Guardians Book One - Magic Rising

Chapter Four

The sunshine had driven most of the customers to gather around the outside tables or sit on the nearby grass banks with their drinks, meaning the two women could get a table inside with ease. The bar's casual interior and greyscale wallpaper was dim after the bright evening sunshine, the corners of the room lit with the flashing neon lights of games machines, the air full of the low buzz of chatter drifting in from outside and the heady scent of alcohol and stodgy pub grease from the kitchen, but the armchair-style seats were comfortable to sink into after a long day's work.

"What d'you fancy? Drinks on me," said Kath, grabbing the menu, belatedly remembering her companion's inability with vernacular. "I mean, I'll buy us the first drinks. I can put the food order in, too. What would you like?"

Lady studied the menu the way she did everything; with meticulous care. "I would like...a glass of Australian Merlot, please. And the salmon salad." She drew out her purse to hand some cash to Kath for the food.

"Alcohol?" Kath wasn't sure why that surprised her. It was the end of the week, after all. Lady gave a tiny, one-shouldered shrug.

"Since this is a special occasion, I think I shall. You are right; I shouldn't normally. But since we are eating as well and..." She trailed off, and Kath couldn't help herself capping the sentence.

"It IS Friday!" she said. Lady nodded. "That's the spirit!" Kath grabbed up the menus and marched off to the bar, leaving Lady taking in the scene and the other customers, studying them one by one.

"Special occasion," Kath murmured to herself as she weaved her way through the other patrons. She'd been right; poor thing clearly didn't get out much. She did seem marginally more relaxed, though; something of her tenseness had lessened. Kath determined to herself she was going to get this girl to be her friend, and to enjoy herself, meet people, have some fun. What kinda life is it if you don't?

She caught the barman's eye and recited the order to him, paid, and returned to their table. Lady had settled herself back in her chair, her legs crossed, her arms resting on the tabletop. Kath smiled at her.

"Everything's on its way," she said, pushing Lady's change across the table to her. "So! You enjoying the job so far?"

"It is...interesting," Lady said. "I like the involvement of it."

"Yeah, it's OK," Kath said. "Well, I mean, I like the people, and a job's a job."

Lady tilted her head. "Is this not what you wished from your life?"

Kath leaned back in her chair. "Well...I don't know what I wanted from my life, to be honest. I graduated, you know, me and my friends moved out to Wimbledon, and just picked up what we could. I reckon, it's not about how you spend your day, getting your money. It's what you do around that that makes life good."

Lady's lips turned downward slightly, and Kath leaned forward. "I mean, not that there's anything wrong with loving your job! If you do, that's cool, it's lucky. Most people don't."

"It is hard when you have to do that which is painful," said Lady, her eyes dropping. Kath shook her head.

"Oh, it's not painful, exactly, it's just...you know, one day to the next. I thought it'd be more exciting." She laughed. "Silly, really. I mean, that's what kids think being an adult is, right?"

"Excitement is often difficult," said Lady, her fingers tensing. "It is rather more calming sometimes to have something merely academic to undertake."

"Eh, maybe," said Kath, as diplomatically as she could manage. "But work's over, right? How about...hey, karate, how'd you get into that? How long've you been doing it?"

Lady pressed her lips together. "All my life. Since I was very small."

"I bet you're incredible!" Kath said. "You compete a lot, right?"

Lady's head lifted, her eyes narrow. "How did you know?"

"Oh, um..." Can't really say we googled her! "Just guessed," Kath finished, a bit lamely. "I mean, I play rugby and we always compete, so...?"

Lady relaxed. "Oh. Yes. That would make sense. And I do, yes. I have undertaken several international tournaments...but after university it was no longer prudent or viable to continue."

"Why? I mean, if that's not rude?" Kath was puzzled; surely it would be easier to compete without the hassle of a degree? Maybe it wasn't easy to get leave or something. But she'd never had a problem.

"No, that is not a rude question," Lady said. "But I'm afraid I cannot well explain." She didn't offer any more explanation, and Kath stalled for a moment.

The waiter chose that moment to turn up with their drinks and a pot of olives Kath had ordered as a starter.

"Wine over there," Kath motioned to Lady, glad for the distraction. "The beer is me. Olives here." She pointed at the centre of the table.

"For you," the man placed the wine glass in front of Lady with a wink, trying to elicit a response. Lady didn't even look up at him.

"Thank you," she said, flatly. He deflated, and, placing down the beer and olive pot, hurried away without another word.

Kath sniggered. "He was flirting, you know."

Lady frowned. "He was? To what purpose? He does not know me."

Kath shook her head, reaching for one of the cocktail sticks to spear an olive and wave it demonstratively. "Friday. London. Anyone'll try their luck." She looked at Lady's beautiful, clueless face. "You've been in London a while, right? Don't you...I mean, doesn't this happen...?"

"I am rarely approached," said Lady, biting her lip and picking up her wine, taking a slow sip, staring into the depths of the glass.

"I'm...sorry?" said Kath, fidgeting with the cocktail stick. Lady merely shook her head, raising her gaze again.

"It is of little moment. Please...tell me more about your rugby. I would like to hear about it."

Kath smiled. "Really? Awesome! I've been playing since I was a kid, really..."