Thread: Beautiful Disaster (Soul &+& Vita

Alright. Spill. Melanie was seated behind an oak desk across from Jai in her private office, staring the blonde down with a hard, concerned, I'm not going to take any bullshit answers expression. Her tone was crisp and firm, demanding, and yet light enough that anyone could tell the two were close. Jai sighed heavily, knitting her fingers together over her lap as she looked first up towards the ceiling and then to the floor before finally allowing her gaze to settle on her friend and boss. There was a man at the bar- There are lots of men at the bar, babe... Let me finish. Sorry. Mel offered up an innocent smile, clearly trying to lighten the mood, but the pleasantry wasn't returned. It was him , Mel. I swear it was him. His voice.... and the way he looked at me... the way he talked... He who , Jai? She looked honestly confused. Desmond Croft. Melanie blinked, perching a bit in her seat as she leaned across the desk towards Jai. Honey... It's been years... I know how... words can't even begin to describe, okay? I was there I found you. But there's nothing to worry about anymore and you know that. Jai sighed heavily, shaking her head a bit. Mel, I'm telling you. It was him. It's not easy for someone to conveniently remind me of him because he is one in the whole world and no one could ever just compare without being him or being related to him by blood. Please. Trust me on this okay? Her friend didn't seem completely convinced, but Mel nodded as she slowly pushed herself up from her chair. Alright then. Point him out to me. I'll have a talk with the guy and we'll go from there okay? What are you going to do, Mel? Walk up and simply ask him if he's Desmond Croft? Jai was incredulous, but she was getting to her own feet no less, taking no time at all in exiting the office to lead Mel back along to the bar. No, I'm simply going to strike up casual bar conversation and if it strikes me we'll flag security. Deal? It wasn't exactly the most convincing offer, but Jai nodded her assent regardless, taking in a slow deep breath as the two rounded the back wall of the bar. That one right there at the stool on the cor....ner.... Her voice cut off and trailed halfway through the last word as she lifted a hand to discreetly point, but her mouth dangled partially open as she stared across at an empty seat. There was an empty beer bottle at the spot, placed atop a stack of bills, but aside from that there was no other sign of the man whatsoever. Jai? Melanie looked at her friend with a raised brow, the look in her eyes and the tone of her voice all but screaming that she had told her so. You gonna be alright babe? I can call someone to-- I got this. Just... I... Hey. It's alright. Shit happens. Now go get back to kicking ass and taking names. It's not like you to be so jumpy. She'd been making her way back around the bar just as her fill-in was setting Nathaniel's order down in front of him at the counter, and she regarded the young girl with a polite smile and a nod of dismissal before she turned her attention to the man on the other side of the counter, even going so far as to prop one elbow on the edge of the bar counter and lean over it to peer at him quizzically. When you said you wanted pizza, I was thinking more along the lines of uh... something circular in shape and usually made with crust and cheese... She paused a moment, offering him a playful, rueful little smile. Looks to me like you had a change of mind though, hm? And it also looks like you could do with a drink to wash that down with. Yeah?