Private Well, I *Did* Say We Could Get Drinks After

Kait

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Yesterday, Chloe helped a small group of other Manta Carlos citizens save the island from open war with an aquatic kingdom. She hadn't been expecting that at all - when she happened upon that sea witch calling for help, she was just going for a run on the shore. Then, suddenly, it was adventure time.

It wasn't what she wanted to do that day, but it would make for a good story later.

At some point during that whole situation, Chloe made some kind of comment about talking about something later over drinks. She didn't expect anyone to take her up on that offer, least of all the fallen angel Ishvi. This was the guy who made some kind of comment about how she was 'pretty good for a demon.' Not someone she really wanted to be hanging out with, but hey. They'd been through a whole thing together, and he did a good job of making sure that one girl with them didn't get skewered.

So, fine.

Chloe was waiting for him at the pub just before 5pm, just like she told him. It was a fairly low-key place, with a few people filtering in to drink and talk after work. She was on friendly terms with the owner because she met him at a few fundraisers. Normally they had sports on some of the TVs, but there wasn't a lot of that going on right now - now, it had the news. Sanctions this, death tolls that, so on, so forth. She picked a weird time to start scout training, that was for sure.

She took a glance at the entrance again, watching for Ishvi's colorful hair.

 

Boop

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Everything changed so fast on this island, his lifetime of trying had been broken in a series of moments, and yesterday it had happened again. Ishvi had been up too late, unable to sleep and flirting with danger by heading to the beach. Then he'd been helping to avert a war, underwater again for the first time since he'd drowned.

Talking to Chloe had been mostly an impulse. Ishvi was aware her offer had probably been a heat of the moment thing, or at least directed at the group as a whole, but he had talked to her before. And she had been there. And he needed to apologize for - so many things.

Ishvi held back a yawn as he arrived at the place they were supposed to meet. He was yet again running on coffee and far too little sleep. 5pm would've been early for him even if he hadn't been, but he didn't want to be a bother and ask Chloe to meet later. When he saw her, he waved, walking over with an attempted smile.

"Hi. I um it's nice of you to talk with me." He glanced towards the entrance. "I guess we just - go in? Never actually been to a pub before."
 

Kait

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Chloe put her phone away when she saw him approaching. "No problem," she told him. "Thanks for helping out yesterday, by the way."

He had a surprisingly basic question to ask about pubs. She blinked at him. "Yeah. You can just walk in and get a place to sit, usually. Like a restaurant." Had he really not been to a bar in all the years he'd lived here?

She led him through the entrance to a table, and they sat down. "Have you ever had alcohol before?"

A waitress would come by for their drink orders soon. Chloe could give Ishvi a few suggestions if he needed them.
 

Boop

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"I just wasn't sure if it was more like a restaurant or a bar with bouncers.. I might be tired." Ishvi explained as he entered with her. "I haven't even gone to many restaurants that aren't takeout... I don't get out much. Not in the city anyway."

When they sat down, Ishvi eyed the windows, making sure Chloe was on the side closest to them. Just in case. He rubbed a hand awkwardly on the back of his neck and looked away. "Um no.. it was one of those things that seemed too risky, even if alcohol isn't bad by itself. It - well it doesn't matter now. I've heard that it can help, sometimes, if you're not drinking all the time."

Ishvi shrugged, "I thought I should try. Not be so... I don't know. And I kinda wanted to talk to you after yesterday, everything..." He waved his hand vaguely, unsure how to word it.
 

Kait

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The way Ishvi was talking about risks, he sounded a little paranoid. He also sounded like he really needed some alcohol on board. She suggested a sweet-tasting drink to him, with enough of a kick to make him buzzed. That should help.

"I'll watch out for you," she assured him. "Don't worry." Though she wasn't sure who or what she needed to look out for. Maybe she would know it if she saw it.

They would order their drinks, and after the waitress left, Chloe would speak up again. "So. What did you want to talk to me about?"
 

Boop

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Ishvi realized when Chloe said she'd watch out for him that his explanation had probably been unclear, but he really didn't want to go into what he'd used to try and avoid because that would probably lead to why it no longer mattered. Still, it was a kind offer. Ishvi nodded in acknowledgment, "It's appreciated. I've been trying.. new things I guess. One drink should be fine. " He glanced out the window with a slight frown. "It should be fine. "

"I wanted to... apologize. I know I'm not the most social person, but you've always been willing to talk to me anyways. I - no demon has ever shamed me for, for..." He gestured vaguely at himself, not wanting to say it out loud. "And the group of us went to protect the island. Your species. It shouldn't matter. So I'm sorry. I've tried to be unbiased, but if I haven't.. I'm sorry. I made excuses, but maybe the shadow demons that we were at war with would feel the same way about angels. "

Ishvi sighed softly. "That was pretty much all I had to say. I kinda thought it would take longer... Let's talk about - anything else - If you want."
 

Kait

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Chloe considered this for a second.

"Apology accepted. Getting used to all this is a long, hard process, and... I don't entirely know everything you've been going through. It's been a while since we've really talked about anything." Chloe didn't remember the details very well at this point, honestly. All she remembered was that he had been a mess. "It's a good sign that you're taking the time to apologize to me, though. I'd say your heart's in the right place. It'll just take some time and work to get your head there."

He was leagues ahead of that Remiel kid, at least. She could see why Dalia was so pissed off about him.

Ishvi wanted to talk about something else, And Chloe already had two drinks on her tab, so sure. After the waitress dropped off those drinks, and Chloe thanked her, she had a decent topic in mind. "So, what other new things have you been trying?"
 

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Ishvi smiled faintly. Not that he would've done anything if she had chosen not to accept his admittedly awkward apology. But it was a relief, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. One less thing to be guilty about - if only the rest of his guilt could be so simple to take care of.

When the drinks arrived Ishvi just looked at his for a second. "I didn't realise they were so colourful." He took a sip, made a face, and took another smaller sip. "That's- definitely not coffee... it's not bad though. It's just different. We never had things like this at home."

Ishvi looked at his glass thoughtfully before answering Chloe's question. "Other new things? I guess just.. talking more. I can't think of anything big. Finally joined that club, Hereafter. Thought I should stop avoiding my, my nightmare side. The ones who would disapprove... They'd already blame me for my actions, but I can't keep saying it's only actions that count if I'm ashamed of something I was born as. I'm sure there's other things I've missed out on but I don't know... How have you been?"
 
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