One Helluva Ride

Chapter 23: 'Girls' Night

          After several days, Splice had mostly healed from their injury. They'd been allowed to return to work, although it didn't matter much. Business had been nauseatingly slow as of late. The most "work" consisted of was lying around the office either napping or scrolling through social media.

          "Uh.. shouldn't we be doing something?" Moxxie asked, glancing around uncomfortably. Blitzø shrugged. "Until we get a client? Not really." He replied absentmindedly, tapping away on his phone. It looked like he was playing some horse mobile game.

          Splice huffed, getting up from their seat and grabbing the keys to the company van. "Right, well, I'm going out. Anyone wanna come with?" They asked. Millie immediately shot up. "Ooh! I'll go!" She answered excitedly, skittering toward the door. Loona glanced up from her phone. ".. I'll go. I could use a break." She muttered, getting up from her desk boredly.

          Splice glanced over to Moxxie. "Well? You coming?" They asked. Moxxie debated it for a few seconds, but shook his head. "No... I can't leave my post unattended." He replied. Splice swung the door open. "'Kay. Suit yourself." They said as they left the building.

          The drive to the bar was short and sweet. Music blasted over the speakers of the rundown van, spilling out from the open windows. Splice parked the car and led the group inside. The place was relatively quiet, only occupied by a few day drinkers.

          Splice approached the bar, which was being tended by a fish-like envy demon. "Splice! What a pleasure to see you, love." Desdemona said in a thick accent. Splice clambered onto a barstool. "Dess! It's been too long." They said with a grin. Loona and Millie took seats beside Splice. "These two are my co-workers; Millie and Loona." The promiscuous imp introduced.

         The bartender lit up. "Right! These are the ones you were telling me about." She said with a grin, setting down the glass she had been polishing and looking at the two unfamiliar demons. "My name is Desdemona. What can I get for you?" Splice's tail swayed as they looked at the various liquors on the shelf behind Desdemona.

         "I'll take absinthe, if you have it." Splice answered. Millie glanced along the wall, frowning slightly. "Do you have anything from Wrath?" She asked softly. Desdemona smiled. "Sure do. Will whiskey work, love?" The envy demon asked as she poured Splice a glass of absinthe. Millie lit up. "Yeah! That'd be perfect." She replied with an enthusiastic smile.

          Loona glanced up from her phone. ".. I'm fine with whatever." She muttered. Desdemona quickly readied everyone's drinks and passed them out. Splice lit up excitedly as they lifted the glass of absinthe to their lips. The strong alcohol stung their tongue and throat as they took a drink. They felt the poison rush through their system, followed by the overwhelming urge to indulge in more.

         "Do you come here often, Splice?" Millie asked as she sipped on her whiskey. Splice shrugged as they motioned for Desdemona to pour them another glass. "When I get the chance. It's nice here. It's usually not too busy, plus Dess here is a good friend of mine." They answered. Loona placed her phone down on the bar and took the place in for a moment. "Yeah.. I can see why you like this place." She muttered.

          "Hey, would you two want to go to Stylish Occult after this? Y'know.. to browse?" Loona asked. Millie smiled softly. "Sure! Sounds fun." She replied. Splice downed another glass of absinthe, feeling the tingling sensation of drunkenness starting to set in. They gestured for Desdemona to pour them another glass. She seemed concerned, but did as she was asked. Splice frowned. "Dessy, can't you just give me the whole bottle?" Splice slurred.

          Desdemona raised an eyebrow. "Can you afford that, love?" She asked. Splice nodded, leaning their head in their hand. "I've got enough. C'mon, please~?" They begged. Desdemona sighed, passing over the bottle of absinthe. Splice grabbed it happily, raising the bottle to their lips. "Uh.. you sure that's safe?" Millie asked.

          Splice took a swing and put the bottle on the bar. "Mhm. This shit's strong, but it's not Beelzejuice or anything. Besides, I've got a good tolerance." They winked at Millie. Loona scoffed. "Dude, that stuff is like.. super addictive. Once you have a glass, you've gotta have a bottle." She said. Splice blinked slowly. "That's why I'm drinking it." They replied.

          Loona let out a laugh. "That's enough for you." She said, taking the bottle from Splice. The imp let out a whine. Desdemona looked over at Loona. "Thanks, love. Would've stopped them myself, but they don't listen to me." She said somewhat exasperatedly. Millie gently placed a hand on Splice's shoulder. "Come on, hun. Let's get you in the car." She offered.

           Splice huffed. "Guys, I'm fine. Seriously." They said. Millie shook her head with an affectionate smile. "You can have the rest of the bottle later." She explained, helping Splice off of their barstool. Loona held the bottle of absinthe in her paw, looking over to Desdemona. "Uh, how do we pay you for all of this..?" She asked. Desdemona smiled and waved a hand dismissively. "I've got Splice's card." She answered.

           Loona led Splice toward the van. ".. guys, I don't think that I can drive." Splice slurred. Millie shook her head with a chuckle. "No shit, hun. I'll drive." She replied. Loona helped Splice into the back before climbing into the passenger seat. "Alright, so where's this place you wanted to go?" Millie asked as she started the car.

          Instead of replying, Loona punched the address into the GPS. ".. Oh. That works." Millie said, looking down at the screen. After a brief commute, the group ended up at Stylish Occult. Millie helped Splice out of the backseat as Loona led the two into the store. Her eyes lit up with excitement.

         "I don't think I've ever seen her this excited.." Millie muttered quietly. Loona browsed through a few clothing racks. "Well.. it's good she's excited, right? She might open up a little." Splice replied as they leaned on Millie for support. Millie hummed in agreement. "Sure is nice seeing her like this. You know.. I was startin' to think that there was nothing that made her happy." She said with an affectionate smile.

        Loona looked at a few dresses, draping them over herself as she looked in the mirror. "Shit.. which one looks better?" She asked, turning over toward the two imps. Millie looked at the dresses in Loona's arms. "Well... The red one brings out your eyes!" She answered.

          "Splice? What do you think?" Loona asked. Splice glanced between the options. "The red one looks like it'd fit nicely. I'd say good option if you're going clubbing or something." They slurred, staggering as they clung to Millie to avoid falling over. Loona looked back into the mirror for a moment, before nodding. "Red it is, then." She said, placing the other dresses back onto the rack

          Loona's ear twitched as music began playing over the speakers in the store. "Oh, shit! Splice, isn't this your album?" She asked. Splice blinked, taking a moment to process the song that was playing. "What? I didn't know you sang!" Millie exclaimed, looking down at the intoxicated imp leaned on her shoulder. Splice's face flushed in embarrassment. "It was a one-time thing.." They slurred sheepishly. "Verosika talked me into it."

          Millie frowned slightly. "'S that why you don't like her?" She asked. Splice shrugged in response. "I guess? She's just.. a lot." They answered. Loona grew increasingly uncomfortable with the tension in the room. "Hey, how about we make outfits for each other?" She offered, showing a hesitant smile. Millie lit up. "Hell yeah!"