The Knight and her partner thanked their host, then turned to leave. Before they could take a single step, Shizuka stopped to hug them each before sending them on their way. Just outside of the room was the long hallway that would lead back to the front door.

Tsukiko turned the knob to the front door and found something that shouldn't be there. The door didn't open up to the street outside of Shizuka's house like it was supposed to. The space it opened up to didn't feel like it was even in Tokyo or Japan. As far as she knew, it took her and Fumiko somewhere beyond Earth.

Still, knowing they'd be safe, the two of them walked through hand in hand, a bright light blinding them at first. After their eyes readjusted, they were able to take a good look around and make sense of their surroundings.

It was a dark, seedy place. The walls were dark, almost black, accented with bright neon-like strips of pure cyan and pink light. At one end was a long counter with stools in front. Behind the counter were numerous bottles of mysterious liquids, stored in glass.

The place was clearly clean, but it almost appeared as if it wasn't. It must have been the slight haze and the unnatural blacks and deep dark purple hues playing tricks on Tsuki and Fumi's eyes. A jukebox played music just quietly enough so that it could be recognized as music, but the listener couldn't discern what was playing.

A woman, in rather strange looking clothes, stood behind the counter. Her face and body were dark, but the light seemed to make her crimson eyes glow. Her lips were curled into a gentle smile.

"Aurelia?" Tsuki squinted, trying her best to get a good look.

"Ah, welcome. Come, make yourselves at home." Aurelia motioned for them to sit down.

"What is this place?" Fumi said as she looked around, dragging Tsuki to the stools. "Is this a bar?"

"Sit down and I will serve you." Aurelia beckoned.

Fumi and Tsuki took their seats at the counter. Aurelia stared as they looked her up and down.

"What're you wearing?" Tsuki didn't know what to make of it.

"Oh, this? It is a bartender's uniform." Aurelia said with outward pride. "I put it together myself."

Clearly, Aurelia felt quiet pleased with herself as she stepped out from behind the counter. She looked quite proud of herself.

"Wow!" Fumi exclaimed. "You go, girl!"

Aurelia had put on shiny black heels and a dark purple, almost black, pencil skirt. A red tie hanging from her neck draped upon, and complimented, a long sleeved clean white blouse. Her blonde, messy hair was tied up into a ponytail, hanging down loosely just above her shoulders.

Tsuki looked her up and down again. "Isn't it a bit... much?"

"It is quite popular with my customers. I get compliments every day." Aurelia moved with confidence and a smile on her face.

"Yeah, I bet." Fumiko seemed to enjoy it.

"So, uhh, why the sudden career change?" Tsukiko tried to steer the conversation back to something more important. "I thought you loved making clothes."

"I do." Aurelia confirmed with a chuckle and a nod. "But... Well, is it not obvious?"

"...not really." Fumiko admitted with a bit of embarrassed hesitation.

"We are here, together, as friends." Aurelia bowed her head. "A tailor's job is a fulfilling and satisfying one, but it is also a solitary job as well."

"I thought you did fortune-telling on the side still." Fumiko scratched her head.

"Why not do all three?" Aurelia challenged her. "I am a capable woman."

"Fair enough." Fumi relented. "Just don't over-do it."

"So you were getting lonely?" Tsukiko asked, feeling a bit guilty.

"Not at all." Aurelia reassured her with a soft voice. "After all, I have you and the others keeping me company. Claudia is always at my side, as well. I just wanted to see the world in another way, once again."

"Fair enough." Tsukiko felt a bit better. "I just didn't really expect to see you workin' for someone."

"Working for someone?" Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "This is my own endeavor, my own place."

Fumi cocked her head. "So you're gonna run this place and the old dress shop at the same time?"

"I long missed the days of face to face service." Aurelia had a gentle smile on her face. "This is not my first time working like this, but it has been quite some time."

"Well, if there was anyone I'd want to serve me, it'd be you." Fumi put on a smirk.

"What would you like?" Aurelia looked at her with anticipation.

"Well, first, you could--"

Tsuki jabbed Fumi with her elbow before she could finish. "You'd better not say something dirty."

"I was gonna ask for some whiskey!" Fumi smacked Tsuki in the side as revenge. "Do you really think that little of me?"

Tsuki had to say it. "...sometimes."

"Hmph." Fumi feigned anger.

"So, you wanted a glass of whiskey?" Aurelia went back to business as usual.

"I've never heard of you drinkin' whiskey." Tsuki turned to Fumiko.

"I wonder..." Aurelia turned around to look at the bottles on the wall.

"Take your time." Fumi watched Aurelia.

"You're... acting a little weird, Fumi." Tsukiko accused.

Fumiko scoffed. "You're not curious what kind of funky ass whiskey she's got?"

"...Now that you mention it." Tsukiko's interest was piqued.

Aurelia turned around, placing a triangular bottle of golden wheat liquid down on the counter. "How about this? It is an eighteen year aged bottle of domestic , Japanese whiskey, produced in southern Hokkaido."

"Ooh, sounds nice." Fumi smirked. "But don't you have anything more... exotic?"

Aurelia bowed her head, silently accepting the challenge. Without another word, she gently lifted the bottle and placed it back on the shelf.

"Hey, don't make her do anything weird." Tsukiko warned her.

"So, what's with the sudden door swap?" Fumiko ignored Tsukiko's comment.

Aurelia moved around, looking through the shelves. "I wanted to talk to you two."

"About?" Tsuki asked.

"Well, you seemed to be very... set on something." Aurelia kneeled down to look at the lowest shelves. "You found something, didn't you?"

"...how'd you know?" Tsuki turned a little red. "Is it that obvious?"

"You get a certain... look in your eye." Aurelia chuckled. "You look very determined and focused, like there is a battle going on in your head."

"Well... it's been bothering me." Tsukiko blinked. "Did you have any advice?"

"Not at the moment, no. I simply wanted to help you pass the time with a couple of friends." Aurelia's voice was sickly sweet.

"That's it?" Tsuki felt a weight lift off her chest.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Fumiko motioned, desperately pointing at Aurelia while her back was turned. Tsukiko tried her best to remain respectful, unsure of what it was Fumi was trying to communicate, but not willing to find out the hard way. Fumi had no filter or shame in whatever she was doing, only putting her hand down when Aurelia turned to them.

"Here. This is an Auld Laguhofen six-year-aged Canopy Willow whiskey." Aurelia confidently turned around, and placed it on the table. "It has a somewhat... milder taste than regular whiskey."

"What's... Auld Laguhofen?" Tsukiko stared at the bottle. "...or a canopy willow?"

"I imported it myself." Aurelia never gave a good answer.

"Willow... whiskey." Fumiko suddenly lost her adventurous spirit. "What the hell is willow whiskey?"

"You asked me for something exotic." Aurelia stared down at Fumiko. "Have you ever seen willow whiskey in another bar? What could be more exotic than something you have never seen before?"

"I did say exotic, huh..." Fumiko nodded in defeat. "That... is pretty exotic."

Aurelia offered her an out. "Would you prefer the Hokkaido--"

"No way." Fumiko shook her head quickly, still intimidated by the willow whiskey. "Pour one out."

Aurelia dropped a big piece of ice into a glass, before slowly pouring in the mysterious drink. It was clear at first, but it quickly turned into a light color somewhere between straw and chartreuse. The blonde slowly slid the glass over to Fumiko, making it even more agonizing.

"Would you like a glass, Tsukiko?" Aurelia turned to the Knight. "I personally recommend it. I think you will enjoy it."

"Yeah, I'll take one." Tsuki moved forward a bit.

Suddenly, the two of them sat together, each with a rather dubious glass of willow whiskey before them. Aurelia watched carefully, through narrowed eyes and focus that revealed no obvious internal emotion. It wasn't the look of anxiety of someone trying to please, but a flat expression that hid the true intentions of such an action.

Tsuki and Fumi took their first taste at the same time. It surprised them, but not in the way they expected. It could barely be described as a whiskey. It was, in fact, quite pleasant.

"That's... good." Fumi nodded. "It's good."

"Huh. Yeah, it's nice." Tsuki cleared her throat.

"Thank you." Aurelia bowed slightly.

"You clearly know your stuff." Tsuki took another sip.

"I have been around long enough to know good liquor from bad liquor." Aurelia assured them with a short little laugh.

Fumiko let the drink talk for her. "So, how've the customers been?"

"I feel like I have found another calling." Aurelia closed her eyes. "I have learned so much, experienced so much."

"Huh. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks." Fumi spoke without thinking.

"Old dogs?" Aurelia asked.

"W-Well, I'd imagine you're pretty comfortable in your ways. It takes a lot of work to get into something new!" Fumiko tried to cover up for her mistake. "It's impressive."

Aurelia simply shrugged it off. "Life would be dull without an occasional new experience to brighten things up. I would know that better than anyone else."

"And new outfits, apparently." Fumi smirked.

"You suggested something more modern a long time ago." Aurelia was a bit vague. "So here I am. I rather enjoy it. It pleases me."

"...pleases." Tsuki repeated.

Aurelia didn't elaborate. "Yes. I should have worn something like this a long time ago."

"What about the dress?" Tsukiko reminded her. "That old weird one you were wearing when we met, with the corset."

"Oh, yes, I remember. I quite liked that dress." Aurelia reminisced. "...maybe someday."

"Oh, uhh, don't worry about what I think." Tsukiko finished her glass. "Wear whatever makes you happy."

"Would you like another?" Aurelia eyed the empty glass.

"Nah, I shouldn't start drinking something like that right now." Tsuki pushed the glass away.

"I can cover your tab, it would be my pleasure." Aurelia dragged the glass closer.

"It's not about the money, it's just... just give me something... decent, but cheap. I don't wanna put you out too badly." Tsuki bowed her head. "Not too strong, either. Thanks."

"No problem." Aurelia turned around again.

Tsuki frowned. "Don't overthink it."

"Please. You are a good friend. You deserve the best." Aurelia reached up high. "But I will try to honor your request."

Fumiko reached over and tried to force Tsuki to look. Tsukiko backed away, as Fumi leaned in closer. Aurelia struggled to grab something at the back.

Aurelia turned around. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Oh, uhh..."

"Be honest." Aurelia looked at Fumi expectantly.

Fumi sighed. "...I love the outfit."

"I know." Aurelia nodded.

"You do?" Fumi got scared.

"You have been taking glances at me this entire time." Aurelia accused.

Fumi turned a sickly red. "Shit... uhh, yeah..."

"You got caught." Tsuki looked a bit smug.

"I wasn't trying to perv on her, I was trying to show you how cool the outfit is! It's amazing!" Fumiko pouted.

Aurelia shook her head. "I do not mind."

"You don't?"

"No." Aurelia smiled. "I am glad. It means I have succeeded as a tailor and as a bartender."

"Yeah, it does." Fumi admitted, then turned to the Knight. "I spent the whole time thinking about what it would look like on Tsuki."

Tsuki turned to Fumiko. "Me?"

"Yeah! You'd look so good in it!" Fumi proclaimed.

"I already wear something like that!" Tsuki deflected.

"Yeah, but look at her!" Fumi pointed at Aurelia again. "She's got that real elegant air to her."

Tsukiko looked at Aurelia one more time. The blonde spun around slowly, as if she were on a big fashion runway. It became very clear why Fumiko had been staring. Aurelia had really outdone herself with the craftsmanship of her clothes.

"It's the tie, isn't it?" Tsuki frowned. "A tie isn't gonna make me look elegant like Aurelia."

"Oh, come on! You wear that really cool jacket, but it makes you look tough! An outfit like that..." Fumi trailed off.

"Would make me look..." Tsuki tried to get Fumi to focus again.

"You'd look..." Fumi tried to find the right word.

"Approachable?" Aurelia suggested.

"Yes! Approachable. Lovable. You'd look like that sweet bartender you might fall in love with." Fumiko grabbed Tsuki's hands. "Like something out of a TV drama!"

"...you've got some weird fantasies." Tsuki laughed to herself.

"Well, maybe you can come and work with me." Aurelia suggested.

"Huh?" Tsuki was caught off guard. "I... can't really pick up a job right now. I'm a Knight. It'd be a real pain in the ass to split time between here and there."

"It wouldn't be a job. I would call it... a hobby. I will let you work at your own pace." Aurelia started mixing things and making more enticing offers. "If money is an issue, you would be paid quite well."

"I don't know the first thing about customer service." Tsukiko held up her hands, as if to defend herself from Aurelia's strange favor. "And I'm not really that desperate for cash, either."

"A bartender must not only listen, but know when to speak. I know you want to help people, maybe this could be another way of helping." Aurelia leaned on the bar.

"If you say so..." Tsukiko's shell started to crack.

"Do it!" Fumi pouted and begged. "It'll be fun."

"How am I gonna help people from some city I don't even know?" Tsuki groaned. "I don't even know where I am!"

Aurelia smirked. "We are in Tokyo."

"I've never seen a bar like this in Tokyo before." Tsuki looked around.

"How often do you go to strange bars?" Aurelia countered.

"...not often enough, I guess." Tsukiko muttered.

"See? It'll be fine!" Fumi urged her.

"What if someone recognizes me?" Tsuki offered another rebuttal.

"...I think many people would want to be served by a Knight Himura." Aurelia offered a weak answer.

"...I dunno if being a bartender is the kind of job a Knight should be seen doing... no offense." Tsuki tried to be nice.

"Nonsense." Aurelia shook her head. "Serving people drinks is an important job. Alcohol and conversation have been the staple of human society for thousands of years."

"You're really nice though!" Tsukiko bowed. "I'm-- I can be pretty rude and angry."

"I think your demeanor will bring something new to my customers. Give it a chance, Tsukiko. I know you will learn something here." Aurelia's voice was deep and soothing.

"...I don't like ponytails." Tsuki turned away. "I'm not tying up my hair."

"Then wear your hair down! C'mon, do it for me!" Fumi pleaded.

Tsuki hissed. "Fumi, please. Don't do this."

"Please?"

"You can't peer pressure me into doing whatever you want." Tsukiko folded her arms. "Both of you. it's just weird."

"My apologies." Aurelia lowered her head. "My offer still stands."

Fumi frowned. "I guess you're right."

"...don't get all depressed all of a sudden." Tsuki gave up, putting her head in her hands. "Fine. I'll do it, I'll do it."

"Nice! Fumi smiled.

"But not tonight! I'm tired and it's gettin' late anyway." Tsukiko slammed her hand on the counter.

Aurelia poured the thing she'd been mixing into a small glass. "Then let us celebrate our new partnership!"

"Yeah!" Fumi drank the rest of her whiskey.

Aurelia slid the small glass over to Tsukiko. "Do not worry about your tab tonight. Let us drink, as friends."

"...that sounds more like it." Tsuki grabbed the small glass and raised it.

"Yay!" Fumiko raised her empty glass.

"I'm gonna be here a while, huh?" Tsuki muttered, before taking a sip.