I need another [Cameo]

[*]

The straw in my drink swirls by itself after I continously make it go in a circular motion. "... two. Three. Four. Five." The words slip through my lips slowly as the liquid slows to a halt and the straw is now pointing toward the small, wooden dance floor. My vision settles on the couple that is slow dancing by themselves, while behind them someone is using the pool table. A loud, thunderous crack explodes through the air. Balls clink against each other until they come to halt and i'm forced to draw my attention away from them and back to the drink that is nearly gone and the sound of the bartender, his voice raspy from too many cigarettes. "Get you another one?" My eyes saunter up at him, raising an eyebrow in distaste, although not particularly at him. He's actually making my day better by the potions he's creating for me and I give him a quick nodd and my eyes befall upon my fingernails. They are hardly cared for as of lately, but a lot has happened. The Tsunami was only two months ago and the healing of my leg is a welcomed thing. I can no longer depend on those around me and I now can take responsibilty again for things that are beyond my control. "So, what's going on, Ms. O'hana? You look more sorrowful than a lost pup. Anything Reggie can do for you?" I shake my head, look to the drink. "Keep them coming and I'll be fine soon enough!" My face cracks, allowing a small hint of a grin show through even though it's painful to allow this shallow bit of emotion to fall out. "This day can suck my balls..."

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

“Where the hell is Tempest?” I question with irritation lacing my tone, and a desperate search striving my path through the house. Like clockwork she was supposed to return home from work thirty minutes ago. But only baffled shrugs from our other siblings fail to answer my concern. “I swear you guys are going to give me grays before I turn twenty.” Why it’s so difficult to ease my overprotective behaviors with knowledge on where they are is beyond my understanding.

But they’re all much older now. Keeping track of their every action is no longer required, we’re all nearly adults now. Except that I’ll shelter their aging souls until my final breath. “She’s probably on the search for some liquor. I’ll be back in a little with her.” And with that I depart to ensure the entire O’Hana is safe & sound.

At least Tempest was only given a sliver of our Parents disease, unlike myself. A mere once a month she delves for an extremely intoxicated sensation. But with that she hasn’t strengthened her alcohol tolerance, as a daily beer intake has done to me. She’s the most joyful drunk I’ve ever encountered, while I still prefer that’s under my supervision. And thankfully after checking a few wine & spirits stores, I discover her at the local Pub.

My fears dwindle as I settle in a barstool next to her. “What’s the occasion?” I tease her, while my energy shifts to my usual optimism. “Bad day? Or is past your due date of getting wasted?” The jokes continue, as I’m simply grateful to have found her. “Whatever she’s having.” I request to the bartender.

“What have I told you about getting drunk by yourself? I’m quite insulted I didn’t get an invite.” I tease a bit more, though my tone remains lighthearted.

[*]

Alcohol is like a special treat for me. One that will perk up my day in just a short time and I never could have imagined what it would feel like to let go of all your worries and anger with the potions. My sister is the one who normally consumed the devil's drink on a regular basis but once in a great while, I too, enjoyed succumbing to the desires of the magical liquid. Tonight, is one of those nights because I refused to go home like normal and wandered into this bar without hesitation. However, I expected to be halfway drunk before my sister's voice would linger over my shoulder as if I had been caught like a little kids hand stuck in the cookie jar. I actually fully expected to not get finished with the first drink before my sister found me but as it seems, I figured wrong this time. The first glass is already gone before I feel her presence first and hear her voice second. I neither get startled nor jolt by her surprise but instead, tilt my head and give her a certain glare. "To be responsible about it." I chime out and give a half-asse smile to her before letting that grin fall into a grim sort of way. "... and you weren't invited because I didn't have the energy to go home and get you. Besides, you found your way here." The bartender swirls up the same drink that I just had but not with just one serving, but two; one for my sister and one for me. He places it gently in front of my person and I start to do the same thing with it as i did the last one. I use the straw to start the circular motion, mixing it up so obsessively. Only when I let the straw go and count to six, do I pick it up, and let the cold intoxication of the drink slide down the back of my throat. "Bad day." I tell her when I sit the glass down, half empty and taunting me with my drinking ways. "What about you? Good? YOu look like you're in a good mood. What happened?"

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

The quiet hustle of an awakening bar is unexplainably comforting. The foolish drunks of the night have yet to stumble about. And the soft aroma of music waits to become an obnoxious blare. Hopefully Tempest will reach her fix, and I can convince her home, prior to the crowd settling amongst us. The ancient clock, that reveals the age of this Bar, is gazed upon to grant the relief that we at least have a couple hours before the chaos, that isn’t me, emerges. For now I’m able to listen to my Sister without the disturbance of the other wasted.

“Lazy butt.” And the teases continue as if payback for the fret she put me through. This event must be due to a rough day, or else she would have informed me this morning of her plans. And granted I know her far too well, as well as her location now, perhaps I can ease my worries with a bit of alcohol along with her.

As soon as the glass is set before me, I guzzle the liquid in a hefty swig. Will there ever be that dreadful day I’m unable to discover where my Siblings are? Where I’m left with the dangerous cancer of not being able to protect them? Given that has yet to occur, I can’t consider that heart wrenching option.

Sure enough Tempest admits to her reasoning of having a bad day. And as long as she doesn’t follow in my footsteps of having this as a daily event, I refrain from complaining. But rather then delving deeper into her unpleasant experiences, she questions my upbeat attitude.

“I know where are my siblings are.” I vaguely hint to the discomfort she made me endure. “And that they’re all safe.” If it wasn’t for them, I’m unaware of where I would currently be; probably in continues drunken daze due to having no one to care for. “So what happened?” I question, with an openness to be there for her just as she always is with me.