Sebastian House

[Anita]

Anita nodded in understanding as he spoke of free time. Yes she was on a 24 on/48 off schedule, but in a a way she was on call. It was more volunteer of course, but should something bad happen, someone had to take care of it. It wasn’t unusual for off duty personnel to respond to the station in the event of a fire, and Anita was one who often went in. There were also other organizations that often wanted some medicsl help - charity events and such. Off duty medics would often go in to help. That was her job and she liked it. Today she had been drinking though. Department guidelines forbid her to respond.

She smiled at his line about wooing unsuspecting people of interest to see where the night goes. His own wink was met with one of her own. She was very interested in seeing where the night went. It was why she had gone out. It wasn’t a relationship she was looking for. She didn’t have time relationships, but that didn’t mean she didn’t like a good time with no strings attached. And Hayden was not only good looking. He was fun to be around.

Hayden didn’t want to talk to her about his “real” job. He didn’t even hide that it was shady. She found she appreciated his candor and straightforwardness. If he wanted to leave it in the metaphorical dying shrubbery, she wouldn’t push. She decided to return the favor.

”You’re a very straightforward man Hayden. It’s kind of refreshing. So let me tell you this,” she brushed a strand of hair out of her face as she leaned closer in. ”I’m very interested in seeing where tonight goes.”

She hid a smile behind her glass as she took a drink. He could say no. It wouldn’t bother her too much, but it would be a lot more fun if he said yes. Still she’s give him an out. ”Tell me of one of the more interesting people you’ve met as a cheesy bartender.”

[Hayden]

Hayden smiled at her bluntness. She was right it was refreshing. "Sounds like we have a plan then. Let's finish the drink on a tour of the rest of the place, while I regale you with tales of patrons of the past."

He didn't start off with the most interesting person he'd met as a cheesy bartender. That was not a topic he wanted to wax on about with a potential hook up. Part of the whole point of this was to put that distance between his current obsession with his mark and his family. "Oh there are some stories I could tell. Met a girl with golden eyes -- a few, actually. Got all kind of strange stories I could tell. But I think my second favorite was the fix-it philosopher. We got on well. He liked to talk as much as I liked to listen. And he fixed my jukebox for free. Sadly the old man passed away a few months before I left London. Had his wake at Harbour House was in his will and such. He musta liked me as much as I liked him."

As Hayden spoke he lead Anita through the back hall and pointed out the offices, kitchen and bathroom. Most of all that was finished and in working order, before they headed up stairs to the second floor. The space was mostly a hall. "Three safe haven rooms for so-called rent. And one that is for special guests." Atharim guests, he didn't say that part. It was just like the other rooms. And it was the one he showed Anita. Just a simple room with a double bed, a wardrobe in the corner and a private bath. They were all identically furnished. The decor was simple and comfortable, like something you might find at your own home.

He led her upstairs to his apartment. It was probably the least finished of his projects as he wanted to finish the bar before decorating and refurbishing what was here. "It's a bit rough, very old school Moscow." But there had been one project that was finished even before the bar, and that was his own kitchen with built in bar. He was a mixologist and a bartender and he experimented even in his own home it was part of what he did.

Hayden finished his drink and set the glass on the bar and walked around to the other side of the counter and pulled out some bread and toppings from the fridge. He wasn't starving, but food was probably a good idea. Who knew where the day might lead. "You want a sandwich or something more fancy? And of course another drink?"

[Anita]

Anita followed him on the tour through the building. It was a nice set up. And a pretty nice business model. Almost like a small hotel. She felt it was weird for him to set up this close to Kallisti. There would be a lot of competition there. On top of that Kallisti also had the inclusion of tits and ass, but she assumed that this location was chosen more because of his other job. She wouldn’t pressure him on that.

The apartment upstairs was a work in progress. It meant clearly that he was more focused on getting that done before he got his own place. Still it was homey. He also had a bar in his kitchen. She laughed. ”Yup you’re a bartender.”

The offer of food was a great idea. Anita had been pacing herself, but she still had a few already. ”Sandwiches are fine with me as long as they are better than the terrible ones we get for fire department trainings. So bland! she grinned. ”And another Hayden special wouldn’t be refused.”

She turned a little somber, but in a reflective way. ”The fix it philosopher - sounds like a special guy. Those kind of meet ups are certainly special and if he requested his wake at your place, well - you must have had a big impact on him.”

She spoke it of a person who had been there before. She had. Working with the public meant you met some interesting people. Some were complete assholes. Most were normal, every day people. Some surprised you. And some you just connected with.

”I remember a girl - sixteen and pregnant. Her parents kicked her out. She called because her water broke, but had been so terrified that she waited too long to call. Wasn’t going to make it to the hospital. I was there, calmed her down, encouraged her and told her she could do it. Delivered her baby boy. She ended up getting help. Invited me to her high school graduation.” she didn’t say it to brag - just to relate a little more. It was good to make a difference.

[Hayden]

Hayden chuckled as he started making a sandwich. "Was there any doubt?" He was a bartender, and an entertainer. But mostly he was a people person. "My Nanny used to make the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I was a kid. Never had one before. She grew up in America where it was a staple in her house. I don't have the stuff for it but I know a friend who probably does, though I guarantee it's probably homemade jelly and natural and organic peanut butter, so maybe not classic."

Hayden notice the amount of times Nox came up in his head and how much he'd dug his one handed claws into his phsye and truly wondered if he could go a day without him bumping his head against the thought of the man. "Those are the stories I like to hear. There is way too much shit in this world, we need more good things. Did you go?" He asked.

Hayden made a pitcher of his speciality drink and joined Anita on the otherside of the counter where the only seats with a table were. The bar was the only thing worth eating at so he'd ditched the broken table that used to reside in what was the dining area.

Two sandwiches his mother would make him as a kid -- sliced ham, a few different slices of cheese, today was cheddar and munster, tomato and some basil toasted with butter on the griddle. He probably should have asked for allergies but he forgot. And he hoped she would have stopped him if she were allergic to anything. He sat down next to Anita, probalby a bit too close for someone who he'd just met, but it was all part of the flirting. And his bed wasn't too far away if it went that direction. And he was pretty sure it would go that way. He was receiving all the signs.

[Anita]

Anita nodded. ”I did go. How could I not? She didn’t even mail the invite. She came to the station and hand delivered it. She still stops in occasionally to say hello. We keep in touch. They found she had an older aunt and uncle, retired, that were willing to take her in. Really took care of her. Only thing they expected from her was to finish high school. Then she said she wanted to go to college and they encouraged it. Wants to be a doctor - going into obstetrics.”

She began to eat, enjoying the sandwich and the Hayden’s special. Hayden sat down to her, it was a little close, but given how things were going, she didn’t mind. ”I joined the explorer program at MFD at sixteen. One of the paramedic/firefighters, Cor, took me under his wing. And, yes, I’m a certified firefighter too, so I can go into burning buildings, my strengths are just elsewhere. Anyways, he told me once that with a good crew, our calls that have good endings will be higher than those that don’t. I try to live that way. Of course, now he’s the chief. Good guys- well deserved promotion.” she finished her sandwich. ”Anyways, that’s why I do it all. I just want to help - maybe makes someone’s day a little brighter, so there’s less shit in the world.”

She finished her sandwich and sighed, leaning on the bar with her elbow and resting her head in her hand. ”Sorry I got all sentimental there. I really do love what I do though. And the good outweighs the bad.”

[Hayden]

Hayden smiled. "Sounds like you made a difference in her life." Hayden couldn't say he made a huge difference in anyone's life -- at least not before coming to Moscow. Before that his life revolved around business transactions for his father, finding information from potential traitors in the Atharim, and just listening to any who show up. Now he was actually helping the kids. But he didn't want to get into it. It was one thing if they showed up or Anita saw the chaotic drawing Ara had given him to hang on his boring ice-box. Was a picture of her family, so it was really hard to make out everyone but Nox because of his flaming blue hair -- a trick he could no longer preform for them.

In an effort to divert the companionship to sweeter endeavors Hayden grinned. "Tell me what kind of music does Anita like to listen to on her time off? Are you the dance/techno girl who pops around her livingroom. Or you more that rockstar chick who headbangs? Or something a bit more tame like a slow dance?" Hayden didn't care which, all of it was fun.

[Anita]

Anita had mentioned music to him as something she did on her day off, but she listened to a plethora of things. In truth she just liked music. ”I listen to a little bit of everything,” she said with a smile. ”What I listen to usually depends on my mood.”

She tapped a finger on her lip, thinking about what she was in the mood for. ”Well - I’ve really been into rock a lot recently. Stuff from the 80’s and 90’s. Oldies ya know. Bands like Queen, Metallica, Foo Fighters, the Cranberries, and Evanescence.” there were many others, but those had been a few favorites that she had listened to recently.

[Hayden]

Hayden grinned and spoke loudly. "Sky, let's start curating a play list from the 80s and 90s with bands like Queen, Metallica, Foo Fighters, the Cranberries, and Evanescence. But let's start with Still Into You by Paramore.

Sky didn't answer but the song came on over the speaker on the counter. Hayden stood up and offered Anita a hand. They needed an excuse to stop talking, and dancing worked well, and his apartment still had plenty of empty space to be foolish and start a dance party for two.

[Anita]

Anita smiled at the song coming through the speaker. Sky, she assumed, was some sort of AI or virtual assistant that Hayden had installed in his place. She took his hand and rose and the pair started to dance. In reality it was kind of silly, just the two of them having an impromptu dance party, but the silliness of it made it fun.

Anita kept close to Hayden. If she was going to dance, she wanted to dance with him. She allowed her body to come into contact with his at times and eventually took his hands and guided him in some spins. She hadn’t planned on dancing today, but it was a blast. As the song came to an end she put her hands on his shoulders, looking up at him, she planted a kiss lightly on his lips.

[Hayden]

Dancing always made things head in the right direction. And there was less talking. Another song came on the speakers but Hayden didn't really care as a pair of hands rested on his shoulders and lips met his. Hayden hummed softly. "Do you want to take this to the bedroom?"

Anita nodded and Hayden wrapped his arms around her hips and lifted her up and kissed her much more aggressively than she had. He whispered. "Good, I don't like the floor options. Or my brand new counters." He laughed softly then kissed again and walked her slowly back to his room. He'd have given her the grand tour but he was too distracted by her lips.

Hayden didn't bother turning on the lights, he knew where he was going even if he'd only been here a short time. He laid her down and kicked off his shoes before he returned to kissing her. There was plenty of time for clothes to be gone, right now he wanted to get to know this beautiful woman.