Drabble:145
Tasha would never forget the first time she met them.
She'd been drowning her sorrows in gin-and-tonic in a Moroi bar, trying to forget her nightmares; trying to forget the night Lucas had tried to end her life, that Moira had practically mauled her-scarring her face and mind for life-and that if they guardians had arrived even a quarter-hour late, her newly-turned strigoi relatives would not only have ended her life, but killer the nephew whom she'd come to love more than life itself.
Her mind pondered over the interim years, about living with the stigma of her brother and sister-in-law's turning, about being ostracized by the rest of the Ozera family, about having a face that most men couldn't look past, a face that people recoiled from in horror; all that, for saving the life of an innocent five-year old little boy. The universe really did have a wry sense of humor, Tasha thought, before downing her drink and flagging the bartender, because her good deed had sure as hell not gone unpunished.
While the bartender set about fixing her drink, she looked around the club. No one was paying her the least bit of attention-as usual-except for a trio of barely-legal girls, who were staring at her-more like the maimed side of her face-with morbid fascination. Same old, same old, Tasha thought jadedly, before surveying the rest of the club with its plethora of dancing and gossiping patrons, and sparing a glance at the door.
It was then that they made their entry...
The blonde entered before his brown-haired companion, both slightly foreign looking, and both gorgeous. Tasha couldn't look away, nor could she decide which one of them was better looking-the blonde with the immaculately gelled hair and startling turquoise eyes, or his taller chiseled-faced friend, who had his dark hair swept in a ponytail? The lean Moroi with his easy megawatt-smile or the muscular dhampir with the brown overcoat?
Her scrutiny must have been really intense because the dhampir suddenly looked her way and caught her gawking eye. Blushing slightly, she looked away and busied herself with her drink. When she looked again, the duo was settled in a booth, surrounded by a multitude of people-consisting mostly fawning women.
Tasha couldn't help but wonder who the men were, and why was the moroi allowing his dhampir-and by the looks of it, his guardian-to sit with him, instead of sending him to stand inconspicuously against the wall? This time, the moroi's eyes collided with her. He seemed to recognize her because his eyes widened with surprise. Tasha looked away, but not before she saw him nudge his friend, no doubt to talk about her.
Grimacing, Tasha turned away and finished her drink in a gulp, knowing no doubt the duo were delving into her infamous history and her scars, dissecting them as if they knew the first thing about her. She really didn't want to be here anymore, being judged, Tasha decided and brought out her credit card to clear her bill.
"Natasha Ozera?", an attractive masculine voice addressed her hesitantly, and she turned around to face the blonde she-and the rest of the females in the club-had been eyeing earlier. Christ, he looked even better up-close, like Prince Charming reincarnated, which was too bad, because if he asked about her past, she'd give him a verbal slaying he'd never forget.
Which is why, when she confirmed her identity, she was taken by surprise when he leaned forward and squeezed her in a bear-hug. Almost instantly, a sharp foreign retort resounded, and Tasha peeked behind her-seriously-nice-smelling-hugger to see his dhampir friend standing there, looking exasperated.
"Sorry", Ivan said hastily, when he let her go. "Where are my manners? I'm Ivan, and Grumpy over here is Dimka. I've blackmailed him into coming out tonight. Whatte good friend, huh? But he doesn't appreciate it, ungrateful sod that he is. Fear not, he's totally fun, when he lets loose. Which isn't often, but with time, you'll probably get to see, because we're gonna be good friends. Now that that's cleared, now can I buy you a drink?"
What-The-Actual-Hell, Tasha thought, gaping at the men.
[To be continued]
This I intend to be a two-parter, so if you guys play nice, you'll soon see part two, probably by this weekend.
Thanks for reading! Cheers!