(no subject)

Characters: Reno, open
Setting:
Floor 39, Gymnasium
Floor 38, corner where the makeshift bar is.
Format: Either
Summary: Open bar post shenanigans.
Warnings: None so far

Floor 39, Gymnasium

Reno was out on the track today a bit before classes start, running as fast as he could. It was like he was trying outrun something. His troubles, his conscience, the spell Ganondorf had placed on him, maybe. He had no shoes on, going along in his bare feet, lap after lap. To someone who really knew him, it was an attempt at exhausting himself, to actually fall asleep later when night came. To others, who knew. At this point he couldn't care what others thought of him anymore, not after all that had happened.

After how many laps - he had lost count a long time ago - he started to get winded and slowed down, coming to a stop near where he had left his gear. Grabbing a towel, he pressed it against his face and walked around a bit before sitting down.

Floor 38, corner where the makeshift bar is.

The Tower was weighing more heavily on Reno than it usually did. The costumed blood bath didn't help matters any, but it wasn't even what was bothering him. Fighting, blood, things like that he had gotten long used to.

Truth was, he felt estranged from his friends, angry at others, but most of all angry with himself that he couldn't have changed anything, now or then.

Just some time to think, that's all he needed, which was why he was down in the tiny bar he had made with his other self, taking stock. A lot of his daily routines were flagging lately, like making alcohol for the bar, and eating. Well, with the falling temperatures, it was getting harder to find things to make the alcohol.

All of the bottles in the bar were out on the counter, on some tables nearby, on the floor. He had a clipboard with some paper, marking off tallies and taking notes, sometimes sitting on a chair or laying on the floor.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She lifted an eyebrow, taking a good swig of the alcohol before letting out a heavy sigh of happiness. "It's certainly a good one," she said, her voice dropped to a husky purr.

That eyebrow was nearly to his hairline by now. "Thanks, glad ya like it. Might want to go easy on that though, supply's starting to go down. Winter, y'know." Was she hitting on him, or was she just like that? He couldn't honestly tell, and that led to the next thought. Shiva's tits, I'm getting rusty.

"How sad. A stock as good as this should remain... full." Catarina's lips quirked into a smirk. "Another way to keep warm during such cold months, after all."

Oh, he was definitely sure now. Best to play oblivious. "Yeah... I've been thinking about alternate stuff. Something else to use. Fruit's getting scarce on the islands, and the potatoes not much better. I don't trust the cafeteria as far as I can throw it."

"What have you considered?" Catarina took another swig, shifting to become a bit more comfortable. "Though I would be surprised if anything here is trustworthy."

"Barley. Oats. Things like that. Maybe make some beer." Moving himself, he inched closer to a section of the row he hadn't marked down yet, making a few notes along the way. "Chances are I'm not gonna make anything edible for a while either way."

"True. You need it to be a mild poison, not a major one." Her lips quirked in humor as she leaned over to see the notes he made.

Looking up, he blinked in surprised. What was with this gal? Her curiosity and interest in what he was doing was starting to get him slightly uneasy. Call it being in the Turks too long.

"Yeah... you that curious 'bout everything?"

"I have a vested interest in the one who can keep me supplied with my delight of choice." Her free hand reached out, touching his lips. "Or one I'm interested in sharing a delight with."

Oh boy. Reno wasn't used to being the hunted one in the pursuit of love. Giving her a lopsided smile, he pulled back just slightly. "I don't mind givin' ya the booze, babe, but I got a previous... engagement going on. Sorry."

Studiously avoiding the use of commitment, but it didn't seem like a fair shake for Elena if he went off with someone else.

"Of course." She laughed slightly, the noise rippling inhumanly as she drew back. "But if you wish for a little spice between the two of you, ideas are available."

Ideas? He couldn't help but be a little curious what she meant, but just shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but we got it covered."

Hesitating then, he gave her a thorough look, trying not to linger too much on certain aspects of hers. "Sorry for asking but, you're uh, not entirely human, are ya? Kind of hard to tell in this place..."

Catarina hesitated, a little surprised. He could tell just by looking at her? What could he be, then? "I'm a bit impressed. Not many guess I'm not human just by looking."

Hmm, how does he explain. "Ah... it's not by lookin'. Just a feeling... guess you could call it instinct after bein' so long in this shithole. Half the people in this Tower isn't human anyway, but they look it. The odds are like flippin' a coin. People around here claim the only humans are from Earth. I guess castin' magic isn't normal for Earthers. But me, I'm human and I'm from a different planet"

"Interesting." Of course, some humans were just that good. She could use that, if he wasn't already predisposed to hate demons. "From where I am from, humans can be mages. It depends on the presence of magic, I suppose."

"Mages, huh?" Reno seemed to take that in stride, not even raising an eyebrow. "So, you're a mage? I guess that'd explain it. Not really a magic user myself, I stick to my guns. Few people are purely magic fighters though. You got to have some kinda weapon to use magic back home."

The hard fact was Reno wouldn't know a Earth-origin demon if it hit him in the head, or in this case, brushed him on the lips.

Catarina laughed, reaching out to stroke his cheek. "If only I could use magic. Alas, that is one thing that is beyond my reach. But my knives and I have done well for my years."

Okay, he really had NO idea how to deal with this. If it had been at home, he might not have minded, especially in a bar and especially if he was looking, but... The Tower changed everything. Things had started happening, he wasn't sure what, but it was and with Elena.

Who still seemed real fragile to him compared to how she had been the last time he had seen her.

So Reno did the only thing he could think of doing, and surprising himself in the process. "I don't-... Elena might walk down and I ain't sure what she'd do if she saw that..."

"She could join in. I've found many a good time with multiple partners."

But she could tell. This man was faithful to this Elena. What purpose did that serve? It was stupid. Humans.

Laughing, he shook his head again and shifted to start cataloging another row of bottles. "Elena's not the kinda girl to do that. She's touchy."

"You may be surprised. Many a human hide dark desires."

And this was going no where. Catarina downed another unhealthy swig of alcohol, frustrated.