In which there is punching.

[griffonix]

[ Just an average Saturday night at the Griffonix. Of course that means it's fairly busy, but not unmanageable. There's a nice, relaxed atmosphere, and most patrons are familiar enough with the place that if they do have to wait, they don't mind it. People are making conversation over the music, and Madigan herself is behind the bar.

The bar is fairly busy as well, but she's got a good handle on things. Not that she isn't grateful for a sudden lull. It gives her a chance to catch her breath. ]

Comments

[recluserose]

[And despite being drunk as hell, Amelia clears her throat and recites the first few verses of...]

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

[A beat.]

Lord Byron, 1814. Wish I could've met that guy. Messed up, but I think one of my turn ons are Romantic era artists.

[griffonix]

[ Oh. Congratulations Amelia, you got Madigan to turn pink. She looks honestly taken aback. ]

Amelia, that was...

[ Sadly interrupted, as the door to the Griffonix is flung wide and in strolls a man who looks like he has more money than sense. He also appears to be fairly drunk already, as he saunters up to the bar and slurs: ]

I need a drink and a sexy chick. Oooh, even better, a drink from a sexy chick!

Ugh. Duty calls. [ Excuse Madigan for a moment while she goes to deal with this dude. ]

[recluserose]

Oh. Well. More where that came from.

[Bah, good times being interrupted :/ Amelia just plays around with the ice in her glass while out of the corner of her eye she watches Madigan go about her duties]

[griffonix]

[ This guy was leering at her from the get-go, and Madigan has to tell him several times that she thinks he's already had enough.

He seems a little annoyed at that, but not downright angry until he propositions her and she refuses. ]

I'll say it again- slower this time- I am not. Taking. Customers. If you calm down and sober up a little, I might be willing to let you see one of my girls, but not before then.

Bah! Where do you get off, tellin' me what I can and can't do? D'you know who I am?

No, and I don't really care to. Now either shut up and sober up, or get out.

Fucking bitch! Don't talk to me like that!! [ He makes a grab for Madigan over the bar, but thankfully she has sobriety on her side, and dodges out of the way. ]

Get out! Right now.

Make me, you goddamn little whore!

[recluserose]

[Amelia hasn't had any sobriety on her side for a while now and she's standing up and facing the troublesome customer.]

Correct me if I'm wrong or if I'm just buzzed as hell, but I think she wants you to get out.

Also your shirt's on backwards.

[griffonix]

Amelia, don't--

[ He whirls on her, glaring. The stink of alcohol is obvious. ]

What's this? Another one. Tell you what, once I'm done fucking your friend here, I'll give you a go, too.

1/2

[recluserose]

[Amelia runs a hand through her hair and sighs]

You know, that could be a thing, but then I also think, "Do I feel like snorting cocaine?" And then you know what I think?

Nah.

[And then she balls up her right hand into a fist AND THROWS IT AT HIS FACE.]

[recluserose]

[Now when you're drunk, the small details slip your mind. Small details like how Amelia should know that Madigan's place is reinforced with magic to make sure things like bar brawls don't happen. And how if she DOES try to start one, well, hello fist, meet nose.

And it hurt too although Amelia just stumbles back into her seat and then blinks at her fist. And then back at Madigan and the customer looking... well, more or less her neutral expression as if nothing happened at all.]







Ow.

[griffonix]

[ The customer is too drunk to really make sense of what just happened, but there's no mistaking that lecherous grin on his face as he realizes that Amelia has stumbled backwards and is, in his mind, prone.

He makes it half a step towards the witch when Madigan slams her hand on the bar top and bellows: ]

Griff!

[ In an instant, there is a flash of golden light, and the customer is whisked off of his feet, and tossed headlong out the door, thoroughly and utterly banned.

Madigan rushes to Amelia's side, once all the drama is done with ]

Oh honey. Are you okay? Let me see your nose.

[recluserose]

[She's bleeding, if only slightly and completely and totally unaware of it]

Wait, I zoned out there for a second, what happened?

[griffonix]

You took a swing at my wards, and they took a swing right back at you.

[ She grabs a clean rag from the bar, and dabs Amelia's face with it. ]

I appreciate the thought though.

[recluserose]

Oh, yeah.

Where is he, I'll punch him for real and blast off his privates.

[As if to make a point, her hand glows green (although not that much since the wards are keeping check on her magic's potency]

[griffonix]

Amelia, honey, it's okay. He's been banned- he can never set foot in here again.

[recluserose]

That so?

[She falls quiet letting Madigan tend to her for a few seconds before speaking up]

You're none of those things you know.

[griffonix]

None of what things?

[recluserose]

Those names he called you. The bad ones.

[griffonix]

[ She lets out a soft laugh ] I know. If I believed any of that, I wouldn't be here.

[ She brushes Amelia's hair out of her face, but there's something far more gentle about the motion, even if she is just doing it so she can keep cleaning. ]

[recluserose]

He shouldn't have said that anyways.

But... at least you don't believe that. I don't think I'd be able to take it.

[griffonix]

What do you mean?

[recluserose]

You're a wonderful person and you've probably been through a lot more than me. And you always keep going forward. Me, I'm too sensitive, I barely know how to act around people, and I keep on making bad decisions.

[She bites her lip and rubs her eye as if trying to make sure it doesn't get misty.]

When I turned sixteen and I found out that it was going to take me years to actually grow up, I didn't know what to think. I saw people come and go, places changing, people moving on... everything changed so fast and I didn't have anyone. It's why I was such a recluse for so long.

[griffonix]

Oh, Amelia. Don't talk like that. You're wonderful yourself. You're kind, intelligent, steadfast... beautiful.

I am truly glad to have you in my life.

... Whatever happens, Amelia, you will always have me.

[recluserose]

Is that a promise?

[griffonix]

Of course it is.

[recluserose]

Thank you.

[And giving Madigan a kiss on the forehead c:]

[griffonix]

[ Oh. That was.

Oh. ]

... Amelia, do you have any plans for tomorrow?