SHADOWS - Adversary

CHAPTER 6

"What are you wearing?" Valley questioned exasperatedly.

Nora had just walked out of her room to go to the bar with Valley but apparently her attire wasn't acceptable by her sister's standards.

"Umm, my clothes." She replied. She was wearing an old black Metallica t-shirt, her red flannel shirt, black jeans with small tears and her black combat boots with the tops folded down. Her hair was tied up and she had no makeup on. Nora hated wearing makeup.

Valley looked great. She was wearing her black stockings, a short skirt, a dark blue off-shoulder shirt that revealed her toned abdomen, her favorite dark grey denim jacket and black knee high boots. Her lips had dark blue lipstick to match her top and contrast with her hair, and she had simple black eyeliner on. A small fake silver heart necklace rested between her collarbones.

"Come on Nora, you can't go out in your normal clothes. You're supposed to get all dressed up." She insisted.

Ten minutes later Nora was wearing one of Valley's dark grey tank tops with a low neckline that showed off her cleavage. As well as her own black leather jacket and gold bullet necklace. She had unfolded the tops of her boots and laced them up and Valley had put a small amount of black eyeshadow on her, saying that she didn't need much. Thank god. She had asked Nora if she wanted to wear lipstick but she had declined, saying that the only thing she wanted even remotely near her mouth was a cold beer.

Valley stood back and looked at her masterpiece. She had gotten Anora Mayfield to dress like a girl. I am good, she thought.

She tilted her head to the side before adding the finishing touch. "Untie your hair." Valley instructed. Nora didn't even bother resisting, she just tugged the black hair tie off and let her long, wavy hair fall down her back and shoulders.

Valley seemed to approve. Finally.

*     *     *

Valley swaggered ahead of Nora into the bar. It was crowded, but Nora realised it was a little different to the typical Aussie pub. It was much fancier, but Nora reminded herself, it was in Washington DC, not 'small town' Australia.

The counter was a nice glossy wood lined with padded bar stools. Definitely fancier. In one end of the room, there was a nice big pool table, a couple of dart boards on the wall and a few little wooden tables where people were having their own games of poker.

The room buzzed with chatter, the clinking of glasses, soft thuds when people set their drinks down and the occasional cheer when someone finished a row of shots or won a game of pool.

Nora took in a breath. She smelled stale peanuts, steak and beer. She had loved the local pub back in Monto. Her dad had taken her the day she turned eighteen and they liked to have a few drinks every weekend.

"Lets go sit shall we," Valley said. "Before you decide to move in."

Nora grinned back in response. The two girls made their way over to the counter with the occasional guy staring, and sat down on the stools. "Two beers." Valley answered the barkeeper's unasked question.

Nora turned on her seat to face Valley. "So. How long have you and Yuki been together?" She asked.

Valley smiled. "Since January." She replied happily.

"What's she like?" Nora asked, smiling also.

She sighed and rested her head on her hand. "She's amazing. She's so smart, and adorable. She's nice, sweet, caring..." Valley trailed off.

Nora smiled at her sister. Valley had always been a romantic. She picked up the beer that was now in front of her and Valley snapped out of her trance and did the same.

As they drank they talked. About Valley and Yuki, cases, monsters and then baby rabbits. They hadn't been able to talk like this since Valley had left Australia, over five months ago. She had left on her birthday like Nora had. They had called one another a few times, of course, but international phone calls were expensive and being a Venator was more than a little time-consuming.

Valley grinned and nodded her head towards something behind Nora. "That guy is staring at you."

Nora turned to look. The man certainly was staring at her. She took in a surprised breath. He was extremely attractive, with dark brown hair, tanned skin, and a strong jawline and straight nose. He had dark stubble on his face as though he hadn't shaved in a few days, but he suited it well. Through the stubble, a long thin scar was visible. Nora found his eyes the most intriguing however. They were green, but a beautiful, indescribable shade. She couldn't help but stare back.

Nora turned back to her sister, praying to God that her face wasn't red.

"You face is red." Valley said before smiling and looking at the man again. "He's coming over."

Nora took the last sip of her beer and mentally prepared herself. She felt the man lean against the bench next to her.

Nora turned around on her seat and looked into those amazing eyes again.

"Can I get you a drink?" He asked with a grin. His voice was deep and pleasant with a very slight lilt in his words. Spanish maybe?

Why he was here was obvious though.

"Nah, I'm good thanks." Nora answered.

He looked at her empty bottle and tilted his head to the side. "Why not?"

Nora sighed and smiled at him. "Because, I'm sure that the only reason you want to buy me a drink is so we can talk and then have sex later. And, seeing as I intend to do neither one of those things, I'd hate for you to waste your money."

Valley whistled. "Ouch." She said.

The man looked down for a second and laughed. "Fair enough." He said before reluctantly turning and walking away.

She turned back to Valley.

"Are you crazy?!" Valley said, astonished.

Nora laughed and shook her head. "I'm not gonna sleep with a stranger just because he's hot."

Valley rolled her eyes. "You know, being a Venator doesn't exactly get you easily hitched. How else are you going to lose your-"

Nora slapped her arm. "Shut up." She said.

After a few more drinks, Nora and Valley left the bar and started walking back to the motel where Valley's computer was with a message from Yuki.