7th September, 1894 — The ABC, Saturday Evening

For the first time in months Konstantin found himself in the pub towards closing time without having partook of a single drop of of their wares. An impromptu gathering at the home of an ardent teetotaler he had known for some years had occupied his evening and the libations had been strictly those that refreshed without inebriating. Between the abstinence, an excellent repast of beef and the conversation of the enlightened Konstantin felt more like himself that he had in some time. He certainly looked more himself, smartly attired and clean-shaven and really, far more comfortable in this skin than the one he had been wearing of late.

And yet, he had still found himself in the ABC. Perhaps because it was a familiar habit now? Or perhaps the simple act of socialising as he had once done so easily was now something he required a stiff drink to combat?

"Excuse me," he said, wedging himself at the bar next to a slimy looking man who was saying something to the barmaid that sounded like- "What did you say to her?!" He barked, standing to his full height and glaring down at the man who looked between him and the young woman before deciding to cut his losses. Kons watched him go with a menacing glare until, sure he had gone to lick his wounds, he turned back to the barmaid. "Sorry about that. I can't stand hearing men speak to ladies like that."

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Eileen Buchanan | Daffodil Grimstone

  

The night had been pretty busy, ebbing and flowing like a typical Saturday. Fortunately there had been no big kerfuffle and she'd only needed to throw her boot once to get a rowdy group of men in the back corner. The regulars knew if she threw something, they were minutes away from getting kicked out and frankly it wasn't worth the trouble for anyone, so they learned to mind their manners.

Leeny had been ignoring Skibs and his normal unpleasantness for the better part of an hour. His method of flirting was beyond creepy and she'd had some of the bigger guys foist him from the bar before. Tonight it seemed that a well-dressed familiar face would do that for her. "Honestly, I don't even hear what he says anymore, in one ear and out the other." Typically she could handle herself, but Skibs was a particular kind of gross. "I appreciate the gesture though, drink's on me, wha' can I get for ya?" Leeny didn't stand much taller than the bar itself, and tonight she had on a comfortable blouse and some of those fancy pants that looked like a skirt, if the buttons were buttoned the right way. She'd saved up to have a couple pairs made just for working in the pub. The chignon she'd wounder dark locks into was coming out, but that was also normal for this time of night.

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