Lesson 90- Just because someone is different that doesn’t make them bad.

Not long later, the doors of the bar swing open and Eli comes rushing in. He really does know how to make an entrance. He practically runs over to me.
“WHERE IS THE CAT?” he demands.
“Huh?” I respond dumbly.
“I want to see the kitten.” He repeats slowly. I frown.
“How did you even know about him? I only got him last night.” I point out. Eli just straight up laughs at me.
“EVERYONE knows. Word gets around. Have you not noticed how gossipy we all are yet?” He says gleefully. I roll my eyes.
“Fair enough.” I respond.
“So where is the kitten? Is it out back?” He looks around curiously. I shake my head.
“Nope, over there.” I point at the little hammock. Eli whirls around and moves straight towards Crash. Technically Torin is in the way, sitting right in front of the shelves and hammock, but Eli takes no notice of him. Actually I think he actually uses Torin’s shoulder to help balance himself while he reaches up to pet Crash. He’s up pretty high since Torin is so tall. Torin freezes in shock. I can see how tense he is. Eli pets Crash for a moment then looks down and realises who he’s leaning on.
“Oh… Sorry.” He awkwardly takes a step back, out of Torin’s space. Tori just blinks in surprise and keeps looking at him. Eli gets increasingly uncomfortable. I rush to intervene.
“No big deal Eli, Torin doesn’t mind. Do you Tori? Isn’t Crash the cutest? I’ve always wanted a pet. I’m so excited!” I ramble on, trying to cover up the awkwardness. Eli is socially aware enough to know exactly what I’m doing but he doesn’t call me out, he fully embraces it.
“You’re totally right. He is completely adorable. You’re so lucky! Oooh, can I hold him?” He pleads, the last bit directed towards Torin. Tori hesitates.
“But… He looks comfortable.” He answers uncomfortably. Eli pouts disappointedly.
“Oh alright, I guess I can wait. Who would have thought the demon would be such a dedicated pet parent?” he jokes and I nod.
“I know right, aren’t they cute together?” I gush. Eli nods.
“Oh definitely.” As if on cue, Crash sits up, stretches in that arched back way that cats do, then steps straight off of the hammock and onto Torins shoulder, it’s at about the same height. Crash purrs and rubs his face against Torin’s cheek.
“Awwwww!” I can’t help but practically squeal. A lot of people are staring and Torin looks kind of embarrassed, but he reaches up to pet Crash anyway.
“He LIKES you!” Eli says gleefully.
“Can I hold him now? Please?” He adds, pleading. This time Torin relents and carefully lifts Crash off of his shoulder and offers him to Eli who gently hugs him to his chest.
“Thanks Tori. Ooh He’s so LITTLE!” he says clearly thrilled. Then he freezes when he realises what he just said.
“Oh… I didn’t mean to… Rina just calls you that so often it just… Came out.” Eli says bashfully. This time he looks legitimately a little scared. He’s doing a lot better at treating Torin like a person rather than some big scary monster, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still a little afraid of him. Eli is definitely the type to accidentally get a little carried away sometimes. I’m sure he’s used to overstepping his welcome occasionally.

Torin frowns and looks at me. I nod and gesture towards Eli with my hand. This one is on him. He needs to decide what he is and is not okay being called, that’s not something I can do for him.
“You… You should call me Torin. Rina is the only one who calls me Tori.” Torin answers quietly. If I didn’t know him, I would say his tone sounds threatening. But now I can tell that he’s just freaking out on the inside and is trying to hide it. Eli nods, he seems a bit pale. I decide that now Torin has spoken up for himself, it’s time for me to smooth things over.
“Yep, you totally have to earn the right to use a nickname.” I joke and Eli relaxes a little when he realises that he isn’t in trouble. Crash meows and wriggles in his arms.
“Oh, he might need to use the litter tray. I’ll take him out back." I hold out my arms and Eli passes him over the bar.
“Hey Tori, can you get Eli his drink for me while I take care of Crash? I won’t be long.” I say cheerfully and head out back and drop Crash in the bathroom. He rushes to the litter tray.

Eli isn’t the first person I would picture when looking for another friend for Torin. But if nothing else I know he’s fairly open minded, and out of everyone here, he seems the most comfortable around him. Or at least he occasionally forgets how uncomfortable he is. Lindy is a good friend for Torin too, but she’s just as awkward and shy as he is. If he wants to be accepted, then someone outgoing like Eli who will tell people good things about him will be useful. It DOES sound a little manipulative, but I don’t feel all that bad about it. I’m not lying to anyone or presenting Torin as anything different than what he is. I’m just trying to get people out of their own heads a little. That’s not so bad, is it? I know I said I wouldn’t be gone too long, but I want to give Tori and Eli a few minutes. Maybe they’ll learn to get along a little more. I feel like they’re right on the edge of being friends. Eli just has to realise that Torin isn’t actually planning to hurt anyone, and stop being so scared. And Torin… Well he needs to stop being afraid of Eli. Not in the same way obviously, but in his own way he is just as wary of Eli as Eli is of him.

I delay about five more minutes before I head back out there. Torin and Eli are… Arguing? I place Crash on the floor so he can run around the room and collect more love from all the customers, then I go check in on the guys. Torin has his poker face on and looks as blank as usual. Eli has his arms crossed over his chest and seems offended.
“It was ONE time and I had no idea she didn’t know what I am!” Eli insists, frustration in his tone. Torin just shakes his head.
“It doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t have done it.” Torin argues stubbornly. Well… They don’t seem friendly, but at least they’re talking, right?
“I didn’t know she was human, besides, nothing happened and SHE already forgave me for it!” Eli says, a little louder this time. The argument escalating. Maybe Eli is less afraid than I thought if he’s willing to talk back to Torin like this. Hold up, are they arguing about me?
“Hey, what are we talking about?” I chime in with an awkward smile. Torin doesn’t answer but Eli turns to face me with a huff of annoyance.
“Torin is insisting that I’m NOT a good friend to you because of that ONE time I used magic on you when we first met.” Eli pouts and bats his eyelashes at me dramatically.
“Tell him you forgave me for that already.” He says in a whiny voice. I roll my eyes.
“I’m totally over that, I know you usually keep your hands to yourself. Tori, I appreciate you defending my honour or whatever but I have it covered, okay?” I smile and pat him on the arm. Torin gives a reluctant nod and I grin.
“Good.” I notice Isaiah entering the bar with his friends, actually I think he bought MORE friends than usual. There are five of them in total and I don’t recognise all of them.
“Tori, have you gotten more iron tonic yet? I think we might need it.” I say pointedly. He nods.
“With the cat stuff.” He answers and I rush off to grab it. Luckily he picked up five more bottles. I take all of them out to the bar. Isaiah gives me a toothy grin. Bastian and Harold are back again and look just as eager. Their two friends seem unimpressed, something that is confirmed the moment they open their mouths.
“I still don’t understand why you forced us to come here. Unless they’ve started serving blood I won’t want it anyway.” The vampire says snobbily. Oh this is going to be fun.