CHAPTER 30
Montayva sat on the bench in the wash-room in front of a chipped pain of mirror. She combed her long damp hair tediously, wondering why she had never cut it short like the other two women preferred. It would certainly make things easier! She jumped as she heard the heavy metal door creak open. Mordecai entered, towel draped loosely over one shoulder.
'Er, sorry' He mumbled 'I didn't realise you were still in here' He hung his towel on a free hook, and turned to leave.
'I'm almost done' Montayva said, 'I can finish this upstairs' Mordecai stood behind her as she combed the knots from the end of her hair, and watched her reflection in the mirror. Montayva picked up his clouded thoughts instantly, and knew he was just as confused as she was about her own feelings. He leaned forward, and took the comb from her hands. This small act of intimacy, as he began to comb her hair for her, only rattled her further.
'Not much of a stylist' He admitted, and Montayva laughed. At least he knew how to break the ice, she thought thankfully. 'But' He continued, pausing as if wondering if he should proceed or not 'I have been known to give out pretty mean massages from time to time' He handed the comb back to the siren when he finished.
'Um, Mordecai...' Montayva began.
'Don't say it. I'm in trouble again arent I?' he felt the sorrow seeping back into his mind, and she didn't want him to think she was about to cause him more grief.
'No! No, it's just that... Well' She didn't know how to express her inexperience when it came to men. She knew he knew of her lack of experience when it came to the bedroom, but she was never one who was able to express her own feelings well. 'I dont know where to start' She admitted.
'Start?' He sat beside her on the bench.
'Well, you know I have never been with anyone before' She spoke quietly, and glanced towards the floor again, toying with her hair.
'Oh, Oh! You mean, start, as in... Really?' She could feel the excitement edging into his mind, and how hard he was working to keep it from taking over.
'Well, is there any reason why not?' She chanced a glimpse of his face, and he was staring at her intently.
'Huh' He scoffed 'aside from the fact that everything I ever become attached to gets killed or torn away from me...' His voice trailed off uneasily, and she reached out to place her hand on his.
'It has been the same for me' She admitted. He squeezed her hand, and let himself relax somewhat. He felt as though a weight had suddenly lifted from his shoulders. But he was still hesitant to allow himself to feel happy.
'Well..' He sighed, reaching up to stroke her cheek gently.
'Can I just ask one thing?' She asked.
'Anything' He replied.
'Can we just take this slowly?' Mordecai chuckled with relief.
'Glad it wasn't something hard' He smiled. 'Sure thing, baby.'
'Hmm, well this is interesting' Maya, Axton and Lillith sat in a booth towards the back of Moxxis bar, and Maya was the first to notice Mordecai and Montayva enter. Moxxi smiled sweetly at the new girl, as the two approached the bar, and Mordecai linked his arm around the girls waist.
'Pffft!' Axton nearly choked on his beer 'He's got some balls!' Lillith and Maya just laughed.
'No, I honestly dont think Moxxi would care anyway. You know what she's like, moves on pretty quick.'
'Yeah, but Montayvas like, half her age! And twice as hot' He shrugged when Lillith and Maya didn't seem to think it mattered. 'So whats the deal with those two anyhow' Axton asked the girls, trying to keep up with the gossip.
'I dunno. You tell me?' Lillith was a little defensive on Montayvas behalf.
'Well, dont all you girls sit around and paint your toenails, talk about boys...' He smirked
'Ha! And when have we had time to do that?' Maya asked the commando Axton just shrugged, and took another swig of his beer. Montayva turned to see them, and Maya gave her a quick wave. Once Moxxi had served the pairs drinks, they headed towards the back where the other vault hunters where seated. Brick and Gaige were in the booth behind Axton Maya and Lillith. Willy and Zareb sat across the row from them. Salvador was further in the back, showing two Sanctuary citizens his version of darts, which involved hunting daggers, and someone holding their hand in close proximity to the dart board.
Montayva sat in the booth across from the other two sirens. Mordecai handed out bottles of ale.
'Shit, been awhile since you shouted!' Axton looked at the hunter with a worried expression.
'Nah, Moxxi's shout' Mordecai shrugged, slipping into the seat beside Montayva. 'She said we keep the place interesting'
'I'll drink to that!' Brick raised he bottle, and several clangs rang out as others did the same. Montayva sipped hers tentively.
'Ulg, I think this will be my first and last drink!' She grimaced at the fowl tasting rakk ale.
'Hahaha, it's not so bad when you get used to it' Maya laughed. 'Took me awhile'
'I think Tina might have had a part to play in Montayvas dislike for booze' Lillith added, taking a swig from her own bottle.
'He-he, Tina...' Mordecai stroked his goatee as he remembered back to the night Lillith referred to. Montayva sighed, she knew what he was thinking, and she sure as hell didn't ever want to feel that sick or out of control ever again! But she continued to sip from the bottle Moxxi had given her, mostly out of respect for their fallen comrade. But also for the fact that she needed something to settle her buzzing brain from the whirlpool of mixed emotions she was falling into.
