Part 2
"The usual"
Two weeks were gone since August and Cruella's first meeting and somehow the usual became right that so much hated White Lady.
They talked, playfully teased each other, and in the meantime a sort of clichè friendship between barman and drunkard was born. But there was actually nothing clichè about their relationship, not in the way they flirt – because yes, indeed they flirted a lot. Every night that fragile balance seemed to break, but yet the tacit limit between dear acquaintance and something more passionate was never once crossed.
"Hey? Hurry up, piece of timber. I really need to have a bit of relax"
Here it was the usual wisewrack.
"Oh, I can imagine how much your day was busy…"
And here it was the usual ironic answer.
Cruella glared at him, but without further pressure opened herself up to a confidence. "Actually it was. I've been looking out for a job today."
Admitting what she felt like a humiliation was really a big deal for her, and yet in front of the cocktail – which was arrived by the way – and the man's friendly face, it wasn't so hard as she expected. She needed to talk, to vent, and August was someone who understood, someone who listened.
In fact, he just sat on the stool behind the counter, sticking out with his bust toward her, as to reduce the distance between them. The news was surprising him, truth be told, but he did his best to hold back a smile and show instead a simply curious expression.
And that was enough to Cruella as invitation to talk more. And also to the other barman of the Rabbit Hole to understand that, as usual, his boss would have taken a long break.
"I've thought about my skills and, since I am very good at making clothes, I went as first thing to the three fairies' dressmaker…"
August simply nodded, unsure about how to consider that decision. It was certainly a job suitable for her, but Aurora's three godmothers didn't seem people inclined to hire her.
"And how was it?" he cautiously asked, after some moments of silence.
"A total disaster. They not even wanted to see what I was able to do, they just send me away… And one of them called me vampire bat! What a fool!"
The man raised an eyebrow and holding back a laugh now was more difficult. "Vampire, really?"
Cruella sighed deeply and took the first sip of the cocktail.
"Yes, darling. But, just so you know, the only blood I drink is Nelson's blood. And only occasionally"
Finally a chuckle escaped August's lips, now that the subtle joke allowed it.
"You drink only gin – or white lady -, I can confirm that"
Cruella gave him a weak smile but her anger wasn't gone; on the contrary, after another sip of white lady, it only seemed to grow.
"So, I thought about becoming a dog sitter, but the only dogs here in Storybrooke are basically the doctor cricket's dalmatian and the half stray of prince Eric… At the animal reserve, they were cruel to me as well"
They weren't actually to blame – Pinocchio thought to himself -, and yet, in spite of the amusement he was feeling, seeing her so sad and frustrated was somehow touching him.
"Some other ideas?"
A hatchet woman! That would have actually been a brilliant idea, but anyway she had enough common sense to shut up about it.
"Yes, Just before coming here, I've thought about giving driving lessons! What do you think?"
That was too much. A big laugh escaped the man's control and he was forced to cover his mouth with a hand as attempt to suppress it. However, when he realized that she was actually serious and was staring at him in pure confusion, the laugh stopped itself and was replaced by an astonished expression.
"Listen" he finally said, ignoring the question and daring to take one of her hands in his. "You have considered clothes, animals, cars… But you are forgetting something you like in the list"
Cruella, despite the surprise, didn't back out of the contact and instead stared at him almost hopefully.
"The drinks, Cruella" he answered with a flash of enthusiasm in his eyes, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I am the owner here and I'd really need to hire someone…"
But for her that offer wasn't so obvious at all, and it was her turn to burst into an incredulous laugh. A classy woman like her behind a counter, wearing an awful apron and serving stupid cocktails? No, thanks.
"Well, I'm sorry… But It isn't for me, darling"
August wasn't surprised by the predictable answer and the clear refusal didn't touch his determination. He didn't know why, but he liked the idea of working with her and having more chance to keep her close. He would have convinced her, because he had an ace up his sleeve.
"Why not? You know the boss, you can get tips and… You are not considering all the free gin you'll drink, aren't you?"
Cruella's glare opened immediately to compromise as she heard that last addition and, after a short silence, she arrived to judge that solution not as the worst, after all.
"You could have mentioned free gin before, darling"
August openly smirked and only in the moment realized that he had been holding his breath waiting for the answer.
"We will see each other Tomorrow night, then… New bartender" he simply said then, winking at her, before disappearing to serve at the tables.
Left alone, Cruella let out an unwillig little smile, but it vanished quickly though, as her eyes fell on the glass. She sighed annoyed. She would have had to prepare her next drink herself.
Hello! Thank you for the reviews for the first chapter, hope you liked this one as well! In chapter three we'll see Cruella working at the Rabbit Hole and I promise a bit of fun - and a bit of more connection between her and August. See you soon!