The prodigal son

Adrian made his way through the streets of the area known as East City. He smirked as he made his way to the bar he knew. He wasn't sure what to expect what with it being so late. But he had to at least try. He smiled, seeing that the bright neon sign was on, reading OPEN. He smiled as he made his way to the door, pushing it open. He wasn't surprised seeing it almost packed to capacity. He moved aside so a patron could leave. Smiling he made his way to the bar. He had in fact, lost Trinity's number, probably somewhere in his apartment. He figured if he told her she'd at least hear him out. He frowned, glancing around, trying to spot her, not even sure if she was working this night.

What the hell are you thinking? You're standing there, HOPING she'll be here! You HOPE she'll forgive you for losing her number. Jeez. You've been back for a while now, and you hope she'll buy your story about being attacked by a wolf? Maybe if the wolf were about eight feet tall! At least you've got a story to try, better than most would.

(200/200)

Adrian's eyes scanned the waitresses around him before moving to the bar. He glanced it up and down before his head jerked to face her. He smiled gently, waving lightly at her as he stood there.

That's right. Stand there and smile like a retard and just hope she waves you over. DUMBASS! Get your butt in gear and get over there. God you're dumb sometimes.

It was ackward his mind constantly taunting him like that but it was just how he thought. He made his way to the bar, smiling at her gently. He stepped up to the bar, his eyes never leaving the beautiful bar tender..

"Hey, Trinity." he said, ackwardly. "Okay, look I know you're probably really mad that I haven't called you but I can explain. Aside from losing your number when I got back from the hospital I didn't want you to fret over what had happened. And if you never want to see me again, I'll understand."

He said the second half with his head bowed lightly before lifting it once more, to gauge her reaction. He was half sure she'd slap him, and tell him to get out. But the other half was praying she'd forgive him for what had happened. It was true he had gone to a hospital to get checked out for the wounds the wolf had given him. He was good but nowhere near good enough to take that thing out by himself. He was lucky he survived. He was just praying his luck would hold out.

(258/458)

Oh crap she's gonna kick your ass. HOLY CRAP! You got away with it you smooth bastard! Jesus,she's inviting you to stare at her ass? Holy crap... Get the fuck over there, r-tard!

He smiled gently at her and winked, moving around to the other side of the bar. He stood beside her for a moment before he leaned against the back wall, watching her, smiling the whole time. He stared at her ass for a moment before he shook his head, looking back up at her.

"Just let me know if you need a hand, I'm pretty quick with a mix if you need the extra help." he said, watching her, his arms folded over his chest.

Good god you're stupid! I swear when you least expect it yo're gonna end up out on your own, and I'm just gonna laugh my ass off at you.

(147/605)

"Yeah I'm fine, now. But you should have seen me when I first got back. I ended up with a patch over my eye, my arm in a sling, and a brace on my leg. I was attacked by the biggest wolf I've ever seen." he said, walking over to lean against the bar. "Head injuries, black eye, a sprained ankle, among several bone fractures."

He smiled at her. The injuries were true, he'd been lucky to get out alive. But adrenaline had that effect. He didn't feel it until the natural antisthetic had finally emptied from his system. He'd been lucky but figured he better be careful. The girl, as far as he knew, couldn't see spirits, so he wasn't about to start talking about them, let alone a werewolf he'd met in the woods that had wanted him for it's midnight snack.

(144/749)

Glaring at the preppy couple Adrian grumbled. He pushed off the bar and made his way down the bar to them. His hand shot out grabbing the man's wrist, his eyes locked on the junior executive. He wasn't sure yet what kind of woman Trinity was. It was his experience that some women liked for men to stand up for them. Though many he knew did not want that to happen. Of course they were mostly the same women in both cases! But this would give him an idea of how she wanted to be treated.

"Look buddy, I wont warn you a second time. You snap your fingers at the bar tender again and I tear them off." he said, his face serious. "Next time you want a refill or another drink, then ask for it."

(137/886)

He knew she was being tender because of his story about the wolf. But he wasn't about to tell her he wasn't sore. Hell the truth was he was very sore in places. But her care was unnessicary. He let her kiss his cheek as he turned away from her lips lightly. Despite the lust he felt for her, the longing he had for her heart, or even the comfort of another living person, he couldn't.

A knight is sworn to valor.
His heart knows only virtue.
His blade defends the helpless.
His might upholds the weak.
His word speaks only truth.
His wrath undoes the wicked.

"Trinity... I'm sorry. But you said you had met someone. I'm very sorry but I can't. Not if there's something there. All my life, I have lived by a code of honor everyone considers out dated. But personally it works just fine for my life. I care for you a great deal, Trinity. And because I do, I can't bring myself to hurt you like that. If you have someone you should be with them. No matter what my heart may want... No matter what my body tells me... I can't betray that code... And to steal you away from someone that makes you happy, would do exactly that." he said. "But no matter what... If there is something between you and the other guy... I want you to know that I will always be your friend."

(244/1,130)

"Trinity I'm very much interested in you. You are the person that I want to spend my life with. But I wont cause pain to another human, like that. But if you do, ever decide you'd like to try your hand with me. I'll have you. But I want you to make sure there's nothing between you and this other man first." he said, smiling at her gently.

This wasn't what he had come for. Except he hadn't expected her to have found someone else. But what could he expect? Should she have sat around waiting for him? No, that would have been unfair to her. He wasn't going to make her choose. Something his grandmother had taught him at a young age was someone that truely loved you would never make you choose between them and something else.

(139/1,269)

"You're right I don't know you very well. But I do care about you. You're my friend. And I would gladly spend the rest of my life with you in it, no matter how you see it. Be it as husband and wife years in advance, or even just as aquantences. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying we should rush into a life together as a married couple. I was just saying, that it's not something I'm completely opposed to." he said, smiling at her gently. "But, again, you're right I hardly know anything about you. That just means we need to get to know one another."

(108/1,377)

"You should be more careful with names. Hopefully you'll remember mine in a few days! You take great care, Trinity. I care deeply for you and want you to be happy. Let's go ahead and start with the friend's thing. This place seems like it needs assistance. Do you need a bouncer? Never hurts to make sure that people that get inside don't get disorderly. I'd be happy to take the position, unless of course, you'd still be jealous of the attention I'd get." he said, his lips curling into a smile. "But if you don't want me working with you I understand. I could come in every other night or so and visit with you. Whatever you want."

(119/1,496)

"Hey. A wolf taller than I am, on it's hind legs, can't take me down. I'm a lot better when it comes to fighting than I look. Besides, I may be recovering but I can always help a friend, no matter how they want the help. Though if you find yourself alone with nothing to do, please feel free to call me. We'll go do anything you want. Anything at all." he said.

It wasn't false. The werewolf was in fact taller than he was. And it did stand on what would have been it's hind legs had it walked on all fours. But then again, he couldn't just say it was standing on it's hind legs. If she asked he'd have to let her know it was a huge wolf. A normal wolf was dangerous enough, but something the size of these stupid things.
(145/1,641)

"Here's my number. Just call me anytime you need me." Adrian said, taking a pen from his pocket.

He wrote his number on a slip of paper before handing it off to her. He smiled to himself as he walked back behind the bar with her, before he leaned against the wall. He just smirked, watching her as he crossed his arms over his chest. He was sure there would eventually be another person being rude, but he wasn't going to let it slide. He just shook his head, sighing lightly before looking up at the ceiling for a moment.

(100/1,741)

Adrian's eyes shifted, glancing at the college student that spoke up. He had already stepped in once, and Trinity seemed to have him under control. At least that's what Adrian thought until he saw the beer bottle raise. He wouldn't expose his sword yet. It was too crowded for that, and he might get too many people hurt.

"Seven bright stars in the sky I see, seven for those that watch over me, shine forth your light and protect me." he said quickly as he stepped between the college student and Trinity.

Even if the boy was a jock, there was no way the bottle could pierce his spell. He had stopped fireballs thrown by demons with it. He had fought a werewolf one on one, and survived. Granted it was barely and after running away. But he had done massive damage to the werewolf in order to escape. Even if the shield, for some reason, failed to come up he could take a lot more than normal people could. If anyone looked at him they might not think much but he had activated what his grandmother had refered to as the 'inner spirit'. He was faster, stronger, and tougher than most humans ever were.

(205/1,946)

His hand shot out, grabbing the jock's extended finger, before his hand snapped backwards, literally snapping the finger out of place with a loud crack. In the case of most people, even when drugged up with adrenaline, that kind of pain couldn't be blocked out. Most would fall screaming to the floor, gripping their hands, but Adrian was trained differently. A small wound could be the most painful. He took the opportunity to gently guide Trinity back before walking around the bar.

His eyes were cold and dark as he stared at the jock, not caring if the man had more muscle mass. Mass had nothing to do with strength, though. Someone with a great deal of muscle mass could be weaker than someone with less. If it wasn't utilized to it's greatest extent, muscle had nothing to do with battle. Adrian would much rather have agility, and reflex time on his side, than to have massive muscles. Strength was important, but all the strength in the world was useless unless you could hit the target.

"I believe the lady acknowledged your request for a new drink. I would have ignored the rude way you refered to her, had you simply waited for your drink. But now you've not only insulted the beautiful bar tender, but you have decided to attack her. Give me one good reason not to break every bone in your arms and throw you into the streets." Adrian said, coldly, no fear showing in his face.

(250/2,196)

Adrian's hard stare didn't leave the jock's face, not for a second. He simply stood there, his hands at his sides, his fingers extended in a knife-hand form. He waited patiently as he stood there, watching his opponent before he saw, in his periferal vision, the jock's friend. He watched them leave, still standing there, ignoring the stares he got from the crowd that was now giving him a wide birth. His eyes stayed focused on the door until it swung shut, before he blinked.

For an instant, a split second, his face contorted in confusion before it reaffirmed itself. He glanced at Trinity, smiling gently, before he nodded. The cold 'killer' was gone, the kind young man from the other day back in his place. He patted a patron on the back as he went around behind the bar.

"Let me give you a hand, Trin. I'm not too bad when it comes to mixing drinks." he said, grinning as he moved to help her.

(166/2,372)

"Who want's to see a magic trick?" he asked, smirking as he set out a pair of glasses.

He smirked, tossing his jacket in the corner. He rolled his sleeves up and smirked grabbing a quarter. He bounced it once off the bar, catching it on the back of his palm, the quarter face up. With his free hand he lifted the grey goose vodka bottle from the counter, smirking. He showed the bottom to the group and smiled, pouring the vodka into the glass before balancing it on top of the quarter, his hand wavering ever so slightly.

"Now. Once upon a time there was a man with a lucky coin. He lived a long life and had plenty of fun. But one day his coin disappeared," he said, sliding the glass toward the pretty boy's girl, "The day he found it went missing, his business went under, his wife left him, and his child went into a coma. He died, three years later, at the age of forty-two. After, his death, his wife was walking down the street. A homeless man asked her for change, and she dropped some loose change into his cup. A year later, that same man was one of the richest men in the world. Until he too lost the lucky little coin."

He smiled grabbing the bottle, spinning it quickly as his hand shot out, the bottom of the bottle resting on his fingers, the coin missing.

"The lesson is you never know what you have until it's gone. But where oh where did my coin go? Ah." he said, reaching behind someone's ear, his hand coming back with the coin in his palm.

Dropping the coin back on the counter he mixed the rum and coke, before sliding it toward the pretty boy at the bar, smiling lightly as he waited patiently.

(310/2,680)

"Oh, a challenge is it?!" he asked, in his best scottish accent. "Very well, lass I accept!"

With that he stepped up, climbing to the top of the bar as he smile down at her before looking out over the crowd.

"One day, three friends went to this "Gentlemen's Club." One of the friends wanted to impress the other two, so he pulls out a ten dollar bill. The "dancer" came over to them, and the one friend licked the ten and put it on her butt.
Not to be outdone, the other friend pulls out a fifty dollar bill. He calls the girl back over, licks the fifty, and puts it on her other cheek.
Now the attention is focused on the third guy. He got out his wallet, thought for a minute... then got out his ATM card, swiped it down her crack, grabbed the sixty bucks, and headed for the door." he said, still doing his scottish impression. "Now! If anyone is up for a betting game... I will put two hundred and fifty dollars down that I can drink three mugs of beer, faster than ANYONE can drink a shot glass!"

(195/2,875)

"Simple rules of the game. Rule number one, you don't get to reach for your glass until I'm done with my first one. It's done when it's set back down on the bar. Rule number two, you can't touch my glasses, but I can't touch yours either. Now, pick your poison." he said.

It was a true scam, but he hadn't intended on making them pay him, literally but with how the game goes it was a good joke. He filled a trio of glasses with beer, before setting a shot glass down. He knew the rules, and those that did know were very well versed in it. He smiled, as he stood there, waiting patiently.

(116/2,991)

Adrian nodded, downing his beer before putting the glass down on the counter, covering the shot glass. He just laughed and shook his head at the man's expression as he finished his beers before taking the glasses and setting them aside to be washed.

"Don't be mad. Come on, I don't want your money. This guy's drinks are on me!" he said, smiling happily.

True he was trying to make up for tricking the man, but he wasn't going to hold the regular to the bet. He sighed as he nodded at him and winked at Trinity.

(97/3,088)

He smiled at Trinity as he moved to his jacket. Sliding it back on, he began working the buttons up the side, closing it. He laughed lightly thinking about the expression some of the people had had. But he hadn't ever intended to truely scam someone. It wasn't in his nature. As far as he knew anyway. He leaned against the back wall, frowning as he waited there, watching the group as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Well then. I guess this place is in order. Good to see." he said.

(97/3,185)

"Well I leave the choice up to you. I have nothing better to do tonight, though I suppose I could do some entertainment if there's a guitar, since I don't think there's a piano here. But I'll stay as long as you want, my lady." he said, watching the bar tender.

He was hoping that she'd ask him to stay, but he wasn't sure. He waited for her answer, smiling gently the entire time.

Oh just do it, you pussy! Get in there, tell her you want her, and move on! GOD I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! CAN YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT!?

(101/3,286)

Adrian just smiled, watching the beautiful bar tender before he shrugged, walking around the bar. He made his way to the indicated stage are, and sat at the piano. He lifted the cover over the keys and slid his hand up the scale, then back down, making sure the keys were working just fine. Satisfied he began playing a few notes, seemingly before he began hitting keys in rhythm with his mental play of the song. In his head thinking the words to the song as he played the keys expertly. His fingers danced across the teeth of the wooden beast in front of him, the beautiful notes coming together in a piano version of the song Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.

His eyes were mostly focused on the keys under his fingers, though he did raise his eyes to glance at the beautiful bar tender, a smile on his face as he played. On the piano it seemed somewhat less wild, though he did keep the fast pace of the song.

(171/3,457)

His fingers slowed to a stop as the song came to an end before he sat back, smiling. Standing he nodded at the beautiful bar tender and moved around behind the bar again. He smiled, passing an arm around Trinity's waist, before leaning over her shoulder to kiss her softly on the cheek. He smirked as he leaned back against the wall.

"So we can tell dirty jokes, we can pray to the almighty suds, and we can nearly get into a fight. All we need are marshmallows and a campfire and we can tell ghost stories!" he said, smiling as he stood there. "Though I have to admit this place is fun. I could get used to hanging out here. If that's okay with you, Trin."
(127/3,584)

"You have no need to show me anything. Take care beautiful. I have a class in the morning, and have to compile research. You have my phone number. Call me. It's my cell, and I always have it on me." the dark haired male said, as he smiled and walked away.

He moved to the door and bowed to the crowd, mostly to Trinity, before he stepped back, away from them, disappearing through the door. The engine of his bike revved a few times before he took off down the street, happy to have seen the beautiful bar tender again.

(100/3,684 - Exit)

Updated for Adrian.

Updated Surreal.