Sahari and Arfur

Sahari was feeling awful.

She never thought that she, of all people, would be torn between two men, but here she was!

Rather than fret about her decision, she figured she'd just drink away her problems at Arfur's Inn. She was in the middle of downing her third tequila when the bartender, Arfur Stout, ambled over to her.

"Something on your mind, Miss Acosta?" It was hard to read his expression with that enormous barrel mask of his, but Sahari could plainly hear the immense amount of concern in his voice.

Sahari always seemed to come here when she was upset. Arfur was great with people and never failed to make her feel at least slightly better…or maybe it was the drinks he made that lifted her spirits. Probably a combination of the two.

"Not something, someone…" Sahari flopped down and rested her chin on the counter. "TWO someones, actually." She lifted her eyes to meet Arfur's exceptionally tiny ones.

"Love trouble? You?" Arfur's eyes became slightly less tiny. "You always seemed like the kind of girl who would know what she wants and go for it!"

"That's the thing; I like two guys!" Sahari slammed a fist on the bar and pushed herself back up, swaying a little as she did so. "Sparcticus and Eddie. How on Earth could I choose between them? They've both been so nice to me…"

"Is kindness all you want in a man? That's very respectable," Arfur began absent-mindedly polishing a glass. "Especially since Eddie's family is one of the richest on the Island!"

"Not just kindness!" Sahari shook her head so rapidly that she nearly fell off of her barstool. "I want a guy who's strong-minded, fun to talk to, with a great sense of humor, who's good at what he does and would always be there for me…" Sahari rested her elbows on the bar and rested her cheeks against her hands. "Both of them fit that description just fine, don't you think?"

Arfur cleared his throat. "Miss Acosta, excuse me if this sounds intrusive…but I fit that description quite well myself."

Sahari's jaw dropped. Why hadn't she thought of that before? Arfur was always there to lend a helping hand when she was upset, he'd listen to her rant angrily about whatever was on her mind, he had seen her get horribly drunk, and he had seen her get into tussles with his Helpers…and yet his opinion of her had never dwindled. She might have just seen Arfur as a bartender whose job it was to listen to people pour out their hearts, but she never figured he'd take an interest in one of his customers…!

"You always stood out to me, Miss Acosta…" Arfur confessed as he placed the empty glass back on the shelf. "Never thought you'd be interested. It's foolish, right? I'm quite older than you, and a beautiful woman like you deserves much better than an old innkeeper." He turned to face her, his glowing eyes narrowed to worried slits. "I'm talking nonsense, I'm sorry. Feel free to leave now…I'm sure you want to."

Sahari said nothing. She just rose from her stool, staggered around to behind the bar, and embraced Arfur, burying her orange mask into his chest.

"Thank you, Arfur…I'm flattered…" Sahari swallowed, her voice muffled by Arfur's shirt. "I'm not so good with emotions, especially when I'm under the influence…but can you do me one favor?"

"Of course, Sahari, anything," Arfur smiled as widely as his mask would allow.

Sahari looked up at him, her eyes pathetic and her mouth quivering. Her voice was heavy when she spoke.

"I'm gonna vomit. Can you get me a garbage can and hold back my hair?"