Bar Luxiem

(Theme: Night Bar. Characters: Luxiem)

Sometimes, what you're looking for can be found in the most unexpected of places.

The city at night is full of excitement and chaos. The clamor of traffic can put you in a daze. The flashing of gaudy neon lights can both be blinding and hypnotic. And the hustle and bustle of people moving about can lift you off your feet and literally carry you off like a river current.

That was why she was thankful to escape the fast-paced crowds that winter night. While on business, she had been overwhelmed by the city's nightlife. She had to squeeze through the flow of people to find refuge in an empty side street between two old brick buildings.

Achoo!

She sneezed. The snowy weather and the dry, freezing air made her face red. She was going to catch a cold if she stayed out for too long, but even if she wanted to go home, it would be a long trek to the nearest station. She couldn't go home, though. She still hadn't finished her job.

"Eyy, are you coming in?"

A sudden voice in her ear caused her to jump in surprise. Turning her head, she saw that the door to the brick building to her left had opened, and a young man with multi-colored hair and piercing purple eyes had one arm against the door frame while looking at her.

'Coming in' was what he had said. For a moment, she was confused, but looking atop the thick mahogany door the man had come out of, she saw a sign that explained why he was inviting her.

Bar Luxiem – that was the word written on the sign. She had been standing right next to its side street entrance the entire time. She was inclined to refuse considering it was shady invitation in a back alley, but the bar's name accompanied with the bright line that illuminated the dark side street made her hopeful to find warmth. The light in the dark compelled her to approach. Like a moth to a flame, she followed the smiling man's into the establishment.

The moment she entered, she was comforted by the warm air inside the building. After a long day out in the cold and busy winter streets, the smooth jazz playing in the bar along with the calm atmosphere relaxed her tense muscles...

"Barkeep! Another!"

"Two margaritas over here."

"So I says to her..."

"One for the road!"

... Well, the bar wasn't exactly calm. There were several men and women in the booth seats and at the bar counter drinking and chatting loudly, but that was to be expected. This was Bar Luxiem.

"I can take your coat for you," the man with the multicolored hair offered as he was one of the staff. "It looks like our booth seats are all filled up, so may I direct you to the counter?"

He did not have to, but she gratefully accepted being guided by the man. He spoke rather casually and in a friendly matter. It put her at ease as she was brought to her seat at the bar.

"Waaaaah!!! Why does this always happen to me, Luca?"

"Hey now, Mysta. Have another bottle of water. You're going to get sick if you keep drinking alcohol."

"Don't say bo'l of wa'er!"

She scooted away from the crying drunk to her right that was being consoled by his blond, sharply dressed friend. They were noticeably loud – not people she wanted to associate with after a long and hard day.

"Just ignore him," a calm voice to her left advised her. Turning her head, she saw a young man in glasses calmly holding a novel in his hands. "He's usually like this. A few more cups of water, and he'll sober up. Don't worry, he's a good boy."