Day 30: Old Wounds

"Estoc!" The man's limping towards him, as if Estoc hadn't already noticed him. Still, a broad smile, spreading across Estoc's face, is enough to remind him that maybe he's glad that Virgil didn't drop him like everyone else after Estoc became a Victor. After all, what was a Victor if not dangerous, and after that bar fight? Well, everyone else had seen him as nothing more than a threat. Which, he'd suppose, was what he was.

Still, no need to raise that to the people. Which is why, when Virgil arrives after a laboured walk, they slam into each other in a manly display of back-slapping and hugging. Happy. Excited to see old friends after so long, of course they are. Any Two can respect that, returning Peacekeepers are always feted. Especially one as distinguished as Major Virgil Fletcher, who got to second in command in Eleven, personally handled a riot at the Provisional Office of the Mayor and taken a knife in the leg for it. Honestly, gave Estoc more reason to respect him. After all, Estoc had taken Sabine's knives, Corinthia's dazzling swordwork after her betrayal, Perry and his trident. Now they were equal, after Virgil had griped on fifteen years of calls he deserved the arena more. Good fun.

And now he was home. So, after a second, Estoc pushes back and laughs. "Major Fletcher! Honourable discharge?" A shake of his head, of course it would be Virgil not to take the opportunity, speaking. "Hell no. I'm staying in the force back here in Two. Security. They heard I was friendly enough with a certain killer, and so I'll be liasing with you and your Cadets regularly enough."

They laugh, and Estoc nods. "Course you will. Now, can I buy you a drink, celebrate an old friend coming back?" IT's all he can do to offer, after all they're friends, and that's why they find themselves in the heart of the city that evening.

"Hi, sir! Sir! I trust you're having a good evening tonight? Anything I can get for you?" A One. Of course it's a bubbly, smiley One. Out here in the city centre, of course they won't want locals when a One does the same job but gets Capitol clientele excited. So Virgil nods, and asks for a "And for you, sir? We're a little busy," that's a lie when the room's half empty, "but I'm sure we can get your orders out post-haste."

It takes the fool girl another second before she recognizes them, stepping back from the table with a click. "Sorry, sorry. Sir, Sir." Nods are tossed their way, her eyes are genuinely apologetic though whether that's just incredible acting is hard to tell. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize sooner. Please, we have VIP booths upstairs." The booths are nice. Comfy, plush, and even with the way the Capitolites are glancing at them more private. The girl smiles, again. "Sorry again, sirs. Now, Major Fletcher. What would you like?"

He wants to know how the girl's so familiar with them, but she is staff. Probably got taught who to expect, all the Victors memorized. A feat, but not as impressive as it could be. She takes the orders, and it seems to have been only seconds when they're set down, with a smile. "Sorry for the wait, sirs. It's all on the house, of course, we're privileged to have two individuals as prestigious as yourselves within our humble bar! I hope you enjoy it!"

As they get more drunk, and the girl continues to bring drinks, shots, whatever they ask for, though, Virgil gets more fun. He slurs his words. Banters a bit with the bouncy blonde. Even accidentally barks a command for what he'd like next, what they'd like next, like she's a soldier. Of course, there's no offence taken. How could there be? Instead, Alysane (that's her name, according to the tag, even if she promises them Alys is fine) coos, comes to attention and snaps off a salute. "Of course, sir!" Virgil laughs, Alys does as well, and with that it seems everything's handled.

Alysane comes back again, with his drinks, sets them down, and smiles towards him. Not Alys. Corinthia. Corinthia, and he can see the sword in her hand like it's right there. It is right there, after all, Corinthia was never without her sword, surely she's no different now..

That's the last straw, and he lunges forwards. Reaches for her throat, and the girl tries to move but he's already twisting, catching her. Holding her down, hand on her throat and one keeping her hands from making any sudden moves. After all, what would Corinthia have been without those knives she'd seemed to have everywhere on her person for some 'fun' times?

Estoc's only stopped at the last second, when Virgil and at least two other patrons, lift him off. Alysane's sobbing, Virgil's shaking his head and glancing between her reddening throat and Estoc, still pinned back by the two customers. Estoc already knows his mistake, but it's not like he can apologize when another of the wait staff comes, helps her up, and they're off. The Peacekeepers back off when Virgil flashes his badge, promises them the truth. That Estoc won the Quell, that he was just a bit stressed, and when the girl who'd helped Alysane out had promised no charges were to be filed the Peacekeepers were satisfied the Major was true to his word.

A very large tip is left by Virgil for Alys, and Estoc promises to return to apologize later.

Not that he could have helped it. He couldn't. After the betrayal, even if it was fifteen years ago, some wounds were still more raw than others.