Anima, Ch.35: Bean Rua

--01-- [Scene: Emain Macha] <Reflected Scenery on Water>
I paced outside the nightclub, a nervous wreck.
Only part of my unease was from wearing this salacious dress.
I'm not exactly thrilled to be in Emain Macha; at the scene of the crime, as it were.


--02-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
I'm a bit too self-conscious to regularly wear this thing.
A wolf whistle from behind startled me. I turned to its source, and...
Oh. There he is.
"Sorry, couldn't help it. ...You look nice."

--03-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
"Umm, thanks...you too."
Devin had on a formal shirt and jacket instead of his usual gray leather armor.
He shifted his weight awkwardly; maybe he's just as self-conscious as I am...


--04-- <BGM: Reflected Scenery on Water>
He cleared his throat. "Well, uh, shall we go in?"
"Okay."
Devin strode up to the bouncer, and handed over some coins. "Two, please."
The man pocketed the money, nodded, and stood aside. "Have fun."

--05-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
A bubbly red-haired woman greeted us inside. "Welcome to our club! Oh, are you here together?"
She wore a short black dress, stockings, knee-length boots, long gloves, and a hairband with bunny ears.



--06-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"Well, there's one open table left over there," she continued. "Please have a seat, and enjoy your evening!"
Hmm. I'm seeing a theme with the wait staff here.
They all have red hair...?


--07-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
We sat at the last open table left. "So, did you just bring me here to make the waitresses jealous?"
"Why, perish the thought, milady," he retorted in a mocking tone. "But the real reason?"



--08-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"Some of the other guys in the unit dragged me in here a few times, after, well...mining.
The, uh, staff here...reminded me of you.
I'd thought it would be nice to have you here with me..."


--09-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"Oh? Well, now that I'm actually here, is it a disappointment?"
"Not yet."
I forced a smile. "I'll try not to shatter your hopes and dreams then."
Might as well try to enjoy myself...while I can...

--10-- (Lucas) <Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
Compliments of the house. Enjoy your evening.




--11-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
The proprietor set a wine bottle and two glasses on our table, and handed me a card.
On it was written, 'If you ever need a job, you're welcome to inquire here. Lucas'
Why would he--oh. I see.


--12-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"What was that about?" Devin asked.
I showed him the card.
"...oh. Yeah, he's got a thing for redheads. Guess you got his attention."
I gestured at a waitress. "I can't really see myself in...that."

--13-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass> {SFX: cheer}
Applause, cheers, and whistles came from the other tables.
A red-haired woman in slinky black attire stepped onto the stage.
A man in a black suit sat at the nearby piano, and started playing.


--14-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
The woman sang with the tune; a tawdry love song.
I glared at Devin. "I guess I know what this place's main attraction is now."
"What, Rua? She's not here most nights. First time I've seen her."


--15-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"But you knew about her."
"She's all that the other guys talked about when they were here."
"So you were curious?"
"I'm a guy. Can't help it. Now that I've seen her...eh. Seven out of ten."

--16-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
His expression soured. "It's the dress. They'd cheer just as loud for any lady who wore that, even you."
I laughed bitterly. "You'd never get me on a stage. I...don't think I have the voice for it."



--17-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"Never know until you try." He picked up the wine bottle. "Shall we?"
"I suppose I can try *that*."|He poured two glasses, then took one himself as I took the other.
He raised his glass. "Cheers?"


--18-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
I raised my own glass, then took a sip of the dark purple liquid.
It's...hard to describe; a strange blend of sweetness, bitterness, and acidity. It's...not unpleasant.
I downed half the glass.


--19-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"Speaking of shattered hopes and dreams... Did you know Craig resigned today?"
"He did what?" The Paladin leader?
"Yeah...he said he'd 'shamed his position,' or something, and wasn't in good health."


--20-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"That's...unexpected."
Poor health, huh?
Maybe he'd been under the influence of Marionette Potion?
What happens when the one that's controlling the drinker...dies?
I don't think it's safe to ask...

--21-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"Yeah." He drained his glass. "So much for Paladin training... Are we letting Morrighan down?"
"Would you believe me if I said that you were probably better off?"
"What do you mean by that?"


--22-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"Now you're free to go make a real difference in the world, instead of doing grunt work in a mine."
He looked puzzled. "But now what? How are we supposed to become Knights of Light now?"



--23-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
I took another sip of wine. "How did Lugh Lavada become one before there were training programs?
I think that's what Morrighan intended for you. And she only asked you two, because...I can't do it."



--24-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"You can't? Why not?"

I tried... Oh, how I tried. And it ended in disaster.
As much as I want to confide, I...can't say it. The words catch in my throat.
"Oh. Another no-elves thing?" he asked.
--25-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
He poured another glass, then refilled mine, but didn't drink.
"I don't know what to do any more, Meara... I guess things can't go back to the way they were, huh?"
"No...it's going to be different."


--26--
He reached across the table and put his hand on mine. "Then let's make it better than before."
"I'd...I'd like that."
"We'll find a way, then. Together."

Hmm... When did the music stop?
--27-- (Rua) <Primrose Beneath the Moon>
Well, don't you two look cute together!
Oh, I'm sorry, did I interrupt a tender moment? I apologize, I just couldn't help myself.
It always brings a smile to my face to see young people in love.


--28-- <BGM: Primrose Beneath the Moon>
The singer leaned against our table, propping herself up with her arms.
"Uh...thanks?"
Devin turned red. "Um, yeah, er, not really. I..."
He was getting an eyeful, and to his credit, trying not to.

--29-- (Rua) <Primrose Beneath the Moon>
Hehe. Am I...distracting you? You hang on tight to this one, dear, he's a keeper.
There's a bright star in your future for you two.
I hope you'll be happy together~


--30-- (Rua) <Primrose Beneath the Moon>
Oh, gotta go; boss is giving me the 'don't mingle with the customers' look.
Hehe. Enjoy your evening...



--31-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"You're staring."
"Just being polite. She did come talk to us."
"If I was wearing a dress like that, would I have your full attention?" I gave him a teasing overly-sweet smile.
"Absolutely."

--32-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"You answered that too fast."
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think she was physically attractive, but there's more to people than their looks,
after all. You've got your own charms."

--33-- <BGM: Rosy Lipstick on a Wine Glass>
"She can electrify the crowd, but you? You can set the room on fire."
"Only literally, and arson's a terrible way to get attention."
He laughed. "See? It's that biting wit of yours."


--34-- [Scene: none]
"Flattery only gets you so far."
"If it gets me to you, that's far enough."

We stayed another hour, before we left, and Devin walked me home.
After half a bottle a wine, I'm not thinking straight...

--35-- [Scene: Dugald Aisle] <Back in the Happy Days>
We stopped outside my home, holding hands, gazing into each others' eyes in the pale moonlight.
"Thank you," he said awkwardly.
"It was an...interesting evening. Maybe we can...do it again sometime."


--36-- <BGM: Back in the Happy Days>
An awkward pause lingers between us.
An idea came to me, and I acted before I thought.
"Um... Would you... like to come inside for a bit?"
Why did I ask that? I'm just acting on my impulses. Stop it!

--37-- <BGM: Back in the Happy Days>
"I think we're both tipsy, and I consider myself enough of a gentleman to not take advantage of it."
He stepped back, then gave a flourishing and facetious bow.
"I fear I must decline, milady."


--38-- <BGM: Back in the Happy Days>
He came close again, leaned even closer to me...and kissed me on the cheek.
"Good night, Meara."
He turned and walked away, leaving me flushed and flummoxed.
He...kissed me? He kissed me!

--39-- <BGM: Back in the Happy Days>
My head is spinning, and I don't think it's just the wine.
My heart is pounding.
I...don't know what I'm feeling...
Is this... Is this what it feels like...to be in love?

--40--
I went inside, changed back into my usual outfit, and climbed into bed.
I'm not looking forward to the hangover-enhanced headache I'm going to have in the morning...



[end of chapter]