Lesson 126- There is nothing wrong with having more than one good friend.
Even though the drama between Torin and Richard scared off most of the customers, it isn’t actually all that late. So we stay open and eventually more customers turn up and the bar gets reasonably busy again. Much to his gratitude and amusement, I do my best to see to Richard’s injuries with my limited first aid skills while Torin hovers over us both like a worried mother hen. Well, worried about me at least. I’m fairly sure he still wishes that he could peck Richard’s eyes out. But as I check over his various injuries, my conviction that he’s a victim here too only grows stronger. No one likes or trusts someone who hurts them this way. There isn’t even much I can do to help him. I clean up a few scrapes, wrap up his ankle that I’m fairly sure isn’t broken or anything and give him painkillers. He takes three times the dose I would but he insists that is totally normal for his particular species. I suppose they have different genetics and stuff, even if they can look human sometimes. It makes sense. Besides, I can’t see any reason for him to lie about it so I just give him the painkillers.
“You’re being a lot nicer about all this than I expected. I really thought I was going to get thrown out on my ass, and that was the best case scenario that I pictured.” Richard comments. I shrug.
“I figure this way, you owe me one.” I grin and he laughs.
“Oh you’re good. I can see why the demon likes you. Fair enough, I owe you.” He hesitates a moment before glancing over at Torin, then he whispers to me, low enough that Torin can’t hear him.
“Did you have something specific in mind for this favour I owe?” He says very pointedly. Is he offering to try to help me escape Torin? He really doesn’t trust demons, although I suppose I might feel the same if I had been treated the way he has. It can be hard to see other people as individuals, particularly when you yourself haven’t been treated as one. Still, it’s sort of nice of him to offer to try and help me, particularly when he’s as hurt as he is. I give him a slight smile to show I’m grateful for the offer.
“I’m fine here. Tori will make sure I’m safe.” I assure him. I whisper too, but not so carefully. Torin can probably hear me. I don’t want him to feel like we’re having secret conversations and excluding him. Not to mention I doubt that he would actually be surprised by the offer. Richard isn’t the first person to assume that I’m in danger here, and he won’t be the last I’m sure. Although in general most of the customers now seem to see me as some kind of pet of Torin’s as opposed to a prisoner. I think that’s an upgrade? Richard gives a slow nod, but makes eye contact with me.
“Alright. Let me know if you ever change your mind about that. Oh, I’ll give you my number, just in case you ever want to call in that favour I owe you.” He suggests.
“Sure.” I grab my phone out to put in his number and I’m surprised to find I have several texts, all from the work group chat.
Laura- OMG you guys! Dickhead Kelpie guy totally just walked into the bar! Torin is like two seconds away from wiping the floor with him!
Kyle- Should I come out front?
Laura- Maybe stay where you are. The situation seems reasonably under control.
Mira- Woah, that’s the guy who nearly drowned Rina, right? Keep us updated. This is the kind of drama that’s worth losing sleep over!
Laura- Update! We know who it is that is after Rina! Some demon guy named Solem. No clue why he wants her though. Seems like dickhead guy was operating under duress when he tried to take Rina.
Kyle- That’s no excuse. You saw how sick she got, he half killed her.
Laura- To be fair, her getting sick was just as much because of the binding spell… :(
Kyle- We talked about this. That isn’t your fault. Torin made you cast that spell.
Laura- My point exactly. If I’m not to blame because Torin made me do it, then is dickhead guy really to blame for what the other demon made him do?
Mira- Ooh, she might have a point there.
Kyle- It’s different.
Laura- Not really… I might have to stop calling him dickhead.
Kyle- Is he a dickhead?
Laura- Hard to say. Torin clearly doesn’t like him much, but I’m not surprised. Rina is being very friendly to him.
Kyle- Rina is friendly to everyone. Torin is going to have to learn he can’t just hate every person she smiles at.
Mira- I think it’s sweet. But kind of sad that he’s so worried about it. I’m inclined to think that if she didn’t ditch him after everything that’s happened so far, she probably won’t.
Laura- Yeah, you’re probably right. Although I’m still a little up in the air about whether she SHOULD or not.
Laura- UPDATE! Rina has announced that she is forgiving Richard (Dickhead kelpie guy) Torin doesn’t love the idea but Rina said something to him and he’s totally fallen in line. Seriously, how does this girl keep changing the mind of our eternally stubborn boss?
Kyle- I could hear them talking from the kitchen. She reminded him of his own screw ups and her propensity for giving second chances.
Mira- Hard to argue with that.
Kyle- She was leaving zero chance to argue. I almost feel bad for him.
Laura- Things are settling down now. If there are any more updates I’ll let you guys know. Although we finish in about an hour, right Kyle?
Kyle- Yes.
Okay, so when the hell did Laura find time to send all these messages? I didn’t see her texting at all. She’s like a ninja. And I suppose this kind of conversation is the type of gossip she was concerned might bother me. I don’t love that Kyle was eavesdropping, but then again, we did have a conversation in the middle of the hallway. So he probably didn’t do it on purpose. I guess if they ARE going to gossip, I’d prefer they pass on accurate information, so it could be worse. And I really didn’t say anything they didn’t already know. Still, I’m going to have to remember that if I want an ACTUAL private conversation, I should make sure to go to my room, or Torin’s office. Or just wait until everyone else leaves.
Once I’ve saved Richard’s number in my phone, I get called away by the overly demanding vampires who want me to get their iron tonic drinks ready. I’m not surprised they’re some of the first customers to return. I bet the place could be on fire and they would be standing by the bar, waving their cash around and pleading for drinks. Is anyone ever going to tell them that it really isn’t all that hard for them to just make their own? It would be a LOT cheaper for them. Still, despite Torin’s hovering and glaring and the injured guy sitting at the bar, everything feels like it’s almost back to normal. Which is why I’m so startled when someone starts to scream.
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