002 ♔ dictated;

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[After Damon's back from his incessant whining and complaining magical adventures as a pony, Damon cracks open that journal.]

I was under the distinct impression this place was more like Saw less Little Shop of Horrors. Then again, you guys told me there weren't any fairies and look at what showed up just days later.

You guys really aren't trying very hard to build some trust here, are you?

Anyway, all I need to know - the alcohol been replenished yet?

[He could do with a stiff drink after that.]

Comments

[luthored]

You can find out when you drop by. Just don't keep a girl waiting.

action;

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[Damon shows up a while later, announcing his presence by, y'know, being obnoxious.]

Alright, I'm a horrific masochist and curiosity got the better of me. What is it?

action;

[luthored]

[ Wow rude! She'll already be there waiting outside the restaurant's front door, though, seated on the stone wall sealing in the little garden. Lana's not dressed any different from normal today, just a snappy business dress, but of course there is no more ring on her finger. ]

You sound like you're in a hurry.

[ Pushing off the edge, she dusts off her skirt as she strolls closer to him, her smile a slow-building one. ]

Do you have somewhere else to be? You're already going to break the one rule.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[He looks her over, something's different. Mostly because she's smiling. That's weird. She's usually much closer to being almost weepy when he's around.]

Well, I am blowing someone else off right now.

[luthored]

Really? That's good. [ She doesn't sound very surprised by that knowledge, either. In some way, she seems more confident about her effect on Damon. ] Because the rule is it can only be me tonight. One whole night with just me.

[ With that on the table, however vague it is, Lana abruptly turns around and heads back to the restaurant's entrance to open the door. ]

So are you coming in?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[There's something up with her and Damon can't figure out what. He's half-tempted to ask because he's gotta admit - he's kinda suspicious. Lana's position on Damon's been wobbly at best and this sudden positive attitude just seems off. But for now, he's just going to play along and play it safe.]

Yeah, I guess I'm all yours.

[He follows her in.]

[luthored]

[ Lana locks the doors behind him, remembering that rampaging lemur the other night. Last thing she needs is Kenzi getting loose in her restaurant.

The lights are already on, since she hadn't officially shut down everything for the night, so she just steps out of her heels once they're by the podium. Not that they hurt her feet, but...

She motions beyond the seating area. ]

Pick your poison. We have a full bar.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

Bourbon. And make it the good stuff. I'm not here to drink pisswater.

[He's intent on watching her carefully even though he finds somewhere to sit rather casually.]

[luthored]

Classy as ever.

[ She just rolls her eyes, draping her jacket over a stool and walking behind the bar, rummaging around for an unopened bottle. Lana doesn't need him worrying about vervain. ]

Neat?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

You got it.

[luthored]

[ It's poured and slid over without much fuss, and Lana just quietly goes about making a light mojito for herself. She doesn't plan on getting drunk. She isn't even entirely sure if she could. ]

So, tell me about your latest adventure.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[He takes a moment to have a sip before he starts talking.]

Apparently I went to wherever the hell it is those talking ponies come from. And in the process got turned into a talking pony.

[luthored]

[ She's trying to look interested, really. It's not a very successful attempt because she's not trying very hard. ]

Sounds...about right. And that's all that happened?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[It's noted, but he wasn't the one to bring it up, so in turned, he just feels annoyed.]

Like I said, it's nothing to drink over.

[luthored]

Should we be drinking over something else, then?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

You tell me. [He takes another swig from his glass.] Because I'm just here to drink for the sake of it. But I can do my best armchair psychology for you, if you want.

[luthored]

That's so flattering, but I think I'll pass.

If you don't need a reason, why do I?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

I'm not the one acting weird.

[luthored]

You think I am?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

Well, you're being extra cheerful and a dash assertive with me.

[He shrugs sarcastically like maybe, maybe not.]

[luthored]

[ A beat, and she rests her chin on her knuckles. ]

You know, you and I didn't always bicker. When I said we were friends, that wasn't just for charity. There were some good times.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

And yet this is the first time you haven't been looking for the exit.

[luthored]

Things got...complicated for awhile. Then they got even more complicated.

[ A shrug, and Lana stirs her straw around. ]

Now they're less complicated.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

Just like that?

[luthored]

[ She straightens up and snaps her fingers, her smile carrying a chill with the sarcasm. ]

Just like that. That's how life happens, isn't it?