Heartache and Bad Decisions (Manifesto)

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel sat at the bar in block one of Manifesto.  In reality, it wasn't a place she would normally go, but since last night, Rachel hadn't really been feeling normal.  She hadn't heard from Cruz since their break up, and she hadn't reached out.  He was probably out getting strung out on fear with his new "friends" and probably didn't want her in his life anymore.  It hurt - more than she cared to admit.  Emily and Jared had both tried to talk to her.  She had declined and they had surprisingly let her be.  She didn't know why. 

The thing was, Rachel knew there was some truth in what Cruz was doing.  She needed a little of that too.  She just felt the way he was going about it was way too risky.  He even mentioned it could get him killed.  She hadn't known how to respond to that besides coming to the conclusion that she didn't fit in his world anymore.  He didn't want her in his world anymore, and that's why it hurt so bad.  She was more than willing to make mistakes with him - but not like that.

Tonight she wore the red dress - the dress she hadn't worn the other night with Cruz.  She sat at the bar, nursing the same drink she had ordered when she had gotten here a half hour before.  She had asked for something strong, but hadn't drunk much of it, she just stared at it, her thoughts on the pain inside, hoping it would go away.  She had no idea how to go about fixing it.  Some men had asked her to dance, she had politely refused, but deep down she wanted it - she wanted someone to distract her from the heartache.

Rachel took another sip of the long island iced tea, his one a deeper pull.  She had been planning on just drinking, but even that wasn't distraction enough. She didn't know what she needed today.  She had never felt a heartache like this and knew drowning it in booze wasn't a good idea.  Maybe that's what kept her from chugging the drink in front of her and ordering a second.

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

The world was falling part. His father was dead and he couldn't believe it. And killed by their very own half-sister. No! He slammed his glass on the bar. It was not something he would ever believe.

It was the last thing he did in the United States before he went to Moscow where his father had died. And tonight he found himself inside of one of the most expensive places to find a drink. It had been easy to get in. A quick flick of his hand across the bare hand and he was in with a twenty and not a name on the list or a bigger bill. He was a nobody in an everybody world.

His suit was exquisite. He channeled the vibe of the place, it wasn't hard to fit in where he didn't belong. But then he'd belong anywhere with a quick touch.

A blonde in a red dress sat staring at her drink. The sadness and questions wafted off of her he grinned as he took a seat two down from her and ordered a Whiskey Highball. When it came he took a long sip. "Drowning your sorrows?"

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel looked up as she was addressed directly. It wasn’t another man asking to dance even if it was another man. He was dressed in an expensive suit. Of course most people here wore expensive clothes. Her own dress was pricey as well. Out of the people who talk to her though, this man was the most attractive. He hadn’t really asked her to do anything either. That made it easier to respond than anything that asked to her stand. He also hadn’t invaded Rachel’s space. He sat two seats down from her. It felt more polite.

”No,” she looked at him, face unsmiling. ”Have to drink more of this for that.” she indicated her glass, with only a few pulls taken from it.

She didn’t deny she was upset. It was interesting that this one could tell and the others had seemingly been oblivious. It wasn’t difficult to tell, Rachel did wear her emotions on her sleeve, but most men thought only with their dicks, but this man looked a little older than her usual fare. Maybe that played into this.

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

Lucio smiled and gave a tip of his glass. "Maybe you need a different kind of drink to drown your sorrows in. Or a different local. I can't imagine a pretty woman in a fancy club isn't going to get hit on when you aren't in the mood."

Lucio sipped at his drink and made a calculated move to leave her alone. Depressed was never a fun emotion to be around. But it was easy enough to manipulate.

[Rachel Shale]

The man commented, suggesting a different drink or locale. And then it looked like he was going to leave, and she found she didn’t want him to. Why she didn’t want him to go she didn’t know. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t overt. Maybe it was because he had given her space - left her to invite him in. Maybe it was because when he spoke to her, he actually seemed to give a shit.

”Wait,” she said, her voice almost panicked. Rachel lowered her voice to a normal level. ”Ummm…what would you suggest.” she said nothing about whether she meant the drink or the locale.

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

Lucio smiled to himself before he turned around and leaned against the bar. "Well if you are trying drown sorrows then I might suggest something that goes down smoother, something fruity. But if you are just seeking comfort, I think I saw an ice-cream shop around the corner and my sisters all believe that ice-cream solves all problems. Specially boy problems."

He should make time to see Alex soon. She might know what happened more with their father that she didn't tell there mother. But that was for later.

[Rachel Shale]

Comfort. She wanted comfort. She knew drowning her sorrows was bad. It wouldn’t solve anything. The usual prescription was wine and ice cream with the girls. Rachel didn’t really have any friends in Moscow. Between school, Cruz, school, helping hire sister plan a wedding, and school she didn’t really have much time to make friends. It was sort of sad. Talking to Emily about this was an option, but Emily was busy playing catch up and she didn’t think Emily would understand anyway. She had found Mr. Perfect so quickly - not that she wasn’t happy for Emily and Jared.

That was a dilemma because she didn’t want to go alone, but there was this man here - charming and seemingly kind. He also had a sexy Italian accent. Her guts told her this was a bad idea. She didn’t even know this guys name, but her emotions were loud with the need for committee of companionship. ”Ummm…ice cream actually sounds really good. Want to show me where it is?” she leaned on the bar, her drink forgotten. ”Im Rachel.” she introduced herself as her inner self told her this was a bad decision.

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

Lucio smiled. Perfect. "Lucio, but you can call Luk." He waved the bartender over and closed out both their tabs and then offered Rachel his arm. "Shall we find this ice-cream shop."

Lucio made his way with Rachel through block one to the exit and waved at the bouncer as he walked out with the pretty woman. They grabbed their coats on the way out, it was frigid out in the might. Lucio wasn't exactly sure about the ice-cream shop he didn't know Moscow well but he swore he saw one. But when he turned the corner where it was it was an ice-cream cone neon light for a convenience store. Lucio laughed. "There is ice-cream here, but not what I thought it was."

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel took Luk’s arm as they left the club. She felt significantly less stifled out her than she had in the crowded night club. She laughed a little as she saw the neon light, but it really wasn’t enough to banish her depressed mood.

Still she faked a smile. ”Well that’s a little disappointing. Let’s see what we can find,” she pulled her wallet out, and the first thing to pop up was her message app. The last message she had sent had been to Cruz the day before. His contact name listed with heart emojis. It caused the pain to briefly spike within her as she closed the app and opened her browser to search for ice cream places.

”There is one over here. Might need to take a cab to get there?” she showed him the place on her wallet.

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

Lucio was grateful he didn't have ply any desire to stay with him. "As long as you don't mind getting into a cab with a strange man." he teased.

"But if you do I completely understand."

Lucio didn't wait for an answer he hailed a cab and when it pulled up he opened the door for her. Either way she was taking it wherever she was going. Ice-cream parlour or her home, his hotel might be inviting, though he didn't offer it. "Your chariot awaits."