This isn't the bathroom...

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

A few seconds ago, everything was so normal...

Anya pauses at the door, confused. She slowly pokes her head in, scanning the bizarre room in front of her that is most definitely not the bathroom. Suddenly she feels a strong tug and stumbles over the threshold. The door smacks shut behind her, the click of the lock surprisingly deafening in the already noisy... bar?

Well, Anya knows bars. She and bars are good friends. She walks slowly, almost cautiously to the Bar and sits down on one of the stools, tugging her robe in close around her. No one is immediately apparent, but something about this place seems special.

"Uhm... a mimosa please?"

Just to her left in a snazzy crystal glass appears a deliciously well balanced mimosa on a clean napkin. She smiles, claps her hands like a five year old and takes a sip. Her nerves somewhat calmed, she scans the room for something, anything friendly.

Comments

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

"Uh huh. I was asleep in the apartment, and then I woke up in the apartment, though I suppose it could be an alternate dimension that only looked like the apartment, and the I walked into what I thought was going to be my bathroom, but it was here. My bathroom doesn't have mimosas."

He's nice. He asks questions and lets Anya talk about herself.

He can stay. Please.

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"Thy bathroom door didst turn into a magic one," Herc says. "Thou art at Milliways, fair maiden."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

"Milliways? Sounds like something from the Fifties in America. And I should know, I was there."

She ponders a moment.

"The landlord must not know about this. Otherwise our rent would be much higher. Well, I'll just have to make sure she never uses our bathroom. I'm only going to pay for the advertised features. Any hidden ones should be free I think. Like mimosas."

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"Thy drinks are not free," Herc says. "Though while I talk with thee, Hercules shall cover thy tab."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

"Oh."

Anya makes a face.

"Well, thank you. I appreciate it. Seems to me though that they should have a big sign saying "Magical Bar Not Free." It would clear up some confusion. I mean, what if I had never talked to you? It would've been a huge mess. For capitalism to work all parties must be at least partially informed of the arrangement."

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"Indeed, it is good," Herc says. "I often like to encounter beautiful woman when they are not fully dressed. But if I had not told thee, someone would have."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

Anya shifts in her seat and can't decide if she should cover up more or just let the robe stay where it is.

"But not everyone is nice like you here, are they? That would be very strange. I might feel queasy."

Ah, let it stay. She likes compliments. And how else is an ex-demon gonna have a little fun?

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"Not all," Herc says. "But the Prince of Power doth try to be endearing."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

Anya squints at him.

"Prince of Power? Who are you exactly?"

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"I am Hercules, son of Zeus," Herc says. "And what be thy name?"

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

"You're... a demi-god? Cool!"

Anya is now fully facing him, and she sticks out her hand. Magical peoples are always fun and worthwhile.

"I'm Anya, Ex-Vengeance Demon. Used to help poor cheated-on women get back at their ex-men. Good thing I only answer to humans and I wasn't around when your dad was, well... you know. He would've been in trouble."

Yes, she did just say that she would've cursed Zeus. And she said it with a very perky smile on her face. She means everything she said, as always, in the best possible connotation.

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"That I am," he says, carefully shaking her hand. "My father didst get around."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

"Chyeah, I should say so. Anyway so tell me about being a demi-god, hows that working for ya? Ever need any magical equipment to help you out? Maybe a large enchanted troll hammer to smite your enemies with?"

As far as Anya is concerned, this is the fun side of business. Getting to know the customers and selling them things she thinks they need (and the need goes up exponentially with the price tag of course).

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"A hammer?" Herc laughs. "Tis more the style of my Asgardian comrade. I have my mace when I doth need it, and it doth serve me well."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

Anya pouts a little.

"Really? No supernatural needs at all? We have helped full fledged gods before... okay, once, and we shouldn't have because it allowed her to summon this demon snake and that was bad, but... you wouldn't do that! You're nice, and a demi-god anyway."

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"Thou doth run a troll hammer sales business?" Herc says. "Seems a highly specialized field."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

Anya laughs.

"Oh, no, that's just one of many interesting and useful items in the shop I run out there, The Magic Box! We sell all sorts of magical implements and tools and resources. You just don't seem the candle and sage type, more the big heavy hammer type."

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"Tis true," Herc says. "I doth belive more in the strength of my body than acts of magic."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

"But you could combine them and be even more powerful! WIth magical weapons, or defense enhancing spells... I mean, you're partially divine, so you could probably cast some good stuff if you wanted to!"

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

Hercules chuckles. "I doth hate magic," he says. "Tis for others, but not me. My body is my weapon."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

She isn't going to get anywhere with someone who hates magic. But he is fun, and pays for things. That's nice.

"Oh well. It was worth a shot. So what brings a demi-god to my bathroom? My fiance might be jealous."

A pause, and she leans in confidingly.

"I'm kidding. Well, not really, if he knew I was in a bar talking to you he'd probably be terribly threatened, but I know you aren't really in my bathroom. That was the joke. Because if you actually were in my bathroom at the same time I was, then it would be many many times worse than just sitting here and talking. Another mimosa please?"

Her glass is refilled and she bounces in her seat, rather pleased with this whole magical bar thing.

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

"Thy fiancee?" Herc pouts a little. "Twould of course that a fine prize as you be snatched up already."

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

Anya grinned. A demi-god thinks she's cute!

"Thank you! I take your attraction to me as a compliment. But yes, I'm very in love with Xander. I would still like to be your friend though! One cannot have too many demi-gods on ones side. Besides, I think you're nice to look at and spend time with as well."

[i-brained-clor.livejournal.com]

Herc smiles. "I doth appreciate thy direct manner of address. I shall be thy friend, and twill be good for us both!"

[outofthebiz.livejournal.com]

Anya giggles lightly.

"Yes, twill!"