Private Finished Suds and stories

Skyward Dragon had more or less become Hah'en's favourite pub on the whole island. It reminded her of her favourite pub back in her old world; both had the same warm, homely atmosphere, pleasant customers and an owner that took no shit. Hah'en felt pleasant nostalgia when in the establishment, but it all lacked something. It lacked a drinking partner. Which had led Hah'en to inviting Adryan out for drinks and she suspected she may end up regretting her decision.

Adryan was currently Hah'en's only friend-like acquaintance, and although she enjoyed his company Hah'en had tried to avoid including him too deeply into her daily life. Well, in the end loneliness had won over Hah'en's distrust and she had sent the text message that was either the beginning of the end or beginning of...something. A deeper friendship, perhaps.
Hah'en would just have to wait and see.

Hah'en opened the door, and immediately few other regulars waved at her from a corner table. Hah'en granted them a curt nod before letting her eyes wander around the bar, looking for a familiar figure.
Hah'en found Adryan relatively quickly, he had chosen the table Hah'en usually preferred. A tiny smile tugged at Hah'en's lips, Adryan must've guessed what kind of spot Hah'en would want to sit on. She was always little bit surprised by small gestures such as that. But Hah'en made sure her face was blank when she walked over, just in time to hear Adryan say something to Nux.

"Has he not been talkative today, then?"
Hah'en asked, as she walked past Adryan and slipped into a seat opposite of him, her back towards the wall. Her other brow was slightly elevated, her expression very vaguely inquisitive.

"Sounds like a sulking child."
Hah'en observed with a matter-of-fact tone and idly tapped her nails against the table. She was still getting used to the thought that the dark spirit inside Adryan had an actual personality and sentience and thoughts. If Hah'en remembered right it was called a "demon". That term didn't exist in Hah'en's dimension.

"You and me both"
Hah'en thought to herself when Adryan expressed his surprise. Hah'en had sent the text message after work a week or so ago. She had been mentally fatigued but solemn at the same time, Adryan had just sent her a text message that had amused her. So, Hah'en had gotten the sudden urge to grab drinks and here his stories in-person. It had been a ridiculous thought, Hah'en had know that, but her fingers had moved on their own.

"I assumed your surprise was pleasant because you agreed to come. If you did not want to come you would've told me so."
Hah'en answered, and then stood up, her intention to go to the bar to get drinks.
"The first round is on me. You paid for dinner last time. What drink do you want?"

If Hah'en was honest she still didn't fully understand the alcohol culture of this dimension. She understood enough to know which drinks were less and more strong and what she should drink to either stay sober or get drunk. So she had no base to judge Adryan based on his choice. She merely nodded and walked to the counter, ordering a whiskey sour and a mojito for herself. She liked the taste of the cocktail and how it was not alcoholic enough to get her drunk as quickly. Hah'en knew she was a lightweight but she liked drinking.

Hah'en soon returned with the two drinks, placing the whiskey sour in front of Adryan on top of a coaster. Hah'en slipped back to her own place and sipped her drink, enjoying the taste that swirled on her tongue.
"Pace yourself, when I'm out drinking I like to stay out at least until midnight."
Hah'en warned Adryan

For a moment Hah'en looked at Adryan with a vaguely confused expression, when he said "Cheers". But soon Hah'en remembered what that phrase meant, and she lifted her own glass and answered in her own language
"Cheers."
After patting herself on the right shoulder with her left hand twice Hah'en drank, taking a long sip. It was a drinking ritual from her world, and Adryan would see that her movements looked automatic and instinctive.

"Relatively good. I have recently familiarized myself with the internet and social media more, as I realized using them is imperative."
Hah'en didn't like social media and internet, because she knew both collected data of her and Hah'en wanted to leave as small of a footprint as possible. But there was content that she was imtrigued by and Hah'en couldn't avoid using the mediums any longer.
"And you? I have not seen you during my work anymore, which at least is a good sign for both of us."

"I am more than aware of the dangers of the data analytics and viruses and potential information hackers of the internet. I have not and will not disclose any personal information if not absolutely necessary."
Hah'en assured with a small huff, she was no fool and would not allow Adryan to think anything remotely close to that.
...Why did she care what Adryan thought of her? It didn't matter.

Hah'en didn't actively keep herself informed about the activities in the underbelly of the island, she didn't need to and Hah'en didn't have time to build a network of appropriate contacts. So the fact that something was brewing was news to her.
"I wasn't aware. But no matter, if something does occur I will merely adapt accordingly."
Hah'en stated and sipped her drink. Adryan called their relationship a friendship, albeit hesitantly, and instead of directly addressing it Hah'en continued.
"I doubt the first statement, since you decided to make my acquaintance despite the threat of getting caught."