"Thanks for coming with me, Vaggie," Husk sighed, "It's been getting harder and harder to keep a level head down at my own bar as it is." Vaggie chuckled and flashed a smile as Husk opened the door for her before following her inside. "No problem, Husk. I'm glad you asked me to come along." Vaggie covered her ears as a couple of drunks in the corner started shouting at each other.
"So, why here? Why not the other place down on Liquor Lane? Husk?" Husk just stared at a few other demons sitting in a booth nursing a few steins of beer; his face looked scared but longing. Vaggie reached up and gave Husk's shoulder a little shake, "You okay, Husk?"
"Huh? Y-yeah, yeah… I'm okay." Husk sighed, "Let's just pick up whatever Alastor ordered and get the hell out of here." Vaggie nodded and gently guided Husk away, giving him a soft push towards the counter. "A-hem, excuse me," Husk said, calling out to the barkeeper, "I'm here to pick up a package. A bottle of Nebbiolo and another, um… Lambrusco, I believe."
"Oh yeah," the barkeeper nodded, "We got 'em in just last night; they're in the back. Gimme a hot second and I'll go grab 'em for ya." Husk nodded and sat down on one of the barstools as the barkeeper headed off to the other side of the bar. Vaggie hopped up and sat down on the barstool next to Husk, looking over at the older man as he let out an uncomfortable wince and reached back and rubbed his lower spine just above his tail.
"You okay, Husk?" "Ugh, yeah… just sore." Husk sighed, "Had to get some shots at the clinic yesterday. Among other things. The soreness should be gone in a couple of days." Vaggie chuckled and asked, "Let me guess, you got 'em in the ass?"
"Better than in the arm," Husk chuffed, "Of course it helps to actually have an ass to sacrifice for these things… ow. Ugh. Oh, my head." Vaggie reached over and placed a hand on Husk's shoulder as the cat demon laid his head down on the countertop and let out a pained moan.
"Ooh… ow. Ugh, oh, ooh… I'm sorry, kid." Husk pounded his fist on the countertop to get the other barkeeper's attention. "Barkeep… ugh… a brass monkey… on the rocks." The barkeeper nodded and mixed up Husk's drink, adding a few ice cubes before pouring the cocktail into the glass. Husk thanked the demon as he slid the cocktail over to him and took a few gulps of the drink.
"You sure you're feeling okay?" Vaggie asked. "Yeah," Husk nodded, "Yeah… I'm okay. I just need something stronger than my flask… the pain from the withdrawal… it's just too much right now."
"Oh, don't tell me you're trying to quit again, Zeke." "No," Husk shivered; Husk and Vaggie turned around and saw a female sinner demon standing a few feet behind them. She was maybe a couple inches taller than Vaggie and looked a bit like the fusion of a yellow canary and a Lynx with her arms being covered in long yellow and gold feathers and piercing green eyes.
"Time's really done a number on you, huh, Husker?" the woman said smugly, "Guess you were right about having taken too many roles of the dice." "Jezebel… what the fuck do you want?" Husk growled, "I figured you'd be smart enough to stay away from me after the stunt you pulled. Guess you really are a dumb blonde."
"Humph! Well," Jezebel huffed, "I see your new master has done nothing to temper that temper of yours." Husk let out a soft growl, curling his hand into a loose fist, grabbing his drink and chugging it down. "Can I get one more for the road, please?" Husk said, waving his empty glass at the barkeeper, "A little more vodka this time."
"So much for getting sober," Jezebel snickered, "Oh well, I guess you really can't fix someone so broken. I tried, but, you chose that stupid little fire toad over your own kind." "Shut… your fucking… mouth!" Husk roared, slamming his fist on the countertop. Vaggie shivered as she saw Husk's eyes flash a deep blood red for a few seconds as he turned and glared at the other sinner, baring his teeth and let out a hiss. "Don't you ever… ever use that word again! Not about my daughter, or anyone again! You hear me! Never!"
"Oh chill," Jezebel scoffed, "I don't know what your hang-up is, but get over it. Besides," Husk shivered as the demon woman walked up and climbed up onto his lap, straddling his hips and teasing his chest with her fingertips, "You and I both know what you really value. Admit it, Husker… it was good for you, too."
"Ugh!" Husk grunted, trying to push Jezebel away, "Get off of me you crazy bitch! Ow! Stop it!" Jezebel chuckled as she wriggled her hips, smiling as she felt a familiar pressure rising between Husk's legs. Vaggie hopped off her barstool, grabbed Jezebel's shoulders and ripped her off of Husk, tossing her to the ground.
"Bitch, he said to stop!" Vaggie snapped, "That means you stop!" "Who are you? Husker's newest charity case?" Jezebel huffed. Vaggie got right in her face, making the sinner shrink back as she grabbed Jezebel by her shirt and said, "Go… away. Now!" Jezebel yelped as Vaggie pushed her back hard, sending her fumbling backwards and almost falling onto the floor. Vaggie pointed towards the door and shouted, "Shoo!"
"Humph!" Jezebel flipped Vaggie off before turning to Husk, pointing at the shaken chimera and said, "You haven't seen the last of me, Zeke. This isn't over… not by a long shot."
Vaggie turned back to Husk as Jezebel stomped off; his face was flushed deep and he'd pulled his wings forward to try and hide himself as he trembled in his seat. Vaggie walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, flashing a gentle smile as he turned to look at her. "You okay?" Vaggie asked. Husk nodded slowly, turning back around as the barkeeper came around and gave him his new drink. Husk quickly snatched up the glass and chugged half the glass, groaning as he plopped the cup down and shivered. "You don't look alright," Vaggie said, "You… wanna talk about it?"
"No," Husk huffed, "No, I don't. Honestly, I just want to finish my drink, get the damn wine bottles, and go home. Ugh… fuck I did not need that today." Vaggie smiled and gently patted Husk's shoulder as the old man finished off his drink, wiping his mouth as he put the glass down and rested his head down on his arms. The fallen angel just sat with him, offering him silent comfort as Husk took several deep breaths to calm down and allow the heat between his legs to dissipate.
"Sorry it took so long," a voice called; Vaggie looked up to see the other barkeeper coming back with a tall paper bag in his arms, "These got lost amongst our usual stock, so I had to dig around to find the damn bag. Um… is he okay?" "Ugh!" Husk groaned, digging his claws into his hair as another wave of pain rippled down his spine. "I'm… I'll be fine," Husk whimpered, "Just… just give me a minute." The barkeeper nodded and placed the bag of wine bottles down in front of him, grabbing the empty drink glasses and walked off.
Vaggie gently rubbed Husk's back, comforting him as he caught his breath, feeling the ache in his loins finally fade and the pain in his head and body ebb enough that he could lift his head. The cat demon wiped the tears from his eyes, took a quick swig from his flask, and grabbed the bag before hopping off the barstool and signaled for Vaggie to follow. "Let's get the fuck out of here," Husk shivered, "Before that vile witch decides to comes back."