Strut For Me (Open.)

[Diana Crow]

“Well yeah,” Diana said with a small smile. “Most people can’t take the heat,” she shrugged. She couldn’t say she was one out of a hundred either. Diana laughed. “Oh I totally agree. You are who you hang out with. And I’m not opposed to giving time outs.” She giggled to herself. One day she wanted to have kids, and she wasn’t opposed to corporal punishment. It had helped her, why wouldn’t it help her own children?

Diana shrugged. “Depends on what you’re flying on.” Not that she herself had ever seen a flying cat, in this reality or any other one. But she had heard a lot of stories as a bartender. She smiled, almost proudly, and cocked her head to the side. “I wouldn’t change a thing about it, makes life interesting.” She looked above her head at the changing lights. If she looked just right, she could swear she saw a cat.

“I don’t miss high, er, school drama,” she said. Diana laughed at herself. Between her and Kyle, she knew he was underage. But really, he wasn’t going to tell everyone that she had served him drinks, and if anyone was going to get in trouble it would be the bouncers up front. “Always felt like a puppet. School’s not really my strong suit.”

Diana nodded. “I think everyone needs a friend like that.” She was being honest. “Friends that let friends get away with shit are worthless.” D hadn’t prompted Kyle to say anything about his woman. It was like she came as an afterthought. The way Kyle had been talking about bad people before, and how his girl could see the good in anyone, it was all too clear for Diana. Kyle needed... what was her name? Adrianna, yes. He needed Adrianna to keep believing in himself. But he needed his friend to keep his head on straight. “And she challenges you and you can’t get enough of her,” she went along, trying to picture this girl.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani nodded. How right she was. It was a sad fact of reality that when people thought that torture was the best way to ruin someone, but really words did the trick just as well. Lani had fallen much farther due to a few words than he had ever done with a beating. Because beating breeds anger and anger breeds revenge. He nodded again in agreement. “Very much so, the people you hang out with are many times more influential than anything your parents say.” Lani had never thought about kids or what he would do if he had misbehaving children. It would almost seem like divine retribution for how he had always acted. He just didn’t want to end up like his father.

“Anything you’d like the share?” Lani asked in a low conspiratorial voice. A smile grew on his face. He was really starting to like this woman. She was different and yet so much like his it was kind of scary. “Not a thing?” Lani asked interested. “If you could go back there was nothing you would change?” He was always interested in this, ever since Odion had told him he could go back in the past but had never changed anything. Really if Odion had had the chance would he have gone back to see his parents? Lani shook that off. Why would he want to?

Lani paled at her slip of the tongue. She knew. Of course she knew, she wasn’t stupid. But then how could she know? He could just look young. After all he had an ID to prove it so if she pointed him out she would be the one humiliated not Lani. So he simply smiled and let out a little laugh as if the comment hadn’t bothered him at all. “Seriously, I thought I was done with all of that after I graduated!” He nodded his head to emphasize his agreement. “They want everyone to be the same. I hate the whole idea of standardized stuff. And the ‘No child left behind’ crap? Seriously that’s just dragging down the people who could advance to bigger things.” Not that Lani was one of those people. No, he just wanted to be left alone.

He nodded in agreement. If he didn’t have Odion he was starting to think that he would have stayed arrogant and stupid the rest of his life. He smiled at himself, he had never thought about it that way. He needed Odion. “If only to keep us able to fit through doors,” he said with a chuckle. Lani looked at her again surprised by her insight. She was a very intelligent woman, she should be doing something better than bartending. He smiled a little and nodded. “Yeah,” he mused. Sometimes it was a little worrisome though. Someone who could see the good in everyone was also very likely to be a target. “So what about your prospective girlfriends?” He leaned in interested, “Any of them nag you to death?”

[Diana Crow]

Diana nodded. "You got that right." She looked around, taking an empty glass off the shelf and clinking it against Kyle's. It was really too bad she didn't have anything in it, but she couldn't toast with a full glass. Her boss was cool, but not that cool to let his employees drink on the job. "Don't know where I'd be with a lot of the people I've met." And that was true. Her parents hadn't been accepting of her sexuality to start, but then she met her half brother and things started to turn around.

"Well," she said, ready to tell a story, "there was this guy that came in here once, and I swear he was higher than a kite." Diana pushed her hands up into the air. "He was ordering his drink, and then he was just staring at me like he saw a ghost! When I asked him what was wrong, he said that I was pirate and that a parrot was gnawing my ear off." She laughed, wiping at her eyes. What a good memory. "I know it's not flying cats, but still, hilarious." Diana sighed, shrugging. "I guess there's a few things I'd take back, but I can't so, I try not to think about it," she pointed upwards, "doesn't help with the flying cats."

Diana smiled. "I don't know about advanced stuff, but I was perfectly happy with my barely passing marks. You don't need high school to be a good bar tender. Some stuff just comes naturally." Diana wasn't opposed to school, and she really wasn't that passionate about it. But hey, kudos to those that gave a damn and gave it their all to get somewhere in life. She was already happy, she didn't need a piece of paper to tell her she was.

D laughed, giving Kyle's shoulder a little push. "Does someone have a big ego that needs to be taken down a few notches? Because I can totally help with that." She laughed again, before shaking her head. She was just kidding, she really didn't want to tear this guy down. She didn't think he deserved to be taken down as much as his friend did. "Good, make sure you treat her right then," she grimaced, "not that I should be giving relationship advice or anything." Diana wasn't a bad lover, she just got bored quickly. She sighed. "Well my last girlfriend was a trap, so to speak." She smiled softly, looking at Kyle pensively. "We dated for about a year, and she was fantastic. She was funny and endearing and so sweet. I dunno, maybe it was just me, I just got bored. There was a point where she got under my skin so much that it was just to bother me." Her eyes had travelled over to the dance floor, a grin on her face. "But I don't leave empty handed when I'm in the mood." Candid. That was Diana.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani chuckled as they collided glasses, his own only ice and hers clean and empty. It was really too bad that he was the only one drinking right now. He had a feeling that she would be fun drunk. He nodded in agreement. “Some people can break us down or build us up but regardless everyone we meet changes us if even a little bit.” He shrugged feeling the effects of the alcohol starting to settle out. He took a quick glance around for a clock and not finding one decided to not be rude and check the time on his phone. It wasn’t like he had anywhere to be.

With a smile Lani leaned forward excited to hear her story. He could just imagine someone swaying on their feet when they got into the bar and then deciding to drink on top of that. He laughed with her finding the whole situation very strange. “That’s… interesting. Geez, that is why you stay away from the hallucinogens.” He smiled and shook his head. Not that he did drugs at all. He didn’t want his mind to be clouded, granted drinking was one thing, but drugs could do permanent damage. At least alcohol wore off after a while, unless of course someone was an alcoholic. He snickered a little and nodded. “What’s done is done and what will be will be.” That was always his favorite saying. One that he often tried and more often failed to live by.

Lani shook his head. “Did you not go to college? You would probably do very well.” He said meaning it as a complement but not really sure if it came out as one after it passed his lips. She could have a future in something. Anyone could. Even Lani, if he were willing to see that there was anything out there past his telekinesis and stealing.

His shoulder gave out of reflex and he laughed with her. “Some people seem to think so,” he answered, “Though sometimes I have to admit that I very much need a little stumble.” He shook his head and blurted out a laugh. “Oh no! One ego check is enough for me I think.” He laughed. He really did appreciated that Odion did bring him down to earth because at the same time he was raising him up to meet new challenges and become better. He nodded, “Yes, ma’am I will.” He promised. Hurting Adrianna was never an option. He listened to her interested, luckily she went on to continue her thought so that Lani didn’t have to press. He cocked his head at her. “So you two just drifted apart?” Lani followed her gaze and smiled at the dance floor. Oh if only he could dance. “Is it the person or the connection that gets boring? Were you friends with her before you dated?” It was a strange question yes but he was still wondering if friendship could grow into love.

[Diana Crow]

Diana would be even less articulate if she were drunk at the moment. She smiled at him broadly, and then pointed to herself. “So you think I’m going to change you by the end of the night?” Sorry honey, I highly doubt that. Kyle was his own man and probably wouldn’t let what some bar tender said affect his whole life. She liked spending time with people, but she didn’t believe she had that big of an impact. Kyle started looking around and D smiled. “Right on the TV,” she said, pointing above her head. It was where most of the other men’s eyes were glued, if not on some woman. He still had some time before closing.

“Those things don’t seem like a good idea,” she said, a twinkle in her eye. D hadn’t done drugs before either. She had seen enough people hopped up on whatever it was they were on, to help her steer clear of the stuff. Even alcohol could turn into bad news depending on the person. Addictions weren’t the way life was meant to be lived. Though she did find those who spoke to her while on certain things, very entertaining. Kyle seemed like a pretty laidback guy. She liked that a lot. “Nah, no college. Not interested, you know?” Well, obviously he wouldn’t, considering that’s here he supposedly was. “What’re you studying anyways?” She asked curiously.

He nodded, “Yes, ma’am I will.” He promised. Hurting Adrianna was never an option. He listened to her interested, luckily she went on to continue her thought so that Lani didn’t have to press. He cocked his head at her. “So you two just drifted apart?” Lani followed her gaze and smiled at the dance floor. Oh if only he could dance. “Is it the person or the connection that gets boring? Were you friends with her before you dated?” It was a strange question yes but he was still wondering if friendship could grow into love.

Wiping down some glasses so they wouldn’t have any finger prints or water spots, Diana often felt like a crime scene investigator. Or would she be more like a criminal getting rid of the evidence? Either way, it was fun to think about. “It’s good to know what you need in life,” she agreed, grinning at him. Funny guy, pretty charming too. “Alright, let me know if ya change your mind.” D would only be too happy to oblige. “Yeah, sort of. She knew exactly how to bug me, and didn’t know when to stop once it started to hurt me. Does that make sense?” She asked, because if it didn’t, she would happily try explaining again. Kyle was really interested in the subject. “Well, I guess both, right? I mean, if you don’t really like someone anymore, then that connection fizzles away. It’s a give and take thing, and I had stopped taking.” Diana smiled, putting the glasses away under the bar. “Now there’s a good idea! Friends first, makes sense, I shoulda done that.” She mused, ducking momentarily to make sure the glasses were straight. She didn’t waste any breath as she popped back up. “I met her at a party and we went straight to dating. We’re not friends now and we weren’t before, so, yeah. I guess it was a different connection.”

[Lani Hunter]

Lani shook his head at her. “No not tonight,” he said, “But you’ve given me a lot to chew on. So perhaps in a few weeks I’ll be a different man.” Who knew, maybe he would meet her again and maybe she would be surprised at who she met. Well either way she would be surprised since Kyle was just a figment of their imaginations. Next time, if they met again Lani had already decided to name himself as himself. She deserved that. Lani smiled and looked over her shoulder at the television. “Thanks,” he said sheepishly and squinted at the time, just a little after midnight now, had he really come out so early? He hadn’t had a drink in a while, “Hey can I get another one of those things…” He said swirling his finger over his most recent drink the name failing him.

He nodded in agreement. Drugs were not a good thing. He never understood the lure and so he would stay away from them. Not pain pills though. Those didn’t count. They were prescribed, well most of them. But he wasn’t abusing them. Or so he thought. He really didn’t think about it anymore. He leaned on them so much he really wasn’t sure how he had survived life without them before. Lani nodded empathizing with her. He realized he was nodding after a moment and realized later that that might give his game away. Then that question came. Lani stumbled for an answer. “Um…” What was he studying. Think Lani, think! “Physics,” he answered finally, it was really the only thing he understood and chances were she wouldn’t ask too many questions about that. After all why wouldn’t a would be physicist be hitting the bottle?

With a returning grin Lani laughed. Yeah humility was something that Lani lacked sometimes. Though whether it was arrogance or just stubbornness that made him unwilling to admit defeat was debatable. But he really had enough of someone proving that he couldn’t win at everything. He chuckled she was indeed someone who he could see doing that if he got really big headed. Though he had confidence in Odion’s abilities. Lani nodded and leaned forward a little. “I know exactly what you mean, but Odion at least knows when to back off. I mean most of the time.” Lani had a feeling that Odion always knew when to back off but sometimes just chose not to. Lani cocked his head at her considering what she was saying. Was it possible that Adrianna and he were drifting apart? No, no, he was still very much infatuated. He nodded he really couldn’t think of Adrianna and his relationship as anything but give and take, but then he and Odion had a very much give and take thing. Lani flushed realizing that he again had two situations. Odion was his friend but Adrianna and he had almost jumped right into dating. Well, he would see where that would end. “That’s too bad, they say that if you fall in love with your best friend that would be the best relationship.” Really how was Lani so clueless when he was saying this and refusing to give it very much thought.

[Diana Crow]

Diana grinned at him. “Well if that does happen in a couple weeks from today, would you mind filling me in? It’d give me something to be proud of.” She couldn’t help herself. Why wouldn’t she want to know about how profoundly she’d affected someone’s life? Hopefully changing him was a good thing though. She’s even welcome the name change. D laughed at him, shaking her head. “It’s called a Screwdriver honey, they’re easy to make.” She got another glass ready and went to work. Once she was done, she turned to show him her masterpiece. “Hope it’s as good as the last one.”

“Physics?” She asked, her face crinkling. “Good luck with that, you must enjoy your science.” Diana was a mixologist at best.

“So that’s the friend’s name, Odion?” Diana grinned, taking out her phone again. But then she made a confused face, pausing her search. “Wait, he is just a friend, right? Because I was talking about my ex... You know? Hm.” She went back to her phone, frowning. Had she missed something? “According to this, Odion means eldest of twins, must have a brother,” she glanced back to Kyle, “that doesn’t help with personality though.” She smiled a bit. “At least things wouldn’t get dull,” she considered this, taking away his old glasses. “But I wouldn’t know about that. All I know, is that some things just happen and just work, and others? Well, don’t.”

[Lani Hunter]

Lani nodded a grin on his face. “Most certainly,” he agreed. He wanted to tell her she had more than that to be proud of. She was certainly an interesting woman. She sold herself short so often, perhaps if she went through the trouble of school she could really help people. But it wasn’t Lani’s place to judge, not when he wasn’t planning on it himself. If being a bartender was what made her happy he couldn’t say anything against that. He smiled and took the glass holding it up in cheers to her before he took a sip. “It’s the best,” he said with a bright smile. “A Screwdriver, I like these.” He stated his brain staying thankfully level at the moment.

A laugh pulled from him and he nodded. “I get that a lot,” he said looking down at the drink. “It’s not the easiest of things.” Lani looked up and nodded he hadn’t even realized he had let that slip. That could be dangerous. Lani flushed and nodded his head so hard it seemed like it was going to bobble right off. “Yes, yes, he’s just a friend!” He insisted more for his own benefit than for hers. He smiled apologetically, “Sorry, I have a bad habit of thinking everyone follows my train of thought.” He tapped his temple and grinned. Lani’s brow rose and then came back down as a thoughtful frown crossed his lips. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“He doesn’t have a brother,” he added for her benefit as the thoughts whirred through his brain. Did Odion know what his name meant? He didn’t know about his family, what if he had a brother? Dear God what if he was a twin!? Lani grinned, “I don’t think you’ll find his personality on any website.” He glanced up at her when she started speaking again his thoughts interrupted. He nodded taking her meaning to heart and really considering what she was talking about. How interesting. Maybe the Fates did have something in store for him. He shrugged and finished the last of his drink checking the time again. “I should get heading back,” he said wistfully leaning back on the stool. “Thank you for the talk, D, I hope I see you around.” He smiled and leaned forward again, “What do I owe you?”

[Diana Crow]

“It’s the simplest drink. All it is is vodka and OJ. You don’t even need to come here and ask me to make you one, now you know the recipe.” Kyle had a lot to learn yet about the adult world. Though technically they weren’t that far off in age. Diana supposed she had a lot left to learn as well. She was only twenty five. Still plenty of room to make mistakes and enjoy life, both of which seemed to go hand in hand for the woman.

Diana smiled, glad he was having a good time. “Don’t like taking things the easy way out?” She asked. Physics. How interesting, and yet, how difficult. Kyle really must like giving himself a hard time. D laughed at Kyle, her eyes squinting at the corners. “No no! I’m sorry. I’m just trying to keep up with what you’re saying, and well, I hear so many stories all day long...” And it was almost closing time and therefore, her brain was starting to shut down. Damn thing.

“But what if he does?” Diana asked, raising her eyebrows. Kyle seemed to be contemplating this so much, that she wondered just how well he knew his friend. “Better get back to the institute before they notice you’re M.I.A,” she said with a wink, and a sparkle in her eye. His secret was safe with her, but she enjoyed the word play that alluded to their joking around before. Everyone was just a little crazy. “Ten dollars,” she said, letting a yawn slip out as she waited on him.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani nodded making note and smiling. “Good to know, I’ll have to make these sometimes. Though I’m sure they won’t be as good as yours.” He was doing his best to be charming for Diana. She was sweet woman and he really wished that there would be a time when he could come in here when he was of age and then he could speak to her longer. He hadn’t expected to come into this bar tonight and find a friend in someone. He had wanted to come and drink and go home. But the fates seemed to again have different plans. He was altogether happy with this night.

Shaking his head Lani laughed. “Apparently not.” That wasn’t the first time he had heard that. If there was a way to make things hard Lani would find it, whether or not he did it on purpose or not. Lani laughed as she apologized to him and shook his head at her. “No need for you to apologize!” He exclaimed, “It’s my fault. And hearing so many stories all day I’m glad you stuck with me so long.” He laughed at himself. By this point he felt that anyone else would have been so sick of his philosophy and what if questions that they would have thrown their hands up and walked away. Well, almost anyone else.

Lani shook his head, not so sure anymore. Odion wouldn’t lie about something like that, no. The emotions there were real. “No, I mean, he’s…” he didn’t want to throw out Odion’s business to just anyone so he just concluded by shaking his head again. Lani’s eyes went wide and he gaped at her. “What…” Lani’s immediate panic was quickly covered as he jumped onto her joke. Well he was going to make it like that. He smiled and laughed. “Yeah, I don’t suppose they’ll be happy if their crazies get out.” He smiled and handed over a folded bill. Two ten dollar bills. One for the drinks and one for her. She deserved it not only for listening to him but for not turning him in. He stood and with a wave vanished into the crowd and out the door where the promptly vanished into the shadows and made his way home.