The sun had finally set on the city and the customers coming into Dudley's had slowed dramatically. Many of them had to get up early for business meetings tomorrow, or left because they could no longer fund their alcohol binge. Whatever the reason, Charlotte was happy to close up early. Most of the time she wasn't sure why people came in anyways. The bar was nothing special. A few booths filled  the far side of the wall, each housing a small TV built into the wall. Some of the vinyl was faded, while it was starting to crack in other parts. A pool table and a few dartboards provided entertainment in the back, while a large flat screen TV hung over the bar itself.

Even the food wasn't good. Mediocre burgers, steaks that, regardless of how they were ordered, were delivered to the patrons still mooing and bleeding on the plate. But then again, once you had enough alcohol in your system, anything could taste like a five-course meal. Case in point, the mound of fries Charlotte was munching on from a small plate. She'd occasionally stop to take long sips of the amber liquid that filled her glass.  It was her..second? third? Long Island Iced Tea. She had lost count, but it didn't matter because those fries were a godsend. Munch, munch, sip. 

This was nothing new for the blonde. In fact, it had become almost a nightly routine. Customers would leave, she'd make herself a drink with a little too much alcohol, and she'd stumble home to eat Oreos and watch the shopping network. Oh god, she was turning into her mother. She groaned at the thought of. Sip, sip, munch. 

She placed her head on the bar, the cool wood a welcomed change to her flushed face. When had she gotten so warm? She propped herself up with her elbows and took another sip from her glass as she fished for a cigarette out of her back pocket. She took the last sip and placed the cigarette between her lips. She flicked her lighter, lit the cigarette, and glanced over at the clock. Thirty minutes until she could leave.

"I can do this." she muttered to herself. She prayed that no one walked in last minute. 

Daniel walked to streets. It was late but what else was there to do? It'd been a while since his run in at the Riot, the Police would soon be after him if they weren't already. He'd stayed at his apartment since then, slowly but surely looking for somewhere else to stay. He put in his resignation at the Hospital telling them that if his situation improves he'd be happy to come back and continue working there but as it is, he wasn't able.

The reason he was walking the streets; he actually just hoping for a drink. Sitting alone in your apartment, worried that you'll black out and murder someone has a way of getting you down but there was nothing he could do. Who could he see to ask for advice? No-one would help a murderer learn to control his beast inside. No-one. As he walked the street, a light caught his eye. He checked his watch and saw that he had enough time for a quick drink.

As he entered he automatically noticed the blonde. Yes..No-ones around Daniel...She'd sound wonderful would she not? Daniel put and hand to his head and shook it. He still dressed semi-professionally, he wore a shirt with a few button undone at the top and he also wore some black trousers with black shoes. He decided to sit at the bar seeing that no-one else was here and he sat quite close to the blonde but not too close. "I'll take..I dunno. Just give me a beer." Daniel didn't drink often but tonight, he needed to drown out the voice.

Charlotte let out a silent groan as the small bell hanging above the door 'dinged', signaling the arrival of a customer. She straightened herself and took a drag from her cigarette before putting it out in a nearby ashtray. She had jinxed herself. She should have knocked on wood or something. "Hi, how are you?" she smiled, giving the man a quick look top to bottom. He was fairly attractive, but there was probably something tragic that happened to him. It was always the handsome ones that were the most messed up.

Grabbing a glass, she sat it on the bar in front of him and leaned forward ever so slightly, almost far enough that he'd be able to see down her shirt. "What kind of beer would you like?" she asked. She could tell this guy didn't drink often. You didn't just walk in and ask for a beer. Typically you'd request a specific type. 

While she waited for an answer, the blonde picked up a small rag and began wiping down the top of the bar, sweeping the crumbs onto the floor behind her. She'd have to mop in the morning. 

How was he? He was a secret murderer while also being a trained Surgeon. He was Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in real life. He tore people to pieces and he had no control over it. He was confused. He was clearly some kind of Mutant, that much was obvious by now but was it his mutation that caused the uncontrollable murderous rage or was it inside his always and just manifested when he 'turned'. These were things he may never know but he couldn't exactly tell the barmaid that could he? "How am I? Well I can't go to work, I can't stay in my apartment for much longer and I've got more than one person breathing down my neck. So I'm not doing too well.

Her next question. He couldn't help but sigh at. She leaned on the bar and his eyes could help but wander slightly down her shirt and he couldn't help but let out a half-laugh but not one of happiness, more one of pointlessness. "Does it really matter? Whatever you recommend aslong as it's alcoholic." Daniel really needed to cheer himself up but he guessed when you can't do much and what you can do is the same everyday. It can get you a little down.

The beast inside his was still moving around in his head. He needed that drink for sure and it would be great if he got it quickly. Don't try to block me out! I saved up. Kept us safe. Don't you remember? Back when we were 16? Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!

Yikes. Most people responded with 'fine' or 'good', but this guy just about flew off the handle. Charlotte held up her hands in defense. "I surrender!" she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. She mulled over what kind of beer to give him. She pursed her lips for a second before reaching below the bar, pulling up a bottle of Blue Moon, tipping the contents into a glass.

"I personally like this kind, if I have to drink beer," she stated, picking up an orange segment and dropping it into the glass. "and it's great with oranges." She slid the glass his way and began drumming her fingers lightly on the bar top. She was going to regret this, but she took a deep breath and asked "So what exactly is going on in your life? Did you get fired or somethin'?"

Many people thought that bartenders were just supposed to stand there and look like eye candy, but believe it or not, a lot of people confided in them. Something about the fact that customers will never see them again makes it that much easier to confide in them. 

Daniel watched the attractive barmaid put her hands up in surrender and he chuckled a little. Sure she was cute but that's probably why she was hired, it also explains her quite clear positioning of her body. She may of also cheered him up slightly with that. He watched her as she poured him a glass and dropped an orange into it. Daniel looked at her for a while and brought the glass to his lips, taking a sip from the beer. It was good for beer. "So, how much do I owe you for that?" The Doctor rifled through his pocket and lifted out his quickly-thinning wallet. He wasn't making any money and he would run out of savings eventually.

The Secret Murderer then heard her ask the question he suspected she didn't really want to ask."No, I didn't get fired. I've done a few..bad things. Really bad things. I think I should lay low for a while, get out of my apartment and get out of work for now until I fix it." Daniel took a few more gulps of his beer and then a few more and the stirring in his head calmed down. He looked at the girl and smiled slightly at her for the first time since he came in. "So, what about you? How's working around here?" He attempted to change the subject and deflect it away from himself.

Charlotte shook her head in response to him reaching for his wallet. "It's on me. I already closed the register." she lied. She felt bad for the guy, and was going to do her best to cheer him up. She turned her back to him to make herself another drink, this time opting to put very little alcohol in her Long Island. She had to remain somewhat level-headed around customers.

"We've all done bad things, don't let it get you down." she assured, offering him a smile over her shoulder. She killed a boy when she was younger, how much worse could he have done? The blonde shuddered at the memory, the splashing of the water still vivid in her head. Downing half of her glass, she composed herself and turned back around.

How was working here? "Eh," she began, shrugging slightly. "It has its perks. I make pretty good tips, but I could do without some of the creeps that come in here." She took another sip of her drink. At this rate, she'd be better off making multiple glasses in advance. Or slowing down, but where was the fun in that? The blond sipped from her glass, setting it on the table and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I'm Charlotte, by the way." she said, pointing to the small name tag that was pinned to her chest. The blonde picked up a cigarette and placed it between her lips. "You don't mind if I smoke, do you?" she asked, talking around the cigarette. "I know some people find it off-putting." 

It appeared that he was getting a drink for free tonight. He wouldn't complain. She seemed nice enough. It was then she assured him of the bad things people do and he couldn't help but believe her. She said it like she'd done some bad things herself bur he doubted it was on the same scale as him. He'd killed atleast four police officers and he didn't even know how. He wasn't trained and he definitely wasn't stronger than them. Daniel shook the thoughts from his head as he looked at Charlotte infront of him after she'd introduced herself. "I'm Daniel and I assure you, I'm not a creep.

Daniel flashed her a quick smile and then looked up at her, speaking automatically. "Well, smoking increases the risk of Coronary heart disease by two to four times, the risk of Women developing lung cancer by thirteen times and is linked with Acute myeloid leukemia, Bladder cancer, Cancer of the cervix, Cancer of the esophagus, Kidney cancer, Cancer of the larynx, Lung cancer, Cancer of the oral cavity, Pancreatic cancer, Cancer of the pharynx and Stomach cancer..." Daniel looked up to her with a slight smirk gracing his lips before he just said. "But go right ahead. I don't mind. I'm a Doctor by the way." He offered up the explanation for his knowledge.

Charlotte did her best to suppress a gagging noise. She hated people who told her the risks of smoking. Of course she knew it was bad for her. That's why she did it. "All the best things are bad for you." she retorted, flicking her lighter with as much attitude as one could flick a lighter with. She blew a small stream of smoke to the side of her, doing her best to keep it out of his face.

"So, Doctor," she began, tipping the rest of the Blue Moon into his glass. "what are you going to do with all your free time?" She wanted to know what he had done, and she figured the best way for that to happen was get more alcohol in his system. "Even if you were a creep, you're handsome. So it kind of evens out." she added. Wait, had she said that out loud? She felt her face flush, and she quickly took another sip from her glass to hide the sudden reddening of her cheeks. 

She puffed on her cigarette, and gazed around the bar. Her eyes settled on one of the TVs which she'd forgotten to turn off. Some anchor woman appeared on the screen and began her report of mutants and riots and other shenanigans. The blonde motioned with her head towards the screen. "It's crazy, isn't it?" she sighed, a frown forming on her lips. "It just doesn't make any sense. They make us look like monsters, but really all we want to do is fit in." She hadn't meant to say 'we' or 'us', but the alcohol was starting to get to her and she didn't really care if the man knew or not. 

Daniel watched her flick her lighter and he smirked. She could do whatever she liked. She was old enough to make her own decisions and at the moment he wasn't the best person to be giving out life advice was he? Then she asked what he'd be doing with his free time. "Well, I'll probably go into bars just before closing time and speak with attractive barmaids who call me attractive. Seems to be working so far. He took a few more sips from his glass and turned his attention to the TV along with her.

The Riots. He'd been at one of those a few months ago. The New Broadcaster was probably having one of those stories they show when there's nothing important to report on. He continued drinking as he watched it for a while before turning to her. He noticed she used the terms 'we' and 'us'. So you're a Mutant? What can you do? Or is your mutation... He put a hand to his chin and rubbed it for a second before continuing. "...A mutation that makes people think you're crazy attractive? What was he saying?! Normal Daniel would not allow this, he'd be far too nervous to say this. I guess that's what so good about alcohol.

He thought she was attractive? No, he couldn't. It must be the alcohol. She shook her head and took one last puff from the cigarette, dropping it into the ashtray. She looked around for her purse."I wish," she mumbled, in reference to what he thought her mutation was. "I control water, actually." she corrected, locating her purse and setting it on the bar top. She pulled out her bottle of water and unscrewed the cap. She held out her hand, palm side down, and waved it over the opening of the bottle. "Come on, don't decide not to do anything now." she thought to herself. The last thing she needed was him thinking she was a phony. 

The surface of the water began to ripple, before creeping up the inside of the bottle. It twisted and formed a small, steady stream that began to intertwine around her fingers. She moved her hand back and flipped it over. She gave a quick glance up to Daniel to see how he was reacting. "This is pretty much it. It just kind of does what I want it to." she stated, flexing her fingers. The stream began wrapping around it's self until it formed a sphere, about the size of a tennis ball. 

"Can you do anything?" she questioned, watching the orb as it began to float from one of her hands to the other. 

Daniel was, to be honest, amazed. Water. The same thing that made up most of the world and also was inside him was being manipulated with such raw skill. She was amazing. The stuff of Gods to be perfectly honest. He'd seen mutants before but that was on TV, the X-men. None had decided to demonstrate their abilities so close to him before in this kind of situation. He watched the water move from hand to hand, his eyes following it. Daniel smiled at her and then she asked about him.

He shook his head and spoke "No, no, no. I'm not a Mutant. However there are things I can do. I can stitch you up if you get hurt, I can cook for myself, I can do a lot. Trust me." Daniel said it with a smile on his face as he was quite clearly running out of things to say coming to the end. He winked at her and smirked. Deciding if he can't make a serious point, he'd flirt with her a bit.

Charlotte waved her hand back over the open bottle, watching as the water slowly trickled in, until it was full. She screwed back on the cap and put the bottle back in her purse, flashing him a smile. "Well considering you're a doctor, I hope you'd be able to stitch and stuff." she joked. She too was running out of things to talk about, but wasn't going to just let the conversation die. 

"So.." her voice trailed off, her mind searching for a topic they could both talk about it. She resisted the urge to light another cigarette; she really did need to cut back. Her fingers drummed against the tabletop, a smile forming on her lips. "How long have you been a doctor?" She was seriously drowning 

Daniel smiled and laughed a little as she joked. "I should hope so, otherwise I've got some explaining to do." The Doctor took another gulp from his glass, mostly to avoid rambling and saying something stupid. He looked at her as she searched for something to talk about as he peered around the bar. It was a nice enough bar, perhaps he'll come here again. Especially if all of their bartenders are as pretty as this one.

She asked her question and he thought hard about it. "I've been a doctor for.." His mind was getting a little fuzzy already, how strong was that beer? Then again he didn't drink often so it wasn't exactly surprising. He leaned forward on the bar slightly and stared up at her. "..Uh..Well..A while. He couldn't seem to remember the number of years. He'd wanted to be a doctor ever since he was young. He'd done all the training and he was a surgeon or..was a surgeon. Currently an out of work Surgeon. "What about you pretty lady? How long have you been doing this?

"Awhile is good," she smiled. "A nice medium of 'not long' and 'forever." She finished what was left of her drink and sat it on the table. "A few years," she responded, trying to ignore the 'pretty lady' comment. "Like, four. Yeah, sounds right.. I think. "she mumbled, looking up to the ceiling as she did mental math. Four years, wasted away serving booze and stale food to people didn't give a crap about her. 

The blonde huffed and made her way around the bar, plopping onto a seat just a few down from Daniel. She rested her chin in her hand and held herself up with her elbow. "I know it's personal and all," she began, turning so she look at the doctor. "but what exactly happened that you can't go back? I'm curious." she flashed a smile for luck. Her looks had helped out plenty of times, she Charlotte hoped this was one of them.