A Gladiator And A Scrapper

Part 10 - Confession And Drink

After struggling through the wasteland, they reached Concordia.

It was dark before they reached Concordia, Wilhelm and Claptrap, who didn't need to sleep, set out to deactivate a jamming signal to get Jack off Helios.

They'd chatted with Moxxi, tried to reach the Meriff, and pinpointed the jamming signal.

Nisha set off to find a good place to sleep but Athena went to Springs's shop. She had lowered her hood and made sure her hair was somewhat combed.

She wandered into Springs's shop. It was empty and dark but a heater was thrumming lightly. Springs was sat on a chair with her feet up on a desk. She was clearly asleep.

Athena crept forward and sat in front of Springs, lifting her feet onto the ground. Athena, sat on the desk, folding on leg over the other.

"Rise and shine Sprin...Janey" Athena said, just loud enough that it woke Janey up nearly instantly.

"Oh....." Janey said, looking at Athena, and her cheeks going bright red as her eyes just wandered over Athena's legs, face, and...ect.

"Are you awake enough to deliver on the drink promised?" Athena asked. Janey nodded, a bit of life returning to her. They shared a smile and both walked to Moxxi's: Up And Over Bar.

They sat down on stools at the bar. Moxxi wandered over.

"Athena, what can I get for you? Mrs. Springs, anything for you?" Moxxi said, her voice smoother than silk.

"Something strong for both of us." Athena said.

"Of course sugar, just give me a moment to find something of your taste" Moxxi announced and slinked off into the back room where they stored the most expensive drinks.

Springs reached into her pockets to find money to pay, but Athena stopped her.

"Spr...Janey, this one's on me" Athena whispered generously. Patting her on her shoulder akwardly.

Athena paid for the first round as Moxxi presented them with two glasses of a glowing liquid that faded between dark shades of purple and sky blue.

"This is Eridium distilled whiskey." Moxxi announced, gingerly placing the glasses down in front of Athena and Springs. Without a thought Springs and Athena downed their glasses.

Springs started coughing. This whiskey was very, VERY strong. Athena let out one cough as Springs went into her second chorus.

This was gonna be a lot of drinks

Now on their 3rd round of weaker beer. Springs and Athena had sat down at a table and started to chat, and get to know each other.

"So. Athena, I've been meaning to ask. What's the deal with your scarf? You seem really attatched to it." Springs asked. She instantly saw the flicker of pain across Athena's eyes and regretted asking. "Ohmygod I'm so sorry if that's too personal."

"No it's fine Janey...I...you should know." Athena said and drunk her entire tankard of beer in one go. Then cleared her throat to speak "If we're going to drink more, you should know. I mean...I should tell you, so then you know. So...yeah"

For the first time Janey saw embaressment cross Athena's face. She placed her hand on Athena's, that was laying on the table. Athena recoiled slightly from the physical contact but once she realised it was Janey she allowed it, even placing her other hand over Janey's. Placing her hand between both of her's.

"Take your time." Janey said. So Athena cleared her throat.

"This scarf was a gift from my sister Jess. It's all I have left to honor her." Athena said. Janey let the silence hang for a few seconds.

"What happened to her?" Janey asked quietly.

"I was tricked into killing her." Athena said, the firmness returning to her face. Yet a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Athena pulled away and tried to leave but Janey grabbed her hand as she stood up and said only two words, that made Athena stop.

"I'm sorry." Janey said.

"Why should you be sorry. You had nothing to do with my incompetence to save the people I care about." Athena confessed, still standing and looking away.

"Because I feel sorry for you, but I know what you're going through. I've lost my whole family and I lost my girlfriend to Flamey recently. So we're both on our own. No one likes me because I'm quirky, and you don't want people close to you so you wont get them hurt." Janey explained, Athena sat down, closer to Janey than she had been before.

Athena spent a few moments thinking about what Janey had said. Then, without warning, slid her arms around Janey and pulled the taller woman into a hug. Looking over Janey's shoulder, she saw Moxxi sat on the bar sideways, holding a glass of a deep red liquid. Moxxi simply gave her a smile and a tip of the hat before turning to talk to a customer.

After a few seconds the hug broke and both of the women were left in silence as they retreated into their personal spaces.

After a few seconds Janey cleared her throat embaressingly. "Tha...thanks Athena, I needed that." She said, giving a warm smile.

Athena watched Jack, Wilhelm and Claptrap walk into the bar. "My team's here so I'm going to have to go." Athena announced. "But I really enjoyed myself. Thanks!"

"Any time Athena!" Janey responded.

"Don't let anyone tell you that you're unatractive or a nuisance because you're quirky okay?" Athena said to her as she started to check she had all of her gear. "You're perfect just how you are."

Janey blushed and Athena pulled the blonde scrapper's head down, then gave her forceful kiss on the lips. Only lasting a second or two.

Then leaving, Janey stunned, Athena dashed out of the bar, Wilhelm smiling, Claptrap spinning round in circles of joy, and Jack seeming to be the source of confusion throughout Elpis started to follow Athena, and Claptrap behind him.

Wilhelm took an extra second to give Janey a smile and nod before jogging after the others.

Minutes later Moxxi wandered over to Janey, who hadn't moved a muscle, and just patted her on the shoulder, saying:

"And that Mrs. Springs, is the might of a powerful lesbian. Have something strong, on the house."