Trisandrah Emberstrom

After the Show

She had tried. She’d tried to keep herself occupied until sleep called. It had been a lovely evening, although she felt she’d floundered through it. She was pleased to see Raerys and the time they stole away. But soon, Rae was gone again, and though she felt better after their chat, she was not ready to go home to her empty townhouse. She considered going home with Raerys but sensed her friend very much needed her own time to continue dealing with her own demons. She hadn’t gotten around to what was bothering her, asking for advice, counsel. In the face of it all, it seemed quite trivial. Still, it put the chocolatier out of sorts and had for several days now.

So back to the after party, she went. She’d arrived at the end of some sort of scene which was the only thing that held her from the bar inside. Soon enough, she skirted around it and first on the bill was a round for Se’ly and her protectors. A glass of wine from the new Tart, a vintner. She settled her tab for the drinks provided to Se’ly and her protectors but got one for herself. She didn’t just pretend to sip this one, instead turning it up and draining it. The liquor burned as it went down. Sure, it wasn’t bourbon, but it packed a punch none the less.

And as one of the last standing, she bid farewell to Bella, Thaen, and Ash. She had found it, that elusive lover called to her. Or so she thought. She didn’t even wish to take the time to portal here and there in order to get back home. Not at first. It didn’t take her long, though to realize that the lover called sleep had scoffed in her face once again. So, home she went. Wasting no time, she soon was in her underclothes and face to face with Duir. He did not disappoint. He didn’t tease her then turn away. He stood his ground and waited.

With each punch, her body warmed and her feelings tumbled out. First to the night’s events. The infused wine made her feel and say things she shouldn’t. At least she blamed it on that. It was the fourth taste in half as many weeks and she hated it. She hated what the infused wine did her to her. How it made her feel. The raw lust that built in her body. Sure, she’d like it fine if she had someone to share her bed with. Her fists connected with Duir in a series of jabs. That damnable empty bed. There were fellows that wanted her. That had made their feelings known. But did she want them? Who knows? She surely didn’t. She only wanted what she seemingly couldn’t have and it struck her to the core. Not necessarily that she couldn’t have them. She could navigate that, but the why us what she didn’t understand.

At least tonight, everyone was in their cups so what she said hadn’t been too untoward. At least tonight, she didn’t embarrass herself as she had with Zay and Cal the other night. Or with her customer before that. She’d willingly drank it the first time and the second. The third time it was a mistake. The final time, the vintner hadn’t let on until after she’d started to feel that familiar tingle.

When she wanted to talk business, Dice thought, and everyone else, that she wanted to bed him; to procure his services. Sure she’d thought of it, and there’s nothing wrong with it, but she doesn’t like people thinking her so desperate, so basal. Duir danced for her, standing tall as he awaited more abuse. Her fist made contact, sweat glistening upon her body. Droplets flew through the air as she turned and sung a hard kick to his side. Even if it’s not how she wanted others to see her, that was who she was right now. Basal. Focused. Longing. If only she knew for what.

She kicked again, the loud slap of her foot making contact with the leather resounding through her dressing room. Hell, she’d even entertained propositioning the new guy. She stopped and stared at the bag, rubbed her wrists and hands before landing one more powerful punch.

Tris turned to walk away, heading for her bath. “And that new customer.” With the thought of him, she turned and ran headlong into Duir, causing him to sigh and sway. Her knee connected with the leather with a dull thud. She held the bag for a few moments before her whole body went limp. “Now, it’s time for a good, long soak.”