Myth subtly nodded at Avrey, then watched the manager leave with narrowed eyes. When the manager was gone, she turned back to Avrey.
“You are welcome,”she replied.
Myth smiled softly when Avrey mentioned the free refill, then grabbed the mocha when it was finished. She hesitated to reply.
“Truthfully… yes. I had hoped to escape them a while ago, yet I am not very… inconspicuous,”she answered quietly.
Myth didn’t dare tell him why she was so obvious. It worried her that Avrey might not like the fact that she was the only daughter of the notorious drāckonian named Luci, who was well respected for his powerful abilities but disliked by some for his ambiguous morality.
Avrey nodded, tapping his fingers as he thought for a moment. "I-If you don't mind me asking, wh-why are they so intent on following you? I mean, I-I-I know you made them mad somehow, b-but I would have given up by now."
He knew it was cruel, but he needed to pry. Her aura was so… strong. otherworldly even. There had to be a better reason to why she was here. A better explanation of who she was. Besides, if his friends were to get involved in this, he would have to know a lot more in order to truly trust the situation
Myth hesitated again, trying to think of a way to reply. Subtlety only seemed to gain more questions, but being blunt would likely scare Avrey. She sighed, then took a deep breath. She was never good at subtlety.
“I had gotten close to the leader, and had nearly become his co-leader, until I made a mistake. Now, the leader is out for mine blood, and too many of them know who I am,”she whispered.
Avrey nodded, raising a hand to his chin as he processed the information. She was being awfully vague about the whole situation, which was, of course, understandable. Why explain your past to a complete stranger? Avrey knew that feeling as well…
"I-I-I see…" He mumbled, thinking harder about what could be done. "S-so you got too close to someone you shouldn't have, m-made them mad somehow, a-a-and they're after you?" He repeated, attempting to make her explain a bit more.
Myth nodded slightly.
“Well, it was not that I should not have gotten with him, yet… actually, it is… yet ‘tis not… oh, I know not… He was such a gentleman to me, yet… he is what mine father would call a tyrant, basically corrupt. When I realized that, I tried to get away from him, yet… he would not let me go. Thus, I attacked him, and… I… I tore out his eye and cut his arm off,”she explained shakily, looking away as a maroon tear, a blood tear, slid down her cheek. She quickly wiped it off.
“I am not proud of mine actions, yet it gave me the opportunity to escape. Unfortunately for me, he wishes me dead for what I did to him, and he will not stop until one of us dies,”she added.
Myth looked back at Avrey, hoping she hadn’t just scared him away. He was the only trustworthy person she had met in a long while, and she was truly frightened that she might lose that connection.
Avrey continued to tap his fingers, leaning in a bit as he listened.
"So… he m-made you trust him, then kept you from leaving?" Avrey repeated, timidly. "S-sounds like someone I know…"
His eyes widened at the gory remarks as to how Myth escaped, grimacing slightly. "god-goddamn…" He mumbled. He had seen things, he had experienced things, and he had… done things that he wasn't proud of as well. So he wasn't afraid of the actions… he simply understood.
"I-I am so sorry…" He mumbled, keeping his eyes on the woman's as he spoke. "Thank-thank you for telling me. That w-will help a lot."
Myth hesitated at his words, then shook her head.
“He did not make me trust him, he fell in love with me. Then, he tried to introduce me to his darker habits,”she clarified.
She then averted her eyes at his reaction to her description. She didn’t want to seem like a monster to Avrey, even though she had actually enjoyed attacking the man.
Myth nodded at his words.
“Thank you for helping me. I had been cut off from everyone I trust a while ago, so ‘tis a great relief to finally have another ally,”she said softly.
Avrey put his head down, biting the inside of his cheek as he nodded solemnly.
"Oh… I-I-I see…" He mumbled, imagining what it must have been like for her. To be lured in…
He simply nodded, a slight smile spreading across his lips as he chuckled lightly.
"Yeah, I mean, I-it's what I do." He shrugged, scratching the back of his neck as his attention turned back to the countertop.
"Its uh… its been a while since i've h-had an ally l-like that too." He answered with the same air, reminiscing for a moment.
"H-how about… how about we meet up later to t-talk more about this?"
Myth nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything else about the man. A small, shy smile appeared on her face when he smiled at her. It grew bigger at his words.
“I am glad I am not alone anymore,”she said.
Myth paused at his offer, a bit surprised, then chuckled.
“That would work. Where do you wish to meet? I know few places here, and I can barely remember how to get back to mine apartment,”she asked, snickering at her predicament.
Avrey's smile only grew, letting out a small chuckle as he toyed with his hair a bit more.
"S-same here…"
Her quips only made him laugh even harder, as he leaned on the counter and thought for a moment. "I-I get off work at 5… you can tell time, r-right? An-anyways, meet me at the fountain in seattle center. I-I-Its a few blocks from the needle."
Myth snickered at his reaction, a genuine smile forming on her face.
She hesitated when he suggested the time and where they could meet.
“I admit I only have limited knowledge on telling time here. And… I am rather unfamiliar with this city, or human cities in general. Yet, I am a quick learner,”she replied.
Myth then froze when she realized what she had said. It was likely quite obvious now that she was not truly human, nor even from Earth. How would Avrey react to that?
Avrey smiled at the response, nodding happily. "If not, I could p-probably get you a map or something…"
He trailed off as his listening went back to Myth. Human cities… She said the word with distaste, as if she wasn't quite… human.
But Avrey was quite used to this type of language. The unfamiliarity, the dissociation, it was nothing he wasn't used to.
He tenderly smiled, shrugging a bit as he busied himself with wiping the counters. "Hey, I-I can help you out if you need it. I know h-how it feels to be… w-well… lost."
(You were actually right on the money with the distate, lol. Most drāckonians disdain humanity)
“A… map could help,”she said, a bit timidly. He had realized what she’d said. Should she run? Did she just lose him as an ally?
Myth watched him closely, worried. When he gave her a smile and shrugged, she breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she remembered his ghostly companions, and it made sense that he would be more open-minded than most.
“I thank you. Assistance would be greatly appreciated,”she replied.
(Ayyy! Nice!)
Avrey nodded, quickly grabbing a small map of the downtown area that was under the counter, conveniently.
His countenance was still friendly, open, and very understanding. He knew fully what it was like to be outcasted and different. He knew too well the struggles of being rejected and alone. There was no way he wanted anyone else to have to feel that too.
"I-It's really no problem! Honestly, I-I know what might be going through your head, and I… I really want to help you out."
Myth took the map and studied it, trying to find where she was. It took her a moment, but she finally pinpointed the cafe, then found the spot Avrey had mentioned to meet. She then looked up and smiled a bit at his expression.
It soothed her to know that she finally had someone she could trust again. It wasn’t that she was necessarily an outcast, but after angering her former lover she had been cut off from her family and their allies. She wasn’t sure how either. Her father, the unique individual that he was, should’ve found her by now, but he hadn’t. It still confused her.
Myth chuckled happily at his words.
“I am glad. I truly am. It has been quite harsh, being this alone,”she said.
Avrey tilted his head, watching her study the map with curiosity. He was just about to help her find where they were, when a look of accomplishment flashed in her unique and captivating eyes. She was a fast learner, after all.
Avrey chuckled, finishing up his monotonous duties as he rested his chin on his hand. It was truly a relief to have someone just as different as he was. And comfortable with his oddities, as he was with hers.
"I-I… I know the feeling." He laughed distantly, before clearing his throat and nodding to the clock on the wall.
"I'll be there at s-seven sharp. Little hand o-on the 7." He clarified, feeling himself smile
Myth watched him a moment, fascinated by the tasks given to… was it ‘employees’? Humans had such strange names for things. But, as he finished, she couldn’t help chuckling at the way he leaned on the counter.
She then smiled a bit at his words before glancing at the clock. She knew how to read it, it just confused her a bit. Human days were so much shorter than the days of her homeworld.
Myth then looked back at Avrey, noting his smile. She smiled back.
“Seven, then. I might stay here for a little while longer. And… study this map a bit more,”she said, chuckling shyly, a friendly gleam in her eyes.
( @Lynn. If you want to continue with this one)
Avrey chuckled sheepishly, his genuine smile ever growing. He thought it was intriguing the way she read the clock, and felt himself remembering teaching some spirits how to adjust to the modern world. With how much she knew already, this would be a piece of cake. Which reminded him…
"Oh! O-of course! Stay as long as you like!." He answered, gesturing to the array of pastries and sandwiches and freshly brewing coffee.
"And f-feel free to help yourself to anything. I-its on the house." He chuckled.
(We replied a second apart, lmao!)
Myth giggled at his expression. He was so sweet. She then glanced at all the pastries and whatnot, looking back at Avrey in mild surprise.
“Thank you. You are quite kind,”she replied, chuckling shyly. She wasn’t used to this sort of treatment, and she didn’t know how to act.
Myth folded up the map before moving over to the sandwiches, looking for one with a lot of meat. After finding one, she sat down at a corner table, keeping the door, and Avrey, in sight.
Avrey graciously handed over the sandwich, quite surprised by her appetite, before resuming his job.
He tended to customers, wiped tables, and occasionally dealt with scoldings from his manager. But, he always made sure to keep an eye on Myth, and anything that seemed like it was out to get her.
Soon enough, his shift ended, and Avrey sighed with content as he went to clock out and put away his apron. Now, it was time for his other job. One that didn't pay as well as minimum wage, unfortunately. One that dealt with needy ghosts.
Myth smiled softly at him, her eyes a bit shy. She wasn’t sure how he’d react if she told him that she was naturally a carnivore.
As she waited, Myth alternated her attention between studying the map and watched everything, periodically ordering another mocha. The drink was steadily growing on her, if she had to admit.
Nothing out of the ordinary seemed to happen, though some of her attention was more drawn to Avrey than her surroundings. Why was he so fascinating? Was it his abilities? His unique eyes? His sweet personality? She wasn’t sure.
When Avrey’s shift was over, she got up and decided to make her way to their meeting spot. She was still unused to the city environments, as it was considerably taller and noisier than her home, but it was whatever. Along the way, she kept an eye on her surroundings to make sure she didn’t pick up a stalker.
Avrey quickly finished as fast as he could, saying a quick hello to the coworker who would switch him out before receding into the quickly darkening city. Everything about the formidable place: from the darkness, to the shifty people, to the uncountable dangers, not to mention terrifying demon-like creatures Avrey was constantly being hunted by. I just need to get to Melissa. He thought, a bit surprised at his own words of comfort. Myth had only just made his acquaintance, however, he felt so connected to her. He felt oddly… safe in her presence. His pace quickened as he sought for their meeting place, his odd eyes frantically darting around for the woman. At last, he saw her, and let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. "Y-you're here!" He called out, a bit surprised.
Myth had been sitting on the fountain’s edge, her fingers dipped into the water. She loved water, and could control it almost effortlessly. And, despite the shady nature of the city coming out at night, Myth had no fear. Her eyes could naturally see in darkness, and she was far more dangerous than she seemed at a glance.
She patiently waited for Avrey, then smiled and stood when he appeared. Casually approaching, her fingers still dripping with water, Myth chuckled.
“I never go back on promises, and I never miss meetings. At least, if I can help it. ‘Tis how I was raised,”she said softly.
Avrey chuckled, watching the spray from the unusual looking fountain.
"H–has… he come back at all?" He asked, a look of fear in his eyes. Sure, the city was frightening, untrustworthy, and chilling once night fell, but it was even more formidable once the dangers were known.
Myth shook her head.
“I have not seen him since earlier. Hopefully that means he left. Yet, there could be other implications. I simply do not wish to think about them,”she said softly.
She glanced around, something she had been doing periodically since she had left the cafe. If there were any stalkers about, Myth was determined to catch them.
Her fingers still dripped with water, even though they should’ve been nearly dry by then. Myth didn’t seem to notice.
