Quote:
Backdated to end of June
It had been a while since Sakura found herself at an actual bar. Since she had done anything “unrefined” at all, now that she thought about it. But this? This felt good. She had gone for a more relaxed look tonight, tight black jeans, studded ankle boots that resembled heeled combat boots, a slightly cropped red tank top, and a black leather jacket, hair pulled into a messy ponytail and her makeup done with a smokey eye and deep blood red lipstick. It felt nice to get dolled up outside of work, and not in a dress. This felt so much more like her. Akito had given it his seal of approval when she sent her brother a photo, asking if he thought it was too much, so she was hoping it would be well received by the man she was aiming to meet up with as well.
Making her way through the people, she headed towards a pool table to watch someone play while she waited. It had been a while since she last played, not that she remembered it, and she felt curious of if she would be good or not. Maybe once Adrian showed, she would have to take a stab at it.
Strickenized
Adrian's work jeans were the ones filled with pockets upon pockets, with a helpful little bend of fabric for stuffing a hammer or two, reinforced belt loops so no matter what he carried, his pants wouldn't fall down off his waist. Then there were Adrian's play jeans, with a much more tailored fit and an acid-wash style in black or the darkest of navy denim. Tonight, he opted for the latter, with a matched pair of cowboy boots tucked underneath the boot cut. They looked snakeskin, but he couldn't afford snakeskin.
He could afford a salvaged affair of a sleeveless top, made of leather panels brought together by a pseudo-fishnet style of cloth. It hugged his form well, but had enough give that he could move about easily. Had enough peek that people could see that, yes, he had a six-pack. And no, that didn't mean beer.
His hair had gotten longer than he liked, now trying to overtake his face instead of frame it, so he combed the majority back and tucked it into some shitty ponytail that would stay out of his way. He needed to see to play billiards, especially since he hadn't in a while. And he needed to be just the right state of tipsy to do well at billiards.
They agreed to meet at 7, so Adrian showed up at 7:05. Just late enough to be fashionable, not too late to snub her. He wanted to see if she'd found someone else to pal around with, to pass the time, because breaking up those little pseudo-affairs had ever been his favorite. But she wasn't at the bar, not at one of the tables — then he saw that familiar shock of auburn hair over a much different outfit than she'd been wearing at that stuffy upper-class joint. And she was by the pool table.
Well. Far be it for him to stop that.
Adrian cut around the place until he could sidle in next to her, a hand lighting on her opposite shoulder as he greeted her. "Hey, Babe. Glad you could make it."
He could afford a salvaged affair of a sleeveless top, made of leather panels brought together by a pseudo-fishnet style of cloth. It hugged his form well, but had enough give that he could move about easily. Had enough peek that people could see that, yes, he had a six-pack. And no, that didn't mean beer.
His hair had gotten longer than he liked, now trying to overtake his face instead of frame it, so he combed the majority back and tucked it into some shitty ponytail that would stay out of his way. He needed to see to play billiards, especially since he hadn't in a while. And he needed to be just the right state of tipsy to do well at billiards.
They agreed to meet at 7, so Adrian showed up at 7:05. Just late enough to be fashionable, not too late to snub her. He wanted to see if she'd found someone else to pal around with, to pass the time, because breaking up those little pseudo-affairs had ever been his favorite. But she wasn't at the bar, not at one of the tables — then he saw that familiar shock of auburn hair over a much different outfit than she'd been wearing at that stuffy upper-class joint. And she was by the pool table.
Well. Far be it for him to stop that.
Adrian cut around the place until he could sidle in next to her, a hand lighting on her opposite shoulder as he greeted her. "Hey, Babe. Glad you could make it."
Sakura looked up as Adrian rested a hand on her shoulder, smiling crookedly at him. The pet name had her almost grinning though. “You too. Hope I wasn't too hard to find. I got a little distracted by watching them. Never played before but it looks fun.” Not that she could remember at least.
Her eyes roamed over his figure, taking in his attire. He definitely was attractive, that much was undeniable, though his clothing was…. A choice. Still, she cut him a bit of grace considering how deeply entrenched into the fashion industry she had become lately. It wasn't his fault she could spot brands and fabric types within ten seconds, after all.
“Maybe I should take a stab at playing. Thoughts?” She leaned into him just a little, batting those thick dark lashes at him just a bit. She had a good feeling about trying, like her hands itched to remember something. Muscle memory, she assumed. Glancing back at the men who just finished their game, she grinned as one offered her their cue.
Strickenized
"Eh, s'alright. Not my game of choice, but if it catches your eye?" Then Adrian figured it was worth a shot anyhow. Sounded like Sakura lost a lot of herself along the way, and rebuilding some of that was probably important. Give her a reason to get out of bed other than to work or fill quota.The thought took the edge off his smile.
"Go for it, but no game's worth playing without bets on the table. Keeps people invested n' on their toes." And there was hardly a damn point in anything if he wasn't getting paid for it. "Start low, go slow so you don't loose too much on learning.
"I'll grab us some booze in the mean time. Anything you want?" He let the offer hang in the air for a moment before he started heading for the bar. As far as Adrian was concerned, they already spent too many minutes in a bar while stone-cold sober. That was a damn shame. Hell, that should be illegal.
He even knew the bartender that night! Krissie — good girl, stern mouth on her, knew how to read a man and mix 'em strong if she thought he'd tip better the more sloshed he got. And, for the most part, she was right. Adrian figured it was worth saying his hellos while Sakura set up a betting pool. And if not her, then one of the guys. At least two of them were regulars.
"Go for it, but no game's worth playing without bets on the table. Keeps people invested n' on their toes." And there was hardly a damn point in anything if he wasn't getting paid for it. "Start low, go slow so you don't loose too much on learning.
"I'll grab us some booze in the mean time. Anything you want?" He let the offer hang in the air for a moment before he started heading for the bar. As far as Adrian was concerned, they already spent too many minutes in a bar while stone-cold sober. That was a damn shame. Hell, that should be illegal.
He even knew the bartender that night! Krissie — good girl, stern mouth on her, knew how to read a man and mix 'em strong if she thought he'd tip better the more sloshed he got. And, for the most part, she was right. Adrian figured it was worth saying his hellos while Sakura set up a betting pool. And if not her, then one of the guys. At least two of them were regulars.
Sakura nodded, tossing a 5 to the betting pool. “Surprise me. I don't drink much, but I'll try anything once.” She winked at him before turning her attention back to the pool table.
By the time Adrian returned, it seemed Sakura had caused a decent commotion at the table. An innocent, surprised look was painted on her face as she told the other player that no, she really had never played before. It was just a lucky shot. Pure beginners' luck, she insisted!
Leaning back over the table, her eyes checked over every ball, making calculations in her brain lightning fast, before taking another shot. Intentionally, the cue missed the ball entirely and she laughed it off, feigning embarrassment before taking the shot again. Her eyes narrowed as she became serious, smirking ever so subtly as she hit the ball, causing it to outright jump over the ball in front of it and hit another one perfectly, knocking it just right to sink another into the pocket. Yeah, this was totally beginner's luck. Obviously.
Strickenized
Try anything once, she said. Well, that left a helluva lot of options, and if he was a lesser gentleman, he could have taken that at face value and slipped her a roofie colada. But, not only did Adrian not need to resort to such tricks to get attention, he was also such an outstanding gentleman! He wasn't even gonna ditch her with the tab! Not that night!
So he sidled up to the bar, chatted some small talk with Krissie. She always liked talking about her kids; they put her in a good mood. And when Krissie was in a good mood, the drinks tasted better. Another layer to his gentlemanly nature — ensuring that the alcohol was delicious and the bartender was happy! Clearly marriage material if he was ever interested in that.
And Krissie had a lot to say. Talked his damn ear off by the time he could eke out a couple orders, and then she tortured him twice over while she was making them. Half the time she wasn't even doing anything — she was just running her jaw while her hands sat idle — so by the end of it, Adrian was over chatting.
Hell, by the time he made it back to the pool table, he'd already gone through half his drink.
"Babe," he called by way of greeting and handed her a plum margarita. He kept his tequila sunrise close to hand, particularly when some of the billiards regulars were looking a little miffed. "What's the deal with them?" He asked, but the accusations of 'you're so ********' full of it' explained the rest well enough. He didn't need a damn camera feed to understand that she just put herself ahead of the game. Nor did he need to read minds to realize that she was ******** with them.
"You dunno that," Adrian chimed in as he leaned against the low wall. "She could be a physics major, yanno? First time playin' pool, but she can do all that math in her head like a savant."
That didn't cheer anybody up.
So he sidled up to the bar, chatted some small talk with Krissie. She always liked talking about her kids; they put her in a good mood. And when Krissie was in a good mood, the drinks tasted better. Another layer to his gentlemanly nature — ensuring that the alcohol was delicious and the bartender was happy! Clearly marriage material if he was ever interested in that.
And Krissie had a lot to say. Talked his damn ear off by the time he could eke out a couple orders, and then she tortured him twice over while she was making them. Half the time she wasn't even doing anything — she was just running her jaw while her hands sat idle — so by the end of it, Adrian was over chatting.
Hell, by the time he made it back to the pool table, he'd already gone through half his drink.
"Babe," he called by way of greeting and handed her a plum margarita. He kept his tequila sunrise close to hand, particularly when some of the billiards regulars were looking a little miffed. "What's the deal with them?" He asked, but the accusations of 'you're so ********' full of it' explained the rest well enough. He didn't need a damn camera feed to understand that she just put herself ahead of the game. Nor did he need to read minds to realize that she was ******** with them.
"You dunno that," Adrian chimed in as he leaned against the low wall. "She could be a physics major, yanno? First time playin' pool, but she can do all that math in her head like a savant."
That didn't cheer anybody up.
Sakura looked up as Adrian returned, giving him a coy grin. “Seems like I'm better at this than I thought I would be. Hold that thought for juuuuust a second.” She turned her attention back to the game, finishing it off with yet another trick shot before neatly setting the cue down and taking her drink from him as she scooped up the cash from the betting pool.
It had been a while since she had fun like this, and she was glad to find herself enjoying the evening. “Wanna grab a table or something?” She gestured to one of the small, two person tables as she ignored the pissed off men she had just swindled. There was definitely more than met the eye when it came to Sakura Gojo, and she was loving every second of it.
Strickenized
Adrian made a sweeping gesture toward the table for her, as if both bowing to her and ushering her onward. "Good game," he offered to the gathered and increasingly frustrated regulars, which probably incensed them even more, but Adrian didn't mind. What were they going to do? Start a fight in the damn bar?
Adrian followed her back to the table as he swigged his rum and coke with a twist of lime. He sidled into a seat, set the snifter down, and blew out a satisfied sigh. Good start to the evening, no one's died yet. No flashbacks to the bad old days with CSC and other decon garbage. Not that his sense of smell ever came back. And he was probably getting cancer in ten years, but hell if he was gonna last that long with a war going on!
"How much you pull in?" He asked, curious. He hadn't stuck around for the betting part, but cash often told much about confidence — and recklessness.
Adrian followed her back to the table as he swigged his rum and coke with a twist of lime. He sidled into a seat, set the snifter down, and blew out a satisfied sigh. Good start to the evening, no one's died yet. No flashbacks to the bad old days with CSC and other decon garbage. Not that his sense of smell ever came back. And he was probably getting cancer in ten years, but hell if he was gonna last that long with a war going on!
"How much you pull in?" He asked, curious. He hadn't stuck around for the betting part, but cash often told much about confidence — and recklessness.
“Dunno, haven't counted it. I tossed in a five and a twenty though. God they're pissed.” She laughed and slid into the other seat. “s**t, I haven't had fun like that in a while. And it's not like I was lying. I really don't remember ever having played before.” She gave him a shameless grin as she took a sip of her drink, humming in appreciation. “Whether I played or not before my memory was wiped, who can say?”
It felt good to let go like this. To not give two shits, or even one, about how the person across from her saw her. To not be refined and proper and all of that garbage. She liked this feeling, she decided, and wanted more of it. “It'll make for a good story for my friend at work, at the least. She'll get a kick out of imagining me beating a bunch of bar dudes at pool while batting my lashes innocently.” Noa was always down for hearing about things like that, and about pretty men who would enable such behavior, she surmised.
“I'm glad we did this. I've been feeling stuck for too long. This is….weirdly refreshing.”
Strickenized
"Eh, they'll get over it." Shutting his eyes, Adrian folded his arms behind his head. "S'all pocket change in the end, yanno? No one goes to bars like these droppin' house money. Not that I'm dismissin' it," Adrian clarified.
"Jus' sayin' it'd be a good gig. Act like you never played before in your life, even though we can bet on it now, and you walk away with enough cash on hand to have yourself a girl's night out. Almost beats pickin' off the rich ones in their limos n' all that s**t, then takin' whatever they got on 'em." Letting his arms drop back down, he curled his hands loosely around his drink.
"Maybe you should get your friend to join in. Oh," he snapped, "s**t, I could teach you both how to play poker if you dunno already. Then we can get you into bigger wins. Make 'em give up their life's savings so we can have some fun on their dime. S'how I went to Vegas last time." Before jail, anyway.
"Give it a thought, would ya?" Adrian held his glass out for a silent toast.
"Jus' sayin' it'd be a good gig. Act like you never played before in your life, even though we can bet on it now, and you walk away with enough cash on hand to have yourself a girl's night out. Almost beats pickin' off the rich ones in their limos n' all that s**t, then takin' whatever they got on 'em." Letting his arms drop back down, he curled his hands loosely around his drink.
"Maybe you should get your friend to join in. Oh," he snapped, "s**t, I could teach you both how to play poker if you dunno already. Then we can get you into bigger wins. Make 'em give up their life's savings so we can have some fun on their dime. S'how I went to Vegas last time." Before jail, anyway.
"Give it a thought, would ya?" Adrian held his glass out for a silent toast.
Sakura laughed softly and shook her head. “Maybe. I'll think about it. Maybe once Noa has her baby I could pull her into it, yeah.” The idea of Noa trying to do any of this before having her kid was a hilarious mental image to Sakura and she dismissed it instantly.
“I don't need other people's money to have a good time, though I'll never say no to a gorgeous guy buying me a drink.” She winked at him and held her glass up in return. “But I'd be glad to do it for the fun of it, at least. I have to admit, seeing those guys realize they just got their asses kicked at pool by me was pretty damn great. I'm not usually the sort to enjoy others misfortune but that's what they get for underestimating me.” She wasn't sure if she was feeling genuinely confident or if it was just the moment and the alcohol. But either way, it felt good. It had been a while since she felt sure of herself like this.
“I do hope that means you'd wanna do this again though? Going out together, I mean.” Because god, he was unfairly pretty. And even if he wasn't in it for anything serious in the end, at least she was going to enjoy every minute of it, whatever it would be.
Strickenized
Oh, Noa had a baby, did she? That was fine by Adrian. Sure, they were whiny little s**t machines but they were distracting as all hell, and people just about went to pieces over them. They were great props for negotiating a serious poker game. Or a billiards match, as the case may be. Adrian was already making mental notes on getting this girl out and about with them, or at least letting them 'babysit' for an easy score.
"Eh," he shrugged, "it ain't misfortune. Pool's about skill more n' fortune. It's their fault they weren't good enough to win." Adrien finished, then gulped down the rest of his drink.
Really, it was on them for underestimating her. Adrian guessed they weren't serious players — at anything. If they were, they'd have learned from that mistake by now. But since they didn't? Their stupidity made them easy marks. And Sakura was a helluva lot nicer about it than Adrian would've been.
"Why not?" He flashed her a skewed smile. "All work and no play makes Adrian a dull boy." Bowing his head, he spread his arms.
"Besides," and those arms were right back on the table, "they're finally paying us the good s**t. Can't let that go to waste. C'mon, I'll walk you out."
"Eh," he shrugged, "it ain't misfortune. Pool's about skill more n' fortune. It's their fault they weren't good enough to win." Adrien finished, then gulped down the rest of his drink.
Really, it was on them for underestimating her. Adrian guessed they weren't serious players — at anything. If they were, they'd have learned from that mistake by now. But since they didn't? Their stupidity made them easy marks. And Sakura was a helluva lot nicer about it than Adrian would've been.
"Why not?" He flashed her a skewed smile. "All work and no play makes Adrian a dull boy." Bowing his head, he spread his arms.
"Besides," and those arms were right back on the table, "they're finally paying us the good s**t. Can't let that go to waste. C'mon, I'll walk you out."
