[attr="class","beck"]"shame."

he beckons for the barkeep anyways, gestures to the drink flint has in her hands. he notices her disposition, sees the weight on her shoulders that threaten to crush, and though he doesn't particularly care, he asks because he understands.

"something on your mind?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint  

[attr="class","beck"]the barkeep returns with two glasses of tequila, places them down directly in front of him. he peers down, only intended to order one, but slides the other one towards her anyways.

"would you like to talk about it?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]"uneventful."

he raises the glass to his lips, sips, then sets it down faster than he had raised it. he beckons for the barkeep, gestures to a more familiar bottle on the shelf.

"you were right about the drinks."

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]"is that the rumor going around?"

he downs whatever's left and slides the glass away. the barkeep returns and again, two glasses are placed in front of him. he slides one over to flint — it's vodka.

"merlino, choi, wolfe. there are more, but i assume you're most familiar with those three."

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]there are others that come to mind: the prydes, the amemiyas, the caldwells — do they always come in pairs? — but none of them are worth mentioning.

"why do you ask?"

he sips the vodka, then takes a lazy jab at a thought.

"looking to be mentored, flint?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]"that depends."

he swirls his glass, watches clear liquid wash over ice. condensation drips.

"is there something you want to be taught?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint