The Man Doused in Darkness

Part 1

 (Writen in the P.O.V. of a bartendress [Robin])

I don't quite recall the man's face all that clearly—no, not at all. Half of his face was painted with an ominous shadow by a wide-rimmed, black hat. All I was able to make of his face were his thin, straight-lined lips and a slightly crooked nose. He was like a statue sitting there, inanimate as stone. The guy seemed to be in deep thought. A total oddball he was that night; being in contrast with the colorful, ever-changing party lights and the lively guests of Chenwick manor, he was dull. Clad in an all black garb.

"Robin darling, could you pass me that beer mug, please?"

I snapped back to my senses when Natalie, my co-worker, called for my assistance, to which I replied "Comin' right up!"

When I walked by the guy, I felt a chill down my spine. It was odd, since it felt like such a long trip across the bar counter when I passed him. It was as if time slowed down once I entered his field of vision. Disregarding such, I shook my head and grabbed the mug, giving it a good wiping.

'Cut it out, Robin. You're just frightening yourself again.' I thought to myself.

I set the mug down onto the counter and slid it to the other side, where Natalie was waiting, just to avoid walking past the strange man again. Without fully looking in my direction, Natalie caught the mug on time and turned her head to look at me. She had a sweet smile complete with a wink gracing her features. Strangely enough, I felt reassured and comforted in her simple gesture. Returning her actions, I—though awkwardly—smiled back.

Just as I decided to losen up a little bit and finally get some work done, I heard a sliver of voice come from the oddball as I sauntered around. Thinking that I was being delusional, brushed it off and proceeded to tend to other customers. After a good few minutes, I heard him again.

"...Ma'am." He called out, louder than previously. I froze upon hearing his croak.

Now, when you're a bartendress, being cumbersome and stiff is an absolute no-no. There is no room for awkwardness or being timid around customers, otherwise you might bum them out more than they already are... or make them feel unwelcomed in "such a happy place like this".

I couldn't avoid such in a situation likethis, especially when dealing with a man of his aura. In all honesty, I wasnever a 'fun-and-flirtatious' kind of gal to begin with, which makes mysituation a lot harder to deal with. Guess I only accepted the job offer out ofdesperation?