Lesson 153- Just because something isn’t perfect, that doesn’t mean it isn’t good.

Within an hour, the impromptu party has turned into a giant celebration. I barely even recognise half the people here at this point. Apparently Eli sent out an announcement in some giant group text to most of his contacts saying that they were celebrating me. I don’t know half the people here and a good portion of the people here celebrating seem to be under the impression that it’s my birthday or something. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. Everyone is having fun and spending money on drinks and no one seems even remotely bothered that the bar still has scorch marks and is missing a bunch of broken furniture and shelving. So what if there aren’t enough seats, people are standing, leaning on the walls and even sitting on the floor. Lindy comes and excuses herself once the bar starts to get busy, not feeling comfortable or safe. It’s a shame that so many people have treated her badly in the past that she can’t trust anyone now. After a while, I retreat back behind the bar to escape the crowd a bit. Laura and Catcher stepped in to manage the bar and as soon as Tori sees me escaping the party he joins me behind the bar. 

“Do you want to go out back for a bit? This celebration has gotten a little more wild than I enjoy.” I ask. Torin nods enthusiastically. 

“Definitely yes, let’s go.” He grabs my hand and starts to pull me towards the door. 

“Give me one second.” I look around for Damien, not wanting to abandon him in the crowd. It takes me a minute to spot him. Eli is of course, keeping an eye on him and Damien is currently listening to one of the vampires telling what seems to be a very dramatic story that has several people riveted. He looks totally fine, I doubt he is ready to leave the party. 

“Hey Laura, can you keep an eye on Damien for me?” I ask. She nods while serving drinks.

“No problem Rina. Although I think Eli has it covered.” She grins and I laugh. 

“Yeah, he’s weirdly a lot more responsible than I originally expected him to be.” I comment and she nods her agreement. Torin squeezes my hand drawing my attention back to him and this time I let him lead me out of the bar and back down to his office.

Torin sighs in relief the moment he closes his office door.

“Are you okay?” I ask, a little concerned. He shrugs.

“I’m… Not terrible. But I am tired. The party is loud and dealing with Solem was… Stressful.” He admits. I nod in agreement.

“It was stressful. I think I’ll probably want to sleep for a week after this.” I joke, then I remember some of the things Solem said to Tori.

“You know Solem was trying to get under your skin earlier, right? All that stuff about not being able to get me to make a commitment and so on. You know that’s not how it is, our bargain has an out for us both so that it can’t be mistaken for a trap. So that we both get to have the choice to choose to support each other. Right?” I want to remind him that the whole reason we could even make a bargain was because I trust him and he makes me feel safe. Torin doesn’t answer right away which concerns me a bit.

“Tori?” I prompt. He slowly nods.

“Yeah, I know that. It’s just… I don’t like the way he assumed that one day we just… Won’t get along anymore. That things will change between us. He was so… Certain. It felt like that is why he agreed to leave without a fight.” Torin frowns, clearly worried. 

“It was a little suspicious that he gave up so easily, particularly after he sent so many people after me. I’m not even sure why he thinks I’m worth it at this point. Surely eventually the cost is just too high and it wouldn’t be worth it anymore. I just can’t shake the feeling that he knows something that we don’t know.” I admit to Torin. He sighs deeply and nods.

“I got that impression as well. It’s not impossible that he does know something. He’s a lot older than me and he probably has skills and abilities that I don’t. Not to mention he has so many deals and people working for him, we have no way of knowing exactly what he knows.” Torin says, he seems a little bit angry about it and I totally get that. It annoys me too. It sucks that our enemy has the advantage of age and numbers. Although everyone turning up at the bar tonight makes me feel a bit better about the whole numbers thing. We have plenty of friends and allies who want to help us, and we didn’t have to trick or force them into turning up. Hell, we didn’t even have to actually ask them. They just found out they were needed and showed up. Damnit, now I kind of want to cry again. 

I take it back, I AM crying again. Torin is alarmed and immediately jumps to his feet to check on me. 

“Rina what’s wrong?” He asks, very alarmed. He doesn’t hesitate to pull me into his arms. I sniffle. 

“Nothing, I’m crying for the same reason as before. I can’t believe all those people came to help me, to help us. It’s just… So amazing. I think I’m also just… Relieved maybe? I was so stressed.” I tell him, still sniffling. Torin nods his understanding, then in one smooth movement, he sweeps me up into his arms, then moves to sit in his desk chair. I find myself nestled on his lap with his arms wrapped around me while he gently strokes my hair.

“Is this okay?” He asks nervously and I nod against his chest.

“Yeah, thanks.” I relax into him and he keeps stroking my hair until my tears dry up. 

“I’m relieved too. Tonight went… A lot better than I expected. It’s definitely a bit suspicious, and I don’t think that the issue with Solem is totally over. I suspect it won’t be the last time we hear from him. But I think… At least for now, you’re safer than you have been since we met. Well… Except for maybe when you were at my house.” He adds thoughtfully and I laugh. 

“You’re right. Overall, it wasn’t a bad outcome.” I agree. 

Torin and I stay like that, relaxing and just generally unwinding for… Probably almost an hour. By the time we actually move, the bar sounds a little bit quieter. We head out to check on everyone and it seems like some of the more rowdy guests have worn themselves out and have either gone home or quietened down. It’s still quite busy and Laura is pleased to inform us that they are doing VERY well in tips tonight. Although she seems a little put out that the vampires are still insisting their tips go to me, even when I’m not working. I’m not sure what they’re even tipping me for at this point. One good idea? Tori and I settle in at his usual spot at the end of the bar. I could go wandering around, but there are quite a few people sitting on the floor and I feel like I’ll just trip over someone anyway. If someone wants to talk to me, they can come here. It doesn’t take long for someone to approach us, but it takes me a moment to actually recognise the man smiling at me. The guy has greyish-brown hair and is quite small for a man. It isn’t until he greets me that I realise it’s Phil, the banshee. He looks completely different to before. He doesn’t look frail or unwell at all. He’s still a small guy, and he’s still fairly thin. But he looks about a hundred times healthier. 

“Hello again Rina… Torin.” He adds Torin’s name a little nervously, but he’s polite about it and I appreciate the effort. 

“Hey Phil. Wow, you look… Better.” It’s not until I finish my sentence that I realise it could come across as a little insulting, but Phil doesn’t seem bothered. 

“Yeah, I got that recharge I was telling you about. It makes a world of difference, huh.” He smiles cheerfully and I nod. 

“Yeah, definitely. I didn’t realise you were here, or I would have come to say hi earlier.” I comment, and he waves me off. 

“You have plenty of guests to see to. I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I mostly came to thank you for helping me out last time, you were very kind. But now that I’m here, I have to ask. When exactly did you become immortal?”