fix you [open]

[Onzy]

The lake never lost its appeal to Flier. It was always just there, no matter season, it remained a sparkling idea of hope, whether in ice or liquid form. It was on the days that he didn't have a fix that he could truly appreciate the beauty of the area around him, finding a way to avoid work and coming to sit next to the lake edge with Lace. He didn't always value what he had. A roof over his head, a job and food in the fridge, but he was always trying to supplement the void in his hear with something else. Be it one night stands or coke, he would try to squash the fear of being alone by taking the drug. Heroin was too messy, the needles leaving ugly scars. He had too many of those already. Too many mental scars that he couldn't keep out during the high or the middle of the night with night mares. It haunted him, and scared him to death.

Lace was gamboling in the water, obviously quite pleased with herself. The terrier loved the daily walks in the park, and today was no different. Flier usually lost track of time, and ended up being late for work, but he didn't know how his new boss would handle that, so he merely just made sure that he was on time. Today he wouldn't bother. He wasn't in the mood to stand behind a bar, listening to people moan and groan about their shoddy lives, or what happened with the weekend sport. Right now though, all Flier wanted to do was get that fix, the instant rush and face his demons head on. The craving was becoming worse the longer he sniffed the powdery substance, and each time he suppressed it, refusing to control his life. Unlike some, he actually had control over his addiction.

The afternoon shift at the White Horse was about to start, and Flier made a half-hearted attempt at moving away from the pristine picture in front of him. He actually did manage to remove himself, whistling to Lace who came bounding back to him, muddy and wet. He grinned at his dog, brushing her off when she jumped on him. Flier walked everywhere, his finances in too horrible a state to even think of buying a car or truck. With Lace by his side, nothing could go wrong, or so it felt to him. Once they reached the apartment, Flier gave Lace a quick rub down and changed into clean clothes. He was taking his time, with no actual care in the world. The grey orbs of his caught an inconspicuous package on the dresser, his supply for the week. It beckoned him, wanting him to cut the line and force the hit. Shaking his head, Flier left.

The bar was busy for a Friday afternoon, and Jade looked run off her feet. He was about thirty minutes late, and Flier had no excuse. Sorry boss, was all he said, before getting into the routine of serving drinks, making small talk and just being what his job description told him to be.

[Sync]

Her expression didn't give away her true feelings as she worked frantically behind the bar. An unwavering friendly smile graced her pretty features as she served her customers, chatting briefly to those who didn't seem to notice how busy she was and insisted on claiming her attention for as long as they could. Friday afternoons usually had an influx of customers, but it was usually nothing like today. There were enough people inside the pub to bring in the same earnings as both a Wednesday and Thursday evening. The business was both a blessing and a curse.

Having not anticipated the mass of residents whom had flooded into The White Horse for their afternoon meal and drink, Jade had only scheduled herself and two other bar staff to work. One of her employee's had been sent home after being sick two hours into her shift. Jade didn't have the heart to make her work through her sickness, she may be a slave driver but she wasn't cruel. Well, not to her employee's anyway. Her other staff member was yet to show up, even though his shift had been scheduled to start fifteen minutes ago. Muttering profanities under her breath as she returned from the back room with a crate of still water bottles, she quickly plastered a smile on her face as she turned to serve the next customer.

A further fifteen minutes passed before Flier eventually decided to swan in. Her lips curled into a snarl at the first sight of him, and then when he slipped past her with no excuse, a growl ripped through her lips. After only three weeks working in the pub, Jade had earned her feisty label and lived up to it with ease. She shot a glare at Flier as he took up position behind the bar, her dark amber orbs taking in his almost reluctant stance. It was pretty obvious the male didn't want to make the small talk she and her other staff members were subjective to, but he made the effort. Her glower lessened a little at that, but it was obvious she was still hostile toward him. Turning her attention back to the customers, she forced a smirk on her lips and sauntered forward.

Serving the next few customers went smoothly, and finally there was a break in the steady herd of people whom had been surrounding the bar. Huffing in relief, leaned her side against the bar where Token was perched silently. The feline took her break as an invitation to slink up onto her shoulders, wrapping himself around her neck and coiling his tail around her upper arm. Jade reached up to tickle under his chin as he purred loudly, rubbing his head into her outstretched hand.

"Give me a reason why I shouldn't fire your ass for being half an hour late." she asked Flier casually, her dark oracles fixed on Stitch who was currently perched on the lap of a leggy blonde female, lapping up the attention she was currently being showered in. It was obvious to anyone that she was unhappy, and she bloody well hoped that it came across to Flier. She may be good to her staff, but she didn't want to be made a mug of. His lateness was unacceptable, and she couldn't allow him to keep it up. That wouldn't be a good example to her other employee's, who always made a point of arriving on time or early. Especially the boys she employed from the college.

[Onzy]

Flier was actually petrified of his boss. He didn't show it as he served the customers, and he did so with the ease of someone who had been working in bars for a while now. The sports was something that he listened to with half an ear, and he picked up on the customer preferences to teams with ease. Sometimes he would just support the opposite team for some friendly banter. It was a busy day, and Flier had to be aware of what he was doing just to keep up. He caught the looks from Jade throughout this time, and wondered if he would be going to Movie Magic for a job the following day. He needed a job, if only to support his dog and his addiction.

There came a break when all the customers were served, but Flier knew that Spanish Inquisition would be following soon. He was right when Jade asked him the obvious. Because if I'm not here, then the female population that frequents this place in the afternoon would leave, he said with a cheeky grin, casting a glance at a blond that had Stitch on her lap. The blonde caught his look, and blushed, but Flier was sure he would be getting a number as soon as she paid. I'll take the written warning, and I'll take being fired, but those toddlers you hire can only bring so much business, he carried on, looking his boss in the eye. Flier's grey oracles had studied that form from behind more than once, and he liked what he saw.

He didn't want long term. His own life was too complicated to do long term, and he doubted than any girl in this town would want to take a junkie. The signs of his addiction to cocaine was clear, but he doubted if Jade would be calling him out on it. He hoped not. He had tried fighting it before, but it ruled his life so to speak. Flier was summoned to a table, and he went, leaving his boss to the company. He was a flirt and before he knew it he had the blond's number as well as her friends. This was going to be an interesting day.

[Sync]

Jade wasn't labelled as observant for no reason. She saw how uncomfortable she was making Flier, sensing is unease with her. A satisfied smirk lit her features, quickly being erased before he could pick up on it. Good to know that she could intimidate him. Then again, there weren't many people that she couldn't. His response to her question made her laugh outright. "Oh honey, they aren't just here for you." she smirked, obviously referring to herself. She wasn't lying either. It was almost common knowledge that Jade swung both ways, and residents of both genders came to the pub in hopes of capturing her attention themselves. It did help that she had a little collection of handsome men that worked for her, but there were probably more who came to claim her attention than hers. Though there was no denying that Flier was a close second. She chuckled quietly at the reaction of the blonde to Flier, before throwing a wink at the girl when she caught Jade's eye. The female's blush intensified, and her oracles widened with surprise. Jade just smirked, and the girl grew shy, but Jade did not miss the coy look that crossed her expression. Interesting.

"Those 'toddlers' are a lot more reliable than yourself though. And I don't know, you don't work the evenings as much as them. You haven't seen the fan club Caleb has." Jade grinned. It was true. There were a group of women that turned up whenever they heard that Caleb was working, and always had friends with them too. But, Flier was right. He did bring in his fair share of business, Jade couldn't deny that. And she couldn't fire him either. "You'll have to make it up to me, and prove that you're actually worth keeping around." she told him with a lopsided smirk, a mischievous glint shining in her amber orbs. As he passed her by to attend the table where the blonde was sat, Jade's mind began calculating. By the time she'd persuaded Token to get off her shoulders, served three customers and given a demanding Stitch a scratch, Flier was back and she had a challenge for him.

"I bet I could pull the blonde before you." she purred into his ear, leaning over his shoulder to do so. "And I have an interesting wager for you." she continued, "I get her first, you do whatever I want." her vocals were teasing, enticing. "You win? I'll do whatever you want." With that, she leaned back onto her heels and shot a satisfied smirk at him. She knew he wanted her, he'd made it pretty clear from the way he'd been checking her out on many occasions. Of course, she would be more than happy to play along. But, why not make it interesting? Her oracles found the blonde, who had been watching Jade and Flier's interaction with a small frown on her pretty lips. Jade grinned. Honestly, she didn't really care whether she lost or won the bet. It seemed like a win-win situation. She was getting laid either way.

[Onzy]

Flier loved the fact that his boss challenged him. It made his life much more interesting, and now she was challenging him in more than one way. Especially when it came to her evening staff. He just grinned to her retorts, but he knew that their was a challenge looming on the cards. The one got his girlfriend knocked up, the other is fooling around with his girlfriend and Caleb? Well, he fits in pretty well with us, Flier retorted, a smirk firmly placed on his handsome features. The exchange wasn't missed by the patrons sitting at the bar, but they just shrugged it off to friendliness between the two. Flier was relieved that his butt wasn't being kicked to the pavement, it had been a constant worry that he wouldn't be able to pay his rent, a fear that he would have to give Lace away to another home and that his need for an escape wouldn't be realised, and all because he had no job.

After he finished with the blond, he caught the look in Jade's eyes. It wasn't menace or anger, but mischievous. It was an odd look, but it was one that he had seen many times with the patrons. Returned especially from those who took to cheating on their partners or spouses. Honestly, he couldn't have been luckier than to work at the White Horse. The tips were good, pay reasonable and the samples of local flesh even better. She purred the challenge into his ear, a devilish smirk crept onto his handsome features. Now there was an idea. He was already a step ahead. Y'know, I'm already a step ahead, he whispered back, brushing against her as he reached for a beer glass, holding the piece of paper out of her reach.

Flier had never done his bosses before. Then again, they were usually fat middle aged men with a bald plate, and that was never appealing to anyone. The job with Jade had provided entertainment, and that was more than he could say about the other places he worked at. As he poured the beer, his hands shook slightly, the need for a fix becoming more urgent. Flier thought he had the addiction under control, but the longer he was on, the worse it got. Withdrawal symptoms usually took a lot longer to show on him, and he counted the hours since he last fix. Was the best of sixteen, so he wasn't surprised that his facade was slipping.

He knew that he couldn't get high at work. Jade would fire him in an instant if she knew, but she didn't know and that was what mattered.