Drabble:146 (continuation of 145)
An hour after she'd tried to leave the club, Tasha found herself in one of the cordoned VIP booths, sitting on a plush sofa, sipping a martini. She really had no idea how she ended up here, but she figured Ivan, with his winsome, charming smile had some part to play.
The very same Ivan, who was currently standing on one of the chairs and regaling the entire entourage with a story. The same Ivan who had cleared her tab and dragged her to this table and introduced her to the rest of his buddies as 'a good friend', as if they'd known each other for ages and not just mere minutes. People-drunken people-had greeted her enthusiastically, and a leggy oriental-featured girl had thrust a drink into her hand, and everyone had cheered again when she'd taken a sip. Who knew drunks were so amiable, Tasha thought wryly. Maybe the next time she showed up to Court, she'd host a keg-party.
Suddenly the sofa dipped and Ivan's dhampir friend, Dimitri-Dmitri with an extra 'i', Ivan had said-sat down beside her. Her 'what-am-I-doing-here' feelings must have shown on her face because Dimitri took one look at her and snorted. "Ivan, he's a fan of yours", Dimitri said in a thick-accented voice. "He admires your courage and willingness to fight with your…magic".
"It was either do or die, there's nothing to admire there", she bit out harshly, not liking the reminder of her past.
"You saved yourself and a young boy, because of your courage, so excuse me Lady Ozera, if I say that your actions are indeed admirable", Dimitri said softly, but firmly.
Tasha blinked twice, stunned (and gratified) by the sincere and unexpected compliment. No one at Court, especially not the rest of her clan had made her actions seem commendable, and here these strangers thought that she was….worthy.
"Tasha", she said in a tight voice. "If we're going to be friends, and Ivan surely thinks so, call me Tasha"
"Dimitri", her companion smiled, and his radiant smile left her breathless for a moment. Ivan might be stunningly gorgeous, but Dimitri had the tall-dark-handsome down perfectly.
"So, what brings you here?", she asked him casually.
"Ivan had some…business to handle. At Court", he whispered, leaning closer. "He's been trying to convince his family that it's time they returned to using offensive magic"
"Oh", Tasha replied, surprised, sparing a glance at the aforementioned moroi, who was busy taking pictures with some friends. "That's….interesting"
"Unfortunately, his family doesn't think so, so he came here seeking someone who could help him hone his skills"
"Me?", Tasha asked in a hard voice, unwilling to be used.
"No", Dimitri replied. "One of his…cousins, who agrees"
"He treats you….as a friend", Tasha said cautiously.
"He does", Dimitri replied with a lopsided smile. "Ivan-he's a good-no, great-guy. He doesn't judge"
"That's very unconventional", Tasha replied. Especially for a royal Moroi.
"He is", Dimitri replied, his eyes scanning the floor. "But so are you."
Silence ensued, as both mulled over their thoughts, which was broken by Ivan staggering to them and squeezing into the small space between them. "Why so gloomy, children?", he uttered drunkenly and cackled. "The night is young and you shouldn't be moping here. Go dance, or drink or something!"
"I'd better leave", Tasha stood up.
"Already?", Ivan pouted, giving her a heartbreaking look.
"V, she's tired", Dimitri replied, sparing Tasha a small smile.
"But she didn't even take a picture with me?", he pouted again, then cheered up. "But you will, tomorrow, won't you?"
"Tomorrow?", Tasha asked, confounded.
"Yeah. At my party. I'm chickening barbeques. Or something", Ivan replied incoherently.
"Barbequing chickens", Dimitri corrected with a headshake. "Would you mind writing down the address?"
"Umm…how about I leave my number?", Tasha bargained.
"Hear that!", Ivan stage-whispered. "Tasha Ozera is leaving me her number. Score!"
Laughing lightly, Tasha wrote down her number and handed it to Dimitri, who looked stone-cold sober (and apologetic, on behalf of his friend), and walked away. Her last glance at their booth revealed Ivan drunkenly wrestling with a laughing Dimitri.
Friends. Yeah, she could get used to this.
A/N: Apparently I have no comprehension of the word 'weekend' or 'updating soon'. -_-There's really no excuse for my disappearing act, except that I'm a little lost right now. Between my ongoing exams and time-consuming extracurriculars, I hardly have time to breathe, forget writing. On top of that, I think I've hit some kind of wall w/r to writing-not only fanfic, but everything else too. So, really I'm sorry for the Houdini-act (and for this elaborate-ramble), and I'll get back to y'all when I can. Take care, lovelies! Cheers!