It was probably the weirdest thing ever to hear about someone in front of the said person, weirder still if that someone paid little care being talked about. That strangeness was what was happening at the moment. Jack was nursing his brandy (and wounded pride) while listening to Oaken talking about Elsa's past 'achievements'.

"One time, there was this fellow who couldn't take 'no'. She shot him down right off before he could say anything. Oh, he was hurt and insulted her right to her face." Oaken then dropped his accent wondrously. "'You think just because you're slightly prettier than anybody else you can treat people like that?' And do you know what she said?"

Jack stopped sipping his brandy. "I can imagine, but go on."

Adopting Elsa's feminine tone and impeccably dropping his accent once more, he spoke "'Do you think just because you're feigning friendliness with underlying motives I should entertain you?' I've never seen anyone turned so red so fast. He stormed away, not even paying for his drinks. Elsa paid for it later and apologized for making me lose a customer."

Jack took a peek from the corner of his eyes wondering if Elsa took any offense in this. To his expectation (and chagrin) she remained ever stoic, as if she had entered a bubble world of her own and nothing matters except for her book and her hot chocolate.

"Goodness… You should've given me a little heads-up before you let me humiliate myself."

"Learning from failure is the best way to learn, ja? Another?"

"No, thank you. Wait…you know what. Just a little bit. I'm still going to try again after all."

"Oh dear, that's not good. That's what everyone said before they were rejected again." Still he refilled Jack's glass.

"I'm not going to be like the rest."

"That's what they said too."

"She'll talk to me."

"Heard that before."

"Thanks for the encouragement, big guy."

"Don't say I didn't tell you."

Jack finished his drink in one gulp and marched to her table with newfound purpose. His assurance would be very comical if Elsa shot him down before he could say anything else. She didn't though, or perhaps she paid no notice to his reattempt to establish a conversation. He toned down the little voice that said this was a bad idea.

Starting off, he harrumphed to get her attention which in her dictionary was a slight glance up and an obvious annoyed expression. "I think we got off to a wrong footing. Can we try this again? Hello, my name's Jack."

"Hello Jack, I'm not interested."

"I haven't offered anything yet. If you'll just give me a chance..."

Jack thought his fortune was finally turning to the upside when Elsa closed her book with a purposeful slam and folded her arms in front of her. Or perhaps he was as delusional as he was a minute ago.

"A one-time fling? No? A chance to get to know each other? Phone number? Friendship that fortuitously develops into a deeper relationship?" His gaping mouth betrayed him. "Ah, it's the last one isn't it?"

Delusional. Confirmed.

"If you'll just let me finish what I was saying, I can swear I'm much cleverer and likeable than I first seemed."

"Go on then. Say something clever." She challenged.

Smirking, Jack opened his mouth, only to close it at the next second. "Excuse me. I'll be right back." And he retreated to the comfort of Oaken's non-stop flow of alcoholic beverage.


Never knew writing drabbles is so much fun and easier than a full chapter. Feels like I can update almost everyday with no pressure. Then again it's like 1/6 the length of the shortest chapter I made.

Furiyan: Double denied

Silence In Winter: well, I'm going to get bitten for saying this but I intent to humiliate him through and through. I don't know why, just felt the urge. And goodness, you really tear apart my stories to the most minute detail. I love it. Thank you