a few more steps, I had reached the front of the Inn. The awning gave me shade from the sting of the blazing noon sun, and for that I was grateful. I reached for the door handle, still muttering about how annoying it was to clean my shoes so much…when the door opened for me. My fingertips were inches away from the brass bulb before the swung itself away, and my eyes darted up to see the reason. And I smiled.
Red. Ruby red. And the cool, calming blue just below. Looking right back at me. And a mouth with a flicker of a smile of its own. "Hello, Rock," Nami said softly. She took her hand back from the handle, the door hanging ajar, open between us. "Out enjoying the weather?" This was a joke, for in the heat of the day it was as hot as hell. Actually, I take that back. Hell probably had less sunburns. "Or did you just realize that getting heat stroke isn't a very good pastime?"
"Aren't we in a humorous mood today," I shot back. "And I wouldn't tease if I were you. Aren't you headed outside yourself?"
"Actually, I'm headed for the Bar," she clarified. "They have air conditioning. Unlike he-…" She stopped halfway though her sentence, realizing she was complaining about the Inn to the son of its owners. "It's not that I don't like it here!" she quickly muttered in an attempt to cover up here own act. "I…I…enjoy staying! But…you know…" I gave her a large smile which stopped her stammering.
"I know what you mean. I just got back from the Villa, and their AC can't be beat. Mom sent me to go deliver a couple of ingredients for some soup to Sebastian. Gawd…" I exclaimed, "that place is gorgeous! Imagine living in a palace like that…"
Nami raised an eyebrow at my comments.
"I have to go there often," I explained. "Mom and Sabby are 'cooking buddies'. And I made that one up myself, just so you know," I added with an exaggeratedly proud smile.
"Aren't you talented," she sighed exasperatedly.
"So…are you still going to the Blue Bar?" I questioned.
"Why?"
"…'Cause can I come?"
"Why?" Nami asked again.
"Because there's nothing better to do." I shrugged. "And why wouldn't you want me to come along?" I smirked. "Most girls would be all over it! The real question you should be asking is why not!" I laughed.
Nami rolled her eyes. "Do I have a choice? You're just gonna come along no matter what I say, huh?"
"Pretty much."
"Well then…let's get this over with," she concluded, and took off back down the road, back in the direction I just came. I hurried after her, falling in step.
"You can't get rid of me by walking fast!" I chuckled. "You'll have to beat me off with a stick!"
Nami impatiently blew some hair out of her eyes. "Why do you want to hang out with me anyway?"
"Why wouldn't I?" I asked mischievously. I gave an evil laugh while rubbing my hands together. "Muwahahaha! You think we're just going to the Bar, but when you're not looking…!"
"What? You'll drown me in your bad acting?" She gave another sly smile while the dust puffed from under her dirty converses.
"If you wish, my lady," I said with a dramatic English accent. And by then we were at the door to the Bar. Its white paint was flaking slightly and the old handle well used, well loved. But that didn't matter. The Blue Bar was the meeting place, the social hub of the Valley. "After you, my dear," I said with a wink, as I opened the door for her. She gave another sigh (and was that a little smile I saw as well?) and walked on though.
"Hello, Nami! And…Rock? Good to see you! What are you two up to?" Muffy, the beautiful blonde barmaid, greeted us from behind the wooden counter. Muffy was a pleasant, slightly ditzy soul that was the only staff member other than the founder, Griffin. She was wearing her signature short bottomed, low topped, little red dress. Her bright green eyes gleamed but seemed slightly confused. "Is there a reason you two are together today?"
Nami blushed, mouth firmly shut. I said, for both of us, "We're just a couple of bored suckers on a hot summer day. And you, my dear, are in a building with heavenly air conditioning. I'll take a Blue Punch, Muffy."
"I don't blame you," the young stunner replied. "But I'm afraid it hasn't clicked on yet all day… Either way, I'll get that drink for you."
I sat at the counter, thumping my elbows down. I turned and realized Nami was just standing stock still where Muffy's question had hit her. "Nami…" I asked gently, "Are you gonna sit down…?" I motioned to the empty stool next to me.
With a quick nod, the red head sat. She looked to be so suddenly drained; she was almost melting into the chair. She sat silent for a few moments, while Muffy was busy grabbing me a glass. Soon the barmaid was handing me my drink, and I took a deep gulp. Meanwhile, after a couple long breaths, Nami gave her order. Her eyes darting to Muffy from her slouched position, she said, "Give me a Stone Oil. That's all I need."
I nearly blew the punch out of my nose. "Stone Oil?!" I shouted. "That stuff's some of the hardest crap they serve!!"
My wide eyed expression must have been pretty funny, because Nami gave a smile with a cocky glint in her eye. "Oh. That's nothing. That's the usual."
And apparently this was true, for Muffy grabbed a pre-made mixture from a cooler without hesitation and handed it over. "Griffin's in town today, getting supplies. But since you always come in about this time, I had him make one ahead of time for you." Muffy beamed, obviously proud of her great customer service.
"Thank you, Muffy…" Nami whispered with a small, appreciative nod. She picked up the glass, water droplets raining off the sides. Bringing it to her lips, she drowned nearly half of it. I sat shocked.
Muffy giggled. "Rock, you're priceless, you know that? You act like this is unusual!"
Nami smirked though her drink.
"Not my fault!" I defended. "I just didn't expect a pretty thing like this to drink like a sailor!"
Muffy gave another laugh as she grabbed a random dirty glass, rubbing it with a small, white towel. Nami put her Stone Oil down with a thump, blushing. "Whatever…" she muttered.
"You're supposed to say thank you! He called you pretty!" Muffy giggled with a sweet smile. But a hard stare from a pair of icy eyes shut that act right down. I have to admit, I've never seen happiness fall from a face to fast. A smile to a worried frown in under two seconds. Quite the talent. This time it was Muffy's turn to mumble, "Whatever…sorry…never mind…" and the blonde went back to her glass with her head hanging. Embarrassed and as red-faced as her dress.
I know it was somewhat mean. …But damn it, it was funny. I smirked into my glass, trying to occupy my mouth with my drink before the expression grew. I took the last couple of sips that were left. Setting the finished refreshment down, I turned to see how Nami was doing. She had already drained the cup. Somehow I was not surprised.
"You done now?" she asked impatiently. She rose without waiting for an answer and starting digging in a pocket on her sky blue vest. "Got some gold in here somewhere… I think…" she muttered angrily, shoving her hand roughly around.
"No, no, girl!" I laughed. "Let me handle this one. I'm man enough for one measly tab." I grabbed 450g from my jean pocket and dropped it into Muffy's open, waiting hand. The tab and a tip.
"You got yourself a gentlemen here, Nami," the red dressed girl chirped happily, taking out a purse from under the counter and stuffing the money in there. "Feel free to pay for my drink if you ever want to, hun." She gave a wink. The girl was a flirt, but a harmless one.
Nami remained silent, eyes observing Muffy in a calculating manner, hand still half way in pocket. She eventually took it out and turned to the door. "Time to go."
"Wait!" I called rushing over. I put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back for a moment. "Let me walk you home!" I gave the sincerest smile I could while trying to hold in my nerves for what I was about to ask. "And…you know… Would you…like to maybe do this again tomorrow? Or if tomorrow doesn't work good its up to you… You know… Whatever's best…" Me? Rock? Blushing? Getting nervous around a girl? Unheard of! Snap out of it, idiot!
Nami, as always, could sense every ounce of my discomfort. It showed on her lips as she gave a tasteful smirk. If such a thing is possible. But I swear, with this girl, it is. "You desperate or just that bored?"
"Both! You know me!" Although my face was smiling, my hand was subconsciously tightening on her. Afraid in some way that she would disappear, turn into thin air before the all important answer could be spoken. With my thumb, I could feel her prominent collar bone though the thin shirt she wore. It surprised me how boney she was. Perhaps she was sick with something?
"Fine," she conceded. "I can walk without an escort… But same time tomorrow." She continued walking, leaving my grasp. As my hand slipped off of her, a felt my fingers faintly brush her bare neck. Her skin was incredibly, surprisingly…soft. I felt an odd, fleeting sensation in the pit of my stomach. But it was gone before I could think of what it was. She opened the creaky door, and I was blinded by the searing light outside. Without a single backward glance, Nami stepped out and disappeared into the light. A slam sounded and she was gone.
I simply gave a sigh. She seemed to come and go so fast. So impossible to hold on to. But all in all, the chase was still fun.
"Rock and Nami. Loverboy and girl without love. Have to admit, I never saw that one coming …" Muffy mused as she put now clean glasses away on the sturdy wooden shelves.
The AC clicked on. The cool air hissed out into the near empty room.
