[It's easy to tell some demons apart. Even easier to tell humans apart from demons. They stick out usually, a fish out of their own depth. But this one is out of its own ocean. The lanky guy is lost, a little confused, and orders a fucking soda in a demon dive bar.
Christ, he'll probably get killed.
Call it a soft spot, but Keith moves a little closer, one seat away and sips his own drink, listening and waiting.]
[The bartender raises one thick unruly eyebrow at Lance's choice in drinks and then shrugs it off. Who is he to tell this fool he can't have a soda? Still making the bar money, especially when he hikes up the price by a dollar.
Someone not the bartender is speaking and Lance glances around, unsure of who this scarred guy is talking to, before pointing at himself. He didn't expect any one to notice him. Really. He really didn't.]
Me?
[Yeah, you, dimwit. Might as well have ordered a glass of milk with how safe he's playing it in a bar.]
[Really dumb. It's the really dumb option. Too dumb to back down from a bet given to him from equally as dumb friends.
But damn, he must stick out big time. Being tall and skinny doesn't help Lance's case, but being a human in a demon hangout means he might as well carry a neon sign blasting his species status.]
Um... [He tries to think quickly of an viable reply.] Nah. I'm... driving. Don't need to make my rap sheet any longer than it already is.
[The bartender slides the short glass of soda with much more ice than necessary towards Lance who looks down at it uneasily. When's the last time they've run it through the dishwasher? Probably never by the grody appearance.
His attention goes to the guy--demon, Lance guesses--a clever ruse to avoid putting his mouth on that glass for as long as possible.]
There's no sign on the door that says no humans, right?
[Look, Lance isn't here for a fight. Especially not against a demon. He just wants to ignore his drink in peace so if this guy wants to bug him just for being a human, they might as well hash things out right now.
[They're definitely being watched, by many pairs of eyes. Keith is hoping to just deescalate this before it becomes anything and get this guy out of here. He's just here while he waits for a contract due in the next four hours. Not to babysit.]
[They? Lance doesn't turn his head, but he does shift his eyes off to the side so he can peer at the fair handful of demons staring at them. Boy, that sure is a lot of pissed off looking demons.]
Ah, shit.
[Okay, he just needs to stay calm and not let loose the torrent of bricks he's trying not to shit at the moment. He likes his life, likes his bones in one piece, and definitely enjoys not being eaten by demons.]
I can't.
[It hasn't even been ten minutes yet and if he turns around to the door, he can probably see his gaggle of friends still chatting outside. Why won't they leave?]
Your friends must really not care about your life if they dared you to come in.
[It's a non-context observation more than anything. He doesn't know this guy or his friends, but if he's saying he can't just walk out with his life still in tact because of them? They must not be good friends.]
[Someone does protest too much. It's not so much his friends that are stopping them, but more Lance himself. He's built up this bravado to make up for any other shortcomings and he desperately wants to prove that he's a badass and super duper cool. Whether he's proving it to himself or to his friends remains a mystery.
Okay, it's himself. His friends would totally rib him for a bit, maybe bring it up a couple times down the road, but truly holding it against him is not a thing they'd do. Lance, on the other hand, would mark it as another thing he's not the best at, one more thing to go with the ever-growing list in his head.]
Why are you so concerned anyway? I'm just a human. Those other demons would probably go after you for warning me.
[Lance has to narrow his already narrow eyes on that excuse. It sounds flimsy. He's sure there's some blood stains on the walls and floors of this place already; a little more wouldn't make much of a difference in this grody place.
But also Lance doesn't want his blood adding to the ambiance so getting out while he still has his soul attached would be a fine idea.
With the demon's arm over his shoulder, Lance sighs and tosses a couple dollars onto the bar for his soda. This guy is right and there's no sense in keeping up the fight so he lets the demon lead them out to where a couple of his friends are still milling about. Maybe they'll think Lance not only survived the bar, but also bagged a hot date for the night. Okay, that's something he can definitely work with.]
Then around the building. Down the block, far away from prying eyes or ears of the place. Then quickly removes his arm and takes a step back from him.]
This still isn't the best place in town for someone like you, but it's safer than the bar. Do you need a lyft or can you find your way home?
[For a demon, this guy's pretty warm, though if demons are truly hell sent, then perhaps that should be a given. Lance is subconsciously leaning into his arm, maybe a little too much, but at least it gives his friends the impression that maybe he and the demon are going to be a little more than just platonic bar buddies. Good, good. At least he'll have enough so-called evidence to lie when they ask him about it in the morning.
The moment doesn't last nearly enough and suddenly the arm is gone and Lance is blinking up at the guy, bringing a hand to absentmindedly rub at the back of his neck.]
Yeah, I'm good by myself. [No, he's not, but how much more bruising can his ego take? He holds out his hand to the demon for a shake. Is that how you thank a demon?] I'm Lance.
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shorterpass2016-02-06 10:41 pm
no subject
Christ, he'll probably get killed.
Call it a soft spot, but Keith moves a little closer, one seat away and sips his own drink, listening and waiting.]
You sure you don't want something stronger?
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Someone not the bartender is speaking and Lance glances around, unsure of who this scarred guy is talking to, before pointing at himself. He didn't expect any one to notice him. Really. He really didn't.]
Me?
[Yeah, you, dimwit. Might as well have ordered a glass of milk with how safe he's playing it in a bar.]
no subject
[This guy either has a lot of balls or is just... really dumb. He doesn't know yet.]
no subject
But damn, he must stick out big time. Being tall and skinny doesn't help Lance's case, but being a human in a demon hangout means he might as well carry a neon sign blasting his species status.]
Um... [He tries to think quickly of an viable reply.] Nah. I'm... driving. Don't need to make my rap sheet any longer than it already is.
[Nailed it.]
no subject
Keith only hms to himself and takes another sip of his drink.]
Better question then: why are you here?
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His attention goes to the guy--demon, Lance guesses--a clever ruse to avoid putting his mouth on that glass for as long as possible.]
There's no sign on the door that says no humans, right?
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Usually security keeps them out.
[Too bad, security guy isn't here right now. Still early.]
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[Look, Lance isn't here for a fight. Especially not against a demon. He just wants to ignore his drink in peace so if this guy wants to bug him just for being a human, they might as well hash things out right now.
So Lance can get a head start on running.]
I ain't got anything against demons, dude.
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[Siiiiip.]
They might.
[They're definitely being watched, by many pairs of eyes. Keith is hoping to just deescalate this before it becomes anything and get this guy out of here. He's just here while he waits for a contract due in the next four hours. Not to babysit.]
You may want to get out quick.
no subject
Ah, shit.
[Okay, he just needs to stay calm and not let loose the torrent of bricks he's trying not to shit at the moment. He likes his life, likes his bones in one piece, and definitely enjoys not being eaten by demons.]
I can't.
[It hasn't even been ten minutes yet and if he turns around to the door, he can probably see his gaggle of friends still chatting outside. Why won't they leave?]
no subject
[It's a non-context observation more than anything. He doesn't know this guy or his friends, but if he's saying he can't just walk out with his life still in tact because of them? They must not be good friends.]
What's more important? Them or your life?
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[Someone does protest too much. It's not so much his friends that are stopping them, but more Lance himself. He's built up this bravado to make up for any other shortcomings and he desperately wants to prove that he's a badass and super duper cool. Whether he's proving it to himself or to his friends remains a mystery.
Okay, it's himself. His friends would totally rib him for a bit, maybe bring it up a couple times down the road, but truly holding it against him is not a thing they'd do. Lance, on the other hand, would mark it as another thing he's not the best at, one more thing to go with the ever-growing list in his head.]
Why are you so concerned anyway? I'm just a human. Those other demons would probably go after you for warning me.
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[Which is to say it's less about you and more about the inconvenience you would cause, Lance.
But sue him, it might be a little bit you.
He leans in close, arm loose around Lance's shoulder and whispers close:] Follow my lead.
[With that, he starts carefully but friendly leading Lance to the door with a big, uncharacteristic smile.]
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But also Lance doesn't want his blood adding to the ambiance so getting out while he still has his soul attached would be a fine idea.
With the demon's arm over his shoulder, Lance sighs and tosses a couple dollars onto the bar for his soda. This guy is right and there's no sense in keeping up the fight so he lets the demon lead them out to where a couple of his friends are still milling about. Maybe they'll think Lance not only survived the bar, but also bagged a hot date for the night. Okay, that's something he can definitely work with.]
no subject
Then around the building. Down the block, far away from prying eyes or ears of the place. Then quickly removes his arm and takes a step back from him.]
This still isn't the best place in town for someone like you, but it's safer than the bar. Do you need a lyft or can you find your way home?
no subject
The moment doesn't last nearly enough and suddenly the arm is gone and Lance is blinking up at the guy, bringing a hand to absentmindedly rub at the back of his neck.]
Yeah, I'm good by myself. [No, he's not, but how much more bruising can his ego take? He holds out his hand to the demon for a shake. Is that how you thank a demon?] I'm Lance.