At The End Of The Day

Chapter 3

TW: Gore

"Welcome to The Last Drop! What can I get started for you?" Vi puts on her public face, voice polite as a customer sits themself at the bar.

"Martini please."

"Coming right up!" She makes quick work, sliding the glass to the customer.

Two knocks on the bar top catch her attention to someone else.

She spends the night like this, allowing other employees to take the drinks to the tables, making sure Babette's girls are treated kind, and taking the time to run out a few thugs.

-

After having a few drinks for herself, Vi goes home.

"It's about time." Vander teases.

"For what?" Vi sits on the coffee table, leaning her elbows on her knees.

"It's been a while since we spent time as a family. Go grab the others, so we can watch a movie together."

Silco's office is her first stop. Powder and their dad are working on another one of Powder's paint bombs. "Vander says movie time."

"Coming!" Powder abandons the project, Silco putting it somewhere safe before leaving for the living room.

Mylo's room is next, a shout from the other side of the door saying he would be out in a second. Claggor stops in the kitchen on his way to the couch.

"What movie, pops?" Mylo settles between Powder and the arm of the couch.

"You'll see." Vander answers. Powder scoots closer into Vi's side, holding the hand attached to the arm that's draped itself over her shoulder. Claggor rests his head in his hand, using the arm of the couch as his support.

-

"Matilda, dear, what in Janna's name is this mess?" Cassandra looks around the room she gave Matilda to use whilst visiting. There's paint, and all sorts of art supplies scattered around an easel, the 14" by 16" canvas colored in what seems to be a night sky, clouds and stars surrounding a bright moon.

"Mom was right when she said I should do painting. I followed a tutorial I saw online! What do you think?" Cassandra finally looks at the actual art. Her hard stature softens a tad.

"I think you've found your calling." Tobias comes into the room, a server on his heels.

"Tea time, loves!" He stops, jaw slacked, eyes full of wonder. "Did you do this?" He looks at his granddaughter.

"Yup! You like it?!"

"I have no words." The server is left at the door, Tobias scooping the young girl into his arms. "How long did this take?"

"All day, but it was worth it!"

"And to think I had assumed you were in the garden as usual." He sets her down. "Shall we frame it, and place it in the house some where?"

"Not this one grandfather. This one will be saved for someone special."

"Now now, you're rather young to be dabbling in affairs-"

"No grandmother. For when I ever meet my parent." Cassandra and Tobias lock eyes, speaking a language only they understand.

-

"She hasn't come in?" Caitlyn asks Babette, sitting across the desk from the woman.

"Yes. She's always here at the same time every day. She always lets me or someone know if she's late. No one's heard from her." The Yordle woman has a face of dread.