Lesson 82- There is nothing wrong with being in a bad mood, as long as you don’t take it out on someone else.
Torin sits down for a few minutes, a scowl pinned to his face.
“Hey, what’s crawled up your ass? You look miserable.” I comment. Torin stares at me blankly.
“How crude. There is nothing up my ass.” He grumbles. I roll my eyes.
“If you keep lying to me like that you’ll be pulling my shoe out of there. Now, tell me what’s wrong already Tori.” I insist, my tone gentler. He sighs a little.
“Opening was a bad idea. I don’t know why I bother with trying to run this place in the first place. There’s always too many people and I prefer to be alone.” He says flatly. I raise an eyebrow and shake my head.
“Nah, that isn’t true. You don’t want to be alone. If that was true you never would have chosen to run a bar. You’re practically begging for company.” I tease. Torin looks mildly offended.
“I am not begging for anything!” He objects.
“Are too.” I argue. He narrows his eyes.
“I am not!” He insists, sitting up straighter and looking me in the eye.
“There we go, that’s more like it. I don’t like when you’re all mopey.” I say cheerfully. Torin blinks in surprise as he realises I was only messing with him.
Someone calls me over and I spend a few minutes serving drinks. It’s busy and chaotic and at this rate fifty percent of our income is just going to be from the asshole tax. Still, things are going well except… Torin is out of his seat again. I KNOW he wants to be helpful, but he takes up so much space and there really isn’t anything he can do. Maybe I need to give him a way to feel helpful, at least for a minute.
“Hey Tori, we’re so busy, and my throat is a little scratchy. Do you think you could pretty please make me a cup of tea?” I ask, looking up at him with pleading eyes. He glances at the front door nervously.
“Please? I’ll stay behind the bar and run out back if there’s any trouble. I just really want a cup of tea.” I beg. Torin reluctantly gives in.
“Well… Alright then…” He heads out back and I mentally celebrate the space. This is the furthest he’s been from me since he found me passed out in the basement. It only takes him a couple minutes to make my drink and bring it to me. To be honest, the big scary demon bringing me my little teacup is almost comical to see. I notice a few people watching me strangely as I take my tea and sip at it slowly. What, did they think he was going to poison me? Even if he DID want to kill me, he’s not the poisoning type.
A crowd of people come up asking for drinks and I’m forced to set my tea aside for a minute or two.
“Oh come on, can’t you work any faster? This is going to take forever.” Some whiny guy complains. Now usually I would tell him to get lost, make him wait even longer, or add an asshold tax to his drink. But this time I decide to do something different.
“Hey, if you don’t want to wait I’m not the only one behind the bar. You could always ask Torin to make you a drink.” I suggest. The man scrunches up his face.
“”The demon?” He says doubtfully. I shrug nonchalantly.
“I mean, unless you’re too scared. I suppose I would understand if you aren’t as brave as I am.” I challenge. The guy puffs up his chest, clearly offended by my statement.
“I’m not scared! I can do anything you can do.” I shrug.
“Well go on then.” I prompt. The guy hesitates, but then straightens his shoulders and takes a step towards Torin.
“Hey can I get two shots of vodka and two beer chasers… Please” He trails off uncomfortably. Torin freezes up and I elbow him in the ribs.
“Go on, you heard him.” I say encouragingly. Haltingly, Torin gets to work. He pours the drinks efficiently, better than I can at least and takes the guy’s money, plus a generous tip. I think the guy was too scared not to tip well.
He returns to his group of friends and he and another guy down the drinks to the awe of everyone else there. They get increasingly rowdy and I can hear their conversation.
“What? I’m not a coward!” One of them objects.
“Oh yeah, I bet YOU wouldn’t order a drink from the demon.” The guy Torin served dares. His friend glares at him.
“Oh yeah? Wanna bet?” This new guy marches up to the bar, straight up to Torin and orders a drink. Still shocked, Torin serves him silently while all the guys watch. They literally applaud and cheer when he downs his drink. Then, one by one, all the guys at that table take up the dare to order a drink from Torin. Sure the fact that it’s a dare is kind of insulting. But at least they’re ordering from him. Plus that makes one group of guys I don’t have to serve which is making my life a little bit easier. Throughout the whole experience, Torin just seems to be in shock. I don’t think he actually speaks to anyone, just makes the drinks they ask for and takes their money, nodding when they tell him to keep the change, unwilling to wait around or ask for it.
We do end up closing a little early. Torin and I are both tired and the place starts winding down around three am. At four, Torin and I are cleaning the bar and the doors are locked.
“How did you do that?” Torin asks quietly.
“Do what?” I ask. He pauses like it should be obvious. When he realises I don’t understand the question, he clarifies.
“Get those people to order drinks from me? Did you trick them somehow?” He demands. I laugh.
“I did nothing of the sort, I just dared that one guy, and the rest of them followed along all by themselves.” I clarify. Torin looks doubtful and I just grin.
“Seriously, they did. Maybe you aren’t so scary after all.” I suggest.
“If people are less terrified of me. It’s only because you’re there.” He declares and I shrug.
“Regardless of the reason, they still did it.” I grin and Torin still looks suspicious. We finish cleaning up and the time comes for Torin to leave, but he just… Doesn’t? He hangs around while I feed Jane and even sticks around to watch me put out the sketch book for the soot sprites. Once I’ve done all that he’s still hovering.
“Tori… In the nicest way possible… Why are you still here? You’ve literally been here for days now. Go home, get some proper rest!” I insist. He shrugs awkwardly.
“I’m not that tired.” He answers and I prop up my hands on my hips.
“Now I know that can’t be true. You’ve had less rest than I have and I’m exhausted. I want to go to bed.” I point out. He frowns.
“Oh… I suppose I should… Leave.” He sounds reluctant as he glances at the back door.
“Go on, seriously I’ll be fine and no one is going to break in again. We have new doors and fancy new wards. Go. Sleep.” I shove him in the general direction of the door. I can’t actually move him, but he goes anyway.
“Fine. I’ll see you later tonight. Stay safe.” He says sweetly before heading out the door.
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