Living After Midnight [Eve]

[Devon Wentsworth]

It had been two days since Devon had landed in America, since his feet had first touched US soil. He still hadn't finished unpacking and a part of him doubted he would finish properly – what was the point when he would, hopefully, be moving into a more suitable home as soon as he was settled and had found somewhere else? The essentials had come out of course, the clothes and art supplies and music collection, but most of it was still either in boxes in the spare room or had been rammed into the drawers and cupboards in the kitchen. If he couldn't see them, he didn't have to bother unpacking them yet. Out of sight, out of mind.

Devon had spent the day wandering around the town, taking in all the new sights, sounds and smells. He had never been to America before and, even though Pilot Ridge was hardly New York or deepest darkest Texas, he was fascinated by just how different it was to dingy old Leeds. The cleanliness and fresh scents were amazing, and he had spent most of the day taking photos and exploring some of the little stores and hidden alleyways. He was still exhausted from the trip and jet lag was catching up to him fast, but he was stubborn and knew that he could push through it.

Though Devon had experienced a moment of fleeting sadness when he realised he no longer had a computer to upload the photos to. That would have to be a priority purchase – that, a PS3 and Guitar Hero. It was re-buying the non-artsy things he loved all over again.

Sitting in his too-new apartment in the evening was quickly proving to be boring. No computer, no TV and no unpacked and easily accessible crafting bits and bobs was quickly beginning to weigh on him. Devon didn't really know the town yet, didn't have a clue what went on in the evenings, but he was certain that even a quaint little town like this must have some form of night life. Sure it might not be the bustling theatres of Leeds or clubs of Manchester, but there had to be something. After changing into a paint-free Judas Priest shirt and skinny black jeans, Devon looked at the list of local utility phone numbers that had been provided for him and called for a taxi cab to take him to “wherever it is that people go in the evening.”

Devon was all-but pressed against the window the whole cab-ride into town, getting the feel for what the place was like when the sun went down. It was still effortlessly pretty. Even when the driver dropped him off in a surprisingly busy part of the town that he hadn't visited yet, everything still felt safe. Unlike Leeds and Reading (and certainly unlike Manchester), there was no sense that he was about to be dragged into a ginnel and robbed while a Burberry-clad teenager threw up cheap cider and the remnants of his kebab all over his shoes.

Choosing one of the bars at random, Devon walked in and instantly felt a little out of place. Small groups of people sat chatting around tables, waitresses(?) were bringing people their drinks to their tables and the general air was unlike that of any bar he'd been into before. It was slightly daunting, and yet also quietly exciting. Taking off his jacket and draping it over his arm, Devon approached the bar only to be gently shooed away by the woman stood behind it. “You can't stand there, that's where the glasses get put.” Devon apologised, turned around... and bumped into a woman stood behind him, knocking her drink. “Oh crap, I'm so sorry miss. I didn't see you there.”

[Eveangel Stonefeather]

Eve was ready for a full night. Leo had been sick earlier, though it was only because he got into her chicken that she had purposely set out on the counter for dinner. That damned dog didn't know when to quit. Still, she loved him and he was her baby. She wouldn't trade him for the world. Still, she didn't have a dinner anymore and she didn't feel like cooking anyway. Maybe the dog did her a favor.

Eve had visited three bars that night. It was nearing midnight, her feet hurt (the heels dug into the balls of her feet) and yet she still didn't feel like going home alone. All that was at the house was a sleeping Leo. She barely had any luck finding a roommate. The most recent bar she went into, people knew her by Angel. That was her stage name as she had often come by to sing on the stage. People loved her singing and she always got compliments on the ensemble of clothes. Her dark clothing always got her men hitting on her, most of them not even attractive or decent.

She made her way through the crowd to the front of the bar. Her drink in her hand. She wasn't even drunk and this guy turned around way too fast. As the drink sloshed, she pulled her arm to stop the alcohol from dripping on her favorite dress. The man who bumped into had an English accent and he was yummy. "That's quite alright. It's crowded in here."

[Devon Wentsworth]

It was clearly going to be one of those weekends. The day before he had gone for an explore around his new workplace and had managed to spook a kid into dropping and breaking another student's art project, and today he was making a goof of himself in a strange bar in a strange country. He had no idea how the bars here worked or what half of the brands actually were, and now he had caused a pretty woman to almost soak her dress. Yep, epic start right there.

As the woman regained control of her drink Devon searched around on the bar for some napkins. There was a small pile of them within reach but a man had his elbow perched on them. Devon gently grabbed the sleeve of the man's shirt, using it to lift his arm while he grabbed a few of the napkins from underneath. At the man's grumbled complaint Devon just offered him a bright smile, putting his arm down again before turning back to the woman.

“It is, but I'm still sorry though. I hope none of it got on your dress.” Devon used one of the napkins to gently dab at her hand that was holding the glass, trying to dry it off, and offered the other ones to her before fidgeting with the checkerboard stud in his left ear. “Here, let me buy you a refill to make up for it... Uhh... Once I've worked out how.”

[Eveangel Stonefeather]

Ohh definitely yummy. Eve laughed easily. "It's alright. I was going back to the bar to put the cup there. I think I've had enough alcohol in my system to stun a small horse." That was, of course, an over-exaggeration. She didn't have any more than three drinks. Usual around one, she would trudge home to her empty house and wonder why she carried on the way she did, but this night had just got a whole lot more interesting and she decided that she would stick around.

After placing the cup on the bar, she walked him to the table she was sitting at. "My name is Ev-Angel. I'm pretty much a regular here." Now, she was hoping he wouldn't think she was some kind of drunk. So far, he seemed really sweet and innocent. "Are you new here?" Her brow furrowed trying to place him. He had to be the same age as she was, so it would be easy to recognize him, maybe he went to Hammel. Yep, that was it. He did go to the Hammel...or did he? Her social life in high school didn't lead much to hanging out with anyone but the books she chose from the library.

A slow song came on over the speakers. Without thinking, she started to hum the tune and quietly sing the lyrics as she waited for him to reply to her.

[Devon Wentsworth]

Devon laughed lightly at her comment, stepping to the side so she could pass to put her glass on the bar. At least she had taken it well and not gotten aggressive; Devon had met many women over the years who would have had no problem slamming their bag around a man's head for spilling their drink like that. Or got their built-like-a-shed rugby player boyfriends involved. Sometimes it was exceptionally handy being able to turn into a small critter and get away unnoticed. It had saved his teeth many a time.

Following the lady to the table, Devon cast his eyes around the bar and took in the décor and scenery. It was so different to the bars back home, and yet the more he noticed the more it felt comfortable. Like how he imagined American bars to be thanks to the waves of US TV shows pumped on the Freeview channels back home. After draping his jacket over the back of the chair Devon sat, paying attention once more to the woman he had bumped into.

“I'm Devon. I can see why you like it here, it's got real... charm.” Perhaps not quite the word he was looking for, but a good one none the less. “Yeah, I'm very new actually. This is only my second day here, over from England. How about yourself, are you local-born?”

[Eveangel Stonefeather]

Eve could've guessed he was from England. His accent was enough for her. She crossed her legs. "No, I'm not actually. I'm from a tiny town in Washington. My parents still live there. I came here when I was fourteen."Might as well broadcast that she had a power, why not tell him her biggest secret of all? Suddenly, she wished she had that alcohol again. Something strong that could get her drunk and so if something happened that night, it wouldn't ruin their beginning friendship, if they had a future friendship. She certainly hoped they had one.

"I came over here when I was fourteen. Almost busted some guys ears when I was auditioning for a singing part of a band. Of course... I didn't get it. I have sonic scream... It was hard to control but when I arrived at Hammel, I focused mainly on books and my training. I'm not allowed to scream of course," Eve laughed tensely, "but it's just life. What are you doing here from England? Did you go to school over here?" If this was his second day, did he have a job lined up? Visiting a girlfriend? She blew hair out of her mouth.

[Devon Wentsworth]

Devon listened in silence as the woman spoke, taking in exactly what she was saying. Her forwardness was a complete surprise to him; in his experience normally people who were gifted kept it quiet, especially in public places. He knew only too well just how many 'normal' people were still very prejudiced against those who had some form of power, some to the point of outright fear and hatred, so her confession was both surprising and a little refreshing. It was good to know some people here had the confidence to speak out truthfully. He tried to keep the conversation light. “I'm sure we could've used that in the band back home, get some of the mouthier crowds to shut up trying to sing over us.”

When Eve gave the tense little laugh Devon smiled politely, trying to put her at ease a bit. It was never easy discussing powers, especially to strangers, and Devon glanced to the table beside them, trying to work out how ordering drinks worked in here. “No, I actually went to school in Switzerland. I'm starting working at Hammel on Monday, I'm the new art teacher. It's good to meet you, miss...?”

[Eveangel Stonefeather]

"Oh! Duh! My name is Eveangel Stonefeather. I'm the ancient history teacher over at Hammel. It's nice to meet a fellow teacher. They are very...shy people or at least I think they are. Keep to themselves a lot. I've never been to a staff party, but hey." Eve gave a smile. It was nice to meet another teacher. She probably knew three of the other teachers and never actually hung out with them. "So art huh? What's your favorite artist? Mine is Van Goh, I like how he cut off his ear lobe and sent it to his lover. Oh and the suicide thing."

Eve was relaxed and feeling great. She had met a handsome man, he didn't try to look down or under her dress and the English accent made everything better anyway!

[Devon Wentsworth]

“Eveangel Stonefeather.” Devon repeated the name, letting it play on his tongue. “Pretty. Devon Wentsworth is terribly boring in comparison.” Eve's name was unusual to say the least but not at all unpleasant, reminding him of the fantastical and poetic names in some of the shows and movies he loved so much. He returned the smile, nodding slightly as she spoke. It was something of a disappointment to hear that the rest of the staff team seemed shy and quiet, he had been looking forward to getting out and socialising with them all once he was settled.

Devon gave a small smile as Eve talked about her favourite artist and the reasons for it. So many of his past students had been the same, knowing the intimate details of Van Gogh's self-mutilation and tragic death, but couldn't tell one of his paintings if one of them walked up and smacked them around the face. “He was a true genius. His 1884 'Lane in Autumn' was one of the first prints I ever bought.” His mother owned it now, the framed print hanging in her living room thousands of miles away. “If forced to pick just one, I would have to say Escher. The complexity and level of precision in his work never fails to amaze me, and no matter how many times I see them I always find something new to admire.”

[Eveangel Stonefeather]

Eve tapped her finger on her chin. "I don't know. Wentsworth is a pretty awesome name. Reminds me of someone in the mid-eighteen hundreds that wrote poetry." What a dumb joke! Would he think she was making fun of his name? No, her tone was just right, light on the teasing and heavy on the flirting. It couldn't have gone any smoother.

"Ohh!! Yeah, I've heard of him. I especially like the two hands drawing each other, that was always an interesting art piece." She may be a history teacher, but she enjoyed weird art and M.C. Escher was definitely something that fit into that category. "So, do you have any animals?" She raised her hand for some more alcohol. Might as well get drunk if she had some decent company. "Normal please," and that's what she received.

[Devon Wentsworth]

Devon laughed softly at the woman's joke, the fingertips of his right hand on the table lightly tapping out the rhythm of the song playing in the background. Damn he missed his drum kit. Devon was vaguely aware of the woman's flirting and in return he was keeping a cool detached air. He knew himself far too well to even consider having a dip in the company ink. If she had just been a random stranger in the bar then maybe he would have laid his own charms on heavily, but he knew from experience that his own issues regarding such things often made work relations... complicated to say the least. He didn't plan on starting out down that path here.

Nodding and smiling as the woman described the Escher piece that she liked, Devon spoke. “Drawing Hands. I did an interpretation of that for my first year portfolio in university.” When she asked about any pets he gave a small shake of his head, a momentary sad look crossing his face before it disappeared again. “Not any more. I had a pair of Chinese water dragons but getting them shipped over would have been too complicated, and wouldn't have been fair on them anyway. They're with my friend back home now. How about you, do you have any pets?” Watching the woman order her drink, Devon mentioned to the server “just a coke for me, thanks.” Best to err on the side of caution.

[Eveangel Stonefeather]

Eve didn't take in notice that he ordered a coke. What did it matter? "I have a Scottish Deerhound. His name is Leo. Actually, he's the reason I'm here. He ate my dinner which I left out on the counter." She lightly thumped her hand on the table. "That damned dog," she said laughing slightly. She loved her dog. She had him for a long time and she loved him to death, but there were those days where she wondered if it would just be best to be on her own.

As soon those thoughts entered Eve's head, she shook her head vigorously. That would be way too easy. "What are Chinese water dragons?" All she could picture were miniature blue serpents. It was getting closer to one in the morning. The alcohol started to affect her brain, the world got woozy, the floor slipped out from under her seat. Next thing she knew, she was on her ass next to a toppled chair. "Wha-what?" Her brain was confused, trying to put two and two together.

[Devon Wentsworth]

Devon nodded as Eve spoke about her dog, sipping at his coke, grateful it hadn't been too diluted. They got one thing right over here at least. “Deerhounds... They're those huge grey ones, right? Sorry, I'm not so up on dog breeds.” Though the dog eating her dinner would explain why the alcohol seemed to be affecting the woman quite so dramatically; drinking on an empty stomach was never a wise move. Devon's years at university had taught him that the hard way. “Water dragons are a type of lizard, kinda like iguana's but smaller and more active. I had them fo--”

Stopping mid-thought, Devon saw the woman suddenly sway and hit the deck. What the--- did that just actually happen? One moment she seemed fine and capable of making full sentences, the next she was on her arse. For a few moments Devon sat blinking, trying to come to terms with the fact that yes, she had just lost all semblance of balance and fallen off her seat. Standing and moving around the table, Devon bent and offered her his hand to help her get up. “Come on, miss Stonefeather. Time to get you a taxi home, I think.”

[Eveangel Stonefeather]

Eve took his offered hand and used him to boost herself off the floor. She bent to take off her heels so she could walk properly. "I'm so sorry Devon. I don't normally drink this much, but it's been a pretty stressful week... and I just needed to let go." She nodded at him and gave him a slow smile. "It was nice meeting you Devon. I hope you have a good first day at Hammel and don't afraid to track me down if one of the students gives you any troubles."

She started to walk towards the door of the bar. Her apartment wasn't that far down the road and she couldn't wait to get home and soak in a nice bath. And drink some nice cool water. Also feed her dog. The concrete was rough against her naked feet. Eve unlocked her door with some dignity left and tossed her shoes at the floor of her couch before climbing into the bath.

[Devon Wentsworth]

The woman was not particularly heavy and, thanks to her supporting some of her own weight, Devon was able to help guide her to her feet without accidentally dropping her. “Please don't apologise, I know the feeling well. We all need to cut loose a bit sometimes.” Some more so than others, clearly, but he wasn't one to judge. Devon had more than his fair share of drunken mistakes under his belt. “It was a pleasure meeting you too. And thanks, I'll keep that in mind.”

Watching the woman heading out the door, Devon considered staying on at the bar a little longer. He hadn't been out long at all and hadn't been able to finish his drink before Eve had made her detour to the floor. Annoyingly, he could hear Cade's voice in his head, scolding his poor manners. Even the Atlantic ocean wasn't enough to make his big bro stfu, apparently. Following Eve, he kept a distance from her as she walked home, the Brit making sure she got in safely before heading back to the main street to get a taxi back to his apartment. Overall: Mixed results. But if any of the rest of Hammel's staff were like Eve, his first day at work was going to be very interesting indeed...

~ End ~