Sol had barely settled into his drink when a shadow fell over his table, accompanied by the soft tap of a tail flicking against the counter. The scent of something faintly floral—warm, with a hint of spice—drifted into the air. He didn't need to look up to know who it was.
"Enjoying the view, traveler?" came a teasing, purring voice.
He glanced to the side, meeting a pair of bright yellow eyes that shimmered like molten gold, playful yet predatory. The bartender from earlier had slid into the seat beside him, her elbows propped against the counter, chin resting on her palm as she watched him with a grin.
"Can't tell if you're watching the bar or brooding dramatically," she mused, ears twitching in amusement. "Either way, you're making it look good."
Sol exhaled through his nose, amused. She was the type to play games.
"Didn't realize my drink came with entertainment," he replied smoothly, swirling the glowing liquid in his glass. "Is this part of the Cosmic Drift's famous hospitality?"
She chuckled, her tail flicking against his arm, light enough to be accidental—but definitely not. "Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea how hospitable I can be." Her golden eyes glowed with mischief as she leaned in just a little closer, voice lowering to a playful purr. "Don't see as many people as attractive as you around here. So tell me, traveler, are you just passing through, or should I start getting used to the view?"
Sol wasn't often caught off guard, but something about the casual confidence in her words made him pause for just a fraction of a second. His smirk wavered—barely noticeable, but enough. He covered it quickly, tilting his head slightly, letting his expression settle into something cool and unreadable, but the flicker of amusement in Candy's eyes told him she had noticed.
She let the words hang between them for a second before flashing a toothy, mischievous grin.
Sol didn't flinch under her gaze, nor did he let his smirk widen. Instead, he took a slow sip of his Nebular Brew, letting the warmth settle before setting his glass down with an easy grace.
"Wouldn't be much of a mystery if I told you, would it?" he replied smoothly, his voice carrying the kind of calm intrigue that left more questions than answers.
The cat-girl bartender tilted her head, her ears twitching slightly as if processing his game. "Ohh, I see how it is," she mused, tail curling in lazy circles behind her. "The brooding type. Mysterious past. Lone traveler in search of something... but what?"
Sol exhaled through his nose, offering a small, unreadable smile. "Maybe I just like good drinks and interesting atmospheres."
Her grin widened, fangs peeking out just slightly. "Hmm. You know, people don't usually end up in a place like this by accident. They either have a purpose… or they're running from one."
Sol met her gaze, still cool, still unreadable. "Maybe I'm both."
Her tail stilled mid-sway, and for a fraction of a second, she studied him more closely, as if reevaluating her approach. Good. Let her wonder.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the counter. "But enough about me. You seem like you have a talent for reading people. What's your guess?"
She blinked, then chuckled softly, tapping one claw-tipped finger against her chin. "Oh, so we're playing the 'turn the question back on me' game?" Her tone was teasing, but there was a glint of interest in her eyes now.
"I like to keep things fair," Sol replied smoothly.
The bartender leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a playful purr. "You're trouble, traveler. I can smell it."
Sol's smirk was just barely there, but as the words settled, something flickered behind his eyes. A memory. His smile wavered, only for a fraction of a second, as a small, dull ache settled in his chest. He remembered what he had done back when he was escaping, the choices that had carved their mark into him. For just a breath, the weight of it lingered. Then, just as quickly, he covered it up, picking up his drink again as if nothing had happened. He didn't confirm or deny it.
She studied him for a moment longer, her golden eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she caught the brief flicker of sadness in his gaze. The playful smirk she usually wore softened for just a second, as if she was debating whether to press further. Instead, she clicked her tongue. "Alright, alright. I'll play along—for now."
She straightened, her tail flicking one last time before she leaned casually against the counter. "But since you're keeping secrets, let me give you one for free. You wanna stay ahead in this place? Keep an ear to the ground and a hand on your credits. The Cosmic Drift may be fun, but it listens, and it remembers."
Sol took another sip, absorbing her words. That sounded less like a warning and more like advice.
"Good to know," he said, locking eyes with her once more. "I'll remember that."
She flashed another sharp, knowing grin. "You better."
For now, it seemed the game had ended in a draw. But Sol had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time she tested him.
Sol tapped his fingers against his glass, letting Candy's words settle before tilting his head slightly. "Alright," he said smoothly, "You've had your fun reading me. Now it's my turn."
Candy's ears perked up, her grin widening in amusement. "Oh? That so?"
He nodded. "You don't seem like someone who just ended up here by chance. What's your story?"
For the first time since they started talking, Candy hesitated. It was subtle—just the faintest pause before her tail resumed its slow, lazy swaying.
Then she smirked, propping her chin up on her palm. "Now, now, traveler, that's a dangerous question."
Sol raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
Her golden eyes shimmered playfully, but there was something deeper beneath the teasing—something carefully controlled. "Because everyone here has a past, and most of us don't like looking over our shoulders."
She leaned in slightly, voice lowering just a touch. "But I'll tell you this much—I wasn't always Candy, and I wasn't always a bartender."
Sol didn't push. He recognized that kind of answer, the kind crafted to satisfy curiosity without giving too much away. He had used it himself more times than he could count.
Instead, he smirked. "Fair enough."
Candy tapped the counter lightly, as if pleased by his restraint, then straightened up. "But since you're new, how about I give you something useful instead?"