Something essential

[Hadrian Mortmain]

The last thing he needed was another drink and he wasn't too keen on nerf steak. He hadn't been around the Cloud 9 bar for some time, which only stood to make the hulking Firrerreon even more cranky. A couple weeks without Molly Black was like a couple years without fresh air or sunlight, something essential like that. Not that he'd ever suck it up and tell her that.

"She's like an angel, man. I swear I 'ear singing every time she walks by... real sweet like, you know?" The two men beside him conversed, obviously speaking about the only woman around here who could be called an angel. Hadrian's woman.

His nostrils flared slightly and his fingers tapped rapidly at the bar counter as he waited for Miss Black to make it back to where he had plunked himself down. He hadn't even been able to say hello yet. Frelling, dren-smellin' infidels were hogging up all her time. He gnashed his teeth against his bottom lip and couldn't help but tune into the pair of young'uns sitting next to him.

"I'm thinkin' about makin' a move, man. No man been around for her, right? Maybe she'd like to go out to dinner or..."

SLAM!

The two young men jumped and turned their frightened gazes upon the man who had just put a dent in the counter. Vivid eyes glared back at them and a threatening growl was winding its way from his lips. They promptly moved to the other side of the establishment and Hadrian pressed to fingers at the ticking pulse at the side of his head.

[Molly Black]

"You'll scare off my customers and I won't make the rent.." A musical voice sounded from behind Hadrian.

Molly slid a cup of coffee, that looked like it was much needed in front of her elusive, and lately missing altogther, 'friend'. Not needed for the moment she began buffing the countertop with her apron, hoping he hadn't done any lasting damage to it's shiny surface.

"You know.. One would think you'd be happier, delivered from the circumstances we were in, and yet you choose to ignore me, and drink yourself stupid...., why again exactly?"

[Hadrian Mortmain]

"Molly, babe.... c'mon... don't be like that..." He told her injuredly, cupping his hands around the mug of coffee she had brought him. Hadrian was quiet for a moment, absorbing the heat into his palms and attempting to settle his temper once again. She had every right to be pissed at him, he hadn't shown his face in some time. However, he'd been making money for the both of them with this casino gig their savior had obtained for him. Management took up a lot of his time, especially when he was expected to entertain the big wigs passing through.

Drinking down all of the coffee in one gulp, he gingerly placed the cup back on the table before settling his silvery eyes upon her. Hadrian reached into the pocket of his worn coat and pulled out a rectangular white box. Laying it on the table, he gestured toward it.

"I know it wont make up for lost time, Mol. I was hopin' you'd come away with me tonight. We can go dancing or gambling. Hell, I got the cash and the time. I'm all yours tonight..." He bribed, flashing her a boyish grin.

"What d'ya say..?" He prodded further, his eyebrow lofting when she didn't immediately go for the box. Reaching for it, he opened it up and revealed the silver bracelet adorned with several white stones. "Pretty right? They change color to suit your mood, yeah? Won it playin' sabacc..."

[Molly Black]

Molly was rather proud. She'd remained mad at him an impressive length of time, this time.. At least a couple minutes into his esteemed presence..

Showing up with a wad of cash to take her out on the town? Any other guy that had suggested such a thing would have been laughed at and sent on their way, but Molly was still standing there with this one.

The change was abrupt. One minute the sullen, wronged lover.. and then he'd called her Mol, and then! Crime of crimes..! He did that grin thing that he did so well... Damnit. He just wasn't playing fair!

Noticing that he was waving a trinket in front of her she looked down. She hadn't even glanced at the thing yet, she was just stuck pondering his dimple..

"Oh, Hadrian.. what am I going to do with you?", she wondered aloud, brushing her fingers across the bracelets little stones.

Molly let him fasten it onto her wrist, but hadn't committed to an answer yet, regarding tonight, or him. "What does this color mean?"

[Hadrian Mortmain]

Hadrian knew she wouldn't have been able to resist. Not when he had thrown in his secret weapon with the fancy bit of sparkle he had brought along. While he began fastening the bracelet on her wrist, his sterling gaze remained locked upon her beautiful face.

Mol, what the frell is on your face?

It's called make-up, stupid! Don't you know anything?

He winced, that grin appearing again as he successfully buckled the chain together. His gaze wandered down and locked upon the purple stones.

"Well, Mol... that color means that you're unbelievably happy to see me and there is no way you are gonna say no to the date I have planned." He informed her, nodding his head slightly.

"Yep... I'm sure of it."

[Molly Black]

He had that same sloshy look on his face. The kind he got when he was about to remind her about how skinny her knees had been as a kid, or how silly she'd looked dressed as a boy and following him around.

It was one of the big defining reasons why Molly didn't seriously stay mad at Hadrian. She'd known him almost her whole life. He'd always been there.. mostly when she needed him.

When it counted, she told herself.

"Alright.. listen, I get off shift in a little bit anyways. So you have another cup of liquid energizer and I'll go see if I can scat a bit early."

She would thank him properly for the gift later, when half her rent wasn't sitting there watching her every move..

[Hadrian Mortmain]

"Great plan..." He informed her, that lopsided grin still tugging at the corner of his mouth. Nodding, as if to reinforce what she said, he snatched up the replenished mug of coffee and turned on the stool. Hadrian's back rubbed up against the protruding counter top, which his arms draped against lazily, and his sterling eyes took in the assortment of scum distracting from the air of pleasantness of the place.