Kassandra sat up with a low groan, momentarily confused. Why was she on the ground? The sudden storm and hail and lightning came back all at once, and she scrubbed both hands across her face. Today had started out rather lousy, but now it was just plain stupid. A slow look around showed her that the others were in similar states.

Her head and ears pulsed with pressure, like she’d been on a plane. And all of her was sore, like she’d been dropped from that plane without a chute. Her practiced accent slipped as she spoke under her breath, bent over like a Jamaican granny. “Mi head a hurt mi.” A high keening noise filled her ears as she straightened up, but it went away after a few moments.

“Well, that was interesting.” She looked around at the others, seeing if anyone else was hurt. Cait seemed to be taken care of by Prince. Everyone else just looked as rough as she felt. A faint giggle escaped her at Sky’s joke. “You think Tony will take a day off our time for all of this? Maybe two?”

---

Ana hadn’t entirely expected her day to go this way. A few bumps and bruises? Of course, she expected those. But getting hit the head with what she could compare to a chip off a bloody boulder? Hell. No.
The young woman woke up with a light groan, a shooting pain resounding in her head as if her skull was being split in two.
The second thing she feels is warmth, and not just from the blood on her head, but from someone holding her.

Anastasiya forced herself to open her eyes, the headache multiplying as she does so. Long hair…she noticed that much. What else…fuck she could hardly think. She knew who this was, he was with her in the painting bullshit.
“What happened?” She all but slurs, closing her eyes again for some relief

Henry laughed through the pain at Skylar's joke, though he knew he was at least partly serious. They did need something for what they went through even though technically no one was responsible. No one could have anticipated that freak storm. The skies were clear this morning and before they started painting. He was just glad that everyone was okay for the most part. He stood up and brushed off his jumpsuit. "As much as I love laying here with you all, I prefer dry clothes. I'm going to get changed out of this wetsuit. But since we're getting off early if anyone wants to come to my bar and decompress from this shitstorm the first round's on me. We can head on over together after we get changed."

Prince's ears perked up at the invitation. He likely was going to head over there anyway, but he definitely needed that free drink. But first he needed to re-up. He was reminded of this when Cait asked for his lighter. He patted his pockets to make sure that his bic was still there. It thankfully was. He swore those things were indestructible. He picked it out of his pocket and handed it to Cait before answering her question about their warden. "He went ahead inside. Something's off with the guy, but he gave us the rest of the day off." Prince stood up next and followed Henry inside, but stopped to answer Kassandra before he reached the door. "Sorry, luv. I think this is the best we're gonna get." It was then that he noticed the girl that had been mostly quiet during their time here. She was also the only one who hadn't fully woken up since the storm. "Is she going to be okay? Do you need help bringing her inside?" He asked Aksel.

---

It was still early in the day so the bar thankfully wasn't crowded. Only a few other people were there and they were sitting in the booths. Despite not officially working Henry got behind the bar to get the others who decided to join their drinks. After the morning they had he knew they needed the best that the bar had to offer so he got bottles from the top shelf to either pour them shots or make them cocktails. As soon as he started pouring his bartender persona activated. "I know some of us knew each other from before, but we didn't get to properly introduce ourselves today. I'm Henry and I got community service for laying into some assholes outside this very bar. They definitely deserved it. What about the rest of you? No judgment. This is a safe space unless you bully my patrons."

---

Prince stood on the steps of a brownstone and knocked on the door while yelling, "Cassian! It's me, Prince! Open up!" The door opened just enough for a head to pop out. The head's dreads were seen before its face until it finally peeked out to reveal Cassian's annoyed and skeptic face.



"Dude. The fuck's your deal knocking and yelling at my door like you're the pigs?" Cassian asked before opening the door wider to let Prince in. If he wasn't one of his best customers he would've slammed the door in his face for acting like he didn't have any sense.

Prince stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "You weren't at your usual spot and you don't know how to answer a phone."

"You wouldn't be outside either if a random hailstorm almost killed you and your customers."

"You got caught in it too? Cait and I had to run for our lives at community service."

Cassian's eyes lit up. He wondered if Prince started to experience strange occurrences after the storm, but decided not to bring it up unless he did. "Shit was crazy, but it also might've been the best thing to happen to me. I've been selling like crazy today. People's nerves have been going crazy. Anyway. I have the same strain as last time, but also something new. Not weed. It's something greater."

Prince was tempted to try this new thing but shook his head. "Just the weed for now. You have enough for a half?"

Cassian seemed to get his answer. Prince didn't know anything about what the storm actually did yet. He'd let him discover it on his own. "It's my last til my re-up, but since I fuck with you, it's yours."

"You're the best, Cass." Prince said with a grin.

---

He continued his awkward slog to the community center, eventually finding the right rhythm to balance speed of progress with keeping the French girl’s head from bouncing about too much. Aksel was tall, though not especially muscular. He probably looked ridiculous, but right now he couldn’t care less. He felt like shit regardless, and this poor girl probably had a concussion.

There suddenly was a strange... sensation?

Aksel faltered slightly as the sudden shift made him feel even more off than he already felt. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but it was not like anything he'd experienced before. It immediately started to grow. It grew steadily until—

“What happened?”

The girl had begun to stir in his arms. Aksel glanced down at her. She had decided to keep her eyes closed, though he hoped she wouldn’t fall asleep. He figured talking might tether her to the moment. But why was he suddenly feeling so confused and disoriented? He had every right to be, but this was so sudden and until now he felt he was handling the situation fairly well.

“You—” He tried to answer her while struggling with the sensation that had suddenly come over him. He tried again a moment later.

“Something… knocked you out… all of us, actually,” Aksel finally got out in his Norwegian lilt. He stole another glance at her. She still seemed conscious. “You might have a concussion. So, please, let me know if you feel sleepy. I will do what I can to help you stay awake.”

The group was drawing closer together as everyone neared the center. He imagined everyone would change and get the fuck out of there.

"Is she going to be okay? Do you need help bringing her inside?" Prince asked as Aksel got closer.

“I have her,” Aksel said. “But if someone could hold the door, and help me find a couch or something… I think we might want to call an ambulance or something.” Aksel looked down with a worried glance at his precious cargo. He lowered his voice. “She was struck in the head well before… that happened.”

Aksel focused back on the girl. That weird feeling that came as she was coming to… it was making him extra uneasy now. Something about the timing, the shift in the air, the way his chest tightened—it was showing on his face. Maybe it was just adrenaline. Maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, it was probably why Prince had offered help, and Aksel was glad for it. For now he—

Dialogue.

He had been distracted, but he recalled the need to keep her talking. He didn’t know what else to do—but this felt right. Words. Connection. Something real.

“How are you feeling? Uh—your name. Can you tell me your name? And maybe something you remember from before waking up just now? Anything at all. Whatever comes to mind.”

---

Once JJ heard his new buddy's voice confirm his somewhat solidity it brought some ease to his fizzling psyche. He shifted into a more somber quiet method of social absorption, that and his head was ringing as he suddenly became away of the severity of their sudden escapade. JJ gave the sky the finger as he sauntered around the outskirts of group's less fortunate survivors. The bench's lay shattered and broken, and probably still wet of paint. He even found a bowling ball hailstone and futtered around with it rolling it with his feet as their counselor gave his news. Deep in thought, JJ knew he'd definitely value a day or two to recuperate. Eyesight grew more distinct, and he zapped back into a manic method as the mumbles of suffering peeked out of conversation. He may be a thief, but surprisingly he still held the notion of selfless service to his name from better folks in his past. One such plea was Aksel and the lass worst for wear of the storm, possibly a direct blow from the heavens.

“But if someone could hold the door, and help me find a couch or something… I think we might want to call an ambulance or something.”
He kicked the ball of permafrost into the bay and jumped to help. But perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him, for he swore he saw it flash with embers as it skirted across the asphalt.

"Yeah! I gotchu! I gotchu... yeah maybe we need to gather ourselves cuz my eyes arn't so great right now."
His boundless energy seemed to come back to him in a flush of heat and beads of sweat formed on his brow as he began to kneel down towards the pair.

His eyes saw what was actually a heat mirage, as he reached out to help the girl up. He balked, snatching his hand back from the perceived hallucination and snorted in humored cathartis. "I'm trippin? I'm straight... Fuck, lemme just get the door for you Ax." He jumped up with gusto from his kneeling position, the keen eared hearing a slight extra woosh as he did so. With an athletic crow hop around more hailstones, knocking a few out of the way as he did so(did they seem to hiss with vengeance as they rolled away?), he made a path and entry for his new friends toward the community service door. His energized state picked up the questioning from his tall bud as he made his way to the door. Tony seemed to have left in a hurry since it was unlocked. He also heard something of a bar! He grinned at that then grimaced from the cut on his brow. Not the approved medical advice for the situation but hey when in Rome. He stood holding the door open a slight distance from the group, and could swear he smelt something burning...

---

All the words around Anastasiya floated in the air, the pain in her head making it feel like everything spoken had an echo. “I’m fine, I’m alright, it’s just my head,” Ana whispers, her voice a bit strained. Something was wrong. Really wrong, and it wasn’t just her head. Her veins, she seemed to become hyper aware that they were there.
It was disgusting, it felt wrong, the blood running up and down, her heart pumping the liquid in and out. “I’m Anastasiya, you’re Aksel right? Thank you…for getting me out of there. ” Ana mumbles, moving to sit up better, the pulling in her veins only growing, screaming an her to stop, each movement, every touch amplified.

“And no ambulance, please,” she says seriously, “Really it was just a hit,” Ana states, her veins and head burning now as she exhaled shakily, swallowing harsh and trying to push the uncomfortable feeling down

---

“I’m fine, I’m alright,” the girl finally managed. “It’s just my head,” she added, now with a trembling breath.

Obviously it was her head. More than that, however, Aksel could inherently feel how true that was. It was like experiencing all of the agony, without any of the debilitating pain; which was fortunate, as he was struggling with his own physical ailments as well.

Regardless, he could tell that she was not being totally honest. Aksel had always been exceptionally attuned to the tiny things people did or said that gave away a lot of emotional truth. Information people were not meaning to give away. Right now, he could feel something completely different than what she was trying to convey. Not that it provided new information. Though, it was nice to have immediate confirmation on a guess for once. Instinctively, his arms drew her closer, guiding her head to rest against him. He didn’t register the movement, only the quiet shift it caused inside him—like easing pressure he hadn’t known was there.

“I’m Anastasiya,” the girl barely managed to say. “You’re Aksel, right?”

He looked over to the girl in his arms. He was now able to carry her a bit steadier now that her head was not awkwardly cradled in the crook of an arm. He gradually adjusted his grip as she shifted into a better position for them both.

“Thank you… for getting me out of there.”

While grateful to no longer needing to carry dead weight, every movement she made gave him a pang of… anxiety? He couldn’t say if that was right or not, but he did know his concern for her well-being—or something akin to it—spiked heavily with each slight motion.

“And no ambulance, please,” she added somewhat sternly, “Really, it was just a hit.”

Was this girl mad?

She let out a stuttering breath. He would have to be blind and deaf to believe she was as fine as she claimed.

However… even if he were blind and deaf…

Aksel was beginning to believe that he might be able to sense the truth of her even without sight or sound.

“Alright, Anastasiya,” he said as warmly and gently as he could under the circumstances. “No ambulance.” He forced a sincere smile. Understanding on his face, even though comprehension remained absent from his mind.

Aksel nodded his appreciation to JJ as he squeezed himself and the girl past him and into the building.

"On second thought," he muttered as they passed. "Don't call emergency just yet." His voice was low, but the earnest plea in his eyes said the rest.

He had crossed a literal threshold, yes, but this felt like a much greater achievement. Now to find somewhere to lie her down and check her injuries—and everyone else’s while he was at it.

Sky stood near the bar now, changed out of the soaked jumpsuit and back in something much more him. Layers of pink, sequins, and a thrifted faux-fur jacket (no not the one he shoplifted.) His hair was fixed, and he looked far too put-together for someone who had been struck by lightning not that long ago.

He sat at the bar, legs crossed, and tossing a wink at Henry. “If you’re trying to impress us, free drinks are a start, babe.” He accepted a cocktail and spun the glass by the stem, watching light ripple through the liquid. “It’s just Sky. Skylar Price if you want to be formal, which I don’t recommend. I got community service for liberating a designer coat. What can I say? I saw something beautiful and decided the universe owed me one nice thing. Apparently, the judge lacked taste.” He took a sip, and grinned. “But I made it look fantastic.”

As Sky talked, something in the air around him shifted. The people at the bar started to laugh a little louder, smiles widened, and a buzz of excitement followed him, even if he didn’t notice.

---

“Thank you,” Ana breathes, relief flooding her. She fucking hated hospitals. They always ask far too many questions.

Despite the pressure filled pain that ran through her veins and head, Ana goes to move, realizing all too late that she was still in Aksel's arms. She hardly knew him, why did he even help her in the first place? Why was he here? In fact, none of these people seemed like they belonged in a situation like this. There were real issues in the world.

Ana pushes the spiraling thoughts away. Those were for late at night, when she lay down and neglected sleep.

Aksel's face seemed to echo her relief.

"Don't thank me yet," he replies. It was clear that he was only partially kidding.

The still near stranger was wrestling with… something. He seems to be as relieved as she was that they had survived and made it inside; even if they were both quite worse for wear. And, while he was clearly sincere in honoring her request to not call an ambulance, at the same time Aksel doesn't seem convinced it was the right call.

Aksel carries her to somewhere with a couch after someone had showed him where to go. After gently easing her onto it, he takes a step back.

Ana places her head in her hands for a moment, cursing silently as she wished so deeply that she had pain relief or a cigarette or just-anything... Then she remembers her old friend, one that never really seemed to fail her.

Brandy.

“I better be going,” she hums, moving to stand, inhaling sharply in pain as she moves to lean against the wall. “Fuck,” she grits out quietly, her eyes closing tight.

The taller man was on her in an instant, steadying her with a gentle yet sturdy hands.

"Whoa," he mutters. He steps back immediately, as if feeling just as uneasy about the sudden closeness as she was. "I understand not wanting to bother with an ambulance," he says quietly in his melodic accent. "Honestly, I do... but, I know for a fact you should rest here for now—even just a little while. There has to be a first aid kit around here someplace..."

Ana watches him for a moment, her head fighting off drowsiness. “Really, that’s unnecessary… I’m just going to get a drink and go home, I’ll be fine.” She says, her voice more clear now, the pain in her body though refusing to let up.

“There is a bar not to far from here, I’m just gonna go there.”

He considers her words for a moment with a furrowed brow.

"I'll make you a deal," he begins. "Recover here for five minutes while I get out of this ridiculous outfit, and you do the same. After, I'll take you there myself, and buy you that drink. Whatever you want. It's on me. I just..." He trails of. Uncertainty mixing with the unease on his face. "Deal?" He offers an outstretched hand.

Ana listens to his proposal before sighing, taking his hand. “Deal.”

How could she say otherwise? A free drink? The things she wouldn’t do for that right now would be easier to list.

She watches him for a moment, studying him, wishing she could see why exactly he was doing this. But people don’t have powers. She drops his hand after a moment, going over to where her things were and pulling off the ugly orange clothing, leaving her and a tank top and her underwear as she tugs on some baggy low rise jeans.

Her head and veins still pained her, but slowly she was getting used to it, although her hands still trembled ever so much.

---

Aksel watches her make her way to the other locker room. She seems a bit steadier now, and it was fairly close to the room they were just in. Once she vanishes inside, he quickly steps into the room across from it and found the locker he had used before. He pulls off the orange abomination and lets it fall to the floor. He couldn't care less what happened to it, or what anyone else thought about him for doing so. Especially now. Not after all that had happened.

A small, dark something falls out onto the floor, however. Aksel curiously inspects it. With a smile, he realizes it's the remnants of the Prince's spliff from earlier. He gladly scooped it up and tucks it away as he exits

In the hallway, he posts up a short ways down the hall form the locker rooms. It was only a moment or two before Anastasiya makes her way out and heads his way.

"I have a surprise for you that will help you feel better," Aksel says with a smile. He falls in beside her as they make their way to the front door. The place was deserted now. The asshole at the front desk was probably given the rest off the day off.

"Hold on a moment," he says. Aksel hops behind the desk and rummages briefly through the drawers. After nicking something, he makes his way to the door, holding it for Ana to exit.

After a few strides, he pulls out the remnants of the spliff, offering it patiently. Once she takes it, he pulls out the book of matches he took from the desk.

"Hold a moment," he says, halting. After striking a match, he cups a hand around the flame and holds it to the end. "An appetizer while we walk."

Aksel matches her pace in silence for several moments.

"So, what's your poison? Whiskey? Vodka? Tequila?" On the last word, he attempted and failed a Mexican accent, sounding ridiculous. He was trying to lighten the mood.

---

Ana breathes the smoke out in relief, the familiar sting in her throat the only current comforting pain. “Thank you,” she says as the smoke leaves her parted lips before she shrugs, “I usually get brandy or vodka.” She hums, an amused grin on her face as his attempt at being humorous. “And you?”

"Oh, Brandy," her replies with a smirk. "Classy. Me? I like Mjød— uh, or, meeed, as I believe it's called here. Whiskey, as well.

Ana hums, raising a brow, “Really?” She glances up to him, taking the smoke stick between her fingers, inhaling more smoke and turning her head to exhale, “Didn’t take you for a whisky enjoyer. I thought it would be some type of beer,” she hums

"Oh, I enjoy beer as well." He answers. " Some more than others. If I'm being honest, it's... inefficient for me to drink beer. Unless I am slamming back beers that are 10%+ as fast as I can, let's just say it's an expensive way for me to get fat. Without even a buzz."

Ana raises a brow, a grin playing on her face. “So, you can hold your liquor pretty well, huh?” She asks in a slightly amused tone. Aksel's face settles into a similar grin.

"You could say that, yes," Aksel answers. "A little too well, unfortunately... though, it's nice that nobody has to worry about people getting into too much trouble, since someone is always sober. The other edge of that sword, is that person always ends up being me."

Ana keeps her eyes on him for a moment, narrowing them slightly in thought. Always being sober sounds like… hell. She fucking loves being drunk. She says nothing, humming before looking forward again.

As they approach their destination, Aksel's stride lengths subtly, allowing him to reach the door slightly before she does. He grabs the handle and steps to the side, the door gliding with him, allowing her to enter without breaking stride.

“Thanks,” Ana says softly, walking through the door and making a beeline for the bar counter, “Two vodka shots,” she asks nearly immediately. Dulling her current pain feels… necessary. “And a glass of whiskey, neat. And Crown Royal. Please,” she adds hastily at the end, taking out her card and handing it to the bartender who she hadn’t even made eye contact with yet.

Now that the distraction of conversation was gone, the burning in her veins seemed to amplify harshly. More so than before, as if the more people she was around, the more aware of the blood flowing through her body she became. She could hear it in her ears, rushing loudly…

Ana would be sure to leave a good tip to make up for being so short.

Aksel closed the door gently and took a few longer strides to catch up to Anastasiya. She was already seated, ordering multiple beverages, as he settled onto the stool beside her.

I’m not made of money, he thought. Then he shrugged the thought aside. Today, money was the least of his concerns.

He sat there quietly, trying to enjoy a moment of peace and company after the madness that had just entangled their whole crew of fuckups. Unfortunately, that odd feeling hadn’t subsided. It seemed fluid—shifting again now that he was back in a space with other people. Having gone from the group, to being alone with her, and now back to the group again, he had more data to compare. He also noted that when he held her in his arms—or shook her hand to seal the deal—the connection was more intense. More defined.

Looking back, he realized he had noticed her relief when she thanked him and visibly relaxed in his arms.
It felt like a deep exhale. Then it shifted—uncertainty, realization, resignation—as she tried to move and gave in to being carried.
And when she nearly collapsed… there was a reflex. A need. A crazed, instinctive urge to stabilize her. As if his own balance depended on it.

The whole last hour or so had been one strange thing after another. But the strangest part? The more he accepted this weird feeling—listened to it—the more clearly he seemed to pick up on what someone was feeling. With near certainty. Maybe he didn’t have to rely on educated guesses anymore. Maybe he could just feel someone out.

Literally.

---

“I got the rest. You pay for the shots.” Ana says after a moment, not looking over to Aksel as she throws back a vodka shot, each drink lined in front of her. She slides the whisky over to him, a chill taking over her as the drink runs down her throat.
This burn was familiar. It was welcomed.

She inhaled, sitting up straighter after a moment, “Damn, everyone came here it seems.” Ana hums in thought, mostly to herself, sipping the Crown.

This was the first time she had been in this bar, it was farther from where she lives…or used to live. She hasn’t been in contact with…her since the fire. She couldn’t truly face her after she failed. It didn’t matter now, she’d figure it out.

---

As Aksel and Ana crossed through the doorway that he held open, he spotted and motioned to a couch in the lobby. They had begun speaking and lucidly at that, so JJ gave them their berth as his sweat and blood began to fuse together. You could hear a slight sizzle at it did so. JJ sniffed the aroma of chemicals in response. This was beyond strange to him; how hard had he fallen? his eyelids screwed shut and he massaged his temples in denial. He had to get it together or he was going to go mad if he hadn't already. So he gave final glance over to the pair and then the group that still lingered on the Weyham grounds, then made his way to the locker room to retrieve his things and secure a ride out of here. He was already out of his jumpsuit before long, fumbling at his phone to flag a taxi. He slipped out the side of the building and into a lot, head ringing heavily as he did so.

---

Outisde the bar that Henry tended, a bike rolled up with a strong pitterpatter and two individuals on it, the helmeted driver and the bare-capped JJ. His hair was a mess now but you could tell he was a new man at the moment. He slapped the helmet of his ride and hopped off, nearly hollering over the exhaust tone "Catch you later Nate!"JJ strode in to the establishment energetically. He had a secret or so he thought. Little did he know what the others held also. He spotted a few familiar faces as he entered. They seemed to have made it here after all. He threw his arms out wide and made his way over to Henry to order a drink, "Mate, Henry? Yeah, Do I have something to show y'all oh boy...But first! Blanco Tequila? Hornitos if so two shots please and thank ya!" He sat next to Sky, shouldering him up a wee bit with a sloppy smirk.

He suddenly felt boundless enthusiasm for his fate. A magnetic pulse of energy in his soul like watching a touchdown or goal being made. Odd, but hey he did love to drink. "Nice duds dude, You made it outta there fine I see." Like a cat with a rat JJ was elbows on the bartop, waiting to show his new power. As his anticipation stirred, so did his gaze. He spotted his buddy from before and it made him double -take. There he was, with Ana and enough drinks to juggle. Something about this place made him give them a raised set of brows and a big thumbs up. He was more chipper than a beaver at a lumberyard right now; and that was before he had his Mexican medicine. It was likely to be a wild night for him he supposed with affirmation to himself.

---

“I got the rest,” Anastasiya said without looking. “You pay for the shots.”

She immediately threw back one of the shots. Aksel felt what had been a swelling anticipation suddenly become a sort of familiar relief.
He couldn’t wait for her to take her shots—though he had no idea why he cared so much—followed by the satisfaction of her finally ingesting it.

She went down the line, chasing one shot with the next. It was impressive—unexpected, to say the least.

And kinda hot.

When she got to the whiskey, she simply slid it toward him. He looked down at the offering, slightly surprised, though more at ease after watching her down the vodka. Still, he was glad for the gift. It wasn’t why he’d done what he had for her, and part of him felt like paying for the shots and the whiskey. He thought better of it, knowing how he’d feel if someone denied him the giving of a gift; and right now she seemed—she felt—much more at peace than she had since he’d scooped her up after the freak storm.

Beside him, Anastasiya took in a breath and straightened herself.

“Damn,” she hummed thoughtfully. “Everyone came here, it seems.” She took a sip of her final beverage.

Aksel, realizing he’d been staring into the dark fluid a little longer than intended, took the gift in hand and looked around the place.

“Yeah…” he started to say.

He trailed off once he caught a glimpse of JJ. The guy was seated next to one of the cleanup crew—the ray of sunshine even the taskmaster couldn’t dim.

Skye? Skye.

Aksel had only just met him, but something was different. Sure, he’d only had one or two interactions with JJ prior, but the two men he saw now were like two peas in a pod. Granted, JJ had come off as positive and friendly before—if a little uncouth—but their energy was way too similar.

It was kinda creepy…

JJ caught his eye and threw him a big thumbs-up. Aksel lifted his whiskey slightly in return, raising his eyebrows with a faint smirk—pretending to understand whatever JJ was trying to say.

Truthfully, he didn’t.

Aksel turned back toward the bar.

Another piece of the puzzle fell into place. Aksel reflexively sipped the whiskey, enjoying the aroma, flavor, and burn as he sightlessly stared passed his companion toward the bunch around the bar. He could feel something—from each of them.

It was chaotic. But something was happening.

Skye felt like—well, Skye. Aksel wasn’t totally surprised by how he felt. Even before whatever this was, Aksel could already feel something similar from Skye. But JJ was not like this before. Aksel didn’t have a way to compare, but even just relying on his long-honed knack for reading people…

He decided this was too much for him right now and took another drink, looking straight ahead over the bar once more.

“Hey,” he said warmly to the girl beside him. “Thank you.” He lifted the drink toward hers, offering a sincere smile of gratitude—tinged slightly with whatever seemed to be bleeding over from JJ and Skye.

---

Ana had been staring at the veins in her wrist, the alcohol, while helping dull the pain, did nothing about the awareness she had for each nerve ending and blood vessel that coursed through her.

She had tried distracting herself with the people around the bar, but she only, kind of, knew Aksel, the rest were more so mysteries, and while she normally would not task herself with such a thing as she was now, Ana wanted her mind to forget about her damn blood.
Of course, it didn’t help, the only thing that pulled her thoughts to the present was Aksels voice.

Ana blinks slowly at his thanks, nodding with an awkward smile, “Yeah, yeah it’s no problem,” she hums, her eyes drawn to where JJ…that was his name right? Yeah, yeah it was, entered with who seemed to be a friend.

Something was off. Ana could feel it, and she didn’t know why. She felt not feelings from others, but it’s as if she can feel the pulse of everyone in the room, different heart beats telling different stories. Why could she hear that?!

Ana drinks the rest of her Crown, her finger tapping in the table, as if to drown out the beating that began to resonate throughout her body, matched with what seemed like rushing waves. This had to stop, maybe she just needed another drink?

Henry laughed in response to Sky telling him that free drinks were the right way to impress them. "I just want us to get through this Community Service alive and like family." Though that was easier said than done considering most of the group hadn't yet arrived, if they even would. But those thoughts of doubt were immediately washed away by a surreal feeling of joy and happiness. He raised the bottle in his hand at Cait's toast. "Hear, hear!" He smiled while recollecting their shared story a few weeks ago. "You're a lot less trouble when you're not with your posse."

Henry was impressed, but not at all surprised by Cait's story of how she ended up at the Centre for service. She and Prince were a lot alike when it came to going against the establishment and being the leaders of their rebel cells. His attention was drawn by the door of the bar opening. He was glad to see Aksel and Ana joined them after all, but when they approached the bar it became clear to him that they didn't come here intentionally. They didn't even realize he was their bartender at first. When Ana handed him her card he put it back on the counter in front of her without using it. He poured her shots and glasses of whisky and crown royal and placed them in front of the duo.

Henry gave her a warm and welcoming smile when she finally recognized that the others were there. "Thank you for joining us. You missed introductions and telling each other how we got our serving papers."

JJ was the next to enter the bar full of excitement and joy and talking about needing to show them something. This admittedly sparked curiosity in Henry. "Coming right up." He said as he went to pour his tequila. As he was pouring the door opened once again.

Prince strolled into the bar like he owned the place. "The weed fairy has been very generous!" He exclaimed to the bar as he entered. He saw the others sitting at the bar and walked on over taking the other seat next to Cait. "Henry, let me get a shot of clear of Espolòn and a neat of Jack. Thank you." Prince mixed his weed and liquor. He didn't care about mixing clear and dark.

Henry poured the shot and glass of Jack Daniels and handed them to Henry. Prince took the shot with no hesitation and handed the shot glass back. "So, what I'd miss? I hope you all didn't have too much fun without me."

"Not much. Just getting to know each other a bit more. You weren't the only late arrival." Henry answered.

---

“Thank you for joining us. You missed introductions and telling each other how we got our serving papers." Ana looks up at the warm voice, meeting the eyes of Henry. Huh…for someone who was serving community service, he was rather welcoming.
Hell, most of the people there were. It was an oddly kind environment, Ana hadn’t been expecting it.

She nods at his words, unsure on how to respond. Her bad…? She hadn’t ever talked to people for very long, and she didn’t feel like divulging why she was there.

Ana takes a moment and looks around the bar. Well shit, everyone and their mama was here. She wasn’t a big plant smoker, so she turned her eyes to her drink and kept it there.

The rushing sound in her ears slowly builds and she sighs, looking to Henry, not having noticed how he ignored her payment before, “Can I have another Crown…please?” She asks, chewing on her lip and rubbing the temples of her head. What was happening?!

Kassandra arrived a bit later than the others. She'd fallen straight asleep when she got home, and after that, debated heavily over to whether to show up at all. A part of her figured that they weren't actually expecting her to come. Hard to leave someone out of an invite when they were in the same crowd, after all. But here she was. The dress she wore was out of fashion, clearly having been patched up more than once. The rest of the outfit said the same. High effort, low bank balance. Still, she wasn't entirely unfortunate.

When she saw the others, she stalled. Clearly hesitant, she sat on the barstool nearest the corner. Her voice was all but a whisper, and yet it seemed to drag attention across the room.

"Um... h-hi everyone."

Sky barely reacted when JJ bumped his shoulder. Just a raised brow and an amused grin. “Careful, darling,” he said, adjusting his jacket. “These are vintage. And by vintage, I mean aggressively thrifted.”

He glanced JJ over. He seemed to be glowing. Not literally, internally. “Wow. You look… vibrant. Like you just won the lottery or discovered inner peace. Either way, love that for you.” He took a sip of his cocktail, eyes glittering. “Something in the air tonight, I swear.”

Settling back onto his stool, Sky propped his chin on his hand and watched the group continue to trickle in. He clocked the way the energy shifted with every arrival. The laughter, the warmth, the easy way people settled in. It felt… nice. Too nice, almost.

He raised his glass slightly at Henry’s family comment, lips quirking. “Bold word choice for a bunch of court-ordered delinquents,” he said lightly. “But I’ll allow it. Found family is very on trend.”

He leaned back, raising his drink a little higher. “Well look at us,” Sky drawled. “Trauma bonding over top-shelf liquor. Honestly, this is the healthiest group activity I’ve done all year.”

@KactusPunch@King Kindred