His cutting gaze was met with a small smirk, lightly entertaining the wild thoughts implied by her last remark. Lex knew exactly what she was doing. The whiskey teased a hunger she didn’t even know was there. And with every sip her own amber eyes grew more predatory, watching Roach like a hungry Mightyena did a Wooloo. She kept it intermittent, she didn’t need him to think he had all her attention. But she wanted him to know it was there, the possibility. Lex wasn’t a shy woman and she tended to go after what she wanted. Her shoulders lightly shrugged and she brushed her long red hair back, “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she smile, turning away from the pool table to sip the dwindling whiskey while he made his shots.

One. Two. Three. Lex grit her teeth. She couldn’t catch a break, could she? Not that it mattered, he was just really good, as he should be. It would be embarrassing for a bar owner to be terrible at pool. She didn’t respond to his last comment, only smiled and downed the last bit of whiskey in her glass and prayed it gave her luck as she stepped back to the billiard table.

It was far more scarce than it was a few minutes ago. Only 6 balls and the 8 remained. She eyed her four solids, formulating to plan in her head before moving forward. This time, the 2 was going in. It was another bank shot off the long rail for the side pocket and it landed with a satisfying click. She smiled. The cue ball landed right where she wanted, setting her up for a long shot down the table to lightly tap the 4 into the corner pocket. The next shot was . . . difficult. There was a very narrow window between the 8 and her 5. The cue ball zoomed uncomfortably close to solid black ball and clipped the 5, but at the wrong angle. It missed the pocket wide, making Lex frown as she stood back up. She was hoping to make a good run. Roach was dangerous with that pool stick and she was afraid this next turn would be the killing blow.

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Lex makes the 2 and the 4, missing her third shot

virgil roach

Lex thought about it for a moment, “Hm, a chance to hustle some poor boys for all they’re worth?” she tapped her chin, “Sounds like my kinda night, I could be into that,” if she played as well as she was tonight, she may just stand a chance against some of them. She’d definitely need a few drinks beforehand. She was sure Roach wouldn’t object to that.

Her suspicions proved true as Roach finished off the last of his balls and sank the 8 on the first go, “Well, damn,” Lex sighed, shaking her head in disappointment, “I thought I stood a chance,” she moved to place her pool stick with the others. His grin was returned with one of her own, “Tonight maybe,” she teased, taking the empty whiskey glass in her hand. She moved slowly past Roach and gently tapped his chest, “Next time I’ll get ya,” she winked, continuing to move towards the bar.

Smoke? Lex looked back and shook her head, “This is too precious for that shit,” she ran a hand down the curves of her body to imply what she meant. Lex took pride in her athleticism. Her stamina and agility were too important on the job to compromise with smoke and tobacco.

But she’d drink whiskey till her liver caved in. She gave the new bartender a sweet smile, leaning forward to pass him her empty glass, “Another, please,”

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“Thanks, Lonnie. You’re a doll,” she smiled as she caught the drink. She lifted it slightly to cheers his spectacular performance pouring her drink. She glanced to the side, watching Roach leave to smoke. Hopefully the rain had let up a bit.

Lex spent the next 5 minutes chatting up Lonnie like the true outgoing extrovert she was. By the time Roach returned they were two peas in a pod, laughing at the end of the bar. Lex was even sporting a new beige jacket that was slightly too big for her, curtesy of Lonnie of course. Lex didn’t even have to turn around to see Roach walk back in. She assumed he was back by the way Lonnie looked past her, shut his trap, and immediately started checking in on other patrons.

Lex clicked her tongue against her teeth and took another sip of whiskey. Guess she wasn’t that interesting after all.

Her amber gaze shifted back over to Roach as he went back behind the bar, “A piano?” she repeated in a flat, obviously unamused tone. The brow over her scarred eye raised, “Why on earth would you do that?” the last thing this place needed was a soft melody to put everyone to sleep. Maybe Lex needed to find a new favorite bar.

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Lex readjusted in her seat to lean over the bar just a little more, just a little closer to him. The smell of the tobacco was a familiar scent, one that brought a sense of calm and longing. That’s what she was drawn to. Although she didn’t partake, her ex did. And it was that familiarity that sent a chill down her back as something inside her stirred.

She looked up at Roach from her glass, “Of course I like music,” she wasn’t a psycho, “The kind I like isn’t played on a piano,” she sipped her whiskey, and let Roach tell her a story. Her gaze softened as he opened up just a little. So, he had a soft side to contrast is chiseled, rough exterior. It was . . . endearing. Kinda cute. She smiled.

“…Jazz?” she repeated after another sip. She looked indifferent. Maybe she just wasn’t cultured enough to enjoy it but in her mind, it wasn’t something she could dance to so she shook her head, “Probably not, guess I’ll just have to come back and see what he’s all about then” there must be something to this guy’s talent to have Roach agree to it. Or this kid was a hell of a salesman. Either way, Lex was intrigued.

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Her cherry red lips pursed at the mention of tonight’s plans. Although comfortably buzzing on whiskey, she was still bitter about the rain ruining her plans. There was a shipment of Slowbro she was scheduled to steal but they were coming by boat. And boats didn’t come too close in storms like these, the waves made it too dangerous to dock.

“You’re looking at it, Roach,” she sighed, lifting her glass to take a sip, “At this rate I just might be here till closing,” she mused as she shifted her gaze up to a nearby clock, “What about you?” she asked out of curiosity though it may be a stupid question. She assumed he was going to be closing up the bar when the time came but, then again, he had employees for that nonsense.

virgil roach

Roach had a point. Lex clicked her tongue on the back of her teeth while glancing at the clock behind the bar. But what else did she have to do? Sitting here was better than sitting in her shitty apartment alone. Lex hated being alone. She had expected herself to get used to it by now, but it had only grown into an insatiable urge for any sort of companionship.

“You make a good point, Roach . . . I guess I could use a hot shower,” Lex took a bigger sip in anticipation of leaving soon, “I do walk . . . but I’ll walk you out. Besides, I have a business proposition for ya,” there was a mischievous grin emphasized by the buzz of the whiskey that accompanied the last part of the statement. From the look she gave, there was an unspoken understanding that this was the kind of business you don’t discuss out in the front of his bar.

virgil roach

“Wonderful,” Lex purred with a smile. In characteristic Lex fashion, she shot the remainder of the whiskey back and left the empty on the bar for Lonnie along with a enough cash to close out her tab and leave him with a handsome tip, “Thanks for the jacket, Lonnie. ‘Till next time,” she shot him a wink while shrugging off the jacket and leaving it alongside the empty glass and cash on the bar.

The substantial amount of whiskey had done its job. There wasn’t the same sense of dread heading back out into the dreary Slateport night there was before. The warmth spread from her belly and over her arms, wrapping her in a pleasant, whiskey blanket. The damp, chill air didn’t even raise goose bumps when she stepped outside in front of Roach, “Thanks,” she smiled, taking a few steps away from the door before half turning towards him. It was no longer raining but the air was heavy with a thick, ocean fog, “Where to?” she asked, still assuming right in front of his bar is not where he discussed business. Quite honestly, Lex wasn’t even sure if the rumors were true. She could be shooting at a fish in a barrel for all she knew and Roach was only a respectable (sometimes) bar owner.

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