Smells Like Teen Spirit

[Aiden]

October nineteenth, an unremarkable day for most. For one, it was the celebration of another year of not getting killed by a vampire, demon, werewolf, or shtriga. Now nineteen years to the day, Aiden Wood was born to two loving parents, now dead and gone. Only a few short years ago, Aiden would have celebrated with another guardian, Malcolm, who was also dead. A day that should have been fun was filled with loneliness and hate for Aiden.

While it was true that he had two new friends that he’d grown very attached though, if asked directly, he’d deny just how attached he was, it still didn’t make up for the deaths of the three greatest people in his life. He wished that his parents would be there to see the person he’d become, though he knew they might be slightly disappointed, despite what they would say, at just how rugged and rough he’d become. He wished Malcolm was there so he could see that he was carrying on the legacy, and now he was training two hunters of his own, two that were becoming quite successful themselves.

It was a rainy night, one of the usual Portland storms that wouldn’t let up for a few hours, which meant that The Crossroad’s Tavern was full with happy, cheerful people, some that had come for Aiden’s birthday, some that were just seeking refuge. Above them, the two people that Aiden wished would save him from his sorrow were doing who knew what.



So the drinking had begun. The cops wouldn’t stop him, though they weren’t there, because he’d saved a few in the past, and they sometimes gave him slack when it came to drinking and speeding. Lori, the young bartender on shift of only twenty-two, gave him the drinks as he needed them. Lori and Aiden had had their flings in the past, but it was usually only physical. Both continually became more and more flirty with each other this particular night, and before long, Aiden was lost in the moment of the tavern.

Loud rock music now shook the building, cries and cheers erupting from the tavern below. The rain pelting against the window was now silent, at least on the lower level. With a decent “buzz” going, Aiden grinned widely when he finally saw Teagan and Yuki enter the room. “Hey!” he drew out in a single breath. His arms were wrapped around Lori, a bottle of alcohol in his hand, and he wasn’t drunk, but he was on his way there. Lori smiled at the girls, the three knowing of each other, though they never really talked much. “Get a drink, come on,” he said, letting go of Lori and walking towards the girls—no stumbling, no slurred speech. He hoped they realized that he wasn’t drunk.

“You know what today is? What you call a birthday I call a day of misery, my friends. Seriously, get a drink, have some fun. I don’t know half these people,” he said, leaning in and speaking quietly, “but they keep buying me drinks. You don’t see me complaining,” he said with a grin, before slipping his arm back around Lori’s waist and pulling her towards him. “Now, if you don’t mind, I think Lori and I are going to go find a closet or empty room,” he added, moving towards the large group of people that filled the bar. Thunder rolled outside and lightning flashed, and for the briefest of seconds in the added light, one might see the sorrow in Aiden’s face.

[Teagan]

Teagan's fingers tapped against the wooden desk, briefly reflecting her annoyance. While she appreciated loud rock music -as any decent teenager should- the amplitude one of the drunks below had raised it to was absolutely ridiculous. The water in the glass right next to her shook in rhythm to the low bass. How on earth was she supposed to finish her monthly repor-ah, letter to Deacon when the music DOWNED OUT HER THOUGHTS?!

Teagan ran her hand through her dark hair, nearly ready to bang it against the wall. She had grown used to the nightly noise of the bar below. Not like she could complain or anything, since they did technically need a spot to stay the night without scamming credit card companies left and right.

A relatively loud burst of sound knocked over the glass, sending water streaming over her letter and the other materials on her desk. Teagan grit her teeth together. Now she would have to start the whole thing over again!

This finally crossed the line.

Shoving back her chair, Teagan crossed the room to the door and threw it open. She would give Aiden a piece of her mind about WHAT exactly was acceptable and appropriate in regards to entertainment these days. Teagan stepped into the hall, the music doubling in volume. Yuki suddenly stepped out of her own room. Teagan met her eyes, noting her frustration echoing in her factionmate's...or maybe the girl was angered because of something else -one never quite knew with Yuki-. No, Teagan realized, searching Yuki's eyes. They were, without a doubt, on the same page here.

Giving a curt not of understanding, Teagan continued storming down the hall. As the noise level increased, so did her frustration. It was just ONE freakin' letter and the fact that she could not get ANYWHERE with it was uncalled for!

She reached the bottom of the steps, Yuki right behind her. The bar was unusually crowded that day, with groups and couples inhabiting every available inch they could muster. How had they managed to fit that many bodies? Wait-focus. Not important. A salty, sweaty stench lingered in the room as Teagan's gaze searched for the one person responsible for letting things get this out of hand. Her eyes momentarily paused at a couple in the back corner, a man and a woman both staring in shock at the woman's black stained hands. Ha. Served them right. As least something had gone right tonight.

Hearing her name, she turned toward the bar itself. Recognizing Aiden's voice, she opened her mouth to share her thoughts on the outrageous event, but froze in shock as she saw exactly what Aiden was doing. Aiden and....Lori? She blinked in acknowledgment to the bartender's smile. What in the world-

His birthday? Today was Aiden's birthday? "What?" Teagan stared in disbelief at the boy. Why hadn't he told her? Completely forgetting the ruined letter upstairs, her anger turned to an awkward confusion as Aiden and Lori waltzed off. Oh crud. Aiden could've left out that last part. Really. Privacy. She made a mental note to never tell him anything she didn't wanted repeated while he was in...that state.

"Two things," Teagan muttered to Yuki, eyes still watching the pair walk away. "First off, did he mention it was his birthday to you? ...and, secondly, did he lose his mind or is Aiden completely drunk?"

[Yuki]

Hours. Yuki had spent hours putting together her specially imported manga volume of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, after Teagan had, in a more than foolish attempt to "help," rearranged the pages so that they were in the "correct order." Yuki had been mortified by the girl's actions. The ignorant child clearly did not know that in Japan, the language was written from right to left, and therefore, pages were read in that manner as well. Accustomed to the English style, the girl had taken the liberty (of which she should not have had), and completely mixed up the pages of volume. Painstakingly, and after scolding Teagan and giving her the cold shoulder for hours, Yuki had put the pages back in the state they were meant to be, and now, she could finally enjoy the manga she had so desired to read.

Taking a seat at the chair by the desk, she opened up the volume carefully. It was so ruined, compared to the prisine condition in which it had arrived. She kept her books so that they appeared almost untounched, completely brand new. She was not used reading copies that appeared as if they were from some second-rate public library. But no matter. At last, she could finally enjoy the book, forget about hunting and training for a brief moment, and sink into the wonders of manga. It would be just her and the book--and music?!

Downstairs, rock music began playing loudly. Aiden again. Trying to ignore the ruckus, she continued her reading. However, she could only put up with it for so long. All she wanted to do was read Code Geass. It seemed as if she would never get to do so in peace, not with that loud, irritating commotion going on downstairs. Even for Aiden, there was a limit to how loud a person should be permitted to listen to music. Surely, the police would be here to investigate. Neighboring people would complain. Someone in the tavern would complain.

She would complain.

Kuso! Angrily, she got up, and marched towards the hallway. The door swung open and hit the wall full force. Across the hallway, Yuki caught Teagan's look of annoyance. For once, they were indeed on the same page. The two girls stormed downstairs, and Yuki cat her eyes in disbelief at the scene before her. What on earth was going on?! Dozens of people were shoved into the tavern, drinking, dancing, singing--acting like complete idiots.

Speaking of...

Aiden walked up to Yuki and Teagan, with Lori, the bartender, rather close to him. Had he been drinking?! Yuki stared at him in shock. His birthday?! Fun?! This wasn't her idea of "fun." Her idea of fun had something to do with a manga volume that was being neglected upstairs because she had to come downstairs and restore order to the chaos that was now amiss. "I most certainly do not want a drink, you fool!" she hissed angrily over the loud music. Before she could continue, he walked off, after making a rather improperly suggestive statement concerning Lori.

Nande kuso?! Teagan's words mirrored her own thoughts. Aiden was going to be in for it. "My guess is both," she said sourly. "Let me handle this."

Yuki marched over in Aiden's direction, and disregarded Lori, grabbed Aiden by the collar and pushed him into a nearby seat. Yuki put her hands on her hips and glared icily at him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

[Aiden]

Both of the girls looked irritated…no, they were past irritation. Angry was probably a better term, but Aiden didn’t defend himself. After all, the music had been turned up to the level it was by another patron, and it wasn’t like Aiden was getting all the customers in the bar to drink—the point of coming to a bar was to consume alcohol, was it not? With the rain helping to drive people inside, Aiden was getting a party he didn’t expect and he was embracing it.

Nevertheless, he wasn’t about to apologize for enjoying himself…slightly. It was all still a façade, his sorrow was being hidden behind the girl, the alcohol, and the rock music. Oh, right, he hadn’t said anything about his birthday to them, ever. Well, it wasn’t a day that he liked to be reminded of; no parents, no mentor, lack of friends, and the two that he did have were standing right in front of him, angry with him. The smile didn’t sink, and he just shrugged. “Yep, nineteen and still kickin’,” he said in response to Teagan’s short, surprised answer. The fact that it was his birthday didn’t seem to change much, aside from melting some of their anger.

Aiden grinned at Yuki when she refused a drink—he figured that Teagan would refuse, but he knew he could get Yuki, and honestly, the girl needed to loosen up. Always a blizzard, she was, and a little alcohol would bring the heat out. So the way to get her? “Are you sure Yuki? There is some sake behind the bar,” he drew out, teasing. Her cultural drink would surely be hook, line, and sinker.

He laughed as the both of them blushed when what he insinuated hit them, and he turned around—if they weren’t going to join him, he’d just continue on his way. Lori wrapped herself around his waist, looking up with him with a bright smile, and just before they got to their destination (the alcohol storage room, complete with a lock so if Yuki decided to tackle him and drag him by the collar again, she wouldn’t be able to get in) just that happened. He choked slightly, and Lori stumbled a few steps.

He was pushed down into a chair, and he looked up at his faction mate. “I’m celebrating my birthday with girls and alcohol, as any normal guy would. I can’t be a hunter every day, Yuki,” Aiden spat. “Sometimes I have to drink away woes and memories, too.” A few guys dancing in a group nearby began eyeing Yuki, and soon parted and within moments, had surrounded her and were dancing around her. Aiden laughed again, and seizing his chance, stood and returned to Lori, taking a good few gulps from his bottle of alcohol, and placing his free hand on her lower waist once again, dancing to the loud music that got the bar moving.

[Yuki]

Too much noise, too many people, too much drinking. Everything was too much, and it was making Yuki exponentionally irritable by the second. Aiden had never said anything about his birthday to them, much less about throwing a party. She could feel her temples throb from annoyance. She just wanted to read her manga in peace. When Aiden offered her sake, she blinked in confusion. They had sake at the tavern? Since when?! Having spent her summers back at the family temple in Okinawa, she had always been around the rice wine. She had always consumed it, though not nearly to the degree she wished. The wine was delicious. Having turned 20 in the month of January, the legal drinking age in Japan, she had since been able to enjoy the drink freely. Why hadn't Aiden told her sooner? She could have used it in her cooking! She could have--

Wait. Yuki's face went from confusion to anger. Was he trying to bribe her with sake?! "No, I do not want sake!" she spat, hiding her desire for the drink.

After pushing him into the chair, and demanding to know what the meaning of all this was, Aiden began to talk about "drinking away his woes and memories." She frowned at him. Normally, Aiden was relatively level-headed, apart from his bursts of anger he had now and then. But he didn't act depressed. She knew he had faced his share of difficulties, but he handled them well. So why would his birthday be any different? And yes, he could be a hunter every day. He had to be, as did she and Teagan. It was their duty. They couldn't waste their lives on parties. It was true that they had to do something on their free time, something relaxing, but Yuki did not approve of this. Girls and alcohol were indeed (albeit, sadly) typical at a nineteenth birthday party for a normal teenager, but Aiden was ignoring one important fact: he wasn't "normal." He was a hunter. If he was trying to escape that through drinking and promiscuity, then he needed a serious wake up call.

However, before she could say anything, several teenage males gathered near her and began dancing around her.How dare they?! The fools, to think that they would even an invade a 6-inch proximity. "What the hell?! Get away from me, you vile scum!" she hissed icily, and then proceeded to shove them out of her way. After escaping, she turned back around and gave them a look that let them know that if they got near her again, they would come to regret it. She then proceeded to head over to Aiden once again. This time, she glared coldy at Lori. For her own sake, she had better step away from Aiden, and stay away.

Yuki went up to her faction leader and pierced his eyes with her own. Her voice was low, yet sharp. "Stop this nonsense at once, Aiden. A small gathering is acceptable, and so are a few drinks, but I'm positive that the bar is past maximum capacity, and the music is ridiculously loud. Teagan and I can't concentrate on our own doings, and while I understand you want to "celebrate" your birthday, this is way out of hand." Threateningly pointing at him, her hand made physical contact with his shirt. "If you don't do something about this, rest assured that I will."

[Teagan]

Leave it to Yuki to escalate a birthday party into a physical rebuking. Teagan sighed as the girl grabbed Aiden. While she didn't object per se because they needed to finish this conversation, the methods were slightly out of line. For one, if the crowd in the Tavern had indeed gathered for his birthday, then they wouldn't take well to Yuki tossing him around like a rag doll. Maybe Yuki's glare instill enough fear that they wouldn't try to intervene.

Teagan tugged on the sleeve of her sweatshirt absentmindedly as Aiden defended his actions. Well, he did have a point. Did they have to carry the responsibility every day? She had tried enough to leave it behind, but it wasn't like that had ever panned out well for her. Point in case: the camp and college. Two prime examples of the supernatural demanding attention at the moment she wanted most to ignore it. The hunters had a 24/365 commitment to protection. Couldn't one day be safe though?

Her thoughts lingered on his last line, something about memories and woes. Of course Aiden would be the one to view his birthday in a negative light. Teagan glanced at Yuki, intending to allow her to speak first. Her jaw dropped as she noticed a group of guys had surrounded her, forcing the girl to dance to the ridiculously loud music. Slowly, a smile spread across her face. Her cameras were catching every single moment of this. Pure gold.

In a slightly raised mood, she turned back to Aiden. "While she's temporarily distracted, two things: first off, this music is absurdly loud. If you could please have someone lower it, we'd appreciate it. Secondly, man, it's your birthday! You're forgetting the entire purpose of the celebration! It's not about remembering the sad stuff-you have nearly every other day of the year to do that. No, it's about honoring the day someone brought you into this world and the good stuff you've done since." She shook her head. "On some old President's birthdays, no one cares about the fact that they're dead-all that's looked as is the change they made in history...probably not the best example, but you catch my drift, right?" She tapped him playfully on the shoulder and sent him a pointed look. "Lighten up."

Yuki appeared beside them, seething in anger. Teagan noted that behind her a pack of sorry looking guys sent dirty glares in her direction. She couldn't wait to replay the tapes later. Yuki's voice rose in anger again, and she grabbed Aiden's shirt in attempt to drive the point home. Teagan rubbed her hands against her temple. Maybe the Japanese girl should have accepted the drink-the world would be a better off if she had.

[Aiden]

In his opinion, Yuki was overreacting. Majorly. It was his birthday and he would spend it how he pleased, and if that meant alcohol and Lori, then so be it. He wasn't about to let that ice storm rain...or hail...or snow, whatever the correct metaphor was on his parade. He had gone through way more than either of those girls had, and it was this day that always drove it in. So they were going to be irritated with him about his method of relaxing, but what would they do when their own birthdays came, and they realized that they were celebrating without family as well? At least theirs are alive, Aiden mused as Yuki considered the sake. For a second, he thought he had her, but then, she caught what he was doing.

"But you thought about it!" he said playfully, and Lori looked at the foreigner. "Really, Yuki, if you want some I can get you some, it's just behind the bar." However, the offer soon vanished as Yuki disappeared in a group of guys, and Aiden took his chance to flee. He thought he was safe when Teagan caught up to him.

Oh, right. Teagan hadn't been there for the...brief conversation about Ariel, and neither knew his history. With a sigh, Aiden glanced down at Lori, and as if by some unspoken, telepathic message, Lori left him, and returned to the bar, serving an enthusiastic bunch of partiers. "Teagan, my parents were killed by a demon when I was ten. The man that took me in turned me into a hunter, and I watched him die at sixteen. The demon that killed him was Ariel, and I couldn't do anything about it when it happened. And now Ariel is back and--" he was cut off as Yuki returned.

"Yuki, there isn't much you can do. They are all paying customers, and the customer is always right. Not only that, but this is a bar; this is a normal happenstance," he said, enjoying the use of his last word. "Bars are commonly like this here in America. You can try to stop it all, but we'll lose business, and therefore money, and if we lose money, we won't be able to pay for the facilities, and then we'll be out of a hideout. And no, credit fraud won't work on that, it's too painfully obvious. Now, as your faction leader, and seeing as I'm not allowed a day off, I order you to enjoy the party, have a drink, dance, talk, enjoy yourselves publically for once."

[Yuki]

Lowering her arms to her side, Yuki looked at Aiden with a fiery rage, ignoring Teagan, but could find no words to say. She knew he had reason in this situation--indeed, if these people had come to the bar to "enjoy" themselves, kicking them out would prove as grave financial loss for the establishment. It wasn't in Japanese custom to provide unsatisfactory service to customers either, and if she turned off the music or limited the drinks, surely they would think badly of the tavern, and an ill reputation was the last thing they needed. She knew he was right. Every counter argument she could have presented was already spoken for. Still, this...party...was no situation in which she could find any enjoyment, as her faction leader had instructed her to do so.

And so, with fierce determination, and refusing to admit his correct reasoning, Yuki swung aroung without saying a word and stormed off to the bar. "Stupid Aiden," she muttered under her breath as she sat down on a barstool. Perhaps she would have some sake while she was here to calm her anger. She was almost positive that the next person to approach her was going to be quite the unfortunate soul.

[Teagan]

Teagan's smiled faded as Aiden explained his background. Her eyes softened as the pieces clicked into place. That explained the drinking and the cocky attitude and...well, just about everything off with Aiden. She couldn't imagine what her reaction would be to her parent's deaths; probably go off the deep end for awhile. And to be killed by a demon, no less? And then the person who adopted him died by demon as well? She didn't understand what held him together, although she supposed that time might have sealed a bit of the wound.

Still, the information left the girl speechless. What did someone say to that? Teagan couldn't come up with anything to say that would make it better, mostly because there was nothing to say that would make it okay. But a determination to cheer him up filled her.

"I...I didn't know that, I'm sorry," she rubbed the back of her head. "But if you notice, you're still focusing on the bad stuff. That's birthday-bad-luck right there, Aids." Teagan shrugged, stopping as Yuki returned. She snickered as the girl was ordered to enjoy the party. Yuki? Enjoy a party? Right, like that would turn out well.

Teagan paused before realizing that the order had applies to her as well. "On that...pleasing note, Happy Birthday Aiden. Due to the lack of notice, I don't have anything, but what I can do is give you one get-out-of-a-prank-free option. So...well, don't turn on the fireplace, alright? Get some drunk to do it if you're too cold."

Her gaze drifted to a table behind the sweaty dance couples to where an extremely attractive boy winked encouragingly in her direction. Normally she avoided customers, but if hadn't she seen this kid here the past few weeks regularly? Aw, what the heck. Aiden demanded they have fun, so...Teagan would have fun. "Hm, look over there. That kid doesn't look nearly old enough to be allowed in here. I should see what the deal is." She smiled coyly in his direction, but stopped midstep and faced Aiden. "Oh-and don't stand too close to the flame."

With a skip in her step, Teagan danced off. The night suddenly looked a lot brighter.

[Aiden]

It had taken virtually nothing, an argument that he had pulled out of thin air, but it had worked. Yuki had no words, she was exasperated and Aiden could help but hold a wide grin as she turned around. Well, that was easy. Technically, one night wouldn’t hurt them that much, though the reputation thing would play into business. But the tavern was traversed, but not well traversed. More business would help, they could fix up the place a little bit, get some new furnishings or staff (make up for the cook that stormed out due to Teagan). He watched Yuki storm off in her usual fashion over to the bar—for the sake. Score. Aiden knew that having Lori order some extra bottles would benefit them in the end, and maybe, just maybe, by the end of the night, it would serve to bring them some entertainment.

And next to deal with was Teagan, who’d just been told about his past. He owed it to them to fully explain everything one day, but today…that was not the time. Of course, he hadn’t really given it to her in such a way in which she could respond, nor was he looking for pity. He was past that, now…now he was out for revenge, but he couldn’t let them know that. He couldn’t let them know how dark this was making him, how much he was obsessing over finding Ariel, and making sure that she experienced the most painful death he could bring her.

His face betrayed not a hint of this, though, and he just gave a small smile to Teagan. “Not many people know, but I’m pretty sure that for you to know me as a faction leader, and to be able to trust me, you should know. Besides, I’m sure you wondered how I ended up with a hunter and all, when I first explained Ariel to you.” The faces of his parents and Malcolm pulled at his mind, smiling and laughing. If only they were there…

“I think I should get something more substantial than that,” Aiden joked, looking at the fireplace nervously. “You work on the substance, for now, and just get back to me. Come on, you know me well enough by now, right?” Lori returned, after having retrieved a new bottle of sake for Tara, the bartender on shift. ”It’s your duty as a tenant here to ask for his ID, Teagan, and I think he might be willing to hand it over.” Lori stepped forward before Teagan parted, and moved Teagan’s hair around a bit, and then nodded when she was done. ”Go get him, tiger.”

Sitting back, with Yuki and Teagan enjoying themselves, and Lori moving to sit with him, he couldn’t help but to visualize Malcolm and his parents in the crowd of people, and for a moment, he let them exist. To see them one more time…and then they vanished as the alcohol bottle blocked them from view, as it lowered, they were gone.

You’re doing it again. Stop it. He stood up, and weaved through the crowd over to Yuki. “You. Me. The pool table, now. You’re going down,” he managed to get out under the roar of the music. “Unless you just want to forfeit now.”

[Yuki]

"Another," Yuki snapped at the bartender as she gulped down the Nihonshu--the delicious Japanese sake. She had lost count of how many shots she had consumed since her seating at the bar. Yuki's tolerance for alcohol had always been excellent as far as resisting feelings of sickness or the loss of directional orientation. Unlike many, she retained complete control of her senses and was, for the most part, physically unaffected by alcohol. However, she was known to have quite a bit of a mood change, of which she had gained the reputation of being two-faced when under the influence of alcohol. She became easier to please, "not nearly as high strung," she had overheard her colleagues at school say, "but twice as frightening when angered." Indeed, she had a liking for the beverage, it was difficult to resist. But when under its effect, it was as if someone else took over her body. Yuki mused that being drunk surely must feel akin to being possessed by a demon or the like.

In any case, at that moment, she could care less if her countenance became erratic, or if Aiden and Teagan gave her strange looks for her behavior. As if she wasn't used to those kinds of stares. She was fuming over not getting her way with the "party." If it were up to her, the whole lot of fools at the tavern would've been driven out, by force, and she would have destroyed the source of that ridiculous music. But of course, their dear "faction leader" (who was now lounging about uselessly, drink in hand, staring idly at the crowd before him) had presented an argument which Yuki could not counter, and so reluctantly, she settled for the bar and the sake. Tara came over and filled up her glass, and Yuki drank it ravenously.

"Stupid, stupid Aiden," she muttered, letting the weight of her head rest on her hand.

From the corner of her eye, she caught a glance of Teagan. She was conversing with a boy. Yuki sighed in frustration, and motioned for Tara to fill up the shot glass again.

So stupid...

Suddenly, she sensed someone hovering behind her. Who the hell dared to disturb her during--

Ah. Aiden.

“You. Me. The pool table, now. You’re going down. Unless you just want to forfeit now," he said

Yuki spun around on the barstool to face him and she leaned back in her chair carelessly, letting the elbows of her arms rest on the counter. Her bangs were in her eyes, but she didn't bother to brush them away, and instead stared at Aiden through her hair, not saying anything. It took her a moment to think about what to do. Frankly, she didn't want to play pool. She just wanted sake. That was all.

"Nah, I'd rather not," she finally said, and then she spun back around in her chair. She looked down and saw that Tara had filled up her glass again. Splendid. She raised the cup to her lips and drank. After finishing, she set it down with a clang, and let her head hang down, looking at the empty shot glass. "I'm just gonna sit here and drink sake. Tara! Tara, one more!" she called out. With her free hand, she waved Aiden away. "I'd probably cream you, anyway."

[Aiden]

Yes, Teagan was correct; sulking all night wouldn’t make him feel any better. Since he had awoken that day, his parents and Malcolm had been on his mind. He wasn’t sure if the girls had realized it or not, but earlier in the day he’d driven out a few cities over to visit his parents graves—this time there had been no lie, he’d left without a word.

Visiting the graves didn’t get him anywhere, and when he returned home, it seemed the party began. Lori had been the bartender on shift, and knowing his past had spent the rest of her shift with him, and was now off of the clock, and trying to cheer him up. And it was working—maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was Lori, maybe it was the atmosphere, but his depression was slowly drifting away now, and he was returning to his normal self.

Taking some time to indulge in the moments alone with Lori, for once Yuki, Aiden, and Teagan were acting like normal civilians, and partaking in activities appropriate for their age…well, for the most part. If there was one thing that Aiden wished to give to the girls it was moments of normalcy. The supernatural was so disruptive when you hunted it regularly; it made you a different person. And now, Aiden was shifting in his seat, Lori with him, and he broke their embrace, giving her a smile. “Thanks for everything,” he said quietly, tucking some hair behind her ear. “I think you should meet me in my room later,” he added, standing up.

After his brief conversation with Yuki, Aiden stood blinking in disbelief. He’d phrased his words so she would play, it was a challenge…was she really turning it down? He didn’t argue with her, because he slowly realized what was happening: she was getting drunk. He started laughing to himself, and was about to take a seat next to her when the crowd behind him started pushing him to the other side of the bar. Apparently, they had seen Yuki’s empty shot glasses, and were now rallying them into some sort of competition. Tara poured alcohol across several glasses, and then slid five each in front of both of them.

“Birthday boy goes first!” she yelled, and Aiden, grinning, looked Yuki dead in the eye and downed the first glass.

[Yuki]

As the effects of the sake started to sink in, Yuki began to feel a strange, tingling sensation run through her veins. She was somewhat aware of the impending mood change, but not completely--not to the point where she could control it. She felt alive, awake, determined, yet unwilling and rebellious all at the same time. She didn't quite know how she felt, in all actuality. All she knew was that she wanted sake, and Aiden was interrupting her. When he didn't press further for her to play pool with him, she gloated to herself over her victory in driving him away by drinking another shot. Success.

Victory was short-lived, however, when people behind her started cheering, and she noticed Aiden sitting on the other side of the bar. Tara made her way over to him. What the hell?! Was Aiden stealing the bartender?! Who was going to pour the sake if there was no Tara?! It wasn't like Yuki could just waltz back there and get the--

...A challenge?

Yuki raised one eyebrow as Tara slid five shot glasses to both her and Aiden. She blinked, and then looked over to Aiden, who locked his gaze on her and drank an entire glass. Was he trying to intimidate her?! Like that would ever happen! Yuki could drink sake all day. And besides, it was Aiden--she wasn't as experienced as he was when it came to dealing with the supernatural, but in practically other area, anything he could do, she could do better, incuding this. She'd wipe the floor with his loss just as she would have at a game of pool. Yuki looked over at Aiden with a taunting stare and swiftly drank each of the five glasses consecutively, slamming down the last one. Turning the barstool in his direction, she straightened in her seat, crossed her arms and legs, and then gave him a cocky smile--a rare trait to be seen on Yuki, but a smile nonetheless.

With a lifetime of drinking sake, Aiden had no hope of defeating her and she knew it.

[Teagan]

Teagan took a sip of her tea, a special blend she normally kept hidden in a nook within the cupboards. The cool drink relieved some of the pressure the intense atmosphere pressed upon her; with the combination of sweaty, warm bodies and rapid dancing, Teagan wondered if the guests were all trying to compensate for the freezing temperatures outside. The weather personally didn't bother her, after living in Seattle for her whole life, rain and chill failed to have that bothersome effect.

"So, do you come here often?"

Speaking of bothersome, the other occupant of the table Teagan resided at was most certainly not. His smooth voice jolted her out of her wandering thoughts to a happier place she hadn’t visited since the middle of senior year. After that party her parents banned her from attending future social events. Dumb drunken classmates. Teagan found she missed practicing the art of flirting and the cutie in front of her, William, was just the type to get her back in the game- amber waves, mist-colored eyes, and a strong, athletic build. Mm-mm-good.

“You could say that,” she half-answered.

“What-two or three times a week?”

“A bit more.”

“Strange. I look for you whenever I’m here, but you only make appearances on the weekends.”

“Yes, well, that’s when we have leftovers and I don’t have to coop myself up in the kitchen all night long. You’d be surprised how hungry certain people could be.” Point in case? Aiden. Aiden Wood. Pie never had a decent chance against him.

“Wait-you work here?”

One might think it, with the amount of things I have to fix and clean, Teagan thought. Then again, she mostly fixed and cleaned up the collateral damage from any unappreciated prank. The maids refused, for some strange reason. If they were getting paid to clean, why did they shove the task on her? “It’s sorta strange, but I kinda live here.”

William stared at her a moment, and Teagan internally cringed. She could've just let it at working there. "You're right," he finally said slowly. "That is strange. But-" He raised his glass in a mock toast. "-I'm completely jealous."

"Jealous?" She raised an eyebrow. "Of what? Oh, right, I get it-the loud music and the drunks creating chaos every night. What's not to love?"

Behind them, a large cheer broke out and William adverted his gaze to identify the cause of the interruption. "I suppose people like that tend to be annoying."

Curious, Teagan turned around and a look of confusion crossed over her face. Was that Yuki at the bar playing a drinking game? And with Aiden no less? "Check outside the window, Will, I think pigs are flying."

"What-do you know those people?"

"Yeah," Teagan replied, turning back to face him. First Aiden's birthday and now this? Out of all the things she had expected for the day, none of these things made the list. Then again, neither did Will. Teagan noticed a few crumbs on his sharp looking shirt and absentmindedly wiped them off. He looked too nice to let the little things ruin the image. "They're my-" Friends? Acquaintances? "-my roommates. The guy actually owns the place. The girl...she's just usually a little high strung."

"She's in the right place then, hm?" A grin spread across William's face, and Teagan couldn't help but notice exactly how cute it made him look. "This is where you come when a world of troubles rests upon your back. There's nothing else to do but relax and enjoy the music," he said, taking the initiative to slip his arm over her shoulder.

Teagan wasn't sure if anything William said applied to Yuki, but at that moment, she found it didn't really matter. Leaning into his warm body with a smile on her face, her eyes drifted back to the bar in disbelief. Imagine that.

[Aiden]

Little did Yuki know that after the sake would come a drink of Aiden’s choice, more shots—if either of them lasted. The crowd was cheering now, taking bets and pushing and shoving. The rock music was only egging them on, and Aiden took the first glass no problem. Sure, it wasn’t his usual taste in drinks, but he could take it. It was strong, though, but he kept his face straight. There was no way Yuki was going to beat him, not on his birthday.

He waited for her to take her turn, and was surprised as she just downed them all, looking at him as if she had won. Frowning, Aiden took the rest of the four glasses, and then motioned to Tara. She grabbed a bottle of an auburn liquid, and poured it across the glasses, slopping onto the bar in the spaces between them. Aiden knew what would happen as he took the first glass—he didn’t copy Yuki’s move, because he knew that she would most likely be caught off guard by the drink. The second it hit his throat, it burned more than the usual dose of alcohol did, trickling all the way down his chest and sternum. He breathed out when he was done, smirking at his opponent.

He waited a moment longer, and just after Yuki took the first glass, Aiden quickly went down the line, grabbing all four glasses and throwing them to the back of his throat. His chest was on fire, and he was now feeling quite the buzz, perhaps borderline drunk, but he still maintained his consciousness, movements, and reasoning. At this point, he was very relaxed, enthusiastic, happy. His woes were now gone, thanks to the alcohol he had just ingested.

The customers cheered again, and before Aiden could see what Yuki did, he sidled out from behind the bar, and into the crowd. Finding Lori, he took her over to the area where people were dancing. The song changed, and the moves between the two became more and more provocative, as well as getting more touchy-feely.

Off to the corner of the room, a small stage had been assembled, and now a karaoke machine had been lugged on stage. Aiden, not a fan of such a thing, tried to block out the sounds of drunken performers from his mind, and moved to a back corner of the room with Lori, thoroughly enjoying himself and wishing that he could feel like this and do this all the time, rather than to shove his parents to the back of his mind. Nineteen and kicking, and nearly half of that time alone.