The Time Traveler's Wife - The Other Side

The Sister

February 2013

In the weeks that followed, Carmilla grew more and more comfortable around Laura, even asking about certain events she'd noted in her travels to Laura's past. Laura insisted these were spoilers for Carmilla, which led to some entertaining grumpiness.

Surmising it was finally safe, Laura asked Carmilla if she could reserve a table in the library to study, and Carmilla eagerly accepted. So Laura decided to push her luck a bit further and decided she'd ask Carmilla if she wanted to go with her to watch Kirsch's band perform at a local bar.

Laura bounced into the library to find Carmilla talking with a coworker while scanning a patron's books.

"Hey!" Laura greets as the previous patron steps off the line.

Carmilla seems upset about something, but her pout completely vanishes as soon as she sees Laura and a warm smile grows. "Hey."

"So I know we said we'd do a quiet evening, but Kirsch told me his band is performing at this bar tonight," Laura begins. "And it's totally okay if you don't wanna go--"

"We can go," Carmilla replies.

The coworker stares at her. "Who are you and what have you done with Carmilla Karnstein?"

Carmilla narrows her eyes in a glare. "What? I can go out and do things."

"Since when?" the coworker cackles. "You're always all, 'what if I vanish in public? What if YOU vanish in public? What will I do if I vanish and come back naked days later? What if we BOTH vanish at the same time?'" she mocks.

Realizing this must be Mattie, Laura frowns. "But I thought you had that locket thingy that keeps you from time-displacing."

Mattie looks at her, bewildered. "How the hell do you know that?"

Laura giggles nervously. "Uhm... Carm told me. Well, Future Carm."

Mattie lightly smacks Carmilla on the arm.

"Ow! She just said I haven't done it yet," Carmilla growls.

"Exactly. Now whenever the time comes that you decide to, you'll remember me hitting you," Mattie snaps.

Carmilla rolls her eyes before turning her attention back to Laura. "So where is this bar?"

"It's right by campus, but it's a little too pricey for students in general. It's called the Silas Sirens."

"Isn't that the bar you go to all the time?" Carmilla asks Mattie.

Mattie crosses her arms. "Maybe."

"That's awesome! All three of us can go tonight together?"

Mattie leans forward and glares Laura down. "Let's be clear. I was gonna be there tonight no matter what. If you and Carm happen to also be there, it doesn't mean we'll be there together."

Laura seems confused but shrugs it off. "Ooookayyy. I'll take that as a 'yes!'"

Carmilla snorts. "See you tonight after our shift, cupcake. Have a nice time in class."

Laura gives a cheery wave and darts off to her table, an extra pep in her step.

~*~

"WHoOOOo! Go Kirsch!" Laura yells after the band finishes up another song. She takes a sip of her fruity cocktail, while Carmilla takes one of her whisky. Mattie doesn't bother to hide her disdain as she takes a large gulp of wine.

"We'll be right back after a short break," Kirsch says into the mic.

He high-fives Laura as he stops by the bar, chugging down a cup of water she was watching after for him.